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“Matt, I think I love you,” she whispered.

He lifted his head not sure that he’d heard her correctly. “What?”

“I said that I love you. I knew from the moment I first saw you that there was something special about you, but now I know.”

Her words should have freaked him out, but instead they filled him with a joy he’d never thought he’d experience, because by God, he loved her too. Sure of his own feelings he needed to be cautious. He didn’t want her to mistake sex for love.

“London, what we shared was very special. It was earth shattering in fact, but I don’t want you to confuse it for love.”

Her eyes narrowed. “I think I know my own mind. Matt, I felt this way before we made love. I’ve been racking my brain for the past couple of days trying to think of ways to seduce you.”

It took him a moment to take in her words. Her passion flushed face looked so sincere. He really wanted to believe her, but did he dare? “You have?”

“Of course. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me in my life. How… how do you feel about me?”

Matt brushed his lips lightly against hers. “Can’t you tell?”

“I want to hear the words.”

“I love you too. I think I’ve loved you from the moment you collapsed in my arms.”

Her smile widened then. “I’m so glad to hear it. If Zahn comes looking for me, then there’s no way he can claim me now that I’m no longer a virgin.” She smiled with smug satisfaction.

Matt sat up. “Who’s Zahn?”

“General Zahn leads my father’s troops. He was also my betrothed but I didn’t love him.”

His heart felt tight all of a sudden, and he had difficulty breathing. “So now that you’re no longer a virgin he won’t want you?”

“Probably not. He has a lot of pride. There’s no way he’d accept an impure bride.”

Matt slid out of the bed needing to put some distance between the two of them. “So what you’re saying is that you were anxious to lose your virginity?”

“I don’t know why you’re making such a big deal about my virginity, Matt. It was inevitable that the two of us would make love.”

“Answer my question, London. Were you eager to lose your virginity so General Zahn wouldn’t want you anymore?”

“It’s true that I was eager to lose my virginity, but to you. I couldn’t think of a better gift to give you for all you’ve done for me.”

He felt like he’d been punched in the stomach. London had used him. He should have known. Angrily, he dug in his bag and pulled out a pair of boxers and then his jeans.

London sat up in the bed, her large dark mounds jutting out so temptingly. “Why are you getting dressed?”

“As if you didn’t know.”

She slid out of the bed and walked over to him. When she touched him, Matt flinched away. “What did I do wrong?”

“You did nothing wrong. You only did what I expected from the beginning. But don’t worry, I don’t blame you.”

“I wish you’d tell me what you’re talking about.” She batted her eyelashes at him and he could almost believe that she was telling the truth, but her own words had condemned her in his eyes.

“You used me, London, and I don’t like being used. You can keep your gratitude, because I don’t need it. Once we find your sister, we’ll part ways okay?”

Her jaw dropped. “Matt, why are you acting like this?”

When she attempted to touch him again, he moved away and grabbed his glasses, shoving them on his face. He took her room key. “You can stay here for the night. I’ll sleep in your room. And if you have trouble sleeping, find some other sap to bother.” And with that he stormed out the room, slamming the door behind him.

Stunned was not exactlywhat she felt. Mortified was more like it. Somehow Matt had managed to turn something very beautifulinto something wrong and sordid. He’d accused her of using him but there was nothing further from the truth.