Page 151 of Kiss of Seduction

“Natalya?”

There was that tremble. That tremor in her voice. How dare Natalya ask this of her? After everything she’d been through? After NatalyapromisedEvie would be safe with her?

When Natalya didn’t say anything, Evie turned around. She was crying.

She was frightened to tears. It almost made Natalya run away.

Then Evie took her hand. “Feel me.”

Natalya froze. She didn’t understand what Evie was asking. She didn’t dare hope what it could mean.

“Feel my emotions,” Evie said. “You can. This once, I need you to.”

Natalya almost didn’t. She was afraid of what she would find. Or rather, what shewouldn’t. The dangerous hope that fluttered in her chest was the only reason she gave in. That question of… what if?

Natalya focused, drawing on the strange connection she’d made with Evie all those months ago. The connection that somehow let Evie survive her kiss and her touch. The connection that let her feel what Evie felt.

At first, she thought she felt nothing. There were no new emotions in her body. Nothing different. Only something more intense.

Love.

Bright and pure and earnest. Without a hint of fear. Without a hint of doubt. Streaming out of Evie, echoing in Natalya’s body, was relief, joy, and genuine love. And it only increased. It increased to the point where Natalya couldn’t ignore it if she tried.

“I love you too.” Evie was fully crying now, but she was smiling. Only when Evie reached out and wiped tears from Natalya’s face did she realize she was crying too. Natalya hadn’t shed tears in over a century. “I love you so much, Natalya. I love you more than words can say.”

Natalya pulled Evie close and hugged her. She just remembered to hold back her strength so she didn’t hurt her.

“I love you, Evie.” She leaned back only enough so she could kiss her. “Forever. I want to love you forever.”

Evie put her arms around Natalya’s neck, pulling herself close. She kissed her back. She kissed her softly. So tenderly. With relief and adoration.

Natalya didn’t deserve this. She didn’t deserve a feeling this wonderful. She didn’t deserve to be this loved.

She didn’t deserve Evie. Evie didn’t care if that was the case.

“Forever,” Evie whispered against Natalya’s lips. “I’m yours forever.”

Chapter 41

Evie was like a drunk teenager. No inhibitions, no shame. All she had left was joy and passion.

Natalya led her from the Second Circle to the elevator, then from that down the hall to her apartment. Outside the brief moments where they crossed the Court of Chains club floor, where a few people still lingered, her lips barely left Evie’s.

She pressed Evie against the wall in the elevator, sighing against her lips, and when it stopped on their floor, they stumbled awkwardly and blindly down the hall. Evie almost dropped the blanket she still had around herself. They hadn’t thought to put her corset back on.

When they entered the apartment, Evie only managed to take a single step inside before Natalya had her pressed up against the door, slamming it shut. Evie giggled against Natalya’s mouth, letting the blanket fall.

“It’s too dark,” Evie sighed. “I want to see you.”

The shadows were heavy in the apartment. There were a few hours until dawn, and the darkness still lingered.

“Do you now? So demanding.” Natalya grinned, turning on the lights and illuminating the apartment in a low, golden glow. “I never did reward you for taking your punishment so well. That wasn’t nice of me.”

She grabbed Evie’s arms, pressing her against the door. Violet eyes shined in the dimly lit room. Her lips hovered over Evie’s, her grip firm.

“Say I was feeling generous. How would you like to be rewarded?”

Evie’s body was still limp and heavy. Worn out, really. But right then, she would do anything to please Natalya, including being pleased.