“What happened?” She peeked over her shoulder but saw no obviousghost.
He stilled and looked around the room. “My great, great grandmother was murdered in this room by a man who was after herthrone.”
Perhaps the people wanted their freedom from tyranny and rules of kings. Her own father would never approve of the decadence. “Whathappened?”
Antonio crossed his arms and stared at the chandelier. “She was a widow and her son was less than five. A fortune hunter thought she was easy prey until she said no to his proposal. She came here for protection, but found all her guards dead from poison. Then when she fired her gun at the villain, hekilledher.”
She shook her head and backed out of the room. "At least her sonwasokay."
“He was well guarded in the palace.” He closed the door to the grand hall and they returned to the large open space with the hunting lodge feel. "So, the communist rulers ignored this place, but my brothers and I loved being together here since we moved and lost our friends inEngland."
She noticed two other closed doors but avoided asking what the rooms were used for. She glanced at the two straight-backed chairs, an old brown couch and a large red armchair with thick cushions and a slightly sagging seat positioned in front of a large fireplace. She pressed her lips together and walked toward the couch. "Who gets the bigchair?"
He laughed as she sat, then he joined her. "When I’m here by myself, I can read by the fire, though when my brothers come it's whoever gets here first that claims thethrone."
He said throne like it was an in-family joke, though the red armchair had thick cushions and was probably comfortable. "It'snice."
He leaned backward on the couch and stretched his arm behind her. "This is also the only place I know where servants aren't watching me and I can really bealone."
She blinked and gazed into his eyes as her heart began to beat a little faster. "So no one willcomein?"
He leaned forward and cupped her face in his hands. "No. All during lunch I was thinking of a place where I coulddothis."
His kiss left her body with tingles of anticipation. She wanted him, but he ended the moment too fast. She licked her lips. "What agoodidea."
He let her go and folded his hands together. "How can I convince you tomarryme?"
Throw out the contract terms. She blinked, not voicing those words, but she placed her hand on his arm and asked, "Why did you stop, you know, when we were kissing on theplane?"
He took a deep breath and held up two fingers. "Twothings."
Her pulse quickened and she scooted closer to him. She'd been ready to make love on the flight. She tightened her grip around his arm. "Whichare?"
His slightly calloused fingers brushed against her arm and left a trail of electric need in its path. He tugged her closer to him as if they were discussing something secret and forbidden. "Renee was downstairs, and when I make love to you, I don't want to beinterrupted."
Ohh. True. Renee probably would have heard something. Though luxurious, it was still a plane. She hadn't even thought about it because she was too wrapped up in him. She nodded, "Andtwo?"
He reached out and brushed her hair back from her face. "Two is that I don't want a one-night-stand with you. I asked you tomarryme."
Now she'd had less than four boyfriends in her life, and none of them had left her with spine-tingling, must know more about him, sensations. All had been sweet but she couldn't remember a single name at this moment. Her body needed Antonio’s touch. Her cheeks flushed. "It's sexy to be wanted, to know you want marriage, but I'd also like to know we're a match.Physically."
"Attraction is a good thing." He loweredhishead.
She closed her eyes and pressed her lips out forakiss.
He didn't disappoint. His touch sent awareness through every cell inside her. She ached for him. After a few minutes of intense kisses she climbed on top of his lap with her knees on either side of his hips, so she could be nose-to-nose with him, again. Her dress inched up her thighs, baringherskin.
Wind rustled branches outside, but inside she was warm and toasty in his arms. He rested his hands on her hips and once the kiss ended said, "Shall we get you out of yourclothes?"
Agreed.She didn't have to say anything. Instead she stood, but he reached under her legs, swept her off her feet, and carried her into theotherroom.
She gazed at a full-size four poster bed with an emerald silk comforter, a nightstand and a dark wood dresser beneath a curtained window. In the next room, she spotted a gleaming white bathroom that seemed modern, not that she intended to check right now. This retreat of his was complete with everything. She hugged himcloser.
Speechlessat the hunger in his gaze, her breath caught as she stood before him so his eyes could undress herfirst.
He took off his shoes and polo. She toed off her flats. He wagged his finger for her to stay close. "Comehere."
Her body was already his so it was time to show him her feelings too. She wrapped her arms around his waist, but then he said, "Take off your clothes...slowly."
