Her hair was sopping wet and hung over her shoulders. Her face was still red, no doubt from the pain I caused. My eyes scanned over her body, her skin damp with beads of water crawling down and the large towel covering more than I preferred.
I followed the line across her chest and down her arm, where my gaze stalled. Four small bruises had developed on her forearm. They were faint, but were there for all to see what damage I’d caused.
“Audryn.” I jumped to my feet and crossed the room in only two strides. I went to touch her, but she pulled back; she fucking pulled away from me. “I’m not going to hurt you.” Despite trying to assure her, my words fell short.
“What are you doing here?” Her eyes jumped around myface. “I was taking a bath as you requested. Am I late for dinner?”
“No. Dinner is cancelled.” I stepped forward, watching as she held her breath and waited. I found myself once again a boy watching my mother tense from my father’s presence, but I stood in his place.
Abruptly, I fell to my knees at her feet, wrapping my arms around her legs and pressing into her damp skin. “I lost my temper earlier. There are no words adequate enough to justify my actions.” My head remained down. Groveling at her feet wasn’t something I’d even considered, but the adoration I felt for her was about to burst me open.
She stood silently.
“I don’t want to be like my father.” My eyes burned. “I’ve worked so damn hard not to be like him, yet here I am, on my knees in front of you and begging for forgiveness for my actions. Actions my father himself would have committed—had committed against my mother.”
Passing seconds felt like hours. There were no words to guarantee my clemency, but damn would I speak every word possible just to try.
“What can I do to make it up to you?” I begged. If she wanted every jewel in Rivale, it was hers. If she needed to buy a gown every day for the rest of her life and drain the coffers, I’d let it happen. There was nothing I wouldn’t do to earn her forgiveness.
A tingle soared through my body as Audryn’s hand combed through my hair with her gentle fingers.
Turning my head, I planted small kisses on her leg before switching to the other. She remained silent while I lapped up droplets of water left over from her bath with my tongue. Regret remained at the forefront as I moved up her thigh where the towel met her skin.
“Ryder.” She let out an exhale. “Prince Sutton.”
“Ryder,” I corrected as I pulled the towel up, exposing one more inch of her milky thighs. I wrapped my mouth around her, sucking in her skin and lingering before ascending again.
“I don’t think we should do this,” she said in a near whisper.
I moved up once more, my eyes nearly level with what I desired. “You don’t need to do anything,” I mumbled against her. “I’ll do all the work, I want to taste you.”
Slowly, I tilted my eyes up and waited for her permission to continue; she looked to the wall, but said nothing. Though I might have had difficulty controlling my anger, I’d never proceed with a woman against her will. I was better than that.
I stood, letting my fingers glide over her bare legs and against her towel-covered abdomen as I rose to my feet. “I’ll never hurt you again,” I promised. “Never.”
I tilted her chin to me and placed a gentle kiss on her lips before consuming her mouth with mine. The wound I’d caused still lingered, but she gave in and our tongues danced once more. Wrapping my arms around her, I picked her up and carried her to the bed. She let out a breath as I set her down gingerly and laid my body into hers.
“Do you want me to stop?” I pulled back, eyes scanning and awaiting her permission. With the smallest shake of her head, I moved to her neck and sprinkled kisses down to her collarbone.
I parted the towel, exposing the glorious pink and perky nipples waiting for me. Carefully, I lapped my tongue around one while caressing the other with the thumb and forefinger of my free hand. I moved to give the other breast the attention it deserved and progressed down to her navel, encircling my tongue around it. Time passed as I poured myself into her, worshipping every inch before making my way down to the apex of her thighs.
Kneeling on the floor beside the bed, I pulled her body to the edge. We didn’t need to go to dinner; I’d found my meal, and it was the most delicious dish on the menu.
“Ryder?” Audryn pushed onto her elbows.
“Shhh, unless you want me to stop, and then I will.” I watched as she inhaled and fell back onto the bed.
Slowly, I parted her and found the tender spot waiting for me. Pressing my mouth into her, I began flattening my tongue against her body while pressing in and swirling around the sensitive area. Her body flexed and twisted as I worked to warm her from the inside out. When she was on the edge, I stopped and placed two fingers inside of her, palm up for good measure.
I went back to work, beckoning her arousal with my fingers and pulling her desire with my mouth. She could take all night, and I’d stay on my knees for her as I waited for her to find her pleasure. But a moment later, she was crashing, tipping over the edge and shattering into dozens of tiny pieces around me.
She was lust and love and everything in between. Emotions jumped from my chest as I helped her through the wave of bliss I’d created. It was all I’d ever wanted, and I’d give it to her again and again for the rest of our lives.
When her body relaxed, I slowly trailed kisses up from her center to her mouth. She met my lips with her own, eyes glazed and contented. Happiness sat on her face, but unease lingered below the surface. We’d get back to where we were before that day; I’d put in the work and be sure not to lose my temper again, regardless of the change the bond created in me.
“Would you like to see your father?” I offered, “I want to speak with him.”
Regardless of my title, asking her father’s permission before I made her my betrothed was the proper thing to do. Orlan was nearly done with the ring, and though I hadn't been able to look it over earlier, I’d wrap a piece of ribbon around her finger if that’s what it took to make her my betrothed. There was nothing more I wanted than for all to see that she was mine.
