She shook her head. “If you’re looking for someone to breed, you should keep looking. I didn’t break free from the government’s program just to be an experiment for you.”
He leaned back slightly. “You’ve insulted me,” he said.
Her heart raced, this time with a hint of fear. Had she crossed a line? Was he going to force her out of his protected little world?
“I didn’t mean to.”
“I’ve only taken care of you since you arrived, have I not? Have I hurt you? Threatened you in any way?”
“No,” she whispered. “I’m sorry.”
He paused. “Apology accepted. But I’m wondering. Are you not attracted to me?”
Her stupid body heated again, because he was so close and smelled so damn good. “Probably every woman is.”
“I didn’t ask you that, Ashley. I don’t care about other women or their opinions. You’re the one in my room. You’re the one I’ve chosen for myself.”
Did he really just say that?
Should she feel flattered or threatened? Being chosen made her feel wanted in a world out to destroy itself. Even before the virus, men often looked the other way because of her constant weight issues and often awkward shyness. It felt empowering for such a desirable man, a king no less, to choose her out of so many women.
“I’m a virgin,” she blurted, half out of breath.
He tilted his head, a comical look twisting his features for a second. “You’re very jumpy. You need to relax.” He brushed her hair behind her shoulder and ran the backs of his fingers over her cheek. She didn’t dare move or breathe. “And don’t worry about being a virgin. I’m a patient man, and I’m not against giving you lessons. Now, how about that kiss?”
Chapter Three
Draven watched as Ashley stared down at the book. Clearly, she wanted to read it, but she was also too nervous to trust him. He liked seeing her nervous, watching as she bit her lip and her cheeks blushed.
Her innocence shocked him to be honest. In this world of kill or be killed, the fact she’d remained a virgin was a miracle in itself.
“What do you mean, you’ve chosen me for yourself? You don’t even know me.”
“You’re trying to avoid the kiss.”
“I’m trying to stay alive.” She held up her wrist. “This doesn’t give any man a claim over me, regardless of attraction or not. I’m not some pawn to be used for your own amusement.” She got to her feet, but he caught her wrist. His fingers banded around the ink that marked her as fertile.
Every single fertile woman had gotten this band. It marked them from all the other women. He could be with anyone else, and there were plenty of women in his kingdom that wanted him.
“You’re safe here.”
He put the book down but made no move for her to take it.
She snorted. “I’m safe? I’m here, and Luanna is not. I don’t like this. I don’t like any of this.”
“Sit down.” He made sure his voice didn’t give her a chance to argue. She lowered herself into her seat. He released her hand, and she pulled her legs up around her, hugging them to her body.
“Now, you’re safe here. The men follow me. You’re a fertile woman, Ashley, and that means you’re going to come with a certain want.”
She shook her head. He couldn’t deny it. He wanted her, to spread those thighs and to have a taste of her virgin pussy. To tear through that virgin wall, make her his, and fill her with his child.
This world wasn’t going to repair itself any time soon. They all had to make the most of what they wanted.
“Out there you will be nothing more than a vessel. A place for a guy to fuck and breed.”
“That’s what you want,” she said, the accusation clear in her voice.
He got to his feet, trapping her in the chair she sat in as he hovered over her. There was nowhere for her to go. Compared to his sheer size she was nothing more than a slip of a woman. His training also put him ahead of most men.
She gritted her teeth, and he saw her taking deep breaths. Fear flashed in her eyes, but she quickly disguised it.
“I will protect and care for you, Ashley. All I ask is for a mere kiss so you can read the book. Is that so bad? Others would ask for far more.”
She stared where he’d placed the book. So harmless.
All it would take was a kiss.
Men had never given her a reason to trust them, but maybe she was wrong this time. Could Draven be different? Was she judging him unfairly? It was hard to trust anyone anymore, let alone men. At least he hadn’t attacked them.
“I won’t hurt you. I’ll take care of you.” He stroked her cheek with the back of his fingers and hated how she flinched away. “I see we’re going to have to work on that.”