Page 103 of The Blade in the Ashes
Nikolai hadn't hesitated to follow into the brothel after me, taking a place at one of the booths in the back and ordering a pint of ale. He sat for only a moment before one of the working girls had saddled up to him and placed herself in his lap. Not that he seemed to mind when she undid that knot in his hair and started running her fingers through it. In fact, he seemed all too happy to place a hand on her thigh and rub his thumb in circles that rose suspiciously high.
Focus, Iris.
I had far more important things to think about than who was sitting on Nikolai's lap.
With a gentle smile on my lips, I strode towards the couch where the man lounged, pretending that I was on my way to gaze out the window to the small pond beyond the brothel. Dusk had fallen but the glowing bugs in the air seemed to shimmer over the water. I kept my stride loose, maintaineda gentle sway to my hips. I was the picture of a woman unbothered by her surroundings.
And he fell for it faster than I would have anticipated.
“What's a pretty thing like you doing in a place like this?”
I glanced over my shoulder, not bothering to turn away from my path and let my eyes trail over him. I mapped him from the top of his gleaming head to the bottoms of his polished shoes and let him feel every second of my appraisal. His brows quirked, misreading the attention, and he gave the woman perched on his knee a gentle shove away. She huffed unhappily as she fell onto the couch beside him.
“Come sit by me,” he ordered, flashing a gold coin.
My smile grew. “You mistake me, sir. I'm a patron here like you. My company is not for sale.”
Before he could even sputter a response, I breezed away, posting myself at the window and shaking out my hair over my shoulders.
The trap had been set and...
“And how does one earn your company if they're so inclined.”
He saddled up to me, leaning heavily against the wall, an expression of smug arrogance on his face.
“Be interesting, I suppose,” I shrugged, turning back towards the pond.
“And you come to a place like this to find interesting people?”
I sighed unhappily. “It was worth a try.”
“But unsuccessful?”
Slowly, I turned matching his position. “I was feeling rather desperate for some excitement, and nothing here has managed to catch my interest.”
“Nothing? Or no one?” He nodded over my shoulder. “You've captured the attention of many and none intrigue you?”
A flicker of irritation bubbled in my stomach. I didn't need to glance behind me to know he was referencing Nikolai. I could feel his green eyesburning into my back and, so help me, if he ruined this, I was going to make him suffer for it.
I lowered my gaze for a moment, glancing at our feet before peering up at him through my lashes. His tongue darted over his lower lip as I did.
“The men here are drunkards and petty thieves,” I explained dismissively. “I am quite convinced that if a man cannot excite me with his words and accomplishments he will not be able to excite meelsewhere.”
“Go to court then. Find some accomplished nobleman to take your breath away.”
“They're born into their wealth and status. It's hardly an accomplishment.”
His eyes held mine, taking me in with a considering hum. I let him drink his fill without shying away or feigning demureness. No, a man like this might want someone with the appearance of an innocent, but more than that he craved someone who could challenge him.
He wanted a woman he could break.
“Perhaps you're longing for someone more...adventurous.” He stepped forward, brushing my hair behind my ears. “Someone whose accomplishments come from dangerous pursuits that walk the line of morality. A person like that could tell you the stories of adventure you're looking for. And then he could set your blood on fire in the bedroom if you so wished.”
“And would you know a man like that?” I kept my voice low and breathy, not bothering to shift away when he dropped his hand to circle my waist.
“Iama man like that.”
Doubtful.
