Temporarily His Princess by Olivia Gates Page A

lips.
    His lips. Those lips that had enslaved her with their possession, that had taught her passion and the pleasure her body was capable of experiencing. The moment they touched the back of her hand, her heart almost ruptured.
    She snatched her hand back as if from open fire, agitation searing her insides. “I don’t know what you’re playing at…”
    “I already told you my game plan.” His eyes turned serious as he brought the car to a stop and turned to her. “But I’ve also come to a new decision. I no longer care how this started…”
    “I do.”
    “…I only care that when I’m with you I feel…great. I haven’t felt like that in… I don’t even remember if I ever felt like that. You invigorate me. Your every word and look thrills me, and I don’t intend to keep holding back and not show it. If you tickle my humor, and you do, constantly, I’ll laugh. And I want you to do the same. Forget how we got to be here…”
    “Because you blackmailed me.”
    “…and just make the best of it. If you enjoy my company…”
    “I’m not a fan of Stockholm syndrome, thank you.”
    “…just allow yourself the enjoyment, don’t stifle it and don’t keep telling yourself why you should hold it back.”
    “Easy for you to say and do. You’re not the one being threatened with your family’s imprisonment and taken hostage for a year. And being kidnapped right now.”
    His eyes grew coaxing. “You are my partner in an endeavor I’m undertaking to serve my kingdom.” The word partner, the term he’d once said would never apply to her, scratched like a talon against her heart. “You will help me bridge its distance from the world to benefit its people and the coming generations. And you’re the fiancée I’m taking on a surprise trip. I will do everything in my power so you will enjoy it.”
    The wish that all that could be true overwhelmed her, closing her throat. “That’s the facade hiding the ugly truth.”
    “It is the truth, if you don’t dwell on the negative aspects.”
    “Negative aspects? Now, that’s an innovative euphemism for extortion. ”
    He didn’t segue into a rejoinder this time. His gaze lengthened, grew distant, as if he was looking inward.
    Seeming to come back to her, he exhaled. “Would you marry me if I took your family out of the equation?”
    It was her turn to stare. “You mean I can say no and you wouldn’t report them?”
    “Yes.”
    He looked and sounded serious. Yeah. Sure.
    “I don’t believe you.”
    “Understandable. I don’t believe myself, either.” His headshake was self-deprecation itself. “But I do mean it.”
    “Is this a ploy to put me at ease? So I’ll stop giving you a much deserved, not to mention much needed, hard time? So I’ll stop resisting and ‘come to your bed’?”
    “Yes. No. Definitely.” At her frown, he elaborated. “Yes, I want to put you at ease, though it’s not a ploy. No, I don’t want you to stop bashing me on the head. With the way I’m relishing it, I’m realizing how much I do need it. And I’m definitely anticipating you in my bed….” His arm snaked around her, pulled her into his heat and hardness, enervating her with the delight of his feel and scent. “I’m willing to do whatever it takes to have you racing me there as you used to.”
    Her head fell back as she stared at him, sounding as faint as she felt. “Even if it means not using your winning hand?”
    “I already said it had nothing to do with our intimacies.”
    “How can I be sure you won’t hurt my family if I say no?”
    “How were you sure I wouldn’t after you said yes? I guess you’ll have to trust me.”
    “I don’t.” She’d trusted him before. Look where it had gotten her.
    “We’re even, then.”
    What? What did that mean?
    Before she could voice her puzzlement, he pressed her harder, cupped her face, and her questions combusted at the feel of the warm, powerful flesh cradling hers. “Don’t say anything now. Let’s