TheRedKing by Kate Hill Page A

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,