The door to Mila’s suite shuts and I feel only relief.

We made it out of the viper’s den alive. I pour myself a drink as Mila sits down on the couch, watching me. She looks tired, but absolutely fucking radiant. I don’t think she even realizes how beautiful she is in that dress. It was an expensive extravagance, buying that last minute. I hired one of Bellestan’s best designers and paid him a fucking fortune to get it here in the nick of time, but it was worth every fucking penny.

Except now all I want to do is to peel it off her body and throw it down in the corner of the room. A dress is only worth whatever’s underneath it, and Mila is worth everything to me.

“Can I get you something?” I ask her, nodding at the bar.

She shrugs. “Some white wine, if it’s there.”

“Coming right up.” I open a bottle of white and pour her a glass. I sit down in the chair next to her and put her drink down on the coffee table. She takes it and sips it while I look at her.

“What did you think?” I ask finally.

She shrugs a little bit. “It was okay,” she says.

“Okay?” I laugh a little. “That was a cluster fuck.”

She frowns and looks at her shoes. “Sorry if I made any mistakes.”

I hesitate for a second. “Mila, you were perfect.”

She looks up at me. “Really?”

“Really,” I confirm. “You were polite, you kept it vague, but you were also charming and funny. I had more than one man tell me how stunning you are.”

“Why didn’t I hear that?” she asks, perking up.

“Because they said it in Bellestanian,” he says, laughing. “Actually, one of the ministers, Lavoy Champlain, got a little inappropriate.”

“Inappropriate?” she asks.

I grin at her. “Said something about your cleavage. Apparently he wouldn’t mind being suffocated to death between your breasts.”

She turns bright red. “He said that to you?”

“It’s actually an expression here, but yes, he shouldn’t have said that about the future Princess. I admonished him. Don’t be surprised if he sends flowers.”

I grin at her and she looks a little pleased, which surprises me. I figured she’d be really embarrassed to be the center of attention like this, but instead it seems that it’s bringing the best out in her. She’s thriving, despite all the hardship. And it’s a good thing, because we’re just getting started.

“Now, about Perko,” I say to her. “You handled it well. But I don’t like that he cornered you when you were alone.”

“He didn’t corner me,” she says a little defensively.

“He did,” I say. “He was waiting for that opportunity. I just don’t understand why he’d waste it bringing up some minor point of royal theology. What else did he say?”

“Well, he said that he hopes my relationship with him won’t be affected by his opposition to you,” she says.

I grin at her. “Of course he did.” I sip my drink, trying not to let my annoyance show. “He’ll use you if you let him.”

“I won’t let him.” She stares hard at me. “I’m only letting you.”

My pulse picks up as I watch her back. “You think I’m using you?”

“Of course you are,” she says. “I have to sit around and be your arm candy for hours at a time, and it’s not because I necessarily want to be here.”

I blink, totally taken off guard. “I’m sorry if I did something to upset you,” I say.

“No, I’m sorry,” she says, sighing. “I’m just exhausted. It’s really tough standing there in heels for hours and pretending to be interested in conversations you don’t understand.”

“I know,” I say. I put my drink down before sliding over onto her couch, sitting closer to her. “But I’m not using you. Or at least I am only as much as you’re using me.”

She sighs and sips her wine. “I know. It’s totally fine. That Perko guy just put me in an odd mood.”

“He has that effect on people. Just be careful with him, Mila. Don’t talk to him alone if you can avoid it.”

“I won’t in the future,” she says. “Listen, maybe we should call it a night.”

“Maybe.” I lean against the couch, looking at her. “I know this is hard. You’re doing an amazing job so far.”

“Thanks.” She sighs and looks at me.

I lean closer to her. “I like having you here, you know. It’s selfish but it’s true. Tonight would have been unbearable without you by my side.”

“I didn’t do anything to help,” she says.

“Just being there helped,” I reply. “You were the most beautiful woman in the room.”

“More beautiful than Minister Peekey’s mistress?”

I laugh at her, nodding. “More beautiful than her, definitely.”

“I don’t know about that.”

I grin at her and tip her chin toward me. “Believe me, Mila. Everyone was staring at you. Including me.”

“Why?” she asks softly. “I mean, I don’t get it. Why me?”

“You don’t see it yet,” I say. “But you’re beautiful and smart and put together. Everything about you is so fucking sexy, it’s hard to put into words.”

She watches me, mouth slightly open, and her fucking lips look so goddamn gorgeous. I can’t help myself. I’ve been holding back and acting with respect since we got here, but I’m sick of being respectful.

I lean in and kiss her. It’s like a fucking magic act, that first kiss. I’m hard instantly as our lips touch, and she lets out a soft moan as she kisses me back. I knew she would, I could see it in her eyes. I pull her body against mine and kiss her deeply, losing myself in it, tasting her, loving every inch.

Her tongue is warm and soft against mine and I can barely think. The kiss feels like it lasts forever before she slowly pulls back from me.

She looks into my eyes, and I know what she’s going to say. I wish she wouldn’t say it, because I want more. I don’t want to stop here. I need her, need her fucking body, and that kiss was only a tease. I know that if her kiss feels like that, everything else will feel so much better.

“I’m sorry,” she says. “You should go.”

“I should,” I agree, but I don’t move.

“We’re keeping this professional. Remember?”

“Your conditions,” I say.

“Yeah. My conditions.” She bites her lower lips and looks so fucking cute. That’s her nervous habit.

“I know you want to break the rules as much as I do,” I say.

“It doesn’t matter what I want. Please, let’s just call it a night. We’re both tired.”

“Okay then.” I don’t want to push her right now. I slowly pull away then stand. “I’ll see you in the morning, Princess.”

“Good night, Bran.” She doesn’t look at me, though.

I turn and leave the room. My blood is up and singing for her, but I know better than to try and take something before its ready to be taken. In this case, Mila wants it like I do, but she hasn’t accepted that just yet. She’s nervous and alone and maybe a little afraid. I have to be gentle with her, at least at first.

But once she’s mine, once she’s in my bed and moaning beneath my touch, I can be as rough as I want.