We practically run back to her room. The moment the door is shut behind us, I pull her back into my arms, dropping my mouth to hers.

I wasn’t lying when I told her it was hard to stay away from her—this little plot to pretend to be angry with each other is going to be difficult, but if it helps Montovia, then I’m willing to face the challenge. Especially if I can still be with her each night.

My arms tighten around her, pulling her snug against my chest. She presses nearer, looping her arms around my neck, and her tongue teases mine. It’s been torture, being away from her all day, and I have every intention of drinking my fill of her now.

Slowly, I back her away from the door, toward the sofa. When the backs of her knees hit the cushions, I gently lower her down, lowering myself on top of her.

I won’t tell her how many times today I kept seeing her with her face all puffy and purple and her eyes wide with panic as she went into anaphylactic shock. I won’t tell her how much it hurts, even now, to think of what might have happened last night. I won’t tell her how furious I am that her father never bothered to check on her after hearing about her allergic reaction.

How did such a horrible man raise such an amazing daughter? I think, kissing her deeply. How much has Justine suffered at the hands of her horrible family?

There’s no need for her to suffer any longer. Once we find out what her father is up to—and stop him—she can stay here in Montovia, free from his influence.

Justine turns her face away from mine, and from the look in her eyes, I suspect her thoughts have been traveling along a similar path to mine.

“Did you find out anything from your father today?” she asks.

I shake my head. “He was with your father all day. I never had the chance to speak with him alone. I tried to see if I could pry anything out of Andrew, but it sounds like he’s in the dark, too.”

She presses her lips together, apparently taking this in. “At dinner, did my father… Did he seem to buy that we’re fighting?”

“As far as I could tell. I think the old bastard was actually pleased to see me there alone.” When I realize how that sounds, I quickly rush on. “Not that he didn’t want to see you, but—”

“Don’t worry, I know what my father thinks of me. He’s upset that I’m here at all—he probably thinks I’m just in the way.”

“Because he’s a heartless bastard,” I mutter. “Either way, I think everyone was shocked to see me there by myself. I… I haven’t told anyone in my family what we’re doing, and I’m not sure if I’m going to. Not yet, anyway. The more people who know, the more likely the truth gets back to your father. Besides, it only helps our case to have them all worried about me. Your father will think he has us right where he wants us. But I warn you—we might have to deal with some meddling the longer we go through with this. My mother was sending me worried looks all throughout dinner. Even Andrew looked a little concerned.” I give a wry laugh. “It’s Sophia you have to watch out for, though. She’s the biggest meddler of all.”

She looks away from me. “I’m not sure I’m Sophia’s favorite person at the moment.”

“Are you kidding? Sophia loves you. She might not be happy about what happened in Berlin, but… Trust me. She was the one who convinced me there was hope for us in the first place.”

Justine’s eyes meet mine again. “Really?”

I laugh. “Yes—after I made an ass of myself at your conference, Sophia talked some sense into me. I know she’s a little…spirited, but don’t worry—you’ll get used to her honesty. She doesn’t hide her emotions, and that’s exactly why you can trust her.” I gently brush my finger along her cheek. “She also desperately wants her brothers to be happy, so don’t be surprised if she shows up here with some ridiculous plan to get us back together again.”

Justine smiles. “Your sister is wonderful. Your whole family is, honestly.”

“They’re your family too, now,” I remind her. “We’re in this together.”

I dip my head again, kissing her slowly and sweetly. But my restraint doesn’t last very long. Heat surges through me again, and the desire I managed to suppress these last few minutes comes rushing forward, drowning out everything else.

Justine’s fingers tangle in my hair, tugging at the strands as I twist my tongue around hers. A groan vibrates through her mouth as I gently grind my hips against hers.

The time for talking is past. It feels like we’ve been apart for a lifetime, even though it’s only been a day. I tug at her clothes, and she grabs at mine. In no time at all, we’re half naked and tangled together, and I sink deep into her, drawing groans from both of us.

I almost can’t remember a time when I didn’t know the pleasure of joining with her. Now, my body can’t seem to imagine anything else. This was always how it was supposed to feel—a pure, hot, agonizing connection. Now I’ll never be satisfied with anything less.

I move against her, thrusting into her again and again until I know nothing but heat and hunger. This woman has completely intoxicated me, awakened an animal hunger that I didn’t know I possessed.

Suddenly, my knee slips off the edge of the sofa, sending me tumbling toward the floor. I grab desperately for the cushions, but I only succeed in grabbing Justine—and pulling her down to the ground on top of me.

For a moment, neither of us moves. We just lie there, frozen and out of breath, as if neither of us knows what to do.

And then Justine laughs. It never ceases to amaze me how beautiful that sound is, and the way her entire face lights up fills me with a deep joy. Before I can comment on her beauty, though, she leans her face down close to mine.

“My turn to be in control,” she whispers to me.

She doesn’t wait for me to respond. She sits up and straddles me, her eyes never leaving mine the entire time. Something dark and wicked flickers in their depths as she sinks onto me, and her lips curl into a seductive smile as I groan at the feeling of being inside her again.

I reach up and grab her hips, but though she doesn’t move my hands, she gives a small shake of her head.

“I’m in control,” she reminds me.

Then she begins to move. And I swear, stars flash across my vision. The sight of her on top of me brings out my most feral instincts, and it takes all of my restraint to obey her wish and remain still. My blood is boiling in my veins, and my cock is so hard it aches as she rides it.

I don’t last long. Within minutes, I lose complete control, erupting with pleasure. She follows just behind me, suddenly crying out and gripping my shoulders as she falls over the edge. I wrap my arms around her and thrust my hips upwards, yanking her down against my body as we both drown in the pleasure of each other.

We stay like that for a long time afterward, tangled and clinging to each other. I could stay like this all night, right here on the floor, but as Justine’s heartbeat slows against my chest, I realize how much I want her to get some proper sleep. I still can’t get the vision of her having that allergic reaction out of my head.

“Come on,” I say gently. “Let’s get you to bed. You need to rest before I take you again.”

“I think I took you that time,” she teases sleepily.

“Yes, you did,” I murmur. “And I hope that won’t be the last time.”

Slowly, I help her to her feet, then scoop her up in my arms, carrying her into the bedroom.

“You know,” I say, “we never had a proper wedding night with me carrying you over the threshold and all that.” Of course, at the time, she never thought she’d be married to me for more than a hundred days, but I don’t think that’s worth bringing up now. Right now she’s here, in my arms, and I don’t plan on ever letting her go—no matter what her father has planned.

“Let’s change that,” she says, looking up at me.

“Yes,” I say. “Let’s.”