The King's Bride By Arrangement - Annie West Page 0,34

their gazes meshed. ‘That when I come back downstairs you stop trying to put up barriers between us. We need to talk frankly with each other, Eva. No holding back. No pretending last night didn’t happen. Okay?’

She hesitated then nodded. ‘Okay.’

Paul turned and strode to the door, giving Eva a perfect view of his muscled back and taut glutes. Even after last night’s intimacies, she was stunned by the sight of him naked.

It was a sight she was pretty sure she’d carry for the rest of her days.

Eva put her coffee down with a hand that trembled and turned on the tap, putting her wrists under the flow of cool running water, then lifting them to her cheeks. Heat had bloomed inside the instant he’d appeared stark naked and overwhelmingly, stunningly gorgeous.

Paul didn’t fight fair. Standing there looking like...like...

She shook her head and gave up trying to think of a word. When she’d turned round and seen him in the doorway, her brain had emptied. When she’d recovered it was to the realisation that making love to him had indeed left her more vulnerable than ever before.

He’d been semi-erect again, and she’d been torn between fascination and horror at the messages her traitorous body sent to her brain. To forget pride and common sense, and the fact that he didn’t want her long term, and offer herself to him again. Even though she needed to break her ties to him, not make them stronger.

She closed her eyes, trying and failing to banish the image of that powerful body and potently attractive grin.

He was incredibly sexy, yet it wasn’t just that. Her hormones responded predictably to the picture he presented, all virile male, but she’d noticed something more than invitation in his expression. He was concerned about her.

Eva firmed her lips. The last thing she needed was for him to come over all honourable and worried about the fact she’d been a virgin. She might long for him with all her heart but last night had seen a shift in her. Better, she realised now, to move on than stay with a man who’d never reciprocate her feelings.

Straightening from the sink, she took out another cup and turned to the coffee machine.

They’d have the discussion he wanted.

She’d agree to end the engagement, stay while they sorted out a suitable press release then return home.

And do what?

Stunned, she stood frozen as revelation sank into her.

She’d thought for so long that she was destined to be Queen of St Ancilla. Even the university degree she’d completed hadn’t been done with the aim of securing herself a job. Her job was supposed to be supporting Paul and the people of St Ancilla. She’d been trained from birth to be a royal, to serve a nation. As a teenager she’d thought of a career, but after her betrothal had thought that that was impossible.

Now it wasn’t only possible. It was vital.

What would she do with her life? She couldn’t see herself returning to Tarentia to live in her parents’ shadow for ever.

She had to start thinking of the future. A future away from St Ancilla, though she’d come to love the place. A future where she worked at something other than being royal.

Eva clutched at the kitchen bench, for a moment overwhelmed by the enormous changes she faced.

But this was a positive. She could build a career and be independent, not tied to the royal court, always living up to impossibly high expectations.

She just had to decide what that future would be. Hopefully something fulfilling. Something where she could make a difference.

Footsteps descending the staircase cut through her thoughts and she moved to the coffee machine. It was easier to focus on making a perfect espresso than grapple with the issue of her future. There’d be plenty of time once she left here. An endless lifetime ahead without Paul.

Don’t think like that.

Think of this as an opportunity. Think about the freedom to work at something you enjoy. The freedom and independence.

Her nape prickled. Paul had arrived. Her body always told her when he was looking at her.

Straightening her shoulders, she practised a nonchalant smile. All she had to do was agree on how they were going to break the news of their split and she could leave.

She ignored the cramping pain through her middle.

‘Here.’ She turned, that small smile pinned to her face. ‘Just the way you like it.’

She held out his coffee but Paul ignored it. Slowly he looked up from his phone. His