Page 65 of Princess of Pride
I face him from where he stands near the door, grateful but also angry. “Thank you.” My tone reflects my mood.
“You don’t like them.”
“I like them fine. But you wouldn’t have had to buythem had you let me pack my own things, or better yet, returned me home.”
He relaxes against the doorframe and folds his arms, a tiny smirk at the corner of his mouth. “To the place you hate?”
He keeps pointing that out.
I can’t argue it’s not true, so I sigh. “Do I get a new phone? I lost mine when I was drugged. And a laptop,” I add. “I have research to do for my business, which I still plan to open once my sentence here is over.”
He doesn’t respond, just stares at me for a while, amusement dancing in his eyes. Finally, he says, “I’ll have new ones sent up.”
“Am I bound to this room?”
“Of course not.”
“I suppose getting a tour is out of the question.”
He straightens from the door and slides his hands in his pockets, seeming much more relaxed. “Howdidyou find my room?”
“Some woman.” I shrug. “Kat.”
He stiffens, but it’s gone quickly, and his shoulders relax. “Dinner is at 8:30. I’ll send Lorna up to give you a tour after you’ve showered and changed. Everything you should need is in the bathroom.” He gestures to another door in the dressing room before ambling back into the bedroom without a glance in my direction.
“No goodbye?” I call out with annoyance. “Do you even know how to be a husband?”
He pauses and turns his head, giving me his profile. “Not any more than you know how to be a wife.”
I let out a heated breath. “I’m not a wife. I’m a prisoner.”
His features shift with thought and possibly anguish. “Perhaps in time, you’ll come to enjoy the castle and allit has to offer.”
“Why are you… calmer now?” Fickle still but less combative. Is it this place?
“You’re safe here. I can relax.” He continues to the door as if the conversation is over but stops and looks over his shoulder before leaving. His eyes connect with mine. “For the record, I’m generally a calm person. You, however, bring out a side of me that’s hard to tame.”
His gaze slides over the length of my body as if he can see through my clothes and wants to devour me.
Tingles race throughout my body and settle in my core. No one has ever looked at me the way he does. It makes me wonder if I react the way I do for that reason or if it’s just Lachlan and his sexual appeal that turns me on.
Abruptly, he pivots and disappears into his bedroom, closing the door a bit too hard. At least it would appear I affect him too. Good. It’s only fair. We may not like each other, but we want each other, even if it’s against our will.
This man,my husband, might be the death of me.
16
COME TO ME
After a soothing bath in lavender salts, I found everything I needed. All the make-up and toiletries I bought from the hotel had been set up for me with the addition of anything else I might want or need.
The tub has a view of the ocean through an arched window. The dark blue water complements the silver and light blue color scheme that continues in here.
Knowing all of this was made for me makes me feel special in a way I never have. At home it was always about Pippa. With my friends, I never pushed for the spotlight. My goal was for everyone to have fun. I was fine with that, but I can’t deny getting preferential treatment, while foreign to me, feels extraordinary.
I dress in an ivory sweater that has a long satin dress underneath. The sweater twists at the hem like a shirt would if you tied it in a knot. I pair it with riding boots, but depending on how formal dinner is, I can always change into heels.
When I enter the bedroom, I head for the desk that overlooks the ocean and find a laptop and phone, along with a note.
