12
Royal Ball:
Ryker could not bear to see his mate in tears and lifted a hand to gently wipe her cheek. “I know exactly who you are, Katy. I have known from the moment we met.”
Katy stilled, certain she’d misheard. “What did you just say?”
Ryker tensed. The sorrow he’d seen in her eyes flashed to anger faster than a lightning strike. “I know you came here pretending to be Emily. I have always known. We belong together. There is no one for me but you. Of course I knew. I could never mistake you for another. Not even an identical twin.”
Katy shook with suppressed rage. Hurt. “I’ve been worried this entire time, feeling like the very worst person on the planet, and you knew?”
The fire in her eyes made him ache to shove her against the wall, lift her dress, and take her here. Now. His cock swelled with eagerness. Unfortunately the Draquonir had excellent hearing and her cries of pleasure were for no one’s ears but his own. “I waited for you to trust me enough to tell me.”
“I don’t trust you!” she yelled, her heart broken. Aching.
“Do you not?” His dragon raged at her denial, clawing to break free and prove himself worthy of their female.
“No. Well, if I did, I don’t anymore. You lied to me!”
Moving slowly, giving her every chance to escape him, he stepped forward, slowly backed her against the wall. When she had nowhere else to go, he lowered his head until his lips hovered over hers, the lightest of touches, his breath synced to hers. “You do not run from me, even now. You come apart in my arms. You gave me your body and your heart. You are mine, Katy, and I will not give you up.”
Lips tingling, Katy’s shoulders loosened just a little. She wanted to sink into him. Wanted to trust him. Wanted to believe they could be together forever. She was so confused. “What about Emily? And your contract?”
“Null and void.”
She moaned. “I’ve ruined everything then.”
“You saved me, Katy. Gave our people hope. How is this a bad thing?”
“My mom. You don’t understand.” She turned her head to the side, breaking the contact between them.
He took advantage by lowering his lips to her bare shoulder. The side of her neck. Seeing her in his colors, the black gown sparkling around her like black fire, the royal jewels wrapped around her throat brought him more pleasure than he’d ever imagined. He’d expected to find a mate and make his claim. Have children. Continue the family line.
He had not expected to be obsessed with every expression and sound she made. To crave her presence like a drug. To need her touch, her happiness more than he needed his own.
He had not expected to fall in love.
A single tear full of pent-up emotion, of heartache, tracked down her cheek. “Ryker. Stop. I can’t. I can’t do this. It will ruin everything.”
“Tell me,” he whispered soothingly as he wrapped his arms protectively around her, grateful she didn’t resist the comfort he offered. He needed to comfort her. Protect her. He did not understand why she was so upset, had expected her to be happy that she didn’t have to pretend anymore. Had they really expected to fool him? Fool his people? He had completed extensive background checks on Katy and Emily both. He knew where they worked. How they lived. He did not see a problem.
“My mother needs this really expensive rehab facility, and we used the money you gave Emily to pay for half of it. If the deal doesn’t go through, my mom will be kicked out, and I can’t take care of her in my little apartment. Emily is always gone, flying here and there, and I never know when she’s going to be around to help. And my boss is a serious bitch—I mean, she’s horrible. I’m already working two jobs, and I just can’t do this. You have to take Emily back.”
Ryker wanted to throw back his head and laugh at his mate’s groundless fears, but he didn’t dare. She did not trust him. Not yet. Had no idea the lengths he would go to ensure her happiness. She was clearly upset and very worried about her family. One more reason he had fallen for her. She would make an excellent queen for his people. For him. And she would learn what it meant to be his. To be cared for and protected.
Rocking her gently in his arms, he held her until she relaxed against him, her cheek pressed above his heart. “You are mine, Katy. My mate. My queen. You do not need to worry about such things. I am wealthy beyond what you could possibly imagine. And what I have, Mia Regina, is yours. I would never leave you to deal with such troubles on your own. I will take care of you and your family. Do you understand?”
“No.” She pulled back to look up at him but did not resist his embrace. Thank all that was holy, because he could not let her go when she so clearly needed him. “I don’t understand this at all. You’ve only known me for a few days. And now I’m in this dress, and I have a crown on my head, which makes no sense at all. And you keep calling me your queen, but queen of what? I’m not the queen of anything. And why would you even want to take care of me? My life is a mess. My job stinks. My mom is sick, and the medical bills are crazy. My sister lied to you. I lied to you…”
Her voice trailed off as he lowered his head to kiss her forehead. Her temple. The side of her face. Her jaw. “I have not been completely honest with you, either, my love.”
She stiffened. “What does that mean? You’re married, aren’t you? Or engaged?”
“No. Nothing so simple.”
Katy swallowed nervously. “Worse than you’re already married?”
“No. Yes. There are many things I must tell you. But first, I need you to know that marrying me will mean so much more than living in this palazzo. I want your full commitment. Here. Now. Tonight.”