“Forgive me,” he says. “For a moment there, I thought your fully formed tits meant you’d grown out of the child queen I met six years ago.”

Indignation takes hold of me. The last thing I want is for him to see me as a child. “I’m eighteen now.”

“Like I said. A child.”

I resist the urge to stomp my feet and argue with him, as I’m sure that sort of behavior will only prove his point. “You’re insufferable. Why do you have to be such a jerk?”

With a sigh, he takes another step away from me. “It’s in my DNA, princess. You’re too innocent to see it for what it is.”

“I’ll kindly remind you I’m a queen.”

His lips twitch with renewed amusement. “No reminder needed. I’ve got plenty of pressure from my family to ensure a marriage to you.”

“You don’t sound happy about it.”

“I’ve accepted it.”

“Am I not what you expected?”

His gaze travels the length of my body, heating me all over again. “No, my queen. I expected a prim and proper child less appealing than a nun. What you are is innocence wrapped in the body of a porn star.”

I grit my teeth. Rising to his bait will only heighten the tension between us because Sebastian is fire and passion rolled into one impossibly gorgeous, unstable male. Movement catches my attention, and a glance over his shoulder reveals his gorgeous subject standing in the doorway of his studio, her body wrapped in a black satin sheet.

“Are you coming back, Sebastian?”

The very essence of her is sinful, and I’ve never envied another woman until now. Her attention shifts, and when I follow the direction of her gaze, I find Liam standing in the shadows of the hall, arms crossed and mouth grim with displeasure.

9

Dinner is unbearable. Tense and silent—only the scrape of flatware on china breaks the disquiet. He said he’s not upset with me. Sebastian’s the target of his anger.

But deep down, I don’t believe him.

“Why did you want to see me in the library today?”

For the first time since we sat down at the table, his eyes flick up to meet mine. “Heath needs to fit you for your crown.”

I blink. “What crown?”

“It’s Heath’s gift to you. There will be a coronation after the auction.”

His words are a stark, painful reminder that my days with him are numbered.

“I rescheduled the meeting. He’s coming to the penthouse tomorrow.” He gives me a pointed look. “You need to be on your best behavior.”

“Okay.” I go back to pushing manicotti around my plate.

The ensuing seconds eat away at my composure, and I tap my heel against the floor. The food is flavorless as it slides down my throat.

“I can’t stand the thought of them touching you.”