“It’s been so long since I’ve been outside. Since I’ve breathed in fresh air. Since I’ve felt the sun on my face.” Maria sighed. “I understand why I’m to stay in your rooms, my lord. I just . . . I just miss outside. I was always outside; I took a walk every day before I came here.” Maria smiled sadly. “After all those months in the coffin . . . I’m not so good at always being inside.”
Something pulled in Raphael’s gut. He dropped down opposite her on the window seat and watched her eyes drink in the vast gardens. When Maria turned to face him, she smiled. He released a quick breath at the sight. Her smile was debilitating to him of late.
Raphael got to his feet. “Get up.” Maria frowned but did as he said. She no longer looked at the ground when she was around him. None of his kills or lovers had ever had the audacity to look him in the eyes, not without severe punishment. She was breaking one of his main rules.
But he allowed it. He didn’t know why. He reasoned it was because if she trusted him, she would give herself to him more easily.
That must have been it.
Raphael walked to the closet, pulling Maria behind him by the hand. He took out a hoodie and sweatpants and handed them to her. “Dress in these.”
“Yes, my lord.” Maria, the perfect submissive, took them from his hand and dropped her dress to the floor. It took all his self-restraint not to fuck her right there against the window. But when Maria looked up at him through her long lashes, Raphael pushed her against the wall and devoured her mouth. He held her hands above her head with one hand and ran his fingers along her pussy with the other. He plunged his finger inside, swallowing her moans as she rolled her hips at his touch. His rose was a needy little woman, desperate for the pleasure only he could bring her. Raphael ripped his mouth from Maria’s, leaving her lips swollen and red. Making sure she kept his gaze, he brought his finger to his mouth and sucked on the digit. Maria exhaled through parted lips.
Raphael released her. “Dress,” he said tightly. Maria did, although her legs shook. Pride filled Raphael’s veins at knowing it was his touch that did it. He kissed her again, tasting her on his tongue.
When Maria was dressed, he glanced to her feet. “I’ll be right back.” Raphael went to Lynn in the kitchen and asked to borrow her sneakers. She had an unopened box that she gave him. When he returned to Maria, he handed her the sneakers. “Hopefully they’ll fit.”
Maria put on the shoes and smiled. Raphael felt that smile down to his bones. “They’re perfect.”
Raphael took her hand and led her to the door. Her feet faltered when he opened it and pulled her into the hallway. He saw the shock on her face, but it was the following expression of excitement that made his heart beat faster. He led her along the hallways and down the stairs until they arrived at the back door. The second the door was open, the cold wind wrapped around Maria’s long hair. Raphael was a statue, captured in stillness at the sight of Maria smiling, tipping her head up toward the sun, her long hair blowing across her face . . . wrapping around her neck.
When she finally looked at him, he slowly took her down the graveled path that led to the gardens she had been staring at only minutes ago. They arrived on the terrace that overlooked the fountains and maze, and she sighed.
“Tell me what you’re thinking.” He wrapped his arms around her waist from behind. Her cheek was ice cold against his.
“It’s so beautiful here,” she whispered. “So peaceful. Like paradise.”
Maria silently watched the wind blow through the trees. Raphael kissed along her neck, her cheeks, and around the shell of her ear. “You have permission to speak freely,” he murmured. “Until I tell you otherwise.” Maria turned her head, and the smile she wore made his dick stir. Raphael growled. “Here’s a tip, little rose. If you want to stay outside awhile, don’t smile at me like that.” He held her tighter. “Or I’ll take you back inside and fuck you. And you’ll never get outside again.” Raphael released Maria when he felt her body shake at his threat. He didn’t release her because she was scared. But because he saw the lust in her eyes. That look was a match to his already lit flame.
Maria walked to the stone barrier of the terrace. “Do you come out here often?” Raphael’s head tipped to the side at the sound of Maria speaking without command. Her voice sounded softer somehow, more . . . alive. When he didn’t answer, she turned to face him. Raphael nodded. His hands balled into fists at his sides. He didn’t recognize the buzz cutting through his body as he watched her. He didn’t know if he liked it. Maria nodded at his silent reply. “I’d practically live out here if this was my home. These stunning grounds . . .”