ENVY SPLIT HISย focus between the annoyed woman striding ahead of himโ now sans his overcoat, as sheโd promptly tossed it in his faceโand the secret, arched tunnel.
When heโd been informed at dinner tonight that Camillaโs father was a bit eccentric, he hadnโt gotten the impression heโd been the sort to build secret art studios and subterranean tunnels, filled with doors that seemingly led nowhere.
Yet there they were, walking through a hidden passage that connected one side of the block to the other. He could have sworn heโd sensed a ward outside, too. One that gently encouraged passersby to move on, not to be interested in the house of riddles.
It explained why Envyโs spies wouldnโt have known about the studio. They would have simply gone by it, focused instead on Camillaโs town house, never the wiser.
It was an impressive feat for a mortal. One Envy imagined was due to the time the man had spent on the mysterious Silverthorne Lane.
Thankfully the old man had had gas lanterns installed at even intervals, ensuring that the space was well lit and easily passable.
Not that Envy needed the light to see. It was something Lord Antonius had clearly done for his daughterโs benefit.
An odd charge filled the air that had nothing to do with Camillaโs darkening mood or the way his gaze kept sliding to her torn bodice and the tantalizing lingerie that peeked out with each of her movements.
The design of the lace was beautiful, and heโd almost convinced himself thatย thatย was why he kept being drawn to it. Envy appreciated art, and the material was finely crafted.
Surely it didnโt have anything to do with the woman wearing the lovely garment, or the flashes of her smooth, golden skin under the black lace.
Camilla was a walking contradictionโhe sensed that she was surprised by her attraction to him earlier, yet she also wanted to throttle him.
It would make an interesting combination in the bedroom.
The artist stopped near the middle of the passage and spun to face him, silver eyes flashing like blades in the dark.
A wiser male would take it for the warning it was.
But Envy preferred walking the knifeโs edge of danger.
โWell?โ Camillaโs voice was as frosty as the look she leveled at him. โWhat business is so important that it cannot wait until morning?โ
No one would ever accuse her of not being passionate.
โI need you to begin work on the Hexed Throne immediately.โ She stared at him as if heโd lost his mind.
โNo.โ
โWhy are so you opposed?โ For the first time that evening, he felt genuine frustration bubbling up. And then it hit him. โHas anyone else asked you to paint a hexed object?โ
She gave him an exasperated look. โWeโve been over this, Lord Synton. Iโm not painting a hexed object. For you or anyone. Why on earth would you think Iโd changed my mind?โ
โI did you a favor tonight. I expect one in return.โ
โI see.โ Camillaโs tone was suddenly clipped. โHow foolish of me to think you were simply being a decent human. Thank you for showing me who you truly are, my lord.โ
If she knew who Envy truly was, sheโd run away screaming and never look back.
In his experience, women like Camilla denied wanting romance, only to end up offering their hearts for bastards like him to eventually break. Lust was so often confused with love.
Envy gave her a slow, cruel smile that made her take an uneasy step away from him.
He was not good, and he was not mortal.
The sooner she realized that, the better it would be for her. If Camilla was sunshine, he was the darkest of nights. And if she wasnโt careful, his shadows would snuff out her light, if only for the fleeting chance to possess her warmth before destroying it.
Love was not for him, but he did rather enjoy one night of lust. โI warned you. Iโm no saint, Miss Antonius.โ
He closed the distance between them, caging her between himself and the wall.
โNor am I a gentleman. I didnโt help you out of the goodness of my heart. You have a rare talentโone that I am willing to pay an extraordinary amount of coin for.โ
Anger flashed across her features, and she lifted her chin to meet his gaze.
โFind. Someone. Else.โ โNo.โ
โYou want the painting. Why? Why must it be ofย that?โ
โI desire it for my private gallery,โ he lied. โYour talent is well known.โ
Sensing the spike in her nervesโand desireโat his proximity, he brought his mouth to her ear. Seduction, he reminded himself, was the path to his second attempt. He needed her toย wantย him badly enough to give in to her desires.
When he spoke, his lips whispered across her smooth skin, the touch barely there but potent in its effect. She shivered in his arms.
โTherefore, I want you. And only you.โ He shifted to see her face.
At first glance, Camilla gave no indication of being affected by their nearness; her expression was cool indifference; but then her gaze betrayed her by falling to his mouth.
He knew what she would seeโlovers had always praised the fullness of his bottom lip, the crooked arc to his devilish grin that would free the dimples in his cheeks if he chose to show them off.
But he didnโt expect his own reaction. The heat in her look awakened something in him, something possessive.
Her breaths were coming faster, shorter, her pulse visibly pounding in her throat.
Camilla wanted him.
And he, in turn, now knew her secret, that this little minx desired the demon, excited by all the wickedly tempting things he would make her feel.
โName your price, Miss Antonius.โ
Envy dropped one hand to tuck her loose curls behind her ear, easing his body between her legs, forcing her thighs to spread as he pressed closer.
Her breath hitched as his knee settled at the junction of her body, anticipation thickening the air between them.
Camillaโs tongue darted out to wet her lips.
Earlier thoughts of that tantalizing mouth and all the carnal ideas it had inspired returned with a vengeance. He hardened and saw the exact moment Camilla felt it.
She shivered against the cool stone wall at her back.
โI think I know what youโd like in return.โ His hand ghosted down her silhouette, coming to rest on her hip. โShall I fuck you against this wall?โ
Her desire for him flared as he gripped her harder, bunching her silken skirts between his fingers, igniting his own need. His mouth hovered against the skin of her cheek; his focus narrowed to each point of contact between them. Camillaโs chest heaved against his, teasing him with its uneven rhythm.
โFirst with my fingers, then my cock.โ
His body strained to feel hers, soft where he was hard. In this battle of seduction, he was slowly winning. He felt her resolve dissipating, felt her slowly arch into his touch.
โSurely thereโs some arrangement we can come to?โ Camillaโs desire evaporated at once.
In its place, he was hit by the familiar prickling of anger.
She shoved at his chest and Envy stepped back, giving her space, surprised at how immediately he felt his own sense of loss.
โThere will be no arrangement of any sort between us, my lord. Iโd sooner make a deal with the king of demons himself.โ
Irrational jealousy barreled through him at the thought of Camilla striking a deal with his brother Wrath, but he bit the iciness of his sin back.
โThat can happily be arranged. Shall we leave for his residence now?
Once youโre good and sated, perhaps youโll be more agreeable.โ
A low, soft laugh escaped her lips, the sound sending a bolt of awareness through him, one he did not care for as he found his gaze ensnared by her.
โGo home, Lord Synton.โ
Camilla grabbed the hem of her skirts and marched down the tunnel toward her house, leaving him where he still stood.
โIโve had quite of enough of your charms for one night,โ she called back over her shoulder.
And yet he could not say the same regarding her.
Envy would do well to remember that Miss Antoniusโwith her pretty smile, soft curves, and lilting laughโwas not for him, though as her words replayed in his mind, his sin ignited once again.ย Iโd sooner make a deal with the king of demons himself.
Like hell she would.
Camilla wasย hisย until the game ended, and he was not known to share.