asked. The heat of desire had faded and there had been nothing left but a sense of duty weighing down his shoulders.
It didn’t matter. What was done was done.
The minutes stretched into hours, during which Lian had nothing to do but sit there and try very hard not to think of how many girls her husband had kissed before her. Baozhen was staying away for too long. He had no business staying at the banquet and enjoying the festivities. Wasn’t an eager groom supposed to extract himself from his guests in a timely manner?
Finally the door creaked open and she shot to her feet. Baozhen stopped just inside when he saw her, and closed the door behind him. He was dressed in a heavy robe of blue brocade and his hair was covered by a ceremonial cap. Her heart pounded. She hadn’t realized how hungry she’d become over the last few weeks for the sight of him.
“Why were you away for so long?”
Lian cringed at the unintentional shrillness in her voice as he blinked at her in surprise. Her first words to her newly wed husband and they sounded like an accusation.
Her mistake was immediately evident. Rather than coming to her, Baozhen sank into the chair beside his writing desk. He leaned back to regard her, his shoulders tense.
“It was our wedding banquet,” he replied.
His flat tone left a hollow feeling in her stomach.
“Wine was poured, and then more wine. Everyone wanted to give us their blessings.”
“Have you had very much to drink?” she ventured.
He was in a peculiar mood.
His eyebrows lifted. “Are you worried that I won’t be able to fulfill my duties as a husband?”
This was all wrong. They had always been able to speak openly, but now every word between them seemed forced.
“I suppose it doesn’t matter, since the deed is already done,” she said tightly.
His eyebrows rose slightly, but he said nothing.
She went to stand before him, stopping just as her robe brushed the tip of his slippers. Her heart lodged in her throat. “You’re angry with me.”
The line of his jaw flexed as he tilted his head down to her. So handsome. He had never appeared so far from her reach. It wounded her to see him so withdrawn, tonight of all nights.
“You can’t be angry,” she protested. “This is our wedding night. It would... It would be a bad omen to start out this way.”
“You are forbidding me from being angry?” he asked incredulously.
Desperation grew within her. Her fingers twisted together as he continued to assess her, taking her apart with his eyes.
Was she going to be one of those shrewish, demanding wives? What sort of husband would he be?
“Tell me,” he began slowly. “And no more games. Did you lure me into your bed, Little Lian?”
His emphasis on her childish nickname was sharp and devoid of affection. Her breath caught as his gaze pinned her in place. She had always known how Baozhen could disarm anyone with his easy charm, but now she saw he was twice as formidable when he wielded this iron stare.
“Yes,” she said, fighting for her voice.
“Every step of the way?” he murmured.
“Yes.”
Lian had never intended to force his hand, nor put him through such shame and dishonor. Her parents had been supposed to be gone late into the evening. She’d wanted Baozhen to burn for her. To choose her above all the other women who had ever caught his eye. Now he had no choice in the matter and he resented her.
“I didn’t mean to trick you, but I refuse to apologize,” she said stubbornly.
His hand shot out and caught her around the waist, making her tumble in a squirming heap into his lap. His arms closed around her, making escape impossible.
He willed her to meet his eyes. A smile lifted the corner of his mouth. “I’ve never been pursued so ruthlessly.”
“You’re not angry?”
“At first,” he admitted. “But then I realized it was me you wanted all along. Me. I can’t help but be flattered at inspiring such deviousness in you. Seducing me like that.”
“You’re shameless,” she accused.
She braced a hand against his chest to push him away, only to find her fingers caught in his grip. His smile faded, along with any trace of smugness, as he searched her face. For the first time there was no more taunting.
“No more childish games,” he said.
Her reply was no more than a whisper. “I have only ever wanted you.”
He pulled her close, his palm cradling the back of her neck. His mouth captured hers and her fingers curled into the front of his robe from the sheer pleasure of finally being in his embrace. He tasted of rice wine and the faint spice of cloves. She was floating, flying...
Without a word, he lifted her from his lap and led her to the bed. She sat perfectly still upon the edge while he extracted the pins from her hair, one after another. Each touch sent a tingle down her spine. She could hear Baozhen’s breathing deepen as he tended to her. He smoothed the hair away from her face as it fell loose and her cheeks flushed hot at the stark intimacy of the moment. The near solemnity of it.
Baozhen touched her as if she were something precious.
Their first night together had been a fever. Tonight was a slow, simmering burn. She could feel each pulse of her heart as Baozhen bent to press his lips to her forehead. It was innocent—or rather a farewell to innocence. His next caress was at her earlobe, which he tugged at gently with his teeth, making her insides go soft and liquid.
“You were wrong, Little Lian...”
His voice was low, stroking her in hidden places.
“The deed is far from done. It will never be done between us.”
His mouth rasped over the sensitive skin of her throat and her toes curled restlessly within her slippers. Their bodies were interconnected in so many wonderful and mysterious ways.
“Baozhen...” She called out his name breathlessly, encompassing a plea within it that had no words.
“My wife.”
They kissed again. Any lingering questions faded like a morning mist. The moment was right between them.
She found the parting in his robe and her hands slipped inside to roam over skin and heated muscle. Baozhen didn’t stop her this time when she loosened his belt and slid the cloth away from his shoulders. The shape of him filled her hands: broad shoulders, arms that were lean and strong. There wasn’t any part of him that she didn’t want to explore and caress.
“Lian...”
