“I doubt you’ve ever even had an orgasm.” He flicked his gaze to hers in the mirror.
“I most certainly have,” she snapped, then slapped a hand across her mouth.
“Prove it,” he purred, feathering his lips against her ear. “Go ahead. I dare you.”
Daji squeezed her eyes, but Price’s voice vibrated through her bones. If she retreated from his challenge, he would win.
If she slid her fingers between her thighs…he would win.
He’d outwitted her, cornering her into this web of falsehoods.
She’d kept him busy—and out of her path—with these nonsense rituals. Everyone had a breaking point and she’d smacked into his.
The dark rush of his arousal permeated her senses, clouding her judgment. She ought to do this, to prove she didn’t require him to pleasure her.
She would handle her lust by herself, as she always had.
Opening her eyes, and meeting his hooded gaze through the mirror, Daji slipped her hand under the hem of her robe, between her legs. Her fingers spread across her sex, wetness coating them. Hell, but she was aroused, too.
Behind her, Price sucked in his breath.
She delved two fingers into her opening, biting back a moan. Her sheath clenched, demanding.
A gush of warmth fanned across her neck, sending spiking hunger into her core. “Slower.”
Who was he to dispense orders? Stilling, she obeyed, too curious to reprimand him. Her lovers had never engaged in erotic diversions with her.
It was too tantalizing to stop.
She locked stares with him through the mirror, the dark intensity of those blue depths so thrilling.
“Brush your fingertips across your clit, slowly.”
As she complied, a low groan rumbled in his chest. Bolder, she inched her thighs wider.
“That’s it, wider. You’re going to have to spread your legs if you want my thick cock inside you.”
A mewl purred in her throat as she inched her legs apart. The image of his hard shaft spearing into her caused her sex to clench in pained anticipation.
“Open your robe.”
Oh, he definitely wished to watch, and she would permit him.
Daji plucked the tie of her robe, the silk folds falling aside to reveal a glimpse of what she was doing.
“Fuck.” Price gripped the top of the chair on either side of her shoulders. His passion blasted through her like the heat from a sauna.
She licked her lips, waiting for his next command.
“A little more pressure.”
The stroke of her fingers was pure bliss against her silky flesh, more intense than ever before. Because Price was watching. How had she been missing out on this gratification all these centuries? The wicked promises in his hooded eyes sang through her blood, filling her core with unbearable aching.
She twisted in her seat, writhing against her fingers, the pleasure too intense and not enough at the same time. Tiny sparks flashed inside her core, humming through her body.
Behind her, Price tossed his head from side to side. “You’re going to come for me now, Daji, and when you scream, you’re going to know it was me who made you shatter.”
Was there ever any doubt? Her toes curled against the wooden floors as a cry escaped her, the small sparks igniting into one potent explosion.
She hunched forward, whimpering. Waves of pleasure crested over her, freezing her body in place at their ferocity.
Her hand rested between her legs, too heavy to continue. The scent of her arousal permeated the air, slickness coated her inner thighs, and her muscles had gone limp.
She blinked, crashing into reality.
Oh. Right. She’d orgasmed in front of Price. Because of Price.
“Sthananorok.” Hell.
Her throat dried, her mind spinning for words. What did one say after such an act? She was pretty sure she’d moaned and cried and panted so much, if these doors and walls weren’t solid, the entire palace would have heard her.
Price certainly had.
Ugh. Regret clouded her satiation. This moment of weakness was what she’d told herself not to succumb to.
She tensed. What happened next?
“Well, damn, Daji.” Price rested his chin atop her head, then bent and pressed a kiss to her forehead. She stiffened at the affectionate gesture and frowned as he eased back, heading for the door. “See you tomorrow.”
He winked and stepped through, closing the door behind him. Leaving Daji gaping and stuttering, and absolutely certain he’d won the dare.
***
Always leave them begging for more. This time, he’d withdrawn, hungry for more. When he’d dared Daji to pleasure herself, Price hadn’t anticipated she’d be so sensual.
Why not? She was a fox spirit, the Queen. If anyone should embody raw seduction, it was her. Her rigid exterior hid her sexual nature so well he’d begun to presume she didn’t possess one.
Wrong, asshole. Daji hadn’t only enjoyed his erotic commands, she’d welcomed them. She was game for kinky desires as much as he was.
He’d bet she’d let him…
Fuck no. His cock was rock solid, his ballocks near blue, and picturing Daji’s ass was not helping the situation.
He stepped to the bed and punched his pillow, unable to get comfy while his hard-on jutted into the mattress.
Oh, he could take himself in his hand, but he’d rather save it. Daji might claim not to feed off jīng, but the longer he went without orgasming, the more he would be able to offer her. Getting close to orgasm and holding back his release boosted his jīng that much more. He’d make sure, once she accepted him, he’d give her one heck of a buzz.
Prove to her he was more than an inconsequential pawn in her Council’s games. That he had other uses, other talents, and most of all, once she had one taste of him, she’d beg for another.
He didn’t sleep an ounce the entire night, unable to erase the image of Daji’s beautiful naked body from his mind. The second morning light streamed in from the cracks in the thick drapes, Price was more than ready to face another day with his Queen.
He strode into the throne room and Horse caught her scent, off the balcony. She angled toward him, prim and proper, but a pink flush blossomed across her cheeks.
“Sleep well?”
“The quality of my repose is of no concern to you.” She stiffened. Back to this frigidity, was she?
Stalking forward, he targeted her with a disarming smile. “It bloody well is, so stop pretending I didn’t make your body shatter last night.”
Her lips pursed and her eyes flashed bright. Ah-hah. There she was.
He checked his watch. “My schedule’s pretty clear if you’re ready for Round Two.”
“I am not—Argh.” She tossed up her hands. “Don’t you ever think about anything other than copulating?”
He slipped forward, closing his arms around her on either side of the marble baluster. “Not when I’m around you. Thinking about anything else is damned difficult.”
“Well,” she shoved one claw into his chest, “I have a race to rule over. I can’t afford the luxury of oblivion.”
“Why does it have to be one or the other?” He eased back, cocking his head at her. “I care about your people, too, Daji. I’m going to make right what I can, but you have to show me how.”
“I can’t even fathom where to begin searching for their fox spirits. If we located them…” She sighed. “There might be hope for them to fight for.”
“Okay, that’s a start. Send me to the human realm and I’ll get my contacts to look into it.”
“I’m not sending you anywhere alone.” She raised one arched brow, then sighed in resignation. “I appreciate your help, but your involvement was far less malicious than others. No need to be guilted into aiding me. If we do this, we do it together.”
At last, she offered him a partnership. He grinned. “Deal.”
It was no small thing for a Queen to team up with anyone.
The thread of trust branched between them, thin and fragile, but it stretched nonetheless. A pinch squeezed his chest, unfamiliar and yet comforting. Like Daji, he’d spent far too many years not trusting anyone with his deepest, darkest self. Whatever came of this, he enjoyed the camaraderie.
“Shall we?” He extended his arm toward the corridor leading to the portal.
“I’ll be watching you. Do not cross me.” The sparkle in her eyes belayed her threatening tone, almost as if she were flirting with him. Huh.
“I wouldn’t have it any other way, minx.” He slapped her tight ass, and she squeaked, hastening down the hall and hissing his name.
They ventured through the gateway, landing in Price’s apartment. “I’m going to call my contacts. Make yourself at home.” He swept his hand toward the living area and stepped into his office.
Tapping his chin, he studied the map of Hong Kong on the wall, before digging out his phone. If I were a fox spirit, where would I hide?
***
Daji tilted her head while Price retreated to the adjoining room. This was her chance to unearth what secret he’d refused to disclose the last time they were here. Already, she’d divulged so many of her weaknesses, yet all she had learned of him was he had a brother. A rather loud, obnoxious one.
First Ryden had flirted with every female in her palace, and then he’d refused their advances. Next, he’d blasted horrible films from their movie theatre all day—and night—long. If she heard one more complaint about him, brother or not, she’d have to ask him to go home.
Her palace was a sanctuary. A place where fox spirits were welcomed and indulged in peace. Having a houseguest who evoked such upheaval caused her subjects undue distress.
Daji marched up the spiraling stairs, toward Price’s bedroom. The space appeared the same and the picture on the bookcase was positioned aside as before. She twisted the frame around and gasped.
A woman. Beautiful. With kind, smiling eyes like Price’s.
His mother? Well, someone had to have given birth to him. Humans had parents, unlike fox spirits. Húli jīng were the creation of their mother-goddess, Nüwa.
Her goddess had never beamed as this woman did. Genuine love shone from her bright smile. Why did Price keep her picture near, yet not share her with anyone?
“Snooping, my Queen?” The light tone carried an undernote of indignation.
She spun around and faced him. “Your mother is very beautiful. Why do you hide her picture?”
“I don’t hide her.” He snatched the frame out of her hands and set it on the bookcase, positioning the picture with precision. “Her name was Charya and she was murdered.”
Oh. “I’m sorry. What happened?” This depth in Price was not a facet he revealed to the world. Would he share it with her?
His shoulders bunched and his head lowered, hair falling across his face. “We were walking in a park. The sun was setting. I was thirteen. Something attacked her.”
“Oh, Price.” She extended her arm to brush her fingers along his, but dropped her hand. “Yet you survived?”
He nodded. “A creature—not human or animal—saved me. Took me a long time to figure out what.” He angled his face toward her and his piercing blue eyes pegged her. “A húli jīng.”
Understanding rushed through her. “That’s why you seek out my people.”
“One of you saved me. I’d like to thank her, and ask what did that to my mum. Her screams still haunt me.”
At once, she saw it. A young boy, torn from his mother. A hideous beast, thrashing and slashing and demanding blood.
“Perhaps we do have something in common. Húli jīng saved me as well.” Without her throne, she would have been nothing. Would have had nothing to strive for after her ex-husband had shredded her spirit.
His brows drew together. “Oh, which one?”
“All of them.” She cleared her throat and swept away the blossoming connection she experienced with this man. Deeper concerns pressed forward. Who was the fox spirit who rescued him, who fended off the monster?
He shifted, likely sensing the walls she’d erected between them. “Have you heard of anything like my story?” No mistaking the pang of hopefulness.
“No, I have never heard this tale. I’m sorry.” Daji pressed her lips firm and sighed. “I can ask around. Perhaps someone at the palace has.”
“Not that I’ve questioned.” He raked his hand through his hair. “It’s so frustrating, to be this close, and still not have a damn clue.”
He shrugged and jogged down the stairs. “I did manage to contact a few sources. They might have answers.”
She followed him into the living space and toward the door.
“Shall we?”
Daji stepped into the hallway and inhaled. Hmm. The last time she’d been to his flat, so much had happened at once, she hadn’t focused on the scent.
Her scent.
“Price.” She halted, studying the door to Ryden’s flat. “Can we go inside? I think I lost my earring there.”
Another lie, but in case she’d imagined the scent, she didn’t wish to strike him as foolish. Or paranoid.
“Uh, sure.” Pulling a set of keys from his back pocket, he unlocked Ryden’s door and stepped aside for Daji to proceed first. She padded into the flat, blocking out everything except the smells.
Ink. Paper. Pizza delivered several weeks ago.
As she neared the bedroom, there. Naya’s scent. Her heart leapt into her throat. Perhaps Ryden wasn’t such a thorn, after all. He was acquainted with Naya. Had spent time with her. Daji sniffed. Intimate time.
A smile tugged at her lips. Though the scent was old, Naya had been here. Alive and well.
Elation flooded her veins and she whirled around, spinning straight into Price’s chest.
“Ah, sorry. Didn’t mean to sneak up on you.” He seized her arms and edged back to peer at her. “Something excite you about my brother’s bedroom?”
Price quirked his lips as he regarded the feverish flush across Daji’s skin. Something had gotten her fired up, and damn, he wished it had been him.
“She was here.” Daji lifted her lashes, her brows pinched. “I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“Maybe, but now you have to tell me who ‘she’ is.” Ryden had screwed someone? His brother was not the type to sleep with someone and not make her his woman. Where was she and why hadn’t Ryden ever told him?
Because Price would’ve definitely gotten in his face about it.
Probably why he’d kept quiet.
The woman being someone close to Daji was too much of a coincidence. “Who?” he pressed, though Daji tugged on her lip harder, clearly eager to speak and not quite sure she should.
Well, they were beyond that.
“Naya. My successor.”
“Naya?” His brows shot up. “The fake name you gave me in the Kun Peng’s nest?”
“I didn’t give you a fake name. You misunderstood. I’ve been searching for her. She hasn’t returned, not since…” A flush crept into her cheeks.
“Since…?”
Daji cleared her throat. “Her initiation.”
Okay, this got more and more bizarre. Naya was a fox spirit, Daji’s successor. Did she really need one? Was she dying? The pieces weren’t adding up. “Where is she?”
Daji folded her arms, hugging them close to her body. “I wish I knew.”
“Okay, well, let’s head to the palace and I’ll see if I can pry anything from Ryden.”
“Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me yet. That asshat has a lot of explaining to do.” He cracked his knuckles and strode from the apartment after Daji, locking the door behind them.
After they hitched the portal to the palace, Price tracked down his little brother. The troublemaker. A woman would explain his recent funk, especially a woman who had ditched his ass.
He located Ryden in the kitchen, helping himself to a jug of milk. “Seriously? There’s this thing called a glass.
” Price yanked out a chair and slumped onto it.
“Not like anyone else here drinks it.”
“Yeah, except me, dumbass.” Price jerked the jug out of Ryden’s grasp and guzzled. “Daji would faint if she saw us like this.” A grin tugged at his mouth as he pictured her flashing eyes, flushed cheeks, and all of the wicked things she would do to him with that tongue.
Time to give his brother flack about his recent antisocial behavior. He’d guilt Ryden until he would admit anything to get Price off his case. If his brother was involved with Daji’s successor, he was in deep. He’d already clued Ryden in about his fuck up with the transitions, but maybe they should share more.
“First, I can’t get you to leave them alone; now, you won’t stop terrorizing them.” Setting aside the jug, he snorted. “Really, if you don’t start acting like a decent houseguest, Daji is going to kick your ass to the curb.” And he would definitely buy tickets to that show. Hell, he could probably sell them for a hundred bucks a pop.
“Is this your attempt at a big brother talk?” Ryden leaned forward, hands planted on the table. “Because out of the two of us, I’m the responsible one.”
“Well, you’re damn well not acting like it.”
His brother scoffed. “Why? Because I like action movies?”
Such a dickhead. “The ladies are sensitive to violence. Besides, you have a flat screen in your room.” Price wagged a finger at him. “I mean it. Play nice or you’re going to have to find somewhere else to crash your sorry self.” Totally empty threat.
His brother sank back, smirking, but as they sat in silence, Ryden’s expression shifted to serious. What was really going on with him? After a few minutes, the tight corners of his mouth relaxed. “Fine. No more R-rated movies in the theater. Happy?”
“Well, I will be once—”
“Price, come quickly!” Daji shouted from the corridor.
He bolted from the table and followed Ryden toward Daji. In the middle of the hallway, a cloaked figure lay hunched on the tiles.
The intruder groaned and spat a slimy object at them. Price shot out his arm and blocked his little brother and Daji from getting too close. Horse would sniff out this trespasser first.
Reining Him In (Chinese Zodiac Romance Series Book 5) Page 8
