Wild Things (BBW Paranormal Shifter Romance): Shifter Lovers Romance by Catherine Vale Read Free Book Online Page B

knew.”
    Finally,
he reached for her, wrapping his arms around her. “And then I saw you. On your
balcony.” His voice lightened, maybe with a smile. “I’d seen you all these
years in the palace, but that night, you were grown, a woman. And I fell in
love with you, while I was standing there in the courtyard, spending many
nights in the shadows, protecting the grounds. You were the most beautiful
woman I had ever seen.”
    “And
you climbed the railing that night...”
    He
did laugh then. “Yes, I did. It was foolish, reckless...but the only thing I
could do.”
    “And
I’m glad you did.” She lifted her face to his and he kissed her. “I would have
been very unhappy if you hadn’t.”
    He
touched her cheek, ran his fingers across her lips. “But you are promised to
another. And I have laid claim to something that does not belong to me.”
    “I
don’t care...”
    He
put his finger to her lips. “But others do. And you must be careful that the
Ottway does not learn about this. There are things...” He dropped his eyes.
“You should ask a woman, someone you trust. There are ways to make him believe
you are still untouched.”
    “I
don’t care what he thinks. I don’t love him; I’m not going to let him climb
into bed with me.”
    “You’ll
have no choice, Senna. He can, and probably will, have you examined by the
court physician.”
    She
sat up, staring down at him. “You’re joking, surely. They can’t...they wouldn’t
dare.”
    “You’re
a princess, Senna. Not some girl off the street, or a servant that no one cares
if you come or go. There are expectations, you have responsibilities...”
    “But
I don’t want them.”
    “But
you cannot change them.”
    She
turned away from him. “You sound like my father, like the Ottway...even Anacelia.”
Anger flushed through her. It was hard hearing from him what she’d heard from
everyone around her, that she needed to do what she was told, that she had a
duty to her kingdom. That her life was not under her control.
    He
touched her back, tracing a line down her spine. She wanted to stay angry with
him, to pout and make him cajole her into a better mood. But she couldn’t. She
couldn’t act the spoiled princess with Gabriel. She turned, looking at him over
her shoulder.
    “I
guess we’re more alike than I care to admit. Neither of us have our own lives
under our own control” She managed a smile.
    It
was easier then to let him caress her shoulder, to put just enough pressure
against her arm to convince her to turn around, to lay back beside him. To let
him pull her against him again.
    “We
are. We both have our lives arranged for us, more or less against our will.”
    She
knew he was right, but she didn’t want to believe him. It was easier to just
rest here, with her head on his chest, listening to the beat of his heart, feel
his chest rise and fall with each breath.
    “Can’t
we just stay here?”
    “We
can, for a little while longer. I will be missed, and you…you are having
breakfast with your father.”
    “Nothing
is private here.” She blew out a sigh. “But you are right. I have to tell him I
won’t marry the Ottway. I won’t.”
    “You
must. There is nothing else you can do.”
    They
lay for a long time in silence. Somewhere outside birds began calling, singing
their pre-dawn songs. She had always loved the sounds of those birds, but today
she hated them. It meant dawn was near, much too near. Those damned birds
signaled that Gabriel would leave her. Those birds threatened to ruin what had
been perfect.
    Suddenly
she sat up, a smile tugging at her lips. She knew how all this could end. It
was so easy.
    “I
can’t marry the Ottway.”
    He
looked at her. It really was getting light out. She could see his face clearly,
the dark stubble that ran along his jaw. He was frowning.
    “You
have to…”
    “No,
you don’t understand. You said it yourself. I’m not perfect anymore. I’ve
been…defiled.” Impulsively she leaned