Page 135 of Seducing Hope (The Hope Legacy)

Thirty long minutes later, we approach a set of ornate metal gates. They start to open automatically. He pulls through them before they’ve opened fully, almost clipping the car.

I yelp. “Careful! You don’t want to damage Charlotte.”

“Who’s Charlotte?”

“Your car.”

“You named my car?”

“You haven’t?” I run my hand along the subtle leather as the car rumbles along the gravel. “She’s a thing of beauty—she deserves a name.”

“Why Charlotte?”

“Sounds as snooty as you are, but still beautiful,” I tease.

He cuts the engine, gets out of the car, and makes his way around to me, opening the door. “Come on, before you abandon me and go for a night out on the town with Charlotte.”

“You’d let me take her out? I feel like Charlotte and I are old friends, two souls reunited.”

He scoops up my shoes and purse then pulls me up and tosses me over his shoulder. I squeal.

“Not a chance,” he says, amused as he jogs up several stone steps. He’s like a cave man returning home with his conquest. I’m disappointed to have not paid enough attention to the exterior of the house as he puts me down in the entrance hall.

I turn around. “Wow.” An enormous fire burns in a hearth twice my height. Fluffy taupe rugs cover an oak floor, and two sofas piled with scattered cushions sit in front of the fire. A rustic chandelier hangs from the ceiling, which is three stories high. A wide, sweeping, wrought iron staircase leads up to the first floor and several closed doors. My eyes fall back to find him staring at me.

“Do you like it?” he questions, genuinely interested.

“It’s amazing; just not where I pictured you sleeping.”

He guides me to the staircase with his hands on my arms, his expression smug. “You pictured me sleeping?” I dig my elbow backward, aiming for his ribs, but he anticipates it and grabs my arm, spinning me to face him. “If you aren’t going to be nice, I will have to carry you up the stairs and restrain you for my safety.” I blush. Laughing, he weaves his fingers through mine and pulls me up the stairs. We round the balcony overlooking the entrance hall and ascend another staircase. On the top floor, there are two doors at opposite ends of the landing.

“Pick one,” he commands.

Butterflies flutter in my stomach. “Erm… is this like what’s behind door number one, etcetera…? And the other one leads to certain death?”

He grins—he’s being playful. The magnificent Archan Reinheart is teasing me. “Pick one, Natia.” I glance between them and point to the door farthest away. He pushes it open and pulls me inside. The lock quietly clicks, making me jump. Another fire blazes in front of two chairs on the far side of the bedroom. A large ornate mirror is propped in one corner, and floor-to-ceiling windows are covered by heavy navy drapes. Candles are dotted around the room, creating a soft glow. Music plays in the background, and Halsey’s “Not Afraid Anymore” surrounds me and punctuates the moment with my decision—it also suggests he took careful note of my playlist. But my eyes are drawn to the largest bed I’ve ever seen. Tall spiral oak posts protrude at each corner, and the headboard is full of intricately designed carvings. It’s covered in crisp, white cotton sheets.

“Why so big?” I breathe.

“I like the space,” he whispers into my ear.

My mouth falls open in a silentoh, and my feet are suddenly glued to the spot. I’m in the lair of a powerful, dangerous being, and I came here willingly. Before my brain can question my actions, he begins undoing my hair, taking care to remove each pin and tease my curls loose with his fingers.

He nibbles and kisses his way from my ear to the hollow of my collarbone. “This is a beautiful gown, but you are severely overdressed.” He undoes the zipper slowly, giving me the chance to object. As soon as it’s clear of my hips, I step forward and let the dress fall to the ground, using my foot to fling it into the corner with my shoes and purse. He hitches in a breath, giving me a feminine sense of pride. I start to pivot, but strong hands on my hips stop me. He kneels on the floor. I gaze down at him over my shoulder and give him a sultry smile.

“Finally, I have you on your knees at my feet, where you’re meant to be.”

He returns my grin. “Don’t worry, Natia, your turn will come.”

I blush. He places a hand on my foot and lets his fingers trail over my ankle and up my calf, placing a gentle kiss on the sensitive skin behind my knee. Tipping my head back, my eyes flutter closed as goosebumps break out over my body and heat swirls inside me. His fingers skim the outside of my thigh then glide over the curve of my ass. He hooks his fingers in the waistband of my black lace panties and pulls them down like he’s unwrapping me.

Standing, he runs his hand through my hair; he fists it and pulls my head back, twisting it toward him and creating a slight sting of pain. I gasp. He pushes his sensuous lips against mine in a surprisingly soft kiss. He nibbles my bottom lip, pulling at it, demanding entrance. When I don’t give it to him, he increases the pressure on my scalp, making my mouth part in surprise. Taking advantage, his tongue sweeps into my mouth and tangles with mine. We pull away panting, and he releases my hair. I turn to him, and this time, he lets me. Molten gold eyes swirling with desire lock on my face; he pulls me against his body, my nipples scraping on his shirt—it’s too much, and not enough at the same time.

“There’s no going back, Natia. If we do this—you’re mine,” he whispers, holding the back of my neck as he gives me another demanding kiss, which I try to take control of, but he won’t let me, pulling back every time until I get the point and let him devour me. “Do you understand?” he says against my lips.

“Yes,” I breathe.

“Say it.”

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