All traces of softness vanished as she rose from her seat and marched towards him.
“A bad influence? May I remind you that buying my body would have been a quicker solution than this farce of a marriage? Why complicate things with vows when you could have had what you wanted in that alley?”
He chuckled, the sound deep and dark. “Oh, little flower, you have no idea.”
Raph moved swiftly, cornering her against the bookshelf, his body close enough to feel the heat radiating from her.
He leaned in and whispered in her ear, “I promise you that there would be nothing ‘quick’ with your body beneath mine, Camelia.”
She trembled against him, her eyes widening as he hovered above her with a smirk pulling at the corners of his lips.
“Look at how you tremble before me, little flower. And I haven’t even touched you yet.”
Their lips were inches apart, and the air between them thickened as Camelia let out a whimper. Raph growled in response. He tilted his head, his lips so close to hers that he could feel the warmth of her breath and the promise of a kiss.
Her lashes fluttered, and it made his chest tighten. For a moment, neither moved, as their fiery attraction bound them.
She’s affected by me, despite her bravado. Good girl.
Raph brushed her arm lightly, sending another shiver through her. He smiled at the effect he had on her.
“What are you?—”
“This brings me to my next request,” he spoke over her, pulling back just enough to meet her gaze. “I still need an heir, so do not expect this arrangement to be a marriage on paper.”
Camelia’s eyes flashed with realization. “An heir?”
“Yes,” he said simply. “It’s part of the deal.”
“And if I refuse? What then? There will be more ‘consequences’?”
Raph chuckled darkly, his hand capturing hers. Despite her anger, she blushed at the contact.
“Refuse? You won’t refuse because your family depends on it. But challenge me again, and you’ll learn what those consequences are.”
“What do you mean?” Camelia protested. “You can’t just dictate my life like this!”
“Pamela will look to you as an example. And there will be no more reckless nights in alleys.”
She scoffed, though her breathing was heavy. “I’m not one of your servants, Your Grace. And what of you? Should I be expecting more children under my care from your lovers?”
“Once we are wed, you will mine and I will be yours only.”
Camelia’s cheeks reddened.
“My past is mine to handle,” Raph added slowly. “Yours is now tied to it. And Pamela needs a mother figure.”
“Why me, of all women? There are plenty who would jump at the chance to be your Duchess, without the baggage of debt.”
“Because you intrigue me,” he admitted, and watched as her expression softened. “That fire in you—it’s dangerous, but it could be channeled. For Pamela’s sake, and for the heir we’ll make.”
“Heir,” she repeated, her voice a small whisper. “You speak of it so casually, as if I’m just a means to an end.”
“Not just,” he said, releasing her hand, though he remained close. “But yes, it’s necessary. The duchy needs it.”
“And what do I get?” Lady Camelia asked. “A life of rules and consequences? With no freedom?”
“Security,” he replied. “Power. The title of Duchess. And perhaps more, if you behave.”
