“Good,” he growls, “because I’ve shared women and men before, but I wouldn’t ever be able to share you.”
Frowning, I open my mouth to demand he stops saying such things to me—things that get me all hot and bothered, aching in a way I feel only he could cure. Things that make me want to touch him and explore his face, his chest, every part of him. That possessiveness and protectiveness that characterize his every action, that’s what draws me to him.
That, and his otherworldly, insanely strong body, those lips, those eyes, that smirk… the way he touches me or looks at me…
“So…” He sits down on the bed beside me and leans back on his hands. “What do you think of our opulent apartment?”
“Well, I can’t help noticing,” I say, “that there is only one bed.”
He watches me, his gaze darkening. “Don’t worry about it.”
“You’ll take the floor?”
“What? Of course not. The floor is cold, and the bed is huge. We both fit.”
“We don’t!” I glare at him. “The gentlemanly thing to do would be to take the floor.”
“But I’m no gentleman.” His long canines glint when he grins and cocks his head at me. “Haven’t you been paying attention?”
“You are. When it comes to other things, you are.”
“But not when it comes to what matters. Because I want you, girl, and I’d chuck my manners out this very window to spread you underneath me.”
A shiver travels down my spine. “You can’t keep saying things like that.”
“Saving yourself for your husband?”
“Yes. What’s wrong with that?”
He tips his head back, watching me from under his long lashes, and for some reason, that draws my gaze to his mouth. “Everything’s wrong with that. If you want me, why should you censor yourself?”
“I don’t want you.”
“Tell that to your scent. You smell of arousal, Sweetheart, and I’m willing to help you out.”
“Help me out? How?”
“Oh, that’s a loaded question.” He chuckles softly. “I can get you off. Show you how to take care of yourself. How to touch yourself properly. How to have the best orgasms.”
“Valen!”
“I’m sure any good husband would appreciate a woman who knows how to show him a good time. I know I would.”
Again, the thought of him with another woman makes me grit my teeth. This has to stop. I can’t keep feeling this way toward him.
“I’ll go ask for more blankets,” I say, getting up, “and a mattress. If you won’t sleep on the floor, then I will. I won’t sleep with any random man who accompanies me, if that’s what you think, even if you saved my life. If it’s a reward you wanted?—”
“Reward?” He straightens on the bed, his gaze narrowing. “From a woman who doesn’t even know what sex is? You are too sheltered for a nobleman who’s had his pick of ladies all his life, and I’m not only talking about myself. Do you really think this lord Eorl will be delighted that you don’t even know how to pleasure yourself, let alone him? Do you think men want their wives virginal and blushing?”
I jut my chin out. “What if he is?”
“What if he isn’t?”
“How dare you?” I seethe, insecurity rearing its ugly head, because what if he’s right? What if Lord Eorl doesn’t like a woman who doesn’t know how to please him? I can embroider and read, and even ride a horse to a point, but it’s true, I’ve been sheltered. I never considered that I may be more sheltered than most women of my station due to my past. “He won’t expect me to be anything more than myself. I’m a noble lady, I?—”
A knock on the door stops me mid-rant, leaving me deflated. It swings open, and a maid pokes her head in, the white cap on her head askew.
“My lord. We’re bringing up the tub for your bath, as well as the clothes you asked for.”
