That devastatingly sexy smile was how he clearly had women falling into his bed. Or maybe it was that sparkle in his brown hues that created a vibration right into her soul, even as he said something as mundane as asking for his phone messages. “No, but it happens in movies,” he said. “I’m hoping it’s comfortable.”
Leo lounging on a couch in PJs and not in a business suit or a polo shirt was going to be interesting. She couldn’t even imagine him in cotton pajamas though she knew he owned a few pairs, as she’d opened his presents throughout the year and sent the proper thank yous to the senders.
He was right to be aware of the household staff. She brushed his muscular arm—she knew for a fact that he spent an hour or more at his gym to stay in shape.
The furnace in her face began to burn again and her skin probably showed the flush. Her lips tingled as she remembered his kisses. She glanced at his full mouth and the slight stubble on his chin due to the late hour. “Very well. I understand that we need to not cause a scandal. I don’t want anyone speaking about me either.” To be queen meant that she had to have an impeccable reputation.
Conversation over, she scooted her chair back.
He didn’t move but sat straight and said, “Second-”
She returned to her seat and crossed her legs. “There is a second?”
He turned his chair toward her so he faced her without the table in the way. “Yes. And possibly a third and fourth.”
She sat back and rested her head against the outside wall of the castle. “Okay. Give me a second.” She knew that he liked the upper hand but this was their future they were discussing and she had to be clear-minded.
He hopped out of his chair and held one finger up. “Fair. I’ll order a snack.”
The sea breeze grew in intensity and a small chill was now in the air. She followed him inside and closed the balcony door. The rest of the conversation could be in here where she didn’t need a sweater.
His bedroom suite had a small dining room to the right. The living area, with a couch and chairs, was too close to the bed. Now that she’d made her case for time, she couldn’t stop thinking about them together.
Once he was through ordering their meal, he hung up and flung a leg over the seat to join her.
What could he be planning? A zip grew in her veins as she admitted, “Now I’m curious.”
He kissed her fingertips. “Second, I need us to act happy and in love in front of the staff.”
Pretending wasn’t who she was. And while she cared for him, he didn’t for her. She pursed her lips and studied the marble squares visible underneath the blue Persian carpet of the dining area. “So you’re asking me to lie?”
He didn’t move until she glanced at him and then he swallowed and said, “I’m asking for us to send a message to the people that you and I are solid and that the future king and queen are one team.”
A team. She’d been on his team for a year. That wasn’t a lie. She nodded. More importantly, she’d never want anyone to mock him about anything. “Very well. I understand that.”
A slow smile grew on his face. Her body zipped with awareness as she pressed her hand to his face. His demands were reasonable and she wanted them to get along. She began to smile back at him until he said, “Third. You will let me seduce you.”
Her heart sped up and she took her hand back as a shot of cold washed through her. “You just said you’d give me space to decide.”
His eyes smoldered as he looked at her intently. He didn’t touch her, but he didn’t pull back either. “I won’t force myself on you.”
This was too much. She pushed her chair back to get out of the way and shook her head. “I didn’t think you would.” He would never intentionally hurt her, and she knew it.
She crossed her arms as she heard his chair sliding back, and from the corner of her eye, she saw him rise. She stepped away but he inched closer and said, “I want to warn you that I intend to talk you into that bed. You will ask me to take you.”
Talk. The word buzzed in her ear. Her heart hammered she’d like to be there already, but she wasn’t ever going to be like Francesca. Or any of his dalliances. As his wife, she needed to be something…someonespecial. She fanned her cheeks and glanced at his shoulder to ground herself before she was able to meet his gaze. “There is something I should tell you.”
He put his hands in his pockets, his habit when he thought of something to add to the schedule. “What?”
The usual stance of his calmed her. Anna wasn’t frightened, but she took a deep breath and ignored the thunder of her heart. “I’m not like Francesca or most of the women you know.”
He gave her a curt nod. “Obviously. You’re my wife.”
That didn’t mean much to many married men in the world. She sniffed and the cologne she’d purchased for him wafted into her nostrils—she’d asked housekeeping what cologne he wore and had bought it for his birthday. She glanced down. “No. I mean something else.”
He came closer and she could feel his body heat next to hers. “What?”
Her head screamed to keep this a secret, but she couldn’t. She turned away so she didn’t get lost in his dark brown eyes—she never wanted to pretend with Leo. He needed to know that she’d never had sex as she’d never met the guy she wanted enough to bother to try, so she sucked in her breath and stared at the calla lilies decorating the table as if the staff had coordinated her wedding flowers into the bouquet. “Leo, I’m a virgin. I’m twenty-six years old, and I don’t know anything about seduction.”
