Page 91 of The Harbinger
“It’s a covered carriage.” I glanced up when he didn’t say anything further. His darkened gaze roamed over my body, the sheer chemise offering him every visual he wanted.
“That makes more sense now.” I smiled and closed the book in my lap, careful not to wrinkle the pages. “I’d pictured wagons like on the Oregon Trail. That’s a trail in the United—”
“I’m well-read on the USA’s migratory history to the west.” Sacha tore his gaze from mine and pointed towards the closet. “You need to get dressed.”
“Should I wear something specific?” The words rolled off my tongue in an effort to abate the waves growing between us, and he met me with a devious upturned smile.
“Let’s see?” Sasha stood, and I followed him into the closet, where he picked out a white multi-blazer with a corset belt, matching suit pants, black high heels, and a pointed stem.
“I swear you want me to break an ankle,” I said as I took the heels from his hands and placed the smooth-sided shoes beside the bench.
“I like the way your calves look in these.”
My cheek heated, and I rubbed the back of my neck, soothing the fire burning up my spine. It was a far cry different from hearing the compliments pour from his lips when last night I was his ‘dirty slut’ or ‘needy whore.’
“Do compliments make you uncomfortable?”
Sighing, I nodded. “I never know if you’re feeding me a line just to get something from me or if you truly think I’m pretty.”
“I would never give a compliment I didn’t mean. If I didn’t find you beautiful, I wouldn’t waste my breath saying you were. Now, put your arms up.” Sacha’s warm hand slid over my chemise, bunching the bottom in his fists. I grabbed his hands and pierced my lips together, halting him from peeling off my thin barrier of protection. My stomach twisted and turned. Would he shove me to the floor and take me however he wanted like last night?
Maybe if I allowed him to do as he pleased, he’d be more gentle like he is now.
My hands slid off his, and I took a deep breath as he stripped the chemise over my head with a cool breeze across my belly. I quickly looked away and flung my arms over my chest, but before I could latch on tight to my elbows, he pulled my arms away. “You don’t get to hide from me.”
I dropped my arms to my sides as his fingertips traced my naked waist. “It’s cold.”
“Let’s get you dressed then.” Sacha gripped the nape of my neck, and my heart sprang into my throat. His thumb caressed my jawline as he leaned in towards me, his darkened gaze bouncing between mine.
Was he going to kiss me?
Would Iwanthim to do that?
What would it feel like to have his lips on mine even after everything he did to me last night?
The thought stuck in my mind, and I took a step back away from him.
My heartbeat raced as he stepped forward, closing the distance I had gained until his breath was but a warm minty whisper on my lips. “The day I saw you fall on your knees at that table…” His voice trailed off, and the demand for him to finish his sentence sat like a burdensome weight on the tip of my tongue.
What was he thinking that day? Is that why I’m still here?
Sacha’s lips brushed against mine, and I strangled the whimper in my thickening throat.Was this a punishment?Had I done something wrong without even realizing?
His tongue slipped between my pressed lips and touched mine, leaving behind hints of peppermint and leafy tea. A warmness settled in my belly as he sucked on my tongue, sending tingles rippling up and down my legs when he brushed his fingers along my ribcage, then cupped my heavy breast. I leaned into him with a relenting sigh.
What was I doing?
His hot and cold approach towards me sent my head spinning and my integrity plummeting as his lips moved over mine like an expert wielding his sword, and I liked it.
But I burned with disgust.
Not for him, but for myself.
I pressed my hands into his chest and stepped aside, putting a safe distance between us. “No.” I shook my head with a scowl. “This is wrong.”
He swiped his thumb under his lower lip and then licked it. “Oh,milaya.This is the beginning of something beautiful.”
“You don’t get to say that. You don’t get to compliment me—not after what you did to me last night.”