Page 6 of Unknown Royal Baby

‘Of course it is. I’m no fool. I know the huge gulf between us. I’m ordinary and you’re...you. It was laughable to think—’

‘Stop that!’ Isam folded his arms, muscles bulging and eyes glinting like molten mercury. He was the image of furious, frustrated masculinity and still he made her knees go weak. But she stood tall and returned his heated stare. ‘Do you see me laughing, Avril? I spent today,allthe days we’ve worked together, locking my feelings away. Trying to ignore my attraction to you. Pretending to be unaffected and uninterested, when all the time...’

Stunned, she watched a muscle spasm in his cheek as his jaw clenched. The tendons in his throat were taut and she felt tension radiating from him.

He was so angry hegloweredthrough slitted eyes.

But instead of dismaying her, his fury had the opposite effect. It told her he feltsomethingfor her.

She took a half-step towards him. Instantly he pulled back, chin lifting arrogantly. ‘That wasn’t meant as encouragement, Avril.’

But his hauteur didn’t deter her. ‘You want me?’ The words dropped, soft as petals on dewy grass.

Isam swallowed but said nothing.

‘Youwantme!’ The realisation eased her racing pulse and soothed the desperate ache just a fraction.

His voice was flinty with authority. ‘It would be madness to act on it.’

‘Madness, maybe.’ She paused to snatch air into oxygen-starved lungs. ‘I understand your reservations. Our lives are worlds apart. This can’t lead anywhere beyond tonight. You’re an honourable man who doesn’t want to take advantage.’

Unable to resist any longer, she placed a hand on his arm, feeling the abrupt jerk of muscles in response.

‘But what ifIinitiated it? IfIinvited you? It would be a momentary madness and I know it could only last one night. A secret shared by just us.’

She felt a shudder pass from him to her—a quiver of awareness and deep-seated longing. That proof of connection strengthened her determination. And her recklessness.

‘Even if it meant we couldn’t work together later, it would be worth it. Don’t you feel it too?’

Avril knew instinctively this madness as he called it was what she needed. For the first time in weeks the world made sense in a way it hadn’t since she’d lost Cilla. Even if the price was to leave this job, she’d take it. With her skills she’d find work. But where else would she find someone who made her feel the way Isam did?

Even the touch of her hand on his arm was enough to banish the shadows that had eclipsed her life, turning her black and white world into vivid colour again.

Lately everything except work had seemed out of kilter. But this was absolutely right.

Avril needed to feel joy and comfort. She needed the touch of someone warm and living. Not just anyone. Only Isam made her feel this way.

CHAPTER TWO

‘OFCOURSEIFEELIT.’ Isam’s words made her sag in relief. ‘But I won’t take advantage of you. Besides, I can’t offer a relationship, not long term. There are expectations on me that I can’t ignore. And I certainly don’t want to lose the best PA I’ve ever had.’

Any other time his compliment on her work would have thrilled her. But Avril had more urgent matters on her mind.

She closed the space between them, standing toe to toe, so her breasts brushed his folded arms as she slid her hands over his solid chest and around his neck. His skin was hot and the sensation of his thick hair against her fingertips elicited a frisson of excitement.

‘Then I’ll take advantage of you,’ she murmured, pulling his head down as she rose on her toes.

Her lips brushed his once, twice, and suddenly he was kissing her back. Powerful arms wrapped around her, pulling her close and high. Against her belly she felt the press of masculine virility and fire exploded in her veins.

Yet Isam’s kiss was slow, almost gentle, and totally at odds with her rush of urgent arousal.

Avril leaned in, opening for him, giving kiss for kiss. Still he took his time, as if needing to be sure of her.

She’d never kissed like this. Clumsy Christmas party pecks and dates with guys who were either too tentative or way too aggressive had made her suspect she wasn’t missing much by not dating.

Isam made her realise she’d had no idea how a kiss could be. But how badly she wanted to learn. She wanted to grab life in both hands and experience everything she’d missed.

Her legs were boneless by the time he lifted his head, surveying her through silvered eyes that shimmered with heat. That look alone would have seduced her. Not that she needed seducing. She clung to his shoulders, fingers digging possessively.

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