Page 52 of Fairy Tale Husband

“Just one or two more questions,” she assured. “Tell me about Randolph.”

Jake grimaced. “Randolph’s a couple years older. Until I appeared on the scene, he considered himself the heir apparent, despite his distant connection. It was a nasty shock to discover his error. From the minute I arrived, it became his goal to make my life a misery.”

“And Evie?”

He shook his head. “Sorry, elf. That’s a private matter.”

“No problem. Ihave a pretty good idea what happened there.”

“Why doesn’t that surprise me?” he muttered.

He took a quick swallow of brandy, as though screwing up his courage—which was utterly ridiculous. Jake was the bravest man she knew. “What is it?” she asked gently.

His breath escaped in a harsh laugh. “You don’t miss much do you?”

“I try not to,” she confessed with a shrug. “Is there something else you want to tell me?”

“Not tell you exactly. Iwant to thank you.”

Her brows winged upward. “For what?”

“For tonight.” He leaned closer and cupped her face, his thumb tracing the generous curve of her mouth. “And I wanted to apologize. Ishould have told you the true reason for tonight’s gathering. Ididn’t because.. . Because...”

She leaned into his touch. “Because you wanted to protect me from embarrassment.”

He closed his eyes, amuscle jerking in his cheek. “No, damn it. That’s not the reason. It’s the excuse I used, but it isn’t the truth. Iwas afraid to tell you about that clause in my grandfather’s will. Iwas afraid of what you’d do.”

She gazed at him in bewilderment. “I don’t understand. You’re not afraid of anything.”

“I didn’t think so.” He looked at her then, holding her with a fathomless golden gaze. “Until I met you. You scare the living hell out of me, sweetpea.”

The words hung between them, simple, brutally frank, and utterly devastating. “You’re afraid of me?” she whispered, shocked. “Why?”

He didn’t want to answer, didn’t want to reveal another chink in his armor. But she deserved his honesty, if nothing else. “You’re the first person ever to believe in me. To offer unconditional trust. You see people so clearly. And yet when you look at me, you see someone I don’t know.” His mouth twisted in a self-deprecating smile. “Don’t you understand? That image, the man you’ve created for yourself isn’t real. And the one who does exist can only hurt you.”

“Then one of us is wrong. And just in case you were wondering...” Her eyes gathered up the firelight, reflecting its fierce heat and energy. “It’s not me.”

It seemed an eternity before he could respond. “What am I going to do with you?” he asked roughly.

The answer trembled on her lips, but she caught the words just in time, altering them ever so slightly. “Make love to me.”

His laughter came easier now. “That shouldn’t be too difficult. Ican’t keep my hands off you.”

“I don’t remember asking you to.”

His hand slipped from her cheek to curve around her neck. “Come here.” He exerted the slightest pressure, tumbling her into hisarms.

Their mouths collided and their limbs entwined, an overwhelming urgency setting the mating dance into motion. Though he’d taught her the steps well, she’d come into her own over the past weeks, bringing a unique style and grace to the ritual. Completely unselfconscious, she rose to her knees and shed her clothing. She didn’t tantalize, didn’t tease, nor did she display any uncertainty in this moment of utter vulnerability. She simply gifted him with her body, offering herself, heart and soul, without hesitation or reserve. It had always been this way with her.

And it never failed to humblehim.

Finally, the last of her clothes were removed and she knelt, poised before him. She was made for firelight, he determined in that moment. The glow from the leaping flames licked at the alabaster hillocks of her breasts before melting into the shadowy delta at the juncture of her thighs. He reached for her and froze.

The deep bronze of his hand stood out like a stark blemish against the pale perfection of her skin, the contrast between them as startling as it was unwelcome.

Despair filled him. How could she not have noticed? She was heavenly light battling hellish darkness, the rich, warm earth fighting the intrusion of stone and brick and cement. She offered the eternal hope of spring during the deepest despair of winter. She was all he could ever want, offering possibilities that could never behis.

“Don’t,” she whispered. He jerked his hand back as though burned and she laughed gently, the sound a welcome balm. “I didn’t mean don’t touch me. Imeant—don’t think. Don’t analyze. Don’t question it.” She took the initiative, gathering him into her arms. “Just for tonight, won’t you lock your demons outside? They’re not going anywhere, are they?”

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