Page 34 of Princess Broken

“A new frock?” Shaking my head, I saunter toward her.

This reminder of who she really is—a silly female, a spoiled princess—helps me to focus. Helps me ignore my throbbing cock that’s urging me to bend her over a chair, raise the hem of that soiled gown and bury myself deep inside her. “A new dress is your top priority?”

“Of course not.” Taking another small step forward, she flips her hair. She looks around, clearly looking for the others—probably Blade. “Proper attire is simply a prerequisite for my top priority.”

“And what’s that?” Widening my stance, I cross my arms low across my body, hoping to hide the evidence of my erection.

Her eyes flick down, and even that small brush of her attention makes my need pound even harder.

“I must return to DEFTA.” Her little chin lifts. “Please pay attention in the future. I don’t like to repeat myself.”

“Why should I care what you like?”

“Because I am your client.” She blinks a few times, the only hint that she might not be quite as confident—or commanding—as she’s pretending to be. For someone who must be used to ordering people around, she’s not very good at it.

“And since I am your client,” she continues, “is it not your duty to fulfill my requests?”

A short laugh bursts from my chest, and she steps back quickly, nearly hitting the door behind her.

Good. I like how the power dynamic has shifted. She’s scared of me.

“You misunderstand our duty.” I move slowly, keeping my gaze directly on her body, avoiding her eyes. “We’ve vowed to protect you from danger. To keep stakes away from your heart. That princess, is the extent of our duty.”

“I think I understand this arrangement perfectly well.” Her chest expands as she glares at me. Tiny fists form at her sides. Adorable.

“What is it you think you understand, princess?” I say the last word with a sneer, pulling on all my disdain for authority. No one tells me what to do. And power granted by birth is the very worst flavor. Her attempt to boss me around raises a mountain of resentment inside me.

Good. That should make it easier to resist my strange urge to please her.

Her glare deepens, filling with something bordering on hate. It almost makes me want to soften my menacing attitude, my threatening approach, but I resist that too.

“What I understand is that you have vowed to protect me.” Her voice reveals a slight tremor. “And I also understand that I am your captive.”

Stopping short, I frown. “You’re not our captive.”

“Then let me go.” Her fists unfurl, and she lifts her hands in what looks like exasperation. “It is imperative that I return to DEFTA—immediately. My absence will raise alarms.”

“You know what would raise more alarms?” I stride forward, leaving only about fifteen feet between us—space that pulses as if it’s alive. “How about a stake through your tiny royal heart, princess. How many alarms would that raise?”

Her body jerks back. “Are you threatening me?” Recovering quickly, she frowns. “I don’t understand you, Phil. Sometimes you’re funny, but sometimes you can be a real bastard.”

Her words sting in a way I don’t expect or understand, but it confirms that I should continue with my asshole act. It’s proving useful. My cock still wants her, no doubt about that, but if I can make her hate me, I’ll ensure my cock never gets what it wants.

I’m more than willing to kill, as long as the terms are right, but I’d never take a woman against her will. Not ever.

But she doesn’t know that.

And it’s time to show her who’s in charge here.

In a single leap, I cross the space that divides us, and she’s flattened against the bedroom door before I land.

“Threatening you?” My size completely overpowers hers, and I glare into her widened eyes as she presses back against the door. “You wouldn’t know a threat if it fucked you up the ass.”

She blinks, and her cheeks flush. “You don’t scare me.”

“Bullshit.”

But she’s not lying. Not completely. Yes, her heart rate has accelerated and her body is trembling, but the vibe she’s giving off is not simple fear. There’s something else buried underneath her body’s trembling and elevated heart rate. She’s angry.

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