A Royal Amnesia Scandal

Luc’s mouth followed the trail of his fingertips along the tops of her breasts, just over the lacy bra cups. “I’ll take your silence as a go-ahead.”

Kate slid her fingers into his inky-black hair as she looked down at him. “I can’t say no to you.”

“I didn’t intend to let you.”

He crushed her body to his as his mouth claimed hers. Kate shoved his tux jacket off and to the floor. Without breaking contact, she started unbuttoning his shirt. The need to feel his skin next to hers was all-consuming.

Luc wrapped his hands around her waist and lifted her onto the desk. He jerked his shirt off, sending the rest of the buttons popping and scattering across the hardwood floor. The sight of that bare chest, the familiar tattoo and a smattering of chest hair had her heart beating in double time and her body aching.

He stepped between her thighs, encircled her torso with his arms and jerked her to the edge.

“Wrap your legs around me.”

His husky demand had her obeying in an instant. What was it about this man that could have her throwing all common sense aside and practically bowing to his every wish?

Love. That’s all it boiled down to. If she didn’t love him, if she hadn’t been in love with him for some time, she never would’ve allowed herself to be put in this vulnerable position.

Luc managed to work off her bra and panties with a quick, clever snap and torn material. The fact he was so eager sent warmth spreading through her. She’d made him this reckless, this out of control.

And that right there told her she had the upper hand.

Squeezing her legs tighter against his narrow hips, Kate gripped his head and pulled him down to her mouth. Instantly, he opened, groaning against her. His hands seemed to be everywhere at once. How else could she explain all the shivers, the rippling, the tingling?

“Lean back,” he muttered against her lips.

Kate leaned back on the smooth desk, resting her weight on her elbows. When his eyes locked onto hers, the moment he joined them, Kate couldn’t help the burn in her throat, the instant tears pricking her eyes. Even though their bond may have started off with a lie, it didn’t diminish the fact she loved him. He cared for her more than he let on, too, or they wouldn’t be here right now.

Kate shoved aside all worry, all thoughts, and reveled in the moment. Luc was here, with her. He was making love to her in a slow, passionate way that was polar opposite to the frantic way he’d stripped them both moments ago. Did she dare hope he wanted more from her?

Luc leaned over her, kissed her softly and rested his forehead against hers. With Luc’s hands gripping her waist, she held on to his shoulders and kept her gaze on him.

Within moments, her body climbed, tightened. Luc muttered something she didn’t quite understand. Between the Portuguese and the low whisper, his words were lost. But then his own body stiffened against hers as he squeezed his eyes shut.

Once the tremors ceased, Luc picked her up and carried her to his bed, draped in gold-and-white sheers. He laid her down and slid in beside her, pulling her body against his.

“Sleep.” His hands immediately went to her stomach. “Rest for our baby.”

Kate closed her eyes, wondering if this blossom of hope in her chest would still be there come morning. Wondering if the man she’d fallen in love with was actually starting to love her back.

Sixteen

Nausea hit her hard. Kate prayed that if she just lay still the queasiness would pass. Until now, she’d had no symptoms of pregnancy, save for the missed period and being tired. Those things she could handle.

As for the man who had put her in this situation in the first place, well, that was another story.

Kate tried to focus on the fact she’d spent the night in Luc’s bed, this time with him fully aware of who she was and why she was there. Surely that meant something. Surely they’d crossed some major barrier and things would only get better from here.

Kate wasn’t naive, but she was hopeful. She had to be.

But the bed next to her was empty, cool. She sat up, clutching the sheet to her chest. That abrupt movement had her stomach roiling. Bad idea. She closed her eyes and waited for the dizziness to pass before she risked scanning the oversize bedroom for Luc.

He stood near the floor-to-ceiling window, sipping a cup of coffee. His bare back, with bronze skin and dark ink, stared back at her. She didn’t want this to be awkward, but she had no idea what to say, how to act. She’d selfishly given in to her desires last night, not thinking of consequences. Well, she had thought of them, but she’d chosen to weigh heavily on the side of optimism.

Her legs shifted beneath the warm satin sheets. Luc glanced over his shoulder at the sound, then focused his attention back on the sunrise. She had to admit the orange sky glowing with radiant beauty was a sight to behold, but was he not going to say anything?

Please, please don’t let this be awkward.

Kate eased back against the headboard and tucked the sheet beneath her arms to stay fully covered. Not that he hadn’t seen all of her multiple times, but she was getting a vibe that this wasn’t going to be a good morning, and the last thing she wanted to do was go into battle fully naked.