‘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 she noticed the bulge in his trousers. No wonder he looked in pain. No wonder his big capable hands shook so badly he’d dropped the soap more than once.
The knowledge set every nerve ablaze.
‘I’m getting out.’ Luisa struggled to rise.
‘Wait!’ Heedless of the water, Raul hauled her out with an ease that reminded her of the power hidden under his clothes. She sank into him, spreading her hands over his saturated shirt and muscled chest.
‘You need rest.’ His jaw set hard as if with strain.
‘That’s not what I need.’ She tilted her chin and met his gaze. ‘I need you.’
There, she’d said it and the world hadn’t collapsed around her! In fact it felt good.
‘Now.’ Her fingers curled tight in his sodden shirt. She raised herself on tiptoe and pressed her lips to his.
In a flurry of urgent movement he lifted her, strode out and laid her on the bed. Seconds later he’d ripped his shirt open and shrugged it off. Luisa’s pulse rocketed as she took in his sculpted torso with its smattering of dark hair. His hands went to his trousers as he heeled off his shoes. A moment later he stood naked and imposing.
She forgot to breathe as she surveyed his perfect form, felt the power radiating from him. Then thought ended as he joined her. He was like a furnace, burning hot.
He touched her all over, palms smooth, fingers teasing. He skimmed and stroked and even tickled till she squirmed and tried to reciprocate. But he held her, his thigh clamped her still, his hands capturing her wrists.
The torture began as he used his lips, tongue and teeth on her body. Minutes turned into an aeon of pleasure.
It was as if he tried to compensate for the speed of their earlier coupling. Delight piled upon delight till Luisa was strung out, quivering with need and pleasure. It was too much, too intense.
‘Please, Raul,’ she gasped. ‘Don’t tease.’
He looked up under hooded lids and her breath snagged as he tugged with his mouth at her breast. He held her gaze as his tongue circled her nipple then lapped hard, drawing hot wires of desire through her taut body. She groaned and instantly his hand slid down, stroking at her most sensitive point.
That was all it took.
She cried out as waves of ecstasy crested and crashed within her. Still he held her gaze, even as the world swirled around her and she bucked helplessly beneath his touch. It was wonderful; it left her speechless.
But it wasn’t Raul.
Luisa clutched at his shoulders and finally, as she sagged spent against the mattress, he settled between her thighs. The feel of his hot flesh there sent a spark of energy through her lax bones and a searing sense of familiarity. Of rightness.