Had he rehearsed that speech? It sure sounded like it. That was kind of sweet. Her renewed annoyance at him faded. “Alright.” She agreed casually.
Kingu was quiet for a long moment. “Alright? That’s it?”
“Isn’t that what you want me to say?”
“I want you to mean it.” He snarled. “When I found you, I said that it was enough to possess your body, but I was wrong. I cannot stand knowing another man is in your thoughts and in your greater destiny. You will remove him, at once.”
“I don’t have another man in my thoughts or my greater destiny, dumbass.”
He opened his mouth to protest that, but Hope cut him off.
“And you’d better not call me a liar, again, either. It pisses me off.”
Kingu regarded her in brooding silence, but he wasn’t giving up. “I could give you things, Hope. Not my soul, because I don’t have one, but certainly more than some human or Phase. Tell me what you want and it’s yours.”
“I want to get Lycus out of that horrible gladiator jail. He helped me yesterday and I want to help him in return.”
Kingu swore under his breath, not liking that request. “Why won’t you just accept the unicorn?”
Hope disregarded the complaint. “It’s not right to leave Lycus in that prison, Kingu.”
He paused, thinking over new request. “Is Lycus your soul mate?”
“No.”
He didn’t look convinced. “You only agreed to come with me yesterday when I released his neck. You must care for the man.”
“I barely know him, actually. I just didn’t want him dead.”
“Lycus threatened you, though. He said he would rather kill you than see you with someone like me. I heard it.”
“He thought you were threatening me, silly. That’s why he said that. He didn’t just understand.”
“Understand?” Kingu’s voice went cautious.
“Yeah. He didn’t understand that you and I are destiny.”
Kingu met her eyes and actually held them. A long moment of silence past, like he was searching for answers in her blue gaze. “If I had a destiny, Hope, you would be it.” He finally murmured. He glanced away before she could respond to that. “I’m through discussing this. Come down to breakfast.”
“Wait, I have to get dressed first.”
Hope didn’t even think about the words before she said them. Even if she had, she certainly wouldn’t have considered them any kind of sexual way. It wasn’t until she saw Kingu stiffen and felt his attention shift to her clinging negligee that she felt a frantic punch of excitement. The heat inside of her rose to an unbearable temperature.
“I’m nearly naked under the nightgown.” She added, just to fan the flames.
Kingu’s throat worked convulsively. She could see his arousal from across the room, hear it in his fractured breathing.
That was all the encouragement Hope needed. Kingu wasn’t going to come into her bedroom without permission. She’d figured that out yesterday. But framed in the doorway, it felt more intimate than if he’d been standing right next to her. His hands came up to brace themselves on either side of the threshold, staring her like she was his last meal.
“Do you want to wait there while I get dressed?” She whispered. “Do you want to watch?”
His attention was riveted on the slipping neckline of the nightgown. “Why would you allow that? If you trying to manipulate me into letting you go, it won’t work.” He was waiting for a trap to spring. Hope could sense his raging desire, mixing with suspicion.
Her soul mate was not an easy man to seduce. Thank God the Fire House had an extensive pornographic library to draw inspiration from. Hope batted her eyelashes. “Maybe I just like monsters.”
“Maybe you just like playing with fire.”
Hope nearly ginned at that. “I really do, actually.” She shifted her shoulder and allowed one of the thin straps to slide down. “Well, I’m not going to close the door, so if you don’t want to see this, you’d better turn around.” She braced one foot on the mattress, ignoring the plastic manacle encircling it.
She was being a good sport and not removing the restraint, but every time she looked at the puny lock on the thing she wanted to start laughing. Hope could have gotten out of it in a matter of seconds. Fire Phases taught children the importance of picking locks by trapping them in a dead-bolted classroom and then setting it on fire.
God, that had been a tough day at school.
Probably best not to mention her skill in the middle of her striptease, though. Kingu might get distracted. Or maybe not. He hadn’t moved a muscle since she started the show.
Well, that wasn’t entirely true. His pupils flared as she began to slide the hem of the nightgown up her legs. “Oh fuck.”
Bingo.
Rule number ninety-nine of being a Fire Phase: Some battles are won by inches, so make the most of every one you have.
Hope’s eyes sparkled triumphantly as she slipped her hands under the bunched material and slowly pulled off her underwear. Making sure that Kingu didn’t see anything above her thighs while removing the white panties was tricky, but sooo worth it. “You still have my other pair. Do you want these for your collection, too?
His fingers dug into the wooden doorframe as she casually tossed the scrap of cotton and lace at his feet. “You think this is funny?” His voice was dark.
“I’m certainly having fun.” She fluffed her hair. “So what should I wear today?” Hope strolled over to the closet and surveyed the row of plain, conservative clothing. “Let’s see… beige, tan, or brown?” She drummed her index finger against her lips thoughtfully.
“I don’t care what you do. I’m not going to fall for… Shit.” His palm hit the doorframe in frustration as she nonchalantly held up a pair of fresh panties. “Do not you put those on, without taking the nightgown off. I mean it.”
Hope glanced at him over her shoulder. “I’m sorry, did you say something?”
Kingu’s face had never been more beautiful in its savage intensity. “You tease me and you’re gonna regret it.”
“Wow, I felt the exact same way yesterday when someone had me pressed up against a wall begging and then just… stopped.”
“You were thinking of another gods’ damn man!”
The masculine roar increased the temperature inside of her by another painful degree. “No, Kingu. I was thinking about you.” Still turned away from him, Hope shifted her body and let the other shoulder strap fall. The nightgown tumbled to her waist.
Kingu froze like he hadn’t expected her to actually go so far. For a heartbeat of time, he just gaped at her bare back, his gaze roaming it hungrily.
Hope had never been naked in front of a man before, but the Fire House didn’t raise prudes. Kingu’s rapt attention gave her all the confidence she needed. She arched a brow at him. “Who am I thinking about right now?”
An ample bust line was the one good thing about failing at every diet. Phases liked large breasts and, if Kingu’s reaction was anything to go by, Hope was betting primordial gods did, too.
“Hope, turn around.” He ordered, his voice guttural. “Turn around so I can see.”
“Who am I thinking about?” Her gaze sparkled mischievously. “He’s the only one I’m going to show.”
“Shit!” Male aggravation heated the air at the challenge. “You think I’m that easily controlled? Turn around or I’ll just go into to the fucking room and see for myself.”
Hope nearly rolled her eyes at that lie. She made a show of looking down at her chest. “Oh Kingu.” She adopted breathy tone. “My nipples are soooo hard and tight. I need to touch them, but…”
“Me.” The word was desperate. “You’re thinking of me.”
“That’s right.” Hope turned to face him. She had one arm crossed across her chest and she lowered it to give him a clear view. “Only you, monster.”
“Oh Gaia.” He looked slightly dizzy, his eyes devouring her skin. “Holy
fuck, I knew you’d be pretty, but…” He trailed off with a helplessly groan as she kept going.
Hope’s fingers trailed across her taunt nipples. “Whose hands am I imagining all over me, Kingu?”
“They’d better be mine.” The words were ragged. “Drop the nightgown the rest of the way.”
“You want to see everything?” She fiddled with the silk gathered at her hips. “Really?”
“Yes.”
“I don’t think I should show that to anyone but my soul mate, do you?”
“You do this for another man and it’ll be the last thing he ever sees.” Kingu’s eyes stayed riveted on her body. “Probably, it would be worth it to him, though.”
“Well, if I give you what you want, you’re going to have to give me something in return.”
Resignation entered his expression, like he’d been expecting that. “I know.”
Hope almost felt bad for him. Still, there was only one way he’d learn. “Alllllright.” She drew out the word like she couldn’t imagine why he’d make such a bad deal. “If you’re sure…”
“I’m sure. I created that nightgown because I knew I’d want to rip you out of it. Your body in red lingerie is… epic.”
When she’d spotted the negligee hanging in the closet, Hope had guessed that was the stuff of Kingu’s fantasies. It had been so different from the rest of the utilitarian garb he’d provided. Like a web of silk and lace and want.
Hope’s eyes gleamed and she let the delicate crimson fabric fall to the floor. Kingu was fully dressed, topped her by three feet, and could probably make her disappear with a snap of his fingers… And she absolutely knew he wasn’t going to come into her bedroom without permission.
Completely nude, Hope strolled over to stand just on the edge of the threshold.
Just beyond his reach.
It was exhilarating to see the way his expression went dark with arousal and his hand clenched around the doorframe. A piece of decorative molding pulled free in his grip. Kingu didn’t appear to notice. His gaze was on her thatch of blonde curls.
“Please, God.” It wasn’t a curse. It was a prayer. She stood less than a foot away from him and his red eyes cut back up to hers. “What do you want from me?” He sounded like he was about to explode.
Hope was getting a real good idea of what it must feel like for the mares lead in front of the stallions. So much power held back by so few restraints. “What are you offering?” She tilted her head so the tips of her blonde ringlets brushed over her nipples.
Kingu’s body gave a jerk at the sight. “I’ll do anything, except let you go.” He looked somehow captivated and arrogant at the same time. Only Kingu could pull off that expression. Like you might have won the round, but you’d never get him on his knees. A lion temporarily held behind bars and just plotting his revenge.
“Well, I know just what I want, then.” Hope inched closer and kept her tone sultry.
“I’m sure you do.” Kingu muttered. He dragged in a deep breath, like he was trying to inhale her scent, even as he scowled in frustration. “Lycus freed and the Banished Phases thwarted?”
“Oh, I spent hours looking into the Banished Phases already, hoping they were up to something we could heroically stop. But nope. They aren’t plotting much of anything besides more gladiator games.” It was soooo disappointing. “They’re way more scared of Job than he’ll ever need to be of them.”
“I told you they were idiots.”
She waved a dismissive hand. “So forget about them. We’re past it.” She leaned forward conspiratorially, enjoying the way the heat radiated from his body. “No, I would like,” she drew out the words, “a poodle skirt with sequins. And some of that awesome Bakelite jewelry from the 1930s. The kind with the big bunches of cherries. I’m thinking earrings. Those are really hard to find. And… Oh,” she blew out a “decisions, decisions” sort of sigh, “a purple and yellow striped sweater. Also with sparkles. And sequins. And fringe. It’s cold here.”
Kingu was quiet for a long beat. “Are you joking?”
“No. I think the Cloudland is terribly chilly.” She gestured towards the balcony. “It’s the lack of volcanoes.”
“I mean about the clothes!”
“Of course, I’m not kidding. You said you’d get me whatever I wanted, and I want to wear something besides beige.”
Kingu’s brows drew together. “That’s… it?” His voice was almost vulnerable.
“That’s it. Don’t look so surprised. I’m not trying to manipulate you. At worst, I’m just teasing a little bit. You need to learn how to have fun.” She went up on tiptoe and crooked a finger at him. “Kiss.” She ordered.
Kingu lowered his face towards hers as if in a trance and Hope closed the last distance between them. His mouth slid across his softly and then she slipped away before he could grab her.
“I am going to rescue Lycus, though.” She continued. “I just don’t need to use our sex life to do it.”
Glazed red eyes stayed locked on Hope as she sashayed back to the closet. He watched her like he might blink and she’d disappear. “We have a sex life?” He asked hoarsely.
“Of course.” She pulled a bra from one of the closets’ built in drawers. “Now, what did we just learn?”
“That you think we have a sex life.”
“Besides that.”
“That I’m going to take your door off the hinges, so I can watch you get dressed every morning.”
She shot him with a mock frown. “What did we learn about our connection?”
“That you’ve enslaved me, just as I knew you would.”
That one didn’t sound teasing. It sounded almost morose. Aw, poor Kingu. Luckily, she knew how to cheer him up. Hope made an award-winning production of slipping on her panties, appreciating the “holy shit” he whispered in response. Such a good audience.
“No silly. We’ve learned that I’m not a liar. At least, not about anything as important as my feelings for you.”
“Uh-huh.” Kingu sounded drugged, his eyes on her white underwear now. He snapped his fingers and it became a black lace thong. With garters. And little red bows.
Hope considered the sudden playfulness a good sign. “And we’ve learned that I am perfectly safe in this house with you, so there’s no reason to try and scare me with your scowls.” She began putting on her practical tan bra. “And we’ve learned that we’re both super attracted to each other, so no more telling me that I don’t want you, okay?”
Kingu’s response to that was to snap his fingers again and turn the cotton panels of her bra transparent. Hope jolted as it became black see-through lace right in her hand. She pursed her lips, trying not to smile. “Pervert.” She examined the barely there straps and Playboy shoot nipple holes, then she glanced at Kingu. “You really want me to wear this thing?”
Kingu slowly smiled, like her question was hilarious. “Oh yes.” It was such a genuine, spontaneous expression that Hope was momentarily blinded by its beauty. “If I admit to being ‘super attracted’ to you, will you let me put it on you?”
Hope tried to remember how to breathe. “With your hands or your powers?”
She could sense him weighing the odds. “Powers?” He tried warily.
“Really?” Hope went for an innocent expression. “You wouldn’t want to touch me? Because the Cloudland is soooo nippy. I know I’d like it if someone warmed my skin with his big, strong palms. Rough hands fondling my breasts and tugging at my taunt…”
“If you let me touch you for real, I will get you the most colorful wardrobe in the entire realm.” Kingu interrupted. “I’ll build you another castle just to hold it all, if you’d like.”
“Are you trying to barter with me for sexual favors?” Hope gasped in exaggerated outrage.
“Hell yes. Is it working?”
“Hell yes.” She teased. “Okay. I’m easily bribed by sparkly things. Let me see this fabulous new wardrobe and I’ll think about it.”
Kingu
was starting to catch on to the game. “Noooo, treasure. You first.”
Hope was enjoying this. Today’s seduction was working way better than yesterday’s. Either Kingu was finally understanding he belonged to Hope or he’d just given up resisting her feminine wiles. Either way, it was real progress.
“You drive a hard bargain.” She moved closer to him again, pretending to think about it. “But… you have been well behaved so far.”
Kingu sucked in a deep breath as Hope handed him the flimsy scrap of fabric and turned her back towards him. “Really? You’ll really let me do this?”
“Um-hmmm.” She leaned closer so their bodies nearly touched. “I think I can trust you not to renege.”
“Even though I don’t deserve it, I would love it if you trusted me.” He slowly stroked her shoulder blade as if he still expected her to recoil. “You would be the first to even want to try.” His voice went deeper and softer when she didn’t pull away. “You are the very first everything, Hope.”
No one trusted him? That was crazy. He was a warrior. They all had a code. Sometimes they were the only ones who understood it, but it was always there.
“I’ve trusted you from the beginning, Kingu. I pushed you in acid and you didn’t hold a grudge. I dragged you into a gladiator fight and you were okay with it. I just got completely naked and tormented you, but you never moved one toe across my threshold. You knew I was playing and you let me.”
She pushed her curls aside so he could see what he was doing as he studied the bra. She could tell from his slight frown that he wasn’t exactly sure how it worked and he was worried about ripping it. That charmed her.
Hope lifted her hand to run it along his cheek. “I trust you right down to my soul.”
“Thank you.” He sounded humbled. Amazed.
“I didn’t do anything, monster. It’s all you.”
“No, it’s you.” Kingu’s hands shook as he looped the bra around the front of her and slipped her arms through the straps. His fingers were so big that they had trouble with the latch in the back. But once he got it done, his touch trailed up her spine. “You’ll never know what it means to have you here, at last.”
Treasure of the Fire Kingdom (The Elemental Phases Book 4) Page 22
