Page 41 of Passion and Deception

She laughed and leaned back as well, trying to imitate his casual demeanor. “I don’t know. Can I get back to you on that?”

He shrugged one of those impressive shoulders. “Sure. You can take all the time in the world.” He then grinned. “And in the meantime, I’m going to pamper you.”

Despite her frugal soul, Maggie loved the sound of that and blushed at his intent gaze. “No one has ever pampered me.”

His expression was startled, then he asked, “You’ve never had boyfriends who wanted to…?” He stopped his question at her amused expression.

Her jaw tightened at his question. “I’ve had two boyfriends over the years. They were both so sweet at first, but as soon as I became emotionally involved, they stopped trying. Worse than that, they started lashing out at me when they were angry or drunk.” She sniffed. “And yet, they were more than happy to accept the services I offered as their just due.”

“What services?” he asked, his tone suddenly angry and he leaned forward, tense and ready to battle those past romantic partners.

She rolled her eyes. “Not what you think.” Then looked at him with mock primness. “And don’t ever assume that again, Your Highness,” she teased, not angry for some reason. She should be offended. Maggie supposed that she should at least be irritated that, again, he was assuming the worst of her. But somehow, his jealousy and outrage on her behalf felt…sweet. “You’ve obviously had lovers in your past, Ramit. It’s the same as me.”

“You could try to be jealous of my past lovers,” he grumbled at her smiling expression.

“Don’t you dare tell me anything about the women in your past,” she warned him, her tone still teasing, but Ramit knew that she was serious. “If I ever meet one of them, I might just have to scratch their eyes out!”

Ramit’s satisfied expression soothed the green monster inside of her.

“I’m serious!” she warned him.

He lifted his hands. “No other lovers in my life, Maggie. That position is all yours.”

Lover?Goodness, that sounded delectable.

But she was mad at him. Right?

Yes. She was angry with him. He’d deserted her, assumed the worst and left her to deal with the consequences of their brief affair.

And yet, he’d also been incredibly sweet over the past week. He hadn’t pressured her for anything more than occasional conversations. Plus, those conversations had given her insight into the man. Not a full picture, she thought. But glimpses. And those snapshots felt…really nice.

Still, she wasn’t going to dive right back into a sexual relationship with the man. Sex made one vulnerable and she was sick of feeling vulnerable!

When she looked at him this time, her chin rose up slightly, defying the nearly tangible sexual tension between them. “Maybe we should get to know one another more thoroughly before we jump in bed this time around.”

He shrugged. “You’re in charge, love. Just know that I desire you very much.”

Maggie felt her cheeks heat up and she looked away. He was just so…raw! So willing to put his desires front and center. There was no hiding anything with Ramit.

“You don’t want my desire?” he asked softly.

Her head snapped up and her mouth fell open. “What?”

“You looked away when I mentioned my attraction to you. Is that not something that you want from me?” He moved closer, taking her hands in his. “Be honest Maggie. If you don’t want me, then say so openly. There have been too many secrets between us. We need everything out in the open.”

He was right. She stared at their tangled fingers, trying to decide what she truly wanted. For so much of her life, she’d ignored her desires, either because she couldn’t afford them or she didn’t think she deserved them. Now, here was a man who was blatantly telling her that he wanted her. And she felt…aroused every time he was near. And anger. There was resentment too. But also an undeniable awareness of him as a man.

Did she want him? Yes. Did she believe that she deserved him?

Wasn’t that a loaded question!

After a long, tense silence, she nodded. “I want you, Ramit,” she finally replied, her innate honestly not allowing her to prevaricate. “And yes, I’m thrilled that you still want me.”

“However?” he prompted when she fell silent again.

She flashed him a smile, but it was quickly gone as the weight of their conversation pulled her back to the present. She looked at his large, tanned hands. Taking a deep breath, she opened herself up to him. “Ramit, I appreciate that you want me now. But what happens if you…change your mind in the future? What happens to me and Nadia? I would be devastated if I got used to this,” she said, waving her hand to encompass the pool and the palace, just as he’d done moments ago. “If I get used to this, used to your attention, but then you grow tired of me?”

He moved closer to her, his fingers tightening on her hands. “Maggie, are you under the impression that you are not lovely enough, fascinating enough, enticing enough to hold my attention over the long term?”

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