Sylus's words sent a shiver down Rose's spine, her mind spinning with a mix of panic and indignation. The nickname "kitten" had never sounded so intimate, so teasing. She fumbled with the blindfold, her hands trembling as she avoided his piercing gaze.
"Turn around," she said firmly, trying to assert some control over the situation. Her voice wavered slightly, betraying her nerves.
Sylus arched an eyebrow but complied, his back to her as he stood tall and confident. His shirt hung loosely over his broad shoulders, and Rose found herself momentarily distracted by the sharp lines of his silhouette. Focus, Rose! she scolded herself internally, shaking off the intrusive thoughts.
Taking a deep breath, she stepped closer. The proximity made her hyperaware of everything—the warmth radiating from him, the faint scent of cedar and something darker that clung to him. With shaky hands, she raised the blindfold, hesitating just inches from his face.
"You're stalling," Sylus remarked, his tone low and taunting. "Nervous? Or perhaps… you're enjoying this more than you care to admit?"
"I'm not nervous," Rose shot back, though her quivering voice betrayed her. "This is just… part of the mission."
"Hmm," Sylus hummed, clearly unconvinced. "If you say so."
Rose bit her lip, determined not to let him get under her skin. With a swift motion, she tied the blindfold around his eyes, her fingers brushing against his skin. He flinched slightly at the contact, but his smirk only grew.
"Done," she muttered, stepping back quickly, as if putting distance between them would lessen the tension crackling in the air.
"And now what?" Sylus asked, tilting his head. "You're awfully quiet. What's the next step in this little game of yours?"
Rose's eyes darted to the silk ribbons on the table. The second rule loomed in her mind, taunting her: Tie his hands. She hesitated, debating whether she could really go through with this.
Sylus, sensing her hesitation, reached out, his hand brushing against hers. "You don't have to play coy, kitten," he said, his voice softer now, almost coaxing. "Whatever it is, just do it."
Rose's breath hitched. He was blindfolded, and yet, he seemed to see right through her. Gathering her courage, she picked up the ribbons and stepped closer.
"Give me your hands," she said, her voice steadier this time.
To her surprise, Sylus obliged, holding out his wrists. His compliance threw her off guard, and for a moment, she wondered if he was testing her.
Carefully, she looped the silk ribbons around his wrists, her fingers trembling as she tied the knot. His skin was warm under her touch, and she tried to ignore the way her heart raced.
"There," she said, stepping back to admire—or rather, assess—her handiwork. "Happy now?"
Sylus chuckled, the sound deep and rich. "Not quite. Aren't you forgetting something?"
Rose's stomach sank. The third rule. Whisper sweet, loving words to him. Her face burned as she realized there was no escaping it.
She leaned in closer, her lips just inches from his ear. Her heart thundered in her chest, each beat louder than the last. "I… I think you're incredible," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Sylus froze, his smirk fading. For a moment, the air between them shifted, the playful tension replaced by something heavier, something far more real. "Is that so?" he murmured, his tone unreadable.
Rose pulled back, feeling vulnerable under his scrutiny—even with the blindfold in place. "It's just… part of the mission," she stammered, trying to downplay the moment.
"Hmm," Sylus said again, but this time, his voice was softer. "If that's the case, then you'd better finish it."