“Uh.” I looked back at my floundering guards.
“They'll be fine,” King Jucai purred.
“They're not who I'm worried about.”
He chuckled as he slid his hand over my lower back and leaned in to whisper, “Do I scare you?”
“Not at all, Your Majesty.” No, he didn't scare me. He turned my legs to water with a single touch. The only thing I was afraid of was embarrassing myself by falling to my knees before him and begging him to touch me more.
“Then what about me worries you?”
“I believe it's your eyes.”
“My eyes?” The Sea King had led me through a doorway without my noticing, the pressure of his hand on my back guiding me.
When I glanced away from him, it was as if he had magically transported us into a corridor. I refocused on him, uncaring of where I was. “No, it's your lips.”
“My lips trouble you?” He slid a smile over to me and took me up a couple of flights of stairs.
“They do, Your Majesty.”
The stairs gave me a chance to think. He went silent as well, remaining so even after we left the stairwell for the third floor. Or maybe it was the fourth floor; I couldn't be sure of anything anymore.
I pretended to admire the artwork on the walls as he led me down a corridor, but the only thing I could focus on was him. We strode through a stone archway and into a glorious garden. I peered around me, still feigning interest, but I barely noticed the bursts of pink, yellow, and purple blooms. There was beauty everywhere, and I wanted to appreciate it. Trees grew from massive enameled pots, white marble flower beds heldexotic blooms as big as my fists, and tiny plants frothed around them. They were living treasures, each plant rare and beautiful. But they faded into a watercolor background with the Sea King nearby. He outshone every delicate blossom.
I was smitten. My hands ached from the need to feel him. My skin shivered from the lack of his touch. If I didn't bed this man soon, I'd certainly perish. His glory would suck the breath out of my lungs until I lay gasping at his feet, like a fish plucked from the sea.
I mentally slapped myself. If I didn't get control of myself, I'd lose my chance to know what it was like to have this man moving against me, our naked bodies pressed together.
Clearing my throat, I moved away from the King, going to the railing at the edge of the garden. I turned to face him before I could take in the view, and leaned back against the railing, casually looking him over.
What had we been talking about? Oh, yes—what part of him worried me.
Affecting a nonchalant tone, I said, “Maybe it's your body.”
“You are very indecisive, Lord Nadar.” King Jucai raised his dark eyebrows.
“Well, I've only had a minute to collect my thoughts.” I frowned at him. “I suppose it's all of you. Your eyes, lips, body, and even your hands. They all worry me.”
King Jucai licked his lips and eyed me as I had him, but his manner was so sexual that I instantly hardened.
“Ugh!” I slid down the railing, away from him. “Now I'm even more concerned.”
The King burst out laughing. “Are you a diplomat or a jester?”
“I'm something much rarer—an honest man.”
“Indeed?” He moved closer. “Then tell me the truth. Why do I unsettle you?”
“You're handsome enough to make me forget why I'm here.”
“Aren't you here to inspire goodwill between our kingdoms?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” I knew where this was going.
“Then, worry not. Any forgetfulness on your part will only improve your success.” He snatched my hand and pulled me against him.
Despite our similar builds, it felt as if he encased and consumed me, his plush lips pillowing mine as he claimed my mouth. The Sea King was going to have me right there in his pretty garden, and I would not stop him.
