Ruthless King

He eyed her. “You’ll do what you’re told. I’m not leaving you alone while you’re ill.”

“So bossy.”

“Yes, I am. Now, do you want to brush your teeth or do you want me to?”

“I get a choice?”

“Be careful, my sweet girl. I’ll forgive a lot while you’re not feeling well. But I won’t forget. And that sassy tongue might just cash a check that your butt isn’t willing to pay.”

24

That sassy tongue might just cash a check that your butt isn’t willing to pay.

An hour had passed and she still couldn’t believe he’d said that to her.

Jilly glanced up as e walked into the bedroom holding a tray.

On it was a bowl of chicken soup and a glass of orange juice.

Kind of a weird combination, but she wasn’t about to complain. She couldn’t remember the last time someone had taken care of her when she’d been ill.

“I could come downstairs and eat,” she said as he put the tray on the nightstand.

This kind of felt surreal.

Having Regent Malone bring her chicken soup.

Regent. Malone.

Who would have thought that he would be here taking care of her?

And to think she’d tried to send him away. It must have been the fever.

Or the fact that he doesn’t actually want you. For some weird reason, he’s looking after you because your mama asked him to.

Just remember that.

“You could also stop talking. I’m about to gag you.”

Her eyes dropped involuntarily to his crotch.

Yes, he could.

He could take down his pants and order her onto her knees . . .

He cleared his throat and her eyes shot back up to his. Was that . . . did he look amused?

Surely not, right? He didn’t know what she was thinking.

“I need a shower,” she blurted out. It was true, she definitely needed to get clean. She felt disgusting. Sweaty and gross.

And there was glitter in places that glitter really shouldn’t be.

Regent frowned. “No.”

No?

He couldn’t just tell her no.