she shouted angrily as she stormed towards him. ‘What were you thinking?’
She shook the ragged letter in the air, and then pitched it into the fireplace. It dissolved in a bright burst of flame.
‘I needed to see you,’ Andrey explained, his palms up.
‘Could you not think of a way that doesn’t involve us both getting killed?’
‘What on earth are you talking about?’
Ekaterina stared at him incredulously.
‘Haven’t you realised the Empress plans to make you hers?’ she asked disbelievingly. ‘Are you unaware that all your hard work has finally paid off?’
* * *
A look of abject horror passed over Andrey’s usually stoic face. Then, finally, understanding dawned on him and he grew calm. He relaxed his stance and took a slow step forward.
‘I see,’ he said in a low, almost gentle tone. ‘Did you think I’d planned to be the object of her affection?’
Ekaterina’s brow creased, confusion mounting alongside her anger.
‘Of course you had! Why else would you be at court?’ Her voice quietened. ‘Why else would you lure ladies into your grasp?’
‘You are mistaken, my lady,’ he corrected sternly. ‘I am here as an apprentice to plan and construct the Hall of Light.’
‘Ha!’ Ekaterina exclaimed in disbelief, her voice bitter. ‘You are like every other man here,’ she accused. ‘You prey on—’
In three quick strides Andrey was across the room and a hair’s breadth away from her. His hands closed over hers tightly. He captured her eyes with his and her voice faded away in surprise.
‘You are wrong,’ he said, his voice low but intense. ‘You have been at court for far too long, my lady.’
‘You used me,’ Ekaterina said flatly, her eyes hard.
Andrey shook his head and pulled her closer, setting her palms on his chest so that she could feel his wildly beating heart.
‘I had no such ambitions,’ he said seriously. ‘I thought you were a peasant girl. I had no idea you were royalty. In fact, when I found out who you were I thought you were the one using me.’
Ekaterina was silent as she searched his face for any hint of duplicity. But his face, though not expressive, was free of any of the telltale signs of dishonesty. Her brows lifted. He was right; neither of them had known who the other was. It was possible that he had wanted her for herself. It was possible. So...
‘So,’ she said slowly, ‘you do not want to be the Empress’s lover?’
‘I could never touch that sadistic woman,’ he said gravely. ‘Never.’
Then he carefully took Ekaterina’s chin between his thumb and forefinger and tilted her face up to his. His eyes roved her perfect face, from her pouting lips to her earnest eyes. She was beautiful, and in more than just her physical appearance. She was a noblewoman who spurned courtly ways, who decried the idea of using love as a weapon and who wanted nothing more than honesty. He’d never met anyone like her before; she was a pearl amongst wooden beads.
Yes, she was beautiful.
Andrey carefully lowered his lips to her cheek, his breath ghosting over her lashes. She swallowed nervously, and his lips curved at the innocence that lay beneath her sharp mouth—a mouth he would very much like to savour once again.
‘I will never be her lover,’ he murmured against her cheek. ‘But I might like to be yours.’
* * *
Ekaterina started in surprise, but Andrey held her fast. Her heart raced and blood rushed to her ears. She was sure she had not heard him right.
‘Say that again?’ she whispered.
He smiled and nuzzled her cheek, his stubble gently scratching her delicate skin as he dipped lower to nibble at the corner of her lips.
‘I could be your lover,’ he repeated, his voice low and seductive.
With the tip of his index finger, he traced a line from her collarbone to the swell of her breast. She shivered under the feather-light touch. But still she hesitated.
‘But what if my aunt—?’
‘Let’s not speak of her right now,’ Andrey told her, his hands tangling in her hair.
‘But she—’
Andrey swept her objections away by pulling her into a deep kiss, his lips rough on hers.
Ekaterina melted into his embrace, letting him plunder her mouth and relishing the warm ache that was building between her thighs. Her thoughts grew hazy with pleasure as his tongue delved deeply into her mouth, pushing past the wall of her teeth and sweeping her into a delicious dance.
She was barely aware of the workings of his skilful hands until she felt her bodice drop to the floor. She had no time to be surprised, however, as he continued his onslaught. The cotton of her underdress seemed rough against her skin as he moulded his hands to her ample chest, rubbing in an arousing circular motion. Her breathing hitched, and she cried out in delight as he gently pinched the erect peaks.
Fingers twisting in the fabric of his loose shirt, she pulled herself closer to his heat, breaking off their kiss to rest her chin over his shoulder.
* * *
Andrey was merciless in courting Ekaterina’s passion, his hands sliding down her back to cup her bottom. As he elicited another moan from his willing partner he planned his method of attack.
He would rip away her skirts and push her gently to the lush carpets below. Then, while holding her gaze, he would slowly enter her. He would watch her face change, and then he would bring her to such heights of pleasure that she would come, screaming his name to the ceiling.
Burning in anticipation, he sank down to his knees before her, smiling as she tangled her fingers in his thick hair. She seemed confused at the sudden loss of contact, but it was soon forgotten as he glanced up to meet her curious blue eyes.
* * *
Puzzled, Ekaterina stared down at his chiselled features. But then his fingers found the lacings of her skirt and her heart jumped. Andrey was so tall that even on his knees he was at eye level with her bosom—a fact that suddenly made her flush. It had not gone unnoticed. Andrey smiled devilishly and slowly pressed his nose between her two pert breasts. His fingers worked the closures of her skirts as he began to suckle her through her thin undershirt. Ekaterina threw her head back, her mouth opening to cry out.
Then a familiar voice suddenly cut all activity short.
‘Andrey, my darling!’ her aunt called out from down the hall, her booming voice adopting a playful, singsong quality. ‘I’ve come for a visit!’
The lovers jumped apart and stared
