Naughty Little Gift -- A Temptation Court Novella (Temptation Court, Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

idea of lying to Cassian sits on my stomach like rotting fish. It feels too close to lying to myself.
    The flash of revelation bursts another into life.
    Cassian . When he is near, I somehow feel closer to…
    myself.
    To parts of myself beyond “the physical obvis,” as Vy would call them. Things far past the racing blood, the lightning nerves, the throbbing womb…
    Things that are even better.
    Things of wonder.
    Anticipation.
    Feelings brand-new, tied to desires as old as the ancients.
    Needs I have to lock away. Now .
    Stuff into a place deep inside, as firmly as I seal my pearls back into my jewelry box. Bury deep beneath my gaze, glittering too brightly from the mirror as I secure the amethysts on my ears. Conceal behind my face, lashed into serenity, as Maimanne tilts a last look from the doorway. That will do , her eyes seem to say—the closest thing I shall receive in the way of praise.
    “That will do.” I repeat it to my reflection, fighting for a shred of its reassurance. Press my clammy hands to my flushed face, praying for an infusion of composure. Beseech the Creator for the strength to get through the next three hours, pretending I feel nothing for the man—and his money—who is so important to our family’s future.
    Because, despite everything, I love them. And know—pray?—in my deepest heart, that all of Father and Mother’s maneuvers are for ultimately for Saynt and me. I can support them without having to lie to Cassian about the earrings—or anything else, for that matter.
    Except how I feel about him.
    Except how two days and six encounters—not that I am keeping track—have transformed the man from a complete stranger into the very nucleus of my thoughts, center of my heartbeats—
    And apparition on my balcony?
    “Guuhhh!”
    Stealing more slang from Vy is better than surrendering to my first option of a reaction: a throat-razing shriek. As I choke the sound all the way down, I thank the Creator his hair is slicked back from his face, tamed into waves catching the outside lights as he swings over the wrought iron rail from the bougainvillea trellis he has just scaled. Sweet Creator, his hair. As long as I live, I will not forget it. Thick as molten gold, streaked with honey straight from the hive—a dangerous thought for all the dangerous things he makes me feel, especially now…flinging open the balcony’s double doors, locking his gaze to mine once more—
    And bringing pure fire back to my world.
    *
    Cassian
    Will this woman ever not set me completely on fire ?
    The question is as mystifying as the one before it: the demand that hounded every inch I just clawed up the goddamn trellis. It went something along the lines of: you swore you wouldn’t look at her tonight, yet now you’re scaling a wall in the dark, hoping you’ve pegged the right bedroom as hers ?
    Even if there are answers, I care nothing for them. I don’t care about much of anything, other than the euphoria of knowing I was right. The pastel and cream décor I glimpsed from the ground is hers—and now she is standing in it, a stark contrast in her classic black dress and shoes. Not a hair on her head breaks free from its bun. The look should bring severity to her face but accomplishes the opposite. Every angle of her impeccable beauty is brought out in bold relief, turning her into something close to fine art. I half expect to look down and see a Do Not Touch sign attached to a rope around her waist.
    Thank fuck there isn’t one.
    Because I need to touch. Now.
    One step. Another. Then a stop, wondering if she’ll shy back, like this afternoon…like the wiser one she is in this whole thing. She knows the truth, more than me. She understands that these threads between us can only ever be that. Threads, like cocoon floss. Gossamer. Temporary.
    But she doesn’t move. Simply closes her eyes as my hand raises. Releases a shaky rasp as I curl fingers over her full, beautiful cheek. Finally whispers words like the