“You’re a loyal man. I understand that and treasure it. But I don’t want you to be what I need, I want you to be what you are.”
I raised my head, listening carefully.
“Take me, for example. You said that what makes me great in this role as a princess is what I am, not what the role demands of me.”
“That’s right.”
“And it’s the same for you. I don’t want some obedient lackey. I wantLuc. I want you—strong and bossy and even a little grouchy. Not to mention the other things you are.” She followed this up with a small smile that hinted at the subject that I couldn’t get out of my mind since laying eyes on her in that dress.
I matched her grin with one of my own. “And you’re more than just royalty to me. You’re a gorgeous, sensual woman who I’d do anything to please both in and out of the bedroom.”
Her eyes flashed, the smile still staying on her face. Ava stepped back, sweeping her hand over her dress.
“Tell me, Luc, what do you think of this?”
“Hm. I don’t have much of an eye for the particulars of dress craftsmanship, but even I can tell that it’s something special.”
“Is that all?” she asked.
It wasn’t. The way the gown tastefully clung to her body, hinting at the curves underneath… it was enough to make me feel ways that I ought not to.
“Tell me,” she said, that playful smile still on her face. “Tell your princess how this dress makes you feel.”
I grinned, stepping forward in a daring manner. I placed my hand on her hip, doing it in such a way that no one else around could see what I was doing.
“You look damn good in that dress. But you damn well know I’d much rather see you out of it.”
She laughed lightly, sweetly. “Is that any way to speak to royalty, Luc?”
“Perhaps not. But I’m willing to make exceptions.”
Her smile turned into one more sensual, more inviting.
“If you ask me, we have a serious matter of discipline on our hands.”
“Is that right?”
“It sure is. And it’s a matter that requires immediate and serious addressing.” She bit down on her lower lip, glancing away in thought. “If you ask me, the sort of tongue-lashing that your impudence requires is something not at all appropriate for this kind of venue. No, this needs to be conducted in complete privacy.”
I lowered my hand to the hem of her dress, leaning to the side and slipping my touch under the fabric. The veranda was dark, our conversation hidden from prying eyes. After taking one more look around to make certain that no one was listening or watching, I moved my hand up even further.
Ava closed her eyes, still biting down on her lip as I brought my fingertips to the edge of her panties, moving between her thighs and teasing her clit.
“How’s this for impudence?” I asked.
She fell into the touch for a long moment, a smile spreading across her face.
“Oh, this little matter certainly needs addressing. Come on.”
Ava grabbed my hand and pulled it out from under her dress, giving me a tug and leading me away from the edge of the veranda. I was halfway hard and understood that it would take quite a bit of poise for me to make it through the ball without letting anyone notice how damn horny I was.
That’s precisely what we did, however. We split once we were back in the main ballroom, each of us doing one more circle of small talk before heading out through the side doors. Something caught my attention on the way out—I couldn’t spot any sign of Alaric. It was strange that the king himself would be so scarce at such an important event.
Likely just went out for some fresh air, I thought as I entered the side hallway.
I pushed the matter out of my head as I took the stairs to the second floor. The space was off-limits to ball guests, the quiet welcome after the couple hours of conversation and music that had just passed. I caught sight of Ava up ahead at the door to her chambers, an inviting look on her face as she opened the door and disappeared inside.
My heart was beating like a drum as I made my way down the hall. Just the idea of being with her again was enough to make me hard, to make me want to pounce on her like an animal. I approached the door to her chambers, taking one more glance down the hall to make sure no one was looking. Once I confirmed that I was alone on the floor, I knocked.