Forbidden Craving(46)

No self-defense class in the world could protect her from his appeal.

"How altruistic of you," she finally said, forcing a dry tone.

"Tell me. Have you had a bad experience with sex?" he asked gently. "Because I would be happy to return to the surface and punish anyone who ever hurt you."

The urge to lean against him, simply enjoy being with him, bombarded her. "No." Try zero experiences, buddy. How would Valerian react to that?

And she wanted to lean against him? Fear raised its ugly head to screech, Fool!

Why begin something destined to end?

"What if Joachim challenges you again?" she asked, changing the focus of the conversation. "Or what if he just stabs you in the back without bothering to engage in a fair fight?"

"He won't."

"How can you be sure?"

"Joachim lost. Everyone knows his skill is inferior to mine. Whether he kills me in the future or not, he'll never be accepted as leader."

They turned another corner, torches lighting the hallway, revealing familiar nicked-and-scuffed walls.

At the entrance to the master suite, he opened the door with his free hand.

She released him to soar inside-and gasped.

The large bed had been made, with a new comforter. A pink comforter.

Jewelry had been scattered over the vanity. Every piece boasted pink diamonds or pink crystals. A full-size mirror hung on the wall, the frame made from pink-veined marble.




 

 

Steam curled from the bathing pool, twining around the pink flower petals that floated on the surface.

"I can't...how did you...?" Use your words.

An impossibility at the moment.

"I sent a man to the Outer City bright and early this morning to buy things I thought you'd like. I want you comfortable in this room. Want it to be ours, not mine."

She swallowed the lump growing in her throat.

"Thank you," she managed to say. "This might be the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me."

"This, Shaye, is only the beginning."



STANDING THERE, VALERIAN drank in the sight of his mate. Then he drank in the sight of the bed. He wanted Shaye there, splayed and open for his view. His touch.

No, no, no. Control yourself.

She'd made her desires clear. Talk. Nothing sexual.

Now his mission was clear: tempt her into begging for more.

He'd never before had to use sexual prowess to seduce a woman. Anyone he'd ever desired had desired him in return, no encouragement necessary. Shaye made him feel at a loss. While he hungered for every part of her, she continually pushed him away. And of all the women in the world, she should crave him most.

How much longer could his body withstand her rejection?

Not much, he suspected.

"I'll gather the supplies," he said. He unearthed clean rags, a basin of hot water, a jar of cleaning oil, and a vial of healing sand from the Forest of the Dragons and placed each item on a tray.

His ears were attuned to Shaye's every movement, lest she decide to bolt for the door. Surprisingly, she remained exactly where he'd left her.

Their gazes clashed as he walked toward her. How lovely she was. Her pale hair draped over her shoulders, an erotic curtain. Beneath her shirt, her nipples were hard.

He was hard. He'd been hard since he'd last taken her hand, and memories of their kiss had played through his mind.

She gasped as if she knew the path his thoughts had just traveled...as if she liked the path his thoughts had just traveled.

Oh, to be so lucky.

Instead of placing the tray in her outstretched hands, he leaned down slowly, giving her ample time to misunderstand his intentions. He had to know her reaction. 

His lips hovered over hers, as if he meant to kiss her, her snow-sweet scent filling his nostrils. She trembled, her breath catching in her throat. What she didn't do? Rebuke him.

The stubborn woman yearned for him to kiss her, whether she would admit it or not. But she'd already told him no, and he wasn't going to violate her trust.

He lifted his head without touching her in any way. "Thank you for tending to me," he told her, his voice soft.

"Yes. Well." She nibbled on her bottom lip. "I warn you. I'm not known for my gentleness."

"I'll love having your hands on me."

After he explained what she needed to do with each item, he carried the room's only chair next to Shaye and tried not to grimace.

With somewhat shaky fingers, she brushed the dark sand from his shoulder, careful to avoid his wound. He winced as sharp pain radiated throughout his body.

"Distract me," he said. "Tell me what you enjoy doing in your free time."

"Work. For years I've only really worked. I didn't just write cards, I ran a company. And I guess I spent some time intimidating people."

"Your intimidation techniques are adorable."