“There’s just one thing that I really want to know. Why are you here?”
“I told you.”
“You said that you came for me.”
“Yes.”
“How’s that going? Are you going to help me pick a husband?”
He moved as fast as lightning, and the next moment I was pushed against the tree trunk. His hard body pressed against mine. The exposed skin on my back rubbed against the rough surface of the tree bark. His indescribably captivating scent of leather and smoke invaded my mind, and my eyes closed against my will. It was pure torture, and I could not get enough of it. As if my life depended on this blissfully, agonizingly, sweet moment.
“I want you to do one thing for me,” he whispered against my lips.
I opened my eyes, aware that he could read my desperate need and desire, but I could not help it.
“What?” I said, hardly recognizing my breathy voice.
“Answer one question, Alina.”
His hand slid down from my shoulder to my waist and traveled to my back and lower, cupping my bottom. I gasped, clenching his shoulders. An unbearably hot and sensual heat burned my insides and I could not calm my ragged breathing. My eyes found his face and I saw the dark, crazed madness, his near loss of all control, similar to the way I felt.
“What. Is. My. Name?” his voice was low, and silky smooth.
“Your name?”
“Yes.”
“Is that all?”
“Say it.”
“I . . . Kent. Your name is Kent.”
His face instantly turned to stone. He stepped back, taking a deep breath.
“What?”
“Go back to your room, milady.”
“What did I say?” I took in a breath, watching the cold expression fill his beautiful eyes.
No matter how much I tried to figure him out, I could not. My guard was deep in thought and not very responsiveas he led me back to my room. He said nothing while I waited for him by the door.
I bit my lip, looking in the mirror, while Sally finished decorating my hair with pearl flowers. My warm toned, light blue dress showed more skin than I was comfortable with. The necklace that rested against my collarbone accentuated the deep cut in the front.
“Milady, may I recommend using some lip cream on your cheeks?”
“Thank you, Sally. I will finish up.”
The maid nodded and hurried out the room. With the door still open, I could hear her engaging in light conversation with my guard. I could tell by the playful, inviting tone in her voice, she enjoyed flirting with him.
I wrinkled my nose and picked up a tiny jar of dark crimson paste. With one well practiced motion, I picked up some pigment and warmed it between my fingertips. Slowly, I applied it to my lips, slightly overdrawing my natural lip line. I did not feel comfortable using much lip stain. It almost made me feel like I was putting too much effort into it. I usually preferred to enhance only my eyes, but today, I was in a different mood. Once I was finished, I gently patted theleftover pigment onto my cheeks and looked in the mirror, satisfied with the results.
When Sally came back, it was already time to go. I glanced at Kent, but he would not look at me and it made me want to do something crazy. I lifted my head high.
Two could play that game, and if he wanted to show me how little he cared about me, I could definitely do the same.
As we entered the lavishly decorated dining hall, my eyes took in the fresh bouquets of crimson red roses, crisp white tablecloths, and countless candles that bathed the room in a soft, almost ethereal light. The light bounced off the tall crystal glasses and reflected in multiple mirrors in heavy golden frames on the walls.
