Unfaded Glory by Sara Arden Page B

master suite with every luxury, from a wet bar to a king-size bed. She sat on the bed, running her fingers over the purple duvet.
    For a brief moment, she wondered if she was being selfish. Maybe she should look for another royal to marry, someone strong enough to defeat Abele— No.
No.
Her father had wanted to bring democracy to Castallegna and if she married another royal, he wouldn’t want to give up a crown for her father’s dream.
    Even though it was the right thing, it still felt wrong and strange to go against what she’d been told was her duty her whole life.
    Damara told herself that her duty was to protect her people, to do what was best for them. And this was it. A monarch was a law unto himself, and Abele took that to the extreme. She was the only one who could stop him.
    She exhaled heavily. She couldn’t wait to get into the shower. Maybe it could wash away the dirt and that feeling of guilt.
    Probably not, because she’d decided.
    Even after everything, Byron Hawkins would be the one. She wanted to experience him, and what did it matter anyway? They’d never see each other again after this.
    Sometime later, when he reentered the room, their eyes met and it was as if they’d both been caught in some high-voltage current they were helpless to stop. She moved toward him, unable to direct her steps anywhere else.
    He welcomed her into his arms but did nothing more. The tension between them was thick and heavy, like a weight pressing them down.
    Her breath caught in her throat. “Are you going to kiss me?”
    â€œNo.” Only his head dipped toward her anyway.
    â€œOh.” She was disappointed. “Then I guess
I’ll
have to kiss
you.
” Damara arched her back, twined her arm around his neck and mashed her lips against his.
    He wrapped one arm around her, his palm splayed on her waist, and he became the aggressor. She held her lips stiff and rigid, but gradually, under his guidance, she opened for him.
    He tore his mouth from hers and pushed her away. “This can’t happen,” Hawkins said raggedly.
    â€œWhy not? You already said that if I still wanted this when we got to Barcelona, then God help me. So maybe he is.” His parted lips were swollen and even more inviting. “After you hand me over to your Mr. Renner, we’ll never see each other again.”
    â€œWhat is it you want from me?” He met her regard, but his eyes seemed so tired, a deep well of sadness.
    She almost lost her nerve. “I thought that would be obvious, Mr. Hawkins. I want you to make love to me.”
    For the briefest moment, Damara thought he was going to deny her. Especially when his expression became guarded and closed, his mouth a tight line. “Then take off your clothes.”
    This wasn’t what she’d expected, either, but she wasn’t turning back now.
    * * *
    S HE TOOK OFF her utility belt and hung it on the bedpost.
    â€œThat’s where I put mine.” He smirked.
    With shaking hands, she undid the clasp on his utility belt and hung it over her own. She wet her lips, and she couldn’t quite bring herself to look up at his face. Her heart pounded against her ribs like a thousand butterflies looking for an escape.
    He took her hands in his own, and the weight of his stare drew her gaze upward like a magnet.
    â€œYou can still change your mind.”
    â€œNo, this is the path I’ve chosen and I’ll see it through to the end.” She searched his eyes. “It’s what I want.”
    â€œDon’t say I didn’t warn you.”
    The softness of his voice was at odds with the fury of his kiss. Heat incinerated her and she melted against him. His hands were everywhere—rough and calloused, but sparks burst in their wake.
    â€œCan I touch you?” she asked against his mouth.
    â€œAnywhere you want.”
    For some reason, his words made her feel powerful. She pushed her hands under the soft