Jackson laughed before taking another bite.Rising from his chair he poured her a cup of coffee and carried it to the bedside table.
“Sit up, sweetheart,” he ordered, reaching beneath her arms to lift her.
Crystalia moaned and she shifted before settling back against the massive headboard.
“Are you in pain?”he asked with a frown.
“Not exactly.”Taking the cup from him she grimaced again.
“Then what is it?”
“My thighs feel raw,” she informed him with a blush.
Jackson rubbed his face feeling the stubble.
“Yes, I should have shaved first,” he admitted.Leaving the room he returned moments later with a bottle of lotion.“Let me help you.”Pulling the covers from her naked body, he quickly parted her legs, and pouring cream into his hands began to smooth it over the inside of her thighs.“I’m sorry.I should have realized.”
“I’ll be fine.That feels lovely,” she breathed out.
“I’m sure it will help, but if I don’t stop, I’ll be compelled to climb back into the bed with you,” he warned wickedly.“Drink your coffee,” he advised, tossing the furs back over her.“Then you must brave the cold and come to the table.I’ve left your meal covered, so it should be warm enough.”
Back at the table he continued to chat about mundane things as he ate, but her mind was elsewhere.She rested her head against the headboard and closed her eyes as she sipped.
At some point today she must tell him she was going home.It was abundantly clear he would not take it well.He would be frightfully opposed.There would be a battle of wills…or would there?
Perhaps now that he’d had her as he’d always wanted she would have lost some of her appeal.Maybe he would return her to Snow Capped Ridge with little protest, kiss her goodbye and be on his way.He’d mentioned he was considering marriage.Was she merely something he’d wanted to check off his list of things to accomplish before settling down?Bed the ‘hot star’ to get her out of his system and then make a new life with someone more amenable, someone less frustrating and volatile?
Instantly, she felt sick to her stomach.Had she been well loved, or well used?
Throwing back the covers, she walked to the table and took a seat on a velvet chair.Lifting her leg, she placed one heel on the chair, giving him a perfect view of her most private area and reached for a croissant, pulling it apart with her fingers before popping a piece into her mouth with an appreciative moan.
Jackson froze.His hand halfway to his mouth he stared at her with narrowed eyes.
“Crystalia, are you trying to anger me, or tempt me?”he asked his voice thick with confusion.
“Neither,” she replied smoothly.“I’m simply eating my breakfast as you commanded, your highness.”
“Nevertheless, looking at you is highly distracting.Put your leg down and sit like a lady.”
“Am I a lady?”she asked, maintaining her pose.“We’re in your bedchamber.In the last twenty-four hours I’ve been taken over your knee and spanked, ravished multiple times, and all while you’re considering marriage to another.Doesn’t that make me something a little less than ‘a lady’?
“Don’t be facetious,” he barked out.
“I’m not.”
“You are, and any more comments like that will likely earn you a second trip over my knees.”
“Are you, or are you not considering marriage?”she demanded, leaning forward and putting both of her feet on the floor.
“I am.”
“Good.I hope you and your new bride enjoy great happiness.Now I must go to my room and get dressed.While I appreciate your hospitality, most of it anyway,” she drawled, “I’m afraid it’s time for me to return home.Please have your sleigh made ready and don’t trouble yourself to accompany me.I’m sure you have plenty of drivers capable of getting me there safely.”
Standing she walked to the door stark naked.
“Get back here, Crystalia,” he ordered.“What in heaven’s stars do you think you’re doing?”
“I’m going home,” she sniffed.Opening the door she sailed through it as regally as though she were wearing a magnificent ball gown instead of bare as the day she was born.
