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‘You want honesty? I honestly want you to leave this minute.’
‘Because you think I don’t want you.’ Did the gold flecks in his eyes flare brighter? ‘Because if I kiss you, you’ll think I’m usingwiles.’
Behind that serious expression he was laughing at her, she knew it. Annalena stalked across the space between them, getting in his face, releasing the pure blaze of anger that had burned for weeks.
‘Don’t mock me, Benedikt.’
She glared up at him, hating the sharp pang of appreciation at his sheer magnetism. Even now it tugged at something deep-seated and needy inside her.
His eyes danced and his mouth curved into a hard, tight smile that looked edgy and, if she didn’t know better…ravenous. Instead of being cowed, she felt excitement stir. As if she welcomed the fact he wasn’t so sanguine now.
‘I wouldn’t dare mock, Annalena. But you’ve accused me of lying and I can’t let that stand.’ He spread his hands, shoulders lifting. ‘I can’t convince you with words and I can’t convince you with a kiss.’
His gaze zeroed in on her mouth and she had to resist the urgent need to moisten her lips.
‘How can I show you that I want you, Annalena? Not just as a queen but a woman? Perhaps with this?’
Before she had time to register his intent, long fingers curled around her hand, pulling it down between them. Down to his groin.
He pressed her palm to the front of his dark trousers, against the long, rigid heat of an erection.
Annalena dragged in a stunned breath as her hand instinctively curled around him. Her grip firmed and she felt an answering throb.
Fascinated, she raised rounded eyes to his. ‘Satisfied? That’s one thing I can’t feign. Mywilesdon’t stretch that far.’ That smile looked more like a grimace now. ‘Just so we’re absolutely clear, I want you. In my bed.’
Rocked to her core, she planted her other hand on his chest for balance, only to discover his heartbeat, pounding fast like hers. Fire pinpricked her skin as she surveyed that proud, angry face and felt his body’s reaction. Toher.
It felt glorious,rightthat they were in this together. This had nothing to do with duty. Seeing him grapple with the same desire evoked a pang of tenderness that only amplified her response to him.
Her legs were wobbly and there was a melting sensation low in her body. She shifted, realising the strip of silk and lace between her legs was wet with arousal.
‘Nothing to say, Annalena?’
He spoke through clenched teeth, like a man struggling for control, which made her realise she should release her hold. But she didn’t want to. For the first time in her life she wanted to take a step she’d avoided since she was old enough to understand desire could be dangerous. Instead of nerves she felt only anticipation, as if she’d waited for this moment. This man.
Rather than releasing him, she slid her hand lower, squeezing gently.
Colour streaked his high-cut cheekbones and his eyes glittered more gold than brown. His hips rocked forward in an explicit thrust.
‘You want me.’ The words tasted wonderful. ‘I like that.’
A laugh cracked the taut air between them. His eyes blazed with approval but at the same time she saw his jaw clench, a muscle spasming.
Reluctantly she let him go, fingers twitching as she took a half-step back. Needing a second to absorb the enormity of the moment.
‘And you want me.’
It was a statement not a question, and she nodded. They’d gone past prevarication and point scoring. Only honesty would do. ‘Yes. I’m…curious.’
And awestruck. Excited and nervous. But above all she wanted more of Benedikt. Avoiding him wasn’t possible. Abstinence made her a wreck. The need in her was too strong.
‘We can work with curious.’ He paused. ‘If you agree.’
No sign now of that fierce amusement. His expression was grave.
‘We’re partners, Annalena. Husband and wife. We’ve committed our lives to our nation. Love isn’t on the table. But there’s respect and attraction. We’re entitled to find what pleasure we can in a marriage neither of us sought.’
As he spoke he lifted his hand to trail his knuckles down her cheek. Annalena exhaled, turning into his touch, relieved as the barriers tumbled. This truth she could deal with. ‘Yes. We’re entitled to that.’