“Did the clothes fit? I specified your size.”
I open my mouth but nothing comes out.
“Leah, the clothes are for you.” His expression darkens. “Did you think I had them here for another woman?”
“Yes?” The image of the wedding dress blooms big and white in my head. Was it also in my size?
“Oh,principessa.” He lifts his hand and I flinch, but he simply brushes a gentle finger over my cheek. “You have much to learn.”
I swallow several times to find my voice. “For me?” I squeak. All those dresses, the lingerie. “You got them for me?”
“I told you I’d replace what I ripped off you.”
He did say that. “I thought you’d get me a gift card.”
That indulgent smile is back on his face. He shakes his head slightly.
My brain is short-circuiting. “But that’s tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of clothes?—”
“Nothing less than you deserve.” He grips my chin with light fingers and dips his head to my ear. “Shall we have a little fashion show later? You dress up for me. I’ll kiss you and tell you how beautiful you look in the clothes I bought you. And then I’ll rip them off.”
A high-pitched whimper escapes me before I can gulp it back. Royal raises his head, laughing at the expression on my face.I would spend tens of thousands to dress you,he told me last night. Was it only last night?
There are too many thoughts swimming in my head. “I don’t understand.”
“I see I have more explaining to do.” The humor leaves his face like it never existed. “You were a busy little baker this morning. Cooking up the wrong ideas. Eavesdropping.” He traces the line of my jaw. He’s crooning but there’s a dangerous glint to his eyes. “I’m going to need to break you of that habit. In my world, it’s not safe to listen to the wrong conversations.”
I can only stare up at him.
“It’s all right. I’ll keep you safe. But let me make one thing clear.” He dips his head. “I will marry…” His eyes bore into mine, demanding I pay attention to every word he says. “You. You will be my bride.”
“Wh-what?” My lips part, but no more words come out. He smoothes a thumb over my lower lip, teasing me. My insides quiver and it has nothing to do with the winter air swirling around us.
“I’ll give you everything,principessa, everything you want. You will be faithful to me, and bear my children. Is that not what you thought would happen?” He leans down and kisses the shock right out of me, the flare of heat from his lips chasing away the cold. His mouth is heated and heavy on mine. He traces the path his thumb made with his tongue.
I crush myself against his hard chest. My mainframe is crashing and nothing makes sense, but it doesn’t matter when Royal kisses me.
I’m up on my tiptoes, asking for more, when he pulls away. His eyes are dark, shadowed, his mouth pulling into a thin and serious line.
“But first,” he draws out the words, and my heartstrings along with it, “you need to learn a lesson. My wife will be loyal and faithful, always. Do you understand?”
I blink at him.
“Loyalty means not running. Faithfulness means asking questions and not assuming. There will be punishment for you leaving like that.”
“Punishment?”
“Yes. You could have been hurt.” He bends down and scoops me into his arms. “When I’m done with you, you will not run again.”
CHAPTER 6
Royal carries me to the dark bedroom and sets me down on the bed. He looks me over, like he’s checking me for damage, and his lips press together in a thin, unimpressed line. My stomach dips and swoops, hating that I’ve let him down.
“This looks lovely on you,” he comments, fingering the sleeve of my sweater. “Now that you know it is yours, do you like your surprise?” His eyes track over to the closet doors.
“You can’t buy me with fancy clothes,” I mumble, even though part of me wants to swoon in his arms.
I like to buy pretty things,he told me.I like to own them.
