Are you staying?
The words hovered just behind her lips, but she swallowed them back, afraid to spoil everything. He’d come back, and that was enough.
She leaned into him and started to move again, letting the delicious sensations pulse through her until she started to lose control. This time she didn’t stop, but pushed them both over the edge of pleasure into the strange, dark, powerful, empty space beyond, where thoughts and feelings collapsed and their bodies became one.
When she finally opened her eyes again, they were both lying back on the polished basalt. She’d never realized how big the great stone was. Side by side, holding hands, they lay under the skylight, the surface oddly soft beneath their totally relaxed limbs.
Lani turned to look at AJ. “What if we’ve just broken an ancient taboo?”
AJ’s mouth swept into a naughty grin. “I’d say ancient taboos are pretty much made to be broken.”
A volley of sharp knocks on the carved wooden door jerked her into a sitting position. “Someone’s coming.”
AJ didn’t move. “Not surprising. We did kind of disappear on them.”
She jumped off the stone and scrambled back into her dress. “Come on! We don’t want them to know what we were doing.”
“Why not? It’s not a crime.”
“It might be if the throne is involved.”
“If I become king I can grant us absolution.” He eased his pants over his powerful thighs. “Same if you become queen. Though we’d have to decide if we deserve the pardon.”
Lani ran fingers through her tangled hair. Now he was just messing with her mind. Unless he didn’t entirely know what was on his own mind—which was more than likely. Everything had happened so fast. It was less than twenty-four hours ago that she’d phoned him with her revelation.
More banging on the door made her jump.
“Don’t worry, it’s locked.” AJ winked at her.
She pulled her sandals on. “What shall we say we were doing in here?”
“Hmm.” AJ buttoned up his shirt very slowly. “Maybe we could tell them that we couldn’t decide who should take the throne, so we both decided to try it out and see how it felt.”
“You’re terrible!”
“Trust me, I know that. It’s the truth, though, isn’t it?”
“We haven’t discussed who should take the throne.” She peered at him.
“Do you want to be queen?” He stopped buttoning and stared at her.
Only if you’re king. “Not really. I’ve been rather railroaded into it.”
“Well, that’s how it happens, isn’t it?” He smiled and went back to buttoning. “In some societies people are stabbing each other in the back trying to seize the throne. In others, we’re all keen to dodge the crown that’s being thrust upon us.” He tucked in his shirt, then stared straight ahead. “I admit I’ve felt bad about that, too.”
“You regretted giving up the crown.”
“The crown I could care less about. It’s Rahiri I regretted losing. This is a great little nation and it could be even better. Sure, the elders have the people’s best interests in their hearts, but they don’t have the energy and vision of a younger person who’s lived in another culture and been exposed to new ideas.”
“I’d been thinking about that. We need more female doctors, and why can’t the elders be women, too?”
“You are prepared to take on the role of queen.” AJ looked at her, a hint of surprise in his eyes.
Had she said the wrong thing? Would he think she didn’t want him there because she’d been ready to rule the nation? She shrugged. “I had to prepare. I didn’t really have a choice.”
He frowned. “You’re the one person who’s never really had a choice in any of this. What do you want, Lani?”
You.
Why couldn’t she say it? It was just one word, but it ducked and hid behind her tongue. What was she so afraid of? That she’d scare him away?
“You don’t like giving away anything about yourself.” He cocked his head and surveyed her through narrowed eyes. “You figure your secrets are safer if you keep them locked away inside.”
“I told you the truth about my marriage to Vanu.”
“That was a good start, but I want to know about you. What you think, and what you really want.”
Another thunderous knock on the door was accompanied by a shout. “Is anyone in there? We’re going to break the door down.”
“Oh, no.” Lani scuttled behind the stone.
“Don’t break it down.” AJ’s voice boomed off the high walls. “I’m in here with Lani and we’re both fine.”