Page 52 of Fated to the Wicked King

“Why should I settle for that slip of a princess? My taste in women is not quite so basic.” He scoffed in derision. “Though I imagine there are multitudes of advantages if you wished to pursue the arrogant prince.” His eyebrows rose in suggestion. “With that soldier’s physique, he ought to have enough stamina to satisfy you. I am sure you would do very well as a princess of this kingdom too.”

Squeezing my eyes shut for a moment, I let out a groan. “For the last time, I desire no such thing. I am not interested in Gregory that way. Not his body. Not his kingdom. I told you I do not want him.”

Jumping ahead a few steps to a landing, the king blocked my way. “Then who do you want? Is it me?”

“No.”

“That naïve princess seems to think you care a great deal for me.”

“Oh, so you were eavesdropping on us before?”

“So you do want me?”

“No, I—” I tried to push away, but he caught my hands.

“You cannot have me.” Despite his words, he spun us around so my back was to the stone wall.

Perhaps he couldn’t help it. He pressed me back, caging me with his body, hands braced on the windowsill behind me. Light filtering in from the stained-glass window filled his eyes. One hand settled against my hip, kneading, stroking. Those blue eyes were pinned on me, intently studying me. The hunger in them was unmistakable.

His words kept conflicting with his actions.

It was driving me mad.

Frustrated rage burned in my chest. I challenged his gaze with a defiant fire of my own. “Are you sure?”

His jaw clenched. I couldn’t tell if it was anger or desire. “Were you under the illusion that I was in love with you before? None of that was real.”

I let out a breath, steeling myself against his blunt words.

Was this how he really felt? Was everything in our past nothing but a lie? Or was he only saying all this to hurt me? And if so, why?

“If it eases your mind, Your Majesty—” I kept my tone thick, brusque. “I have long decided to no longer dwell on things that happened in the past. Neither am I looking for any potential alliance with anyone at the moment.” I met his gaze. “I am not interested in Prince Gregory. And I do not want you—not in the future, and if you so will it, not in the past either.”

Staring into my eyes, his chest rose and fell. A low growl rumbled out of him. I wasn’t even sure if he noticed it himself, but a thrill shot right through me anyway—nearly strong enough to wipe away all my convictions.

His confident, imposing presence filled the enclosed space of the stairway landing. His familiar warmth and scent making me dizzy.

Leaning closer, he tilted his head. “But…I could have you anytime I want.”

“What?” I couldn’t help the breathiness in my puzzled question. My gaze dropped to his mouth—so full, so tempting, not even inches away.

His hand slid further down my hips, rustling the fabric. I stiffened when it slipped beneath my skirts. With his searing gaze still pinned on me, a knowing smirk ghosted across his face as his fingers trailed up along my thigh, brushing between my legs.

I gasped as his torment slipped closer to my core, fingertips circling around my entrance. I tried my best to keep from squirming even as heat and electric longing raced through every nerve in my body.

His tongue lapped at my earlobe.

My skin pebbling, I gripped his arm. “Wait.”

His eyes flashed with desire.

Wait.

Not stop.

Without warning, both hands grasped my hips. The next thing I knew, I was propped against the windowsill. He found the hem of my dress and tossed it out of his way.

The king dropped to his knees. He shifted my legs apart, his eyes blackening with lust. Caressing the sensitive skin of my inner thighs, his gaze traveled up and down my body, seeing all of me—I thought I heard his breath catch—then his eyes darted up to meet mine.