The King's Bride By Arrangement - Annie West Page 0,30
heart that she’d never laid eyes on Paul of St Ancilla.
CHAPTER SEVEN
SHE WAS STILL asleep when he came back from the bathroom.
As they’d lain entwined in each other’s arms, he’d spoken her name and brushed the hair gently from her cheek, but she hadn’t responded.
Paul had been almost certain she was awake. She’d held herself so still.
He’d opened his mouth to quiz her then shut it again. He had so many questions, but perhaps this wasn’t the time, no matter that his curiosity was insatiable.
How she’d come to be a virgin at twenty-four.
Why tonight she’d suddenly let him past that rigid wall of reserve.
Whether she regretted what they’d done.
He’d drawn in a slow breath and remained silent. No, he was happy to wait for her answer on that one.
Soon after her body had softened against him, her breathing slowing, and he’d known she was indeed sleeping.
He’d waited a little then had gone to dispose of the condom. Now, back in the bed, he lay close enough to feel her warmth, but didn’t touch her.
Because if he did there’d be precious little thinking done. Sex with Eva had been phenomenal. He tried to tell himself it was because he’d abstained for so long. It was true he felt a strange, muted triumph at being Eva’s first lover, but until now he’d sought experienced partners. If she’d said she was inexperienced, he wouldn’t have touched her.
Yeah, right. You’d never have been able to resist. Just looking at her in that short dress drove you to the brink.
A shudder passed through his sated body as he recalled Eva in that slinky dress. He felt a tightening in his groin. A feather of arousal skimmed his spine as she shifted beside him and he inhaled her delectable scent: hot, sexy woman with an intriguing hint of spring flowers.
Even her long hair, almost waist-length, was seductive. The way she looked with it down around her shoulders, her pert breasts peeping out from beneath the silky curtain. The feel of it caressing his flesh as he moved against her.
Gritting his teeth, Paul rolled away and stared towards the window. Already dawn was coming. He saw the first glow of morning.
It was far too soon. He needed to think, and fast. Because dealing with Eva had just got incredibly complicated.
He’d planned to give her her freedom. Except she didn’t seem to want it. Now, if he was truthful, letting her walk away held precious little appeal. The way they’d been together...
He drew a slow breath and tried to concentrate. Not on sex. Not on the physical presence of the woman in bed with him. But on what to do now their relationship had exploded into something completely unrecognisable.
Eva had always been an enigma, apparently docile and always agreeable but never allowing any degree of intimacy. Until tonight. She’d been anything but docile. She’d proceeded to blow the back right off his skull with her sexy mouth and eager hands, reducing him to slavering desperation. Not once but twice.
And she’d been a virgin!
How much more dangerous would she be with a bit more experience?
Paul shuddered and tried to tell himself it was in dismay, not anticipation.
Despite his agitated thoughts, a mighty yawn cracked his jaw as a second night without sleep caught up with him.
The night before the ball he’d pulled an all-nighter, recalibrating the plans his advisers and his brother-in-law, Jake—a financial guru—had devised to keep St Ancilla afloat.
Years of hard work, refinancing and ruthless expenditure-cutting meant the economy hadn’t collapsed on itself after King Hugo’s depredations. But it was still a close thing. Made particularly difficult as the full extent of those debts, which Paul had personally shouldered, wasn’t publicly known. The monarchy was the mainstay of the small kingdom and he had no intention of allowing public confidence to unravel. The good news was that, after coming close to bankruptcy, things were finally turning around.
Paul sighed and closed his eyes for a moment. Just a moment, while he pondered this latest challenge in an already demanding kingship. How to deal with his feisty, surprising fiancée.
Eva smiled and stretched. She felt oh, so warm and cosy. This was the softest bed she’d slept in and she was only too happy to sink into it, not wanting to stir.
Strange. Normally she was a morning person, awake early and full of energy. But not now. She could stay here for ever. She’d never felt so good.
Except for that curious sensation between her legs and...
Her eyelids snapped open. She