“Tell me you want me,” Fen repeated. His silent answer wasn’t good enough. She needed to hear him say it.

  “Shi,” he said, nodding.

  Fen gave him a slow smile. Lifting her hand to her shoulder, she toyed with the thin strap. “I said, tell me you want me.”

  “I want you.”

  The words were soft but unmistakable. Pleasure erupted within her at his admission. She felt how hard it was for him to say the words, but she was glad he did. As a woman, she needed to hear them.

  “And I you,” she answered, just as softly.

  Aaron moved forward, pulling her into his arms. He kissed her, running his tongue along her lips before moving to her throat. Teeth grazed her skin, biting lightly. Fen shivered, gasping at the rough, animalistic way he touched her. His hands ran over her sides, pulling up her gown as he caressed her through the silk. They were so strong, gripping her tight. He kneaded her flesh, pulling her tight against his arousal.

  “You are so soft, like the wings of a butterfly.” Even as he said it, he bit her neck in heavy kisses. “I’m scared I’ll crush you.”

  “And you’re solid as a rock,” she answered, touching his biceps. “Butterflies land on rocks all the time and come away unharmed.”

  He groaned a response, but she couldn’t understand the words. His arms swept beneath her, lifting her easily as he carried her toward his bed. Fen touched his face, holding it as she kissed him. His name left her lips on a moan. Being with him felt so right, so perfect, she couldn’t imagine being any place else. He laid her on the soft mattress. His hands swept down over her, brushing warmth along the silk.

  “I want you, Aaron,” she said. “I want your strong hands on me. I love your hands.”

  With his lids heavy over his eyes, he crawled down her body. Starting at her feet, he massaged his way up her calf to her knee, only to move to the other side. She jolted when he touched the other foot, giggling as the soft touch tickled her flesh. Instantly, his caress became harder, the rough texture and strong grip like magic to her skin. It was a strange blend of hard and soft, gentle and forceful. Fen moaned. He massaged up her thighs, pushing the silk up as he worked.

  She watched in the brighter light of the room. “Lights dim. Fire.”

  Aaron stopped, looking up in surprise as the palace mainframe listened to her.

  “They were installed a few years ago,” Fen said, liking the soft, seductive glow against his skin. She parted her legs, hoping he’d be enticed to move higher, slipping right into her aching body.

  Aaron did move up, but slid over her hips, skipping her middle. He rubbed her arms and hands before pulling her to sitting so he could pull her nightclothes off completely. Fen squirmed, panting as he circled her breasts, gently skimming the nipples.

  Aaron groaned in response. She knew he was aroused, could see his erection pressing against his pants. His eyes lit in hazy pleasure, heating intensely as he watched his hands on her breasts. As he worked his way down, he straddled her thighs.

  “Take off your shirt,” she ordered, longing to see him, to touch him. Fen reached for his chest, inching the material up as she explored his body through the brown tunic. He tossed the shirt aside, instantly moving back to her flesh. “I love looking at your chest.”

  Fen wished he’d speak, but each time it seemed he was going to, he held back. The massage was wonderful, kindling the ache within her, but she wanted more. She wanted the wildly passionate, rough man who’d taken her like a commoner.

  “Don’t treat me like a princess,” Fen said. “I don’t have to be a princess right now.”

  He glanced at her and an emotion filtered through his gaze.

  “What?” she asked, needing to know what he was feeling. She’d felt the strangeness in him before, the first time they’d come together.

  “You act as if we are a different species. First you say to me, ‘Take me as you would one of your women,’ and now you ask that I do not treat you like a princess.” He rubbed her chest, but not with the intensity of before.

  “Not different species,” Fen said, “but different people.”

  “You mean to say class.” Aaron shook his head.

  “Well…” Fen hesitated, but he was right. That is what she meant. “Yes. We come from different backgrounds.”

  “And you think that my kind is so different from those who are rich?”

  “I really hope so,” Fen answered honestly. “I’m tired of men who don’t say what they mean, only take what they want without thinking of others. They lack fire and passion…the fire and passion I feel inside of you, the fire and passion I feel inside myself when I am near you. I’m tired of men treating me as if I’m some delicate flower. I don’t need poetry recited to me. I don’t want poetry.”

  “But what if poetry is inspired by your beauty?” His caresses became bolder. “What if, when I look at you, I see a delicate butterfly, so light and fragile and graceful, she should be floating above mere mortals like me? What if I’ve always seen that when I look at you?”

  “Always? You say that as if you’ve seen me your whole life.” Fen bit her lips, moaning softly as his hands grazed across her chest. With each pass, his touch became harder, rougher, just as she liked him to be.

  “In parades,” he admitted, “and when you came to the factory at Lady Hsin’s. But you never saw me. How could you? Me, in the crowd of so many eyes.”

  Fen gasped, suddenly remembering where she’d seen him before. “I did see you at Lady Hsin’s.”

  “You lie to appease my vanity.” There were no accusations in the words, but Fen felt the hint of truth in them—truth as he believed it to be.

  “No, it was nearly ten years ago. You were carrying silk in the factory while Lady Hsin took me to see her butterflies. The light was dim and we bumped into you. I didn’t see the blue of your eyes. That is why I didn’t recognize you right away. Your eyes threw my memory of it. But you are the one who designed the yellow silk I bought nearly ten years ago. I loved that silk. It was the only time I liked a fabric that was designed by someone other than Lady Hsin.”

  He gave a short laugh. His hands renewed their journey at her neck, sliding between her breasts to her stomach. He touched her hips, her sides, working his way toward her sex.

  “What?” Fen asked, parting her thighs. It was hard with him straddling her.

  “I…”

  “What?”

  “I design all the fabrics, but Lady Hsin does not like people to know she no longer has a hand in her business. She is too busy entertaining guests.” He moaned, leaning over to suck a nipple between his lips. The other breast received the same treatment from his hand, pinching and caressing. The sudden caress caused a shock to run over her, coursing a wayward path over her limbs, centering in the heated core of her sex.

  Finding a strength she didn’t know she had, she pushed his chest, knocking him to the side so she could climb on top of him. “You betray your employer. I shall have to punish you for that.”

  He grinned, not at all concerned by her sultry threat. She was glad. It meant he was starting to relax around her, trust her.

  Fen wiggled against his arousal, rubbing her sex against him through his pants. She explored his chest, discovering every peak and valley, pinching his nipples as he did the same to her.

  “I can’t wait,” Fen said, desperately reaching to free his cock. She pulled at his waistband, moving it down just enough to let his distended flesh spring up. With his pants still on, she grabbed him, stroking the smooth length of his shaft before lifting up to bring it to her moist opening.

  She lowered herself down, taking him deep and fast.

  Aaron gasped, his mouth opening wide as he arched beneath her. Raking her nails against his chest, she bucked her hips hard. He took her hips in hand, lifting and pulling as he pushed into her. The desperate pace was just want she needed.

  Aaron sat up part way, leaning her body back so that his shaft bent forward. The hard muscles of his stomach strained to hold the position. Fen put her hands back on his legs. The new position rubbed his cock along the sweet spot hidden in her depths, asserting pressure and making her instantly start to quiver.

  “Ah, shi,” he urged, slipping a finger to encircle her clit. “Come for me.”

  Fen jerked hard, orgasming at the intense pleasure. Aaron grunted, as if taking his orgasm into himself. When she started to come down, she realized that was exactly what he did.

  His cock still hard, he pulled her off of it.

  “You do not wish to be treated as a delicate princess,” he said, breathing heavily. “Then I shall not treat you as such.”

  The words were enough to cause a renewal of arousal to stir within her.

  “Crawl down my body and take me into your mouth,” he ordered. “Let me watch you suck me.”

  Fen pulled his pants from his legs, leaving his body as naked as hers. Putting her knees between his, she pushed his thighs open and leaned over, taking his shaft into her mouth. The taste of her body mingled with the slightly salty taste of his flesh. She moaned.

  “Ah, that’s right,” Aaron said in breathless approval. “Lick your cream all off me.”

  Fen sucked harder, taking him as deep as she could.

  Suddenly, he pulled her off and flung her on her back. His body was instantly on hers, pressing inside her once more. Hooking her knee with his arm, he lifted her leg. In that moment, nothing mattered. She felt like a woman with Aaron—a real woman.

  They climaxed in unison. As Aaron came, he pulled out, releasing his seed onto the bed. Fen was too tired to move. Her bones felt as if they’d melted and every nerve was numb and relaxed. Aaron grabbed a corner of the blanket and lifted it over their bodies before holding her close. For a long time, they didn’t speak, merely held each other as the crackle of fire serenaded them with its peaceful song.

  Fen cuddled in Aaron’s arms. She was tired, but she didn’t want to fall asleep and miss a second of her time with him. Skating a finger along his chest, she sighed, “I haven’t been this relaxed since I was allowed to plant the imperial gardens.”

  “You planted the gardens?” he asked, leaning back to better study her face.

  “Well, not me, but I designed it and oversaw the workers.” Fen chuckled. “Okay, so I did plant a few of the bushes when no one was looking. I even got a scar from it.”

  “Oh, yeah?” He lifted his arm to better look at her naked body. “Where?”

  Fen giggled, feeling giddy as she lifted her leg out from beneath the blanket. Pointing at her inner knee, she showed him a tiny line scar. It was barely noticeable.

  “Looks life threatening,” he teased.

  Fen was shocked. Did he just make a joke?

  Pushing up, Aaron leaned over and kissed it. A shiver worked over her and she touched his head.

  “I…” Fen stopped herself just as he was about to confess feelings she had yet to analyze.

  He nodded. “I know.”

  “You do?” She held her breath, looking deep into his blue eyes.

  “Shi, you have to go,” he said. “I know you cannot be caught with me.”

  That wasn’t what she’d been about to say, but she let him believe that. “Shi, I must leave.”

  Fen got out of bed and picked up her black robe off the floor. Without bothering to put her nightclothes back on, she slipped the robe over her body and knotted the belt. Holding her red gown, she turned to him. His eyes were heated and he hadn’t moved.

  “I want to see you again,” she said.

  “You will.”

  “When?” Fen took a step toward the door.

  “Whenever you wish, Princess.”

  The title was like a slap in the face. She wasn’t sure if that was how he meant it, but it effectively reminded her of the gap between them. During sex, they might be able to pretend, but when she walked out that door, duty called.

  Chapter Fourteen

  “A peasant. She gives her royal body to an undeserving peasant!”

  Anger burned within the man’s soul. Each time he closed his eyes he could still hear them together, the soft sounds of their passion through the unworthy servant’s door. It was bad enough they were housed in the same building as the man, but this? How could Princess Fen let that man touch her? Aaron wasn’t worthy of her.

  He gripped the base of one of the old statues that lined the halls of Péng You Hall. His heart beating hard in his chest, he felt as if he couldn’t breathe. A glimmer appeared near him and he looked at the transparent figure with relief and fear. The woman was older, though her spirit form made her look young. She reached out, glancing her ghostly fingers over his head as if to comfort him.

  “What do you ask of me?” the specter asked in the calm voice that always managed to set him at ease.

  “Blessed ancestor, please, make her worthy for me once more. Purge her of this sin, strike it out of her like a metal blade to her cheating heart. Please, I beg you, purge her of this sin. Make her worthy. Make her worthy.”

  “And the unworthy man who dared touch her?” the spirit asked in a voice much calmer than his.

  “I’ll take care of him.”

  The figure didn’t answer as it disappeared. Calming himself, he lifted his jaw and slowly made his way back to his own room.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Fen smiled at her brothers, happy to be spending time with them. They walked along the decorative pathways, aimless in direction, but together. Shen and Lian were at her sides, Haun a couple paces behind them. Fen really missed Mei and Jin, wishing that they were back home like before their marriages.

  Another suitor had gone unexpectedly. Mou Tian was very sweet before he left, wishing her luck with her future decision. It was clear he’d only been there out of family duty.

  “The other suitors have started to arrive,” Shen said, grinning in brotherly mischief. “I sense some of them about to approach the palace gate.”

  Fen groaned. “Why’d you have to tell me that?”

  “Because it’s funny,” Lian teased.

  “Ha. Ha. Ha.” Fen’s tone was dry. “Hilarious.”

  “Remember all those years you and Mei giggled about our required attendance at the Qi-zi ceremony,” Haun said. His tone was wistful, and Fen knew he missed Mei as much as she did. Haun and Mei had always had a special connection. Since Haun was the oldest and Mei the baby of the family, he’d always been protective of her and she’d always idolized him. “You thought it was so funny that we had to stand there looking at woman after woman for hours on end. Like a man could ever choose a bride out of that lineup.”

  “Jin did,” Fen said.

  “Ah, but he didn’t, not really,” Lian debated. “Francesca wasn’t there as a bride. She was there to steal from us.”

  “Ugh, I hate this courtship thing. Why couldn’t I just be left alone to decide my own fate? Or at least get possessed by an ancestor against my will like Jin.” Fen rubbed the back of her neck. It was a beautiful day and she was with her family. She should not be so stressed. “Maybe if I’m lucky they’ll all be like Mou Tian.”

  “And leave?” Shen questioned.

  “And prefer Haun to me,” Fen answered, giggling. She glanced back at him, winking audaciously. Haun’s expression fell and he looked toward the front gate of the palace before turning back to her.

  “Oh yeah,” Fen confirmed, turning back to watch where she was going. “Most definitely.”

  “Lord Ye’s son is an odd one,” Shen said thoughtfully.

  “Shing?” Fen asked.

  “No, the other, Yuan.” Shen motioned to his siblings that they should turn down the path. They followed without question. “He’s very…”

  “Clouded,” Lian supplied.

  “I’d call it odd,” Haun said.

  “I don’t think he wants to be here,” Fen said. “He never approaches me, and he seems little interested in being a suitor. I think he’s bored.”

  “Shing approaches you often enough,” Haun said. “You’ve spent more time with him than the others.”

  “Have I?” Fen asked, pretending like she didn’t notice. Shing was the most assertive, putting himself out there. Since she didn’t really care either way which one she was forced to spend time with, she just let him assert himself. He was charming and nice, a perfect gentleman.

  Fen had discovered that she really didn’t want a perfect gentleman. She wanted someone a little wilder, someone who knew the true meaning of desire and passion. Someone not afraid of hard work—especially in the bedroom.

  “Shi.” Haun nodded.

  “I think Deng Li would make a fine husband for you,” Lian said. “He speaks very highly of you.”

  “You’ve talked to him?” Fen wasn’t surprised that they were all keeping their eye on her.

  “We’ve spoken to them all,” Shen said.

  “What did you say?” Fen stopped walking.

  “That you are exceedingly self-centered,” Haun said, pushing her from behind to get her going again.

  “And wanquan yuchun,” Lian added. “Very, very stupid.”

  “Vain,” Shen said. “Ignorant.”

  “You flatter me,” Fen said sarcastically, kicking a stone upon the path. Watching it roll, she thought of Aaron, longing to see him. She looked around, but he wasn’t there.

  “Lighten up,” Shen teased, nudging her with his arm so she was thrown off balance as they walked.

  She stumbled into Lian. He knocked her back playfully and said, “We thought you didn’t want them to like you.”

  “Well, I don’t…” Fen frowned. Shen bumped her again, sending her back toward Lian. As Lian went to nudge her, she stepped back. He stumbled into Shen.

  “So, you do want them to like you?” Haun asked, again pushing her to walk as he nudged her from behind.

  “No,” Fen denied quickly. “But I don’t want to ruin my reputation or the reputation of the family.”

  “I sense,” Lian said quietly, pausing to take a deep breath. “I sense that Fen likes someone.”

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20