Page 5 of Bride By Coronation

"Listen to me closely, little bird. It's not the time," he warns.

I take bated breaths, staring at his lips, craving for him to kiss me and squeeze tighter while anger and frustration swirl among my needs.

Surprise fills his expression. His erection pushes into my stomach. Seduction replaces the rage in his leer. He mutters, "Ah. I was wrong about you." His fingers tighten, loosen, then tighten again as he watches me.

My knees buckle, and I whimper, not flinching.

He presses closer, mesmerized by my reaction, and then his face hardens. He releases me.

I take deep, shallow breaths, keeping my glare pinned on him.

"A queen obeys her king. Don't forget it, Fiona," he asserts.

I furrow my brows at his words.

He steps back, ordering, "Make sure you dress appropriately from now on. I wouldn't want you to get frostbite and ruin your beautiful skin."

I gape at him.

"Until next time," he adds, then backs away, disappearing within seconds in the snow.

It takes several moments for me to recover. I don't understand how he could be so seductive when I want answers he won't give me.

I finally push off the wall, hurry past the coffee shop, and step into Sean and Zara's building. I nod at security and get into the elevator. I punch in my code and quickly rise to the penthouse.

The doors open, displaying the magnificent cherry blossom tree in their foyer. I brush past it and open the door, stepping directly into the living area. The stunning view of Lake Michigan is barely visible, with ice frosting the penthouse windows in every direction you look. Flames flicker in the oversized fireplace, creating a soft glow. Slow music plays on the surround sound system.

Zara and Sean are on the floor with River and Willow. One of the babies giggles from Sean's tickles.

"Don't worry! Daddy's coming for you next!" Zara coos.

"Sean, I just ran into a man with Dad's skull on his hand in the same spot you put yours!" I announce.

They turn their heads toward me. Zara's eyes widen. Alarm fills my brother's face. He demands, "Who?"

I rush over to them, sit on the couch, and cross my arms. I'd normally pick up a baby, but I'm too upset. "Tell me what the skull's about, and don't give me your usual song and dance."

"Fiona, who did you run into?" Sean demands, picking up Willow and holding her close.

Zara rises, leans down, grabs River, and states, "Nap time. Give Daddy a kiss." She holds the baby in front of my brother.

Sean kisses him, then Willow, and hands her to Zara.

Zara shoots me an apologetic look.

I fume, "You're not innocent in this conversation either!"

She takes a deep breath, then replies, "I'll be back after I get the babies down." She exits the room.

Sean gets off the floor and sits next to me. "I need to know who you talked to and what they said."

I grab his hand with our father's mark. "A man who had this. He told me he couldn't tell me what it's about because it 'wasn't the time,'" I spout, making quotation marks with my fingers.

Sean's jaw twitches. "Who was it?"

"A man," I repeat.

His greens glow hotter. "Who, Fiona? Stop playing games and tell me who."

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