Dinner was strained. At least it was for Devereaux, who grew increasingly tense as the meal wore on. He seemed to be the only one not enjoying himself.
It’d been a couple of days since the press conference. Apart from taking the children sailing the following day, he’d buried himself in the trade agreement goals until he knew all the details of Santaliana’s negotiating position inside and out. Mackenzie had been busy sightseeing with Eliza and each day without her seemed endless. He wished he could’ve been the one to show her around the best spots of his homeland.
Yesterday his mood had deteriorated to the point where he was unaccountably irritable, and several times he’d needed to stop himself from snapping at Hans or Gabe. Worse still, he’d found it more difficult than usual to go out nightclubbing the last three nights. It’d been mind-numbingly boring to mingle with the same shallow crowd when he wished only for Mackenzie’s company.
He’d almost blown his cover big time last night, his patience wearing extremely thin with an extremely arrogant guy who was a close friend of Vito Scampinelli. Thankfully, Vito had arrived in time for Dev to remember his ultimate goal and stop short of pummelling the guy who boasted about his performance with women.
These people were scum.
After Dev’s talk with Gabe a couple of days ago he’d decided he needed to set a time limit to his deal with MI5. It was time to accomplish his mission and move on with his life. It was important to him to restore a close relationship with his brother. It was also paramount for him to reach the point where he could be honest with Mackenzie and focus on developing his relationship with her.
If he didn’t come clean with Mackenzie soon, he may miss his opportunity. Gabe wouldn’t be the only one who realised how fabulous she was. At the moment, the vibe between Dev and Mackenzie was very strong, but it wouldn’t go anywhere while she thought he slept with a different woman every night.
Dev made it clear to his handler that his working undercover for MI5 was no longer appealing, and there was a definite end date to their working relationship. Put simply, he’d told them to come up with a rock solid case in the next month, or they could find themselves another stooge.
Servants entered the dining room to clear the plates away from the main course. Mackenzie smiled up at one of them, and her beautiful smile took Dev’s breath away.
Tonight, when she arrived at Gabe’s fairly informal dinner party, the sight of her had knocked him for six. She was stunning in a deep blue dress that was a modest style but still managed to show off her sensational figure. Her hair was pulled up and fastened at the back of her head with some sort of clip contraption that women used. It was a sophisticated style, softened by a few wisps of hair that escaped the clasp and caressed the spot below her ear. With her hair up, the elegant line of her neck beckoned. It distracted Dev with thoughts of how much he’d like to kiss the sensitive area.
The seating arrangement made it impossible for him to have a private conversation with her, much less kiss her. Mackenzie was seated at Gabe’s right—next to Khalid and opposite Sabihah. Dev was well out of range and couldn’t even touch Mackenzie ‘accidentally’ as he reached for something. It’d even been difficult to establish eye contact with her—particularly as Gabe completely monopolised her attention.
The hell of it was that Dev was aware of every movement she made—each time she picked up a piece of cutlery or her glass of wine; each morsel of food which made its way into her mouth, and the way the slender column of her neck moved up and down as she swallowed.
He was agitated when he wasn’t with her, and yet being so close to her without the benefit of privacy brought its own form of torture.
Incredibly, Gabe looked more relaxed than Dev had seen him in years. He’d laughed several times as Khalid recounted some funny stories from their Eton days. Sabihah, was as delightful as ever, chatting to Dev when he would’ve withdrawn from the conversation.
‘Dev?’
Sabihah’s voice broke through his troubled thoughts. ‘I’m sorry. I was miles away.’
She smiled. ‘I’m sure you have a lot to think of with the yacht racing series. It sounds like a fabulous event.’
‘There’s still a lot to organise, but most of the plans are in place.’ As he spoke he was aware of Gabe leaning towards Mackenzie as he refilled her wine glass. Whatever he said made her laugh in response.
Shit! Mackenzie hadn’t even been at the palace for two weeks!
Gabe had been widowed for three years, and in all that time, Dev had never seen his brother take such a personal interest in a woman. He was even refilling her goddamned wine glass. Didn’t they have servants for the task?
‘I’m sure Eden would’ve been thrilled you chose her favourite charity to benefit from the racing series. It’s great to know the cause she worked so tirelessly to support is still helping thousands of people in third world countries with their health, education and water supply.’
‘She worked in many charitable areas both here and abroad, but the Princess Eden Foundation encompasses all of the causes which were closest to her heart.’
Sabihah put her hand on his arm. ‘From all reports, your sister was an exceptional woman.’
‘I still miss her.’ The words were out before he knew it.
‘I’m sorry I never met her. I’m sure we would’ve been friends.’
Dev nodded and reached for his wine glass. He wondered whether the pain of missing his sister would ever abate.
Maybe not. But maybe I’ll finally achieve some closure when those who are indirectly responsible for her death are brought to justice.
‘Gabe’s much more relaxed than I’ve ever seen him,’ Sabihah commented softly. ‘I’m thinking it might have something to do with Mackenzie. She seems lovely. Do you think she might be the one who can reach him and make him start living for something outside his responsibilities to Santaliana?’
God, I hope not.
Dev’s spine stiffened and he smothered down a curse. The optimism in Sabihah’s voice for Gabriel’s future made Dev feel like a total bastard for hoping her expectation wouldn’t be true. For all that he loved his brother and wished him complete happiness, everything in him rejected the thought of Gabe finding his lifelong partner in Mackenzie.
‘I doubt it,’ he almost snapped.
Sabihah frowned. ‘You don’t sound as though you approve of her, but I found her very warm when we met at the beach earlier.’
‘She has a daughter. She’s a single mother.’
‘Surely that wouldn’t stand in Gabe’s way if he loved her and wanted to marry her?’ She shook her head, dismissing the idea. ‘We don’t live in the dark ages.’
Dev tugged at his collar. Sweat began pricking at his forehead. ‘You’re jumping a long way ahead,’ he told her. ‘They’ve only just met.’
Sabihah’s features relaxed and she smiled. ‘I guess I’m being a hopeless romantic. I know just how fast things can happen when two people are meant to be together.’
Dev knew too. He’d wanted Mackenzie the second he’d laid eyes on her, and found more to respect and admire each day they spent together.
‘It didn’t take long for me to realise I was madly in love with Khalid,’ she continued. ‘I’d actually fancied him even when I was a young girl and betrothed to his brother.’
Dev wasn’t surprised. There was no mistaking the love between Khalid and Sabihah. If ever there were two people ideally suited it was those two. They’d worked hard together and Sabihah’s reign in Rhajia had brought wonderful changes for the benefit of her people. She was expecting their second child in a few months’ time and Khalid treated her like the most precious person on the planet. Seeing the former playboy besotted with his wife, and as a dedicated and loving father, it was no wonder Gabe thought there was hope for Dev.
On the flipside, seeing the love between his friends, why would Gabe want to settle for anything less than love in a marriage?
‘I know Khalid would love to see Gabriel happily married. I’m afraid he’s pretty much given up hope on Marco.’
Prince Marco of Ralvinia had also been with Khalid and Gabe at Eton. ‘I’m not surprised. I’d probably bet my last dollar that Marco will never settle down.’
‘Would you like dessert, Your Highness?’ a servant asked.
‘Thank you.’ He nodded. He had a fairly sweet tooth. Hopefully the chef’s creation would put him in a better mood.
It wasn’t to be. Dev bristled again as Gabe said something else and elicited another tinkling laugh from Mackenzie.
‘What are you scowling about, Devereaux?’ Khalid asked with a hint of humour and a slightly knowing look.
If anything, Khalid’s question made Dev’s eyes narrow more. It also focused everyone’s attention his way and he was acutely aware of Mackenzie’s regard.
‘Seated next to my beautiful wife, you could at least try to look as though you’re having a good time,’ Khalid drawled.
Except that he wasn’t and it had nothing to do with Khalid’s wife. Watching Gabe interacting constantly with Mackenzie stretched the point of his tolerance. ‘My apologies,’ he said to Sabihah. ‘You’re as warm and as charming as always. I simply didn’t sleep well last night.’
‘If the newspaper article in today’s paper was anything to go by, you probably didn’t sleep at all,’ Khalid remarked drily.
‘Very little,’ Dev replied.
Gabe’s lips thinned.
Mackenzie’s cheeks reddened. The heightened colour advertised her annoyance. What he’d like to know was whether she fumed because the continued publicity of his partying worked against her professional goals, or whether the thought of him with other women affected her personally.
Sabihah made an appreciative sound as she spooned some of the dessert into her mouth. ‘I must have your chef send ours the recipe. This is divine.’ The change of subject was no doubt a deliberate move to defuse the tension which simmered across the table. Khalid agreed with her and he and Sabihah moved the conversation along.
Dev was acutely aware of Mackenzie’s animated chatting and of her small, almost intimate asides to his brother.
Damn it all, he couldn’t read her. Had she given up on him and turned her attention to Gabriel?
It was another excruciating half hour before Sabihah mentioned she felt tired, and excused herself to retire for the evening. Khalid was on his feet instantly, helping her out of the chair and insisting he accompany her to their suite.
Devereaux hesitated. As much as he’d been willing the night to end, he refused to leave Gabe alone with Mackenzie.
‘Would you like to walk out onto the balcony with me and see the best view of Santaliana by night?’ Gabe asked Mackenzie.
‘That sounds—’
‘Actually, I was hoping to go over a few details about the first race with you, Mackenzie,’ Dev broke in to forestall her response.
Both of them turned to him with eyes widened in surprise.
‘I think not,’ Gabe decreed. ‘This is Mackenzie’s night off and it’s way too late to expect her to think about work.’
‘It’s okay, Gabe. If Prince Devereaux wishes to discuss work, I’m happy to oblige.’
Dev felt his lips tighten in displeasure. Over dinner, formalities had certainly been dropped between his brother and Mackenzie. No longer was it King Gabriel and Miss Roberts. The irony wasn’t lost on him. The two were now on first name basis, while—in spite of the passionate kisses he’d shared with Mackenzie—he was back to being Prince Devereaux.
‘The lights will be here again tomorrow night,’ Gabe said in stiff acceptance.
‘I’ll look forward to it,’ she said.
***
‘Just what details are so important that you need to see me now?’ Mackenzie demanded in low tones as she exited the informal dining room with Devereaux. Although his tone had been casual, she thought his request had been more of an ultimatum. Having worked closely with Dev, she believed she was getting a feel for at least some of the emotions he tried to conceal and now, his manner told her something simmered under the surface.
His only response to her question was to take her by the elbow and usher her further down the long, wide corridor.
‘Devereaux, this isn’t the way to your office.’
‘I didn’t say we were going to my office.’
‘But—’
He stopped, opened a door and flicked a light switch to reveal a beautifully elegant sitting room decorated in silver and various shades of blue. ‘We can talk in here.’
‘What a fabulous room!’
‘It was my mother’s receiving room for informal visits.’
A portrait of a stunning and very regal woman hung over the fireplace. ‘Is that a painting of your mother?’
‘Yes.’
She walked past him into the room and made her way to the fireplace to have a closer look at the portrait. ‘She’s exceptionally beautiful. How old were you when your parents had the car accident?’
‘Three.’ He closed the door and walked towards her.
‘That must’ve been tough.’
‘I really don’t remember. I think I remember them more from photos and stories my siblings told me than from true memories.’
Mac’s heart wept for the young boy who’d lost his parents. A boy who’d grown up then lost the sister who—according to Queen Sabihah—had been a mother to him. ‘It must’ve been hard to grow up without parents.’
‘I think it was harder for Gabe. He was older and he felt their loss more acutely than I did. It also impacted on him more because he was suddenly thrust into more stringent training for his role as King when he was just a kid.’
‘From what I’ve read and heard, he’s been a good King for Santaliana.’
‘Gabriel has been a fantastic King, but it’s been to the detriment of his own happiness.’ Devereaux’s expression was bleak.
‘How so?’ She wondered whether Gabe had a burning ambition to pursue another career in life.
He picked up an ornament from the coffee table, turned it over in his hands, then replaced it. ‘Gabe takes his responsibilities extremely seriously—to the point where every decision he makes rests on whether or not he’s doing his duty to the kingdom.’
‘Surely not every decision?’
‘Every decision,’ he repeated with emphasis.
Replaying all she knew about the King, she realised Dev must be speaking the truth. Most of the time Gabriel was so serious—so starched. Oh, he’d loosened up a little at dinner tonight with Sabihah and Khalid, and they’d all shared some laughs, but Mac could see what Devereaux meant.
‘He’s forgotten what it’s like to have fun,’ Dev continued as he looked up at his mother’s portrait. ‘To a large extent he’s completely lost his spontaneity.’
‘Why are you telling me all this?’ She sensed their topic of discussion hadn’t been reached naturally—that Dev was trying to get some point across.
His gaze swung back to hers. ‘Let’s sit down.’
She followed his lead and sat down in a sumptuously comfortable armchair, but couldn’t completely relax. It was evident from Dev’s restlessness that something pressed on his mind.
‘As you know, the reason you were hired was because my brother wants me to marry. He’s determined to continue the de la Croix line—even to the point where if I don’t settle down, he’ll enter a loveless marriage in order to secure the line.’
‘Oh! That’s sad.’ But, perhaps it wasn’t surprising. Wasn’t that what royals did? A second more passed before his words and their implications hit her. ‘Will Gabriel have to do that? Are you resolved never to marry?’
‘Marriage isn’t something I want to rush.’
Hope bubbled through her. Devereaux wasn’t denying he’d ever marry. In fact, if it was something he didn’t want to rush, surely that meant he’d be serious about his decision when he reached it?
‘If Gabriel feels compelled to go ahead with his plan, I’d feel sorry for the young woman he chooses to be his wife. She’d better not be a romantic or she’ll be destined to be unhappy.’
‘I’m surprised you’ve given any thought to the matter.’ Was he a romantic at heart? She sat forward in her seat. ‘You don’t sound as though you approve of a loveless marriage.’
‘I don’t.’
Oh, my God. Her heart surely stopped beating. Either that or she’d fallen asleep and would wake up any moment from a dream based purely on fantasy. One way or another, time stretched between them as Devereaux looked into her eyes. Confusion engulfed her. Was she imagining it, or was there some important message his expression conveyed?
Suddenly feeling foolish at trying to read too much into his regard, she tried to lighten the mood. ‘Perhaps fate will intervene and he’ll marry someone he can’t help falling in love with?’
‘No.’ Dev shook his head adamantly. ‘That won’t happen. He’s already got a mental list of all the criteria any future wife must have.’
‘Well, I guess everybody knows roughly what characteristics they want in a future partner.’ Her frown deepened, unsure of where this conversation headed. She edged a little closer to the edge of the chair and decided she needed to steer things onto more solid ground. ‘You wanted to talk about the first race?’
‘He wants someone intelligent, sensible and attractive,’ he continued as though she hadn’t spoken.
Aware he’d avoided all mention of the race, even though he’d got her alone on that pretext, Mac was confused but pleased. There was an intimacy in being alone with Dev and speaking of such personal things.
If Devereaux was worried about his brother and needed to talk about it, it was a breakthrough in their relationship and a huge compliment that he would unburden himself to her. She tried to set his mind at ease. ‘He’s the King of Santaliana. I’m sure he’ll find someone suitable for the position who he can be happy with,’ she said reassuringly.
‘Would you apply?’
Mac was so astonished by the question, her head jerked backwards. ‘Pardon?’
‘Would you be Gabriel’s wife?’
Where had that come from? ‘Don’t be ridiculous!’
‘Is it ridiculous? I saw you two together tonight.’
Oh, my God! Was he jealous? As incredible as it seemed, Mac was sure she was right. And … if he was jealous … surely he cared? Hope flared. ‘You’re way off base, Devereaux.’
‘What would stop you?’
He’s not you.
Heat burnt from her chest, swept up her neck and scalded her cheeks. ‘Lots of things—not the least being that while I like him, I’m not attracted to him.’
Life wasn’t particularly fair, she reflected. Dev was out-of-this-world attractive, but there were aspects of his character she didn’t like and wasn’t certain she could change.
Gabe was everything steady and reliable she’d always thought she’d want if she ever trusted a man again. He was also incredibly good-looking, but she didn’t feel the slightest spark of sexual awareness when she was with Gabe. There was no threat she’d ever burst into flames in his presence, or that the flame would become a burning inferno if he took her in his arms.
Thoughts flew rapidly around her head. Images of Gabriel conversing with her and paying her a lot of attention at dinner played out in her mind’s eye. She’d thought he was simply being an attentive host and putting her at ease. But … could Dev be right? Was Gabriel interested in her? Oh geez, she hoped not. She’d dressed with extra care for dinner tonight with the thought of appealing to Devereaux, not to his brother.
At dinner, Dev’s manner had been brooding … Now, he made Gabe sound quite dull— his talk about a business-like marriage was surely meant to turn her off his brother.
She stood up, not knowing whether to be pleased or outraged. ‘Am I right in thinking you’re warning me off? Are you suggesting your brother is considering me for this marriage he feels he may be forced to undertake?’
He said nothing, but didn’t need to. Mac could see it in his eyes.
Holy hell!
Pacing back and forth, she asked, ‘Was that why you rushed in with a need to talk to me—because you didn’t want to leave us alone?’ If it were true, she should be grateful. The last thing she wanted or needed was to have to reject any overtures from King Gabriel. But, having decided she was going to try to work on Dev and help him reach his true potential, she’d hoped he wanted time alone with her.
‘Yes,’ he admitted. He got up from his chair and came to stand in front of her.
She jabbed her index finger against his chest in vexation. ‘What gives you the right to interfere? Just because we got a little hot and bothered together doesn’t mean you can dictate what I do with my time, or who I spend it with!’
Oh please tell me you’re interfering because you’re jealous—because you can’t stand the thought of me being with Gabe because you want me yourself.
‘You’re wrong, Mackenzie.’ When his hands reached out and settled on her shoulders, hope fizzed through her bloodstream. ‘Because of what’s happened between us, I know you’re a wonderfully warm and passionate woman who deserves to be loved completely— not married in order to secure a royal heir.’
And …?
The compliment warmed her heart, but she wanted more from him than that. She waited, wanting him to go on—willing him to elaborate and praying, like the hopelessly in love idiot that she was, that he’d tell her he’d discovered that he’d fallen for her. When he remained silent, she flung her challenge at him. ‘Like you care!’
He swallowed. ‘That’s the problem.’ Each word was uttered slowly and heavily, as though it was dragged out of him unwillingly. ‘I do care.’
He did?
Oh, God. He really did! Her heart catapulted around in her chest cavity doing a gold-medal winning performance of gymnastics manoeuvres. But her joy was premature. Devereaux didn’t seem happy about his admission. His words were a huge step forward from his previous declarations that he was physically attracted to her, but they still weren’t all she needed to hear.
Her head slanted as she asked, ‘Why do you care?’
When he didn’t reply and she observed a wry twist to his mouth, she realised that he might care, but he still didn’t care enough.
Frustrated and impatient with him, she charged, ‘Do you care because you find yourself at another loose end tonight and I’m the nearest available female?’
Silence.
Angry now, she shoved him away and took a step backwards. ‘God, Devereaux. You’ve told me you respect and admire me, but your behaviour is bloody insulting!’
He cleared his throat. ‘Mackenzie, I intend to cooperate with Gabe’s plans and consider my future.’
Gabe’s plans?
Did he mean all Gabe’s plans?
Marriage plans?
It felt like a huge boulder had just hit her square in the chest and knocked the wind right out of her. It was a few seconds before she regained her breath and sought clarification. ‘You mean you’re going to stay away from nightclubs from now on?’
‘I mean, I’m going to consider a stable relationship.’
‘Oh!’ She was utterly still. Her nerves stretched so tight they’d surely snap any second as she waited for him to explain what that meant.
‘If Gabe knows I’m considering a serious relationship, I’m hoping he won’t do something drastic.’
‘Something drastic as in jump into a loveless marriage?’
‘Yes.’
‘You just told me you don’t believe in marriage without love. You’re just as bad as Gabriel, if you’re prepared to enter into a relationship to stop him from setting his own unpalatable course of action.’ She had to ask, even though she wasn’t sure she was ready for an honest answer. ‘Are you truly considering a serious relationship?’
He paced a few steps away, picked up a photo frame from the coffee table and looked at it for a short time before he replaced it. ‘I told him I would.’
Her heartbeat began a rapid, uncoordinated rhythm as the vital organ swelled in her chest. She only vaguely realised her body had tensed as she hoped that maybe their brief burst of uncontrollable passion had helped him reach this decision and that it’d been special for him too. She willed him to tell her that the reason he was prepared to contemplate a change in his lifestyle was because he was ready for it—because he wanted it. Because he wanted a relationship with her.
If he was sincerely prepared to change his ways, she wanted a chance to be with him. It was only the knowledge that he changed his partners as often as he changed his shirts that had held her back from exploring a sexual relationship with him.
If he was about to change … If the circumstances of a relationship between them could be different …
‘You told me you aren’t the man I need right now, but what if you were wrong?’ She swallowed down on the emotion which constricted her throat, making it a tight pipe. Digging deep, she decided to be brave and take the chance. Forcing her voice to the surface she said, ‘What if you really are the man I need right now, Dev? And what if I’m the woman you need?’
There were a multitude of questions in his eyes as he looked at her. ‘Would you be prepared to find out?’
Oh, shit! This was really happening. He was prepared to contemplate more between them than a brief, sexual interlude.
All she could do was nod and say, ‘Yes.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘Positive.’ Her voice wobbled and she swallowed to lubricate her dry vocal tract and to make her words clearer and more decisive when she said, ‘I want to know you as my lover, Dev.’
A guttural, almost savage, tortured groan scraped out from the back of his throat. In the space of a heartbeat she was drawn hard against him. He cradled her against him so her head rested over the pounding of his heart. ‘I’ve wanted you from the first moment I saw you.’
‘Me too.’ She sent him a smile.
‘I’m not sure I can make it back to my suite,’ he told her as his hands ran over her hair, released the clasp that swept it up and caused it to fall down below her shoulders. ‘But, we have to. I want to spend the whole night with you. In bed.’
She hoped he wasn’t just talking about one night. No. He couldn’t be. He’d told her he was considering a serious relationship.
The walk to his apartment seemed eternal. When they arrived, there was no sign of Hans. It was just as well, because Dev had barely closed the door before they tugged at each other’s clothes in a frenzy of need that knew no restrictions and no finesse.
Oh, dear Lord. His body was fabulous!
Fierce, sexual need fizzed through her veins. The broad expanse of his chest was tactile delight, and the hard shaft of his arousal promised her heaven.
‘I can’t slow down, Mackenzie. I need you too much.’
She murmured her approval as she placed kisses all over the hardness of his collarbones, and traced the firm lines of his shoulders. Her tongue darted out to taste the slight saltiness of his skin and he made a throaty sound of need.
‘You’re absolutely sure this time?’ he asked as he reached into his bedside drawer and withdrew a foil packet.
‘Absolutely.’ This time she was staying put.
Her body gave her mind no room for tenuous second thoughts. It chased all shreds of sanity away and rejoiced in hope as he positioned himself at her entrance then thrust deeply inside her in one swift movement.
Heaven. She’d died and gone to heaven.
Her limbs were heavy. Her body met him thrust for thrust as he filled her completely—so thick, so satisfying. So goddamned good.
‘Dev,’ she moaned.
When it came, her orgasm launched her further into the cosmos than she’d ever travelled, to a place where the brilliance of shooting stars was almost blinding. Ecstasy like she’d never known sparkled through her and when she finally felt the spasms within her subside, she moaned in protest. She didn’t want this pleasure to end. Ever.
As her body drifted back, Devereaux let out a guttural groan. She opened her eyes just in time to see him throw his head back. The corded muscles of his neck and shoulders strained. He slipped one hand under her backside and tilted her pelvis so he could thrust into her even more deeply. When he found his own release, it set off a delightful series of aftershocks through her.
Her heart swelled in ecstasy in the aftermath of his lovemaking. Its beat up through her chest was strong, primitive and satisfied, like the rhythm of an ancient tribal celebration.
Devereaux’s vivid blue eyes communicated the wonder of what had happened between them in a way that carried more power than mere words.
Nothing so good could be wrong. They’d come together as though they’d known each other in another lifetime. Still joined with him in the most intimate way possible, her body knew only delighted repletion. She wasn’t ashamed she’d fallen into bed so easily with this renowned playboy, because he’d told her he was contemplating a serious relationship.
Intuition told her Dev wasn’t the complete playboy the media portrayed him to be— that he was a good man who concealed himself for some reason she had yet to figure out.
Dev was the one who broke the silence. ‘I knew you’d be amazing.’ Then, his lips covered hers and she felt his barely subsiding erection hardening within her once again.
‘Mm,’ was all she managed between kisses.
‘Mm, indeed.’ Devereaux let his head fall forward slightly so his forehead rested softly on hers.
The hours until dawn were passed on an ocean of passion. At times, Mac felt as though her body was tossed about in stormy conditions, flung from one peaking wave to the next. The pleasure was so acute she was left completely shaken. Then, in interludes of calm where she drifted in and out between being awake and asleep, Dev’s tender kisses and the stroking of his hands over every inch of her body moved her to tears. It was as though he committed every inch of her to his tactile memory—as though he worshipped and cherished her.
Even acknowledging her limited experience, she doubted anything could ever be this satisfyingly complete again. She refused to think too much about the future, only wanting to know the sheer joy of the present.
The first fingers of dawn poked into the room where the heavy, brocade curtains hadn’t been drawn properly. Dev re-stoked the maelstrom of their passion and lifted her on top of him so she controlled the pace.
There were no uncertainties. Just the two of them absorbed in each other as though nothing else existed.
Later today, they’d talk some more. He’d answer her questions and she’d get to the bottom of this ridiculous façade he presented to the world. Where they went from here— just how serious a relationship he was prepared to contemplate—was uncertain, but at least he wanted to explore it. At least it was going to be far more than a one-night stand. She was completely confident that what they’d shared had been too special to be chocked up as an ordinary night for him. She’d already told him she wasn’t going to be just one more notch on his bedpost.
She smiled when she contemplated how Eliza would feel about this. Her daughter had made no secret of the fact that she just about worshipped the ground Devereaux walked on. In fact, she hadn’t been particularly subtle when she’d reeled off the list of Dev’s virtues as she perceived them and suggested to Mac that the Prince of Santaliana might be a great guy to date!
Mac fell asleep snuggled against Dev’s chest, his arms wrapped protectively around her. There was no place else she’d rather be. In fact, it was a lot like she’d come home.