Page 20 (1/2)

"Strength Fierce ability A streak of viciousness when needed Someone possessed, like me Someone beautiful"

Yeah, but she had no idea the price she’d have to pay to be with him, if ever he were interested in her

He stalked toward her Her sreider No question, she expected him to toss her on the bed and ravish her Instead, he picked her up and unceremoniously hauled her to the door, surprised to find contact with her was not accompanied by pain

Surprised and irritated Why couldn’t contact with Tinker Bell be this easy?

"Wait," she cried "You just passed the bed"

He said nothing

"I don’tto have you all to myself for a while"

He twisted the knob and pushed at the seauards were still there, probably coht They snapped to attention

"Is there anything we can get you, Lord Kane?"

"Anything at all?"

Tinker Bell stood in front of thehted--him Her eyes locked on hiaze fell to Synda, her lips pressing together The relief faded, leaving the same resentment and hurt he’d experienced hiot that But he couldn’t explain hi his promise to wed Synda to help her If the princess learned of his plan, it would fail She would tell her father, and the king would do as he’d threatened during their ga?" he demanded

Up went Tinker Bell’s chin "Nope I’m fine"

She wasn’t fine He set Synda on her feet and pushed her forward "I’ you there Alone"

She twisted to face hi me?"

"For now," he said

"Oh!" She beat at his chest "Fetch me a robe, then This instant!"

And take his eyes off Tinker Bell? No She would run

Kane whipped off his shirt and tugged the o"

The red disappeared as Synda gaped at hi "So Many Muscles" She reached, intending to brush her fingertips over the ropes in his sto any further contact

Tinker Bell peered down at the floor, refusing to look at him

"Your roonoring Tinker Bell, andTinker Bell with hiht until I knohy you caed e it back"

She herous words He could already think of several ways to do it

Synda led them to the top floor of the palace, to a suite of rooms with more riches than a sultan’s treasury Antique furniture, diaold, Persian rugs, a tabletwelve

The princess stripped out of the shirt as she strolled to her bathroo to look over her shoulder at Kane "There’s still time to join me"

"No, thanks"

The flickers of red returned to her eyes "I’ll make sure you enjoy yourself"

Doubtful "Why don’t you save it for the wedding night instead?" Kane stared down at Tinker Bell, who still wouldn’t ed to radiate animosity "Where’s your roo you to my room"

"I’ll find it with or without your help It’ll just be better for you if that happens sooner rather than later"

Her eyes narrowed as she huffed out a breath "Fine This way," and tugged him out of the suite

Synda called out He didn’t hear what she said, and didn’t care

Tinker Bell ushered hihts of stairs, into a darker, dank area of the palace The servants’ quarters, he would bet, and the knowledge angered hi be treated so shabbily?

She stopped in front of an open door, and he peeked inside Through the darkness, he could see cot after cot, sleeping body after sleeping body, but that was all There were no luxuries of any kind

"You’re not staying in there," he gritted out

"Uh, yes, I am"