The Siren and the Deep Blue Sea - Kerrelyn Sparks Page 0,82
be sleeping through the night with his arms around her. But with the curse, that could never be.
He strode to the door leading to her bedchamber, unlocked it, and left it wide open. After dropping the last few bites of his sandwich on the table, he returned to the bed.
“Maeve.” He pulled back the covers and winced at the way the thin nightgown accentuated her curves. It was bunched up around her hips, leaving her long legs bare, and for a second, he imagined them wrapped around him in the throes of passion.
He pushed that thought aside, but his body still reacted, his groin tightening.
“Maeve, you need to sleep in your own bed.”
She rolled onto her back. “Mmm.”
He groaned. She was so beautiful, her dark lashes framing her closed eyes, her pink mouth slightly open, her long black hair strewn against the white pillowcase.
Mine. The thought hit him hard. He’d realized earlier that he loved her. But now, he realized he couldn’t live without her. He couldn’t possibly send her back to Ebton to marry one of her suitors there. He had to be the one. Even she had said earlier that he had to be the one.
No doubt she was desperate to avoid marrying the Chameleon. Was that why she’d suddenly insisted on losing her virginity? She’d called it unbridled lust, but what if it was simply a strategy to avoid her upcoming wedding?
Damn. That possibility deflated his ego. And the bulge beneath his towel.
Gritting his teeth, he slipped his arms beneath her and lifted her up.
“Brody?” she mumbled, her eyes still closed.
“No need to wake up,” he muttered as he carried her into her bedchamber. It was dark in there, so he was forced to slow down. And forced to think about how good she felt in his arms. When his eyes adjusted, he spotted her four-poster bed and headed straight for it.
Her eyes blinked open. “You’re back.”
“Aye.”
She touched his bare chest. “Are you going to make love to me now?”
He jerked to a stop. Yes. “No. We’re out of time. The sun will be rising soon.”
“How much time does it take?”
He hurried over to the bed and dropped her on top. “I’ve flown all the way to the Isle of Moon and back. I’m too exhausted.”
She sat up. “That’s all right. As long as you’re willing, I can do all the work.”
Work? Was that how she saw it? Dammit, she really was doing this just to avoid an unwanted marriage. “It’s not happening. We need to have a long talk first. And I’m almost out of time to be myself.”
“Then we’ll do it really fast.”
He scoffed. “You’re not doing this out of love for me, are you? You’re just trying to avoid the wedding.”
She gasped. “You know about that?”
“Hell, yes. You should have told me! I had to find out from Nevis and Elinor.”
“What? How would they know?”
“They’re here on the island. Hiding in the village. They came looking for you.”
She tilted her head, thinking. “I can understand Nevis coming here, but why on Aerthlan would Princess Elinor come? It’s too dangerous for her here.”
“That’s what I said, but she’s refusing to leave.” Brody hesitated, wondering if he should go ahead and admit to being Elinor’s brother and a prince. “Maeve, I—”
“So you know I’m being forced to marry the Chameleon.” Her shoulders slumped. “I can’t do it. I really can’t—”
“Don’t worry. I won’t let it happen.”
She sat back up. “Then you agree to take my virginity?”
“No!”
With an angry huff, she jumped out of bed. “Why are you being so stubborn? Is it such a chore for you?”
“It’s not a chore. But this is the wrong time—”
“I don’t have time! The wedding is in a week!”
He gritted his teeth. “The wedding won’t happen. I will kill the Chameleon.”
She scoffed. “You’d rather kill someone than bed me? Am I that undesirable?”
“I do want you, Maeve. I’ve wanted you for years. But I don’t want that bastard being the reason I bed you.”
“So you’d rather risk your life? I don’t want that! My idea is much better, so let’s get started.” She reached for his towel.
He jumped back, but his towel slipped loose. “Dammit.” He grabbed the towel, making sure his crotch was covered. “Maeve . . .” He paused when he saw her gaze was focused on his hands. Damn, but he could feel himself starting to swell. He’d better change the subject fast. “The mainland kings will be coming here soon. As soon as they arrive, we