Page 7 of Kronos’ Consort

“You want me to stay because I choose to,” she translated, lifting her free hand to rub at her brow.

“Precisely.” He appreciated her eloquence. “I know you want to be mine. Your body tells me so even when your mouth cannot.”

Her brows knitted, but he noted that she didn’t counter him. The last day had repeatedly proven the point.

“I do like being with you,” she conceded.

“Being mine,” he corrected, already sensing his advantage.

“Yes.” A wonderful fresh blush bloomed on her cheekbones as his hand rose to her hair. “It’s just reconciling that desire to everything I’ve left behind, Master. I’ve worked really hard, and I want my PhD.”

“And one day, you shall have it.” He fisted her tresses roughly, producing a satisfying wince from her lips. “I can take you to a timeline where the prize has been earned.”

The crease in her brow deepened, her hand rising in an attempt to lessen the fire that was no doubt erupting at her scalp. “I don’t understand how that’s possible, Master.”

“All things are possible when you have control over time, little one.” His grip eased a fraction, and her hand fell back between them. “Give me the opportunity, and I shall explain it all to you, but while you learn, you must remember my rules and continue to be my good, obedient girl. Can you do that for me?”

“I…” Her emotions warred in the oceans of her eyes, her obvious intrigue about his magic colliding with the battling shame and lust.

She wanted to stay. That much was obvious from the way her hips rolled forward every time his grip stiffened, but inevitably, she seemed unable to accept the idea of compliance without a fight. It was as though resistance was ingrained in the woman.

“If you stay with me, I think I can, Master.” In the end, her reply sounded almost pained, another reflection of the war raging inside her.

“If I stay with you, then you won’t have a chance to do anything drastic like escape again, will you?” His cock swelled at the enticing idea that she yearned for his presence.

He liked her that way; needy and eager, her arousal ratcheting to cloud all her other considerations so that only he and her desire were left to contend with.

“No, Master.” She breathed a sigh of relief when his hand finally released her hair and eased to the back of her neck, massaging the tension at her nape. “I think that’s the point.”

“You want me to stay and keep you occupied.” He grinned at the conclusion.

He wouldn’t be letting her go anywhere for a very long time.

“Yes, please, Master.” Her reply was a breathy pant. “And I really do need to be punished.”

“You’ll get your punishment.” His gaze speared her. “But only when I say so, and right now, you need to rest. Less than an hour ago, I was breathing life back into you. You’re in no fit state for anything I have in mind.”

“But, Master,” she protested, ironically apparently upset by the delay. “I’m fine.”

The woman was such a paradox. She had once complained vehemently about her punishment, but watching her then, he’d never have guessed so. The version of Kristina skimming her palm over his abdominals seemed frantic for the penalty.

“Yes, you are,” he agreed, reaching to feel the weight of her breasts through the robe. “But ensuring your well-being is my—”

“Number one priority.” She slumped forward, pinioning his hands between their bodies and finishing the sentence for him.

“So, you’ve heard me say this before.” He laughed at her sullen performance, freeing his hands and holding her against him. “I have never seen any mortal so rueful not to be penalized.”

“I just want it to be over with, Master.” She whimpered, straining her neck to meet his gaze. “I don’t want you to be angry with me.”

“Little one.” One hand lowered to knead her ass cheek roughly. “I am not, and neither was I ever, angry with you. You can consider this a lesson in patience. You do not get to decide when punishments begin or are concluded. Those things are your master’s prerogative.”

“Okay.” She blew out a breath, and when she snuggled her face in the crook of his neck, he sensed some of the tension ease from her shoulders. “I accept your terms, Master.”

Suppressing the urge to smile, he brushed his lips over her forehead, relishing the intimacy ballooning between them. It was one thing to take and coerce, but quite another to enjoy the quiet conversation they were currently reveling in.

“I wasn’t aware that we were negotiating.” His cock strained to be back inside her. “I thought you were resting before you were punished for trying to escape my custody.”

The idea of her resting resonated. He should have been taking her somewhere to recover properly. The parlor was good for rumination, but it was hardly ideal for recuperation, and since her cell was no longer a viable option, that only left one possible place to take her; his bedroom.