Page 6

He stopped suddenly, his hand at my elbow halting me with him. He pulled me around until we were facing each other, his tall form bowed over me.

Standing that close to him was a strange assault on my senses. It was disconcerting. A shock to my system. His proximity had a keen, visceral effect on my body. It wasn’t necessarily pleasant, but it wasn’t unpleasant either. It was stimulating. His powerful frame radiated a heat and intensity that I felt down to my bones. I’d never experienced anything like it. His hands held my hips firmly and the contact branded itself through me. I wondered how long I’d feel his hands there after he let go.

“Let’s get this over with,” he drawled, his head angling and lowering.

I raised my face and he sealed his mouth over mine.

I was shocked at how soft his lips were.

It took a belated second for my reaction to hit me, but when it did, it was surprising. I liked the taste of him, the feel of his mouth. I wanted more.

I didn’t even realize I was moving as my hands buried themselves in his silky black hair, gripping him to me as his tongue stroked lushly against mine.

One of his hands stayed at my hip, gripping me closer, and the other rubbed up and down my back, petting me like a cat.

I heard a soft moan, and realized in some distant part of my brain that it was my own.

His mouth didn’t stop, eating at mine as he tugged my body inexorably closer to his, until we were plastered together. I felt his hardness digging into me, and instinctively it made me tense up and shrink away.

A low rumble vibrated in his chest a beat before he tore his mouth away.

I couldn’t quite catch my breath.

He cursed under his breath, his head falling back, eyes aimed up at the sky.

I didn’t know what to do or say, so I just stood there, catching my breath.

Eventually he spoke. “Let’s go back inside. I could use another drink.”

So could I.

“You may head to your quarters,” he said from his spot beside me at our table. It was sometime later, but my mind was still back on that kiss. It had been brief, but I felt it still. My lips were tingling. “I’ll join you soon.”

My heart tried to pound its way out of my chest, but I hid it well.

I looked at the woman mentioned, my expression deceptively bland. I’d taught my face to lie first and best.

I hadn’t seen Asha since she’d overseen my preparations before the wedding. It had been nice to spend a few hours without having to set eyes on her face. Without being directly under her thumb. I’d tried my best to forget that she even existed. She was my handler, and she relished the duty as much as I despised it.

“Of course,” I said pleasantly, rising.

I followed Asha on unsteady legs to my quarters.

Bits of lingerie were laid out on the large bed. It was all a filmy white lace that didn’t look like it would cover anything essential.

The perfect wedding night ensemble for a bought and paid for virgin.

“Put it on,” Asha ordered brusquely. “You know what to do. Do not make him wait.”

I faced her. She was a petite, spare woman, with curly black hair that she perpetually tamed back into a severe chignon. Her features were harsh but even, her skin pale. Her eyes were big, dark, and mean.

“Okay . . . You can go,” I told her blandly. “I don’t need you anymore.”

She gave me quite the look for that bit of impertinence. “You think those vows changed anything? You think when he fucks you that you’ll have more power? You don’t know him at all. He’ll get bored with you in one night. You’re a pretty bauble that he’ll forget about the moment you’re out of his sight. You’re a possession to him. You’ll always be just as much of an employee to this family as I am. In fact, you’re more expendable. I outrank you. Never forget it.”

I knew she wasn’t wrong. I knew it. That didn’t mean I didn’t hate it. I vowed, not for the first time, to gain at least enough favor with my husband to get her fired. “Do you want to lecture me, or do you want me to get ready for my husband? I’m not changing until you leave.” It had been a long day and I was not in the mood for her shit.

She gave me one last murderous look and left.