39: 39 Wolf in fine Clothing (AVOT)

39 Wolf in fine Clothing (AVOT)

A delicate blush bloomed on Daisy's cheeks, but she held her ground. He was playing again, teasing her in the same way he always did, reveling in her response.

"Keeping the coat on during dinner could prove uncomfortable," she retorted, maintaining a steadiness in her voice. With each jest he tossed her way, she wondered what enjoyment he derived from seeing her flustered. Yet, the idea of him ceasing to tease her, because she stopped reacting, seemed... dull and uninviting.

With his penetrating gaze locked on her, Rhain rose from his seat and began to move, stalking towards her with a predator's grace. Each deliberate step echoed around the room, heightening the anticipation. "You're right," he concurred, nearing her boundary with a disarming ease that sent her heart fluttering in disarray. "Perhaps you should help me remove it."

Almost reflexively, her hands shot up, as if to form a barrier between them and slow his advances, but they landed on his coat instead. He halted, his proximity challenging her comfort, his imposing figure casting a daunting shadow. The warm exhale of his breath against her hair set her nerves on edge. "You can take it off," he whispered, his voice deepening, striking a resonant chord within her already pulsating heart.

With slightly trembling fingers, she began to peel the coat aside, the task made challenging by his closeness. To slide the coat off his shoulder, she had to lean in, her body dangerously brushing against his. Rhain reciprocated, leaning in as well, until his breath played against her face, the whispering caress sending a frisson of excitement coursing down her spine. His lips, ghosting her ear, elicited an intoxicating sensation that seized her senses.

Suddenly, her movements faltered, her mind abruptly distracted by the onslaught of sensations. His tender urging – "Go on" – drew her back to the task at hand. But his lips continued their slow descent, momentarily startling her into a gasp.

Forcing herself to focus, she pushed his coat off, letting it pool at their feet. Her hands traveled back up, tracing the defined muscles of his arms, clutching onto him when his lips lingered at the sensitive spot below her ear. A soft sigh escaped her, eyes fluttering shut at the enticing sensation.

"The vest is uncomfortable too," he muttered against her skin.

His words jolted her back to the moment, her eyes flying open as her fingers fumbled with the buttons of his vest. The task felt strangely intimate, as if she was undressing him for reasons other than his comfort. Her heart pounded in her chest at the thought, a blush creeping up her cheeks. 

As Daisy's fingers worked on the buttons of his vest, Rhain's lips persistently journeyed along her neck, each tender press stirring a whirlwind of sensations within her. His every touch ignited a spark, and each of his warm exhales against her skin fanned the embers into flames. Daisy's hands trembled as she fumbled with the buttons, the distraction of his caresses making the task infinitely more challenging.

"The cravat too," he whispered against the curve of her throat. His voice, husky with desire, vibrated against her skin, sending goosebumps sprawling across her body.

Drawing in a trembling breath, Daisy tentatively reached for the knot of his cravat. The simple task was suddenly complex, her fingers faltering under his distracting ministrations. His lips, maintaining their heated exploration, traced a path while his warm breath caressed the sensitive skin of her neck. 

Having finally managed to remove the cravat, Daisy allowed it to join the discarded vest on the floor. She felt Rhain's amusement as his lips wandered to the sensitive spot behind her ear, his voice husky as he said, "Now the ribbon."

Her hands hesitated around his neck, involuntarily drawing him closer. She yearned for more, aching for the sweet caress of his lips against her skin. As he pressed a tender kiss just beneath her ear, a soft gasp escaped her.

"You seem quite...distracted now, Daisy," he murmured, his voice rich with amusement. The sound of her name, laced with his deep timbre, sent a rush of warmth to the pit of her stomach. "The ribbon," he reminded her gently.

Daisy's motions ceased momentarily as her attention was diverted to the task at hand. Her fingers moved up, clumsily attempting to undo the knot that held his hair. All the while, the trail of his lips kept ascending her jaw, their warmth inching torturously closer to her waiting lips.

The knot finally loosened, unraveled by her trembling fingers. His hair spilled freely, an inky cascade that tickled her palms, soft as silk. The moment his tresses fell free, Rhain's velvety lips found hers, catching her in a kiss as soft as a whisper, only greeting her, but Daisy sought more, grasping at his hair, her body involuntarily seeking his.

Rhain's strong arm slipped around her waist, pulling her flush against him. His other hand came up, fingers threading through her hair as he deepend the kiss, the passion escalating as he drew her further in. His tongue traced her lower lip before he captured it, nibbling softly. A soft whimper escaped her before the image of fangs flashed through her mind as the action reminded her of their kiss in the library, where he had pricked her with his teeth. 

With a gasp, Daisy almost jerked away from Rhain, her pulse racing with sudden fear. He loosened his hold on her immediately, confusion etching his features. "What's wrong?" His voice was strained.

"I…" Daisy stuttered, trying to steady her erratic heartbeat. Her nightmare came back to her in haunting flashes, leaving her breathless. "I am sorry. It's just… that nightmare."

Rhain's touch softened on her face, a tender caress that was somehow soothing. It was impossible to reconcile the comfort he offered with the fear of her dream. "Don't apologize, Daisy." His hand moved to the back of her head, drawing her closer, pressing a soft kiss to her hair. "It was just a nightmare."

But it had felt so real.

"I know," she managed to whisper.

"Come, let's have dinner now."

Dinner? Had she been sleeping that long? A glance at the window revealed that dusk had set in. All she had wanted was a brief nap, and she had ended up sleeping into the evening.

The dinner table was laid, and servants began serving them. The aroma of roasted meat filled the air as they sat down. The meat was cooked rare, and a variety of side dishes accompanied it, including freshly baked bread and a vibrant array of vegetables.

Daisy watched Rhain as the plate of meat was set before him. His lips curved into a mild smile as he looked at the food. He then turned to her, "How thoughtful of you," he said. 

Daisy was taken aback by the undertone of his voice. There was sincerity there, but also a trace of...hostility, as if something was deeply troubling him.

Rhain picked up his cutlery and began cutting through the meat. His movements were precise, the expression on his face turning grim as he brought a piece to his mouth. He chewed slowly, his gaze sharpening as he stared ahead. Once he had swallowed, he made a sound of approval. "Hmm... Just the way I like it."

Seeing Rhain enjoy the meal helped Daisy relax, and she started eating her own food.

"So, how did you spend your day?" Rhain asked, his gaze flickering back to her.

"I explored my new home," she replied, managing to smile.

"Did you find anything interesting?"

Daisy paused for a moment, thinking back to the paintings she had found and the conversation with Armand.

"Yes, plenty. I found fascinating artifacts, books, and paintings. Some of them were portraits, presumably of family members."

"Family members?" Rhain echoed, his expression shifting subtly."Ah, perhaps. I don't remember much of what I keep in this large home." 

Daisy pondered whether to broach the topic of Rhain's adoptive father. She wondered why he hadn't shared that piece of his past with her.

"Well…" she began cautiously, "I learned a few things about you today."

He arched an eyebrow, curiosity sparking in his gaze. "Oh?"

"Yes. I didn't know you were adopted," Daisy confessed.

Rhain paused, his cutlery held mid-air, a flicker of confusion passing through his eyes. Then, as if remembering something long forgotten, he nodded. "Ah… about that…" His voice trailed off, as if he was treading on delicate ground. "I confess, I had almost forgotten. My father entrusted everything to me many years ago. He often embarks on lengthy travels. There are times when his absence is so prolonged that I forget he even exists."

Daisy found that odd. No matter how far apart she and her mother were, she could never forget her. Perhaps men dealt with these matters differently.

"And... no adoptive mother?" Daisy ventured.

Rhain studied her for a moment before answering. "No. My father never married."

Daisy's curiosity deepened. "How old were you when you were adopted?"

The question seemed to shift Rhain's demeanor, a faint chuckle escaping his lips. "Not a child, if that's what you're thinking. I was practically a man, nearly nineteen."

"Nineteen?" Daisy echoed, perplexed.

Rhain nodded. "My father had no offspring of his own, and he was burdened with wealth and no one to pass it onto. So, he chose me."

Daisy was taken aback. That was an unusual reason to adopt someone.

"Are the two of you close?" She asked. 

"It depends on what you mean by close," he said. "It is not close in the human way." 

Human way? 

Cocking an eyebrow, Daisy replied, "Not close in the human way? Were you raised by wolves, Rhain?" She lightly chuckled, her words laced with playful sarcasm. "Even if it were so, I do believe they form rather close packs."

Rhain chuckled, a low rumble in his chest. "Oh, Daisy," he shook his head slightly, a playful glint in his eyes. "Your wit never ceases to amuse me. Perhaps I was indeed raised by wolves. Wolves in very fine clothing, mind you."

A shiver ran down Daisy's spine, his words echoing her own thoughts. She had always felt there was something leering about Rhain, a predatory aura that his charming exterior barely concealed. Was he, in fact, admitting it openly now? He was aware.

"You do remind me of a wolf," she admitted. 

A hint of amusement danced in Rhain's eyes, his lips curving into a mysterious smirk. "Is that so?" he drawled, leaning back in his chair, seemingly enjoying her comparison. "And prey, tell, what makes you think of me as a wolf, Daisy?" His gaze was intense, burning like the embers of a long, smoldering fire.

She shrugged, stuck on the word prey. He called her prey. She knew he was only being playful, but it was the way he said it. The way he looked at her. 

"Do you know that wolves are known for their relentless pursuits and...  their insatiable appetites." His gaze, intense and unwavering, stayed locked on he. "I just hope, my vibrant bloom, you won't mind if this 'wolf' ever gets the urge to... feast."

Her cheeks flushed a deeper shade of pink as she deciphered the many meanings behind the word "feast". Meanings that both excited and terrified her. 

Mustering her courage, she shot back, "Well, if the 'wolf' gets too hungry, it might be in for a surprise. Even a delicate flower has its thorns, after all."  1

Rhain's eyebrows rose in amusement at her retort, "I guess I'll just have to be careful not to prick myself, then." His eyes shone with mirth, appreciating her ability to banter with him.

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