Chapter 58

Cassius knew her. Somehow, in just the few days that he’d been there, in the few times they’d spoken, he’d come to understand her. Kit wanted to confide everything to him but didn’t think standing in the hallway in front of her guards was the right place. With a deep breath, she asked, “Would you like to come inside for a bit?”

A wicked grin spread across his face, and his green eyes twinkled. “Would I?” he asked, his hands already on her upper arms before he finished speaking.

Kit let out a quiet giggle. “You know we are bound by law not to do anything… impulsive.”

“Oh, I’ve given it enough thought there would be no impulsivity involved.”

She snickered. “All right—immodest then. Inappropriate?”

“Sexual?”

“That, too.” Kit felt her face heat up.

“I promise I shall mind my manners.” He looked at the guards, both of which seemed leery of letting him pass, but when Kit took his hand and led him inside, they said nothing. She closed the door behind them.

“Princess, what are you doing?” Avinia asked as Kit continued to pull Cassius further into her chambers so that they were approaching her bed.

“Whatever I wish,” the princess replied.

“You know that your mother will be outraged if she thinks….”

Kit cut her off. “Avinia, Isla, Blankka, go out into the antechamber, please. And shut the door behind you.”

“But Princess….” It was Isla this time, and she also didn’t get to finish. Kit’s sharp look was enough to shut them all up.

She stood by the bed watching them leave, though Avinia managed to glare once more as she closed the door. When they were gone, Kit let out a loud breath, and Cassius moved so that his arms were around her. Like a candle whose flame had burned too long, Kit melted into him, wrapping her arms beneath his so that her hands were on the powerful muscles of his upper back.

Cassius stroked her hair, and Kit let go of him just long enough to pull the pins keeping it up. releasing it down her back in an ebony wave. He let out a little moan as the scent of the rose water wafted through the air and then continued to run his fingers through it as she held him tightly, her head back on his shoulder.

“Do you want to rest?” he whispered. “You must be tired.”

She nodded, knowing it wasn’t just a ploy to get her into bed. She slid her shoes off and he moved with her so that their heads were on the pillows, his large boots hanging over the edge where they wouldn’t soil her linens. One of his brawny arms lay beneath her, the other wrapped around her protectively, and Kit nestled her head beneath his chin, breathing him in. The scent of cinnamon and cloves, as well as his own personal male aroma, filled her lungs, and she felt all the tension in her shoulders fade away again, as she had in the bath.

It seemed like just a few moments later when Kit opened her eyes, but the dim light that filled the room alarmed her, and she sat up suddenly, turning toward the window, and realized she had to have dozed off because the sun was setting.

Cassius brushed the hair back off of her shoulder. “The beautiful princess awakens.”

She turned toward him, embarrassed that she’d fallen asleep. Stifling a yawn, she wiped the sleep out of her eyes. “My goodness. How long have I been sleeping?”

“A few hours,” he replied as she rested her head back on the pillow near the crook of his neck. “I have no doubt the events of the day left you exhausted. Do you feel better now?”

Kit rolled onto her side to look at him. He was so close, she could feel his warm breath against her cheek. “I do—I think.” She hadn’t had much time to remember exactly what had happened that day until now. It all came flooding back to her. The trial, her speech, her mother’s trickery, Eli’s scheme, and Jecob’s operation. Kit shook her head slightly to try to clear her mind. “You’re right—it has been a very long day.”

Cassius reached up and caressed her cheek, his rough knuckles brushing against her skin, leaving her cheek tingly. “I’m glad to hear you’re feeling better. You’ve endured more today than a woman of your gentle nature should have to.” He leaned forward and pressed his lips to her forehead, and Kit welcomed the soothing sensation. Most of the time, she was compelled to show everyone a tough exterior as her mother would command, but in Cassius’s powerful arms, she felt she could let her guard down, she could be the vulnerable woman he just described.

“I’m surprised my ladies haven’t knocked the door down. It must be nearly time for me to join my mother for the evening meal.” Despite her words, she made no move to get up, only took his hand in hers and interlaced their fingers. Her palm fit so nicely in his; it was like they were meant to go together.

“They came in a few times but didn’t want to disturb you. I’m certain they will be back soon. That is an awful lot of hair they shall have to tame.”

Kit remembered letting her hair down earlier and smiled. “My mother does prefer me to wear it up.”

“I like it down,” he said, his voice a gruff bass. With her palm still pressed to his, he reached over to gently trace circles on her neck, trailing down to the front of her bodice where just a hint of her cleavage peeked out, but he stopped short of the sensitive mounds. “I should like to see you with your hair down wearing nothing at all.” He smiled at her with that crooked grin, and Kit felt her pulse quicken, the muscles low in her stomach tightening.

Rather than attempt to respond to him with words, Kit leaned forward and kissed him, softly at first, but once she had a little taste of him, she wanted more, and he parted his lips to let her in, his tongue tempting her, probing her mouth with small gentle nudges until she reached up and grabbed the back of his head, her fingers tangled in his dark curls, and pulled him closer to her. His hand stayed on her hip, kneading, but she could sense he wanted her, too, and Kit desperately wished her mother had granted them permission to press on, but since she hadn’t, Kit found herself pulling away, gasping for breath.

“Forgive me, my Princess,” Cassius said, also attempting to slow his heart rate and even out his breathing. “I have let myself be carried away.”

“No, don’t apologize,” Kit replied, sitting up. If she didn’t put some distance between them, it would be impossible for her to stop. “I’m the one that kissed you.”

Cassius sat up next to her, and they both slid around so that their feet were on the floor. “Nevertheless, I should not have taken advantage of your emotional state.”

Kit giggled. “I may have had a difficult day, but me wanting you has nothing to do with that.” She couldn’t help but lean over and kiss him once more. This time, she was careful to keep her lips closed. Still, his mouth was warm and inviting, and she knew she needed him sooner rather than later. She pulled away. “Tomorrow, after the ball, will you accompany me back to my chambers?” Kit thought it might be better to ask now, to have a plan in place, so she wouldn’t have to worry about it all day tomorrow or try to find a suitable time to ask during the dancing.

The crooked grin she loved so well made another appearance. “I would be most honored.”

“Good.” Kit beamed back at him, thinking she likely had a devilish twinkle in her eye to match his. “I am looking forward to it.”

“As am I,” he assured her. The gentleman rose then, taking her hand and bowing low. He kissed her knuckles, and bid her goodnight, and Kit kept her eyes on him until he stepped into the antechamber and faded from view.

Her gaze was then met with the unamused expressions of her three ladies. “Don’t worry. I fell asleep,” Kit reminded them, stretching and yawning before she stood and approached the stool so they could work on her hair.

“We know,” Avinia replied for all of them. “Still, it was dangerous to have him in here for so long all alone.”

“Thankfully, this is the last night you shall have to worry about it,” Kit reminded them. Avinia began to brush her hair, and Kit thought perhaps her cousin was purposely brushing a little too hard as her scalp begun to sting, but as she thought about Cassius, the pain and discomfort faded away, and the reflection in the mirror was of one truly happy young lady.