Herbalists' Cache but my aching soul

"mm," he grunts, breath warm against her ear. "convincing you is easy." he instigates.

his teeth graze the fine hairs along her jaw, another provocation. the irritation in her voice is like music to his ears—few things set his blood to boil like it. it was why she loathed him so much in the first place, before he'd won her over. he was, at his best, a man with a stinging tongue. looking to cause mischief when it most amused him, and angering others did that for him.

he knew she would relent! she is not a woman who denies herself for long.

when she turns to meet his gaze, flashing teeth in that sharp, wicked way of hers, he already knows her answer before she speaks it. he simply smirks at her, teeth revealed, giving her a playful wink. he can see in her eyes the begrudging affection she feels towards him. but he does not give her time to reconsider.

the instant the words leave her mouth, he lunges.

there is no warning, no pause, only the sudden force of him as he barrels into her, thick shoulders slamming against her side. he aims to take her off balance, to see how quickly she will recover, to see how hard she will fight back.