“It’s a secret passageway, originally used for evading unwanted visitors, but now quite useful for us.” He held out his hand.
She shook her head. “Who the hell are you?”
“Your destiny.” He caught her wrist and tugged. “Quick, before we’re seen.”
She gasped but didn’t struggle as he led her into the narrow walkway that sat within the castle walls.
He slid their entry point closed, but it wasn’t pitch black. The medieval architects had thought of that, and small cross-shaped slits in the stones above allowed a trickle of light in.
“Ivor, really this is…”
“This is where we’ll stay, just for ten minutes until the castle is closed for the night, then it will be ours.”
“What will be ours?”
He stepped up close and tucked a strand of hair behindher ear. “The night, Nisha, the night will be ours.”
She stared up at him, her eyes wide. “I have no idea why I’ve let you bring me here, Ivor. I’m sure this isn’t a place we should be. We’ll get into trouble. And I hardly know you, and—”
“Do you really feel as if you don’t know me?”
For a moment, she was quiet, then, “No, strangely enough, I don’t feel like that, it’s as if…”
“We were meant to be.” He smiled. “Me and you. Two souls connecting. We’re what we’ve both been searching for.”
“Well, I wouldn’t go that far, I—”
“Shh.” He cupped her face. Her skin was so soft on his palms. “It is our time now. We’ve found each other. There’s no point fighting it, no point fighting any of it.”
“Ivor, I—”
He pressed his lips to hers. The sweetness of her was intoxicating. Already he was addicted, and he’d never get enough of his mate. He thanked Merlin and all the stars in the sky that he’d finally found her.
“Ivor.” She pulled back. “What are you doing?”
“Enjoying our first kiss.” His heart was thudding, and heat had spread up his back like a lick of flames. The dragon in him was demanding that he claim her fully. Tear at her clothes, spread her legs, fill her with his cock, and pound until they both screamed in pleasure and forgot the rest of the world existed.
No. I can’t do that. Not yet.
“First kiss and last kiss.” She took a step back, disentangling herself from his arms. “I’m getting married, remember?” Despair laced her tone.
“To a man who is already planning to cheat on you.” Ivor tightened his jaw.
“I … but … why would you say that? Why on earth would you say that?”
“I’m only repeating his words. Rishi has, this veryafternoon, ducked out of work, lied to his mother, then spent his time in the company of a woman with very red lips who likes white wine.”
She was silent for a moment. “You’re not making that up, are you?”
“No. Why would I?” He crowded up against her again, needing to be close. “I believe in the truth, Nisha. I am a man of my word. What you see is what you get.” He paused. “Well, not exactly, but…”
“Red lipstick and white wine.” She touched her temple. “He already has someone in his life. Of course, he has. How could he not? He’s only marrying me out of duty … which is exactly what I’m doing.”
“What youweredoing. There’s no way you’re marrying this guy now.” He caught her hand and rubbed her naked ring finger. The only ring that would be going on there would be the steel band of eternity that belonged to him, and the sooner, the better.
“But my family. I … it’s all planned.”
“It can be unplanned.”