Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 80903 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80903 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
For a long moment, she just looked down at him, her fingers stilled in his hair. He saw the conflict in her face—professional resolve warring with something else—something warmer…darker…and just as hungry as the emotions churning inside him.
Or was he imagining all that? Was he reading into it—hoping she was as into playing these new roles as he was? Braze didn’t know—he hoped he hadn’t pushed things too far.
But finally, Kaitlyn nodded. Her hand resumed its slow, gentle stroking.
“Yes,” she agreed, her voice barely a whisper. “You’re right. Whatever we have to do… we must complete the mission.”
9
KAITLYN
Kaitlyn couldn’t help feeling surprised at her huge Protector’s submissive gesture. She’d been taking a calculated risk when she told him to kneel for her. But the way he’d put his head in her lap and kissed her thigh just melted her. Was he into this or was he just playing his role exceptionally well?
She honestly couldn’t tell. But she was glad he wasn’t upset at the way she’d “mapped” his shaft earlier. And he seemed to agree with her that the two of them had to be convincing. He also seemed to be willing to do anything it took to complete this mission.
Kaitlyn wondered how long that would last. How would he feel when she had to lock his cock away in the tiny silver cage for the night?
But she pushed those thoughts aside and concentrated on enjoying the physical contact with her Protector. Braze was so big it was like being embraced by a bear, she thought—with his head on her thigh and his arms wrapped loosely around her waist, she felt surrounded by him.
It was nice, because they didn’t usually get this close. Oh, he lifted her over mud puddles and had, on occasion, thrown her over his shoulder to run them both to safety during a dicey situation, but those were unusual occurrences and didn’t last very long. Kaitlyn liked this prolonged contact—the feeling of just being close to him.
Braze was so big and growly it was hard not to feel intimidated sometimes but right now, she felt more emotionally attuned to her Protector than she ever had before. Also, his Bonding Scent was making her want to get even closer to him.
She wondered if he knew he was making it—if he was doing it on purpose. Or maybe it was just something that happened whenever he got close to a woman. She needed to read up more on Kindred anatomy to find out…
Just then, there was a knock on the door of the suite. Braze sat up at once, his golden eyes watchful and alert for any sign of danger.
“I’ll get it,” he growled, rising from the floor in one smooth motion. He moved with surprising grace for such a big male, Kaitlyn thought admiring the play of muscles on his broad, bare back as he went to the door.
When he opened it, she caught a flash of golden livery and heard the piping voice of a servant saying,
“If you please, I’m here to lead you and your wife to the The Feast of the New Moon. Are you ready to go?”
“Not yet,” Braze growled.
“I’ll wait then,” the servant said.
“We’ll be out soon,” Braze said and shut the door. He came back to Kaitlyn, who was already getting up off the couch.
“I guess it’s time to get dressed, huh?” she said. She hesitated then asked, “Can you help me into my dress?”
“Of course—the Empress would expect me to help my wife to get dressed,” he rumbled. “And…” He cleared his throat. “I’m afraid you’ll have to help me too. These fucking non-con manacles…” He lifted his arms, flashing the metal bracelets.
“Oh, of course!” Kaitlyn felt her cheeks getting hot when she remembered his “outfit” for the feast consisted of crotchless leather trousers and a cock ring. She hoped she could get it on the right way and not hurt him.
Well, she could only do her best. When they’d agreed to take this mission, she never would have dreamed that she’d be handling her Protector’s equipment in such an intimate way. But she wasn’t unhappy about it…she just wished she knew how he really felt about their situation.
10
BRAZE
The knock at the door felt like a personal insult. Braze had to force himself to lift his head from Kaitlyn’s lap, the warmth of her thigh imprinted on his cheek. He didn’t want to fucking move. For a few stolen minutes, with her fingers carding through his hair, the world had narrowed to a single, perfect point—her touch and his submission.
Mistress. The word was becoming a truth in his gut, sweet and solid. He loved it—loved the way it made the constant tension in his shoulders ease and loved the low rumble of contentment it pulled from his chest.
Of course, it also made the relentless ache in his cock even worse—a throbbing counterpoint to the peace he felt when she touched him. Helping her get dressed for the feast was just going to be another form of exquisite torture.