Page 88 of Bride Under Contract

For the first time she felt guilty at the pleasure of his kiss—as if her hurt should somehow erase her want.

But not guilty enough to stop.

It was a temporary solution, but she would take the relief, and she sank into him and kissed him back as if they were lovers who’d been parted for a decade. Or strangers who’d met in the dark and would be gone by light.

When he rolled her onto her back she was possibly forgiving them both their careless mistake that first night, because she was panting as he sheathed himself, holding the sheet rather than grabbing at him as he rolled it on, and she moaned in relief when he slipped in.

It was eyes closed and private, neither wanting to look at the other as they pushed hurt aside and caved in to desire, and in that Grace knew they were agreed.

She had never thought she could want and feel wanted, could trust another person the way she trusted him when she was in his arms, could feel—for now, at least—together with him in a place they could meet and agree.

‘Grace...’

He was not holding back, and he pushed her to new limits. And he made her a noisy lover.

The only thing she held back were the words from her heart. Because she would never, ever say it—never admit it, even as he came deep inside her, even as her body arched and orgasmed at his bidding.

She would deny to his face, if she had to, that this was love.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

GRACE WOKE TO the sound of Carter dressing, and the snap of the catch on his watch told her he was almost out through the door.

She rolled over in bed and watched as he pulled on his tie. He barely glanced over as he spoke.

‘The council in Janana has called us in.’

‘When will you be back?’

‘I’m not sure.’

‘I wish we hadn’t had sex last night,’ she told him.

‘Really?’

‘No...’ Grace admitted. ‘But I don’t think I want this marriage. I don’t think I can fake it for a year.’

‘Fake what?’ he asked, with all the confidence of someone who knew she wasn’t lying when she was in bed with him.

Then, to her quiet surprise, he came and sat on the bed, took her hand and looked at the ring.

‘Listen to me. On your phone you should have the new contract.’ He picked it up and handed it to her. ‘Check.’

She squinted. ‘Yes.’

‘Sign it,’ he said. ‘We’ll work out dates as soon as I’m back.’

‘I don’t know...’

‘Stay till I get back?’ He gave her thigh a squeeze through the sheet. ‘We could have a very nice year.’

He kissed her on the cheek, and then he looked right into her eyes. And she knew that fifty years from now, if she met that gaze, he would melt her again.

He kissed her both deeply and nicely, and she breathed him in as he held her. ‘If I do leave, I’m stealing your cologne.’

‘I’ve got to go.’

‘I hope the council approves.’

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