Married To A Duke

Just do it...

Raphael

“Don’t…” She whispered as my hands closed around her.

“Sure, I’ll let you fall face first on the floor.” I mumbled. There was a reason I wasn’t telling her about my identity yet. Zurich had said she was Summer’s friend but in my experience no matter who the person was and how close, it doesn’t take them much to hurt you, in the worst way possible.

Her fingers griped my shoulder belying her words of being able to take care of herself. I lifted her up in my arms and she gazed back at me with those brown eyes of her. They were light brown, bright almost, but pain and whatever burden she carried within has made them dull.

Striding into the bathroom I settled her on the cabinet near the washbasin, she made a sound at the back of her throat and I looked at her. Narrowing my eyes, I said, “Stay. And don’t fûcking move.” Her brows furrowed and I gathered if she had the strength she’d have punched me. She opened her mouth but I cut her off, “Don’t argue with me. And it’s the last time I’m saying it.”

She closed her mouth, her lips settling in a defiant line. I turned around from her, going back out to take that first aid kit. If there was any woman present on the property I’d have let her take care of her. But there was not. And for some reason, I didn’t want any other man putting there hands on her or seeing what didn’t belong to them.

When I got back to the bathroom she wasn’t on the cabinet, my eyes found her standing in the shower area. Her hand braced against the tiled wall, she looked at me and said, “I want to take a shower.” I just looked at her. “Alone.” She gritted out.

“What did I tell you?” I questioned, stepping inside the bathroom. She stiffened. “Answer me.”

I watched as she swàllowed, her delicate throat working. “To stay put.”

“And what did you do?”

“I am not your pet.” She said through clenched teeth.

I was starting to enjoy it. “Do you know who I am?” I asked, but didn’t wait for her answer as I said, “Of course you know, that’s why you came here.”

“I came here thinking my best friend and her husband would save me, not you.” Her words were accusing and I could understand what she was trying to say.

“Not me. Gabriel Wolfe. The king?” I stepped closer to her, my finger touching her cheek. “Let’s not lie to yourself, you came here because you knew the king will help you.” She didn’t say anything, just looked away. I put the first aid box on the counter and said, “Call for me when you're done with your shower. I’m waiting outside.” Then I left her to finish her shower.

I sat down on the bed and took out my phone, I started to text my brother but stopped, because for one— I really didn't want to disturb him and, two— I wanted to deal with it and her on my own. After all I’m the king right now and I wasn’t lying when I said I knew how to be my twin brother.

There was a knock on the door, I called out for the person to enter. Turned out there were two, Jesse and Zurich. They both looked around the room as they entered.

“Where is she?” Zurich asked.

I arched a brow and instead of answering him, I asked, “Tell me, Z, how many years have we known each other?”

“As long as I can remember.” He answered.

“And still you’re forgetting the one simple fact that I can be as dangerous to your health as my brother could.” I said, my words softly spoken, almost like I didn’t just issue a threat.

“I am sorry.” He replied, looking contrite.

I waved my hand. “No. Don't say that.” I gestured to Jesse. “Unlike him, you learned to be my friend as Mac is to Gabe, so don't apologise.” I stood up as I went to him. “But don't ever try to act like I’m answerable to you either.” He gave me a quiet nod but my eyes followed Jesse who was now… “What are you doing, Jesse?” I asked.

“Making the bed, your grace.”

I closed my eyes before I said, “You don’t have to.”

“Then who will?” He stood up and said, “Unless you hire a housekeeper or a maid, I have to take care of these things for you.”

I turned to face Zurich, who hurriedly said, “I will find you one.”

“Good. She can help with the girl too. And you wouldn't be bothered, your grace.” I narrowed my eyes at him, but Jesse looked back at him as if I already didn't know how much he was despising the attention I was giving her.

“Actually, I came here to talk to you about something important.” Zurich said, breaking our silent stand off.

“What is it?” But instead of answering me his eyes flickered over my shoulder and I turned around to see her standing there at the bathroom door. The sheet was still wrapped around her, now clinging to her body like a second skin. “Leave.” I said.

A moment later the door closed behind me with a soft snick. “There was no… towel. A-and I need my clothes back.”

“Your clothes are somewhere in the trash.”

“But I need something to wear.”

“Of course.” Her eyes flickered in annoyance and I got the feeling that she wanted to stomp her feet too. “Come on then, let's get it done with.”

I purposely strode toward her and she disappeared back in the bathroom. “You don't have to do it.” She was saying as I opened the first aid box and picked out the necessary items. “Let Zurich help me. I’m sure he wouldn't mind.” And neither would she.

“He is not touching you.” I said, and for some reason I felt those words like I was making a promise.

I stood behind her as I looked in the mirror, her head was bent downwards, her hair were wet and still dripping. “The sheet.” I said. And watched as without looking up, she carefully tugged it loose. Letting the back drop, she held it at the front in a tight grip, pressing it against her chest to not let it drop.

My gaze dropped to her back and just like before once again I felt the hot rage for the person who did it. Her bare back was covered with crisscross slashes, some of them have healed a little bit. Her flesh pale and smooth, marked in such a cruel way was taking everything in me to not go out on a rampage to murder people. Which wasn’t who I was. And it was concerning.

“Who did this?” I asked, as I swiped with the cotton at one of the marks.

A shudder went through her, I didn't know if it was because of what I was doing or if it was because of the memory. It was some time before she answered, “My father.” I faltered a bit. But I didn't question even though there were so many I wanted to ask. And I was glad I didn’t, because her next words told me that I should already know it. “You know how much he craves power, and it's just a small proof of it.”

“Why?” I managed to make my voice calm.

“He wanted me to marry someone. I refused.” I looked up and met her eyes in the mirror, defiant and courageous. A tempest.

I focused back on my task as I took the bandage from the counter and after setting the cotton, I started to wrap it around her. “You don’t have to…” She said, her voice low as once again she looked down.

“The doctor said to change your bandages for at least three days.” I watched as she screwed her eyes shut at that. “You know I have already done it once.”

“I was unconscious then, I didn’t know.” She answered back.

“Do you want me to knock you out, then?” I asked but if I expected for a smile, I didn’t get one.

“Just do it.” She said.

As I started to work, I became aware of two facts. One, she wasn’t breathing. Two, how her fingers were digging into the counter. It didn’t matter how much morals or principles I had, it didn’t fûcking matter that how much I tried but still my gaze would drop and I saw her. I closed my eyes as if filing that image and it resulted in my thumb grazing her skin. Soft and smooth as I assumed. A gasp echoed in the silence of the bathroom and making me aware of how close I was to her. She was right. When she was unconscious it was clinical, but now…

I finished with the bandage. “Done.” The word came out deeper than my usual tone and this time when I looked up, I wasn’t ready for what I saw. A lone tear slipped down her cheek as she tugged the sheet up and tucked it between her breàsts.

I turned her around. “What is it? Did I hurt you?” I asked. She shook her head. And when it became clear she wasn’t going to answer, I placed my hands on her small waist and sat her down on the counter.

Amelie

I was going to hell.

One, I was letting a married man touch me. Two, I was liking it.

I closed my eyes as his fingers grazed my flesh for the third time and my body responded with Goosebumps, soaking up the touch. A single tear of guilt slid down my cheek and a second later he turned me around to face him. “What is it? Did I hurt you?” He asked, his voice deep and like a caress. I shook my head. And then a moment later, I felt his big hand on my waist as he lifted me up.

My eyes widened as I looked at him but he only put me on the counter and was now holding my arm, his eyes fixed on the bandage there. I watched as he with utmost care unwound the bandage. I hissed as he pulled at the cotton gauze and it stuck to the gash. I was looking at my wound. It wasn’t much deep but it looked horrible and hurt fûcking terribly. “How did you get this?” He asked, startling me.

“I punched my father,” it felt good to say that. “And was running away when someone shot at me.”

“Hmm.” I met his eyes and I saw the appreciation in his eyes. “Luckily it just grazed your arm. It will be okay in no time.”

“You’d know it.” I said before I could stop myself.

His brows lowered and then for a moment it seemed he was going to smile but he just focused back on what he was doing. And I also tried hard not to pay attention to him. But he was too close and his scent was surrounding me, making it difficult to ignore him. Everything about him screamed for attention and I was ashamed to say that I was unable to resist. But I knew that I’d have to.

To Be Continued....