this reward would be better spent rectifying that.”
Her lips grazed his neck. “That’s a fine idea. I’d absolutely love to get to know you better.”
“I meant talking.”
Cosima froze. “Talking. You’d like to sit here and talk.”
“Yes. I mean...isn’t there something You’d like to know about me? Or something You’d like me to know about You?”
Cosima’s smile remained, though it was stiff. “Of course we can talk. I have plenty of questions for you.”
“I’m happy to answer.”
“How many women have you been intimate with?”
The question hit him abruptly. “Pardon?”
“An approximation will do just fine.”
Tension worked its way up his back. “I suppose it depends on Your definition of intimacy.”
Cosima laughed. “There’s only one definition. You know, some say it’s the duty of the male sex to prove his virility in the bed of a woman. That he cannot call himself a man until this time has come. So tell Me, Artist—are you a man?”
A stream of hate flooded his mouth, begging for release.
“Artist?”
“It’s Tobias,” he spat.
Cosima flinched, and his face went hot. “Apologies.”
“Have I upset you? My dove, I’m so sorry.”
“It’s all right.”
“I was only trying to be accommodating. You said you’d like to talk. I thought I was doing what you asked of Me.”
“It’s my fault.”
Sighing, She nodded. “Tell Me, have you an interest in poetry? I haven’t indulged in some time, but there’s one piece I recall about the endless ways men and women communicate with one another, far beyond the use of words. Talking seems so trite in comparison to more stimulating forms of language.”
Tobias said nothing, staring at his empty hands.
“What I’m trying to say is, I think we’ve shared enough words. I do believe you owe Me a kiss, yes?”
Still he didn’t move, and She cocked Her head. “Are we still shy? It’s all right. I can start.”
Her lips pressed against his neck, leaving malignant pecks along his skin. When She neared his mouth, he jerked away.
“Cosima, stop.”
Her eyes flicked open. “But why?”
“You said it Yourself, we might be wed one day. And yet we’ve had but one conversation this entire month.”
Her lips flattened. “What’s your point?”
“Surely You understand I’d like to know You first, before anything happens.”
An unbearable silence lingered. Cosima was tight and contained, Her eye twitching at the corner, and a second later Her expression turned cold.
“Is that so? You’d like to know Me?” She crossed Her arms. “Or is there just someone else you’d rather be kissing? Someone you already know better than Me?”
“Come again?”
“I’m The Savior of Thessen. Men sacrifice their lives for the simple chance to make My acquaintance, much less taste My lips. And here the opportunity is handed to you, multiple times even, and you refuse.” Her eyes narrowed. “A wise woman would assume your affection lies elsewhere.”
Tobias’s heart raced. Leila. “I never said that.”
“As the holy gift of Thessen, I stand for virtue. Honesty. Loyalty. And this other woman, whoever she may be…well, something would have to be done about her. A fitting punishment for the most heinous of crimes—”
“There’s no one. There’s no other woman. There’s only You.”
“I’m not certain I’m convinced. In fact, I’m so overwrought, I might have to speak with My father—”
“No.”
The word came out forceful, and Cosima faltered. “Is something wrong?”
Tobias fought to maintain his composure. “I didn’t mean any offense. There is no woman. All of my care and affection belong to You…my Dove.”
Her challenging stare melted. “I’m pleased to hear you say that. Now, to seal it with a kiss. After all, actions speak louder than words.”
The tension between them didn’t lift. All he thought of was the threats that had poured effortlessly from Her lips. The very lips he had to kiss.
It’s just a kiss.
He leaned into Her, kissing Her delicately, barely grazing Her lips. Before he could pull away, Cosima latched on, sliding Her tongue into his mouth. She moved with slinky fluidity, while Tobias was Her antithesis—stiff and unyielding, left to wonder if he’d ever been this repulsed while kissing a woman. Perhaps that time with Milo’s sister. Soon Cosima’s hand crept up his thigh, inching toward his soft dick, but before She could take the plunge, he grabbed Her hand, halting it.
“That’s where I draw the line,” he said.
Her face dropped. “Excuse Me?”
“I don’t want You to touch me…there.”
“There? You mean your cock?”
“I’m just not feeling very comfortable with it right now.”
“Why?” She scoffed. “Is it small?”
“No, I don’t think so.”
“Then what’s the problem? You’re not fond of boys, are you? Would you like Me better