She was so tight. So was he.
Her hands were everywhere at once; his back, his buttocks, gripping his shoulders. Until she stiffened, her legs releasing their hold on him and opening wide.
He could feel her climax coming, rumbling through her body like thunder, grasping him with her muscles. The feeling was so sweet he thought he’d lose his mind.
But instead he lost his control.
And as she convulsed around him, tightening, squeezing, Alex gave in, fell over the edge and exploded along with her.
As the heat of Sophia’s body ebbed, so did the fog around them. For one full minute she silently prayed that it would take her with it, up into the sky where it was safe from reality and awkwardness. But as she’d learned early in life, the elements kept their own counsel.
The man beside her shifted, his hot skin grazing her own.
Unbidden, her body stirred in response. She stifled a groan. No, she was no angel. Burying her face in her lover’s neck, she wondered how in the world had she allowed such a thing to happen. Granted, she wasn’t someone who shied away from life—but making love to a total stranger was completely over the top.
And, yet, she wanted more.
More lying naked beside the most achingly handsome man she’d ever seen. More time where loneliness and uncertainty subsided and wonderfulness abounded.
More feeling like a woman, desired and consumed.
Reaching twenty-six years old with one pale love affair to her credit, she’d often fantasized about moments like this. She just never imagined one becoming reality. And now that it had, waking up wasn’t as easy as opening her eyes to the morning sunshine and safety of her nautical bedroom back home in San Diego.
Sophia’s thoughts faded as the man beside her disentangled himself from her grasp and sat up. His jaw was as tight as a lobster trap, his heather-colored eyes filled with dismay as he looked down at her. Her heart lurched and fell, and she felt very naked. Despite his gloriously handsome features, his expression was one of consternation.
But for his own actions or for hers, she wasn’t sure.
With her cheeks turning pinker by the second, she snatched up her bathing suit and hurriedly slipped it on as she tried for a casual tone. “I suppose you won’t believe me if I say that I’ve never done anything like this before?”
His eyes were blank now, no banter, no smile. “I must apologize.”
His husky brogue washed over her, heating her skin once again under her wet suit. “There’s no reason for an apol—”
“Of course there is.” He cursed, drove a hand through his thick, black hair. “You were practically drowning out there—”
“So were you.”
“—and I—”
“And we,” she corrected.
He paused for a moment, his gaze moving over her. “Who are you?”
A fool? she felt an impulse to exclaim. A shameless woman with absolutely no hindsight. A woman so desperate to live a little, she’d lost her mind…for a moment. “Maybe it’s better that we don’t know each other’s names.”
He released a haughty snort. “Impossible.”
“Not really. Don’t ask. Don’t tell.” Just give me five minutes to disappear, she thought dryly.
“I’m afraid that rule doesn’t apply here.”
“Why not?”
He stood up then, slipped on his jeans, all broad shoulders and lean muscle. Lord, the man could’ve been carved in bronze he was so well put together. Wavy black hair licked the back of his neck, razor-sharp features showed off his imperious nature to perfection, and then there were those amethyst eyes—needful, yet proud as a lion.
“Let’s just say I’m old-fashioned,” he said dryly.
“Well, I’m not,” she countered. It was a lie, but emotional anxiety always brought out the worst in her. She wasn’t about to spill her guts to this man. Not when he was making it crystal clear that their lovemaking was a huge mistake. She wasn’t going to tell him her name, where she was from, that she was sailing the isles for her grandfather as she tried to come up with a decent idea for her next children’s book.
No. She just wanted to run.
“I don’t want to resort to commands,” he began, crossing his arms over his thickly muscled chest. “But I will.”
Sophia’s brows shot together; she wasn’t sure she’d heard him correctly. “Excuse me?”
“I’m afraid I will have to command you to tell me who you are.”
“Command me?”
“That’s correct.”
She grinned, let out a throaty laugh and shook her head, the tension inside her easing considerably. “That’s very funny. You’re funny. So that must make you what? The king of Llandaron or something?”
He shook his head brusquely. “Not yet.”
Her stomach pinged with nerves, but she shoved the feeling away, forced out another easy laugh. “Well then, I suppose you can call me the queen of the sea.”
“This isn’t a time for humor, Miss…”
“I agree.” She stood up, straightened her shoulders. This was getting ridiculous. They’d acted without thinking, made a horrible mistake. But it was over. She needed to get out of here. Now. Before this charade went any further. Before she made an even bigger fool out of herself. “Any more commands before I go find a boatworks, sire?”
His severe gaze fairly wilted her resolve. “Just one.”
She swallowed, feeling the heat in her belly fire to life—and hating herself for such a reaction. “Knock yourself out.”
“I was careless. For that I apologize.”
“Please, no more apolo—”
“You may be carrying my child, miss… The heir to the throne of Llandaron.” He raised a fierce brow at her. “I’m afraid you’ll have to remain with me, in my kingdom, until I know for certain.”
Two
Alex watched the blood drain from the woman’s beautiful face like wet paint from a canvas, and felt as though he wanted to ram his fist through a wall. He was the cause of the unease and shock she was feeling. He’d been too quick, too apathetic, in his quest to bring reality to the situation.
As though in the path of a rolling ball of fire, the woman leaped, glanced over her shoulder, then returned her stormy green gaze to him. “Listen, whoever you are. This, whatever it is, has gotten way out of hand.”
Alex was calm as he replied, “You don’t believe me?”
She sniffed, looked him up and down. “No, of course I don’t.”
“There are many ways to prove my identity.”
“I’m sure there are,” she said, her tone thick with agitated sarcasm. “But I’m not really up for more games today.”
“Neither am I.”
“Good.” Her gaze filled with strength as her long, fiery hair swirled around them. “My boat hit a rock and is flailing around out there. I need to have it towed in before—”
“There’s no need to worry about your boat. I will have it brought in for you.”
“That’s not necessary.”
“I think