Storming into my room, I tear the beautiful dress from my body and let it crumple to the floor.
Then I crumple to the floor, too.
How could such a special moment turn so ugly? I don’t even know what went wrong. Everything had been so special, so perfect, so romantic.
It had been raw.
For just a moment, I felt desired. Zeke is constantly parading the thin, scrawny girls he likes through his chambers and compared to them, I really am a giant. Dane didn’t seem to care about that, though. He really seemed to care about me, about how I felt, about what would make me feel sexy.
Having the guest of honor finger me in a corner?
That was pretty unexpected and pretty fucking fun.
I might not have lost my virginity tonight, but I sure had a hell of a time right up until Zeke walked up.
Fucking Zeke. I shouldn’t let him get to me, but as I sit in the middle of my bedroom floor on my hands and knees, I let myself break down and cry.
How can someone so beautiful be so mean? So cruel? I kept telling myself it was a misunderstanding: that he’s not that bad of a guy. Now I think I was wrong. He is a bad guy. He’s mean and he’s uncaring and he’s a slut.
How could I ever have thought that being his would be special?
Did I really think I wanted to be his wife?
Spending so much time on the ship really messed with my head. All this time, I thought we would come to some sort of understanding. I thought the King of Taneyemm would see me and be so impressed that I could speak his language and understand his culture, that he’d want to keep me.
But he didn’t.
He didn’t want me.
Finally, I stop crying long enough to climb into my bed and pull my blanket over myself. I sing an Earth lullabye my mother used to sing, then I drift to sleep. Maybe things will look better tomorrow.
***
When I wake up, things don’t look better. My dress is gone and there’s a breakfast tray on a rolling cart.
Who was in my room?
Was I sleeping so hard that I didn’t notice them enter? Ignoring the food, I go into the bathroom and throw up. Yeah. Definitely shouldn’t have had so much alcohol.
After a hot shower, I pull on a plain dress. I don’t wear panties, of course. Can’t have the help actually feeling like real people, now can we?
Then I go out to see what Zeke needs from me this morning. He’s not in the bedroom or the kitchen. When I glance at the clock, I realize it’s not as late as I thought. It’s still early, in fact, so where is he?
Is he in his office? Maybe he had to start dealing with official business. I’m not sure what time it is or if he’s already started his work for the day. I start walking down the hallway and notice the door to the game room is ajar. Intrigued, I peek inside.
Sure enough, he’s sitting in a chair by the window and he’s reading a book. For just a moment, I stand there and look at him.
Zeke really is handsome.
If he wouldn’t open his mouth so damn much, maybe it would be possible to love someone like him. He’s got a chiseled jaw line and his abs look like they were carved from stone. Back on Earth, before the wars, he could have been a model or an actor. Kings aren’t supposed to look this delicious.
Kings aren’t supposed to make their servants feel so lost.
“Good morning, Riley,” he says, not looking up. “I trust you slept well.”
“Yes,” I tell him. “May I get you breakfast, my lord?”
“I’m fine, Riley.” I nod, but continue standing in the doorway until he looks up. For just a second, he looks amused. The twinkle in his eye reminds me of Dane last night, but I push the memory away. That will never happen again. Zeke basically chased Dane away, canceling any chances I have with the dragon man.
“Do you need something, Riley?”
“No, sir,” I say, and turn to leave, but he motions me over instead.
“Come, sit by my feet.”
By his feet?
Zeke rarely comes in this room and he’s never asked me to sit with him, near him, or on him. Why now? Still feeling a bit groggy and tired, I decide to just do what he wants. Maybe if I’m extra good today, he won’t punish me for what happened last night.
I make my way through the room, past several bookshelves and a large sofa, and settle at Zeke’s feet. I sit there in silence for a moment. Then I lean my head against his leg and breathe a sigh of relief.
Somehow, sitting here with him while he reads is really relaxing. I close my eyes and just allow myself to calm down. Yesterday was horrible, but today could be very different. Every day is fresh, right?
Zeke starts petting my hair. For a moment, I tense. My muscles tighten, but then I remind myself to relax. It’s just touching. It’s not sexual. It doesn’t mean anything. Maybe he doesn’t even realize he’s doing it.
The King ignores me completely as he strokes my hair, running his finger through my long locks. Suddenly, I’m glad I wore it down today. The feeling is unbeatable. I feel soft and delicate as he touches me. I snuggle in a little closer to him, and I think he chuckles as he continues to play with me.
For someone who acts completely disinterested in me, Zeke sure seems to like touching me. I can’t complain because I like it, too. Women are great, but the touch of a man just lights me up. I find comfort in Zeke. I find contentment. I felt amazing last night with Dane, but Zeke makes me feel even better.
After awhile, he sets the book down and pulls me into his lap. Zeke just stares at me. What the hell is going on? I try to wiggle away, but he holds me tighter.
“Let me go,” I whisper. “I’m too…”
Fat.
Big.
Heavy.
“It’s fine, Riley,” he holds me in place, but doesn’t speak for awhile. When he does, his voice isn’t angry or upset. He just sounds curious. “You wanted to sleep with Dane.”
Does he expect me to say something to that? If yes, what? What does he want from me? What does he want me to say?
Am I supposed to admit I had feelings for another man?
More importantly, why would he care? It’s not like Zeke wants me.
I’ve underestimated the king, though, because he just waits. Is this how he’s become such a great dragon warrior? He waits his victims out? I’ve heard rumors of his ability to wait for the opportune moment. No, the king isn’t rash and harsh like me. He doesn’t run his mouth at the wrong moments.
I blush when I remember my first night at the castle. He pissed me off and I threw the tumbler at the door. When Zeke pressed me down on his desk and spanked me, he was completely self-controlled. He didn’t hit me too hard or too long.
He knew exactly what he was doing. He knew exactly how much to give in order to get the reaction he wanted: my tears.
“Yes,” I finally admit, and let out a breath when I do. Why was that so hard to say? Zeke doesn’t have any hold on me. We aren’t in a relationship, so why was it so embarrassing?
“Why? You don’t know him,” Zeke traces the skin on my arms with his finger. His eyes hold mine. “He won’t marry you.”
“I don’t want to get married,” I roll my eyes. “I want to get laid.”
Before I know what’s happening, Zeke has me straddling him on the chair. My legs are on either side of his, my dress is hiked up to my waist, and his hands are holding my hips firmly in place. My chest is tight against his, and I know he can feel my nipples.
“Is that what you want, little Riley?”
“I’m not little,” I protest, but he doesn’t laugh. Zeke just holds me, and then I feel it.
I feel him.
His dick is suddenly hard and pressing between my legs. I can feel his length. He still has his pants on and the silk is flush against my pussy. It’s soft and hard at the same time and it’s difficult to believe those pants are the only thing separating our bodies right now.
“Tell me what you want, Riley. Is this it? You want to be fucked, little human? You want Dane to shove his big dragon dick up inside of you? You want him to make you come?”
“He already made me come,” I murmur.
“Not the way I could,” Zeke says, and I know it’s true because he already made me come once. Being with Dane was exciting and different, but being with Zeke was even better. It was even more intense.
The King moves his hands so they’re gripping my thighs, but I don’t move a muscle. My tits are still pressed tightly against his chest and I wonder, not for the first time, exactly what we’re doing.
He doesn’t want me.
He doesn’t want a bride.
He wants fun.
That’s all that he wants. Then a thought flashes through my mind. Can’t I do that? Can’t I be fun? Isn’t that what I spent four years learning how to be?
Quickly, I close my eyes and lean forward. My lips press against Zeke’s, and I feel his body tense.
He wasn’t expecting that.
Neither was I.
He holds perfectly still as I trace my tongue along his lips, gently coaxing his mouth open, but he pulls back with a low growl.
“You don’t know what you’re doing, Riley.”
“I beg to differ,” I whisper. “I’ve been told I’m a very good kisser.”
“If you kiss me again, little human, I will not stop. Nothing you say will make me.”
My mouth brushes against his ear and I whisper to him.
“Prove it.”