Page 56 of Brutal King

I grind my teeth. “Everything that happened, it wasn’t a dream.”

“Unfortunately, you got me at a weak moment.” She tosses the rags onto the coffee table next to my phone and wallet. “The couch is ruined.”

“I can get a new one,” I say dismissively, because that’s not what matters here. “You were a virgin.”

“Like I said, I was weak.” She sighs and limps to the fireplace to toss in another log. “Why is it always so cold in here?”

“It’s a large house, impossible to heat it all. Did I hurt you?”

She grimaces. “My first time should have probably been with someone… smaller.”

The thought of her with anyone else tints my vision a nasty shade of red. I’m in front of her again, my hand wrapped around her thin arm. “You weren’t meant for anyone else.”

She glares at me, but says nothing.

Slowly, I regain control of my temper. I’ve never been one quick to anger, however, Sofia is helping me discover new and unsettling sides to my personality. Lack of restraint isn’t a good quality in a man with power.

I let out a long breath and release my hold on her. In a more refined manner, I say, “I’m sorry that it hurts, but I don’t regret that I’m the one that caused that particular pain.”

“What kind of an apology is that?”

“It’s not.” I come close to her again, bending down to inhale her scent. “You smell like me. Did you shower?”

Her eyes snap to mine and a flush spreads across her cheeks. “After you took me to your room and we… I fell asleep. When Iwoke up it was already morning and I wanted to clean the couch before you saw the mess.”

“Why? It’s a beautiful mess.” One that tightens my insides and stirs my cock to life.

“Don’t be dirty.”

“Because you don’t like it?”

She refuses to answer my question, but her expression gives her away.

“Youdolike it.” I grin, pleased at how well I can read her.

“Whatever.” Groaning, she makes to go.

I snatch her by the wrist and stop her. “Does it really hurt or are you exaggerating the limp to make me feel bad?”

“Both,” she admits.

My wolfish grin turns into a gentle smile as I tug her back to me. “I’m sorry that it hurts.”

“What are you doing?” she asks in a panic when I swoop her off her feet.

“I’m going to make it up to you.” I carry her up to my bathroom and set her near the claw foot tub I never use. While it fills with water, I begin to undress her. “If I get rid of this sweatshirt too, will you produce another one?”

“Yes.”

I chuckle. But, the laughter soon dies when I remove her clothes and she lets me without a single word of protest. She stands in front of me naked and stunning and completely unashamed.

“What?” she asks. “You’ve already seen it all.”

“I was half out of my mind with a fever. I thought it had been a dream.”

“Oh.” Her arms come across her chest as if she’s just now realizing that my memory might be fuzzy.

“Don’t,” I tell her, pulling her arms down so that I can see her fully. “You’re so beautiful.”

---