Page 3 of War King's Treasure

“Who were they?” she asked, lifting her head from his neck.

“Crispin and Conrad, or Cris and Con as I call them. My seconds. One of them will be with you at all times when I’m not around.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re my wife and a queen of the Dread Lands. Your safety is my number one priority.”

She snorted. “Do you often pass your priorities on to others?”

“I can’t be everywhere,” he growled.

“No, of course not. I’m sure you have to prioritize by level of importance. Your wedding obviously didn’t make the list.”

“Our wedding,” he corrected.

“Oh, there was nothing of me in that farce of a ceremony. Tell me, should I expect a proxy when my two days are up and it’s time to consummate?”

She quickly found herself trapped against the wall. He turned her so they were chest-to-chest and his groin pressed against her most intimate part. She felt him, the fullness of him, and there was no controlling the way her body trembled.

“No man will touch you but me. Ever.”

“Until you prove to me that I’m truly a priority, neither will you.”

“Make no mistake, Nori. This marriage will be consummated in two days, but there’s a lot we can do before then.”

She shook her head. “You won’t touch me without my consent.”

He grinned then, and the way it reflected in his blue eyes made her catch her breath. “You’ll enjoy my touch. Beg for it. The way you’re rubbing against me right now assures me you’ll be as passionate a lover as I could ever desire.”

She felt her skin flush as she accepted she was brushing herself against him. It was mortifying. She didn’t even understand why she was doing it. What the hell was this man doing to her?

“I don’t want you.”

“You want me,” he disagreed. “Even more, you need me. More than you realize.”

She shook her head, but he ignored her, sweeping her into his arms again and continuing down the hallway to his room. He set her on her feet once they were inside the door and dropped a kiss atop her head.

“I’ll have a bath sent up for you and dinner, as well. You didn’t eat. You’ll eat and bathe, or I’ll feed you and wash you myself. I won’t have you hungry and uncomfortable. Not even to spite me. I will take care of you.” He turned back to the door but paused and glanced over his shoulder at her before exiting. “I’m sorry I couldn’t come get you myself. When you’re ready, I’ll explain everything. I’ll see you soon.”

Nori watched him shut the door. Only then did she take a deep breath. Since a group of soldiers had arrived at her family home and set her life into upheaval a few days ago, she’d encountered every emotion she could think of. She’d been prepared to hate the man she was married to. She wasn’t so sure anymore.

Chapter Two

Gavin waited to rejoin his bride until he was sure she was in the bath he’d sent up. He’d agreed to give her two days before they consummated their marriage, which meant he had two days to get her comfortable with his touch. There were a lot of things the two of them could share without breaching her virginity. He planned to try as many as she’d allow. He wanted to taste every inch of her, and if she desired to reciprocate, he’d offer no argument.

He pushed open the bedchamber door and feasted his eyes on the beauty relaxing in the tub that had been placed before the fire. Her hair was wrapped in a sheet, the material helping to pad her neck where she rested it along the rim. She was beautiful. More so than he’d expected. It was her quick wit and engaging banter that turned him on, though. He hadn’t anticipated that. If she expected him to show guilt over forcing the marriage, she’d be disappointed. When he’d set things in motion, she’d been a means to an end, but the moment she’d opened her sassy mouth, she’d become his sole focus.

“Is there a reason you’re watching me in my bath?”

Her voice was husky, and he wanted to hear her moan his name while he was buried deep inside her. Soon. Two days.

“You’re my wife,” he replied as he settled in the chair that had been moved slightly to accommodate the tub that had been carried in. He had a perfect view of her. Her knees were up, hiding what lay beneath the water. One arm covered her breasts though he could see enough of her curves to know she’d be a generous handful.

“On paper,” she reminded, keeping her beautiful eyes closed.

Gavin bent to remove his boots but kept his gaze on Nori. When he stood only his leathers remained. He loosened the ties and eased them down his thighs until they pooled at his feet. Then without a word, he stepped into the tub, lifting his wife and sitting with her in his lap, his hardened shaft trapped between her back and his stomach.

“Be still,” he ordered when she squawked and tried to wiggle out of his grasp. “Unless you want to end up validating our marriage in this tub.”

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