“I don’t even know what to say. That’s horrible. You’re his son, not a chess piece on his empire’s board.”
“This is his way of doing things. I grew up being groomed for that world, but when it mattered, I couldn’t do it.” He turns back to the window.
The shame he feels may not be justified, but it’s real; it resonates from him.
Putting the tray to the side, I slide from the bed to stand behind him.
I put my hand on his tense back. “You did what was right for you at the time.” The tension melts slightly under my touch. “I think you’re judging yourself too harshly for what went down. What changed?”
He turns around, frowning. “What changed?”
His scent of sin, and the warmth of his freshly showered skin distract me, but I try to stay focused. This conversation is important.
“Clearly you’re ready for an arranged marriage now. To help your business endeavors. What changed?”
He bows his head and sighs before he looks at me, this time not hiding his vulnerability but facing it.
“I guess I accepted I’m not that different from my father. Also, I’m choosing the bride this time.” He winks, snaking his arm around my waist, yanking me to him. And the playful Xander I know so well is back.
I put my hand on his chest, the contact burning. The way he’s looking at me is intoxicating. How does a man make me feel like a goddess, when he hasn’t really touched me yet? “You have to stop looking at me like that.”
A gentle frown touches his face. “Like what?”
I lick my lips. “Like you really want me.”
“That’s impossible, Coraline. I can’t look at you any other way.”
My breath hitches, the room’s temperature skyrockets, and I kind of want to step back and get closer at the same time.
“So, will you marry me?” His playful grin gives me the opportunity to breathe in.
It’s like he sensed I was getting aroused and freaked out at the same time, so he dialed back.
I’m forgetting whyhim and meare not a good idea. The list of warnings about this man seems to have been wiped from my brain. Or it’s buried under lust.
“What’s in it for me?” I tease.
It’s not like I would ever accept it.
Why not?
Fuck. The fever must have burned some of my gray cells.
“Besides mind-blowing orgasms?” He caresses the small of my back, sprouting goose bumps on my skin. His touch is gentle, and I can barely stop myself from leaning into it.
“That theory hasn’t been tested yet.” The air crackles with yearning, accentuating my taunt.
“And whose fault is that?” He cups the back of my neck and fuses his lips with mine.
I missed his kisses—it’s the first thing that invades my mind, but it’s the last coherent thought I have.
After that, it’s just heat.
The press of his mouth, firm and hungry. The glide of his tongue, coaxing mine into answering. The way his thumb brushes the side of my throat like he’s memorizing my pulse.
This isn’t sweet or tentative.
This is Xander taking.
