Page 151 of Bitten & Burned

“But I rather like you as a nude forest nymph, might have to adjust the dress code in my quarters to include that… But I suppose I’ll give them to you. For now.”

I reached for the bundle.

Anton pulled it back.

My eyes narrowed. “Anton.”

He didn’t say anything—just held it higher, forcing me to rise onto my knees and lean across the bed, closer to him.

I grabbed for it again.

He pulled it further back, and suddenly I was close enough tosee the flicker of heat behind his smug little smirk. Close enough to feel the warmth radiating off his bare chest.

“Seriously?” I murmured.

He didn’t answer.

So I kissed him.

Just a quick, decisive press of lips to mouth—enough to stun him into stillness.

When I pulled back, he blinked once. Then smiled. Then handed me the clothes.

“As requested,ma chatonne,” he said with a little bow.

I rolled my eyes and snatched the bundle away. “Go put on a shirt before I revoke your floor privileges.”

He laughed and strolled over to the armoire, pulling it open with an exaggerated flourish. As he buttoned on one of his more respectable shirts—black, fitted, still vaguely scandalous—he glanced back at me, half-dressed and fumbling to braid my hair with shaking fingers.

“I take it you want me to meet your father?” Anton asked.

“I assumed you would,” I said simply. “The others are.”

“Are they?” His tone was light, but his brow lifted. “Because, so far, the only proof I have that your father knows anything about life in this manor is Vael playing the dutiful suitor. I cannot imagine Quil being thrilled to make conversation. And as for me…” He gave a mock sigh, smoothing his collar. “He’ll take one look at me and know I’ve spent the last few days thoroughly debauching his only daughter.”

“He’s a silversmith, not a psychic.”

Anton smirked. “Same thing, my darling—especially where fathers are concerned.”

“Oh, I doubt he cares about such things,” I said, slipping the sash around my waist. “He knows I’m an adult.”

Anton scoffed. “Watch how quickly he does care when he realizes you’re with all of us.”

I shot him a look before turning while I fastened the busk on my corset. “Do you mind tightening that for me?”

“I normally do the opposite, but I’ll try anything once…”

“I can do it myself, I just thought?—”

He grasped the laces and tugged gently, cinching my waist. “Look at that, tightening it gives me the same reaction.”

I rolled my eyes, adjusting the garment before tying off the laces in the back. “Support garments aren’t supposed to get you all worked up.”

“Then stop looking like you do in support garments, darling.”

I leaned up to kiss him again, and he let his hands span my waist before catching my eye again.

“I meant what I said, Vael’s the best face to put on this coven, if your goal is impressing fathers.”