“…isn’t it?”
“Absolutely not,” he lied, as the fires of hell laughed from below. “No, please tell me you haven’t propositioned this other gentleman?”
“I’m afraid I have.”
Ash clenched his fists at his sides. “Sofia—”
“You. He’s you.” She walked slowly toward him, her hips swaying seductively. “Three weeks, Ash.”
Damn it. She’d said his name; it sounded so good on those brightly rouged lips.
Suddenly dizzy, he stumbled backward, only to find himself trapped by the door that he’d shut, the door he’d locked. Bloody brilliant assassin now, wasn’t he? Could kill a man without a thought, but, faced with a beautiful woman, and suddenly he’d forgotten how to string sentences together and had been brought to his knees by the sound of his own name on her lips.
“No,” he whispered. “You cannot ask me to forgo a vow I made ten years ago, just so you can selfishly experience pleasure.”
“You’re right.” Sofia hung her head.
“I am?” he clipped. “I mean, I am. Yes. Yes, I am often right when it comes to these things.” Dear God, he was sweating. Profusely.
“I’ll just have to ask someone else…. Say, is Pierce in attendance?”
Ash slammed his hand against the door. “The hell you will.”
“But…” She tilted her head in innocence. “…you just said no.”
“You won’t do it.” His eyes narrowed. “You talk quite large for being so small.”
She grinned. “Yes or no?”
“No.” Yes, yes, yes.
“Fine.” She gently pushed him to the side. “I have a few dances to finish.”
“You won’t really…” He couldn’t finish the sentence on account his voice had decided not to work, just like his heart had decided it needed to pound out of his chest and fall to the floor so she could squish it with her slippers.
“I guess you shall have to wait and see.”
“I’m calling your bluff.”
“Call all you want, Ash…” She reached up on her tiptoes and whispered in his ear. “…but my offer ends at midnight.”
“Offer?” He choked. “This isn’t done, Sofia, you’ll ruin yourself you’ll—”
“I’m a Russian princess. I want passion. If you won’t show me… then I’ll find someone who will. Good evening, soldier.”
The door clicked softly as she closed it behind her.
She left.
She bloody left.
Ash paced the room, wearing the floorboards into oblivion. After pouring himself what was most likely four fingers of whiskey and tilting it back, he returned to the ball.
Only to find Pierce dancing with Sofia.
Damn cravat! He tugged at it again, irritation making his fingers itch to pull the trigger on his pistol in Pierce’s general direction.
The dance ended.
Pierce held Sofia’s hand to his lips, pressing a kiss to her fingertips, before saying something else that had the woman laughing so loud that it had gained attention from at least ten different couples.
Pierce led her from the dance floor then looked behind him. What the devil was he doing? They walked arm in arm toward the balcony.
“Pierce looks happy tonight,” Hunter said, suddenly appearing to Ash’s right and damn-near stopping his heart.
“I hadn’t noticed.”
“Ha!” Hunter elbowed him. “I guess she could do worse.”
“Pardon?”
“Baron.” Hunter shrugged. “Pierce has a barony. Of course, it’s nothing compared to your title but… it only makes sense that she would seek comfort from someone familiar.”
Ash stared after them as they disappeared outside. “But she’s… she would never— It’s Pierce! A thought occurs once every week for the man, and, even then, it’s usually about whores and whiskey!”
Hunter shrugged. “If one cannot have love, at least one can have companionship. Besides, he’s a bit of a rake. He’ll do just fine to satisfy what the girl clearly wants.”
“Wants?”
“A marriage with passion.”
Ash shoved his brother out of the way and stomped toward the balcony doors. Passion? She wanted passion? He’d show her passion, in the form of a handprint on her backside.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Choking one’s friend with one’s bare hands did have its merits… I am not called The Grimm Reaper because it rhymes, now am I? —The Grimm Reaper
SOFIA RELEASED PIERCE’S ARM the minute the fresh night air hit her face. Closing her eyes, she sighed and hugged her arms to her chest.
“He’ll follow,” Pierce said from behind her. “Though if I gain a bullet through the head, my death rests upon your shoulders.”
She turned. “Surely he won’t shoot first, then ask what we’re about once you’ve stopped breathing!”
Pierce’s dark eyebrows shot up, nearly meeting his messy blond hair. “Oh pardon, do you know the mind of that man better than I? Been by his side for five years. He bloody well would shoot first and ask questions later.”
“So, you risk your life for me?”
“Damsel.” Pierce pointed at Sofia and shrugged. “Distress. It’s my siren’s call.”
She pressed her lips together to keep from laughing out loud. “Heavy burden to carry, I’m sure.”
“Oh very.” Pierce nodded solemnly. “But someone has to be the hero. I always imagine it should be a good-looking chap with the ability to undress a woman with one hand.”
Sofia felt her cheeks heat as Pierce grinned seductively.
“As tempting as it seems…” His teeth flashed. “…I believe there is someone who wants you more.”
“He says he doesn’t.”
“All men lie.” Pierce nodded. “Lesson number one.”
“And lesson number two?”
“All men lie.”
“But that’s lesson number one?”
“And two.” A smile slid across his face. “It bears repeating twice, on account that women rarely listen to me when I say it.”
“Probably because—“ Sofia shook her head. “Never mind.”
“Lesson number three…” Pierce took her hand and led her to the edge of the balcony that overlooked the rose garden. “All men are asses.”
“Agreed.”
“Especially ones named Ash. Why, take the H away add in an S… it’s simple subtraction, addition…” He pointed at his temple. “…math.”
“Clearly you’re a genius.”
“I was a child prodigy and all that.” Pierce examined his nails. “And the final lesson?”
“Yes?”
“No, more often than not, means yes… not just yes. I imagine, in Ash’s head, it’s a whimpering yes followed by a shout and then complete and utter fear.”
“So no means yes, and Ash is afraid?”
“Ash has but one fear.”
Sofia leaned in.
“Himself,” Pierce whispered. “Have a care… Princess, that you do not make that fear worse than it already is.”
“I wouldn’t…” Sofia shook her head. “I would never... I simply—” She liked Ash, more than she should. She wanted him, more than she’d wanted anything in her life.
“Oh, one final lesson.” Pierce glanced at the door then reached for Sofia. His head hovered near hers. “The no turns to a yes when faced with one thing.”
“What’s that?”
He smirked and tilted her chin toward him. “Jealousy.”
His mouth touched hers just as the door to the balcony opened.
Ash shouted, barreling toward them.
Sofia let out a little squeak as Pierce pushed her away and then, with a bow, jumped over the balcony and into the rose garden. Granted, the fall was only a few feet, but it had to have hurt, tangling with the thorny bushes.
All she saw in the darkness was the silhouette of Pierce running for his life then tripping and falling into the duck pond.
; “I hope they eat him!” Ash seethed.
“The fish?”
“The ducks,” he snarled. “I have a sudden intense desire to see all of God’s creatures attack Pierce within an inch of his life.”
“He did nothing wrong.”
Ash leaned over the balcony, his shoulders hunched, his face indifferent as he watched the night sky.
Sofia was afraid to speak.
So she stood next to him, waiting for the set down, waiting for the scolding. But it never came.
Instead, Ash cursed under his breath. “Three weeks.”
Sofia nodded, not trusting herself to speak.
“And you marry.”
“Yes,” she whispered.
More cursing.
Was the idea that repugnant?
Ash slammed his hand against the railing. “I was damned the minute I saw you.”
“What do you mean?”
“Damned the minute you opened that mouth… damned if I do, damned if I do not.” With a jerk, he tugged her body against his and slammed his mouth against hers.
She wrapped her arms around him. Was he saying yes? Was this yes?
“This changes nothing.” He panted against her mouth. “I’ll give you your three weeks, but this changes nothing.”
“All right.”
But they both knew… it would change everything.
Because the kisses they’d shared were not symbols of merely physical lust, but something more, something beneath the surface, waiting for the right time to break through.
Sofia only hoped she would be around — to survive it.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Fear is a tragic thing—for it keeps me from what I want the most. And in this moment I want to imagine a life where fear is no longer present, where I’m free to claim what will never be mine. —The Grimm Reaper
ONE IN THE MORNING, and Ash was ready to call the evening. He stood at a distance while Sofia excused herself from Dominique and Isabelle.
Dominique met his gaze with a challenging frown as if to say, “Well, follow her!”
If only The Beast knew what lay in wait for Ash that evening — for Sofia as well — he sure as hell wouldn’t rush him or insist he follow the innocent princess to her bedroom.
The seven guards were standing along the hallway, blocking all rooms.
“What have we here?” Ash asked, irritated that the men would take their jobs so seriously when Ash had everything more than covered.
“Orders…” Cornelius nodded seriously. “…from Master Pierce.”
“Pierce?” Ash repeated. “What the devil did he order you to do?”
“Stand watch,” Gerald grumbled while Serafano hid a yawn behind his hand.
“Don’t forget we are to break into the rooms using force if necessary, if we hear but a squeak from the princess!” David nodded his head.
“A squeak, you say?” Ash clenched his teeth until they ached.
A drenched Pierce made his way down the hall. “Oh, lovely and right on time. Did you enjoy the ball, Princess?”
Sofia grinned. “I did, though the highlight was when—”
“Bed.” Ash pointed. “You should rest.”
Her eyes narrowed.
Pierce’s smile grew. “I say… won’t you sleep so much better tonight knowing that these… very brave gentleman are willing to pound down the door if they hear one small… tiny whimper?”
Ash was going to kill him.
Strangling one’s friend was most likely frowned upon, but Ash had already decided he’d been doomed to hell the minute he’d agreed to Sofia’s little proposition. How the hell was he supposed to show her pleasure and be quiet about it?
His body gave a shudder.
“Where there’s a will there’s a way, I always say.” Pierce chuckled.
“Be irritating elsewhere,” Ash snapped.
Pierce sauntered by Ash and addressed the guard. “Remember what I said, gentlemen. The princess’s safety…”
And her innocence, thought Ash.
“…is in your very capable hands. No intruders, no noises, any screaming — and you do what?”
Benedict raised his hand tentatively and whispered, “Break down the door.”
“With an ax!” bloodthirsty Gerald shouted, causing an immediate ache between Ash’s ears.
“Right.” Pierce chuckled. “Right you are!”
Ash grabbed Pierce by the collar the minute Sofia had stepped into her room and closed the door. “What are you about?”
“Protection. Duty. Saving the princess’s honor…” His voice trailed off as he jerked away from Ash’s grip. “I take it you agreed to her little… offer?”
“What the devil do you know about her offer?”
Pierce blinked. “Of friendship.”
“Oh.” Ash coughed. “Er… yes, we’ve decided to be… good friends.”
“Chums?”
“Absolutely.”
“Lovely.” Pierce nodded. “One could always use more friends… of the female sex.”
“Better than friends of the male sex who find it their personal mission in life to make mine a living hell.”
“But Ash…” Pierce put his hand across his heart. “…I’m merely protecting your friend.”
“From what?” He damn-near roared.
“Intruders.” Pierce winked. “Of the friendly nature.”
“Damn you.”
“Sleep well, friend… and do be quiet. You wouldn’t want the rest of the house waking up because you decided to rub your friend’s—”
“Cease talking.”
“—back.” Pierce nodded. “Gets the aches out.”
“Leave.”
“Leaving.” Pierce’s dark chuckle had Ash almost running after him, tumbling down the stairs, and pulling his pistol.
“If you need anything…” one of the guards said. Ash had no idea which one was speaking. “…anything at all—” A sneeze interrupted the man’s speech. Ah, Samson. “—just tell us.”
Ash turned around.
“Or think it.” Gerald nodded. “Simply think help, and I’ll know. Been training up here, I have.” He pointed at his chest.
David quickly raised Gerald’s hand to point to his head.
“How reassuring,” Ash clipped. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m exhausted.”
They parted much like the Red Sea, allowing him access to his room. He quickly entered, slammed the door behind him, and locked it so they couldn’t barge in when they heard a fly buzzing around.
With a groan of frustration, Ash slowly made his way to the bed and stopped dead in his tracks.
“So,” Sofia whispered, “the three weeks start tonight.”
“You’ll be the death of me.” Ash groaned, wiping his face with his hands. “The very death.”
Sofia stood, her dress, what was left of it, fell to the ground in a heap, leaving her in nothing but her stays. “Help me undress?”
“That depends,” he said gruffly, clearly jumping into the madness she’d created with both feet. “Are you able to keep quiet?”
She laughed softly. “Why would I need to keep quiet? You’re merely undressing me.”
“Ah…” Ash moved slowly toward her. “And that is where your innocence betrays you. Undressing is not so simple as you think. It involves… touching…” He angled his head toward her breasts. ”…caressing…” A soft chuckle worked its way past his lips. “…and, if you’re lucky, a bit of biting.”
Her breath hitched.
“Scream, and I stop,” he warned
“And if I want you to do more?” Her chest heaved.
“Easy.” Ash tugged one of the strings, causing her to stumble into his arms as he whispered across her mouth, “You say please.”
Wide eyes stared back at him, whether in shock or arousal, he wasn’t sure.
“Turn,” he instructed.
Slowly, she turned while Ash took his time, tugging the strings of her corset.
> With each tug, her body fell a little closer to his. Smirking, he ran his knuckles along her bare flesh.
She shuddered, a little moan escaping her mouth.
“Passion…” Another tug. “…is not just the act of making love.”
“But—“
“Ah, stand still.”
Sofia huffed.
“Passion can be as simple…” His fingers danced along her spine where the corset had already loosened. “…as one simple graze.”
Goose flesh rose across her ivory skin.
“Or…” Another tug. “…it can be a simple look… a simple promise without using words.”
“You…” Her voice croaked. “But you promised three weeks of—”
“Passion.” With one final tug, the corset fell to the ground around her ankles. “And that’s exactly what I aim to do.”
Sofia turned, her arms covering her breasts. “Do you not want me… in a… familiar way.”
Truly? All she needed to do was look down, and she’d see just how much he wanted her, how damn much he wanted to press her soft body against the bed and take her in as many ways as he remembered how.
“Of course,” he whispered gently. “But not yet. When that time comes, it will only be because you beg me, and even then, I may say no.”
“Wh-why?” Her body shivered, eyes large with innocence.
“Because…” Ash reached for her shoulders, pulling her closer as he started picking the pins from her hair. “…you’re too pure. I’m afraid I may tarnish you in the most intimate way possible. How would that be fair to your future husband?”
Her head hung.
“Even more so...” He tilted her chin back up. “…how would that be fair to you?”
“Perhaps I should be the judge of what’s fair and what isn’t.” Her arms dropped to her sides as she leveled him with a haughty gaze.
“Play with fire, Princess, and it may blaze out of control. Tell me, are you ready for the burn?”
“Yes.”
Good God, had she answered any other way, he would have walked in the other direction and slammed the door. Had she merely hesitated or taken a breath before speaking, he would have found the strength to stop. Instead, her eyes never left his. For one so innocent to have the amount of confidence that she had? Hell, the woman could rule the world with one of those looks.