believe that will change once you’ve bedded me?”
“You’re vain,” he said without heat. “Don’t confuse me with your besotted king.”
“That would be impossible.” She laughed and the throaty sound rippled down his spine. “I’m not speaking out of vanity, and you know it. You think Idon’t feel the attraction between us? If you’re even half as good in bed as you look, I’ll want more. And I’m not without skills of my own. You would enjoy me immensely. You suspect how good it could be, that’s why the thought of other women is so unappealing. When was the last time you desired a woman who wasn’t interchangeable with another?”
His cock hardened further. Her bold challenge excited him. “Never,” he admitted. Staring at her, he felt as if she was some new, previously undiscovered species. “Do you ever not say exactly what’s on your mind?”
“I’ve spent the last five years never saying what I thought. I didn’t like it and vowed never to do it again.”
His smile was predatory. “Then allow me to be as honest with you. Unless you refuse me outright, I will have you.”
“You have another life to return to.”
“I’d say let’s hurry, but I have no intention of doing that.”
She rubbed at the space between her brows. “This is crazy.”
“Isn’t it?” He was glad that it was, and grateful that his heart raced and his stomach was clenched tight in anticipation. He was alive. A miracle in itself and he wanted to celebrate that with her.
“Arrogant bastard.” She glared at him.
Wulf moved around the desk and growled when she spread her legs, revealing her glistening sex beneath the short hem of her dress. She was as ready as he was. He reached for the drawstring at his waist.
“No.”
His fingers stilled.
She pointed to the floor at her feet. “On your knees, Prince Wulfric. If you’re so eager, you may pleasure me with your mouth.”
Frozen mid-step, he stared at her. Sapphire was going to fight him every step of the way. He searched her face, judging the strength of her resolve. He groaned inwardly at the obstinate set of her jaw and the defiant gleam in her eyes.
The prince in him was affronted at being ordered to forgo his own pleasure to service hers. But the part of him that was pure primitive male smelled her arousal and knew it was his to take. The two sides battled for only a moment.
A war of wills—it was a new and highly intriguing situation for him, a man who’d never had his will challenged in his lifetime.
After years of war and months on patrol, Wulf knew how to deny his baser needs, but he seemed unable to do so now. His ego chafed at the loss of control; his body ignored it in favor of the animal attraction that flowed thick and hot through his veins.
He decided then to use all of his considerable skill, charm, and physical attributes to make Sapphire burn as he did.
Lifting his gaze from between her legs, Wulf met her dark eyes with a raised brow. “So intimate an introduction should be preceded by a kiss, don’t you think?”
Her face clouded with uncertainty for just a moment before she hid her emotions behind acool mask of indifference. She rose from her chair with a mysterious smile.
“What a lovely idea.” Her tone set him on edge. He was left wondering if he’d won the engagement or lost it.
They moved toward each other, every step increasing the sharp awareness between them. When she reached him, she placed her palms against the rippled ridges of his abdomen, then slid them slowly around to caress the corded length of his back.
Her touch was electric, her scent intoxicating. In the days since the ambush, he’d avoided any contact with the other mästares , making a wide berth when passing to avoid even a fleeting contact. The thought of anyone touching his skin made his stomach knot, but Sapphire’s touch was like warm silk—healing and soothing.
He drew her to him, holding his breath as her full breasts flattened against
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