Page 32

The sudden patter of rain against the castle’s windows was the only sound that broke the silence in the dimly lit drawing room.

Ivy, her eyes glinting with mischief, had been waiting for the perfect moment to put her latest plan into action.

She had noticed Vice earlier, engrossed in his thoughts, his broad shoulders slumped slightly as he sat on the velvet bench.

Her heart racing with anticipation, she tiptoed closer, her bare feet almost silent against the plush carpet.

The scent of him filled her nostrils as she reached him, and she couldn’t help but feel a thrill at the power she wielded.

Her slender fingers gently touched his shoulders, and she began to massage them, applying just the right amount of pressure to melt the tension away.

Vice tensed at the unexpected touch, his eyes snapping up to meet hers in the reflection of the polished mirror across the room. “Ivy,” he growled, his voice thick with confusion and desire, “What are you playing at?”

Ivy’s smile was a knowing curve of her lips, her eyes sparkling with a hint of challenge.

She leaned in closer, her breath warm against his neck, and whispered, “You just seem tense. I thought I’d help you relax.

” Her fingers danced over the taut muscles of his back, tracing the contours of his spine before coming to rest at the base of his neck.

Her touch was feather-light, yet it sent electric currents through his body, making him acutely aware of every inch of his own skin.

Vice swallowed hard, trying to maintain his composure.

He knew Ivy’s games all too well, and he wasn’t about to let her distract him so easily.

But as she leaned over him, her breasts pressing against his back, the heat of her body seeping into his, he felt his resolve slipping.

Her hands moved to the front of his chest, her nails scraping gently against his skin, her fingertips brushing against the firm muscles beneath.

He sucked in a sharp breath, his eyes never leaving hers in the mirror.

“You know what I miss?” Ivy asked, her voice a seductive whisper that seemed to resonate in the very air around them.

Vice stiffened, bracing himself for the accusation he knew was coming. “What?” he replied gruffly, expecting her to bring up the freedom he had taken from her.

Ivy leaned in even closer, her lips a breath away from his ear. “The way you touch me,” she murmured, her voice a sweet caress that sent a shiver down his spine. “The way you taste.”

Her words were like a hot brand, searing through the layers of his control. He watched in the mirror as she took his earlobe between her teeth and gave it a gentle nibble. The sensation was exquisite, and he could feel his body responding despite his better judgment.

Without another word, Ivy pulled away from him and began to walk away.

Vice’s eyes followed her as she moved with a seductive sway of her hips that was impossible to ignore.

She knew exactly what she was doing to him, and it was driving him wild.

He clenched his fists, the urge to grab her and pin her against the wall almost overwhelming, but he remained seated, watching as she reached the front door.

She glanced back over her shoulder, her eyes locking with his, and the challenge in them was clear.

With a sudden burst of energy, he was on his feet, calling out to her. “Ivy, come back here.” But she only smiled, a playful smirk that spoke of a victory she hadn’t quite won yet. She pulled open the door, the cool air from outside brushing against his skin, mingling with the warm scent of rain.

Vice took a step towards her, his eyes narrowed, a warning etched into every line of his face. “You know you’re playing with fire,” he said, his voice low and menacing.

But Ivy, unfazed, took a step backward, the cool draft from the open door playing with the loose strands of her hair.

The rain outside looked almost inviting, a stark contrast to the warmth of the room they were in.

She didn’t stop moving away from him, her eyes locked onto his, a silent dare in her gaze.

“You’re making a mistake,” Vice warned, his voice a low rumble that seemed to vibrate through the very fabric of the room. “You know the rules.”

Ivy’s smile grew wider, a hint of defiance in her eyes. “And what if I like making mistakes?” she tossed back at him, her voice a seductive purr that seemed to echo in the space between them. She took another step backward, her foot one step from being outside.

The rain had started to come down harder now, the sound of it beating against the cobblestone path outside a rhythmic symphony that seemed to underscore the tension in the room. The wind picked up, sending a spray of cold droplets through the open doorway, misting the warm air of the castle.

Vice watched her retreating form, his mind racing. He knew she was playing with him, but he also knew that the game was far from over. The rain was a tantalizing backdrop to their dance of desire; each drop a reminder of the passion that was about to be unleashed.

He stalked after her, each step he took brought him closer to the door, the scent of the wet earth and the coolness of the air outside a stark contrast to the warmth of his body and the heat of his desire.

His eyes never left hers retreating form.

She wasn’t running like when she wanted him to chase her, but walking.

She snuck around the corner. His eyes narrowed, and he walked after her, curious to see what she had up her sleeve this time. The rain had soaked her mid-thigh length white dress, making it cling to her body like a second skin, revealing every delicious curve and contour.

Ivy moved with the grace of a dancer, her eyes gleaming with excitement.

She knew he was following her, and she reveled in the thrill of having that much power over him.

As she reached the secluded spot she had in mind, she allowed herself to pause, taking a deep breath, keeping her back to him. She knew she had him hooked.

Vice’s footsteps grew closer, heavy and demanding, and she could feel the heat of his rage. Just as she had anticipated, he grabbed her arm, spinning her around to face him. “I’ve had enough of this,” he bellowed, his grip like iron, his eyes a tempest of anger and need.

But Ivy was unfazed, her gaze never wavering from his.

She leaned in and pressed her lips to his, a kiss that was as much a declaration of war as it was an invitation to surrender.

His Initial resistance melted away as she deepened the kiss, her tongue sliding against his, a dance of dominance and submission.

With surprising speed, she dropped to her knees, her soaked dress pooling around her. Her eyes never left his as her nimble fingers worked on the buckle of his belt. The sound of the leather giving way echoed through the night, punctuating the steady rhythm of the rain.

Vice’s breath hitched as he watched her, his anger momentarily forgotten in the face of her brazen act.

He felt her warm hand on his cock, the heat of her palm a stark contrast to the cold rain that had started to soak into his clothes.

Her grip was firm, yet gentle, and she began to stroke him with an expert touch that had him groaning.

Her eyes never left his as she leaned in, her plump, pink lips parted.

Slowly, she took him into her mouth, her tongue flicking against the sensitive tip before she took him into her mouth.

The rain plastered her hair to her face, and she looked up at him through the wet strands, her eyes alight with lust.

Vice was unable to hold back the wave of pleasure that crashed over him.

He’d had enough of her games, but the sight of her on her knees, her mouth wrapped around him, was too much to resist. He felt his anger dissipating, replaced by a hunger that was more primal than anything he’d ever experienced.

He groaned, his hands instinctively moving to tangle in her drenched hair, guiding her movements as she eagerly sucked.

The rain pounded down around them, their bodies illuminated by the occasional flash of lightning that split the night sky.

The coolness of the rain on his skin only served to make the heat of her mouth even more intense, a stark contrast that only served to drive him wilder.

As he watched her, the raindrops running down her face like tears, he knew if she kept looking at him like that that he wouldn’t be able to hold out much longer.

With a snarl of need, he yanked her to her feet, pulling her against him.

He pushed her back against the wall, the cold bricks pressing into her skin, leaving no room for doubt.

With one swift motion, he pulled the straps of her dress down, revealing her bare shoulders and the pale expanse of her chest. The fabric clung to her, the rain making it almost translucent.

He took a moment to appreciate the view before his hands moved to the rest of the dress, pulling it down over her hips with a decisive yank.

The fabric gave way, leaving her in nothing but a black pair of lace panties.

Ivy gasped into his mouth as he kissed her again, his teeth grazing her bottom lip.

He was rough, demanding, his hands leaving bruises on her skin as he held her in place.

He could feel her pulse racing, her body quivering with anticipation, and he knew that she was his.

The rain was coming down harder now, soaking them both, but it only added to the urgency of the moment.

With one swift motion, Vice ripped her panties from her body, the fabric giving way with a satisfying tear. He stepped back just enough to admire her, his eyes raking over her exposed flesh. The rain painted her body like the tattoos that adorned her skin.

“You wanted this so bad?” he rasped, his voice hoarse with desire. “Well, here it is.”