Page 33 of House of Blood and Roses: Vol. 2

He chuckles. "Because most people don't accidentally fall for their future spouse first. For a lot of the members of the court, they don't know one another before the wedding at all."

"Oh."

"But if you want, I'm sure you can have your say in what you want it to look like before the wedding."

"I guess that would be good," I respond, still thinking about the fact we won't be expected to spend all our nights together, it's so contrary to everything I grew up expecting from a marriage.

"But for the record, if you want to spend every night in here, then I'll be more than happy to share," Linc promises.

"I'm glad." I slip my arms around his neck. "Did Agnes write back to you yet?"

"No."

"Oh."

"But I did finish reading Bella's book," he says.

"That was fast."

"It's mostly diagrams," he says. "But I think there are a few things we can try without any risk."

I swallow hard. "Oh?"

He turns me around. "If you want to, that is."

I nod, unable to say the words. Desire is already rising within me and I'm not doing anything other than thinking about what he might have planned.

He fumbles with the ties on the back of my dress. "Maybe the book should have come with instructions for this bit," he mutters.

I laugh. "You have to pull on this one." I reach around behind me and tug on the lace.

"Why would it be there? You can't take it off yourself."

"I think that's the point, it's a status symbol. House Rothorne is so wealthy that I don't have to dress myself. I'd much rather something a bit more practical, if I'm honest. This isn't even the worst one, you should try getting me out of one of my ball gowns."

"I intend to try at some point," he murmurs, finally managing to untie the laces.

My dress loosens around me. I slip out of it, leaving me in just my chemise. I step out of it, but leave it on the floor before turning to him and starting to undo his cravat. It's only fair that both of us strip the clothing away. His shirt follows, leaving his chest bare to me. I run my hands over it, feeling the warmth seeping out of him and his heart racing.

Linc pulls me to him, kissing me deeply and sending all thoughts flying from my mind. I'm not entirely sure how he does it, but he manages to get it so that we're at the bed, and he pushes me down onto it, breaking the kiss.

My breathing hitches in my throat and my fangs descend, reacting to the moment. From the way he's looking at me, I have to assume that his are doing the same.

He gets onto the bed and leans in to kiss me, his hand landing on my stomach. I can feel the warmth of his touch even through the fabric of my chemise, and it just makes me want it gone.

"Linc," I murmur.

"Yes?"

"I need this off," I say, pushing on his chest gently so he gives me the space to sit up and get it off me. He seems to realise what I'm doing and helps pull it over my head. The cool air is a shock against my skin, but I don't think about it for long. Linc's hand on my bare stomach sends a pleasant shiver through me and I long for him to touch me more. I don't think I even care how.

He kisses my neck, his fangs brushing against my pulse point and making me hope that he bites me. But he seems to have other ideas and moves further down. Every touch drives the desire within me, I just don't really know what to do with it.

Linc takes one of my nipples into his mouth.

"Ah." Pleasure shoots through me in response. He pauses and looks up. "I'm fine," I promise, my breathing coming heavily.

He doesn't need more encouragement and turns his attention to the other one, going slower this time. An unintelligible string of words comes out of my mouth in response and it feels like my whole body is on fire.