The Harlot (Taskill Witches 1)

“Once again, a situation you have suggested by your arrival in that state.” He smiled most amiably and then led her to the table.

Smarting wildly, Jessie recalled what he’d said the night before about her table manners.

He gestured at her to sit in the chair. “If you can portray humility and innocence in a state of undress, you will have taken a step forward. It will be a fine test of your acting abilities.”

“Surely you jest.” Horrified at the situation, she nodded at his polelike erection. “I cannot act the innocent, not when presented with such a thing.”

Again she glared at his cock.

In all her days she’d never known a man so single-minded that he would deny himself the urge to come when it presented itself. Apparently he wanted to tutor her on how to behave, even though he was as hard as a rock and ready for a tumble. The man clearly wanted to torture her.

Standing opposite her, he rested his hands flat on the table and looked into her eyes. There was a wicked smile on his face. “I am entirely serious, believe me.”

“And

you accused me of having no shame.”

He opened his palms as if innocent of her meaning.

He was mocking her. Jessie grumbled loudly and wriggled on the chair. She was far too aroused to act the part rationally, and her gaze kept roving back to observe his state of readiness for fornication. Besides, she had not seen him entirely naked before, and now he was strolling about exhibiting himself with the utmost detachment. It was unbearable. From his broad shoulders and chest, the latter dusted with dark hair, her gaze traveled down to where his cock sprung out, like a tree from the earth, tufts of dark hair adorning its base. Beneath that, his heavy sac made him look most virile. The shaft was long and rigid and arched up lewdly, the foreskin drawn back, revealing the darkly swollen head. Her cunny clamored for it.

“Eyes up,” he instructed sternly.

The tone of his voice was so commanding that she shivered with arousal. She rocked her bottom on the chair as she straightened up and met his gaze, and the hard surface maddened her aroused flesh. “You are insane!”

“Sit up straight while you are at the table.”

She did so, but flashed him another angry look.

He examined her with mock disappointment, his own acting ability apparently made more dramatic by the situation. “It seems I have to remind why you are here. As you so rightly pointed out, a man of wealth and opportunity would prefer an innocent maiden. You assured me that you would be able to seduce him under those circumstances.”

“Not like this.” She glared at Gregor, clutching at the table edge to keep herself from storming off. She didn’t want to do as he instructed, but she did not want to leave, not now. Having him looming over her, so darkly handsome while he issued instructions, meant all her thoughts were moving in an entirely different direction. He was an arm’s reach away, but he was denying them both. The fact that she was naked did not help her at all. She felt as if she had walked into a trap.

Jessie turned away and closed her eyes, shaking her head in disbelief.

“Do it and you will be rewarded.”

The promise made her blood pump ever faster. She squeezed her thighs together and stared down at the tabletop in an attempt to keep herself from breaking his hold on her. It was the hardest thing she had ever done with her body in such a state of arousal, and with him so close at hand and ready to give her exactly what she wanted. But she attempted to force her thoughts together and be what he wanted her to be.

Lifting her head slightly, and at the angle he had suggested the day before, she looked at him from under her eyelashes, and then widened her eyes as if startled. Forcing her lower lip to tremble, she shifted one hand to her throat. “Forgive me, sire, you have caught me while I am at breakfast. I will prepare for my day’s chores immediately.”

She expected him to lecture her about manners, but he did not. Silence filled the air between them and along with it the tension mounted.

Cautiously, she lifted her head fully and looked at him, keeping her expression most humble and serious and well-meaning. “How best can I serve you today, sire?”

His mouth moved, his lips pressed together as if he was trying to restrain from comment, but his eyes told a different story. Black with lust, they scored her greedily. Her skin flashed hot and her breathing sped. It was he who was doing battle with his needs now.

Be careful, she reminded herself. He could easily send her to her room, if she did not continue to make an effort.

“You have caught my attention,” he said, his tone more subdued but also more intimate. “You are a good worker and I wish to keep you here in the household.”

“Thank you, sire. I am most eager to please you and gain a permanent position here.” She blinked at him, being careful to show nothing but innocence.

“But you turn my head, Jessie.”

The statement startled her. For a moment she stared into his eyes, and she knew he wasn’t acting. That made her belly flutter, and she battled to contain her reaction. Blinking hard, she cocked her head slightly. “Me, sire?”

“Yes.” He stepped closer and touched her hair. “It is your character. Your strange mix of innocence and candor.”