My Wild Pet (Whispers from the Imperial Cage #2)

Chapter 25

CHAPTER 25

Gabriel

The room feels smaller now that les garcons are gone. Briar stands across from me, her emerald eyes darting to the door as if she expects someone to burst in at any moment.

“Détends-toi,” I say softly, stepping toward her. “Relax.”

Her eyes narrow, suspicion flashing in their depths.

“Did you get them to leave?” she asks, her voice low and cautious.

“Oui, I bribed them,” I admit with a small shrug.

Her brow furrows. “You… have money?”

I smile faintly. “Pets don’t get much when we win competitions, but respectable trainers like Aefre don’t take away what we earn. It goes into an account we can access through the database. It’s in the eating place.”

“We can’t even choose when or what we eat,” she murmurs, shaking her head in disbelief, “but we’re allowed to access money?”

“Aefre’s a galactic-class trainer—part of showing off his wealth is letting his pets have credits, too. Most save their UCs in hopes of buying freedom that never comes. Or...” I fall silent, leaving the rest of that bitter truth unspoken.

Her fingers fidget with the edge of her towel. I can see the uneasiness in her. I force my gaze up away from her body and even further up from her lips. I meet her eyes. “Briar,” I say gently. “I’m not going to hurt you. That’s not why I asked them to leave.”

Her shoulders loosen just a fraction. “I know…” she says those two words and they mean so much more.

Does she want me to kiss her now? So suddenly? I don’t know. I don’t know how to be a human man with a woman. I abandon changing my initial plan.

“I just wanted to talk,” I continue. “After everything you’ve endured—the language harness, the endurance tests, the obstacle courses—I thought you should hear it from someone. You’re strong, Briar. Stronger than anyone I’ve seen come through this place.”

She blinks, her expression changing to one of surprise. “You used your precious money just to tell me that?”

“Oui. Don’t you think it’s important? I think it’s important. You should know. Aefre is tough on you, but it’s all for a purpose.”

She smiles in reply and it warms my whole body.

Then she does something I am completely unprepared for. She opens her towel, like wings of an exotic bird, exposing her naked body, clean now from the shower, and says, “I liked the way you watched the attendants bathe me. But, Gabriel, I’d like it even more if you touched my body in a way they can’t.”

I take a step closer to her. I feel like I’m living out a fantasy I’ve imagined so many times. I tentatively reach out a hand and rub my thumb over her bottom lip. She opens her mouth slightly. Her green eyes are dark with desire. I feel like I never want this moment to end. So I stare into her eyes and memorize the feel of her soft skin against my fingers.

“What do you see in me?” she asks quietly.

I swallow hard, my heart pounding in my chest. “Je vois quelqu’un... quelqu’un de courageux,” I say, my voice thick with emotion. “I see someone brave. Someone who hasn’t let this place break her. Someone who’s worth every risk I’ve taken just to be standing here.”

Her cheeks flush and it’s breathtaking. I move my head closer, but slowly. I want to relish this moment. This may be my only time alone with her, ever. I won’t rush it.

“Briar,” I whisper, barely audible. My lips brushing hers as I speak, “Puis-je t’embrasser?” May I kiss you?

She hesitates, her breath catching. “Yes.”

It’s as if the entire universe has narrowed to just the two of us. When our lips finally meet, our kiss is soft, hesitant at first, then deepening into something electric. Her hands tremble as they touch mine, and this feels real. And I know that my feelings for Briar are my own and not the conjuring of Aefre and his collar.

I put my arms around her and pull her naked body against mine. The coolness of her nipple piercings pressing against my chest. I run my hand over the small of her back, finding her tail and running my fingers through it as my tongue charges into her mouth with purpose.

Just then, the door hisses open, shattering the moment.

“Enough! Barbaric pets!” Aefre yells. Then a low-level shock follows through our collars.

I pull back slowly, frustrated. But I don’t take my eyes off her.

Briar stiffens as her eyes go to Aefre.

“Ash, back to my quarters now. Ember, clean yourself and go to bed,” Aefre commands. “You must not give in to your base human instincts. If you want to mate, you ask me for permission.”

Briar looks over her shoulder at me as she’s being led away on a leash.

Ce n’est pas fini. This isn’t over.

Not by a long shot.