Scanning the stable, he said, “You’ve redecorated, I see.”
A change of subject. One she allowed, the sight of her acquisitions calming her. “I have, yes.” Pandora had gotten everything on her list, and then some. Christmas lights twinkled from the ceiling, creating an illusion of stars. Potted plants and fruit trees abounded, the once-musty space now fragrant with florals and fruits, everything from lemons to peaches.
Her diary rested on the desk, opened to a passage of sexual positions she hoped to try. Another torment. All he had to do was glance over... “FYI, you’re welcome to enter the stable anytime you wish, but I can’t promise I’ll be dressed. Or that I won’t be masturbating.” Soon, the urges would be undeniable...
He blinked with surprise. Then he scowled. “I have a meeting with Lucifer later this morning. But first, I wish to check on your progress with the book.”
Hearing the name of her greatest enemy raised her hackles. “Take me with you.”
“No. And do not dare ask again,” he added when she opened her mouth to do just that.
Fine! She’d see and kill the bluebell in two weeks. “If you don’t come back covered in his blood, I’ll be hugely disappointed.”
William blinked faster. “What makes you think I plan to fight him?”
Easy. “I’ve met you.”
A moment passed without a reaction from him. Then a full-fledged smile spread, lighting his entire face, and all the aching, heating and throbbing started up again. Only worse. Her nipples drew tight, and her thighs shook, desire wetting her panties.
“Your book,” she grated, more ready to ruin his good mood now. “I’ve been unable to translate a single word.”
As expected, his smile vanished in a hurry. “Why am I giving you preferential treatment, then?”
“Because I’m the only one who can translate it. But I must see the actual book to do it,” she explained. “I want to touch it, and feel its magic.”
“No.” Anger and frustration pulsed from him in great, sweeping waves. “That will never happen. Work with the photographs, or don’t work at all.”
He’d gone total alpha. He’d decided, and he expected Sunny to fall into line. What he failed to realize? She was an alpha, too. “No problem. Let’s say our goodbyes, and part ways, since I can’t be of use to you.”
“We do not part,” he snarled.
Four words. Individually, they meant nothing. Together, uttered by William the Ever Randy, they rocked her world.
“You are a decoder,” he snarled next. “Do your job.”
Oh, the gall! “I’m so sorry you got saddled with a smoking hot decoder who’s doing you two huge favors, but the failure isn’t my fault. It’s yours. Do as I ask, and you’ll get what you want.”
He huffed and puffed, tension radiated from him. Finally he grumbled, “I’ll think about it. If I can. When we’re together, it’s difficult to ponder anything other than sex.”
Though his last words soothed her temper, she knew she had to continue his punishments. With a sugar-sweet voice, she said, “Why don’t I do the thinking for both of us, then?”
That little remark pushed him over the edge. “You presume too much, woman!” Lightning flashed under the surface of his skin and smoke curled up, up over his shoulders.
Had any man ever exuded such ferocious aggression?
Far from cowed, she quipped, “Or maybe I don’t presume enough? Why don’t you flash or portal me to a sealed room and remain at my side as I study your book?” Look how accommodating I can be, warrior. “If I attempt to damage it, you can stab me.”
His eyes went wide. “You are the most paranoid person in all the worlds, yet you’d trust me enough to let me hold a blade against your vulnerable throat?”
No. She would never trust him. But desperate times and all that. Exceptions had to be made. Unable to lie, she simply said, “I will let you do it, yes.”
Judging by his slow release of breath, her admission pleased him. “I will trust you with my book...if you will trust me with your unicorn form.”
What! What kind of brilliant manipulation was this? He uses my own tricks against me, the dirty bluebell. “Not just no, but hellebore, no.” She shook her head for emphasis. To reveal her unicorn form, something more private and personal than her naked body... “No,” she repeated.
“Then I won’t show you the book,” he said, his tone firm and unwavering. “When my meeting concludes, I’ll return. Until then, you are to remain in the stable. Understand? A mystical border ensures demons and other beings cannot enter. Your invisible spikes help, too,” he added dryly, while pressing a hand against his side. Oh, yes. He’d tangled with her traps. “A poacher did follow you here. I got nailed by a spike when I fought him. His head now rests atop a pole in my front yard. If you escape my blocks and exit, demons and other poachers will give chase.” He pivoted on a booted heel and stalked to the doors. “Text me if there’s an emergency.”
Hate to see him leave, love to watch his aster—argh! Butt. Love to watch his butt. “Oh, William, darling,” she called, deciding to take his torture to the next level. “Before you go, we have two more pieces of business to discuss.”
He stopped and stiffened, but he didn’t glance her way. A good sign. Well, the fact that he’d stopped at all was a good sign. She let the moment drag out in silence, until the muscles in his shoulder bulging with tension.
“I’m listening,” he prompted.
The first bit of business was easy enough. “If other poachers come—”
“They won’t. I will be sending my best soldiers to track down each and every one. If they aren’t dead by the end of the day, I’ll be shocked.”
Excellent. Now, for the second bit of business, which packed more of a punch. His torment was about to reach new heights. “I’ve decided we’re together now. You and me. We’re boyfriend and girlfriend. Fully committed. We’re going to be the underworld’s ‘it’ couple, and that’s that. If you want your book decoded, I mean.”
Now he swung around, his eyes were wide, his pupils blown. A flush brightened his cheeks. “You’ve decided?”
“Yep. It’s a done deal.”
“Let me see if I understand you correctly,” he said, pushing the words through clenched teeth. Do not laugh. “You plan to endure my unskilled lovemaking for eternity, as my one and only girlfriend?”
“Yes, and you aren’t to practice with others. Cheating is unacceptable.”
“I... You... I haven’t agreed to a relationship, much less an exclusive one!” he bellowed. “We are not a couple, Sunny.”
Do. Not. Laugh. “But, darling. I’m the smart one in this relationship, remember?” She faked a wince, as if embarrassed for him “Of course I realized we’d make a great couple first. That doesn’t mean your poor, sweet brain won’t get there eventually. Just don’t be too hard on yourself, okay? From now on, that’s my job.”
His lips pulled back from his teeth
, his expression pure menace. “You aren’t the first female to want more than I’m willing to give. I prefer to remain single.”
She blew him a kiss. “Be honest. Would you prefer roses or orchids at our wedding?”
He bowed up, all he-man-like, and the laughter that brewed at the back of her throat nearly escaped. “You cannot tell a man he’s yours and expect him to comply. He must agree.”
“Are you sure? Because that sounds dumb.”
“I’m sure,” he huffed, glaring at her.
“But...you’re mine,” she insisted.
The longer he glared, the more his gaze sizzled with possessiveness, making it harder for Sunny to breathe. Pressure built inside her, her skin pulling too tight over her bones. Need and want collided, wrecking her calm.
“W-William,” she rasped.
His aura grew darker by the second, reminding her of molten lava. Then he looked past her and frowned. Why the—
She sensed another presence and whipped around. A ginormous man with red skin, dark hair and extra-large muscles appeared. He was handsome in a monstrous kind of way.
“Sunny, cover yourself,” William demanded. “Rathbone, turn around.”
The guy—Rathbone—never turned around. Sunny remained in place, too. How would William react if she let the other man look his fill?
Play with fire, and you’ll get burned.
Good! She wanted to burn. She’d scar, and she’d remember: never crave a prince of darkness.
Muttering under his breath about stubborn females and irreverent kings, William stalked to the closet, grabbed a robe, then returned to Sunny. He draped the cloth over her shoulders, effectively hiding her curves, and she wasn’t sure how she felt about it. Fine! She knew how she felt—delighted—and hated herself.
William snapped, “What are you doing here, Rathbone?”
“I came with a message from your father.” Rathbone perused Sunny from head to toe. Slowly. With mating season so close, she expected shivers and heat, bu-u-ut daisy! She felt nothing. Only William affected her.