kiss was slow and deliberate. Unbelievably provocative as she treated him to a devastating sensual exploration that almost blew the top off his head. Shivers of delight coursed through him.
Once or twice she hesitated as if unsure how to proceed. But the feel of her tongue mating with his in slow, lush pleasure soon obliterated such crazy notions.
Raul slid a hand under her long coat, over the tight curve of her bottom. His splayed fingers dragged her close, where that flicker of heat was now a blazing furnace. He tilted his pelvis and felt her welcoming feminine softness. Lust shot through him.
He swallowed her gasp, returning her kiss with growing fervour. Every nerve was sharp and aware, as if it had been an age since he’d held a woman.
Luisa tasted like sunshine, felt warm and soft and luscious like a summer peach.
Heat spiked in his groin and a hard weight surged there. The audacious notion rose that here, now, they should let passion take its inevitable course. He’d never felt such an unravelling of control.
Dimly he registered astonishment as desire blasted him. He met her kisses hungrily, her soft little whimper of pleasure driving him on even as he tried to slow down.
Luisa, with her sweet sensuality and her delicious hesitation, piqued an appetite jaded by over-eager women.
Brightness spilled over them, a wash of cold sanity.
Raul blinked in the light from an overhead bridge. He raised his head but his hands were still on her, their lower bodies welded together, even as they passed a group of sightseers peering down at the Seine.
Even now hunger gripped him.
Hell!
What was he doing, giving free rein to passion in public? It was unheard of! Raul kept his sex life scrupulously private after the nightmare scandal eight years ago. He’d worked tirelessly since to shore up his people’s belief in and respect for the monarchy.
Yet he couldn’t drag his eyes from Luisa, couldn’t force himself to step away.
Her lips were parted. Her dark eyelashes fanned, concealing her eyes. She looked wantonly inviting and the heat in his groin intensified. His hold tightened.
Could this be the same woman he’d once thought unfeminine? She was beautiful.
Yet more was at work here than a no-expenses-spared makeover. Even if the result surpassed his expectations.
He met lovely women all the time. But none made him feel like this.
The women in his life were easy company, a pleasure to look at. They satisfied his need for sex. He treated them well and they were eager to please. Simple. Uncomplicated.
Yet with Luisa he didn’t merely respond to a pretty woman. Her fire, her determination, her strength made her unique. He felt as well as desired.
She stirred against him and a bolt of erotic energy speared him.
No! He imagined things. This desire was so intense because he’d allowed her to provoke anger.
He avoided dwelling on the fact that in itself was unusual. He’d learnt years before to channel all his energies into his work. Emotion had led him to the brink of disaster. The eventual fallout of that error had destroyed his family and threatened the state. Now he knew better. He controlled his world. Never again would he be a hostage to sentiment.
Luisa’s eyes flickered open and a jewel-bright stare skewered him. His heart thudded out of kilter as his rationalisations crumbled.
Abruptly he released her and stepped away.
What had she done?
Heat blasted Luisa and she swayed, legs wobbling, as unfamiliar sensations cascaded through her.
She couldn’t—surely she couldn’t have kissed the man who’d blackmailed her into doing his bidding?
Surely she hadn’t … enjoyed it?
Cool air chilled her face and crept in the open front of her jacket. Yet she burned up, her cheeks fiery. Heat seared through her stomach and down to the terrible hollow throb between her legs.
Inwardly she cringed. So much for defiance. And for self-respect. What had happened to the reserve that had kept her impervious to the masculine sex for so long? The wariness borne of disillusionment and hurt?
Raul had hauled her into his embrace, kissed her and her brain had shorted. She’d gone from indignation to helpless need, craving each demanding caress.
How could she have responded to a man she surely hated?
And to have revealed her inexperience to him! No way could her shaming enthusiasm have made up for her lack of expertise. He knew now just how naïve she was. How he must be smirking. The country bumpkin, easy to twist around his little finger. Show her a taste of what she’d never had and she’d be eating out of his hand.
Sickening echoes of the past filled her brain. Hadn’t she learned? How could she be susceptible again? Self-disgust was bitter on her tongue.
Reluctantly she opened her eyes.
Instantly he moved away, his brows drawing down in a ferocious scowl as if he couldn’t believe he’d touched her.
Pain speared her. No doubt she didn’t measure up to his exacting royal standards. Déjà vu swamped her, recalling the scathing revelations of her long-ago suitor.
‘I don’t want you touching me.’ Her voice was raw, husky with distress.
Raul loomed taller, his frown morphing in an instant to a look of cool composure.
‘That wasn’t the impression you gave a moment ago.’ He tugged at his shirt, straightened his jacket, and Luisa felt about an inch tall, realising she’d pulled his clothing askew.
‘I didn’t invite you to maul me.’ Conveniently she ignored the way she’d given herself up to his kiss. Even now she held onto the railing to stay upright. He turned her bones to water.
In the dimming light as the boat slid away from the bridge, it looked like colour rose in his cheeks. But that had to be her imagination. His expression grew haughty and his eyes glittered.
‘My apologies. You can be sure I don’t make a habit of forcing my attentions where they’re not wanted.’
Raul drew himself up like a guard on parade. Then with a flourish of one elegant hand he bowed formally. ‘I’ll leave you to your contemplation of the view.’
He turned and strode to the wheelhouse. He looked utterly calm, as if their passion had been a figment of her imagination. As if he’d felt nothing.
Surely not! He’d been as hungry for her as she’d been for him.
Or had he? She bit her lip, all too aware she had next to no experience to draw upon and that her judgement of men was flawed. Years ago she’d been dumbfounded when her ardent suitor finally revealed his true self when
