The view from the Harem’s balcony was magnificent, looking out over the intricate garden of the riad, to the abyss that led to the turquoise-green lake down below and beyond that to the other mountains that formed the Pyrenees range.

Angelica looked up to the stars glittering in the night sky but its beauty didn’t soothe the turmoil within her. She never thought she would receive a man who was not her husband in her rooms. She never thought she would dare think of putting into practice what she had read in those forbidden books she had smuggled into her library a couple of years ago. Yet, here I am.

A sound below caught her attention and looking down she saw Ludwig and Maria emerging from the tunnel exit and making their way through the riad.

Nervous, she re-entered her chambers, looking around trying to see her place through Ludwig’s eyes. Too frilly? Too girlish?

With the soft breeze that blew through the partially open windows the almost transparent white curtains fluttered away from the posts of the bed, setting a dramatic and romantic appearance in Angelica’s bedroom.

With simple touches, she had managed to transform the standard guest bedroom into a celebration of feminine decorating, with deep cushions in stunning colors over a plush goose-feather filled white coverlet; a contrast that was common in Moroccan decoration.

It won’t do to wait for him in my bedroom as if I were a… She stopped herself before she could complete the ridiculous thought—surely one more of the antiquated ideas inculcated into her by her mother and her father—but anyway, she crossed to the anteroom, looking herself over in the hand-carved Moorish mirror as she did it.

She had changed into a wine-red silk negligée—fine as gossamer, leaving nothing to the imagination—and matching mules.

The negligée was a piece her mother had insisted she acquire for her trousseau. She was sure Anchela hadn’t planned for her to use it with a lover. Heck, she had thought she would never be bold enough to wear it at all, and here she was, looking brazen and feeling beautiful.

And as much as she didn’t recognize the woman who was fingering the narrow black ribbons threading through the plunging neckline, loosening them a bit more, enough to show the black lace of the babydoll underneath, she recognized the desire that made her lick her lips, made her insides clench, and wetness coat her pussy. And she yearned to deliver herself into Ludwig’s experienced hands.

She shook her head at herself, glad that she had decided at the last minute not to go commando—not that the panties she was wearing were much of a covering.

Before she enjoyed the night, she had to explain to Ludwig the terms of their relationship. She took a deep breath and untied the ribbons to retie them more firmly.

“Stop.”

Angelica’s hands went still at Ludwig’s deep voice. Her eyes locked with him in the mirror and her heart leapt as he slowly walked to her.

His hands brushed lightly over her shoulders, ran down her arms and disengaged her fingers from the ribbons. He brushed his aroused body on her back, and whispered in her ear, “I will do this for you.”

“I was thinking…we have to figure out—”

“No.” He smoothed his fingers over her brow and down the curve of her face. “No more thinking. You should do nothing but feel.”

“But I have—” She stopped when he spun her into his arms and placed a finger on her lips.

Ludwig’s breath caught for a moment. “To feel, as I make love to you,” he finished for her.

A tremor worked its way over her at his hot look. Her thighs clamped in anticipation, but her body stiffened.

“There’s something I want to talk with you about.” She took a deep breath to prepare herself, but that caused her nipples to push against his chest in such a delicious manner that her thoughts scattered momentarily before she was able to focus once more.

“Later.” He rubbed his thumb along her lips.

She swallowed hard, easy prey to his magnetism.

Part of her felt bad for using him in such a way, but surely he wouldn’t get too attached. He was an experienced man after all. They were used to taking what they wanted. Sex and selfish motivation would drive him to her bed and when the time came, it would take him out of it. There was no risk in this for either of them. He did enjoy her company just enough that they could come to a secret arrangement. Maybe he could visit more frequently. Maybe she could go to Lektenstaten often—to visit her sister, of course.

“You’re frowning again.” He tsked and pushed the negligee from her shoulders.

She looked down as it fell in a cloud to the floor, puddling around her. Looking up again, her gaze stopped on the thick erection his trousers couldn’t conceal.

He followed her eyes, his own gaze on that only scrap of lace that stood between them.

The knowledge was too much. Ludwig jerked her forward by the wrist he had captured. Her small body fit against him and he automatically flexed his erection into her. The softness of her felt good, combined with the silk of her clothing. Reaching for her face, he cupped her jaw only to drag her lips roughly forward as he leaned down till his mouth was only a breath away from hers. “Mein Gott. You’re so hot in this thing, I’m going to fuck you in it.”

All her awareness centered on the tingling of her lips and a sudden, urgent desire to be kissed, to be taken. Hard. The plan has merit. Still. “Ludwig.”

“For now, there are only a few words I want to hear.” He bit gently on her lower lip. “You can tell me faster, slower, harder, and—”

Cristo, sí. Please, kiss me.

He pressed his lips lightly against hers, then pulled back to look at her. “Softer.”

Is that it? I need…more.

“Then there’s my favorite…” He cradled her head with his hands. He breathed her perfume, felt her body’s every subtle movement as she accepted what was between them. “Don’t stop.”

Her hands slipped up to his shoulders. “Don’t stop.”

They were worlds apart but when he touched her all those differences seemed to melt away until it was just the two of them.

Her hands splayed on his chest, enjoying the warm feel of his skin as she kissed him back. Her mouth parted wider, admitting his hungry eagerness to bend her to his seduction. A moan escaped from the back of her throat.

Ludwig’s hands caressed her and his body turned, shifting hers with his, until they faced each other on their sides. His mouth never left hers, his tongue coaxing her passion higher.

His hands gripped her at the neckline and tore the material, freeing her breasts to cup them with his palms.

Angelica broke away from the kiss, breathing hard. “Ludwig?”

“I need you. You have no idea how much I want you.” His strong fingers kneaded her softer flesh. “I hurt from how much I’ve missed you. I’m dying for you.”

His head lowered, his tongue rasped over her breast, and all thought left her when his mouth closed over her nipple. He sucked in hard tugs that made her stomach clench, her desire burn brighter, and he nipped her lightly with his teeth.

Her entire body jerked from the sharp pinch of pleasure that jolted straight to her brain as a result. She moaned louder, running her hands along his chest to his shoulders, and dug her fingernails into his skin where they curved. Her mind warned to push him away but instead she pulled him closer.

When Ludwig tore his mouth away from her breast, she protested with a whimper. She ached from wanting him and her eyes opened to discover him watching her face closely.

The passion in his heated gaze turned her on more. He appeared a little wild, ruggedly handsome, and his parted lips and soft pants did wonderful things to her.

“You’re so beautiful.” He rose to his knees on the bed, releasing her, but reached for her again quickly as if he couldn’t stand not touching her.

Angelica allowed him to pull her up to her knees and rid her of the destroyed nightshirt, just throwing it aside.

They looked at each other hungrily and attacked each other with their hands and lips, exploring every inch of exposed flesh.

Angelica loved the sight of his rough hands moving over her soft skin, huge hands enveloping her, controlling her, owning her. He was wild and savage and passionate, and it drove her crazy with passion. They rolled about on the bed, pleasuring each other with their fingers and mouths.

She fell down his body, her hair rippling along with her, as she took his thick erection in her mouth and felt him tense underneath her. She moved forward and one of her hands curled around Ludwig’s cock. She heard him suck in air. He was hard and hot all right. His skin was velvety soft wrapped over steel-hard thickness. She let her fingers and palm explore him.

“That feels so good,” he groaned, his breathing increasing.

She enjoyed touching him. He turned her on. She bit her lip and curled her other hand at the base of his cock.

He shifted his legs, trying to open them wider for her to explore him. He softly cursed when his pants bunched at his thighs and wouldn’t allow it.

“Fucking good, Liebchen.”

She gripped his shaft more firmly, moving her hand against the crown of his cock to trace the rim.

“Angelica, stop,” he groaned.

He moved away, shoved his pants and underwear down his long legs to his ankles, and stepping away from them, he lunged for her.

Angelica gasped when he grabbed her and lifted her, turning her body in his strong arms just by lifting her until she faced away from him and her back pressed against his chest.

“What are you doing?” Excitement and a little fear merged but she wasn’t protesting.

“Put your legs between mine,” he growled in a rough tone, spreading his bare thighs apart to make room for her.

Angelica twisted her head. “Why?”

“Do it,” he rasped. His hands skimmed down over her breasts, before his mouth nibbled at her neck. His lips, tongue, and teeth teased and taunted the sensitive skin. “Now.”

Angelica moaned when his teeth bit down, the pinch of his bite feeling incredibly erotic.

His tongue stroked the skin trapped between his teeth before he moved to other spots on her neck, lightly teasing her with soft nips. His hands slid lower to pause at the curve of her hips, giving her a warning squeeze. “Angelica.”

Obediently, she shifted and fit both of her legs between his.

One of his hands left her hip and his other hand slid to the front of her body. She tensed, her breathing increased, as he tore her panties with a firm snap.

His chest pressed against her back as he lowered his head until his breath fanned her ear.

“I’m going to sink so deep into your pussy you will scream,” he growled. “Do you want that?”

“Sí.” Angelica’s breathing was shaky. “Sí.”

“Bend over for me.” He made another growling noise as she lowered herself on the bed. One of his hands slid up, gripped her hip in a gentle squeeze, and he slammed inside her without any warning.

She was so wet that he slid in without effort.

“Cristo.” She moaned at the delicious feel of him inside her, all hard and swollen and thick, filling up every part of her. Her eyes fluttered open and through her blurred vision she could see him pounding away at her, his face twisted with tense and terse desire, his muscles tight like elastic, threatening to snap at any moment.

He placed one hand over her neck, holding her down. “I love you’re so tight that you fist my dick.”

“Oh, sí. Ludwig!” she cried out his name, not caring who heard because she was having the best sex of her life with this wild man and loving every second of it. “Give me more.”

“I’m going to fuck you so hard,” he grunted.

Her eyes rolled into the back of her head as the pleasure swam through her body, orgasm flowing into orgasm, an endless stream of delight, and then, just when her body was drained and she thought that he was ready to come, he flipped her on her back, pulled a leg up and plunged into her again.

The fury of his body slammed into her over and over again, as he watched her with those electric blue eyes.

Cupping his face, she brought his head down, kissing him, enjoying the blistering pleasure building up again, rolling through her.

“Sí, right there.” Before long, she was lost to a hazy place where every sense was heightened, and the bliss was even more intense than it usually was. “Right there.”

Fire raced through his bloodstream. He came hard, feeling it from head to toe, every last thrust overwhelming him until the final scream of ecstasy when his body jerked violently, and he groaned long and loud, “Angelica.” Mine.

She was his. And then, with his crisis upon him, he knew the truth. No. He was hers.

The depth of his emotions took him by surprise. Even as he tensed on the inside, he couldn’t make his body stop moving, the last few pulses of his cock throbbing.

Only worry that he would hurt her had kept him from collapsing over her with the sheer force of his orgasm.

He’d never experienced anything like it, the pleasure so strong he’d shattered, and he had no idea where to start looking for all his scattered pieces.

As he rolled away from her and put an arm over his eyes, he realized he might need a piece of Angelica to complete the puzzle of his own self.