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I mulled this over as we walked. A tea shop in a modest area, selling overpriced exotic blends? No wonder the profits were mediocre. But with the right adjustments…

“Bring me all the ledgers and documents tomorrow,” I said, my mind already coming up with possibilities. “We need to completely overhaul this business model.”

“Of course,” Laurel agreed. Then, hesitantly, she added, “There’s something else… While you were gone, Captain Lennox came by with an invitation.”

I grimaced. “Decline it.”

Laurel didn’t even look surprised at my response. “Are you sure, Ilyana? After all, it’s from Prince Anderic, and you did promise to work with him for the ball.”

“Well, I’ve decided to ignore it,” I said stubbornly, quickening my pace. “Unless His Royal Psychoness shows up at my doorstep personally or sends a royal decree, I’m not going.”

Laurel looked like she wanted to argue but wisely held her tongue. “As you wish.”

I’ll ignore him as long as I can. How hard could it be?

* * *

Turned out, it was indeed very hard.

I was just settling in for the night, my hair still damp from bathing, when an insistent knock rattled the door. Seriously? At this hour?

Laurel was still washing the dishes and tidying up the apartment after dinner.

So, I didn’t bother her with it. Grumbling, I padded across the room in my thin nightgown.

I should have pulled a robe over my nightgown, but I was already very tired and didn’t think.

I yanked the door open, ready to give whoever it was a piece of my mind and go back to sleep.

Curse my rotten luck!

My irritation evaporated instantly. Prince Anderic stood before me, golden curls tousled by the evening breeze, those piercing blue eyes boring into mine.

“No,” I blurted, attempting to slam the door. But Anderic was quicker.

His hand shot out, catching the edge. In one fluid motion, he pulled me into the hallway and shut the door behind us.

“Not so fast, princess,” he growled, pinning me against the wall.

My heart hammered wildly as I found myself trapped between Anderic’s muscular arms. The flickering gaslight cast dramatic shadows across his chiseled features. I struggled against his grip, but he easily caught my wrist, slamming it above my head.

“Let me go,” I hissed, painfully aware of how exposed I was in my thin nightgown. The rough stone wall scraped against my back as I squirmed.

“Now why would I do that?” Anderic’s voice was low and dangerous. “When I have you right where I want you finally?”

I swallowed hard, acutely conscious of our proximity.

In the silence of the small hallway, I could clearly hear my raging heartbeats.

My ragged breaths filled the space between us.

My chest heaved with each breath, causing my sensitive nipples in my thin nightgown to graze against the rough fabric of his shirt, hardening instantly against the coarse texture.

Heat radiated from his body, enveloping me in his intoxicating scent - sandalwood and leather with a hint of something deliciously him .

His nearness was a tantalizing torture, every nerve ending alive and aware of the prince standing before me.

I’m not even going to deny it anymore. Yes, I want him even though he’s dangerous.

“What do you want?” I managed to whisper, noticing how breathless I sounded.

Anderic’s gaze dropped to my lips, lingering there for an agonizing moment before meeting my eyes again. “You know exactly what I want, Ilyana.”

My name on his lips sent a shiver down my spine. I licked my suddenly dry lips, noting how his pupils dilated at the action.

“I don’t know, spell it out to me,” I said, surprised at the breathiness in my voice. I hadn’t meant to taunt him.

His free hand on my waist tightened.

“Are you sure about that?” Anderic leaned in closer, his breath hot against my ear. “Because your body is telling me a very different story.”

I bit back a gasp as his free hand skimmed along my side, leaving a trail of fire in its wake. My eager body arched into his touch, craving more despite the protests in the rational part of my mind.

Yes, more. I want this. I want you.

I leaned into Anderic’s touch, my body betraying my mind’s feeble protests.

But his hand skimmed under my breast, stopping just shy of cupping my breast. My hard nipples are begging to be touched, to be caressed.

The thin fabric between us became uncomfortable on my sensitive skin.

The heat in my veins intensified, and I found myself rising on my tiptoes, desperate to close the distance.

But Anderic pulled back slightly, his lips brushing my ear. “You left me again, princess,” he growled, his voice low and dangerous, yet filled with unmistakable heat.

I shivered as he placed a searing kiss just below my ear. “I don’t understand why you tend to leave me again and again,” he murmured against my skin.

My breath caught in my throat as his lips trailed down to my neck. A breathy moan escaped me before I could stop it.

“How is it fair,” Anderic continued, his words punctuated by kisses along my throat, “that you can kiss me and make me feel like this - to the point where I can hardly control myself - but you’re always in control while I’m burning with need?”

My mouth went dry, and my mind blanked. I’d never seen Anderic lose control like this. The golden prince, always so composed, now unraveling before me. It was intoxicating.

I want him to lose control. With me. Only me.

Before I could formulate a response, Anderic’s lips crashed into mine.

Everything melted away as the kiss ignited a fire within me, and I responded with equal fervor.

He released my hands, and I immediately tangled my fingers in his golden curls, pulling him closer.

His hands, no longer restrained, caressed my face, sending shivers of pleasure down my neck.

The kiss deepened as he leaned into me. He pressed his solid body against mine, and I could feel his hard length, a delicious pressure on my stomach. I could feel his muscles flexed through the fabric as he leaned in, and I moaned softly into his mouth, savoring the sensation.

I tightened my grip on his hair, pulling him closer, feeling the heat radiating from his body. Anderic’s kiss became more demanding, his tongue dancing with mine, leaving me breathless. He angled his head, deepening our connection, and I welcomed his invasion, my body yearning for more.

As our kiss intensified, I could feel his hardness throbbing against me.

He moved slowly, deliberately, his hips pressing into mine, igniting a burning need deep within.

My hands traveled down his back, tracing the contours of his muscles, urging him closer.

When Anderic suddenly broke away, both of us were breathing heavily.

His eyes, usually a clear blue, were now dark with desire.

“Don’t ever ignore me again, princess,” he said, his voice husky. “Don’t hide from me again.”

And then he was gone, leaving me stunned and trembling against the wall.

I slid down to the floor, my legs no longer able to support me. The rough stone scraped against my back, a sharp contrast to the lingering warmth of Anderic’s touch. My nightgown had slipped off one shoulder, and the cool autumn air raised goosebumps on my exposed skin.

As my racing heart began to slow, a familiar sarcastic voice in my head piped up. Well, that certainly didn’t go according to plan, did it?

I touched my still-tingling lips, my heart racing as I relived Anderic’s passionate kiss as I sat there on the cold floor, but I barely noticed the discomfort.

Well, that was… intense. And completely inappropriate. And absolutely delicious.

The door suddenly creaked open, making me jump. Laurel’s concerned face peered down at me, her brows furrowed in confusion.

“What are you doing there?” She looked curious as she took in my disheveled appearance. “And why do you look so red?”

I quickly adjusted my slipped shoulder, trying to gather what remained of my dignity. “Would you believe me if I said I was doing late-night floor exercises?”

Laurel’s skeptical look told me exactly what she thought of that excuse.

“Right.” She crossed her arms. “And I suppose your lips are swollen from… vigorous breathing exercises?”

When did my sweet, shy maid become so sarcastic?

“I’ve created a monster,” I muttered, accepting her offered hand to help me up. “Fine. His Royal Goldiness paid me a visit.”

Laurel gasped. “Prince Anderic was here? In the hallway? While you were in your nightgown?”

“No, it was his equally handsome twin brother,” I deadpanned. “Of course it was Anderic. Who else would have the audacity to—”

I stopped mid-sentence as my fingers brushed my lips again, remembering the heat of his kiss. God, what was that man doing to me?