Page 21 of Forbidden King
He tossed the towel on the bed and grabbed his underwear. “Because you’re only thinking about my nakedness. And we’ve talked for a year. So you already know more about me than anyone else.”
Leo was built as the rumors all said. A prince and a stallion. The men of Avce had every reason to be jealous of their future king, but she turned around and ignored the steam that raced through her. “Or, I’m just another woman that’s graced your bed.”
She heard the shuffle of clothes as he said, “That’s not true. I know your birthday.”
“Which is?”
“May the 4thwhich I’m thinking of making a national holiday that the entire country can celebrate with flowers.”
Her internal thermometer shot way up—there was a hint of the Leo who wanted to throw caution to the wind. May was already big in Avce because of the Virgin Mary and adding Anna’s birthday would be political trouble.
Reality grounded her. She was no better as his wife than his secretary. In many ways her job was still just that… a paid position, only her payment was now in jewels, clothes and a home where she’d never have to worry about hunger. She stared out the window toward the ocean. “Why? That seems excessive.”
Her skin was aware of him long before he reached her. Her neck had tingles as his breath drew close. Anna twisted her ring as he said, “Because you’re my wife.”
“Let’s get back to talking about trust.”
“And sex,” he said with a wicked gleam in his eyes.
No wonder he always got whatever woman he wanted.
Leo was always pushing his limits. And it made him adorable. She should have expected that comeback. Besides, how many people her age had already been married and divorced? Marriage wasn’t always more than just sex. She couldn’t look at him as she said, “That doesn’t automatically grow trust. You were going to ask Francesca before you went to see your parents.”
He stepped between her and the window, offering his hand. “I was pushing my parents, not because I wanted Francesca. And don’t tell my parents or my sisters but they are all right to say she’d not be a good wife.”
Good. There was no love between him and Francesca but there was also no love between them. She knew better than to hope for more but she couldn’t stop herself from saying, “And instead you settled for me. I don’t want to be “settled” on. I’d like to think that love is possible.”
He traced his fingers down her arm, and a trail of goosebumps grew as he clasped their palms. “Sex and love go hand in hand, my sweet.”
Part of her already longed to throw caution to the wind. Just from holding his hand. Her brain screamed she was being foolish so she said, “Maybe, but rushing into sex never helped you in the past.”
“Until you put me on a schedule, I never had anything to do other than sex.”
His palm pressed against hers but her eyes widened as she met his gaze and asked, “What?”
He shrugged but then leaned closer, letting her smell that almond scented cologne of his. “I’ve never been allowed or asked to do anything… stately. I was always the “irresponsible” one, even as a kid. Sex just made being the bad boy of the family, I don’t know, more tolerable.”
The pounding in her heart wasn’t because he was this close… or maybe it was. She didn’t want to admit this as she looked into his handsome brown eyes. “So you were rebelling?”
“It won’t be… like that… with you.”
Those words made her toes curl. Part of her wanted to give into him. Her eyes batted closed, but she shook her head.
No.
They slipped into the shoes she’d chosen and left the bedroom suite.
As they entered the hall, a cool breeze brushed against her face from the open windows and the cross breezes of the sea outside. Her brain focused again. She had to be calm and sharp in order to know what to do with Leo.
Together they walked down a garden path and her nose filled with the scent of gardenia. By the time they reached the rose garden, she was enthralled with the blooms and forgot her concerns to enjoy the moment.
The path of flowers eventually led to the stables, where the smell became earthier.
She saw another side to Leo around the horses, playful yet masterful, and he walked her to the second stall. “Come, my sweet. This is Lady.”
Sweet might not be the appropriate nickname for her. She wasn’t being sweet—she was prolonging their lovemaking out of fear. Anna reached for the horse’s face and mane to pet. The horse came closer and neighed, which hopefully meant the animal was happy.
Anna stroked the horse’s large side, scared she was going to fall and break her neck if she rode. “Lady seems nice.”
