Free Aftermath by Jaci Burton

through his hair. Saints! Is that not what he wanted? In fact he had told her to stay out of his way. That she was nothing more than his required contract bride and he had no other use for her.
    If only his damned cock would listen to him. But no. It hardened whenever he scented her, or saw her, or even when he was in the same room with her. Rather vexing considering an erection was not always appropriate, especially in a public place. Though his cock did not seem to mind springing up at the most inopportune moments.
    Like when he worked with his guard in the courtyard. Truly inappropriate to sport an erection when one battled swordplay with another man. ‘Twas not his fault that Trista chose that moment to walk by with Donny in tow, laughing and skipping along so that her breasts bounced nearly out of the top of her gown.
    And was he mistaken, or had she taken to wearing more revealing clothing of late?
    He had no idea what had caused her surly demeanor, but he was growing tired of her ignoring him or even worse, glaring at him as if he should know exactly why she was upset.
    Women required entirely too much thought to figure out. There was a reason he was glad he had not married before. He supposed he could learn to ignore her with enough time. But it was doubtful his desire for her would lessen.
    Two days without making love to her and his balls ached as if he had been kicked. He lay in bed at night with his shaft pointing to the stars and nothing he could do would assuage the incessant throbbing need for his faerie. In fact, there was no reason he should tiptoe around her. She was his bride-to-be and he would settle this matter with her right now!
    Stepping to the doorway connecting their rooms, he paused, thinking he might knock, then decided to turn the knob and walk in. She would learn who was in charge of this castle tonight!
    He threw open the door as if he was laying siege to her bedchambers. Instead of screaming, she looked up at him. Calmly. Did nothing rattle the woman? If he did not know better, he would swear she had been expecting him.

    She was sitting up in bed, her wings retracted. The windows were open and moonlight filtered across the room, casting its light on the bed. She wore no bedclothes and the moonlight shone directly on her nipples, which hardened under his gaze.
    “You did not knock and are not welcome in my room,” she said.
    He half expected her to shriek in protest, not cast him a disinterested look. Nor did she make any attempt to cover herself. His cock registered her nudity with a rush of arousal, twitching and hardening against his breeches. He stood in the doorway and drank his fill of her beauty. Truly, she was a mesmerizing witch. “I see no need to knock since I am your betrothed and can enter your chambers at any time I wish.”
    She shrugged and returned to the needlepoint in her lap.
    “What are you doing?”
    “Sewing.”
    “I can see that. Sewing what?”
    She dropped the object onto her lap and looked up at him. “Are you really interested or do you wish to talk to me about something?”
    “Why are you so vexed with me?”
    “Why do you care? You made it quite clear the other day I am not to bother you. I have not been bothering you, but you are bothering me. Now if you do not mind, I am busy. Good night, Braedon.” She had the nerve to dismiss him? Anger filled him and he strode forcefully into the room, yanking the needlepoint from her grasp and casting it into a nearby chair. She arched a brow and clasped her hands together. “Having a bit of a tantrum this eve?”
    “I wish your attention, woman.”
    “Now who is acting like a child?”
    How dare she sit there so unruffled when his blood was boiling and his cock was raging hard? He leaned over the bed and grasped her shoulders, pulling her against him and grounding his mouth against hers. He would obtain a reaction from her in some way this evening if he had to force it out of her!
    But she did not struggle