be. “Or have you long had that removed? Or has it always been genetically missing?”
His chuckle was louder this time, more enervating. “Its deployment hasn’t been required in our current situation. As I mentioned before, my offer is beneficial to everyone, starting with you. Now enough of that. What did you decide?”
“You mean I can decide? Now, that’s a new development.”
“It’s a few-hours-old one. I already made it unquestionable that it’s up to you. I just couldn’t wait till morning for your verdict.”
“Good thing that you called, so I wouldn’t have to wait to tell you that I never want to see or hear from you again.”
“That’s not on the menu of options open to you. Being my temporary princess is a done deal. And as such, you’ll see plenty of me. I’m only inquiring if you’ve decided to see all of me.”
Her huff was less exasperated with him than disgusted with the clench of longing at his lazy, overpowering seduction. “I guess you decided to develop a sense of humor and you had to start from scratch. I must have your late blooming to thank for this juvenile double-talk.”
“I apologize for my trite attempts at euphemisms.” He sounded serious all of a sudden. Just as she wondered if she’d finally managed to offend him, his voice plunged into the darkest reaches of temptation. “So when will you let me strip you naked, worship and own and exploit every inch of your mind-blowing new curves for my pleasure and yours? When will you let me kiss and caress you within an inch of your sanity, suckle and stroke you to a few screaming orgasms before sinking inside you and riding you into oblivion?”
Breath sheared out of her lungs, heartbeats fractured against her ribs. The surge of images crowded her mind’s eye with memories of her desperation for his touch and assuagement.
She’d asked for that when she’d taunted him. Not that she’d thought he’d say…
“Mind-blowing new curves?”
She almost groaned. She couldn’t believe that was what she’d latched on to in all the mind-melting things he’d just said. Seemed body-image issues were so hardwired that they’d override even the heart attack he’d almost given her. But she had put on weight she wasn’t happy about and couldn’t believe he found it appealing.
“Ah, si, bellissima, every inch of you has…appreciated. You were always gorgeous down to your toes, but the years have ripened you into something impossibly…more. I ached the whole time you were at my penthouse to test and taste every remembered wonder, every new enhancement. I am now in agony to explore and devour every part of you. And I know you need every part of me, too, on you, in you. I can feel your arousal echoing mine even at this distance. But if you think you’re not ready yet, I’ll come…persuade you. I’ll remind you what it was like between us, prove to you how much better it will be now we’re both older and wiser and certain of what we want.”
Fighting another surge of response and haywire heartbeats, she said, “Now that I’m older and wiser, you think I’ll let you have me without guarantees, like when I was young and stupid?”
“You want a ring first? I can bring it with me right now.”
“No. That’s not what I meant….” She gulped, her head spinning. This was zooming beyond warp speed. Just a few hours ago she’d never thought she’d see him again. Now he was almost seducing her, over the phone no less, and she was a breath away from telling him to just hurry the hell over. “I didn’t mean material guarantees. I meant guarantees of being treated with respect when you decide I’m no longer ‘convenient.’ I don’t even have the advantage or excuse of obliviousness like I did when I believed you valued me.”
A silent moment followed. Then an expressionless drawl. “Let’s leave the past buried. We’re different people now.”
“Are we? Maybe you are, whatever the hell you are. But unlike you, I have one basic character, and I’m pretty much the same person I was six years ago. Just older and wiser, as you pointed out, and aware that what you’re suggesting would cause long-term damage. And mentioning that, if I become your ‘princess,’ temporary or not…”
“When you become my princess. Very soon. Though, with the necessary preparations, not soon enough. But say the word, and I’ll be worshiping your glorious body within the hour—”
She cut him off before she combusted. “I demand to