One step. Roc took one step before his laughing brother vanished, taking the head with him.
Roc grabbed an icy water bottle, chugged half the contents and poured the rest over his sweaty face. A cool tide rushed over him, doing little to douse his desire for the snarpy.
Maybe he did require a chastity belt of his own.
No, he just needed to deal with the harpy. Ian’s parting shot had set off an alarm. Not loud but noticeable. Erebus never wasted a moment to war. Why hadn’t he sent a phantom to attack yet? New strategy?
Bring it. Roc had planned for every eventuality.
Except Taliyah.
He swiped a hand over his face, freeing his lashes of water droplets. Tonight he would eat the meal she prepared, whatever it was. Goading her temper while they dined was sure to lighten his mood. If she attacked him, she’d give him the perfect excuse to put his hands on her. He could make her want him.
He would.
14
Taliyah surveyed her handiwork. Nice. Expert-level romance. In front of a well-stoked hearth, she’d arranged a picnic-style dinner on a coffee table.
The stage for Roc’s test-seduction was set.
A General should be versed in all forms of attack. Even this. Once she convinced him to remove the belt, she’d know she possessed the ability to seduce him. So would he.
Her confidence would be restored, and she’d have no trouble resuming the orchestration of his murder. All would be well.
She smoothed her hands over tonight’s dress of choice: a stunner of Grecian design, sophisticated yet Gothic. The choker collar provided open shoulders and a deep V that ended just below her navel. The cinched waist led to a flowing hem with multiple slits, her sexy heels on display. Between her breasts dangled the key to Harpina.
Maybe Roc knew what it was; maybe he didn’t. He probably didn’t care either way. In his mind, his threat to destroy the duplicate realm bound her here. He—Argh!
Every time she moved, the chastity belt grazed the heart of her need. Taliyah thought she’d go mad. The stupid contraption was coming off tonight. If desire got the better of him—it must—he would remove the belt.
Could she get him there? The challenge of it all was kind of...sexy.
Incredibly sexy.
Make him want you, future General, not the other way around.
Wait! The constant scrape of a chisel ceased. Had Roc finished his work for the day? Heart kicking into a wild beat, she hurried to the balcony and searched the gardens. The colossal hunk of rock remained, but she saw no sign of the Astra.
She averted her gaze, shifting her attention to the horizon, where his wall circled the city, a majestic but horrifying monstrosity. Did he walk the parapet? How long did she have before he hunted her?
What if he didn’t hunt her?
The door opened. As if her thoughts had conjured him, Roc stalked into the bedroom, master of the manor.
She whirled, facing him fully. He’d showered somewhere other than his bathroom. Interesting. He’d donned a shirt, covering the bulk of his alevala. That shirt did great things for him, stretching over broad shoulders and bulging muscles. Water droplets dampened his hair, a few beads clinging to long black lashes. Harsh features appeared more pronounced than usual, strain pulling his bronze skin taut.
He strained up good. Real good.
He stopped abruptly and perused her slowly. Tremors beset her limbs. Performance jitters, nothing more.
His expression remained neutral, but his hands fisted. “I’m told you prepared my dinner.”
My cue. Strolling closer, Taliyah motioned to the picnic. “My hubby had a tough day, and he deserved a little pampering.”
“Yes, I can see you slaved over this delicious meal of—” he glanced at the different platters of food “—pineapple.”
So cooking wasn’t her strong suit. She’d gathered every pineapple in the kitchen. “I wasn’t sure how you preferred it, so I spent extra time preparing it multiple ways. Sliced, smashed, crushed, kicked, choked or smothered. Husband’s choice. And yes, I’m such a good wife. I know.” When she reached him, she realized she had a choice. Link her arm through his and escort him to the table, or walk past him, letting him watch.
When his pupils pulsed, she opted for the latter. She paused only long enough to drag a fingertip over his chest. “Come. Eat. You must be ravenous.” Strolling off...
A sudden vise grip on her arm spun her into him, smashing her breasts into his chest. An involuntary shiver coursed through her. Heat followed.
She swallowed, her bones threatening to melt. “Perhaps you have another meal in mind?”
Roc dipped his head and dragged his nose up her throat, sniffing her. As he straightened, his pupils pulsed again. A heartbeat in his eyes. “I accept your invitation to come and eat.” He sounded...lusty.
Uh, where was the rampaging beast she’d dealt with this morning? “You aren’t afraid I’ll poison you?”