AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I swallow past the lump in my throat and remain quiet. My throat is sore from my screams, and I can’t speak to him without wanting to disappear.
Instead of saying something I’ll regret, I scan the area. The scenery has changed, but not drastically. It’s another room, a foyer, with a grand staircase off to the right.
“This timidity from you is surprising,” he says when I don’t answer.
“You don’t know me.”
He stops and my scalp prickles from the force of his stare. “Adelaide, I know you better than you know yourself.”
That gets my attention.
I swing my gaze to his, and an electrical current runs through me at the connection, making my blood sizzle. “How?”
He leans down, bringing his face close, until his forehead rests against mine. The contact is anything but sexual, yet I want him to kiss me.
I shove the wanton thought aside and focus on his expression. It’s both pained and tender.
“I’ve known you since the day you were born,” he says quietly. “I’ve watched you grow into the woman you are today, and if the fates are kind, I’ll see you become what you’re destined to be.”
My mouth thins. “You speak in riddles.”
He chuckles. The sound sends flutters through my belly. “If you think I’m ambiguous, you’re going to love Baxter’s neighbor, Lucien.”
I press my lips together and refrain from telling him that I have no interest in meeting anyone else. My time spent in solitude was once a safe haven, but now it’s a hindrance. I’m not mentally or emotionally equipped to be exposed to others. Even though I crave human interaction, it’s not meant for me. I’ve indulged enough already with Darius.
He sets me on my feet and wraps an arm around my waist. “Here we are.”
“Where is that, exactly?”
“My brother’s home. He tends to sulk in his study.” Darius knocks on the door and tilts his head. “Baxter?” When there’s no response, he turns toward the staircase and nods in its direction. “Let us try his bedroom.”
“That’s the last place I want to be.”
“You needn’t worry about my brother seducing you,” he says. “Baxter’s interests lie elsewhere. Unlike mine.” Darius smiles at me, and my heart stutters in my chest. “I’ll never deny how much I want you, Adelaide.”
I grip the banister and halt, squeezing my eyes shut. “Please stop. I know what happened between us would lead you to believe that I…”
“You what?”
I slowly open my eyes, keeping them focused on my bare feet. “That I want more, but that’s not true. I’m overwhelmed by everything, and I keep waiting to wake up in the menta—” I clear my throat and turn to look at him. “I’m still not convinced this is really happening.”
“Shall I kiss you again, to solidify things?”
I shake my head, though my lips tingle at the very thought and at the way he’s watching me, his silver eyes gleaming with desire. “I can’t think when you do that.”
Much to my surprise, he grins.
“I’m glad to hear it.” Darius pulls me to him until our chests are flush and the length of his cock is nestled between my thighs. “When you’ve claimed your birthright, I’ll be sure to distract you until you can’t think. Or walk.”
My pussy spasms at the thought, and my knees nearly buckle. I take a deep breath to steady myself, but with his body pressed to mine and his lips less than an inch away, it’s hard to concentrate on anything that doesn’t have to do with him.
“What’s my birthright?” I ask on a wheeze, the words a struggle to give voice to.
His smile widens, growing brighter as it does. “You, dearest one, are a princess.”
“Ah, fuck.”
He makes a clicking sound with his tongue. “There’s no need for such vulgarity, but I do understand this information is quite jarring. You can ruminate on that while I locate Baxter.”
