Page 42 of Enchanted Hero (The Secret Enchanters #1)

His silence was all the affirmation she needed.

Not only was she being claimed by a supernatural being, but by the strongest of them all.

A thousand emotions threatened to overpower: awe, shock, desire that never diminished.

Any scientist in the world would do anything to switch places with her. “Are you their president?”

He chuckled. “We don’t elect presidents.”

“A king?”

His eyes gleamed. “I’m their leader, but we’re much like a democracy. People advise me and consult on matters.”

“But when it comes down to it, you’re in charge.” Despite the proof literally blazing before her, it was almost impossible to believe. “You realize that doesn’t mean you’re in charge of me.”

He straightened, unmistakable challenge burning in his expression. “You know our secret. That means you’re my responsibility.” He edged closer, with all the power he no longer hid. “ Mine .”

Never had a word sounded so possessive. “But why? Is this about power? About wanting the one thing you can’t have?

” Fury rose, at him for claiming her, at herself for wanting nothing more than to accept it.

Despite everything, she still loved him.

But she refused to be his prisoner, locked away so she wouldn’t expose his secret.

“When you say you’re going to keep me, what does that mean? ”

He hesitated, as if deciding what to reveal. “You’re mine,” he repeated simply.

She fought for strength. “You can’t simply claim a person. You have no right to keep me!”

The corner of his mouth turned up, casting raw power. There was nothing – and no one – who could stop him. “I warned you what would happen if my secret was discovered.”

“But you set me up.” She pointed at his chest. “You wanted me to find out, didn’t you?”

He didn’t deny it.

“Why?” she whispered. “This is your most fiercely guarded secret, the truth you’ve kept from millions of followers, thousands of reporters and an entire government. Why would you share it with me?”

“Because I knew you would keep it safe.” His muscles flexed, then tightened. “And so I could keep you.”

“This isn’t really about the secret.” She spoke so low, it was barely audible. “This is about me, isn’t it?”

His eyes shone brightly in the glow of mystical objects. “Yes.”

Her heart thundered in her chest. One of the most powerful men in the world was claiming her, and despite it all she still loved him. Yet she couldn’t acquiesce, not now. She needed time to think, to consider her options.

Only it didn’t look like he was giving her that choice.

“You’re making it impossible for me to fight.” Now she folded her arms across her chest, standing tall to the powerful leader. “Well, I’m going to fight anyways. You can’t hold me prisoner. Anytime, I’ll simply escape… hey!”

With one liquid motion, Alexander lifted her into powerful arms. She struggled, but he held her fast. “I’m sorry, Everleigh, but escape is impossible. It’s been that way since the moment we met.”

She gasped. “I never understood why you targeted my business, especially when you took such a personal interest. But the takeover wasn’t of my company – it was of me.”

He stood tall. “I bought your company because you possessed one of our relics. Normally, I would allow the owner to leave immediately if he or she desired.”

“But you tricked me into staying.”

“I’d say my takeover bid has been successful.”

Yes, it had. Yet how could this extraordinary man, this super man truly want an ordinary woman like her?

Somehow, he read her doubts. “Do you still deny the connection between us?” Rare uncertainty, vulnerability even, tinted his expression. “Do you feel differently now that you’ve seen the real me?”

She softened. The truth didn’t change her emotions. He was still the man she loved. “Of course not.” His gaze shone with satisfaction, and too late she realized she could’ve used that in a bid for her freedom. It probably wouldn’t have worked.

She was well and truly captured.

He flexed, showcasing muscular arms. “Are you sure you don’t want to surrender now? It’ll be easier for you.”

“Never.” The determination in his eyes deepened. Her throat dried. “How are you so certain we’re meant to be together? You could have any woman in the world. Maybe you just want what you can’t have.”

“There is no woman more extraordinary than you.” The words sparkled with truth. “I suppose I’ll just have to convince you. I liked this challenge before, and now that I can show you the real me, I think I’ll like it even more.”

She tried to squirm back, but trapped by his powerful body, she couldn’t escape. “There’s no need to prove anything,” she whispered.

“Are you afraid of me?”

“Never…”

“Then you’re mine.”

He captured her lips. All thoughts of protest vanished as she melted in his arms, as his heat surrounded her in pure possession. And suddenly the kiss changed into something else entirely.

It was like she was floating in air, away from her body, away from reality.

Alexander was still touching her, caressing her, holding her, yet somehow the world had changed.

Emotions drifted by, power and strength, yet they were not hers.

The boundary between them was dissipating, as if they were truly becoming one, in body, mind and soul.

Desire seized every muscle, as she pushed closer, desperate for more.

But then suddenly, she was back on the ground, or as close as she could be while held in his arms. He had never let her go.

She licked her lips. “What happened?”

He did not appear as in control as usual. “Intimacy is different with us, more powerful, more intense. In the past, I held back.”

If he’d been holding back during their amazing lovemaking, what would it be like when he released all control? “Why did you stop?” she blurted out. She clamped her lips shut. She couldn’t hide his effect on her.

“If we went any further, I would have made love to you, and you’re not ready for that.”

“Not ready?” She blushed. “If you didn’t notice, last night we were more than ready.”

“I do remember.” Satisfaction tugged the corners of his lips. “However, it’s different now that you know the truth. You’re scared.”

Even without ESP, he sensed her emotions. He softly traced her cheek. “You need time to accept, and I don’t want to complicate it with physical desire. You’ll have plenty of opportunity to become accustomed to the new circumstances of your life.”

What did that mean?

Before she could ask, a clock beeped the hour. He frowned, gently lowering her to the ground. She was not expecting it, and for a second wobbled on shaky feet, before he steadied her. “I’m sorry. We have a lot to discuss, but right now, an emergency requires my attention.”

“The press conference is this morning,” she breathed. How could she have forgotten? Something sharp pierced her stomach. “Evans said he discovered the identity of the hero. Does he know it’s you?”

Alexander hesitated. “It’s possible.”

No. “So what’s the plan? Do you have some magic scheme ready to go?”

He broke her gaze. “Actually, we’re not using magic. We don’t want to risk any more exposure.”

“Good point. What’s the plan then?”

“Denial.”

She opened her mouth. Closed it. Opened it again. “Are you kidding?”

“No.”

“That’s not a plan!”

His gaze hardened. “It’s the best we’ve got. Anything else would put my people at risk. Above all, I have to protect them.”

“By sacrificing yourself? I won’t allow it.” She grabbed his arm. She barely reached halfway around the corded muscle, but it didn’t matter. He had to listen.

“You won’t allow it?” The heavy muscles under her fingers flexed. “You’re a little confused as to who’s in charge of whom.”

Heat engulfed her. “And you’re confused about the prospect of living in a government lab the rest of your life.”

He sobered. “I’m well aware of the risks, however there’s no choice. My reputation should be enough to sway people.”

“And if it’s not?”

“Denial is the only option. We just have to trust it’ll be enough.” He gestured to the fantastic items floating all around. “And hope the world doesn’t realize who I really am.”

* * * *

If the last press conference attracted a “crowd,” this one brought a crush. Spectators spread out as far as the eye could see, with news crews from around the world poised to cover the historic event. It was like the Superbowl, New Year’s Eve and a royal wedding all in one.

And they were all here to see him.

“Are you sure you want to be here?” Concern etched Everleigh’s expression, as she gazed down from the wide balcony.

They were in his building again, in a state-of-the-art office with glass and metal furnishings that overlooked the organized chaos down below.

The sounds of the street and crowds were audible even up here, amplified by his sensitive hearing.

A flawless blue sky and shining sun belied the tumultuous day.

Normally the office carried a slightly sterile smell, yet now it was beautified with gardenias, just like his lovely guest. It surrounded him – no, she surrounded him – in so many ways.

Since he’d revealed his true self, all the emotions he ever tried to hide burned so fiercely, he could barely control them.

She was his everything.

Yet, of course, his people also mattered, and right now he had to find a way to safeguard them. Afterwards, he would make certain Everleigh understood where she belonged. “If Evans implicates me, I will respond right away. I have a microphone and sound equipment ready.”

“But there’s nowhere to escape if they don’t believe you.

” Even through they were alone, she lowered her voice.

“You’re surrounded on all sides. There are even helicopters.

” The thundering of blades splintered the sky, from no fewer than a dozen news and government choppers jostling for space in the crowded airway.