Page 17 of Fairy Tale Husband

And what he saw stopped himcold.

A solitary tear traced a path down the waxen curve of her cheek, and he took a quick step back, disgusted by what he’d been about to do. Despite that disgust, every instinct he possessed railed at him to finish what he’d started, to put his mark on her in the most basic way possible.

He’d never considered himself noble or honorable or decent. Tonight confirmed that beyond any doubt. Only one problem rooted him in place. He looked into Wynne’s wide, unflinching eyes and saw not passion or excitement or even curiosity. Definitely not lust. Instead he caught the damp glitter of stoic acceptance. The sight very nearly unmannedhim.

What the hell had he done, marrying her likethis?

He took another step back and then another and another until he’d put as much room between them as he could. “Get in the bed,” he whispered harshly.

Still she didn’t speak, merely drew her nightgown back in place and obeyed. She clambered onto the mattress, and in that moment, he knew. He couldn’t touch her, couldn’t risk hurting her. Not now. Not even if it meant losing the inheritance he’d fought so hard towin.

He forced himself to turn his back on her, staring instead at the desert skirting the hotel, feeling oddly at one with the bleak beauty. Slowly the serenity of the landscape crept into his soul, calming him, and he gained a small measure of control. Only the strongest and most determined survived in such an arid section of the country, just as only through sheer strength and determination had he survived the aridness of his youth. But his survival had never been at anyone’s expense but hisown.

Untilnow.

“Jake?”

He didn’t turn around. “Go to sleep, elf. We’ll talk in the morning.”

He heard the rustle of sheets as she left the bed and approached. Her icy hand slipped part way around his bicep. “Have I done something wrong?” she questioned quietly.

His laugh rang out, cold and humorless. “Yeah, you did something wrong. You married me.”

“No,” she protested. “Marrying you was the smartest thing I ever did.”

He spun around, grabbing her shoulders. “Don’t you get it? Don’t you realize what happened here tonight? Ialmost... Ialmost...” He couldn’t speak the words, couldn’t admit he’d nearly committed such a vileact.

“Don’t say it,” she urged, pressing her fingertips to his mouth. “You did nothing wrong. I’m your wife, remember? You could never hurt me.”

“If that’s what you believe, then you’re setting yourself up for a mighty big fall.” He stepped away, warning, “It’s not wise to stand this close, not the way I’m feeling right now. Wife or not, it’s clear I can’t be trusted.”

She stood her ground. “Don’t be ridiculous. I’d trust you with my life. Please come to bed with me, Jake. Idon’t want to sleep alone on our wedding night.”

He shook his head. “You don’t know what you’re asking.”

“No, Idon’t suppose I do. Come, anyway.” She tilted her head to one side and a smile trembled at the corners of her mouth, erasing all vestiges of her earlier tears. “I promise I won’t take advantage of you.”

Not bothering to argue further, he swept her into his arms and carried her to the bed. Tucking her carefully beneath the covers, he started to return to his stance by the window, but found it impossible to leave her side. Instead he stripped off his robe and joined her between the sheets. More than anything he wanted to pull her into his arms, even though it would be begging for trouble. He’d narrowly escaped their last encounter with his sanity intact. He’d never escape this time if he gave in and held her again.

“Jake?”

“I’m right here,” he murmured gently. “Try to get some sleep.”

“What about your requirement? That we make love tonight?”

“Forget it,” he said, slinging an arm across his eyes. He suddenly realized he’d never explained about the condition in his grandfather’s will—that their marriage be consummated and she testify to that fact before a judge. Not that it mattered now, because clearly, there wouldn’t be any consummating. “It was an unreasonable demand.”

“If you say so. But if you change your mind—”

“I won’t,” he cut heroff.

Silence reigned for a moment or two, then, “Jake?”

“What is it?”

“I really am glad I married you.”

He swallowed the thickness blocking his throat. “Me, too, elf. Me, too.”

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