Page 76 of Disillusioned
“Both a worrisome and lovely surprise seeing Trevelyan’s pet here tonight.”
The mention of his name filled her with a tumultuous anger, the heat inher body causing the mounting need she felt to spill over. She tilted her head, glared up at him—and rose on her feet to kiss him.
Lilac closed her eyes. She kissed him because she was angry, because she had gone to the inn to upset Garin in the first place. Because her body was on fire, and she needed someone—anyone—to put it out. Still, it took her by surprise, just as much as it did him. Casmir’s lips were stiff at first, the rest of him rigid against her, but then he quickly opened for her, his soft mouth cupping hers. His hands found her waist, and he allowed her to push him as she placed her hands on his chest, walking him back through the crowd to the nearest wall.
Casmir was not sweet and smoky, flora and woodsmoke, like Garin. He tasted bitter, like mint and strong tobacco. When his ankle hit the shallow step of an empty alcove, he stumbled back onto the seat. Lilac released him, and before he could right himself, she climbed onto his lap, her skin flushing at the sensation of him hardening beneath her.
Casmir propped himself up on his arms, the beginnings of an appalled smirk overshadowed by his shocked glare. “That,” he breathed, eyes flickering down to her legs spread over him, his stiff cock pressing against her inner thigh, “is involuntary.”
“Well this isn’t. And I amnot,” Lilac said, leaning down and brushing her lips against his, “Garin’s pet.”
Even as he opened his mouth and their tongues briefly met, her body didn’t react the way she thought it would—the way she wanted. He was startlingly handsome; there was no questioning her attraction. Still, as she slowly rubbed herself against him, there was a strong tug behind her navel. Awarning, oneshe duly ignored—in fact, the tinge of regret only made her want Casmir more. How funny it would be, if Garin walked out of his room and glanced down to see her riding the vampire’s cock.
Suddenly, her thoughts were no longer muffled by the painful desperation to be touched, and a rush of adrenaline washed her eagerness away, momentarily clearing her mind.
She broke off, sickened and panting.What was this?Must her conscience be so prudish? Lilac fought back, dug her nails into the cushions on either side of her and leaned toward him again, hoping to drown out the resurfaced thoughts of Garin upstairs, with his whores… But Casmir planted his hands on her shoulders, gently holding her back.
“I can see you are hesitant,” he purred. “What is it you want?”
“I want you.” The words felt foreign as they exited her mouth. Her shaking fingertips trailed her collarbone, where she pulled one of her sleeves off her shoulder, exposing her throat.
Casmir’s eyes narrowed warningly. “That’s not what you want.”
She ignored him, rocking forward onto his erection and willing him to put his hands on her.
He only steadied her in place again. “As much as I would love to,” he breathed, “I cannot, Your Majesty. Have you had anything to drink tonight?”
Her face fell as she pulled back and studied his sobered expression. “I haven’t. Why?”
Casmir’s nostrils flared in her direction. He was scenting her.
“Stop it. Stop that.”
“You’ve had the Dragondew Mead.”
Lilac leaned away, scowling. “The what? No, I haven’t had anything to drink. Not since before Myrddin portaled us here.”
“He didn’tportalyou,” he repeated, lifting a hand and smoothing her hairline. “That’s what the Fair Folk do. He teleports.” When he pulled his hand away, she caught a glimpse of shimmering moisture on his fingertips.The spilled drink from the balcony. “Dragondew Mead is what they offer the ladies and gents who work here. It’s optional, but it’s not unheard of for patrons to get their hands on it by bribing someone at the bar. It isn’t hard to obtain on busy nights such as this.”
“It was only a few drops. Someone spilled it from the balcony.” Her hand went to her hair, her mask, attempting to wipe the rest of the moisture off. “What is it? What does it do?”
“It is made from the Sea Holly honey from Brest. It encourages arousal, only very slightly. Improves one’s stamina in bed, their performance. Their climax.”
“People drink whole cups of those?” A dribble into her mouth shouldn’t have been enough to make her feel this way, like she needed to be touched.
“Sometimes two.” Casmir cleared his throat, regarding her warily. “I’m not sure you need any more, though.”
She reached down, considering, and began to fumble with the large silver clasp on his belt. “Then make me come.” It would be a welcomefavor, and she wasn’t sure if doing it herself would help. Her muscles were seizing, burning.
His growing grin, the long fangs beneath them were all too tempting. He gazed up at her, his striking red eyes studying her. There was a look there that made her stop.
Pity.
“You’re lovely, Your Majesty, and I would be honored to participate in whatever devious scheme of revenge you are out for tonight.” His hand found hers, his fingers trailing up her forearm and giving her goosebumps as he lightly squeezed on her wrist. “Yet, I regretfully must refrain.”
The pressure on her arm made her jump, her core quiver. Lilac gasped at the reaction his light touch sent throughout her body.
Her cheeks burned. She would not beg for his attention the way she had Garin’s. “Of course,” she said, her heartbeat palpable in every part of her body. She pulled her arm away, hating the words at the tip of her tongue. “I am sorry for acting this way.”
