Angelica’s nerves had kicked in and she found herself having second thoughts as she sat opposite Ludwig in the limousine.

What am I doing?

“I saw you talking to Jaxon at dinner,” he said softly.

That wasn’t what she wanted to discuss. Though, what did she want to discuss? Honestly?

I have no idea. “I did. He seems like a nice man.”

“He is. So is Siobhan.”

Silence filled the car. She turned to look out the window, her nerves building.

You’ve got to stop this, Angelica. Stop it right now. Your opportunity is now. He doesn’t have to be the man of your dreams or spout promises of happily ever after. He just needs to do it right.

She stared at him, taking in his powerful form. He was much older than her and had a wonderful physique and coupled with his handsomeness, he would have probably had thousands of lovers already.

He would know how to handle himself in bed, which was what she needed. She didn’t want her first time to be filled with fumbles, clumsiness, and pain.

She wanted sex. But then, she didn’t.

This isn’t like me in the least.

And it wasn’t. When it came to men, she was not the type of woman who saw what she wanted and took it. No…but tonight she needed to take it.

Her pulse was a little too fast since they’d left the palace and she was beginning to think that coming to his house wasn’t really a good idea.

But he’d made her feel something and she had no wish to snuff that out. Plus, she’d been excited to finally lose her virginity to an experienced man—and kind of desperate, too.

She would—could—make him want her that night and maybe a few extra nights, if things went well. And when she had enough she would kiss his cheek, thank him for the nice time together and go back to Aragon to put some order in her life.

“After you.”

Ludwig watched the stunning young woman’s reaction carefully, waiting. He didn’t know what was going on inside her mind and didn’t want to intrude. She intrigued him, and she’d lit a fire in his body.

When he’d asked her to come to his house for a nightcap, he almost expected her to say no. Even if she had, he would’ve charmed and seduced her until she caved.

But he sensed she was unsure and he didn’t want to rush things or do what she felt might be uncomfortable. He found his inner fire reliant upon her. “Do you want to drink something? Champagne? Or perhaps something stronger?”

“Stronger is good. Whisky?”

He moved to the wet bar at the other side of the living room, watching her from the corner of his eye as he poured the whisky.

While her face gave nothing away, her movements did. She jerked her wrap off, dropping it carelessly on the sofa and then, she made quick work of her updo, letting that lustrous mass of black hair flow beautifully down her back. Is she nervous?

She seemed completely unaware of the effect she was having on him, as she absently stretched her arms over her head, muscles moving temptingly beneath her skin, her tanned flesh glowing in the firelight coming from the hearth as she combed her hair with her fingers.

He wanted nothing more than to leap over the center table and kiss the beauty before him, or even better, carry her to his room and let the desire he felt simmering inside him take control.

He wished to tie her, just like that, with her hands trapped above her head so he could have his way, taking his time as he thoroughly explored the long line of her back.

He didn’t even have to close his eyes to picture it. He cleared his throat and handed her the glass. “Here.”

She turned to him and accepted the glass. Raising it, she said huskily, “To a night of pleasure.”

A slow smile spread on his lips as he touched his glass to hers. “To a night of pleasure.”

Her dark eyes locked on his as she took a sip and put her glass on the table.

When his fingers traced her face, she closed her eyelids as a shiver ran over her. For some strange reason she couldn’t explain, she trusted him, but her fears were raising their head in her mind.

This is a mistake.

It was as if she was a siren and had called him from across the room. He wanted to grab her to him, confront her with the desire she had built inside of him.

Instead, he reached up and lightly traced the lines of her face. She had not fooled him with her bold words.

“You act as though I’m going to attack you,” Ludwig said, his voice amused. “I’m not. If you want—”

“I know,” she cut him off quickly before he finished his sentence and added in a whisper, “It was pleasant enough when you kissed me.”

A soft sound of surprise escaped him at her admission. “Pleasant?”

Oh, Cristo! Angelica had no idea what made her say the words aloud. “Yes.”

“Pleasant,” Ludwig repeated. “Then I must be doing something wrong.”

She wanted to explain to him it wasn’t him, it was her. If a man like Ludwig touched her and she couldn’t let go of her fears, then she’d know she was frigid as all her previous boyfriends had told her.

The hand on her cheek slid over her neck, pulling her lightly forward, and pushed back her hair, brushing lightly over her nape.

Softly, he asked, “Would you like me to kiss you again?”

Angelica slowly nodded. “Yes, please.”

Ludwig gave her a slow smile and bent his head, brushing his lips lightly along hers.

She returned the kiss, light, hesitant and unsure.

Pleased that her passion matched his, he pressed into her, receiving her kiss, and then traced her mouth with his tongue before delving inside.

She sank into him, but her hands were hesitant. She tried to remember if there was something she should be doing—or not doing.  

He paused, pulled back, a light in his electric blue eyes. “Are you sure this is what you want?”

Maybe he has guessed my most intimate secret. Not wanting him to stop, she arched on his hands. “Yes. Take me.”

He guided her to sit on the couch behind them. Then he kissed her again, wrapping his fingers around her hair, taking a handful of it in his fist, and slanted her head to deepen the kiss.

She moaned at the dominance she felt in his touch.

There was innocence in the kiss, sexuality undiscovered—a trait so rare, so raw, so new—that he knew nothing but need. Possessive, hot need.

He felt the subtle shifts of her body against him and he moved, running his mouth down her jaw, her neck. Pressing his mouth against her throat, he rumbled, “You are so sweet.”

Warmth stung her nipple as he drew his thumb over it sending a wave of scorching heat to her belly. Her hips jerked. She was dizzy, lightheaded, and she couldn’t make him stop when he tugged at her dress, baring her breasts to his eyes.

Hungrily, he eyed her. His breath came in harsh pants and a growl left his mouth as he moved to taste her flesh.

That growl echoed over her, reverberating along her skin, as Ludwig kissed his way down her shoulder, pushing her dress aside to clear the way to her bare breast, taking a ripe nipple into his mouth.

It was the most intimate touch she’d ever experienced and her body exploded with pleasure as she discovered nerve endings she’d never known she had.

His teeth bit lightly and his tongue soothed the ache.

She jerked, undulating with the waves of pleasure he wrought with the power of his tongue, and moaned, “Ah, sí.”

“Delicious.”

He pushed her onto the couch, trapped her body beneath his. His leg forced her thighs to part for him and his hand ran softly over her stockings, up, and up, to find her lacy thong.

But when his fingers made their way inside, she flinched in surprise and grabbed his wrist.

A confused frown crossed over his face as he looked at her slender fingers around his wrist. Is she a virgin?

Then her fingers loosened around his wrist and her hand ran over his arm, shoulder, and tugged on his hair, trying to bring him back into kissing her.

“Ludwig,” she whispered against his mouth, her tongue tracing the contour of his lips. “Kiss me.”  

But something was off. She needed guidance, that much was clear. Despite having had many women, he had never had a virgin in his life. He could continue on without the knowledge, but he’d rather know where he stood.

“I need you to tell me one thing,” he murmured against her skin.

“Mmm?” She pressed herself to him.

He brought his lips to her ear and whispered, “Have you done this before?”

Her body tensed and she wished an earthquake would just make the earth open and take them. Dying a horrible death would surely be less painful than this moment. Great. Now he is not interested anymore.

Pretty sure she’d never been so mortified in her life, she whispered, “No.”

Ludwig moved a bit away from her but kept his hand lightly over her thigh, drawing circles on her skin. “Were you going to tell me?”

She felt horribly on display. She raised her dress back over her exposed breasts and took in a deep breath. Her blush deepened and she lowered her head. Her loose black hair swept forward like a silk curtain, hiding her face. “No.”

“Why not?”

Her chocolate eyes flicked upward, soft and feminine, vulnerable, as she eyed him resignedly from under her long eyelashes. “I didn’t want it to get in the way. Like it is now.”

“I’ve wanted you since I saw you all alone near the dance floor and it’s not a hymen that will get in my way.”

“It seems to be a problem.”

“Problem?” Inside, he was confused. Outside, he chuckled softly. “Besides, to whom would it be a…problem?”

“Men,” she whispered. And then she crossed her arms around herself and looked away. “I’m…cold.”

He frowned. “Let me turn on the heat.”  

“Ludwig.” She grabbed his hand when he made to stand up.

“Yes?” He paused mid-way to standing and looked at her.

“I’m not cold now.” She stared into his eyes and confessed, “I have been told I am cold inside like the snowy peaks of the Himalaya.”

His mouth opened and he stared at her at a loss for words.

Oh, Cristo! “Sorry, bad expression.” Have I really repeated Abelardo’s words out loud? Like that? When he said nothing she tried to get away.  

Ludwig refused to let her go. His hands kneaded along her sides. He made a soft, seductive noise as he brushed his nose along her jaw, nuzzling her.

“Say…something.”

He reared his head to gaze into her eyes. “Whoever told you that was wrong. Rather, he’s an idiot.”

His warm tone gave her hope and an involuntary, relieved sigh left her mouth. “So…my being a virgin…is it not a problem?”

“Nein.” He shook his head at her and there was a soft smile on his lips when he bent to kiss her again. He licked playfully at her mouth, running the tip of his tongue along the seam, before vowing, “If anything, Angelica, it’ll be an honor.”