After I got over that shock, I pointedly cleared my throat.
An eyebrow lifted, but he didn’t lift his gaze to mine. “From dancing bears to spiders with,” his head cocked, lips twitching, “huge kissing lips.”
I glanced down, awareness dawning that he was referring to my bra. “Do you mind?” I peered back up to him, my own head cocking. “I wonder if you put up this much of a fuss when we were together, because I’ve always worn lingerie like this.”
King Zeller made a gurgling sound in his throat, but he quickly cleared it. “I think it’s safe to say I voiced my opinion at least once.” His lips twitched. “And no, I don’t mind.” Both black brows rose challengingly.
This past year had given me enough experience to know what could be used as a weapon. And sex was one such weapon, I knew, having sent plenty of Mysticals — beautiful individuals — on missions where sexual relations were used to gain information. And I wanted information: King Zeller’s knowledge and his agreement to help me gain the choice of remembering my past.
And…he was my husband.
Plan firmly in place, I gently — and probably a bit too cautiously — leaned forward, placing my mouth a scant inch from his, whispering, “Do you like what you see?”
Lazily, his eyes lifted to mine, and he spoke softly, “That would most definitely be a yes.” His lips curled, our breaths intermingling. “I did the first night we met. You were unconscious for a half-hour, so I was able to look my fill then.”
Truth.
His smile lifted further, sinfully, as his gaze ran over whatever I was expressing on my features, which was probably a bit of shock, since I was stunned, not getting that vibe from him at all the night he had me strung up. His head cocked, lifting with the motion and bringing our lips closer together, almost brushing for the barest moment. “And Queen Ruckler, when you’re trying to seduce a man for information, it’s best to know fully whom you’re seducing.” He lifted one hand and hooked a finger in the neck of my shirt, pulling so it gaped further, but he didn’t peer down to see what he had revealed. “If you really want to put in the effort to attempt this, I would suggest you try lace or silk or even a corset instead of the kiddy undergarments.”
His words were meant to be cruel…but I could still scent that he was turned on, a dead giveaway he didn’t mind the lingerie so much. The heady aroma enveloped me, and sadly, it actually turned me on the barest bit, heat radiating from him, so I attempted to keep my focus steady. “I do want that information.” I lifted my hands slowly, giving him plenty of time to see them in his peripheral vision, and placed them on his knees, brushing aside his robe to gently and slowly knead his thighs, his muscles rock solid and heated under my ministrations, so much so, I almost stopped…but I didn’t since I couldn’t back down now. “I know I can convince you just how much.”
His chuckle was deep and soft. “You have no idea whom you’re playing with, Queen Ruckler.” He spread his legs wider, blatantly showing me he wasn’t one to back down either, and my hands slid further up his hard thighs, the soft material of his jeans no real barrier to knowing his body intimately. “You also need to work on your timing for attempting such carnal intrigues.”
My eyebrows puckered, and I couldn’t help but ask, “My timing?”
His tongue peeked out to slowly wet his bottom lip, and I know I stared, but since he was also staring at my mouth, I didn’t stop myself. Another sensuous smile etched his features, and if I wasn’t mistaken, it wasn’t as cold as before, a bit of real feeling in the curve of his lips. His thick lashes hid his gaze, and he stated softly, “Yes, your timing.” He lifted his head, so again our lips were a mere breath apart. The green of his eyes peeked at me from under his lashes. “Our daughter’s been awake for the past minute.” He paused as I stilled, dumbfounded I had missed that. Slowly, he slanted his head the barest bit, causing our noses to literally brush and sending a jolt of electricity through me, causing the flame that was already lit to flare brighter, my grip on his thighs tightening. “I think she’s hungry, since she’s sucking on her fist.”
His lids lifted, and unflinching green eyes stared me straight on as he closed the distance between us, pressing our mouths together. Not kissing me, only keeping our lips in contact. But that didn’t really matter because it still sent my hormones into overdrive. My breaths came in hard pants and my heartbeat galloped in a frantic rhythm inside my chest.