Hidden Knights (Knights of the Realm #3) - Jennifer Anne Davis Page 0,53
were exposed. Chewing on her bottom lip, she tried to summon the courage necessary to go out there with bare legs. She could do this. They were married—there was nothing improper going on. Besides, showing Dexter how much she loved him was easier than telling him.
Taking a deep breath, Reid entered the bedchamber. Dexter knelt in front of the low-burning fire, stoking the flames to life. His hair was wet, and he had on a clean shirt and pants. He must have bathed in one of the adjacent rooms.
Going over to the bed, Reid pulled back the blankets. Since Dexter hadn’t looked her way, her anxiety eased. “Can I ask you something?”
“Anything.”
“Do you want to be king?” She sat on the bed, crossing her legs.
He stood, shoving his hands in his pockets as he turned to face her. “That’s a good question, and one I can’t answer.” His eyes darkened as he took her in where she sat on the bed in a thin undershirt.
Her wet hair clung to her back. “You did just announce to the ruling families your intention to take the throne.” If he didn’t want to be king, why go through all this trouble?
“Yes, I did. But that wasn’t your question.” He sat on the edge of the bed, two feet away from her. “All my life, I’ve been groomed to lead. Whether that’s as a commander for the army or as a ruler of the Axian people, I have had it drilled into me that I am a servant to my people.”
“So you’re willing to lead, whether you want to or not?”
He leaned back on his elbows, dangerously close to her legs. “Let me ask you something. Do you want to be queen?” His deep voice rumbled in the quiet room.
“No.” She hated being the center of attention.
“But you married me knowing the outcome?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Well, that was two-fold. “It’s the best thing for the kingdom.”
He nodded, as if expecting that answer.
“And I wanted to,” she revealed.
Dexter went very still, almost as if holding his breath, waiting for her explanation.
“We need to join Axian and Ellington together in order to save Marsden. I understand that. But somewhere along the way, it went from me needing to marry you to me wanting to. Marrying you opens so many opportunities for me. I can change Marsden into the kingdom I want it to be—a place where everyone is equal, women can work and own land, where businesses can thrive, and people don’t go hungry.” She played with the edge of the blanket as she spoke. “And the thought of living my life with you at my side is very appealing. You make me feel things I’ve never felt before. You accept me for who I am, you challenge me, and you treat me as an equal. I want to be your partner in life. And…I want you.” She couldn’t believe she’d just said all that. Biting her lower lip, she waited for his reaction.
“I really want to kiss you right now.”
A jolt of pleasure surged through her at hearing him say that. “The feeling is mutual.”
He crawled on the bed until he was in front of her. She brought her hands up, sliding them around his neck and into his hair. When she tilted her head, his lips brushed hers. Dexter gently pushed her back onto the bed as he kissed her, carefully lowering his body over hers.
Reid didn’t know what he intended to do. However, instead of worrying about what was coming next, she decided to just relax and trust him. What he was doing felt good, so she let him kiss her, his large hands roaming up and down the sides of her body.
And she kissed him back, savoring the taste and smell of Dexter.
They kissed for hours.
Reid woke up in Dexter’s arms, well rested and content. Not wanting to wake him, she remained there, watching him. He seemed so peaceful while sleeping. Last night, all he did was kiss her—her lips, neck, ears. Not once did he push her to go further.
“Why are you staring at me?” he mumbled.
“I thought you were sleeping.”
“I was until I felt you watching me.” He opened his eyes, the corners of his lips rising. “Morning, beautiful.”
She laughed. She’d always been so concerned with looking like a man and not attracting attention that she’d never allowed herself to feel beautiful before. For her husband to see her that way made her heart swell with joy.