The Hunchback's Reluctant Bride ✔

18 | Lamplight

And when she ran out of things to throw, she stood huffing and puffing, hating the very sight of him.

Every emotion came tinged with hurt and anger. But now with nothing to fuel it—and nothing to fling at him, she had no distractions to keep the first tear back.

His lips parted but he said nothing.

"I tried so hard. That was the only good dress I had."

There was one clear spot on the floor and he rested the lamp there. Hands extended, he inched closer.

Maybe in his mind he meant to soothe her, but she saw it as a capture. She could more than see him grabbing hold of her and picking her up. Despite his back, he had that ability. He'd done it before. Maybe he wouldn't wait. He'd just grab hold, throw her into his little wagon, and start for Orm without so much as another word.

So as he approached, she stepped away. The bed was an impediment, but her body gave out and she sagged.

He caught her and she let out a cry. "I was a good person before I met you. I was pretty and coveted and nobody ever told me my body was ugly before! I don't need to stay with you anyway. You'd just wear me down until I was as terrified of life as you were in the end. So it's fine."

Two strong arms wrapped around her, and she buried her face in his neck.

"All right. All right," he cooed. "You're right. I'm a coward. I'm just a coward. But please stay still for but a moment."

He held on to her for ages, running his gruff hands up and down her shoulders and arms.

Even the thought of her dress troubled her.

"How could I have been so foolish as to pine for you? I'd even come to dinner with nothing on under this in anticipation."

His grip tightened and he said, "I would have been too stupid to know what to do even if we tried anyway."

The kiss he gave her on the forehead traveled down to her nose. Her breath caught when she tilted her head back and pressed her lips to his.

"Princess," he panted.

She waited for his excuse, for him to explain what it was she was overlooking yet again. He needed only remind her of their bargain.

Hands still pressed against him, she reached up and held his face. The kiss that time was equally soft, and his fingers rooted up her dress.

Her eyes shot open but shut again as she took yet another kiss. The pleasant taste of his lips only saddened her all the more. What had he used to get this effect? And had he prepared himself thinking she could have somehow manage this?

Calloused fingers grazed her thighs and traveled up her torso. He cupped her uneven breasts, pinching both nipples as he groaned into her mouth.

She was the one to bring the dress over her and toss it to the ground, but he kicked off his boots when she fell back on the bed.

The sheets were a mess, the room was a warzone, but the sight of his frightened yet eager blue eyes as he struggled with his trousers and boots at the same time stole all the air from around her.

Instead of going toward him, she found herself crawling away. It wasn't in fear, but rather to get onto the bed better. It was only big enough for one person and, though it rested against the wall, she didn't want to risk him falling off the other side.

His trousers fell, revealing that he wore nothing as well.

He looked pensive but paused before lifting his shirt past his stomach. His lean muscles twitched but he wasn't comfortable enough to stand before her bare.