Page 34 of Revenge

I could have claimed her last night. I felt the way she responded to my kiss. Saw the wonder of her gaze on my face. But for once in my life, it didn’t feel right to press my advantage.

Now, though, I’m kicking myself. I may die of blue balls this very day.

I wrap my fingers around her hip.

She stiffens. She’s still afraid of me.

Her bones are small, and my hands are big, so I can grip the entire width of her pelvis. I want to hold it like a handle while I drill–

I draw in a measured breath as my fingers tighten. “I know you’re awake, Principessa.”

The silky fabric of her nightgown doesn’t help matters. I pull down the covers to get a better look at it. It’s beautiful–a silk shell covered with a gossamer outer layer that slips and slides across her frame.

I love it until I remember–

“You bought this for him.” The accusation comes out as a jealous snarl, far more harshly than I intend.

Dahlia rolls to face me. “Of course I did,” she snaps.

I work to slow my breath and calm down, but instead, I grow more agitated.

“Were you excited to wear it for him?” I demand. “Did you hope he’d like it?”

It takes me a moment to see through my jealous haze that there are tears in Dahlia’s eyes as she sits up and glares at me. “I did what I was supposed to do.”

I rise as well.

She flounces off the bed, yanking the top cover with her to wrap around her shoulders. “I did what was expected of me.” She stomps toward the bathroom then stops in the doorway to face me. “That’s all I’ve ever done except for the one moment I took a risk and kissed a dangerous man who let me smoke his cigarette and made my toes curl when he touched me.”

She enters the bathroom and slams the door behind her.

I stare after her, stillness creeping through my entire frame, gluing me to the bed.

I digest what she just revealed: I’m her only mistake.

And I made her toes curl.

“Dahlia.” Now I’m in motion, headed for the bathroom.

The door is locked, but I use my thumbnail to turn it and open the door.

She faces me, arms folded across her youthful breasts, her jaw thrust forward in defensiveness.

“Come here.” I hold out my arms.

She eyes me warily.

“Come here, Principessa. That wasn’t fair. Of course you bought that for your mayor. You didn’t know you wouldn’t be marrying him.”

To my horror, she blinks and two big tears skate down her cheeks. Her chin juts up. “I didn’t buy it for him. I bought it because that’s what you’re supposed to do. Because that’s what my mom said I needed. Are you asking me if I love him? Care about him? Why don’t you ask me that?”

I grind my molars. There’s a challenge in her voice that I have to meet.

“Do you?” I growl across clenched teeth.

She holds my gaze as she shakes her head. “No.” Her voice breaks a little. “So if you thought you were getting revenge on me by breaking my heart, the joke’s on you.”

Aw, fuck.