Perhaps her previously undetected boldness didn’t have to be a bad thing?
They entered the large banqueting hall and he tensed.
Fresh holly wreaths elaborately finished with gold ribbons had been hung from the cornicing, while candles burned in the wall sconces to mark the upcoming festive season.
Christmas was his least favourite time of year.
She glanced at him. ‘Is something wrong?’
‘Not a thing,’ he said, surprised she had noticed the slight hesitation. And not sure he liked it.
But when she disengaged her arm as soon as they reached their seats at the top table, he stifled a smile.
Not quite so bold now?
Waving off the waiting footman, he pulled her banqueting throne out.
As she deposited her bottom onto the velvet cushion, an unfamiliar scent teased his nostrils—citrus and musk—which was fresher and more intoxicating than the vanilla perfume he had detected before. His gaze fixed on the spot behind her ear.
Was that where she wore her scent? What would she taste like if he kissed her there? How would she react? Would she writhe? Would she moan?
Before he could think better of it, he whispered in her ear. ‘Fair warning, Your Majesty. After my exceptionally long wait, I’m starving.’
She glanced round, her gaze filled with a compelling mix of surprise and awareness. The flush on her cheeks had his mind fogging with lust and his gaze snagged on her mouth. A vision of biting into that plump bottom lip and soothing it with his tongue tortured him.
He drew back, disturbed by the intensity of his reaction.
When was the last time he had wanted a woman so badly he had acted on instinct? His manners were usually impeccable.
Stop staring at her mouth.
‘Just to be clear, I’m not on the menu,’ she said.
‘If you insist, Your Majesty,’ he replied. ‘Although I consider it my sworn duty to change your mind.’
Her eyes widened—and she frowned. ‘Good luck with that, Leo.’
He let out a rough chuckle as the last of his restraint headed straight out of the banqueting hall’s large mullioned windows and into the December night.
Game on.
CHAPTER TWO
‘I BELIEVE THIS is my dance, Your Majesty. Shall we move through to the ballroom?’ Leo bowed, but the formal request was as mocking as the challenge in his crystal blue eyes as they met Juno’s.
It was the same challenge that had been tormenting Juno all through several courses of cordon-bleu cuisin
e.
What the heck had she unleashed? Because whatever this thing was between her and Leo, it was as dangerous as it was unexpected. Unfortunately, it was also exciting.
Leo offered her his arm, the dare in his eyes unmistakeable.
When had she ever been able to resist a dare?
She laid her fingers on his arm and felt the muscles of his forearm tense.
Applause followed them as he led her out of the banqueting hall and into the ballroom beyond—but she could hardly hear it over the pounding of her own pulse.