you have to give me.”
He growled and slid up her body, hovering over her. “You don’t mean that.”
“I do.” She grinned. “I also have another question.”
“What?”
She slapped him across the cheek.
Smack.
She ran her tongue up where she had struck him. “Did the count reset?”
He growled loudly and threw her leg up over his shoulder. In an instant he was inside her, plunging deep, reaching all the places she needed him to reach with his volcanic heat. She moaned and shut her eyes. Finally. He was all smooth skin and taut muscle, and it made her shudder in bliss.
He thrust hard and deep, each impact jolting her along the arm of the lounge. Each time it drew a small noise out of her. He withdrew gradually, almost all the way out, only to ram into her again. It was perfect. It was just what she needed. It scratched the itch wonderfully. “Yes, oh, Nero—”
“Tell me you love me.” His voice was husky and thick as he hovered his lips close to her. “Say it.”
“I love you—”
He slammed into her again. “Louder. So everyone can hear.”
“I love you!”
It was too much. He bored himself into her, sheathing himself to the root, and snarled into her shoulder. She felt the heat filling her, and the sensation was enough to send her over the edge of the cliff to join him. She held him tightly in her arms and panted for air as he did the same.
He kissed her shoulder. “Screw quality over quantity. I vote both.”
19
Hope was not sure what to expect.
But she knew it was not going to be pleasant.
She sat by the wall and was glad she could not see the man who walked into the room.
“Senator Marcellus. Such a pleasure,” Nero greeted the man. She kept her hands folded in her lap and did her best to keep her expression placid.
This man is about to die. And I will sit here and experience it. For this is the man I love, and this is the man I intend to marry. I will not have him protect me from the death he brings.
“Emperor Nero, to what do I owe the honor of a private meeting?” The man sounded older, but the tone of his voice did not paint him to be a villain or a monster. He sounded like anyone.
“Treason, of course.” Nero barked a laugh. “Your treason.”
The other man, Marcellus, sputtered. She heard the scrabble of sandals on the stone. But it suddenly stopped.
“Now, now, Marcellus. Don’t be like that.”
Why wasn’t the other man trying to run? There was no one else in the room. No one there to restrain him. And yet he was standing there silently. “Nero? What have you done?”
“My gift, darling Hope. My eye that you’re immune to. I’ve hypnotized him. I want to hear him confess before I burn him to cinders.”
That was the voice of the man she knew so many feared. It was not cold or aloof. It was fiery and vicious. And it was painted thick with pleasure. He enjoyed this. Hope swallowed and held her hands tight in her lap.
“Marcellus, this is my lovely fiancée, Hope. What do you think of her?”
“I think she is beautiful. I think you don’t deserve her.”
“Do you think you do?” Nero goaded. “Would you want to bend her over that lounge right there and do terrible, unthinkable things to her?”
Marcellus grunted. “Yes.”
“Nero!” She made a face and looked away. “Stop it.”
“Sorry, sorry. You know me. I get carried away.” He chuckled. “Well, Marcellus. Confess. Are you plotting to kill me?”
“Yes, Emperor.”
“Whatever for? I thought we were friends!” Nero sarcastically complained. “You attended my solstice party and everything.”
“You’re distracted with her. It isn’t personal. I saw my opportunity, and I wanted to take it.”
“Aah, well, then. That’s not nearly as bad. Here I thought you didn’t like me, Marcellus.” Nero walked away from the other man. “If it was just a greedy power grab, then that’s much better.”
“Are you going to let him live?” Hope asked quietly.
Nero laughed hard. “No, of course not. But it means he’ll die quickly. Goodbye, Marcellus.”
And then came the scream. It was short. It didn’t last long. Nero’s fire really did work quickly. But the short shriek of pain was enough for her. It came coupled with the rush of flame, and the smell of smoke and burning meat. She threw her hands over her mouth and tried not to be sick.
Someone settled down next to her and draped an arm