Page 44 of Beyond the Cottage

Gone was the man who’d fallen to his knees in the tower. In his place stood the depraved barbarian who’d dragged her through the prison and brooded at her outside the cell.

How had she forgotten, even for a moment, what he’d become? He didn’t specify what he wanted, but the provocative, calculating look in his eyes spoke clearly enough.

His price would be a sexual favor.

Every one of Gretta’s muscles tightened as she shrank away, looking from his despicable face to the bottle.

God, how bad did she want a sample? He clearly didn’t buy her offer to help him. What if he straight up refused to meet with Nat? Fighting witchcraft was all that mattered, so she one hundred percent needed to secure a bottle before she left.

Gretta quietly groaned.

She pictured Ansel pulling out his cock, presenting it with a leer as she dropped to her knees. They both knew his invention was worth more than a hand job. He’d expect her mouth, at minimum. Could she go that far, even for one of those precious samples?

Fuck no.He was a degenerate for even asking it of her.

But maybe shecouldtalk him down to a quick handy?

“What do you want for it?” she snapped.

He slid the bottle toward her. “This represents ten percent of my supply. In exchange for it, I want…”

“What? Just say it.”

He shifted closer. His face tipped down, and she defiantly tipped hers up.

Eyes lit with hunger, he said, “I want you to give me a hug.”

Chapter 16

Ansel knew he was being a conniving, devious bastard again. He didn’t care. The storm had already begun to wane, and his time left with her could be measured in hours. He didn’t remotely believe she intended to help him secure an investor, and he didn’t care about that either. Having her willingly touch him one more time would be enough to get him through the rest of his shitty life.

Of course, she wouldn’t truly be willing. This was simple bribery, if he chose to be honest with himself.

But one couldn’t turn off being a selfish prick overnight.

Gretta cocked her head. “You’d give me ten percent of your supply for ahug?”

He’d give it to her for far less. Hell, if she told him to fuck off, he would, and he’d still give her the sample. He’d intended to the moment she’d divulged her profession.

However, he saw no harm in opening negotiations with what he really wanted.

“That’s my price.”

“But…why?”

“I just want one.” He waited for her to tell him how pathetic that sounded.

She shook her head and laughed. “Okay, deal. Come here.”

His head snapped back. Pulse wild, he moved closer, afraid she’d change her mind if he hesitated. He stood before her, back straight, face down.

What should he do with his arms? Dragging her into them seemed outside the technical parameters of their bargain, but keeping them at his sides felt awkward. Before he could make a decision, she clapped her arms around him with more of a pat than a squeeze. It ended before he realized it happened.

“Gretta.”

“What? You asked for a hug, I gave you one.”

“That was hardly a hug. Jonas in his cups is more affectionate.” Logically, her aversion to him remained perfectly understandable, but logic didn’t stop it from lacerating him.

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