The Lycan King and his Dark Temptation novel Chapter 361

KATHERINE

When I opened it, fortunately, it was just a maid preparing my bath.

"Come in," I instructed, diving back into my preparations.

"Your Ladyship, I can arrange your clothes," she immediately offered with a submissive stance.

I’d bet anything that this overly "attentive" service was a reflection of the hosts' sudden change in attitude.

"Not necessary, just prepare the bath properly. Is there any essence?"

"Yes, yes, rose, grapefruit, and also lavender. If you’d prefer another..."

"Lavender is fine," I chose randomly.

I sat in front of the mirror and started untangling the mess of damp hair. What a sight I was.

"It's ready," she informed me after some time.

"You may leave," I said, watching her through the reflection.

"If you’d like, I could give you a massage, or bring you an aromatic candle, or..."

"I don’t need anything else, thank you. You may go," I repeated, not rudely, but firmly.

She bowed her head in acknowledgment and left, closing the door behind her.

I genuinely felt sorry for her. If only she knew that her intentions had been sincere from the start.

But now, I was the one who no longer wanted the hostess's false kindness.

I stepped into the bath and washed myself thoroughly... every inch. I don’t know, I had this feeling that today, I’d start paying for my increased pension.

I came out in my white robe, barefoot, the warmth of the fireplace crackling from a corner, heating my skin.

Drying my hair a little, feeling relaxed, I grabbed one of the books I had brought and lay on the bed, reading by candlelight.

And then, I waited... and waited.

Every slight noise outside made me tense up, expectant.

I hadn't locked the door after the maid left, so anyone could enter from the hallway.

Yet, as the hours passed, Elliot... didn’t seem to be coming to my room.

"What are you waiting for? For him to come begging on his knees like some lovestruck fool? Seriously, Katherine, wake up. What are you doing?" I muttered, gripping the pillow and burying my face into it.

I wanted to slap myself for being so stupid.

Just because of a little attention, I was confusing things with Elliot.

I couldn't afford to let myself get carried away with that man.

But he was giving me such mixed signals.

Where had he gotten them? Had he gone to a jeweler at this hour?

"Elliot…" I whispered in disbelief, looking up at him, his eyes bluer than the genuine sapphires now surrounding me on the white sheets.

"I prefer the floor of the outcasts. Wherever my Duchess is, that is my place," he murmured, his gaze darkening with desire as he trailed it over my body.

His hands moved to his shirt, slowly unbuttoning it just for me.

He had already paid all his overdue debts, and now it was time for me to provide my "modest services."

"Do what you want. But don’t think some trinkets are going to buy me—I’m not that easy," I said, turning back to "read my book," arching my backside just a little more, as if I weren’t interested.

My whole body trembled in anticipation.

If anyone heard me calling these fortunes "trinkets," they’d think I was a raving lunatic.

I heard the belt hit the floor, the whisper of fabric slipping off his body, the soft exhales as he kicked off his boots.

The bed dipped again, and a wicked smile curled my lips. My tongue flicked subtly across them.

A delicious touch glided over my legs, trailing up my calves, sending shivers across my skin.

It reached the hem of my robe over my backside, and soon, he’d discover the little surprise I had prepared just for him.

Mmm… making love to this wild and masculine man, draped in exquisite jewels like a queen… didn’t seem like a bad idea at all.