He ignored the question. “Everything I did was for my own purposes. I intended to use you.”
In her eyes, he saw the disappointment, the maidenly hope that perhaps there might have been something between them. But he couldn’t lie to her anymore. She deserved the freedom she wanted, and he deserved whatever misfortune happened to him now.
He started to leave her room when she blocked his path. “Why did you kiss me, then?” she whispered. “If you felt nothing at all.”
The softness in her face, and the way she looked at him made him stiffen. If he had to destroy all of her illusions, so be it. “It was part of my plan to seduce you. If you were expecting my child, your father could do nothing to prevent a marriage between us.” He laid everything bare, knowing that he was only fueling her hatred. It didn’t matter. Better that she should go, well rid of him.
The door closed behind him, and Serena stared at the wood for a long time. So much of what he’d said was brutal and callous. She felt as if she’d taken an imaginary blow to her stomach, for he’d done everything in his power to make her hate him.
Instead, she sat down near the fire, thinking to herself. Karl hadn’t slept at all last night but had gone for help. He’d disguised himself among Jürgen’s men and had brought her here safely.Then he’d given up his bed, brought her food and even another pair of shoes.
For a man who claimed to be a selfish bastard, it didn’t add up.
He’d said that there’d been a falling out between him and his father. Everything he’d done had been meant to force her into marriage, likely to regain his father’s approval. She didn’t understand it. Nor did she understand the words he’d thrown at her, behaving as if he were a villain instead of the man who’d saved her.
Without knowing what she was doing, Serena adjusted the oversized shoes and left her chamber. She walked down the hall, but Karl was not in her old room. She held on to the stone walls as she walked down the winding spiral stairs, and there she saw him sitting near the large fireplace. Outside the windows, she saw the flicker of torches.
Karl heard her footsteps and saw the direction of her gaze. “It’s only the men we hired. They’ve returned to guard us tonight.”
“Good,” she murmured, crossing the room. Karl was hunched over near the fire, looking haggard and exhausted. She didn’t know what drew her near, but she sensed that everything he’d said was meant to push her away. And she wanted to know why.
She stood in front of him, and he raised his gaze to her with wariness. “What do you want?”
“I never thanked you for rescuing me.” She took a breath, her heart pounding faster. As she stared at him, he looked angry with her. Even so, she held her ground.
“You’ve done so. Now go back to your room.” The order had an unexpected sharpness, as if he couldn’t bear the sight of her. Her first instinct was to obey, but something rooted her feet in place.
She said nothing, not understanding the tremble of the pulse inside of her. She’d seen a side to Karl that was ruthless and bold. He’d risked his own life for hers, and he’d kept his word to protect her.
Was it possible…that she could face her father’s temper and gain her true freedom? Karl was right. The king would never stop searching for her, for any successful escape was a blow to his pride. He’d forbidden her to leave, and once her father got word of her whereabouts, nothing would stop him from forcing her back.
Face him, Serena. Only then will you have your freedom.
The Fürst was right; she knew it. But she needed a way of protecting herself from her father’s wrath. The king held all the power over her, at no risk to himself. She didn’t know what to do.
“Serena, go.” The prince’s voice was soft, but within it, she heard the nuance of desire, the magnetic quality that drew her closer. Over the past few days, she’d seen another side to Karl. He was rough and callous on the outside…but he’d been hurt by his family, just as she had.
She didn’t want to leave. Not yet. And though her footsteps took her straight into the path of a frustrated man, she no longer cared.
Karl stood up from the chair, and without warning, seized her around the waist. “You were warned.”
Serena lost her breath when he cut her off with a fierce kiss. There was nothing polite or calm about it. In his kiss, she tasted hurt and bitterness. He was doing everything in his power to push her away, to give her a reason to run away and hide from him.
She let him unleash the anger upon her mouth, answering it by winding her arms around his neck. At her sudden embrace, he softened the onslaught, sliding his tongue against the seam of her mouth until she opened to him. She surrendered, letting him enter her mouth, and the sensation sent a wave of drowning desire rippling through her. His hands moved down her spine, resting upon her hips. When he pulled her near, she felt his arousal pressing against her.
She reached up to cup his face, and at her touch, he drew back. Hungry eyes stared into hers as if he’d never expected her to respond to him. As if she’d touched him in a place that went deeper than his skin.
His hands moved up her ribs, resting beneath her breasts. She was starting to lose her awareness, unable to grasp all the reasons why this was wrong. His arms came around her, and for a moment, he rested his mouth within her hair. She heard his unsteady breathing, but he didn’t let go.
“I’m no good for you, Serena, and you know it,” he murmured, drawing back. His hazel eyes were darkened with need, and her thoughts were in disarray.
“Is it so wrong, wanting this?” she answered. “It’s just a kiss.” Within it, she’d found the answer she was looking for. He did want her. Everything he’d said about using her seemed impossible to believe.
His hands moved to rest upon her shoulders. “Go back before I do something we both regret.”
“You wouldn’t hurt me,” she whispered. She’d stake her life on it. A part of her craved the affection he offered, for she’d never been treated this way before. He’d claimed her mouth as if she were everything he needed.
His mouth moved to her throat, dropping a kiss the curve between her neck and shoulder. In a husky voice, he whispered, “Right now I want to unfasten those buttons, one by one. I want to move my hands over your skin and slide the chemise from your body.”
