Page 57 of The Royal Throne
He’d never asked her that sort of question before. It implied he cared about her on some level—which she was certain he did not. “My day was fine.”
Rainer slid the robe from her shoulders, leaving her skin exposed.
Sabine quickly grabbed the fabric, holding it against her chest, making sure it didn’t slide down any farther. “What are you doing?”
“You look tense,” he murmured, rubbing her bare shoulders while watching her in the mirror.
She set the comb down and stood, moving out of his grasp. “I’m not tense.” She pulled her robe back up on her shoulders. “I just don’t want you touching me.”
“I’m your husband.”
“And you’re sharing someone else’s bed.”
He stepped closer to her, trapping her against her vanity. His hands came to her hips while he lowered his head, looking her in the eyes. “You expect me to only share your bed?”
That was the way it was with her parents. “Yes.”
“And you will only share my bed?” His eyes searched hers, as if looking for something.
“That’s what a marriage is,” Sabine ground out. “We are supposed to only be with one another.” This was not what she wanted to be talking about right now. Today had been wonderful. Now, dealing with Rainer made her want to poke her eyes out.
He reached forward and tugged the tie at her waist, releasing it.
Sabine held the robe closed. For all her flirting back home, she thought she’d be ready for something like this. But she wasn’t, especially not with Rainer.
He slid his hand inside her robe, trailing his fingers across her abdomen, around her hip, and to her lower back. “If you let me,” he said, his voice low and soft, brushing against her ear, “I can show you so many things.” His fingers hovered right above her buttocks.
“Please don’t touch me.” She shoved his arm away.
Rainer chuckled, the sound deep and rumbly. He tucked a strand of Sabine’s hair behind her ear. “You’re not ready. I understand.” He took a step back.
Sabine tied her robe closed, her hands shaking. She should have been better prepared for something like this. They were married. It was only a matter of time until they slept together.
“Come,” Rainer said, holding out his hand to her. “Let’s go to my sitting room where we can talk for a bit.”
She didn’t want to go anywhere with him, but he’d respected her request and had stopped touching her when she asked him to. There had to be some concession on her part, so she didn’t push him over the edge.
He led her over to the door to the royal suite, ushering her inside. “Have a seat.”
Sabine went and sat on the sofa, curling her legs up under her, making sure her robe covered everything. At least no one else was here to see her dressed like this.
“Oh good, you’re here,” Rainer said.
Sabine followed his line of sight to the far side of the room where Evander stepped out of the shadows.
Chapter Thirteen
“I got a message you want to talk,” Evander said as he came farther into the sitting room, folding his arms across his chest, not once glancing Sabine’s way.
Rainer pushed his sleeves up higher then raked a hand through his wet hair, as if combing it.
Horror filled Sabine. It looked as if she and Rainer had just bathed together, among other things. This was a set-up—she was sure of it. Anger coursed through her at how easily she’d played right into Rainer’s hands.
The king sat on the sofa next to her, his arm going around her shoulders. “Have a seat, prince.” Rainer motioned to the sofa across from them.
Since she’d sat in the corner of the sofa, she couldn’t scoot away from Rainer. However, she wouldn’t even if she could. Not only was Rainer going to stake his claim to her in front of Evander, but he was testing her as well. To pass, she needed to pretend as if she felt nothing for the handsome Avoni prince. As if his mere presence here didn’t affect her.
Evander scratched the side of his neck before sitting across from Rainer and finally peering at Sabine. “Your Majesty,” he said, a slight bow to his head.
