TheRedKing (9 page)

Yes. She had promised that, but did she mean relaxed enough
to enjoy the evening or relaxed enough to lie in a grave?

“Delia, explain all this,” Areas demanded.

Her eyes widened. “What do you mean?”

“The bath. The seduction. The wine. The lack of obstinacy.
Something’s wrong.”

The hurt look on her face made him feel guilty, but he wouldn’t
be outsmarted and possibly destroyed by a woman, in particular this woman who made
him feel as he’d never felt before.

“Nothing is wrong, or I didn’t think so. Now I’m not so
sure. I should have known better. Just when I start to trust a man, he tries to
make a fool of me. What was your plan, Areus? To make me like you then spit on
my affection?”

“No. Of course not, but last night you said I commanded you
into my bed and tonight you offer to bathe me in your chamber. You said I tore
you from the convent, but you seem quite comfortable in my household. You’ve
even charmed Seth the Miserable.”

“I’m not trying to charm anyone. If I’m forced to be here
then I want to make the experience as pleasant as possible for me and everyone
else. Would you prefer that I play the part of a spoiled princess? You picked
the wrong woman. I was reared in a convent, among the sisters and common
villagers. I can’t believe this.”

She turned away and he couldn’t help staring at her lovely
backside. Then she spun toward him, a look of disbelief on her face. “What did
you think I was trying to do here tonight?”

He raised an eyebrow and shrugged.

“Why didn’t you want this?” She held up the wine and grape. “I’ve
known you but two days and despite your sparse frame you tend to eat like a
starving ox. Did you think my offerings tainted?”

Did he look as guilty as he felt? It took all his training
as a leader to keep his expression impassive.

“You did. That’s almost funny, to think that you, oh mighty
King Areus, is afraid of your convent-reared wife.” She laughed, popped the
grape into her mouth, chewed it and swallowed. She washed it down with a long
drink from the goblet.

“Delia, I didn’t mean—”

“As you said to me last night. The door adjoining our
chambers is there. Feel free to use it.”

He narrowed his eyes. “You’re ordering me out?”

She looked thoughtful and even a bit surprised. Then she
leveled a fierce gaze at him and answered, “Yes. I am.”

“You want me to go?” He jerked his thumb toward the door.

Lifting her chin, she retorted, “No. I’d rather you stay and
continue insulting me.”

“Fine.” Naked and fuming, he stomped toward the door, then turned
to face her. “If I leave, I won’t be back tonight.”

“Go then!”

His hand curved around the doorknob, then he dropped it. Why
should he spite himself? He had a beautiful, fiery woman, a hot bath and a warm
bed.

He turned back to her and found her staring at him with an
eager expression in her wide eyes.

“You’re not going?” she asked.

“I want you. Do you want me? No more games, Delia.”

“Your accusations wounded me, sir.” Again she lifted her
chin and tried to look haughty.

“I’m sorry,” he said and sighed deeply. “The situation here
of late— I’m sorry.”

A smile flirted with her lips and she stepped toward him. “I
can’t say I blame you. After all, just days ago there was an attack on your
life.”

“Truce?” He held his hand out to her, palm up.

She stepped closer and took his hand. “Truce.”

Areus tugged her into a firm embrace. His mouth covered hers
in a hungry kiss.

When it broke, she clung to him and said, “I was afraid you’d
actually walk out that door.”

“I was afraid you actually wanted me to,” he admitted.

“Would you like that bath now?”

“Only if you join me.”

She pouted a bit.

“What? Is the thought of sharing a tub so distasteful?”

“I had this planned out perfectly.”

“And your plans didn’t include sharing the bath?”

“I’d like that, but can’t I show you what I had planned
first?”

“I wouldn’t miss it for anything.”

She took his hand and guided him to the tub. Rose petals
floated on the surface of the water, filling the air with their soothing aroma.

Areus stepped into the tub and sank into the water. It was almost
too hot to be comfortable. Almost. After a moment his body acclimated to the
temperature and he relaxed. The water wasn’t very deep, but it still lapped at
the bandage covering his middle.

“I’ll change this later,” Delia said, running a fingertip
over the bandage before she stepped behind him.

She picked up a hand towel resting on the edge of the tub
and dipped it into the water. She ran the cloth over his shoulders and back.

“Tonight I’ll be your servant, sire.” She slid her arms
around his neck and brushed her soft cheek against his. It felt so good. He
loved being close to her like this.

Delia kissed his cheek. She took his hand and raised his arm
so she could wash under it, then she washed under the other. She bathed his
chest, then placed the cloth aside and massaged his shoulders and the back of
his neck.

Areus groaned. He could grow accustomed to this.

Closing his eyes, he lowered his chin to his chest. Her
small hands were surprisingly strong. She massaged away the tension that seemed
a constant part of him.

“I love touching you,” she said, stroking the back of his
neck. “I never thought I’d love touching someone like this.”

“I knew I would.” He raised his head to look at her over his
shoulder. “From the moment I saw you. Come here.”

He turned and grasped her beneath her arms to pull her into the
tub.

Delia smiled and braced her hands against his hard, water-slicked
shoulders.

Finally they sat facing each other in the tub of warm water.
Delia’s legs were bent, her knees drawn toward her chest. There wasn’t much
room, so he extended his legs a bit and spread them. He took her hand and
tugged her close.

She rested her back against his chest and he wrapped his
arms around her, kissing her hair.

“I used to think about what it might be like to be with a
man,” she said. “Never thought it would actually happen and I never thought I’d
be sharing a bath with one—even if he was my husband.”

“This is a perfect night,” he admitted.

“I wanted you to like it.” She turned her head to meet his
gaze.

“I do.” Areus nuzzled her neck. He cupped her breasts and
brushed his thumbs over her nipples. Already stiff, they tightened even more.
Desire shot through her and her stomach clenched. Her clit swelled and her
pussy ached. Unable to resist, she turned and wrapped her arms around him,
kissing him hard.

Areus held her close, his hands roaming over her from
shoulders to ass. Grasping her buttocks, he tugged her on top of him. His hard cock
pushed against her stomach and she reached between them to grasp it.

He lifted her higher and their gazes locked.

“Put me inside you,” he said.

Delia moistened her lips, then parted them, her hazel eyes
smoldering. She raised herself up even more and guided the tip of his cock into
her pussy. She released his shaft and grasped his shoulders as she lowered
herself onto him.

Areus leaned his head back, his eyes half-closed. She was so
hot and tight. He gripped her smooth bottom a bit harder and moaned softly.

“Oh Areus,” she whispered. Taking his chin in her hand, she kissed
him slowly, tenderly. Her soft lips felt so good against his, but he wanted to
taste even more of her.

He thrust his tongue between her lips and she opened to him,
her tongue meeting his. For several blissful moments, they explored each other’s
mouths. While they kissed, she started rocking against him, the motion sending
waves of pleasure through them both.

He took her hands and their fingers entwined. She leaned
into him, gyrating faster. Areus’s heart pounded. The water felt even hotter
than before and if this went on for much longer, he thought his cock would
burst.

“Delia, not so fast,” he breathed.

“But it feels so good,” she panted.

“I know, but you—”

With a cry of pleasure, she clamped her knees against him. Her
head thrown back, she climaxed. Her wet pussy throbbing around him hurled him
over the edge. Kissing her neck, he grasped her hips and lunged upward several
times before coming hard and filling her with his seed.

She relaxed onto him, her arms limp and her head resting
against his shoulder.

His eyes closed, Areus rested, allowing his breathing and
heartbeat to slow to normal.

Even after they recovered, they remained in the tub, their
bodies entwined. They caressed each other slowly, their intentions at the
moment affectionate rather than arousing.

The water started to cool and he said, “Let’s go to bed.”

She lifted her head from his shoulder, kissed him and
smiled. “Good idea.”

Delia rose and he missed the feel of her small, soft body
against his. At least he wouldn’t have to wait long to hold her again.

She reached for a towel and handed it to him, then took another
and started drying off.

Areus dried quickly and wrapped the towel around his waist.

She stepped closer, her deft fingers unwinding the wet
bandage. Then she discarded it.

“I’ll get another—” She turned, but he gently grasped her
arm.

“Let the air at it for a bit,” he said, then released her.
He strolled to the bed, picked up her robe and held it open for her.

Smiling slightly, she slipped into it. “Thank you.”

“My pleasure.” He tugged her wet hair out of the back of the
robe. “Come sit with me and we’ll dry this beautiful mane.”

He picked up her discarded towel and also a comb resting on
the nightstand.

“Yes. It wouldn’t do to be soaked in bed.”

He narrowed his eyes and said with a playful grin, “On the
contrary I want you soaked in bed, just not your hair.”

A slight blush rose in her face. Only Delia could manage to
look sincerely modest after seducing a man as perfectly as she’d just done to
him.

They wandered to the hearth where he sat on a nearby chair
and spread his legs, dragging a stool in front of him. She perched on it, the
robe wrapped snugly around her. He placed the comb on the flat wooden chair arm
and draped the towel over her head. He gently massaged her hair, taking his
time.

“That feels nice,” she said.

“Good.” He rubbed her long, thick hair until it was nearly
dry. Then he placed the towel aside and began coming her tresses. He didn’t
rush and was careful when he brushed out knots. Her hair was so soft and
beautiful. He loved touching it. When he finished combing it, he continued
caressing it, watching the light-brown locks slide through his fingers.

After a moment, she rose only to retrieve fresh bandages. He
stood while she lightly bound his injury. It had already improved much. Areus
had always been a quick healer.

When she finished, she gazed at him with those huge hazel
eyes and asked softly, “Shall we go to bed? I still haven’t covered you with
kisses.”

He smiled. His own face felt a bit hot. Was
he
blushing?
Impossible, wasn’t it, that the King of Lortia, a man who had more than his
share of war and women, could still blush?

His lack of verbal response seemed to take her aback and she
added, “If you want me to.”

“Spirit, yes,” he said in a rough whisper and swept her into
his arms.

She clung to his neck and he kissed her as he carried her to
the bed and placed her on it. He climbed onto the bed and loomed above her on
all fours, lowering himself only to kiss her mouth before he stretched out on
his back.

Delia sat up and pulled off her pearls. She placed them next
to the glass container on the nightstand and shrugged off her robe. She picked
up the container and opened it. The pleasant aroma of flowers and herbs drifted
on the air. She dipped her fingers into the container and rubbed the scented
oil over her hands, then she straddled Areus and massaged his shoulders and
chest with her soft, oiled hands. Leaning over him, she kissed his forehead and
temples. Her soft lips touched every part of his face and trailed faint kisses
along his neck. A shiver tore through him when she tickled his throat with her
tongue while at the same time wiggling her lush bottom against his stiffening
cock.

She kissed his shoulders and chest. Her lips roamed down his
arm, pausing to lick the crook of his elbow, then she continued kissing his
forearm, wrist and hand. She did the same to his other side, then she grasped
his hands and guided them to the headboard. He curled his fingers around the curved
metal and watched her through half-closed eyes. Though soothing, her motions
aroused him greatly. Already his cock, not long ago spent, swelled again.

Delia brushed her cheek against the tufts of hair under his
arms, then covered his chest and stomach with kisses, even trailing her lips
over his bandage. When she teased his navel with her tongue, he couldn’t help
arching his back a bit. He wanted to push her onto her back, fill her with his
cock and drive them both over the edge again, but he would be patient.

Kneeling between his spread legs, she raked her short nails
gently over his inner thighs, drawing a groan from his lips. Then she nuzzled
the root of his shaft, pushed down his foreskin and kissed his length from base
to tip. His cock ached so much that he wondered if he would last through her
exploration, or if she intended him to. Her warm, wet mouth enveloped his cock
head and her tongue swirled over it.

He swore softly, his heart pounding and his hands gripping
the headboard so hard that he was sure the metal would leave imprints. He hoped
the craftsmen had made it well, because as he held even tighter, the metal
creaked in his grasp.

Delia moaned. Her eyes closed, she sucked him. By the look
on her face, she was enjoying it. The women he’d been with before hadn’t
hesitated to please the king in any way he wanted, but few had looked this
genuinely aroused by sucking his cock.