He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her to him. The silken strains of a slow ballad about lost love wafted in the background, but she couldn't pay any attention. Rasyn set the rhythm. She couldn't do anything but follow.
Every part of his body pressed against hers. A solid chest to lean her cheek on. A protective arm enfolding her. She felt her defenses crumbling.
"This is not so bad, is it, Princess?"
Libby stiffened. "Please, don't call me that."
"Why not? You are as lovely as any princess."
"Don't, please." She couldn't stand him using that pet name. It just highlighted the gulf between them. He was royalty and she was a waitress. But she wasn’t naïve enough to imagine he considered her his equal in any sense of the word. He was a man who expected to be obeyed, to have his wishes fulfilled.
Warm, firm lips brushed her temple, feather-light. The intimate touch set her belly quivering. He traced her hairline with gentle fingers, tucking away the stray lock that always escaped her ponytail. Those same fingers traveled the curve of her ear and down her nape.
By the time he tilted her chin up, all her resistance had vanished. His mouth met hers with melting tenderness. The light brush, over too quickly, left her lips tingling for more.
She knew she should break it off. Go home. Every sensible fiber in her body screamed that the prince’s beautifully spoken words couldn’t be sincere. But all the logic in the world couldn’t fight the tingling warmth in her veins. Instead, she pressed closer to him, straining to offer herself for another kiss. He didn’t hesitate.
His kiss intoxicated her more than the champagne, sending bubbles of desire down her spine. He tasted like the chocolate they'd eaten earlier and smelled like pepper warmed by the sun.
As he deepened the kiss, teasing open her teeth to let him inside, her knees weakened with pleasure. Her mindless instinct was to grab him and never let go. Her hands fisted in his shirt.
As if he'd been waiting for that signal, Rasyn broke the kiss and lifted her from her feet. The solid ground beneath her disappeared and she could only cling to him for support.
In a few steps, they were in the bedroom. The pit of Libby's stomach curled with desire; her mind pounded with the knowledge she was putting her job and her self-worth on the line for a man she hardly knew. No, it was time to be practical, she decided, as he set her on the bed's scarlet and gold silk coverlet.
"My love." Standing at the edge of the bed, he whispered the words, a private thing for her ears only.
The sensual promise in that one word chased all doubts from her. It was crazy, but she wanted this, wanted to feel desired and loved, even for only one night, and even though she knew that they could never be true partners, as her parents had been.
She reached for him, running her hand up to his shoulder and pulling him down. He bent to unfasten the clip that held her hair as he put his lips to her throat. She shuddered with the pleasure of his mouth on the sensitive skin beneath her earlobe.
As she pushed his suit jacket from his shoulders, he began to whisper into her ear, soft words in a language she didn't understand. Libby had never felt anything as sensual as his hot breath. Never heard anything as erotic as the words that spilled out of him.
She reached between them and undid his belt, desperate now to feel his naked body against her. Rasyn seemed to feel the same, making short work of her uniform, which soon lay crumpled on the floor. When nothing was between them, Rasyn paused, looking down at her. Libby's blood rushed to her cheeks with the need to cover her fleshy body.
Rasyn's black eyes shone with open admiration and hunger as he cupped the curve of her breast. "You are beautiful."
"I need to lose ten pounds," she blurted, thinking of the slim, haughty women whose eyes had tracked Rasyn through the hotel. "I'm size thirteen."
Rasyn laughed. "You're my size. You will fit me perfectly. Shall I try you on?"
He didn't wait for her answer, but rolled onto the bed with her, and dipped his head to take one peaked breast into his dark mouth. Hot pleasure lanced to her core, driving everything from her mind except the feel of his rough tongue flicking and