Protected by the Prince

Doubts or hopes? Selfish hopes that the chronicle was somehow wrong. That Alaric wasn’t king.

Because if he became king there was even less chance he’d be interested in plain Tamsin Connors.

Her breath seized on a guilty gasp. Is that why she hadn’t told him about the dating? The idea went against every professional principle. Yet deep in her heart a seed of disquiet grew.

Was it so wrong to wait a little to tell him about that? Enjoy this precious interlude before reality intruded?

This…relationship would end soon enough. Her mind shied from the idea of returning to her normal life without Alaric. But he’d given her a wonderful, precious gift. Honest passion and caring, shared unstintingly.

Nothing could ever take that away.

‘Ah, Sleeping Beauty awakes.’ That deep, rich voice slid like rippling silk right through her insides. Her breath caught at its beauty.

Slowly she rolled over. Backlit by the fire’s glow Alaric’s long frame was mouth-wateringly athletic in just a pair of black trousers. What was it about a bare male chest, tousled dark hair and a smile that drove sexy creases down his lean cheeks? Tamsin’s breath sighed out in a whoosh.

Ink blue eyes met hers and heat trickled in her belly.

‘What have you got there?’ Her voice was husky and his smile widened. Every doubt fled as its warmth filled her.

He lifted his hand and a splash of fluid gold ran through his fingers. ‘Here.’ He sauntered to the bed and held up a silken robe.

She reached but he didn’t release it, just stood, holding it by the shoulders, wearing a smile of secret challenge. Her gaze flicked to Alaric’s bare chest. He had no qualms about nudity, but he was the most magnificent male. Whereas she…she was used to covering up.

His eyes beckoned.

‘There’s something I want to show you.’ When he looked at her that way she felt she could walk across hot coals and feel nothing but the pleasure of his smile.

Shimmying to the edge of the bed she slid out, holding the covers as long as possible. It was stupid to feel shy after what they’d done together. Yet it was only the fact that his eyes remained fixed on her face that gave her courage to step from the bed and slip into the seductively soft silk.

‘Excellent.’ Why she should feel such pleasure at his approval she didn’t want to consider. He smoothed the garment across her flushed skin, wrapping the sides closed across her breasts and stomach, tying the belt and caressing her unashamedly through the sensuous silk.

Her heart beat fast, lodging up near her throat as she sagged into his solid heat. She was exhausted, yet with a touch he overturned every sensible thought. She trembled, eager for his caresses. For more of his loving.

‘Come and look.’ He ushered her to the window then stood behind her. His arms wrapped around her waist, his body warmed her back and she sank against him.

The sky was dark and the vista almost obliterated by wafts of white. ‘A snowstorm?’

His jaw scraped her hair as he nodded. ‘We’re not going anywhere today.’

Heat blazed and she grinned. Their idyll wasn’t over. Yet she tried to be sensible. ‘Won’t your staff worry? Don’t you have appointments?’

‘Nothing that can’t be delayed. They know we’re safe. I texted them before we crossed that last ridge down into this valley. All we can do is wait.’

Tamsin tried to feel regret for Alaric’s predicament, cut off from the meetings and important people he dealt with daily. But she couldn’t repress a shiver of anticipation.

Before she could guess his intention, he hoisted her into his arms and carried her across the room. No other man had held her like this and she marvelled at the way she fitted so naturally in his embrace.

‘We’ll have to rough it here,’ he murmured.

‘Rough it?’ The place was pure luxury.

Alaric shouldered open a door into a massive bathroom. The sound of running water made her turn. Set in an arched alcove, lit by flickering candles and topped by a mural of Venus bathing, was the largest bath she’d ever seen. Subtly scented steam curled above it.

On a table nearby were crystal flutes, an ice bucket cradling a foil topped bottle and a plate of plump fresh raspberries and peaches. He must have had the out of season fruit flown in.

‘There’s only one bath,’ Alaric replied. ‘I’m afraid we’ll have to share.’ His eyes gleamed and his roguish smile thrilled as he lowered her, inch by provocative inch to the floor. His hands warmed her hips as she swayed.

Tamsin blinked, overcome by emotion. By the devastating pleasure of this over the top seduction scene. He’d done this for her. His darkening gaze invited her to enjoy it all, and him, to the full.