Page 42 of The Royal Throne
Once dressed, Sabine went over to the door leading to the royal suite and knocked. Gunther admitted her. She found Rainer stretched out on the sofa, his feet propped up on the low table, a glass with some sort of ale in his right hand. He had on dark blue pants and a matching tunic.
“You look nice,” she said.
He tilted his head, looking her over. “And you look stunning.”
She smiled. Only in Lynk would someone think her outfit stunning. She showed more skin than fabric. Regardless, the blue matched his clothing perfectly. The sheer material accentuated her breasts and legs, a string of pearls wrapped around her body to hold the fabric in place.
Rainer stood, setting his glass on the low table. “Sometimes I forget how beautiful you are.” His hand reached out to her shoulder, trailing down her arm to her wrist.
She shivered.
“Your skin is so smooth.” He gripped her wrist.
Unease filled her. His touch felt too predatory—so different from Evander’s. “I was told you wanted me dressed for a visitor?” she said, hoping to remind him that they had somewhere to be. She glanced around, not seeing Gunther or any other guards on duty.
“Yes.” His other hand reached for her free arm, sliding down and encircling that wrist as well.
She held still, trying not to react to his touch.
His eyes roamed over her body and he took a step closer to her, licking his lips.
She automatically took a step back, wanting to keep some space between them. Her heart beat frantically. “You said you wouldn’t touch me until I bled.”
He chuckled, the sound low and throaty. “No, I said I wouldn’t share your bed. Two very different things.”
Her brows pulled together in confusion as she tried to think of a way out of this mess.
He reached up, touching her bottom lip, causing her to jerk slightly at his touch. “What are you doing?” she demanded.
“Hmm…so jumpy. I’m beginning to think you haven’t slept with another man.”
At that, she rolled her eyes. “I told you I haven’t been intimate with anyone.” When she’d traveled alone with Evander, they had shared a bed. While nothing untoward had happened, she wanted to make sure she was clear so she wouldn’t be caught in a lie.
He leaned down, his lips nearing hers.
Instinct made her pull away. “I’m sorry.” She took a step back, putting some space between them. “The thought of you kissing Heather and sharing a bed with her makes me feel dirty.” Admitting this to him was difficult. Heather was Rainer’s age, and she was one of the most beautiful women Sabine had ever seen. While Sabine knew Rainer didn’t love her, she still wanted them to have a marriage like her parents had. She wanted him to be true to her.
His eyes flashed with anger. “What I do with Heather is none of your business—it has nothing to do with you. You’re my wife. I can do with you as I please.”
Growing up, she’d never heard her father speak about her mother in such a way. “I am your wife—not your property.” Her hands started to shake as anger took root. “And the last thing your wife wants to think about is her husband with another woman.”
“I had an agreement with Alina,” he said, as if that made it okay.
“I’m not Alina.” She pulled back farther. “How would you feel if I had a man I shared a bed with whenever I pleased?”
His eyes narrowed. “Don’t forget, when I am with you for the first time, if you’re not a virgin, I’ll kill you myself.” His words held a promise to them.
“I know.” She was a virgin and had nothing to fear.
He must have seen the truth in her eyes. “Sabine.” He took a step toward her.
She backed up, hitting the wall.
He released her wrist, his hands now splayed on the wall on either side of her head, trapping her in. “We’re married,” he said. “You will let me touch you.”
She shook her head. “I’m not ready.” Especially since she’d seen Evander last night and he’d stirred up emotions that she’d been trying to bury.
“You need to let me help you get ready.” He leaned down, his lips pressing a kiss against the corner of her mouth, trailing down to her neck. One of his hands lowered to her waist, his calloused palm against her soft skin.
