Page 42 of Impossible Heir for the King

He lost everything except vision as she opened the door. Thank the gods he kept that because the gorgeous coral dress hugged her breasts then fell in a stunning swathe to the floor, skimming the slight curve of her belly without betraying her secret. It was so much more ‘palace appropriate’ than the revealing number from the shop but it seduced him as swiftly. Reduced him. He was nothing more than a man unbearably aching for the woman in front of him.

He just wanted to rip it off her.

He could make them delay the performance. He could be as late as he liked. But she’d called him selfish once already today and he didn’t fancy a repeat of that loss of control. Because she was right and he was ashamed because he’d not been thinking about anything other than how much he wanted to touch her.

‘It will only take me a moment to finish,’ she said.

Yeah? It would take him less time to finish exactly the way he wanted to.

But he didn’t. He could—would—resist. This wasn’t a test only for her, he realised. It was for him as well.

As he’d suspected the message to the barber had had its intended effect. The entire palace staff were lined up for his departure.

‘No wonder you’re big-headed,’ Maia murmured as they briefly paused at the top of the stair to take in the liveried display. ‘Does this happen every time you leave your own house?’

A chuckle escaped him.

‘What’s so funny?’

He couldn’t tell her yet.

The audience stood as they entered the theatre—last of course. And they stared. He held her hand as they were guided to their seats. It was another wordless declaration and yes, caused a massive murmur to ripple throughout the auditorium. Then a burst of thunderous applause. She glanced at him and he just knew she was wishing she could roll her eyes at his perceived pomposity. He just smiled at her, feeling guilty that she didn’t even know their fate was sealed.

‘Thank you for singing the anthem so beautifully,’ he turned his head to mutter when they finally took their seats.

‘Well, I wasn’t about to flub it with the whole world watching.’ She spoke without moving her lips an impressive skill he personally found very useful. ‘Though to be honest I’m amazed I actually knew all the words.’

He laughed, releasing a speck of the tension that had been riding him hard. But then the performance began and another tension consumed him. He tried so hard, but he couldn’t stop himself watching her. She wasn’t just absorbed in the performances, she wasentranced. And he?

He was no better than an animal fixated on his next feed. He’d drag her away at half-time if he could—but he couldn’t do it to her. She was luminous—loving every moment—while he endured the pleasure and pain of watching her but not touching her.

The minute they were alone he was apologising to her. Then he was kissing her.

He would take all that he could, when he could.

Maia had never felt so self-conscious. There’d been an insane number of people lined up in the palace to see King Niko off, but it was nothing compared to the entire audience staring up at him now. Most had repeatedly glanced up at him throughout the performance instead of watching the action onstage. One woman dressed in blue just a few rows away hadn’t taken her eyes off him for the entire time. Of course, Maia didn’t blame her. He looked devastating in that crisp white shirt and black trousers. He’d shaved, showing off the cheekbones that gave her palpitations. More handsome, more rakish than ever.

‘You enjoyed it?’ he asked as he guided her into the small room behind the royal box in the theatre.

‘I’ve never seen anything like it.’ And she was relieved to have a moment without everyone watching.

‘We’re expected to go backstage to meet some of the cast.’ He watched her with amusement. ‘Would you like that?’

‘Of course, if that’s what’s expected.’

‘But would you like it?’

‘Yes.’ She smiled at him. ‘Those singers were amazing. I’d like to tell them how much I enjoyed their performance.’

He nodded and she moved to exit the small room.

‘Stop,’ he breathed harshly and grabbed her arm. ‘Stay a moment.’

She looked up at him, startled.

‘I want to apologise,’ he muttered. ‘I was a jerk to you today. I just wanted to see you having fun. I wanted to be in on it. But of course you should have been free to go just...find what you wanted on your own. I’m sorry I wrecked that for you.’

Her heart thudded.Thatwas why he’d wanted to go with her? Why hadn’t he said so at the time?

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