Page 74 of The Demon Court

Until she heard the door open and voices angrily hissing at each other on the other side.

“Enough, Greed,” Lust snapped. “I’m going to bed.”

“I’m telling you, there is more to this story.”

The door slammed in Greed’s face, all while Lust muttered about meddling family members. “The man has no boundaries and refuses to take no for an answer. I know why he wants to investigate the situation. All so he can hold it over my damn head and request that I pay him a price for something I already could figure out on my own.”

He didn’t even look at her. He just shed his clothing, layer by layer, muttering more about his brother as he stomped into the wardrobe.

“Do you have anything to say about it?” he shouted from within. His shirt hit the ground next to the vanity. “You didn’t seem to be all that fond of him. I’ll admit, I could use someone agreeing with me that he’s an idiot.”

“He’s an idiot,” she replied, amused. Selene stood, and the dress clung to her form, cold and unfeeling as the rest of her. “But you are no less of a fool if you do not use him to your advantage.”

“Ah, right. You’re from the Tower and all they teach you is court politics.” A grunt followed his words. “Not everything has to be political. My brother can be both right and an idiot.”

“Those two do not usually go hand in hand.” She set his shirt on the back of the chair before calling out, “Lust?”

“Yes, yes. Having the servants move your clothes in here, as well as mine, made it all the more difficult. I know you don’t like it when I wander around wearing little.”

“I wouldn’t mind it tonight.”

She thought she heard him hit his head against something. “Excuse me?”

“Would you come out, please?”

Nerves had been rumbling in her stomach, but they settled the moment she remembered he was rather awkward around her. And that made little sense, but he wasn’t entirely himself if Selene was in the room.

Maybe Affection was right about a few things.

Lust stepped out of the wardrobe, shirtless in silk sleep pants, only to freeze when he saw her. And she knew what she looked like. She’d checked a million times in the mirror before he got there. Her long hair nearly touched her waist, brushed so many times it looked like water falling down around her shoulders. The dress molded to her body, too tight and yet not showing entirely everything. She wore a single diamond necklace around her neck, a gift from Minerva long ago. When Selene hadn’t yet agreed to be the sacrificial lamb for the man in front of her.

His throat worked in a hard swallow. “What are... What are you doing, Selene?”

“I know that I’ve been avoiding you the entirety of my time here. I know that hasn’t been easy on either of us.” She stepped closer, then paused as her pulse went wild. “I think it’s time we stop playing this game. Don’t you?”

“I...” His hands flexed at his sides, as though he battled with himself not to touch her. “You have given me no reason to believe you were going to give in any time soon.”

“I changed my mind. You can feel my desire, Lust. Surely you know I’m not lying.”

And she did desire him. The broad expanse of his chest made her want to touch him. She thought about her dream, about how she’d wanted to slide her hands underneath that waistline just to feel what she’d seen so much, and he groaned.

“Selene.”

She didn’t want to listen to that voice. She had to stay in control.

So she stepped forward and threatened him with the only thing she had. “I won’t offer again, Lust.”

He narrowed his eyes on her, and for a moment, she thought he would refuse. And she didn’t know what she would do if he decided to wait. She needed to let off some steam, and she needed to know for certain that he wouldn’t throw her away. If this was the only way to convince him to keep her, then she couldn’t afford for him to make another choice.

Why this meant so much to her, she didn’t understand. Familial ties had never made her this crazy, but she… she couldn’t let this go.

She took another step closer and watched his pupils dilate. His nostrils flared as if breathing her in, as she stopped directly in front of him.

So much muscle. So much warm skin just begging for her to touch it. And as she watched, his chest rippled as though anticipating her touch.

“I’ve wondered what you feel like,” she whispered. “I don’t know why I’ve held back for so long.”

She lifted her hands, and he let out a low groan that echoed through her body. Before she could touch him, he’d caught her wrists in his grip and backed her toward the bed.

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