Forbidden Craving(67)

She trembled. "Valerian said I couldn't survive the water alone. We'll have to help each other swim."

"I'm ready."

She glanced to the bathing curtain, saying, "Then there's no better time than now." She had to speak past the sudden lump in her throat. She wished she had time to tell Valerian goodbye, wished she could kiss him once more.

As if attuned to her, Valerian suddenly called, "Shaye!"

Her eyes widened, and Brenna gasped. If they didn't leave now, they would lose this rare opportunity.

"Come on." They sprinted past the front door and into the hallway.

No guards. Valerian hadn't wanted anyone to hear what he'd hoped would be a happy bath time. A very sweet gesture-

Stop missing him and run!

"Shaye!"

He'd given chase!

She increased her speed, and when she blazed around a corner, she plowed into a couple writhing on the floor. A frantic Brenna helped her stand as the couple ignored them, lost in each other.

Lungs threatening to burst from strain, Shaye dared a backward glance. A naked Valerian was closing in on her and...part of her wanted to run to him, just as he'd hoped. 

"Faster," she shouted at Brenna. "Which way?"

At a fork in the hallway, Brenna swerved right and Shaye followed. If Valerian caught her...

Doorways branched in every direction. They darted past men who regarded them with curiosity, but didn't try to stop them.

Then, suddenly, steal clamps anchored around her waist, lifting her off her feet. She screamed and flailed. Brenna whirled and, spotting Valerian, withered in place.

"You tried to leave me," Valerian grated.

Disappointment and relief mixed, confusing her. She decided to go on the offensive. "For all you know, we were going for a leisurely jog around the palace. No big deal."

"No big deal? No big deal!"

"Oh, good. Your ears are working."

"You tried to leave me," he repeated.

A kernel of shame. "We never agreed to a bargain, remember?"

A growl rumbled from his chest. "When a warrior runs from his commander," he said ominously, "he is punished. Are you ready for your punishment, Shaye?"





  CHAPTER NINETEEN

VALERIAN ESCORTED BRENNA to Shivawn without uttering another word. The warrior with beads in his hair accepted her with a frown and a muttered, "Thank you, great king." The entire time, Shaye's warrior carried her under his arm like a sack of potatoes. She'd never been so nervous. This was the first time he'd ever projected such blazing fury in her direction.

And yet, she was still oddly relieved that she'd failed to escape.

"Go back to your duties," Valerian snapped at the soldiers watching in the hallway.

His men jumped into action, looking anywhere but his naked form or Shaye.

"Valer-"

"Do not speak," he interjected.

"Valerian," she persisted. "I told you I would try to escape. You can't say I didn't warn you. At least I didn't lie to you. We'll always be honest with each other, remember?"

"I gave you what you wanted, Shaye. I didn't press you to make love, and yet you ran from me anyway. How am I to treat you now?"



VALERIAN STILL COULDN'T believe his woman's daring.

He stalked to their room and tossed her onto the bed. She bounced. He stood in place, staring down at her. She didn't try to run again, just regarded him warily.

Light as she was, carrying her shouldn't have affected him, but he was panting. His arms seemed to weigh more than usual and fell to his sides; he was losing strength quickly.

He needed sex.

He needed Shaye.

He'd felt her gaze on him during his bath. Had smelled her desire for him. He'd thought victory was finally within his grasp. And then she'd run. Run! As if he meant nothing to her.

Was the thought of making love that abhorrent to her?

"Do you want me?" he said darkly. "A simple yes or no question, requiring only one answer with zero explanations."




 

 

She scrambled to the far edge of the bed. Her overlarge shirt gaped open, revealing succulent hints of her breasts.

"I'd rather explain without giving a definitive yes or no," she said nervously.

"You tried to escape me, so we're talking about what I want to talk about now. Do you desire me? Yes or no."

She kept her gaze on his chest, not daring to look down, where he was thick and ready.

A tremble swept through her. In fear? In yearning?

"Yes," she finally whispered. "But-"

"No buts." Something inside him lurched. "Do you want my kiss...my touch...?"

"Yes, but-"

"No buts." Triumph bloomed alongside relief. "You look so beautiful on my bed, Moon, with your hair draped over your shoulders, your legs stretched in front of you. But..."