Page 50 of Cruel God

When she reached for the white tissue paper, I placed my hand over hers and squeezed reassuringly. “Don’t be afraid, Butterfly.”Be afraid.“You have proven yourself over and over again, showing me that you are truly mine.”

Moving my hand slowly, I removed the tissue paper and studied her face intently, not wanting to miss a single expression as she stared at what I was about to reveal.

“I’ve decided that it’s time for you to take your rightful place by my side.” I pulled out a full-length embroidered illusion silk chiffon robe and held it out in front of her.

The way her eyes stared at the delicate piece, the way her cheeks suddenly turned the prettiest shade of pink, it made my fucking heart swell inside my chest.

“Go ahead. You can touch it.” I held it out to her, and she gave a tiny, hesitant step closer, her eyes gazing at the garment, biting her bottom lip as she reached out, barely touching the fabric with her fingertips. Ever since I had taken my father’s place in his house and brought Hope here to live with me privately, she had never worn a single piece of clothing because I preferred it that way. There was not a single piece of clothing in this entire goddamn world that would have made her look more beautiful than she did naked. Her body was both the altar I worshipped at and the offering I slaughtered, all in the name of…love? Love was a word that had crossed my mind so many times when my thoughts drifted to her. But I remained unconvinced that a man like myself could ever be capable of love. My obsession with her would be the closest I’d come to love.

Hope gently touched the fabric of the exquisite design of lingerie and softly rubbed it between her fingertips. “It’s beautiful.”

“Not as beautiful as you, my precious, Butterfly.” I placed the robe on the bed and wrapped my arms around her waist, pulling her closer. With a gentle touch below her chin, I lifted her lips so I could claim them with my own. It was a soft, tender kiss. One I’d imagined shared between lovers—a slow dance of undying affection.

It wasn’t something that happened often, when the monster I had become allowed such a display to show genuine affection. More often than not, I was a selfish savage when it came to her, always giving in to the dark desires of my tainted soul. But now was one of those times when I had the control to kiss her like she deserved to be kissed. To taste her without tempting the beast. To appreciate her without igniting my lust.

With slow, soothing strokes of my tongue, I explored her mouth like it was the first time I had the opportunity to. My mouth didn’t devour hers with a tongue that duels for dominance. This kiss wasn’t a fight for control but rather a slow, sensual samba of lovers, with the one trying to coax the other to submit to the desire that threatened to burn them to ash.

Her mouth was warm, her taste sweet. And the way she melted against me, her body growing weak in my arms, it chipped away at the ice that surrounded my heart. It was such a powerful fucking moment that I had to stop so I could breathe.

A low groan echoed at the back of my throat when I reluctantly pulled away. My demons warned me that they couldn’t allow this to go on for much longer. If I had to continue kissing her this way, the dark disease in my blood would soon take control.

I wiped her bottom lip with my thumb before dragging my finger along my own, my eyes never leaving hers. Her plump lips glistened with temptation, and it cost me to scrape together the last sliver of self-control I had left; otherwise, I’d be buried inside her within the next two fucking minutes.

I cleared my throat. “Try it on.”

Without saying a word, Hope turned around, holding out her arms and allowed me to slip the gown on and over her shoulders. The intricate design of the embroidery was exquisite, and the glittering gold complimented her skin tone, and she looked more radiant than she ever had before.

I gently pulled her long hair from beneath the robe and fanned it down her back before placing my palms on the delicate slope of her shoulders. “Turn around. Let me see you.”

She turned, and I stared at her in awe, gaping at how the fabric swathed flawlessly over her body. The seams draped down the swells of her breasts, the chiffon allowing the most sensual glimpse of her rosy nipples. Even her eyes sparkled as the gold enhanced their amber hues.

For a moment, I allowed my heart to be filled with her natural beauty. It was usual for a woman like her to not fully know the extent of her beauty because of everything she had been through. But if only she could have seen herself through my eyes, then she’d know that there was no other beauty in my life except her. Then, there would be no doubt in her mind that she was my most precious and prized possession—one I would never part with.

“There’s more.” I reached into the box and pulled out a gold silk thong, and crouched down in front of her. “Hold onto me and lift your leg.”

Hope placed her hands on my shoulders to steady herself and lifted one leg at a time so that I could put the silk panties around her ankles. While I stared at her beautifully curved legs, I couldn’t stop myself from peppering soft, delicate kisses across her skin as I pulled the thong up…up…up…until I placed my lips against the apex of her thighs, dragging my tongue through her wet slit. The whimper that slipped from her lips as she squeezed my shoulders set my body aflame for her. Her taste, her scent, the feel of her soft skin; it possessed all my senses, and it took every ounce of self-control not to lick and suck her until she came on my tongue.

But not now.

I stood up straight and pulled the thong up until her pussy was completely hidden from me. I hated it. I hated not being able to see the only Heaven I would ever know.

I tied the thin strings of the robe, joining it together just below her navel, and stepped back to admire the woman who stood before me. A beautiful goddess who deserved to be worshipped by day, while her pussy got wrecked at night. She looked every bit the part of who she truly was to me. My queen.

“You look stunning, Hope.”

A flush spread across her cheeks, and I noticed as she lightly batted her eyelashes—like a woman who was hopelessly infatuated and happily adored.

She leaned her head to the side; those pretty eyes focused on mine. “May I ask why you want me to wear this?”

“Because tonight, you will take your rightful place by my side. I have hidden you from the world long enough.” I leaned down and removed a mask along with a thin golden collar from the box. “I want the world to know that my true wealth lies in you, Hope. There is no amount of money, silver, or gold that comes close to your worth.”

Carefully I placed the new collar around her neck and allowed the attached chain to dangle down the curve of her back.

Hope glanced over her shoulder. “But, I thought you said—”

“I know what I said. But tonight is different.”

“How so?”

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