Page 96 of Kingly Bitten

And she read me better than almost everyone, understanding my behavior before I even attempted to define it.

I poured myself a second glass and carried it with me to the bedroom, my mind spinning over all the various ways I wanted to take Calina.

Darius had made it sound like such a simple task. One and done. But as I entered the room to find her waiting on the bed with her knees bent and legs spread, I knew once would not be enough.

She’d positioned herself like Juliet had on the jet’s table the other day. Stocking-clad feet on the mattress. Arms at her sides. Focus on the ceiling. Thighs parted to reveal the silk covering her mound.

The only way it could be perfected was by her leaving the heels on. But I hadn’t specified that in my requirements.

I took a sip of my bourbon as I admired the view, a soft hum of approval coming from my throat. It wasn’t the pose I’d anticipated from her, as most of my consorts knew to wait for me on their knees.

However, I wasn’t going to fault Calina for her lack of training. Not when she presented herself so beautifully in an alternative manner.

I approached her slowly, one hand around my drink, the other in my pocket.

She didn’t look at me, her pretty blue-green eyes trained on the ceiling above.

“So obedient,” I murmured, taking in her stiff nipples and the goose bumps trailing down her arms.

The air-conditioning in this building appeared to be working overtime to counter the humidity outside. I’d barely noticed, even after hanging my jacket in the foyer closet. I’d rolled up the sleeves on my dress shirt as well but still felt a bit warm from the change in climates.

Calina didn’t reply, but her pulse picked up, seducing the predator inside me.

She wasn’t necessarily afraid. Her cheeks were too flushed for that. And her shortness of breath seemed related to her trying to remain still for me.

Because she thought we were under surveillance.

Perhaps there was a touch of healthy fear inside her, that voice whispering in her ear that she couldn’t afford to make a mistake.

I almost told her to relax.

But the practical part of me dismissed the inclination.

This was an opportunity, a way for me to test her resolve in a mostly safe environment, to see how far her compliance would go.

“Hmm.” I considered her position once more. “While I appreciate the view, Calina, this isn’t the pose I anticipated.”

She remained still and silent, causing me to arch a brow.

“Do you have nothing to say for yourself?” Technically, I’d told her to remain silent unless I said otherwise. Which meant she’d remained well behaved by society standards.

However, my kind were notoriously cruel and known to punish humans for sport. Therefore, this sort of treatment provided a good introduction to what to expect.

Of course, I hadn’t spoken the words harshly. Just curiously.

“I’m sorry, My Prince,” she replied. “Tell me your preference, and I’ll do my best to please you.”

The subtle mocking tone underlining her words made my lips twitch. It was just the right amount of impishness mixed with submissiveness, creating an intoxicating air of seduction.

Because I wanted to fuck the defiance right out of her.

While also praise her for being so willful.

I stepped up to the side of the bed and reached for her throat with my free hand. “I want you on your knees, seated on your heels, palms on your thighs, and your gaze properly downcast. Now.”

I squeezed her neck and started to pull her upright.

Calina quickly helped by using her hands on the bed to lift herself, then she obeyed my command by going to her knees, sitting back on her heels, and resting her palms on her silky stockings.