He straightened and smirked. “You thought that putting a pillow between us would alleviate their shock?”
I shrugged, still reeling from his “You're mine,” declaration. That one had sent my belly into tumbles. Good, happy tumbles.
“I have never cared what my court thinks, and I'm not about to start now.” Shale waved at a servant, and dinner service started.
“In that case, why don't you just bend me over this table and fuck me right here, Your Majesty?”
He set a firm stare on me. “Do not tempt me, Sebastian.”
I blushed. I actually blushed.
And Shale was pleased with himself.
For a second.
Then it was as if he remembered something. The King focused on the food as it arrived, filling his plate. I waited forhim to take what he wanted, then filled my plate. Shale was already eating by the time I picked up my fork.
I watched him for a second before I took a bite. He wasn't completely there yet, and that was to be expected. This would take time, maybe years. Shale had a lot to get over. But he was trying, and that felt magical to me. As Lady Hinla said, even rage was an improvement. He may not have cut off all of his emotions, but they'd certainly been buried under layers of thick apathy. That apathy was gone now.
I had done that.
I pulled my plate closer and ate with gusto.
Shale watched me surreptitiously. Then he stared openly. I stared back. The meal became erotic. Every bite he took taunted me. He licked his lips far too much. Savored the flavors ridiculously. He even moaned.
“Are you trying to torture me?” I finally asked.
Shale lifted his brows. “How?”
“All that moaning and licking and closing your eyes.” I waved at him with my fork.
“I'm enjoying my meal.”
“Yes, I've noticed. Funny that I've never noticed you enjoy food so much before.”
Shale chuckled. “I will enjoy you just as thoroughly later.”
“That confirms it,” I said. “Youaretrying to torture me.” I fluffed the edge of my tunic so it hid my erection.
“You deserve punishment.”
“Excuse me?”
“After taunting me for days.”
“All right, that's enough of that shit,” I growled. “I didn't know you were watching me, and I certainly wasn't trying to taunt you by sticking my ass in the air. You should know I'm not that subtle.”
Shale narrowed his eyes at me.
“I swear,” I said. “Remember that time I, uh, you know. In the garden.”
“Masturbated?”
“Yes, that. I knew you were watching then. That's how I seduce. Full on, naked me, stroking one out. I don't just twitch my ass and hope someone is watching.”
Shale frowned and looked away.
“What's wrong?” I asked.
