“By not going out at night and returning smelling like someone else was in your arms.”
Raph smirked at her, and she wanted to get up and leave. But the sight of him on his bed, disheveled and tempting, kept her in place.
He’s taunting me.
The thought of another woman’s hands on him was unbearable.
Raph leaned closer to her, his voice softening as he reached for her. “I stopped her, Camelia. I neither desired nor wanted her. I haven’t touched another woman since the night I met you in that alley.”
Camelia’s anger cooled, but she kept her nose in the air. Her pulse quickened at his confession, but she hid the tremor.
“Then why have you stopped caring about producing an heir? Have I done something wrong? Do you… not want me?”
Instead of answering, he pulled her onto his lap, his hands firm on her hips.
Camelia’s emotions scattered when he leaned in and kissed her deeply, his lips claiming hers with a hunger that left her breathless. She felt his hardness beneath her, the evidence of his arousal undeniable, and her body responded, aching for him.
Raph broke the kiss with a growl. “Does that answer your question, little flower? Can you feel how much I want you?”
Oh God.
“Yes!”
Camelia’s breathing was ragged, and her hands clutched his shoulders as his hard member pressed against her thighs. She adjusted herself slowly so she could see him. Her movements made him close his eyes and grunt.
I refuse to be tempted.
With every ounce of strength she had, Camelia struggled against him but Raph held her still with his strong hands and piercing gaze.
“Do you want to leave, little flower?”
“You can’t just kiss me to avoid this, Raph!” she snapped back but silently prayed that his hands will remain on her.
“I am not avoiding anything, Camelia.”
“You are. You speak only in rules, and I’m tired of it. I’m tired of being kept in the dark.”
“And what is it you desire to be brought to light?”
Camelia found it difficult to answer him when he was so close to her. She glanced at his lips for a second and her thoughts scattered.
“I want to know why you married me. You knew Lord Montague threatened my family… You could’ve chosen anyone, yet you picked me, a defiant spinster with a reputation. Why?” The words spilled out of her.
Raph’s eyes darkened, and his hands stilled on her hips. “There’s bad blood between Montague and me,” he said in a clipped tone,all signs of seduction gone. “Montague is a predator who preys on innocent women, and I’ve made it my mission to ensure that he never succeeds.”
Camelia’s eyes widened. “Your injury. The scar on your shoulder. Was it Montague? Did he do that to you?”
He’s hiding so much, but I need to know. I need to know all of him!
Raph’s silence was heavy before he spoke. “Yes. And that’s all I will confess.”
Camelia reveled in the revelation for one triumphant heartbeat, then the full, brutal truth crashed over her like ice. Fury surged through her veins, so fierce her hands shook with it. She looked at the rigid line of his shoulder, and something inside her chest cracked wide open.
“He hurt you,” she hissed.
Raph lifted her off his lap and lowered her beside him. “This bed is off-limits, Camelia. You know the rule.”
Her compassion was quickly replaced with frustration. “Rules? Rules!” She jumped off the bed. “I’m sick of your rules, Raph! I’m your wife, not a prisoner. Why can’t you trust me with the truth? Why did you truly choose me? Tell me! I need to know the truth now!”
