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“That’s not gonna happen,” I say. I wonder if she can hear the note of regret in my voice.
“I can’t believe you won’t help me with this!”
Suddenly, Linnea’s voice is much closer. As in right behind the couch.
I turn swiftly. “What are you doing out here?”
“You say you like me, you say you want me, you claim to want to keep me happy, to want to help me with things, but you won’t help me withthis. This very important thing that even you agree I should do. I need to find out what I like, what I want, so that I’ll go out and get it. And you are probably theonlyperson I can totally trust for this. We’re here together, alone, in this gorgeous hotel room, far from home where no one will ever know, and you still won’t do it?”
The only light in the room is the pale blue nightlight from the kitchen, but behind her there’s a soft glow, possibly from a lamp. It shines right through the flimsy, silky peach colored camisole and shorts she’s wearing.
So that’s what she had on under that robe.
She never came down to the palace kitchen like this. Thank God.
She has her hands on her hips and actually looks angry. And maybe a little hurt.
Her chest rises and falls as she breathes fast, her breasts pressing against the scrap of silk. The shorts caress the curve of her hips and the upper part of her thighs but leave plenty of creamy bare skin for my gaze to travel down.
And something in me snaps. I know exactly what it is—it’s the very thin thread of resistance and sanity that I have been clinging to.
I shove up from the couch, stomp around the end of it, and stalk to her. Her arms drop to her sides and her mouth opens, but without a word I bend and hoist her over my shoulder.
“Jonah!”
I clamp my hands firmly around her silky thighs to keep her steady. And to keep myself from sliding my palms higher.
Soon enough, I’ll know what she’s wearing under the shorts.
I stride into the bedroom and toss her onto the mattress. Then I strip off my T-shirt.
“Be sure, Duchess.”
Her eyes are wide, and she props up on her elbows to look at me.
“Are you…”
I set my hands on my hips.
I’m sure my erection is obvious behind the boxers I’m wearing.
I just let her look at me, big and hard for her. I’m not smiling. I’m also breathing harder. She should feel intimidated.
Of course she doesn’t. Her gaze tracks over me, at least as far as my cock. She lingers there, then looks up at my face.
“I’m sure.”
“You want to find out what you like,” I say. “But you’ve never done this before. So we’re going to do it my way. I’m going to make you come. I’m going to show you all the wonderful things your body can feel.My way. I’m in charge. I’m the one with the experience. I’m the teacher here. You are going to listen to me and do what I say.”
I notice how she presses her thighs together. She nods. “Yes. Please. I have no idea what I’m doing.”
My gaze lands on the vibrator lying on the duvet next to her. It’s slim, only about four inches long, and neon blue. I look back at her. “You know a few things.”
She knows what I was looking at. “A few things. But I’ve never done anything with anyone else.”
“That changes tonight. In about one minute. So, be sure.”
She nods. “I am.”