Bab 181: Blood over matter

He turned and began striding down the corridor, not deigning to look back and see if she obeyed. For a long moment, there was only resentful silence behind him. Then, the faint sound of rustling skirts reached his ears as Rose hurried to catch up, her expression caught between anger and resignation.

"Any try to lure me back into your lair for nefarious purposes, and so help me..." she growled warningly.

Damien barked a laugh despite himself. "Yes, because ravishing you amidst your lethargy and insolent poutings has always been my greatest fantasy," he drawled sarcastically, delighting in the way her cheeks flushed crimson.

"You insufferable wretch!" Rose fumed, struggling to match his long strides with her shorter legs. "Just you wait until this child arrives safely, then you'll see precisely where my priorities lie!"