Ruthless King

How dare she be so cavalier with her own safety?

What the fuck was she thinking? He’d been right the other night. She did need someone watching over her.

Although she might not like it very much.

For a moment, when he’d grabbed her, he’d felt her melt against him. Into him. He’d very nearly replaced his hand with his mouth.

He’d wanted to kiss her.

That wouldn’t have been smart.

And grabbing her is?

He wasn’t thinking clearly.

Now would be the time to step back. Give her space. Perhaps check on her foot while he scolded her for not taking care of herself.

Instead, he found himself pressing closer to her, placing his mouth by her ear.

“You’re in big trouble, Jilly,” he told her. “And when I remove my hand from your mouth, you’re going to think about how it would be in your best interests, and your bottom’s best interests, to do as you’re told. Understand me?”

He slid his fingers off her mouth and down to her pulse, which was racing. “Good girl.”

A shudder ran through her at those words.

“Regent,” she whispered.

“That’s right.” He moved his hands to rest against the side of the house on either side of her head.

He was aware that he was looming over her.

Unable to help himself, he ran his gaze over her. But even in the heat of summer, she was wearing a long skirt and full sleeves.

Denying him the sight of her beautiful body.

Which is just as well because she isn’t yours.

“You . . . you . . . what are you doing here?” she asked.

He raised an eyebrow. “After the other night, I thought it best I come back to check on you, which is just as well since it seems that your behavior needs some adjusting.”

This time her shudder didn’t seem to be one of pleasure. The way she sucked in a breath, it had him going on high alert.

Was she scared? Of whom?

Then it hit him . . . it was him. She feared him.

“Jilly, look at me.”

“I just want to go inside. I haven’t had any dinner. I’m hot and sweaty . . . and I really wish I hadn’t just told you that I was sweaty. I need to sit down. My foot hurts. My head is throbbing. I?—”

“Shh.”

How hard had she hit her foot? Did she really need a doctor?

She probably shouldn’t be standing on it.

Reaching down, he lifted her up into his arms.