a puppet to manipulate. No choices. No career. No control over my own destiny.’
The skimming touch of Raul’s fingers was gentle, almost a caress. She knew a ridiculous desire to sink back against him.
‘When news came of my mother’s illness I saw him for what he really was. He insisted I sever all links with my parents. He hated that my mother had walked out on the life he’d planned for her—a duty wife to some crony. He never forgave her. When I begged for help to get her better care, he was furious. According to him, she’d ceased to exist the moment she’d left her home.’
Luisa shuddered as she recalled the old man’s vitriol. His cruelty.
‘By marrying a commoner she’d diluted her aristocratic bloodlines. It was only his extreme generosity that enabled him to overlook my tainted birth and offer to take me in.’
A stream of low-voiced Maritzian cut the air. No mistaking its furious, violent edge.
‘I knew he was old-fashioned.’ Raul’s voice was a lethal whisper. ‘But that’s just vicious.’
Luisa felt tears prickle, hearing his outrage and sympathy. It wrapped round her like a warm blanket.
She’d never told her parents. Couldn’t bear to repeat it, though she suspected her mum had guessed some of it.
Relief filled her at finally spilling the awful truth.
‘So you went back to the farm.’
‘Mum needed me. And so did Dad. When she died it almost broke him.’
‘Which is when you started taking responsibility for the co-op. I’m sorry, Luisa.’
She stiffened. ‘There’s nothing to be sorry for. I wanted to be with them.’
‘I meant I’m sorry your first contact with Maritz was so poisonous. No wonder you hated the idea of the place.’
Her laugh was bitter. ‘You can say that again. I thought the place full of the worst sort of people.’
‘Not just your grandfather?’
She hesitated, aware she’d again strayed into territory she’d never shared.
‘Luisa?’ He paused. ‘Do you want to tell me?’ It was the concern in his tone that did it. The gentleness.
‘There was a guy a little older than me at my grandfather’s palace.’ She sucked in a breath. ‘No one knew I was the prince’s granddaughter but when we met in the gardens it didn’t seem to matter who I was. We talked and talked.’ She cut herself off. How gullible she’d been!
‘We met daily. And I … fell for him.’ He’d kissed her and she’d believed herself in love. ‘He wanted to elope but I refused.’ She’d wanted her parents at her wedding.
‘That upset him. He tried …’ Foul memories surged, chilling her to the marrow and she was grateful for Raul’s warmth. ‘He tried to force me but I fought him. He left with a black eye, but not before he’d explained the reason he’d bothered with me was because of who I was. He’d found out and decided to use that to his advantage. He was ambitious, you see. Marrying a princess would be a coup.’
‘Luisa—’ Raul’s deep voice was gruff ‘—I’m sorry.’
‘It’s not your fault.’
‘But it’s my country, my people.’ No mistaking his regret and indignation.
A touch feathered between her shoulder blades as if he’d pressed his lips there. She was so tempted to ask him to love her again till the disturbing memories receded and all she knew was ecstasy.
Raul made her needy. He made her want things she shouldn’t.
On wobbly legs she stood, clasping the loose dress close. She needed to take control. She’d already revealed enough. Despite the relief of sharing, she felt raw.
‘I can manage now, if you point me to the bathroom.’
‘Let me help.’ From behind he tugged the dress.
Resisting would tear the fabric so she cooperated, only to find her bra had somehow got caught up with the gown. Hurriedly she crossed her arms over bare breasts.
‘That’s enough. I—’
He dragged the cloth down till it pooled at her feet.
Too late she remembered her panties lay in shreds somewhere. She clamped a hand between her legs, feeling moisture there, a reminder of the sex they’d shared. There wasn’t even a robe or a towel to cover her nakedness.
He circled before her, tall in his exquisite finery while she wore nothing but stay-up stockings. She felt vulnerable, especially before his magnificent height.
‘You’re stunning.’ The thickening timbre of his voice splintered her thoughts. ‘Let me look at you.’
The avid glitter in his eyes, the way his nostrils flared as if to drag in oxygen, spoke of a man at the edge of control. She felt his hands tremble as he took hers. He swallowed jerkily and tendons stood out in his neck.
She’d never been naked before a man. Embarrassed heat flushed her skin. But with it came a buzz of excitement, a rising sense of power.
For Raul looked … enthralled.
Again he swallowed and she saw the rapid pulse in his throat. It mirrored her heartbeat.
He looked like a starving man before a feast, not sure where to begin. She felt again that stirring of power.
With a visible effort he dragged his gaze up. His eyes had a strange unfocused look. Slowly he shook his head. He released her and stepped back.
‘You were a virgin. You’ll be sore. I shouldn’t …’
She didn’t feel sore. Not much. She felt wonderful. Because he wanted her as she wanted him? Or because he cared enough to hold back? To put her needs first.
She hugged the knowledge close. It was a small thing but it felt significant.
When he gently scooped her in his arms Luisa curled into him. She delighted in the steady thump of his heart as he carried her to the bathroom.
Minutes later she sank back with a sigh in warm scented water. It was bliss on the gentle ache of muscles.
Under lowered lashes she watched Raul strip off his jacket, roll up the sleeves of his collarless shirt and reach for a large sponge. Anticipation zinged through her.
His swirling touch with the sponge was impossibly erotic.
She gripped the massive tub rather than reach up to brush back the dark lock tumbling over his forehead. He tended her so gently. As if she were precious.
Sweat sheened his face. It trickled down his throat and she wanted to slide her hand along his skin. But his taut frown and grim mouth deterred her.
Until
