[WARNING: The following contains mature content.]

  Lina woke up sore all over. There were aches on her thighs and arms, the places he had grabbed the most. The pain wasn't extreme, but it still hurt. She rolled her head, patting the spot next to her. It was empty.

  "Leave us."

  Lina's eyes snapped open. She turned to see no one else was in bed. There was the sound of water being poured into an enormous metal bathtub. It filled the room with a beautiful scent of wood and mint. She tried to gather the silk bed coverings, but her hands were shaky.

  Hearing the ruffle of blankets, Kade's head turned to the bamboo screen. Beyond it was a set of doors leading to the bedroom, but his ears were keen.

  "That's enough," Kade snarled.

  Immediately, his servants bowed their heads, picked up the emptied buckets, and quickly scrambled out of the room.

  Ever since Kade returned home as a war lord, people had treated him much better. It was sickening. He hated everything and everyone in this backstabbing palace. There was not a single person he could seek solace in.

  "My wife," Kade stated, standing by the doorway.

  Lina stiffened. She slowly sat up, wincing. She hugged the blankets close to her chest, as if it'd hide her from the mortification of her nakedness.

  "My Prince," Lina responded, her voice small.

  "It's husband to you," Kade coldly remarked.

  Lina pressed her lips together. One minute he was hot, the next, he was icy. She didn't know how to read him. His temperament was unpredictable and changed too quickly.

  "Now try again," Kade demanded, his voice rough.

  Lina stared at his dark, brooding expression. It was still early in the morning and he already seemed displeased. His succulent lips were pulled into a deep frown. She was sulking on the inside. Did she do something wrong again?

  Weren't wives supposed to address their husband by a proper title? Her mother did so.

  "My Lord Husband?" Lina tried again.

  Kade let out a harsh breath. His jaws clenched at her behavior. Leaning against the doorway, he crossed his arms. There were faint traces of his pink marks on her body. There was even a bite mark on her shoulder. She was beautiful, with her black hair flowing like a river across her chest. Her breasts were pert, and her pearls were tight in the cold.

  "Husband," Kade spat out.

  "My husband," Lina whispered, testing the word on her tongue.

  "Just husband."

  "My husband," Lina repeated.

  Finally, Kade's hardened expression softened. Though, not by much, for he was still frowning deeply. His brows were taunt and he observed her carefully.

  "Are you comfortable?" Kade asked.

  "I'm sore," Lina admitted.

  "Where?"

  "Everywhere…"

  Kade let out a snort. He closed the distance between them. Bending down, he lifted her into his arms and carried her out the doors.

  "I would've massaged you properly, but you already fell asleep," Kade said, placing her into the large tub of hot water.

  Lina let out a pleased sigh. The metal tub could fit six people with room for more. It was enormous and she pitied the people who brought it inside.

  "The mint is to ease your nerves," Kade stated.

  Lina watched with wide eyes as he peeled his black robes back. She gulped at the sight of his powerful chest, with a firm line running down it. Then, she saw his abdomen clench with muscles. He was a handsome specimen. Chords of veins ran up his honey-tanned skin.

  "You have a little something here," Kade said, pointing to the corner of her mouth.

  Lina's face went red with embarrassment. She glared at the water, hiding it from him. She was not drooling! Subconsciously, she checked the spot.

  Kade faintly laughed.

  Lina's head snapped to him. Even his laugh was beautiful. It was warm and pleasant like sunlight during summer. She felt it caress her chest. The water swooshed when he stepped in, powerful and large.

  "Come," Kade commanded, widening his arms for her.

  Lina stuck to the corner of the tub. There was a large space between them.

  "Be good now," Kade warned. "I'll help you wash."

  "I'm not a pet," Lina argued, her voice rising a bit.

  "'Course you're not, dove," Kade responded. He patted his lap, where she belonged.

  Lina was reluctant. "I can wash myself."

  "Go ahead."

  Lina stared. She saw there was a wooden tray on a nightstand beside the tub. It was on his side. All of the materials were there. The towels, the oils, the linen, everything.

  "That's a good girl," Kade complimented when she came forward.

  "I'm not—"

  "You're my wife, not my pet, I know, dove." Kade grabbed her waist and pulled her towards him. She was stiff, but he hugged her with his arm. Only then, did she finally relent.

  Her legs straddled his waist dangerously. He groaned and captured her mouth. With shaky hands, she touched his chest, kissing him slowly. Suddenly, she pulled away.

  "I didn't freshen up," Lina mumbled.

  Kade let out a scoff. "I don't care."

  "I do."

  "You care too much," Kade retorted.

  Lina simply shook her head. "Maybe one day, you'll care."

  "But not today," Kade insisted.

  Lina's heart fell. She knew what he meant, but felt like he was saying he wouldn't care for her. She lowered her gaze and poked the mint leaves floating on the surface.

  Suddenly, something wet touched her spine. She jumped, but he gripped her tightly.

  "I'm just cleaning you, dove," Kade said, bringing the towel lower. He seized one of her buttocks and raised it.

  "This doesn't feel like cleaning," Lina whispered.

  The scented linen was beginning to tease her skin. His fingers briefly caressed her skin, which was beginning to burn. He moved the wet material slowly over her outer thighs, then inner, until his knuckles brushed her entrance.

  "A-ah…" Lina dropped her head on his shoulders, wishing he didn't tease her. "Don't…"

  "No?" Kade teased, bringing the soft linen to her garden. Her back arched, her breast pressing against his chest.? Her body was answering for her.

  "Yes, please," Lina managed to say. She felt warmth pool between her thighs.

  "Now that's my good girl," Kade murmured, kissing the side of her head.

  His compliments caused her heart to swell. No one had ever complimented her as he did before. She wanted more of his praises. Her hand slid up his chest to hold onto his shoulders.

  "We've never tried this position before," Kade hotly said. He shifted his lips upon her exposed shoulders.

  She shivered at his hoarse voice. The air was knocked from her lungs. She felt something long and hard pressed close to her lower stomach. There was a strong pulse coming from it.

  "But you're too sore, my dove," Kade stated, snatching her waist. "I'll help you."

  Lina didn't understand. Suddenly, he raised her hips and pushed upwards. She jolted, her insides clenching him tightly. She was already moistened from his seduction and he slipped it in easily.

  "Lina," Kade groaned, his hard length sliding deeper into her until he was fully situated inside.

  "Hold onto me, now." Kade gritted his teeth, barely able to maintain control over himself. She was squeezing him like she wanted every last drop of him. And he was going to give it to her.

  Lina hugged his shoulders tightly and moaned. She was captivated by his sultry voice, his powerful legs, and his intense thrusting. He pivoted inside of her, grabbing her hips to align to his demands.

  "Ah!" Lina threw her head back, her eyes closed at the pleasure. He filled the whole of her insides and he didn't stop. He pumped with fervor into her, his breathing harsh.

  Lina's nerves were all over the place.

  "Dove," Kade seethed, moving deeper, faster, and harder. She was whimpering and sobbing, her thighs shaky. One hand on her hips, the other on her butt, he penetrated her with great possessiveness.

  "My lord husband," Lina whispered.

  At the wrong address, Kade growled. He penetrated her harder and she cried out in protest.

  "N-no—"

  "Say it properly," Kade demanded.

  She gave his chest a small push, but he merely groaned. He held her tightly and harshly drove into her again.

  "My husband," Lina begged, her voice rising. She was beginning to see black dots in her vision, her mouth parted, and her mind hazy.

  "My husband, please," Lina tried again, her breath caught in her throat.

  Kade hissed and slowed down a bit. She let out a soft sigh, but he continued his pumping. She was scrumptious and he was going to devour every last bit of her.

  "K-Kade!" Lina squealed, giving him a final clench before she became undone.

  "You're going to kill me," Kade groaned, his primitive urges nearly taking over. She was spasming on his large member. She panted in his lap and he clasped her hips tighter.

  "You're too deep," Lina pleaded, but he didn't stop.

  "Hold onto me properly then," Kade murmured, capturing her mouth again. He kissed her like his life depended on it, all the whilet, thrusting into her.

  Lina obliged, hugging his shoulders, squeezing them in her arms. She felt his powerful muscles clench with each fast pump.

  Soon, Kade buckled and he groaned. She moaned at the intensity of something filling her insides with heat. He continued his penetration until every last drop was emptied inside.

  "You're practically made for me," Kade softly sighed, his breathing hard.

  Kade embraced her tightly, peppering kisses on her shoulders and her neck. She was still trembling, and he didn't intend to pull out.

  "What happened to cleaning me?" Lina said, but she didn't dare to complain.

  "We can start now," Kade teased, his lips pulling into a grin. Her face was buried into the crook of his neck, but he could picture her cute little pout.

  "B-but… you're growing larger," Lina whimpered.

  "Perhaps later then," Kade mused, his hips coming back to life again.

  "Brute," Lina said, but her insides instantly responded to him, holding him tightly.

  "My wife," Kade whispered, continuing his motion like the cruel man he was.