“If you think, for one moment, that I’ll allow you to take any liberties at all—”
“Do you want to escape your father or not?”
She did, but not at this cost. Once, she’d asked him to be her protector against her father. Now, that plan was irrevocably shattered. A bastard could never stand against a king.
“What are you suggesting?”
“That we continue the façade you created. Let him believe that we eloped. Then break the ties to your throne if that’s your wish, and I’ll keep my word to see you safely settled elsewhere.”
“When he finds out you’ve lost your throne, he’ll have you killed.” She dismissed the idea as impractical.
“And if your servants already know, then he must be aware of it by now.”
Her gaze flickered back to his. “If you’re not a prince, you can’t protect me from him.”
“You didn’t believe that a few hours ago. And there are many Lohenberg guards here to help us.”
“It won’t work,” she admitted softly. “Not against my father.” Covering herself, she added, “You should leave the island, for you have no reason to stay and help me.”
His hand grazed the surface of the water. “Perhaps there’s something else I want from you.”
She stiffened and crouched as far away from him as she dared to go. Blood rushed to her face and throughout her body. “Get out,” she repeated. “You’re trying to intimidate me.”
“No. I’m trying to seduce you.”
He knelt beside the tub, resting both hands on either side of it. She didn’t like being cornered and averted her face from him. He dipped his hand into the bathwater, then trailed a few drops down the side of her neck. Goosebumps erupted over her skin, and beneath the surface of the water, her breasts tightened.
“I don’t want you,” she whispered.
“No one ever has.” An ironic smile played upon his mouth. “But bastards don’t follow the rules, do they?”
His words sent a flood of heat through her, and he leaned in closer, his breath upon her skin. He was staring at her, his gaze drifting beneath the surface of the water as if he wanted to lift her out and touch every part of her. Her mind tangled up, unable to form the words that would force him away.
“If I were a prince, I wouldn’t do this.” He dipped his mouth to hers and kissed her hard. Warmth and melting desire shuddered through her. His hands captured her face, his mouth tantalizing her.
“You told them I was your husband,” he whispered against her cheek. “Is it because you wanted permission to give in to your desires?”
She said nothing, for a secret part of her wondered if it were true. Although the servants would have gossiped about them,she could have maintained her distance. Why did it matter if they had lived together for so many days?
His mouth moved to the damp skin of her throat, and she uncurled her body, her hands moving up to grasp his head. “This is wrong,” she whispered.
“I don’t give a damn.” And this time, he kissed her harder, his tongue mingling with hers. Her body was desperate with unknown feelings, but she wasn’t afraid of him hurting her. A part of her knew that he’d never hurt her—he’d only try to bring her to his bed.
Though she wanted to remain the good girl, the princess who was ever obedient, she was weakening against this wickedness. Right now, the water was tormenting her bare skin, sliding over her nakedness. She wanted more, and it occurred to her that she could surrender her innocence to him and no one would think anything of it.
But how could she give in to him when he’d lied to her? She couldn’t reconcile the man who had protected her with the man who had deceived her. And yet, she felt herself slipping under his spell as his hands dipped beneath the surface of the water.
Slowly, he moved his palms over her bare shoulders and down to her breasts. When she felt him cupping them, his thumbs stroking the erect tips of her nipples, her breath grew shaken. Last night, she’d come to him, not understanding why.
“Don’t be afraid of me,” he ordered against her throat. “I’m only going to touch you with my hands and mouth. I won’t consummate our…marriage.”
Serena felt the prim and proper princess slipping away as he caressed her nipples. Though she knew she should stop him, the darker side of herself was gaining strength. She’d wanted more from him last night, but he’d turned her away.
Sitting up from the water, she revealed her breasts to him until he obeyed her unspoken command, sliding his heated mouthover the column of her throat. Lower still, his tongue circling her damp flesh.
Did it matter that she was behaving like a wanton? All her life she’d been punished for no reason at all, beaten and broken like a woman who didn’t deserve to be loved by a man.
Karl had never touched her with roughness. Nor had he taken anything she hadn’t offered. He’d touched her with hands meant to arouse, not to hurt.
