Scorched (Surrender #4)(18)
Author: Melody Anne

“You are more perfect now than you were a few months ago,” he whispered, need dripping from each word. “And you were perfect then.”

She was so hot, so wet where she ached to have him most. He was good, the ultimate seducer.

When his fingers found her bare ni**les, her body jerked against his. He squeezed the sensitive flesh with just the right amount of pressure, and her knees went weak as she leaned back, wanting his mouth to follow his skillful hands.

Dropping to his knees before her, he untied the sash and held her robe open. “I have big plans for you tonight, Rachel,” he promised before leaning forward and running his hot tongue along her stomach.

As much as she was turned to mush, the action seemed to wake her up. As she looked at the top of his dark head while he kissed the place where their baby lay safely, reality rushed to the forefront.

Who was she and why was she allowing this to happen?

This man had gotten her pregnant, then had her followed, then kidnapped her right before her brother and best friend’s wedding. She’d repeatedly told him she wouldn’t make love to him, wouldn’t sleep with him again, and then at the slightest of touches, she was falling all over herself to climb into his bed.

No!

With a strength she didn’t know she possessed, Rachel lifted her foot and pushed him back, catching him off guard. He fell backward, landing hard on his delectable ass. Then she stepped back, grabbing her robe and closing it, tying the sash with a vicious tug in a double knot that was sure to stay together.

“Rachel?” he asked, looking more perplexed than angry.

“No, Adriane. No. No. No. I told you this wasn’t happening, and I meant it!”

“I don’t understand,” he said as he slowly rose to his feet. “You weren’t acting so put out fifteen seconds ago.”

Trembling with unfulfilled desire and a new rage, Rachel stared back at him, her features set, her determination high.

“That was a moment of weakness that won’t happen again. Unless you’re OK with rape, this night is officially over. Now get out of my room!” she said as she made her way to the door and wrenched it open, turning to look pointedly at him while she waited to see what he would do.

“What do you want? You have already received a marriage proposal from me, so what is it you’re seeking by holding out? It’s obvious that you want me, so I just don’t understand the point of your coyness.”

Rachel stared at him with bafflement. She’d repeatedly told him no.

“You have seen only what you want to see, Adriane, not what is right in front of you. I won’t deny that I desire you; that would be pointless. However, I have been very straightforward with you when I’ve said repeatedly that I won’t join you in your bed. I want my freedom and I want you to get the hell out of my room!”

“Oh, Rachel, you will change your mind. All you’re doing is putting off the inevitable. And, no, I’m not into rape, so I guess this will be continued tomorrow,” he said, moving toward her and the open door.

When he reached it, she breathed out, thinking he would just walk on through and she would finally be left in peace. She should have known he wouldn’t make it that easy for her. Stopping, so she was forced backward into the doorjamb, he loomed above her.

“Here’s something to think about when you’re aching all night,” he said before dipping his head and taking her lips.

By the time he released her mouth, Rachel was breathless; she hung on to the doorway to keep herself upright.

“Goodnight, my sweet Rachel. This will be continued,” he said, and then slipped outside the doors, leaving her to watch his retreat.

When she was able to move again, she stepped back into the room, closing the doors behind her. She made her way over to the bed and flopped down on it, her body in an agony of frustration and her lips still tingling from his touch.

Two hours later, sleep still eluded her.

“Damned man!” she thundered aloud as she pounded against her pillow, trying to make it more comfortable.

Yeah, it’s the pillow’s fault, she thought sardonically. The sooner she got away from this castle, the better.

CHAPTER TWELVE

STANDING ON THE beach, looking out at the serene ocean, Adriane should have felt peace, should have felt at rest. Yes, his brother’s bid for power was causing great turmoil in the kingdom, but still, he was home — he was where he belonged.

But, no. He didn’t feel peace. One stubborn woman was causing a massive amount of strife right within his body. She was stringing him out to dry with insomnia and aching frustration that he just didn’t need right then.

Until Rachel, he hadn’t realized how easily things had always come for him. When he grew up as a prince of Corythia, he had lacked for nothing. Then, when it had been established that he was the future king, there had been many challenges thrown his way, but the people of his kingdom had been willing to do anything for him. His “subjects” wanted him to be pleased.

Rachel certainly wasn’t worried about his pleasure.

A mordant smile crossed his face. Just the opposite, in fact.

He couldn’t remember a time his body had burned so badly. At this rate, he might have a problem producing future heirs for his kingdom. It was a good thing Rachel was already pregnant.

Sipping his coffee, he looked out into the vast waters, searching for the tranquility that was eluding him. When a sound reached his ears, he turned and found the source of his disquiet strolling from the castle grounds, her eyes narrowed to slits as she approached him.

He waited.

“Where have you brought me?” she demanded. No polite preliminaries; no pleasantries. That would have been too normal for the two of them.

“Good morning, Rachel. I hope you slept well,” he replied.

“No, Adriane, it’s not a good morning. I asked you a question,” she snarled, her hands on her h*ps as she looked up at him.

To judge from the dark circles beneath her eyes, Rachel had slept as poorly as he had. That should have given him a measure of satisfaction, but instead, he was filled with worry. She couldn’t afford not to get proper rest. He was beginning to regret his temper the night before.

Why was he unable to abide by the doctor’s request that nothing be done to agitate her? Somehow, whenever they were around each other, he just lost his head.

Sighing, he turned toward her. “I’ve brought you to my sanctuary. This is where the royal family comes when they are in hiding, when they need to attend private meetings with no fear of interruption. Very few people know of this location,” he answered her.