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Ava’s head whipped around fast. She could not believe her ears.

What does this monster take me for?

And yet he simply sat there, his gaze cold and unyielding. She could have sworn that she saw a flicker of emotion in his eyes when they had started talking, but it was all gone now. All that was left in its place was a blank stare that made her wonder if the man had indeed sold his soul to the devil.

“How dare you ask me to do such an outrageously scandalous thing?” she hissed.

But he did not seem fazed.

“I suppose you could entice me into marrying by using your body,” he drawled. “After all, if I were to marry you, I shall be having complete and total access to your body.”

“That is not the kind of deal I would propose,” she scoffed. “Now, I really must take my leave.”

The genuine smile that curved his lips took her aback. And what was more, that smile made him look rather handsome, even though half of his face was hidden behind a mask.

“I have not been entertained for so long,” he said as he rose from his chair and approached her.

His eyes were clouded by something—something primal, something all too familiar.

“And for that reason, I shall give you a chance,” he continued.

Ava knew she should turn around and walk out of his study. After all, he had just insulted her. And yet she could not move.

He was now standing so close to her that she could feel his breath on her cheeks. She suddenly became acutely aware of her body, of how her chest heaved when she pulled in deep breaths.

She knew she should hit him for his scandalous demand, and yet all she wanted was to close the little distance between them. And when he took her hand and led her back to his chair, she did not hesitate once.

When he finally took his seat and looked up at her expectantly, she simply sat on his lap.

She knew it was wrong. She knew it would cause the biggest scandal in the ton if word got out. And yet she could not help herself.

She wished she could say she did it simply to help her sister. However, she knew that wasn’t the truth.

Being on his lap, feeling his breath on her neck, his lips only inches away from the back of her head, sent a thrill straight to her core.

“Now, you can prove yourself to be more useful to me if you do one more thing,” he murmured.

Ava did not trust her voice not to betray her emotions, so she simply nodded.

“At the next ball, you must convince one of the mamas to come and talk to me, and just maybe I might agree to marry you instead of Stella,” he said.

“Wh…” Her voice came out hoarse and cracked, so she cleared her voice and tried again. “Why should I do that?”

“For the simple reason that I’ll choose you instead of your sister. You would not want your sister married to a monster now, would you?” He raised an eyebrow.

Ava shook her head and turned away, this time with enough resolve to leave.

She had barely lifted herself off his lap when he stopped her. He raised his hand and brushed his fingers lightly over her face, caressing her cheeks. Then, his fingers trailed lower, towards the hollow at the base of her throat.

She held her breath.

“You made the right choice by obeying me,” he murmured.

For some reason, Ava found herself pleased by his praise.

“Your obedience has made me even more curious.”

Half-heartedly, Ava pushed his hands away, before she rose from his lap and hurried out of the room.