She stiffened in my arms, her eyes widening a fraction, then narrowing as her thoughts danced across her expressive face. Tightening my hold on my wolf, I breathed in her unique scent and let it calm the beast inside, even while my skin itched and control wavered. I had to tread carefully, she was human, and according to a brief chat I’d had with Zara, unaware of our true nature.

But not for long. Tahlia was my fated mate, the only female able to wrest my control from me and bring me to my knees. Good thing she didn’t realize that yet. I took a moment to savor the feel of her curvy frame pressing against me, the way she fit into my arms, as if she had been made to stand at my side. I hadn’t slept since our encounter last night, and had spent the early hours of the morning working out my frustration with my fists.

But it hadn’t cured the aching need to be inside my mate. Covered in sweat and knuckles raw, I’d stumbled into the shower and given into the lust. My release had lasted all of five minutes, before I was right back where I’d started. Hungry for one thing only.

Tahlia.

The male wolf inside me had no conscience, he was driven by instinct and desire. My blood hungered for her submission, to demand and take what I knew she wouldn’t be able to resist, but my heart wanted to woo and cherish the woman before me, to win over her mind as well as her body. All these thoughts flew through my mind in mere seconds, the brief calm she granted me giving me a moment to see thing clearly, without lust clouding my judgment.

“Spend the evening with me.” I was unable to soften the demand, but I did my best to try and frame it as a question.

“I don’t even know you,” she shot back, shaking her head and trying to pull away.

For some strange reason, her reply pleased me. Anyone else would have felt the bite of my tongue, or my fists if they were a male, but instead I felt … proud. My mate wasn’t a push over. But it wouldn’t do for others to think they could act the same way. Lowering my voice, I stroked a hand under her hair, cradling her head as she continued to look up at me, “Dinner, that’s all.”

She huffed, her eyes narrowing, but I could scent her desire in the air. She might try and act like she wasn’t affected, but the pull to mate worked both ways. Pheromones and undeniable physical attraction. “Fully clothed,” she demanded.

I clamped down on the thrill of triumph before it reached my eyes. “Of course.” To begin with…

“And no funny business,” she added, giving me a look that told me she knew exactly what I was thinking.

“I can assure you, I will be on my best behavior.”

This time her look was one of pure disbelief, tinged with wry amusement as her full lips curved up into a smirk. “Why the hell am I agreeing to this?” she muttered under her breath.

It took every ounce of control I possessed to let her pull from my arms. Swallowing hard, I shrugged. “Because you’re naturally inquisitive?” I swallowed again as I took in the view of her standing in front of me, dressed in nothing more than an insubstantial bikini. She had full breasts that were balanced perfectly by wide hips. I almost choked on my growl at the outline of her nipples straining the thin fabric, as her breasts bounced and swayed with her put upon sigh. She was my idea of feminine perfection, beautifully soft and rounded, her curvy shape was lush and decadent in a way that had my hands twitching and mouth watering. My cock jerked in my pants, begging for her attention.

Her eyes flicked to the sky as she let out a small chuckle. “Yeah, that’s it.” Her voice held a husky note as her eyes swept over me, then darted away.

“I’ll pick you up at eight.” Without waiting for her answer, I strode away, but heard her mutter under her breath as I entered the palace.

“Sure thing, barbarian king.”

My bark of laughter had one of the guards jumping and he eyed me warily. “Alpha?”

“I’ll be in my office. Send Zara in, but keep everyone else out.” I slammed the door behind me, knowing that my instructions would be followed. Sinking into the chair behind my desk, I rubbed a hand over my face, wresting my body back under control. My wolf circled beneath my skin, his claws scraping against my sides and growl thundering in my head. He didn’t understand why we had walked away. In his world, when a male found his mate, it was his right to claim her. No waiting, no messing around. He also wasn’t used to being denied. I’d lived my life with him close to the surface, his thoughts coloring mine and influencing my actions. As an alpha and protector of my brother, the King, this had served me well, then when I’d ascended to the throne and taken over the pack, it had also ensured my success. Nobody dared to challenge me, not when they knew I wouldn’t hesitate to finish what they started. Brutally.

But, for the first time in my life, there was a chink in my armor. A weakness. A way for my enemies to hurt me.

Zara sauntered into the office, taking her time to settle into one of the chairs facing me.

I waited for her to spit it out, her smug look revealing that she’d put two and two together.

“Sooooo … Tahlia, huh?” Zara had spent some time in the States in her youth, and had picked up, what she liked to call, snark. She was very proud of it and spent most of her time trying to impart her wisdom onto me.

Mentally, I managed the Americanisms fine, but I found I struggled to convey the same relaxed tone out loud. I would practice, I decided. Grunting, I scratched the stubble on my chin. “Yes,” I snapped, gaining no reaction. Out of everyone, Zara was the one least afraid of me. Probably because we’d almost grown up together. She’d been close to my brother, too. Making a monumental effort, I softened my voice, “Tell me everything about her.”

Astonishment flashed across her face, then she smiled. “You saw her CV.”

My brow furrowed. “I did?”

“Yes, I put it on your desk. We also discussed the fact that you kept firing Alex’s nannies. I told you that we’d bring in someone with more experience.”

“We did?” My frown deepened, as I tried to recall the conversation.

She spread her hands in a what the hell gesture. “I knew you weren’t listening.”

I scowled at her. “I have a lot on my mind.”

“Yes, kingly stuff,” she drawled, doing a damn good American accent.

I leaned forward, planting my elbows on my desk and fixing her with a snarl. “The pack doesn’t run itself.”

Not cowed in the slightest, she waved away my display of aggression with a shrug. “That doesn’t mean you can’t have a life, Nick.” She hesitated and I bit my tongue, waiting for her to continue. “I worry about you.”

I leaned back, fixing her with a glare. “You shouldn’t.”

“You’ve cut yourself off from everyone.”

I tilted my chin. “Yet, here you are, pestering me.”

“Because I care. Bitterness isn’t attractive.” She tutted, shaking her head. A mischievous gleam lit her eyes. “You’re not going to win Tahlia over by acting the way you usually do.”

I didn’t correct her assumption, we both knew exactly what Tahlia was to me. “I didn’t throw her over my shoulder.” I lifted aforementioned shoulder, as if to say, ‘what more do you want from me’.

“She’s funny and kind and amazing with Alex.”

“Finally! What else can you tell me?”

“And you’re not listening to me … again.”

Not bothering to bite back my groan, I scratched the back of my neck and rolled my eyes. “I’m trying.” This was forced out through gritted teeth. “With you and Tahlia.”

Her lips curved up into a shit-eating grin as she re-crossed her legs, smoothing her skirt down. “You can take notes, if you want.” She pointed at the pen and paper on my desk with obvious glee.

“I’ve created a monster,” I muttered, but did as she asked. Pen poised, I shook my head, trying to dislodge a question that was on the tip of my tongue, but it forced its way out. “Am I a barbarian?” No matter how hard I tried to suck the words back in, it was too late.

Once Zara had stopped laughing her ass off, she swiped at her eyes and answered me, “I love Tahlia so much right now.” At the look on my face, she continued, “Only in the best way, Nick.”

“There’s a best way to be a barbarian?”

“Oh, yes.” She lowered her voice to a whisper, “There’s nothing better than a man acting like a barbarian in the bedroom.”

My lips curved up into a smile. At least that was one thing I wouldn’t have to change about myself. Pushing back in my chair, I tapped the pen against my lips. “So, I just have to get her naked and under me.”

Zara made a rude sound. “I have my work cut out for me.”

* * *

Zara’s instructions buzzed around inside my brain, trying to find a home in the hostile environment, as I dressed for the evening. Tucking my shirt into my jeans, I swept a hand through my hair, and eyed my reflection for a brief moment. The man looking back at me didn’t have a clue either. Grimacing, I turned for the door, making my way through the corridors to the other side of the palace, where the prince’s rooms were situated. I had managed to grasp one of Zara’s many concepts, though. Respect. She’d told me, point blank drilled it into my head, that women—especially human women—deserved to be treated with respect. She’d then gone on to explain the complexities of that little word, making my head spin.

No, it’s not okay to make her decisions for her.

No, Nick, you can’t just kiss her to change her mind.

Dammit, Nick! A woman wants more than just a male between her thighs.

To which my reply had been: Well, she can’t have two!

She’d rolled her eyes and cuffed me around the head, from her position perched on the edge of my desk. Within beating distance, she’d told me with an arched brow.

Even when I’d informed her that I wasn’t just thinking with my cock, my tongue was most definitely involved as well.

Zara’s mouth had dropped open, then she’d informed me to keep my tongue in my mouth for the first date.

Ah, fuck. I was going on a goddamned date! I paused outside Tahlia’s door, listening to the soft sounds of her moving around inside the room. She was humming under her breath, every other sentence punctuated by a soft cursing, that made her sound almost as manic as I felt. My hand hovered over the door handle as Zara’s reminder kicked in, so I diverted my hand, rapping sharply on the door. There. Respect given. In my own damn palace.

The door swung open and Tahlia blinked at my chest. Slowly, she tilted her head back and met my eyes, her gaze carefully blank.

I couldn’t resist. “One barbarian king, at your service.” I bent at the waist, sweeping my hand out in a mock bow.

Her eyes twinkled, but she didn’t crack a smile. “I’ll just be a moment.” She took her time walking back to her dresser and slipping on a pair of earrings, so it wasn’t my fault that I leaned against the doorframe and allowed myself the pleasure of enjoying the sight of her jeans hugging her glorious ass. She was the one taunting me with her feminine wiles, after all. What sane male wouldn’t take advantage of the view?

“No funny business, remember?” Her finger was wagging at me, right in front of my chest, and I considered nipping at the tip … but she was waiting for an answer.

“Of course, you have my word.” Ah, where the hell had that come from? Now I had no choice but to behave, a man’s word was his bond, the backbone of his character. Otherwise, how would anyone believe me when I told them they were going to die by my teeth?

She rocked back on her heels, hands on hips and huffed out some air. “Huh. You know, I actually believe you!”

I held out a hand to her, willing her to take it, but she sidestepped and slid past me into the corridor. “I would never lie to you,” I stated, following her out and closing the door behind me. Escorting my now silent date, we made our way outside, following the curve of the palace around to the private patio area that had been set up for us. After seating her at the table, I made my way around and took my seat. After her wine glass was full and the appetizer had been served, I finally broke the silence. “Are you enjoying your time here in Switzerland?” Inane conversation, something I had never been skilled at, but for her, I’d try.

She nodded, swallowing her mouthful before answering. Strands of gold glinted in her hair, lifted from the brown depths by the flickering candles dotted around us. “It’s a beautiful country.”

“Harsh, too. The winters can be unforgiving.”

She took a sip of wine, then smiled. It hit me like a punch in the gut. “I’ve been to Canada,” she offered, then shook her head. “Not that I have any plans on staying for the winter.”

I ignored the panic her statement caused. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but that isn’t something one usually admits to an employer, is it?” If I’d expected her to show unease or blush, I’d have been wrong.

She smirked at me, pointedly looking around. “I thought, what with this whole date with the boss thing you’ve got going on, that we were more like friends. Then there was the whole rubbing up against me naked thing.” She winked at me, taking another sip of her wine. “Shucks, you’ve gotta be happy I agreed to come out with you and that I’m not thinking about filing a sexual harassment claim.”

Throwing back my head, I roared with laughter. “You enjoyed the rubbing, admit it.”

She tapped her glass with her finger, and I could virtually see her mischievous thoughts dancing behind her eyes. “You’d make a good exotic dancer, that’s for sure. I could just imagine you in a tiny G-string, flinging your bits around.”

I spluttered, wine shooting down the wrong hole. Banging on my chest, I wheezed, “Are you trying to kill me?”

“With my sense of humor?” She smirked as I sipped at a glass of water. “Yep. Kill you with laughter, the latest assassination package for king slayers.”

My reaction was instant, despite smothering it in an easy smile, and she lurched forward, grabbing my hand across the table. “I’m sorry, Nick, I didn’t think.” Her brown eyes swam with sympathy. “Were you close to your brother and his wife?”

My hand had frozen under hers, unwilling to move in case she withdrew her support. “They weren’t assassinated.” According to the public knowledge. “But, yes, we were close. I guarded his back.” And I’d failed. And now I was king.

“I’m sorry for your loss,” she murmured, giving my hand a squeeze.

Seizing the moment, I turned my hand and slid my fingers through hers, twining us together. “Thank you. I—” I cleared my throat, having to look away, “They are missed by everyone.” Looking down at our hands, I grimaced. “I was never meant to lead these people.” It was a quiet admission, one I’d often thought to myself but never voiced out loud. I glanced up. “You have a secret talent for making a man speak his mind, Miss Bromley.”

“I have many talents,” she whispered back, her mouth curving into a smile to match my own.

Tracing the back of her hand with my thumb, I leaned my elbow on the table and stared into her eyes, mesmerized by this wonderful woman who would be my mate. “I just bet you do.”

She snorted, then tutted at me. “Okay! You have a one-track mind.”

“Says the woman who wants to see me in a tiny G-string.”

She slid her hand from mine, and I let it go. Reluctantly. “Don’t forget to fling your bits around while you’re at it.”

“When I’m around you, I’m afraid my bits are not that … flexible.”

Her eyes widened, her fork hovering in front of her mouth. Then she pointed it at me. “See? One track mind.”

“Only with you, min älskling,” I replied with a wink.