$50,000.

The number rattles around my head. Warm night air that smells of dry pavement and dust washes over me as Lucas carries me out of the hotel and into the city. He pauses for a split second before turning right and strolling down the sidewalk.

$50,000. The figure rings out in my head once again, like a tolling bell.

I’ve never heard of anything so ridiculous. In all the years, I’ve been helping with Tessa’s charity auctions no one has made such a large bid. Not even close. The highest I can remember was the two grand a sweetheart of a guy who bid on his long-time girlfriend as part of an elaborate proposal.

It was one of the most romantic things I’d ever experienced.

Until now.

I angle my head and look up at Prince Lucas’s face. His expression is set in the same hard, determined lines I saw the earlier that day when I met him. Not a single sign of romance, humor, or love.

And my heart sinks.

This is all about winning that stupid bet and Lucas' complete belief that he’s entitled to anything he wants. Since I didn’t jump into his arms voluntarily when he suggested, no ordered, me to marry him, he’d decided he’d simply take me.

Even money says he doesn’t think he’s done anything wrong.

“Your highness?”

I peek over my shoulder. Lucas has stopped beside a gleaming black limousine. A driver, the same one who delivered me to the castle this morning, stands by an open black door. Lucas deposits me on the leather seat while addressing the driver in their native tongue.

I slide across the seat, silk whispering against leather, and try the other door. Locked. I chew my lip with indecision.

Lucas settles onto the seat and the driver closes the door, sealing us in. With the privacy window in place and only a few dim lights, it feels like we’ve left the real world, with all its noise and confusion behind and slipped into our own little dimension.

I wet my lips and direct my attention to the issue at hand. “This is kidnapping.”

“Depends on your point of view.” Lucas opens the mini bar and removes a few small bottles. “You’re a vodka martini girl, right?”

“What else can it possibly be called!”

“An intense desire to spend some quiet time with the beautiful woman I intend to wed.” There’s something dark and seductive in Lucas’s tone that my body responds to.

I accept the drink though I probably shouldn’t. I’m a tad dizzy from the earlier incarnations.

“I’m not going to marry you. Ever.”

“I disagree,” Lucas says smoothly.

I swallow the entire martini in order to resist the impulse to pour it over his head.

“Not only would it have to be a cold day in Hell, but you’d have to be the last man on the entire planet before I’d even consider pairing off with you.”

Lucas cocks a brow and slides smoothly across the seat, pinning me between his body and the door. “Your little scenario means a lonely life. Besides, I think you’d find it doesn’t take long to grow bored with celibacy.”

I almost make a comment but decide to swallow it. I cross my arms over my chest and lean back against the door. Lucas leans closer, invading my personal space until the sight and smell of him fills my senses.

I don’t know if it’s him or the vodka that’s suddenly making it so hard to think.

“You might be the heir to Moravia’s throne, but you have limits, you can’t force me to marry you if I don’t wish to.”

“Absolutely correct,” Lucas confirms, he reaches out and uses his index finger to trace the line of my collar bone. My skin comes alive beneath touch and little lightning bolts of sensation shoot directly to my breasts. My nipples swell. It takes all my will-power to remain still and not lean into him.

“But there are ways I can convince you to take me up on my offer.”

“Never.” I’ve never heard my voice sound so low, so breathless.

“I don’t think you’ve really considered all the angles.” Lucas edges closer. His rock-hard thigh presses against mine. Our breaths mingle.

His finger makes another sweep across my collar bone and my thoughts flee.

“What do you want.”

Lucas’s mouth finds my ear lobe. He takes it into his mouth, the teeth scrape against the delicate skin. “I want to change your mind. I want to marry you. Tonight. The sooner the better.”

“Why me?” Heat dances along my nerve endings and pools between my thighs.

Lucas shifts his position. His hand moves from my throat to my left breast. He cups the mound, his touch burning my flesh. His teeth release my ear lobe and he sprinkles light kisses.

“Because you’re available.”