Ruthless King

“What did I keep from you?”

“I know, Jilly. You need to stop pretending that you’re not hiding anything and just tell me.”

“Um, tell you what?” she asked warily.

“You should tell me everything,” he said firmly.

“Really? Because I think I could use a hint.”

“Just how many things are you keeping from me?” he asked.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said hastily. “I really think you must need to leave by now. You should have other things you want to do. Besides, I’m feeling much better.”

“Nothing is more important to me than making sure you’re all right.”

Jilly gaped at him. “I don’t understand you. I don’t know what you want from me.”

“I tried to stay away from you—even told myself it was for your own good. Being tied to me is dangerous. I have enemies who wouldn’t hesitate to hurt you.”

“Why . . . why would your enemies care about me? I’m no one.”

“I’ve told you not to speak badly about yourself. That’s four.”

“I . . . you . . . what is happening?” she cried. “I’m so confused. You seem to think I’m going to stay in your house and that you get to just make those sorts of decisions. And that I’ll just happily go along with it. That you’ll get to spank me when I do things you don’t like. And that for some weird reason people will try to hurt me to get to you. That makes no sense when I don’t mean anything to you.”

“Who said you don’t mean anything to me?”

30

“Isaid it. For over half of my life, I’ve wanted you. I’ve pined after you. It was . . . it was kind of pathetic, to be honest. Especially as you never even noticed me.”

He swung her around until she was lying on her back and he was looming over her. Then he straddled her hips with his legs, his hands on the mattress by her head.

Holy. Moly.

Her attention was caught by the intense look in his eyes.

Need. Hunger.

Her body reacted, even though she still felt awful. She’d defy anyone to not react if they had Regent Malone practically pinning them down, giving them that look.

Yeah, there was no way.

“What . . . what are you doing?” she whispered.

“Do you seriously think I never noticed you?” he asked.

“What do you mean? I mooned around after you every time you came over and you barely even looked my way. And then you just stopped visiting after you . . . after you told us that Father, um, died.”

“Oh, I noticed you. But you were young. It would have been wrong. Not to mention that my father wouldn’t have approved. And I’ve stayed away from you because I thought you deserved to live a life free from mine. I inherited a kingdom built on fear and death. No way would I ever have dragged you into that. I can’t believe I’m contemplating doing it now. But I’ve had it pointed out that I’m protective and in a better position to keep you safe. If you start obeying me.”

“You can’t just make decisions for me.” But if he was saying what she thought he was . . . then wasn’t this what she wanted?

To be with him.

“I told myself that too. That you don’t deserve someone who will control your life. That you don’t really know anything about my life.”

Her mind was going to explode. Was he trying to talk himself out of this now?