Page 135 of Beyond the Cottage

They both knew he could snap the ribbon like tissue, but he kept his hands behind his back and lowered his head. “Forgive me, my lady. I didn’t mean to anger you.”

For long seconds, she went quiet, as though deciding whether to flog him in the square or condemn him to the dungeon.

Finally, she uncrossed her legs and primly folded her hands. “I find myself in a magnanimous mood. Despite your insolence, I’m not ruthless enough to send you to bed with your dick unsucked.”

His head whipped up. He searched her face for malice or teasing.

“Yes, Ansel. I’m saying I’ll suck your cock.”

He didn’t dare respond.

“However,” she continued. “You have to earn it. I demand you impress me with a feat of strength.”

“Anything.” He’d run naked to the swamps and back. If she asked him to fight ten trolls while shaving the chancellor’s head, he’d fetch his razor.

She lowered to the floor. Kneeling behind him, she grabbed his bound wrists and put her lips to his ear. “I’m going to make you a deal. First, you’ll promise not to move your hands when I untie them. Understand?”

“Yes.” When the knot slipped free, he clasped his wrists in a death grip.

She came around to face him, spinning the ribbon. Smile wicked, she wrapped it around his erection and tied a neat bow.

“What—” He swallowed. “What is this?”

“Your hero’s gauntlet. If you can get this ribbon off without using your hands, I’ll suck your cock until you come buckets.”

Ansel strangled. He assessed the ribbon, weighing his chances in despair.

“What if I fail?” he croaked.

“Then I’ll bind your wrists again, and we’ll reevaluate in the morning.”

He groaned in agony because he knew she’d do it. His queen wasdiabolical.

He scanned her bedroom, searching for anything that might catch on the bow. Strategy was critical. Pulling a loop the wrong way risked leaving a double knot. Her room offered little in the way of a solution. A bed, a lamp, a few pieces of furniture. Nothing useful for this particular gauntlet.

But he’d be damned before he conceded. A good hero would never let the wicked queen win.

Still clasping his wrists, Ansel sat. He stretched his back and shoulders, rolling them. She’d left him only one option, and so goddamn be it.

Chapter 47

Gretta tried to keep her face stern. Her little assignment was probably cruel, but after his cocky impertinence, she couldn’t resist torturing him longer.

And she didn’tactuallyintend to leave him unsatisfied. She’d watch him flounder around a while then let him reap the benefits of his cock sucking tutorial.

He gave the room a final glance before returning his eyes to her. Instead of bleak desperation, they held resolve. “I hope you’ll still respect me in the morning, my lady.”

He got to his knees, spreading his legs as wide as they’d go. He bent at the waist, back hunching. Holding eye-contact until the last possible second, he lowered his head.

No way.

Hecouldn’t.

It wasn’t physically possible.

She crawled closer to get a better look…

At his mouth. Heading for his cock.

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