Page 93 of The Artist and the Dragon

Malik chuckled. “Jealous, Princess?”

She huffed and crossed her arms, scowling at him. “Why do you always call me that when I hate it so much?”

He slid closer on one knee, palm finding purchase on the edge of her stool. Bronwyn sucked in a sharp breath, leaning back, but he gave no quarter, filling the space before her and using his free hand to quirk her chin. “To answer your first question, no, there are no dresses here. And no other women have stayed in this apartment save your sister.”

Malik savored the shock that slowly settled over her—the widening of her eyes, the gentle parting of her lips.

“I did consider purchasing a few gowns in the hopes that you’d stay here with me one day, but I feared I’d get your size wrong or that you’d hate them. So instead, I settled on some items that I knew you would love.” He cut his gaze to the side.

“The easel. The paints…”

He nodded. “Surely, you had to know that it’s all for you?”

Her crossed arms fell free. Her form almost seemed to melt. “Malik.”

He clicked his tongue. “I’m not quite done.”

She sat straight again.

“Did you ever wonder why I tease you so? Why I call you princess?”

“Because you like to annoy me?

“Mmm, a part of me does, yes, I admit that. But, I think you like it, too. It distracts you. You can’t be sad or worried when you’re angry with me.”

The slight widening of her eyes told him he was right even before she said, “I wasn’t truly angry … most times. More annoyed, really.”

“I know. I’ll take that annoyance anytime. Your anger. Your frustration. Give it all to me. Give me everything.”

“I—” She opened her mouth, but he placed one finger over it, silencing her.

“If getting under your skin was the only way to imprint myself on you, I’d take it. But no, that’s not it.” He dropped his hand but didn’t rush to fill the thick silence that lingered.

“I assume you’re going to tell me,” she said, her voice a breathy whisper.

He inclined his head. “What do you call the wife of a prince?” When he leaned to place a kiss on her throat, he felt her pulse fluttering wildly.

She jerked back, her eyes wide as saucers. “Malik…” She blinked, her mouth a small circle. “Is this… Is that a proposal?”

A soft chuckle slipped from him as he smoothed his thumb across her lips. “I’d like to think I could manage a much grander gesture, but I wouldn’t be opposed if you wanted to go ahead and say yes.”

She swatted at him. “You’re ridiculous.”

“Yes.” He grabbed her hand, placing a kiss on the inside of her wrist. “But you love me anyway.”

A small sigh left her flushed lips. “I do.”

“Then,Princess, know that I call you that because you are mine, and I will endeavor to do everything in my power to make you happy and keep you safe, starting with saving your sister.” He sealed the promise with a kiss.

She melted for him instantly, her arms wrapping around his neck, her lips parting, and her body forming to his. For a few moments, they were a tangle of limbs and emotions locked together in passion. Somehow, they ended up on the floor, Bronwyn straddling his hips and rocking against his aching cock.

When he growled against her mouth and tugged at her shift, she broke their kiss and sat up. Fuck. She was a sight, all kiss-flushed, hair tousled, sitting right where he wanted her.

Malik could almost feel the heat in her gaze as it crawled down his chest to the point where she sat astride him. Her nose twitched, and a mischievous smile bloomed on her lips. “Oh, look, you seem to have ruined another part of my outfit.” She gestured to the smear of green paint that had transferred from his skin to her shift as they’d kissed.

“Best take it off, then.”

To his surprise and delight, she did, tossing the garment away and leaving her achingly beautiful and bare atop him.

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