He swept her up into his arms and carried her out of the cell.
Chapter 7
Sunlight broke over the mountains and spilled into Akeen’s quarters.
He carried Cora to his bed and gently laid her down. “I’m going to ring the servants for breakfast. Please make yourself at home. I’ll be right back.” He gave her a quick kiss and left her alone.
The sound of birds chirping entered with the warm breeze. She visited the bathroom quickly, making sure to wash her face and straighten her hair. Dark circles were starting to form around her eyes. Damn. She really needed to catch a few hours of sleep. Yawning, she ventured back to the bed and curled up under the soft sheets.
She drifted off in no time, dreaming of fancy balls and dancing across the room with Akeen.
When she awoke an indiscernible amount of time later, she felt the solid warmth of a body spooning hers. Inhaling a deep breath, she knew it was Akeen. She’d recognize his familiar spicy masculine scent anywhere. She turned, hoping to catch a glimpse of him sleeping, only to find him wide awake and peering at her with an intensity that spoke volumes.
Beneath the hunger flaring in the dark depths of his eyes, was an ocean of apologetic turmoil. He obviously still felt bad for arresting her and taking her to the dungeon. How could she be angry with him? He’d been doing his job. If anyone were to blame, it was Greg. The jackass had probably made some sort of deal to secure the building licenses he’d been having difficulty obtaining in Ermastistan and gotten in way over his head with the CKP in the process.
She smiled to show Akeen she harbored no ill will, then reached for a strand of his thick wavy hair and gave it a quick but sharp tug.
“Payback,” she said, still grinning.
“I still have the handcuffs, if you want to pay me back completely,” he replied, giving her a kiss on the cheek. He wrapped his arms around her and pressed her to his chest, and she returned his embrace, enjoying the affectionate moment.
Her stomach rumbled then, disrupting the quiet.
“I ordered breakfast, but you were asleep when it arrived. Here, sit up. There’s plenty left.”
She sat against the pillows as he reached for a tray of fruit. Grabbing a slice of orange, he guided it to her mouth. She parted her lips, feeling a tad awkward, but allowed him to feed her. He continued on, giving her slices of peaches, strawberries, and blueberries, followed by little pastries that tasted like apple pie.
“Coffee?” he asked. “I think the carafe is still hot.”
“Yes, please. Cream and sugar.”
He poured her a cup of coffee, adding a splash of cream and a spoonful of sugar, stirred it, and passed it to her carefully. She inhaled the delicious aroma and took a sip.
“Mm. Thank you.” She straightened and decided to broach the subject that was troubling her most. “So, I’m really not allowed to leave Ismallia?”
“That’s correct. Not until the Royal Guard gives you permission.”
“My flight home departs in four days. Do you think I’ll be able to leave then? I have to get back to work. I have meetings with several important clients next week, and my boss is a total hardass. I’ll probably get written up if I don’t return when scheduled.”
Akeen’s gaze darkened. “I don’t think I like this boss of yours. Maybe you should work somewhere else. Like in a public relations firm in Ismallia. It’s not difficult for American citizens to obtain work permits here. I could put a rush on it and have one ready for you in days.”
“Wow, you sure do come on strong. We haven’t even slept together yet, and you are trying to make plans for me to live in your country. Never mind the fact that we’ve known each other for less than twenty-four hours.”
“I want you, Cora. I want to confine you to my quarters and never let anyone else see you. I want to keep you all to myself, and I’m going mad at the thought of you returning to America soon.” He leaned toward her and took the coffee from her hands, setting it down on the table beside her, then cupped her face. “Even if the Royal Guard clears you to leave the county, I have to sign off on it. Maybe I won’t. Maybe I’ll confiscate your passport and keep you here forever as my personal fuck slave.”
He was only half-serious, she knew, but the possessive glint in his eyes and his deep sexy voice melted away the sharp retort that sprang to her mind. She gulped hard and ran her hand up his jawline, trailing her fingertips over his dark stubble. Then she realized she had coffee breath and could probably use a shower, and she suddenly backed away and escaped his hold, jumping out of bed.
“Something wrong?”
“I need a shower. And a toothbrush.” She glanced down at the robe. The gown she’d worn last night was nowhere to be seen. Perhaps a servant had taken it to clean. “Um, I’ll need something to wear too.”
His lips twitched with a wry grin. “My plans for you don’t include clothing.”
She put her hands on her hips and gave him the sternest look she could muster. “When I’m finished in the shower, I expect to find my suitcase waiting for me.”
“Ah, moving in already?”
“In your dreams, lover boy.”
