Page 48 of Raul
“Okay, then, I don’t want everyone in the palace to know that we spent the night together. It would be awkward for me.” She held her breath, waiting for his denial or annoyance.
But his reaction was worse. He loosened his hold on her waist and let out a sigh of resignation.
“I understand.” He pressed a kiss just below her earlobe, the sweet yet erotic gesture melting her insides. “Tell me when you want to go.”
She glanced at the clock on his bedside table, wishing the hands would move backward. “Another half an hour.”
“Then we will make the most of it.” He rolled onto his back, taking her with him so she lay sprawled over him.
When one of his hands went to her breast and the other slid between her thighs, she forgot about palaces and kings and how beyond her reach they were to let herself sink into pure sensation.
“Mierda!I have to go!”
Raul awoke with a start to find Erica squirming in his embrace. Without thinking, he tightened his grip. Then he remembered that she preferred not to spend the night at the palace. Acquiescing, he pressed a kiss against her smooth, warm shoulder and forced himself to release her. Unfortunately, he understood her reasons for wanting a quick, quiet exit. His love life was a source of endless fascination for the media.
“I wish you would stay,” he said, running his finger down her spine as she sat up and scooted to the edge of the bed.
She smiled over her shoulder. “I’d like to, but…” She waved her hand to encompass his room and beyond.
Grimacing with acceptance, he pushed up onto his elbow. “But you’ll come back tomorrow, won’t you?” He wasn’t ashamed to plead. He desired her company in every way.
An odd look crossed her face, as though she was torn about how to answer. Yet he was sure she had enjoyed their evening together. Sometimes he felt completely in sync with her, and sometimes she was hard to read.
“You have to give me a report on your espionage at the Centro del Dragón.” He smiled to keep it light, but he desperately wanted her to come back, and this provided a compelling reason for her return.
“Right. Of course.” She stood, and he admired her creamy bare skin and delicious curves from behind. “I’ll text you about a time.”
“Come as soon as you finish.” He tossed off his covers and swung his legs over the side of the bed, cursing when he started to stand and felt the shot of pain in his ankle.
She bent to pick up his crutches, giving him a tempting glimpse of her breasts. “Here you go.”
Hauling himself upright, he pulled on his briefs before he followed her into the living room where clothes were flung everywhere around the sofa. “I don’t suppose you would consider leaving your bra draped over the armchair. It adds a nice touch to the décor.”
She gave him the briefest of smiles as she slipped into her panties and snagged the bra. He picked up his crutches and watched as she finished dressing with the same speed and competence as she had set up her tent. He wished like hell he could figure out how she felt.
“I’ll get the dishes from your bedroom,” she said while she tamed her hair into neat waves with a brush pulled from her purse.
“No need. The staff will take care of it in the morning.” He didn’t mention that she wasn’t the first woman to eat in his bed.
“And none of them would be surprised to find dishes there,” she said.
“I’m not sure how to interpret that.” He angled his head in a question.
“As a statement of fact,” she said. “You’re the prince, and you’re not exactly repulsive.”
“A backhanded compliment if ever I heard one.” But the corners of his lips twitched. She liked to keep him humble.
She came back to him and laid her hand against his cheek, her lips curving into a soft smile. “This has been an amazing evening. Thank you.” She rose onto her toes and pressed a kiss against his lips. He tried to shift the crutches to put an arm around her to pull her closer, but she stepped back too quickly. “Buenas noches, Su Alteza Real.I’ll see you later today.”
Then she strode toward the door.
“Wait!” he called out. “I’ll call Dario to escort you.”
“I can find my way out.” She kept going and pulled open the door before giving him a wave and vanishing.
“Malditocrutches!” He hated that he couldn’t wrap his arms around her and kiss her so persuasively that she would be sure to return as soon as possible.
Because his apartment felt empty now. And his bed held no appeal without her hot, gorgeous body in it.
