“Fireworks,” he said, waggling his eyebrows as if their kiss had set off the explosives that had marked the end of the wedding reception.
She grinned, but her face soon grew serious. She straightened and had the look of a sharp businesswoman. “You have condoms, right?”
He repressed a laugh, not because he thought there was something funny about practicing safe sex, but because she was being so direct and practical about it. All the women he’d been with before had blushed and stammered, most of them not even mentioning protection until he did. But never wanting to follow in his father’s footsteps and impregnate a woman to whom he wasn’t wed, he was always very, very careful.
“Don’t worry,” he finally replied. “I have plenty of condoms, but if we happen to go through them all, I can send a footman to retrieve more. Anything you desire tonight, Cora, consider it yours.”
Her expression relaxed and she tugged at the pins holding the top half of her hair in a twist, letting the fullness of her long curls cascade in rivulets of gold over her shoulders.
Fuck.
Akeen’s need surged and he had to restrain himself from adjusting his hardening cock in his trousers. Her cheeks were flushed, indicating that however confident she normally was in her day-to-day life, being bedded by a near stranger left her nervous. Once again, he entertained thoughts of pushing her boundaries and defiling her innocence, but only in a way she would enjoy. He wouldn’t take her until she was panting breathlessly and begging to be claimed, wet and aching beyond belief for his cock to pound her to an orgasm.
She took a deep breath, as if to steel herself to be brave. He admired her all the more.
“Just to be clear.” She looked him directly in the eyes, once again the pragmatic businesswoman. “This is only for one night.”
He lifted an eyebrow at her and yanked her closer, until her chest was flush against his. He trailed his hands over her shoulders and smoothed her hair behind her back, reveling in each brush of his fingertips across her smooth flesh. “Why only one night, Cora?” He put his mouth to her ear and noted her involuntary shiver at his increased closeness. “Can you not imagine a future for us?”
Her breath hitched. “This is-is a one-night stand. I don’t think real long-lasting relationships can start with one-night stands. Besides, I just broke up with my boyfriend. I’m on the rebound and not looking for anything more than, well, what we’re about to do.”
“By the time I’m finished with you, Cora, you aren’t going to remember that asshole’s name, I promise you that.”
“So, then you’re in agreement? About this only being for one night?”
Slowly, he shook his head from side to side and placed one finger beneath her chin, forcing her to hold his gaze. “I will agree to no such thing. You’re being awfully bossy, little girl. Keep it up and I might have to teach you a firm lesson.”
He cut off her indignant gasp with another hard kiss.
At first, she fought him, pushing at his chest and making frustrated squeaking noises against his mouth. He tugged on her hair and withdrew to peer into her gaze, delighting in the warring emotions that played across her face. Lust, frustration, and flashes of forced confidence followed by increasing nervousness.
“Do you remember my name?” he asked, giving her hair another tug.
She narrowed her eyes. “Of course, I do.Akeen.”
“Just wanted to double check. Because you’ll be screaming it soon.”
A smirk lightened her features. “Only if you’rereallygood.”
“Has anyone ever told you that you have a smart mouth?” He traced his thumb over her bottom lip.
“Yes, but I always take it as a compliment.”
With a growl, he scooped her up in his arms.
Then carried her to his bedroom.
Chapter 3
Her heart was pounding. This had to be a dream.
A delicious, wonderful dream.
Akeen’s olive tan skin shone in the light that emitted from the fancy electric sconces lining the room. His hair was dark as the night, gleaming black and wavy. Not close-cut like most of the princes she’d seen, his locks were long enough to touch his shoulders.
Exotic and sexy, powerful and a bit mysterious, he was a far cry from every man she’d ever dated. But oh, how she wanted him. If she regretted this night of passion come morning, so be it.
He placed her down atop the soft covers and immediately came to straddle her, both of them still fully clothed. After capturing her wrists and holding them above her head, he leaned down to trail hot, sensual kisses along her collarbone and neck. Sometimes his teeth grazed her flesh. Other times, his tongue. The combination of a pinch of pain, followed by gentler kisses and licks of his tongue, promised an eventual roughness to which she wasn’t accustomed.
