Page 82 of Greed: The Savage
When it became clear she wasn’t going to respond, he said, “Given everything I shared with you yesterday…” Had it truly been but a day ago? Less than even. “You understand why.”
“That’s why you were with the baroness.” Her eyes were peculiarly blank. “You weren’t necessarily going to fuck her.” Her lips formed a cynical smile that hit him like a gut-punch. “That would have been a mere added bonus. You were there to court her.”
Shame, guilt, and a swirl of other emotions too complex to put name to rioted in his chest.
That same shame brought his shoulders back. “You are right to your resentment. I neglected my responsibility to see you safe and you suffered.” And he would never, ever forgive himself for that grievous offense.
“I’m not yourresponsibility, Malric.” Addien’s gaze radiated hurt. “I’m no man’s responsibility.” Her voice was small as he’d ever heard. He loathed it with all he was.
“Yes, but youcouldbe, Addien.” Did that imploring voice belong to him? “Not a responsibility. I do not see you as an assignment.”
Her lips curved into a sad smile. “How do you see me, Malric?”
A region very near his heart spasmed. Thornwick knew what he said next, and how he said it, mattered very much.
“Look at me, Addien,” he said quietly.
Once she did, he continued.
“You were made for me, Addien. Just as I was made for you. You are a perfect mate for me. As I am for you. I want to marry you. And you’re going to, and do you know why that is?” He continued in a rhythmic murmur, managed to bring her under a spell the same way she’d dragged him under hers.
Addien gave something between a nod and a shake of her head, a wobbly motion displayed just how off-kilter she was.
Malric reached his hand up and curved his palm around her nape. Her neck was so small, he far more than spanned it with his hand. He cupped her lightly but firmly, with just the right amount of pressure he’d learned she loved. Sure enough, her eyelashes fluttered.
“Because you want me,” he whispered, firm in his conviction, so as to let it emerge as a command. “Because you want me the same way I want you. We are the same. Both animals.” Not even bothering to conceal his desire for her in this moment, he lowered his mouth to claim hers in a hard kiss they both loved from one another…
Addien’s whispered question breathed against his lips. “Animals don’t become duchesses.”
He froze.
At last, the pieces fell into place!
“You’ll be perfect,” he murmured, the words low and certain. Thornwick brushed his lips over her cheek, drawing closer to the delicate shell of her ear. “You are bold. Courageous. Beautiful beyond compare.” He leaned in until his mouth hovered where he wanted it. “You are a queen…” He set his lips to her ear. “Let me be your king.”
Her breath grew ragged.
Thornwick lightly nipped at the sensitive flesh.
A delicate shiver set her body trembling.
Sensing her weakening, he intensified his assault on her senses. “You will have security. Safety,” he enticed. With each vow, he plied her body with a sensual kiss. “You will have power unlike you ever believed possible.” Overcome with lust for her, he curled his hand about her nape and made to devour her mouth.
Addien spoke, halting that hedonistic vision of their future together. “And what will you have?” Her words whispered against his mouth.
“What will I have?” he breathed, giving her neck another little bite, this time harder.
Addien whimpered. The nod she gave was uneven.
“I don’t need anything from you, Addien.”
With that promise, Thornwick took one of her swollen nipples into his mouth and sucked violently. When he failed to elicit the customary scream, he looked up at Addien.
Instead of bliss, her eyes reflected back horror and—
His eyes narrowed.
Knock, knock, knock, knock.
