Page 45 of Impossible Heir for the King

‘It wasn’t so hard, was it?’ he choked. ‘You’re all I can think about.’

He was locked so deeply inside her that she felt the rigidity in every inch of him.

‘My beautiful Maia.’

This time she finally believed him. This time she revelled in a release unlike anything ever.

She was so spent he had to carry her to his bed. So spent she couldn’t even open her eyes. She’d thought he wouldn’t hurt her. And he absolutely wouldn’t. Not deliberately. But suddenly she understood how deeply hecould. He made her believe she was beautiful. He’d made her feel wanted. And now, in the aftermath of such total ecstasy, her heart ached for even more. And suddenly she was restless again, like she’d been that first night, but this time for different—far scarier—reasons.

In the darkness Niko chuckled softly. ‘Come here.’

He pulled her tightly into his arms, knowing her too well. And as he stroked her hair, he took her heart deeper into his clutches with every caress.

CHAPTER TWELVE

‘MAIA.’

She stirred then came awake swiftly. ‘What’s wrong?’ Maia wrapped the sheet around herself as she sat up.

Niko’s jaw was looking particularly angular this morning.

‘It seems your father is unhappy,’ he said. ‘He’s been making this known across town. Spreading the news that his daughter has been abducted by the king to be his sex slave.’

She gaped, her cheeks burning. ‘You’re not serious.’

‘I’m going to speak to him,’ he said shortly. ‘Williams has brought him downstairs.’

‘Don’t see him,’ Maia said quickly. ‘I don’t care what he says. I don’t care what anyone thinks.’ She looked at Niko’s deepening frown. ‘But you do.’

‘I am the king, Maia. I must uphold certain standards.’

‘But no one is ever going to believe him.’ She tried to laugh it off. ‘Likeyouneed to abduct anyone?’

‘I did exactly that though, didn’t I?’ He stared at her moodily. ‘It’s one thing to be seen as a playboy. It’s quite another to be seen as a sex offender.’

‘But you’re not.’ Her lungs constricted but still she tried to offer another smile. ‘I...was willing.’

‘Were you?’ He didn’t smile back at her. ‘What choices did I give you really?’

‘Every choice that matters.’ She lifted her head proudly. ‘I slept with you because I wanted to. I could have said no but I didn’t want to. In fact I think you’re right and I might have started it. And I have no regrets.’ She looked at him, her heart quaking. ‘Do you?’

He didn’t answer. ‘Imustannounce our engagement, Maia. It’s past time.’

‘No.’ Maia rejected the idea immediately. After last night there was no way she could marry him. ‘No, Niko.’

‘To be frank it’s already done, Maia. Our going out together last night was as good as any formal engagement announcement. That’s why the staff all lined up to see you leave with me. They know their king has selected his bride.’

‘No.’Her jaw dropped. ‘That’s not possible.’

‘There’s a reason you’ve never seen me on a date here in Piri-nu, Maia.’ His lips twisted ruefully. ‘The smallest signals are taken very seriously.’

‘Being seen in public with a woman doesn’t make it imperative that you marry her. That’s ridiculous.’ She didn’t want to marry him. Not like this. Not because of this. ‘I don’t want to marry you, Niko. It’s not necessary.’ She swung out of bed and hurriedly tugged on some underwear. ‘I’ll see my father and tell him to stop. You needn’t concern yourself. It’s not your job.’

‘When it’s my name he’s slandering?’

‘It’s mine too and he’smyfather.’ Once more her father’s interference was impacting on her life. Because of him she was not good enough to be Niko’s bride. She would see him now and tell him to leave.

‘I’m not letting you face him alone.’ Niko folded his arms and watched her tug down the sundress she’d grabbed.

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