Page 63 of To Charm a Dark Prince

“Believe that I am also a self-fulfilling prophecy. That I will seek out reasons or inspire you to betray me, to prove somehow to myself that I am right in my own paranoia?” He smirked.

Sheepishly, she looked down at the water. “Kinda?”

“Well. At least you are honest.” He huffed.

“You said it! Not me!” She splashed water at him.

He blinked, surprised at her playfulness. He grinned wickedly at her, and watched with no small amount of satisfaction as her eyes grew wide in a sudden recognition of her poor choice. “If you wished to spar again with me, all you had to do was ask…”

“N—no, I just—I—um.” Her cheeks were turning pink with her rampant blush.

He stood, both glad and disappointed that the water reached his waist. He walked toward her slowly, enjoying how she shrank away from him nervously, but did not run. She could tell him to stop. She could tell him to stay away. But she did not.

He placed each of his hands on the edge of the pool beside her, caging her in, and leaned down closer to her. “Teasing me is a very dangerous game to play, Gwendolyn Wright. A very dangerous game indeed.”

“I—I mean—I didn’t—I didn’t mean to.” She was staring at his collarbone, refusing to make eye contact, wonderfully shy.

“I know.” He crooked his finger beneath her chin and lifted her head up. “But your intentions do not matter in this regard.” He studied her thoughtfully, letting out a quiet hum. “Unless you mean to tell me that I am not attractive to you?”

“No, I—” She cringed again. “It’s not that. This is all just too much at once.”

“If Lancelot were here in my stead, what then?”

“I—I don’t know. I don’t think he’s…I think it’s like you said, I don’t think he’s really interested in me. I think he’s using me and is bored.”

“What do you believe my intentions are?”

“I don’t know that either. But…not that.”

He had to admit he was intrigued by her reply. “Then what do you believe inspires my courting of you?”

She grumbled her answer. “Horniness.”

He did not know what that word meant. But he could guess. He chuckled. “Has it been some time since I have had relations with a woman? Yes. It has. I will return your honesty in kind. But that is not the only reason you intrigue me, Gwen.” He traced the pad of his thumb against her cheek.

“But you don’tknowme.”

“Then I look forward to discovering you.” He smirked as he leaned in, closing the distance between them. She held her breath, likely in anticipation of a kiss. And he was tempted—sorely tempted.

But he also enjoyed tormenting her. He wanted her to come to him. He placed a kiss on her cheek instead. “I will let you finish your soak in peace.” Straightening up, he climbed out of the pool, using the steps next to her. He did not miss her covering her eyes and muttering something under her breath.

Grinning still, he pulled on his robe and tied the sash around his waist. “Will you join us for dinner tonight?”

“Um. Sure.” She sounded a bit shaken and unsure of herself. Good. He liked to keep her off her footing, just a little.

“Fantastic. I will see you then. Enjoy your afternoon, firefly.”

“Y—you too.” She wasn’t looking at him, still likely too shy to check to see if he was still naked or not. Walking about his halls in the nude was not something he was in the habit of doing, but he supposed she had no way of knowing that.

It was also likely for the best. He wanted her—and his body had no qualms about expressing that desire. He left her to soak out the rest of her bruises and sore muscles, and found himself just slightly frustrated that he had not added to her collection in a more intimate way.

But there would be time enough for such things.

Perhaps a great deal of time, if she took him up on his offer. Kneel to him—swear fealty—and secure her freedom.

His thoughts darkened as he walked back to his chambers. Yes. Secure her freedom. Until the time that she inevitably tried to stab him in the back.

History would always repeat itself.

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