Page 12 of Her Cruel Empire (The Devil’s Plaything #1)

Eva

I ’ve had a difficult morning, to say the least. I was greeted by an encrypted message on my laptop informing me that our Zurich shipment had been compromised after a Swiss banking investigation flagged three transfers.

Sorting out this mess would require my personal presence, so Leon is already prepping the jet. A whole day, minimum, to clean up this mess. Maybe longer if the bank decides to be difficult.

Part of me wanted to send someone else in my place—my Uncle Stefan, for example, is a very competent negotiator. Because it wasn’t fair, having bought myself such a lovely diversion, that I wouldn’t be able to make use of every moment I have her.

But pissing off the Swiss would have wider implications, and I could hardly let my libido make my decisions for me. So I would go in person, but first, I decided, I needed one more taste to last me while I was gone.

I closed the laptop with a snap and headed to Robin’s room, picturing her curled beneath the silk sheets, maybe enjoying her breakfast, or maybe in the shower already, getting herself ready for whenever I wanted her company.

Or simply waiting for me. Always waiting.

With a sense of satisfaction, I pushed open her door without knocking—why should I, in my own castle?—and found…

Nothing.

Empty bed. Cold sheets. The fire burned merrily, but there was no soft strawberry blonde to warm herself by it, and her breakfast had gone cold on the side table.

Where the hell was she?

Irritation rose up quickly. Not anger—Robin hadn’t broken any rules. I told her she could wander the castle. But the feeling that shot through my chest was sharp and irrational.

She was supposed to seek me out. Come to my study with those wide blue eyes and beg me to stay. Curl up by my feet like a kitten while I worked.

I found her quickly enough, thanks to the security tablet. Sitting pretty in the kitchen, of all places. Why on earth was she there? And then I watched as she washed dishes, sipped coffee, even tried to greet the two members of my staff that the others know must be left alone at all times.

That was the last straw. I would have to make her understand that there are rules, and then there are unspoken rules. I called down to make sure the cook kept Robin there, and then I went down to fetch her myself, walking through corridors I haven’t been in since I was a girl.

And now Robin follows without protest, padding behind me in leggings and a sweater instead of couture. She had a whole wardrobe to choose from, just as every woman who comes here does, and she chose that ?

I don’t speak as we walk. I want her to wonder what she’s done wrong. Because she has done something wrong, even if I can’t fully express it.

Something about seeing her there—laughing with my servants, washing dishes like some scullery maid—has thrown me off balance.

She was supposed to come to me .

Back in her room, I close the door with deliberate care. Robin heads quickly to the window like she’s trying to disappear into the curtains.

The silence stretches until she breaks it, turning at last to face me.

“Eva, did I…do something wrong?”

Her voice is soft. Uncertain. That nervous look in her eyes disarms me more than it should.

“Of course not.” The words come out too quickly, too airy. Like I’m brushing off something insignificant.

Because I need a moment to quell the possessive hunger currently eating at my composure.

I move to the fireplace, using the moment to collect myself. Robin shifts behind me, probably reading the tension in my shoulders.

“I have to leave for Zurich.” I turn to face her, keeping my voice level. Professional. “Later this morning. I’ll be gone overnight, and possibly for a few days.”

Her face falls slightly—just a flicker, but I catch it in the mirror hanging on the nearby wall. Interesting.

“While I’m away, you’ll stay inside the castle.” I step closer, letting authority creep into my tone. “You will not go into the grounds. You’re not a prisoner, of course, but you’re…vulnerable. There are people who would take any chance to hurt me, and they might see you as a soft target.”

Robin’s eyes widen. “Am I in danger?”

Perfect opening.

I close the distance between us until I’m close enough to smell her skin—soap and kitchen warmth and a synthetic strawberry scent that should repel me…but doesn’t. I drop my voice to a whisper, soft and deadly.

“Of course you’re in danger.”

I give myself a moment to enjoy the fear and confusion warring across her expressive face. She needs to understand the weight of what she’s done. The world she’s entered.

And then I add lightly, “What did you think would happen when you sold yourself at auction?”

Robin doesn’t answer. Just shrugs—small, stiff, defensive. The gesture irritates me more than her silence.

“Why did you do it?” The question slips out before I can stop it. “Auction yourself off like?—”

“Nothing fits.”

She cuts me off, nodding toward the wardrobe. “I’m not some glamazon supermodel, like I guess you prefer your women. Everything in there is…” She trails off, shrugs again. “Wrong.”

Wrong. Everything is wrong for her soft curves and honest beauty.

Guilt slices through my irritation. I didn’t even consider it. Every woman I’ve had before fit the same mold—tall, lean, interchangeable. Built like expensive accessories.

“I’ll have new clothes brought in today. But you won’t be needing them right now.” The words come out sharper than I intended, and she flinches. “Come here.”

She steps closer, and I let hunger replace guilt. This is familiar territory. This I can control.

“Take everything off. Slowly. I want to see every inch of what belongs to me.”

The command comes out low and rough. Robin’s breath catches, but she doesn’t hesitate. Her hands go to the hem of that oversized sweater.

She pulls it over her head slowly, revealing that creamy skin that glows red-gold in the firelight—and her simple cotton bra from yesterday. The leggings go next, sliding down thick thighs that I want to bite, and when I see she’s not wearing any panties, I groan.

Standing naked in the morning light streaming in the window, and gilt with firelight from the other side, Robin looks like a Pre-Raphaelite painting.

Soft, curved belly. Full breasts tipped with pink.

The strawberry blonde curls between her thighs hiding a molten center that I bet tastes sugary sweet.

“Kneel.”

She sinks to her knees on the rug, hands folded in her lap. Waiting.

I circle her slowly, drinking in every curve. Every tremor. The way her breath quickens when I trail a finger across her shoulder.

I tip her face up with a finger beneath her chin. “You’re mine until the thirty days are up. Mine. Say it.”

“I’m yours.”

“Good girl.”

I guide her to stand and then lead her to the bed, pushing her down against silk sheets. Her body responds to mine with that devastating honesty just as it did last night—no performance, no design. Just pure need and unequivocal trust.

She is so much more vulnerable than she knows.

I pin her wrists above her head. Hold her in place as I kiss her deeply, tongue plunging into her mouth. Taking, taking, taking.

I leave her gasping when I pull back. She tries to lean up, to find my mouth again. “Don’t move,” I tell her. “You stay right there.”

I stand to strip out of my own clothes, taking my time, enjoying the way her gaze lingers over my body. Naked, I move back over her, and Robin’s hands go to my hips. I guide her lips to where I want them, and smile as I feel her tongue swirling around my nipple. “Good girl. Suck.”

Robin closes her lips around me and sucks gently, teasing the bud to hardness, sending shivers of pleasure down my spine.

Her tongue licks softly, and then she sucks again, harder, making me moan.

My hands tangle in her hair. She moves her mouth to my other breast, and her fingers start playing with the slick nipple, rolling it between her fingertips and pinching softly.

“Oh, yes. Like that.” I close my eyes, enjoying her touch, her mouth. Her tongue licks, swirls, circles. Teasing, licking, sucking. My hands tighten in her hair. “Yes, that’s a good start,” I tell her, stroking her hair. “But now I need that sweet little mouth somewhere else.”

I climb higher over her, guiding her mouth to my cunt. “Let’s use that talented tongue of yours,” I murmur. A moment later, her tongue finds my clit, and she laps eagerly, making me buck and shiver. “That’s it. Oh, that feels good.”

Robin moans beneath me, her lips and tongue working, sucking and licking, kissing and teasing. Her hands grasp my thighs, nails digging in.

She’s enjoying herself.

“Yes, come on,” I breathe. “More. Make me come all over that gorgeous face.”

I ride her mouth hard, her tongue sliding inside me, flicking across my clit, her fingers squeezing at my ass, pulling me closer. She moans, the vibration shooting through me and bringing me closer to the edge.

I rock faster, reach down behind myself to grab at one of her tits, the flesh warm and soft, her nipple stone hard. “You’re mine now, little bird,” I pant. “Aren’t you?”

She can’t answer, but her mouth doesn’t stop. I groan, buck, press harder against her face. She’s so eager, her tongue by turns soft and hard and hot?—

I come with a sharp cry, hips jerking , making sure I smear my scent all over her face.

And now it’s time I finally tasted her.

I roll off, get to my feet, and grab her ankles, yanking her down the bed. She gives a little gasp-laugh that sends another shudder of pleasure through me. “Knees up,” I tell her. “Hold your legs open for me. Show me that pretty little cunt.”

Robin actually flushes, but obediently lifts her knees and spreads them, holding them in place and exposing her pussy to my hungry eyes. A surge of triumph rises in my chest.

“Already soaking for me.” I slide a finger over the wet lips. “I bet you taste like strawberries and cream. Let’s find out.” I let her watch me raise my finger to my lips, licking her sweetness off with a soft hum.

Then I’m back on the bed, crawling between her legs. “Mm, this tasty little thing is mine,” I say, letting the heat in my voice melt into a low, sensual tone. “Tell me how much you want it.”

“I want it,” Robin gasps, her chest heaving. “Please.”

“Not good enough.” I lean closer, nuzzling her inner thigh. She shudders.

“Please, I want your mouth. On my pussy. Please.”

“Such a dirty little girl,” I whisper. “I think I’ll make you wait.”

Robin whines, squirming under me. Her legs try to close, but I’m between them. “Eva, please,” she whispers. “Make me come.”

“You’ll have to wait.”

She groans, arching up, but I hold her hips down and slide two fingers inside her instead, watching her face as I do. Her eyelids flutter shut, and her mouth opens soundlessly.

“I can see you like having something inside that greedy little cunt,” I say conversationally, as if we’re talking about the weather. “And I’d like to fuck you with a strap-on before our time together is up. Would you like that?”

Robin shudders. “Yes.”

“Yes. Because you’re my agreeable little toy, aren’t you?”

A shudder runs through her. “Yes.”

“Say it. Tell me what you are.”

“I’m your toy,” Robin echoes, her voice thin and needy.

“Yes, you are. And my toy is going to beg for every single thing I give her.”

Robin moans as I finally lower my mouth to her and begin to lick her, my tongue flat and wide, covering the length of her pussy and tasting all her juices.

She tastes just as good as I imagined. She grows louder as I tease her clit with my tongue, circling it, flicking it, sucking on the hard nub.

Her thighs close on me as her arousal grows, her hips jerking, wanting more.

“You like that, don’t you?” I breathe against her pussy.

“My mouth on your delicious cunt. And I like it too.” With that, I return to my meal.

She’s close, her hips bucking. I slide three fingers into her and curl them inside, seeking her most sensitive spot, and she lets out a half-squeal as they brush against it.

“You want to come for me, don’t you?”

“ Yes ,” Robin whimpers.

“Then come.”

She cries out, hips jerking wildly as her orgasm hits. I keep moving my fingers inside her, massaging her internally, licking at her clit until she’s shaking, pushing weakly at me to make me stop.

I give her pussy one last, hard lick, and then pull away. “Very nice,” I tell her. “I may have to keep you right here in bed for our entire time together.”

She looks up at me, her eyes glassy.

“Do you think you could endure that?” I ask. “Lying there and looking beautiful while I eat your pussy whenever I want?”

“Uh, yeah,” she breathes. “Yeah. I think I could.”

There’s something too real in her eyes. I pull away with a mock sigh. “That’s exactly what I’d do to you if I didn’t have to run an empire. Ah, well. No rest for the wicked, as they say.”

I go into her bathroom to wash off my face, and then I come back out to dress once more. She’s still lying there on the bed, wrecked and ravaged.

And far too tempting.

I check my watch. The plane will be ready soon.

Robin observes me quietly. There’s that look in her eyes again—like she wants to say something. Ask me to take her with me, maybe. They all ask that at one time or another.

It’s out of the question, of course.

“I’ll be back in two days. Possibly three.” I lean down to kiss her forehead. “Be good while I’m gone.”

But as I leave the castle fifteen minutes later, my thoughts are still back in that bedroom, still focused on Robin.

Twenty-nine days left, minus the two or maybe three while I’m away in Zurich…

It’s not long enough.