The Red Star Empress seemed utterly powerless to answer Richard's relentless questions. She was panting, her breath hitching just at the thought of a reply. She remained torn; she simply couldn't bring herself to refuse him, but that didn't necessarily mean she had agreed.
Many women are like this—they don't say "no," but they look for a way to make the man stop. Yet, after being kissed, the Empress wasn't entirely sure she wanted him to stop. To her, the experience felt beautiful, even sensational.
"Richard..." she whispered.
She called his name but couldn't find the words to follow it, falling into silence once more. Richard, waiting for her response, raised an eyebrow before a slow smile spread across his face.
"I will hold back until you are ready, but let me kiss you again," he said. He immediately claimed her lips once more, kissing her deeply while pressing his body firmly against hers.
