Page 18 of Always the Lyon Tamer
And she knew him. Sheknew him.Better than anyone. The idea of marrying Titania, of having a wife who was that perfect mixture of beauty, intelligence, wit, and wildness in the bedchamber…
“And how long do we play for?” he found himself asking.
“First to six,” came Titania’s voice from the other side of the room.
“Sex?”
She laughed again. “Only if you are very lucky.”
John could not help but moan at these words.By God, she was a harlot—better, for it appeared she was going to follow through on these half-whispered promises.Losing himself to her, loving her, was all he wanted in the world in this moment.
“You really are a temptress.”
The words were out before he could stop them, but he was certain she would not be offended by the suggestion.
Though he could see nothing, he could almost imagine the wry smile she was giving him. “Yes, I am. And I am all yours if you are able to win me, John.”
Something hot twisted in his lower stomach to hear his name on her lips. She could do whatever she wanted with him, anything at all, and she knew it.
“In that case,” he breathed, “I am ready to begin.”
The instant the words were out of his mouth, something touched him on the shoulder. He jerked away instinctively, but it was not painful. It was something soft.
“A feather,” John said confidently.
“Very good,” murmured Titania from behind him.
Christ, she was so close.If he were badly behaved, he could reach out and touch her—pull her into his arms, into his lap, and kiss her so hard she would beg to have him.
“That is a point to you,” came her voice, interrupting his thoughts.
Silence fell in the room, and then something colder touched him, teasing down his shoulder blade. John took a deep breath and closed his eyes to concentrate—not that it would matter.
It was something…something wooden? Something small.
“A…a pencil?”
Titania laughed softly. “Well done, John. I am impressed.”
Before he had a moment to feel the pleasure of her praise, something touched his arm. It was strange; at once hard, and then soft. Some part of it rustled. It sounded like—
“A book,” John said quietly, his heart thundering. He had never been more vulnerable, sitting here with no sight as a stranger touched him with objects he could not see.
It was hedonistic and drove him wilder than he had ever been before.Bloody hell, he wanted to sink himself into her and—
“You are very good at this game,” whispered Titania. She was so close to him, and she must be kneeling at his side as she murmured into his ear. “Very good. Are you desperate to win me?”
John swallowed. “More desperate than I thought.”
The words were true.Three points.That meant he was halfway to winning her—and he knew what he would do as soon as they were married. Perhaps every day they were married.
Tear off those clothes, and—
“Christ,” he moaned.
It had not been his thoughts that had prompted such a blasphemy. It was what she had touched him with. If he was not very much mistaken, Titania was gently moving her finger across his chest.
John twisted in his seat, leaning into her touch. It was so brief and yet sent shock waves through him, rocking him to his very core.
