“I just want a little time. That’s all. Nothing else.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Nothing?”
Her lips curled up into a deliciously sexy smile and she raised an eyebrow. “Well, now you ask, maybe I should be more demanding.”
She hooked her hand around his neck and brushed her lips against his skin. He closed his eyes as he let the sensations fill his blood. That was all she did and it was all she needed to do.
He grabbed her hand and they ran down the remaining corridors to their suite. He swung open the heavy teak doors and, without waiting to turn on the lights, walked across the marble floor to the canopy bed from which pure white silk linings were draped. They shifted slightly in the welcome fragrant breeze that came in through the open windows.
There, he thrust his fingers into her hair and held her head still so he could drink her in. In the darkness he couldn’t see the details, only her form, herself.
“I can’t believe you’re back in my arms, Taina. I still can’t believe it.”
“Nor me. I’m so sorry, Daidan.”
“It wasn’t your fault. It was all mine. I gave no thought to the fact you’d see an arranged marriage differently than I did. And I should have known.” He brushed his lips against hers and her mouth opened, wanting more. “You should never be forced to do anything you don’t want to do. And I’ll make sure it never happens again. I promise. Nothing must come between us again.”
He wondered as to her slight frown but his kiss soon swept it away.
He carefully undid her long dress and drew it away from her body and turned her around.
“I want to see you.”
She hesitated.
He kissed her. “I don’t want anything between us any more, not lies, not clothes, nothing.”
“Tomorrow. You’ll see me tomorrow when morning comes. But for tonight, feel me, taste me, just as you used to do.”
And he did.
Taina woke up with a start. Bright sunlight poured in unimpeded through the open windows. She turned to look at Daidan who was still asleep. Her heart thumped and she stared at the distance between her gown and the bed. She’d have to walk across the bright sunlight in which everything was plainly visible.
Last night her decision had seemed so logical, so easy. Her faith in Daidan’s acceptance hadn’t wavered. But it did, now, in the cold light of day.
Maybe she could delay it. Maybe if she didn’t make a sound Daidan would remain asleep.
Carefully she pulled back the cover. She wondered for a moment if she could wrap it around herself, but that would mean pulling it from Daidan and then he’d be bound to wake up and wonder why she was walking across the large room wrapped in a sheet. It wouldn’t end well. No, her only hope was to quietly slip out of bed naked.
She eased herself toward the edge of the mattress and then stopped when Daidan turned over and flung one arm over her stomach. She froze and watched his face. He was still asleep. Seemed he wanted to check she was still there even in his sleep. And no wonder. It would be a long time until they felt totally sure of each other.
She covered herself again, just in case she awoke him, and carefully lifted his hand and put it back on the mattress. He didn’t stir. This time she moved more quickly, slipping out of the bed and padding softly across the room.
“Where are you going?” Daidan’s voice rumbled sexily from behind her. She kept on walking.
“Just to the bathroom.”
“Well, come back to me afterwards.”
She felt her body respond to the invitation but she continued to walk, scooping up her dress as she went. “If you’re lucky,” she responded. She just made it to the bathroom before he got to her.
She closed the door behind her and leaned back against it, catching sight of herself in the mirror. How the hell was she going to get out of this? She looked around. Damn, there was no robe. She looked at her dress. She could hardly put this on again.
A few minutes later she exited the bathroom, clutching her dress in front of her.
“Baby, come here.”
She stood uncertainly, clutching her dress in front of her stomach. “Don’t we have an engagement in an hour?”
“I’ll re-arrange it. I have other, more important things on my mind.”
“Daidan… I…”
“Taina.” He stretched out and grabbed her hand. “Come here.” She fell onto the bed, her dress crushed between him and her stomach. He tried to move it away but she held on to it. She could see the precise moment when he knew something was wrong. He frowned and looked at her with intent focus. “What’s wrong? What are you doing?”
She shook her head.