Page 32 of Taken By the Crab King of Atlantis

“We have some things to clear up,” he says to me, ignoring the room as he takes my hand, dragging me away from the scene we have caused.

12

KARKINOS

My hand is firm in Yen’s as I steer her through the room, heedless of the people who stare and move out of our way. I take her out a side door, to a room I had prepared for us long before we met.

If Marina hadn’t interrupted us, I would have let Yen go after that first dance. The sacrifice is a duty for both of us, but I won’t force my advances where they aren’t wanted. I had guessed last night’s kiss was a drunken mistake and could not assume her interest when sober.

But I saw the expression on Yen’s face when Marina claimed she had chosen Yen, and not I. Resigned. Rejected.

I stepped aside so I could think and grill my meddlesome granddaughter. A further conversation with the surprisingly helpful Quan assisted to solidify my renewed plans. And then I saw Corvin had captured Yen in a dance.

Corvin’s obscenely waggling antennae, and the words I overheard before I interrupted, were enough to set off protective instincts long dormant inside me.

I’m furious he dared coerce her into a dance and violated our privacy by testing her scent. I would have him thrown out, and I still might, but I need to talk to Yen first.

The drawing room is more like a meeting room for two, with soft downlighting and bookshelves lining the walls. There’s a sideboard holding a bottle of open champagne in a silver bucket of ice. At my request, a large, full-sized mirror on a stand stands off to the right, next to two single Chesterfield couches. A second closed door leads to an adjoining bathroom.

I close the door behind us and walk to the sideboard to pour us drinks. I meet her a few steps into the room and hand her the champagne.

We both sip. Her gaze is downcast, as it was on the dance floor, but I have a better hold on what’s happening now. I’m standing a foot away, giving her space. She has returned to something close to the meekness she had in my office when we first met. Perhaps it’s better if we return to a time when she knew only naked desire for me, and nothing more.

“Corvin could smell I have not touched you. It means nothing, but he thinks it does, and he will spread the rumor that our arrangement is a charade. We must remedy the situation with physical contact. Will you do that?”

Her gaze flies up to meet mine, but she hesitates. “Yes, but I have a question.” I nod for her to go on. “How did Yvette die?”

My shoulders sag, and that damned ache is back. I had hoped, in this room, to steal a little pleasure for us, but Yen is too astute. “Yvette was visiting the surface, organizing trade deals. Her submarine never came back. There was an explosion. Nobody got out alive.” I expect a sharp pang of grief in my chest, but there is only a dull reminder of an old pain. It feels good to share this part of my past with Yen.

“Was it an accident?”

“It’s hard to say.”

“That’s why you don’t want the city to open trade.”

I nod.

“I’m sorry.”

“Thank you,” I say, and her gaze stays on mine, unfaltering. My gaze drifts down to her full lips, glistening with lip-gloss and champagne. She swallows, seeing something in my gaze that throws her eyes down again. She takes a long drink of her champagne.

I step towards her and reach out a hand to stroke her cheek. “My grief is old, and for a long time it stopped me wanting things in this world. But at some point, I let go of my past. I want you to know, I chose you.” She looks up at me again, hope and fear battling in her eyes. “I only let Marina think she did.” I wink.

She laughs, and I don’t hesitate further. I lean forward and press my mouth to hers.

Her jasmine scent fills my nostrils, and I lick teasingly at her lips until she opens for me. My hand on her cheek slips to the nape of her neck, and her pulse jumps beneath my skin as she tentatively raises her hands to rest on my chest.

My other hand wraps around her waist, finding bare flesh and pressing her closer against me.

I feel when she lets go, when desire takes over from caution, and she melts against me. I snake the hand to the back of her head to fist in her hair, tipping her head back with a gentle pull that makes her whimper.

I kiss along her neck, then pull back and watch her beautiful face, eyes closed, face flushed, mouth open. Relaxed and trusting in my control. Something in my chest hurts. I want to give her the world. But I can’t force what isn’t wanted. Tonight, I can give her pleasure. I grip her hair harder and bite the flesh of her neck gently, then more fiercely. Nothing that will leave a mark, but enough that she’ll feel a sharp edge of pain.

I’m gratified when the smoky jasmine incense of her lust rises in my nostrils, and I take a long lick of her neck. In the mirror behind her, my body is wrapped around her, devouring her. Her face is crumpled with desire.

I pull back, steadying myself. My cocks are painfully hard but restrained. Tonight is about her. I place my hands on her hips, letting her straighten herself as I turn her body around so she’s facing the mirror.

I meet her gaze in the mirror. “Your beauty is perfection, and I want to see it all.” I reach for the zipper on her dress.