sl

ontemplating what to do. She's turned the bathtub on, so I know I ha

the last time I did anything like that for myself. For the

ff and soaking in the tub in this amaz

and when they find out about it

nd out before Poppy returns. If there's one thing

, hanging my wet, dirty clothes on a hook on the door, embarrassed by my old underwear and bra that does

sink, so I grab a few. I want to wash my hair, but then I pl

sure what Poppy put in this water, but it feels amazing. I sink into it and my whole body relaxes. No

r get out

e of the tub, I scrub my hair and my scalp before clipping my hair up out of the way and using the body wash and a soft sponge to wash myself of

en my eyes later, the water is a bit

at had woken me was the sound o

that robe but not remembering exactly w

is just the housekeeper coming back wit

N

rs my question. I inhale sharply and hold it for

learly, I am not thinking straight. I wrap the towel around myself, thanking the Moon Goddess that it

his hips, near my bed. It's the same man who'd walked into my room with

e. A guard, perhaps? He's not dressed like one

of his mouth before flickering away,

yed, glad he's not looking directly at me while I fight to get control of

inary man. Thi

ripped beneath the white button-down shirt he's wearing, and he looks to be nothing but lean muscle. Visions of

upting my bath. I clutch my towel to my chest. "I'm sorry, your Highness" I say. "Poppy

eyes dawdle on the part of me that's covered with the towel like some men would

d

Good. Go p

t. I rush back into the bathroom and see where Poppy has placed it. I drop the towel an

he seems to be a man of few words. He hasn't moved and sits like a statue

ght," he finally says, his voice a

thank you," I repl

t Mrs. Worsthingshoret

t. He saw the aftermath of it. I wonder if what he'd whispered to his Be

nds are shoved deep into his pockets

e entire situation. "Thank you," I

"Are you bothered b

cause of me." My eyes are glued to the g

ed for striking a guest in the fac

e scrutinizing me now. I wish I knew what he was thinking. We are so far apart. I want to be closer to him. I want t

range thoughts and sensations rippli

check on you. If you need anything,

I manage to smile at him, but I am not

bursts through. "I'm back!" she announces. "And boy have I got some beautiful outfits for you! You're never g

walk out. "You can get up, Poppy

my name?"

, Poppy. Everyone knows your nam

she says, "Thank yo

edge of bed, m

r for the Alpha King." My eyes water as my

a moment before she gives a quick, tight nod. "Best not to dwell on i

ingering on my tongue. My head suddenly fuzzy, and mist clo

*

ad

eed

d to

t away from.

n she did, or else... I'm not sure what might've ha

face as I go. I know I shouldn't have even stopped there on my way to my room to

or myself overwhelmed

id, but the other part of me wis

going to be in the bat

ale skin glistening with water droplets, the

t secured all the way. Ringlets framed her beautiful face as she stood there, wide

ike. I wanted to step across the room and take her bottom lip between my teeth. I could have lifted h

e'd left the door slightly ajar, and in the mirror, I'd seen her perfect ba

, my erection straining against m

. I knew I'd be thinking about th

t me again, I might have to take her up on the offer only to get rid of

get her of

groin. I try to think about the work I need to do, the conversations that need to be had

thinking about women I d

licker before my eyes, and I push the

that fate

in of losing her, but none of them have meant a thing to me. I d

o mind, and I have to wonder i

and stand beneath it a bit longer before I

of my eyes, my hair is styled, and I'm ready to go, I take a moment to st

and make them a thing of the past?" I

stle like them, so we

ly, get a lot of wo

there to collect me. I grumble a bit befo

?" he

" I

. "Why don't you ever t

reply, "Why don't you ever mind your

er, past Isla's room, and I

r, and my pants

lure of the woman, no matter what I do. I wil

iting for us to arrive so that we can be seat

Alpha Jordan comes over,

ou remember my w

at the older brunette on his left

sty," she says to me. "T

ing right next to me, I manage

brina." He turns and gestures

ess is very sparkly, and she has on large earrings that match. When she smiles and bats her eyel

ffers me her hand, but

she says as I stare at

'd like to press to my lips.... I take Zabrina's thin hand and twist it, giving it a good shake before

ted?" Seth says,

yone else does as well. I wait for everyone

er with. Unfortunately, there wi