Taming the Thorny Rose novel · Chapter 8 of 24

Chapter 8: Wanting

I went at midnight, in the black wedding gown, because it was the only one I owned.

I told myself I was going to look for a weak point.

I knew that was a lie before I reached the door.

His room was on the top floor of the east tower, and it was warm.

A fire burned in a stone hearth.

Books lay open on a table, and the bed was a wide plain one with a dark blue cover.

He stood by the window with his shirt unbuttoned at the throat.

He turned when I came in.

For a moment we only looked at each other.

"I'm twenty-four," I said, because it was the first thing in my head.

"I'm four hundred and twelve," said Aldric, "and I look thirty-one, and I've stopped being able to tell the difference."

"I'm not here for the treaty."

"I hoped you weren't."

"I'm here because I want you."

The words came out rough.

I watched them hit him.

His whole face changed.

"Say it again," he said.

"I want you.

"I've wanted you since the cathedral, and I hate it."

He crossed the room in three strides.

"I want you too," he said.

"I wanted you before the cathedral.

"I wanted you the second you threw that thorn."

He took my face in both hands and kissed me.

It wasn't the careful kiss from the wedding.

It was open and deep and hungry, and I made a sound against his mouth I didn't know I could make.

I grabbed his shirt and pulled him closer.

His hands slid down my back to the laces of the gown.

"This dress," he muttered.

"I had it made to be taken off slowly."

"Then do it slowly," I said.

He did.

He opened each lace one at a time, while I opened his shirt, and his skin was cool and smooth under my palms.

The gown fell to the floor.

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