Her seduction, and subsequent avowal of love, would be a much-needed challenge. Not just for his freedom and his vengeance, but for his mind. What man could think clearly when his cock begged for attention?
She came to a halt in front of him. “My eyes! The sheet! And stop staring at me like I’m a candy bar and you haven’t eaten in years.”
“I haven’t eaten in years.” Right now she wore a thin top and a pair of cropped drocs—jean shorts, he thought they were called. Her neck, collarbone and limbs were uncovered for his perusal. And peruse her he did. He counted eighteen freckles atop one shoulder, and twenty-three on the other.
Did she have freckles hidden elsewhere?
Must find out. Her features were not beautiful in the traditional sense. Nay, they were better. Arresting, sensual and bold. She had high cheekbones, a pert nose and sensual eyes framed by a fan of thick, sooty lashes. Those eyes possessed a slight upward slant, giving her a permanent take-me-to-bed expression. And her lips! By Elliea, the more he studied them the more he yearned to have them all over his body. Her lips were so lush, pink and full, she could launch an army into war with the promise of a single kiss.
He would kill for another kiss.
Expression a comical etching of incredulity, awe and embarrassment, she said, “I thought you understood that you absolutely must wear the sheet.” Even her voice appealed to him, sweet and husky. “You can’t just go around naked. You’ll be arrested for indecent exposure.”
“You mean magnificent exposure.” The woman seemed to think it was her right, nay, her duty, to snap retorts and issue orders. While he applauded her spirit, he was a warrior first and foremost, and warriors did not take orders from anyone but the great lord. This particular warrior did not take orders from anyone. “I’m waiting to hear the word please.”
“Just wear the sheet before I drop you on the ground a third time!”
He scowled at her. Best she learn with whom she dealt! “You will ask me nicely, woman, and mayhap I will be gracious enough to comply, perhaps not. But you will not know if you do not ask, for I will do nothing until you do.” ’Twas not the way to seduce a woman, he knew, but it was becoming more and more clear that this woman was in dire need of guidance—his guidance—before the actual loving could begin.
He would tame her, and later the males of her world would thank him.
She bared her teeth. “I will not ask nicely. You will bend down, pick up the sheet and wrap it around yourself because it’s the polite thing to do, or you will leave my property.”
“You think you have the skill to kick me out?”
“I do. If I’m wrong, I have the skill to call my brothers and watch them toss you out.”
The females of Imperia were docile and never spoke out of turn. How was he supposed to react to a tyrant like Katie? “I hope you enjoy the view, katya, for you will be seeing it all night.”
He gripped his erection at the base. Aye, he remained hard in her presence. He stroked up…down…
Her breath caught. “Please,” she ground out.
Do not laugh. Who would have thought an inability to manage him would make this warriorlike female pout? Here, now, she amused him greatly. “With such a sweet concession, how can I refuse?”
He retrieved the linen and secured it low on his hips—low enough to see the tip of his penis. Pre-come beaded there.
Mutinous, she tossed him a container she’d retrieved from the truck. “Just drink your strawberry soda and shut up all right?”
He caught the can with crisp, swift reflexes, his gaze remaining locked on hers. Perhaps, if they were to interact successfully, he should explain her behavioral deficiencies? “You are a woman. The weaker sex. I am a man, the stronger sex. In conclusion, I issue orders and you obey.”
She laughed. Laughed! “Yeah, okay. I hope you’re cool with the idea of living and dying alone, because that’s the future in store for you, caveman.”
Caveman? “Are you a psychic, then?”
She threw her arms up and exclaimed, “Why do I bother?”
He stroked his chin, enjoying the prickle of stubble. “Mayhap I handled this the wrong way. Maybe I should silence you…with my tongue.”
Her amusement tanked in a flash. “I don’t know who you think you are—”
“I do not think I am anyone. I know I am Jorlan en Sarr, one of only three regius.”
Her jaw clenched, the muscles jumping, and her breathing turned shallow. “I don’t know what a regius is, but I have a couple guesses. One, an asshole.” She dug four small round coins from her pocket and tossed one into a glass jar set in the far corner. A clink rang out. “Two. A bastard.” Toss. Clink. “Three. A piece of shit.” Clink. “Four. A fuckwad.” Clink. “Had you been halfway nice, I might have welcomed that tongue-lashing you mentioned. Now? Try to kiss me, and I’ll bite off your tongue.”
Such animosity, all because he’d fulfilled his role as head of household and explained the ins and outs of their association? But…he was a prince and the most coveted male in all of Imperia. Not to brag, but females fawned over him, fought for his attention, and dreamed of winning his heart. Why didn’t Katie?
And why did he want her more now than before?
Rather than chastising or threatening her—again—he pressed his tongue to the roof of his mouth, remaining quiet. But this was the last time he allowed her to speak so insolently without punishment.
Anticipation fizzed in his veins. He would punish her with an entire night of orgasm denial. She would scream his name, curse his existence and plead for mercy he would not show. Only when the sun rose would he allow her to come, and she would thank him.
A slow, wicked grin spread, the anticipation intensifying, consuming him.
“What is this look?” she demanded, wagging a finger in front of his face.
Your downfall, little witch. “Give me another order and you will find out.”
Seconds passed as she floundered for a response.
As he waited, he scrutinized his “soda” from every angle. Made of a shiny metal alloy unfamiliar to him. How was he supposed to remove the liquid? Poke a hole somewhere? There was a tiny hook flattened against the lid. To help rip it off?
In the end, he decided to test his magical ability. He’d had success outside. Would he have success again? Waving his hand above the container, he uttered a spell. “Open now, this you will. Open now, and be unsealed.”
Boom! The can exploded, red liquid raining over them both.
With a scream, Katie leaped backward and clasped a hand over her heart. “Why did you do that?” she asked, wiping her eyes.
Droplets clung to Jorlan’s lashes and dripped from the tip of his nose. “I was thirsty.”
All of his life, he’d possessed a great well of magic. No matter how much he’d practiced or studied, he’d lacked control. A fact that sorely bruised his pride.
“Next time ask me to help you, okay?” Katie popped the top of her container, using the little hook, then handed the beverage to him. “Here. Drink mine. I’m not really thirsty, anyway. And let’s make this a magic-free zone. My poor heart can’t take another scare.”
He accepted what she offered and took a tentative sip. His eyes widened. Sweet. Fizzy. Delicious. “’Tis worthy of a king’s table,” he said, awed. “What other culinary wonders does this cursed world offer?”