Page 47 of Pregnant With His Majesty's Heir

The words reverberated in the silent room, echoing not just in her ears but in the desolate places inside that had felt empty since her mother died. In all the intervening years no one had cared enough to take time and really notice her the way Lucien did, much less put her first.

It was powerful, wonderful and utterly overwhelming. Unexpected heat pricked her eyes.

‘Aurélie?’ Concern puckered his forehead. ‘Are you okay? What have I said?’

Her smile felt ridiculously tremulous but she didn’t care as she turned her hand, capturing his heat and solidity as she threaded her fingers with his.

‘Something wonderful. What you said...’ She shook her head. ‘It sounds pathetic but I’m not used to anyone caring.’

Their eyes locked and Aurélie felt a great swoop and rise of emotion. It was so strong it caught her at the knees, making her legs tremble. Convulsively she clutched Lucien’s hand.

‘I care, Aurélie. Never doubt it.’ His whispered words trailed like a silken caress, wrapping around her fast-beating heart.

It should have been impossible to feel so much for this man. Logic said there’d been no time to form a strong bond, or to know him properly.

Instinct, bone-deep and unwavering, disagreed.

In this moment she realised that wherever she went in the future, whatever she did, there’d always be this attachment. Even though his prime concern was their unborn child, not her.

There was more, she discovered anew as his thumb brushed hers and a ripple of sexual awareness coursed through her.

Did he feel it too?

Suddenly Lucien’s concerned stare turned into something different. Beneath those dark eyebrows his amber eyes lit like flame. She felt the heat of that look down in her core and higher, where her breasts drew tight.

‘I haven’t stopped wanting you since that night.’

His words cut through the charged atmosphere, making her suck in a sharp breath.

She shook her head. ‘You were engaged to Ilsa, remember?’

‘Oh, I remember.’ If anything that fiery gaze grew hotter and Aurélie felt the blood rise under her skin, scorching her breasts, throat and cheeks. ‘There was never anything between Ilsa and me except a formal agreement. I admire and like the woman but I neverwantedher. We never...’ He shot Aurélie a searing look from under lowered brows. ‘We didn’t even kiss. Neither of us was in a hurry to marry. That was just the schedule arranged when she was supposed to marry my cousin.’

Aurélie wondered what it would be like, expected to wed and produce heirs to order. She’d imagined such dynastic arrangements had died out years before.

‘But the Princess is beautiful. You must have desired her.’ As soon as the words escaped she cringed inwardly. Did she sound as needy as she felt, seeking further affirmation?

‘You’d think so, wouldn’t you?’

He pulled back the hand that covered hers and Aurélie felt a piercing moment of regret. She’d shattered their precious closeness with her tactless questions.

Lucien drew himself up to his full, imposing height. ‘In the last six months I’ve been so busy with work, first as an architect and now here as King, that I haven’t been with any woman except you.’ He paused as if letting her absorb his words. ‘In that time theonlywoman I’ve imagined in my bed is you, Aurélie. No one else.’

Her breath hissed on a stunned breath. It seemed impossible, yet everything within her urged her to believe.

‘There’s only one woman I want, Aurélie.’ His words throbbed with a need that matched the primal pull and drag inside her own body.

Yet he made no move to meet her halfway.

She breathed deep, inhaling that tantalising male scent of clean skin, fresh air and spice.

‘Then what’s holding you back?’

He knew she wanted him. She hadn’t let out a peep of complaint yesterday when he’d swept her into his arms to take her to bed. Yet now, frustratingly, she sensed a barrier between them.

His frown deepened. ‘I’m trying not to take anything for granted. Because if I touch you again, there’ll be no stopping. No time for second thoughts.’ Lucien drew a breath that made his chest expand.

Aurélie had never heard or seen anything as powerfully arousing as Lucien, standing before her, warning he’d reached the limit of self-control. He made her feel confident and strong. Made her feel wanted and cherished. Even if it was only sex. She didn’t make the mistake of thinking the attraction Lucien felt was more than physical.

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