Prince of Secrets

And if she could believe his words, it would.

The kiss pulled her out of time, suspending them in an intimacy that had no limits, not in hours and minutes, or in emotional connection.

It was beyond anything she thought two people could feel together.

His hands were everywhere, bringing pleasure, teaching her body his touch, making that indescribable pleasure spiral tighter and tighter inside her again.

She touched him, too, letting her fingertips learn his body, and just doing that gave her a level of delight she’d never known. She could caress this man, touch his naked skin and he wanted it, wanted her touch. Not just any woman’s. Hers.

An empty ache started, making her body restless for what it had never known.

As if he knew exactly what she needed, he nudged her thighs apart and adjusted his body so the head of his erection pressed against the opening to her body. However, he made no move to enter her.

The moment felt so momentous that tears washed into her eyes and trickled down her temples. He broke the kiss, lifting his head, his expression knowing.

He touched the wetness, wiping at the tears with one finger. “It is not just about tonight.”

“It’s not supposed to be this big.”

“You have waited twenty-nine years, krýxitka.”

She wasn’t a baby, not by any stretch, but having him call her one didn’t feel wrong. “But women don’t, anymore.”

“You had your reasons.”

“I want this.”

“I know.”

“You do, too.”

“Yes.”

“With me,” she confirmed, maybe needing a little more reassurance than she’d realized.

“Only you from this point forward.”

“You do not believe in infidelity?” A lot of businessmen thought it was their right when they flew out of town to leave their wedding ring in the bedside drawer of their hotel rooms.

Or so she’d read. Honestly, as awful as Perry might be toward Chanel, she couldn’t imagine him cheating on her mother. It was one of the reasons she respected him, even if she didn’t like the business shark.

She could never respect a man who didn’t understand and adhere to the true meaning of loyalty and faithfulness.

“It is too damaging to everyone involved.” There was something about Demyan’s tone that said he knew exactly what he was talking about.

She would have asked about it, but right now all she could really focus on was how much she needed him inside her. “It’s time.”

“Not yet.”

Unexpected anger welled up. “You’re not going to get bossy about this. I’m not begging.”

“I don’t want you begging. Tonight.”

“But—”

He smiled down at her, indulgence and tenderness she wasn’t even sure he was aware of glowing in his dark gaze. “You are a virgin. A certain amount of preparation will make the difference between a beautiful experience and one you never want to have to remember.”

“You make it sound so dire.”

“It can be.”

“Much experience deflowering virgins?” she asked with sarcasm and maybe just a hint of jealousy.

“Tonight is not the time for discussing past sexual encounters.”

“That isn’t what you said earlier.”

His jaw hardened but he said, “Fine. She was young. I was young. It was a disaster.”

“Did you love her?”

“Not even a little.”

“Did she love you?”

“No.” No doubt there.

“You decided to figure out how to fix the problem.” She could so see him doing that.

She might not know everything there was to about this man, but some of his basic characteristics she understood very well.

He nodded even as he shifted again so there was room for his hand to get between them. A single finger gently rubbed along her wet folds.

“That feels good,” she whispered.

“It is supposed to.”

The touch moved up, circling her clitoris. It felt so delicious she gasped with the pleasure of it.

He kissed her and then lifted his head. “Touching you is such a pleasure. You hide none of your responses from me.”

“Am I supposed to?”

“No.” Very definite. Unquestionably vehement.

“You’re kind of a control freak in bed, aren’t you?”

“Giving you pleasure takes a lot of concentration. Why would you try to hinder my efforts by lying to me?”

“I never...” She gasped as his fingers moved a certain way. “Didn’t say I would.”

“Never?” he asked.

She could have accused him of taking unfair advantage, but really? It wouldn’t have mattered if he’d asked her in the middle of the street standing ten feet away.