Page 72 of The Duke's Virgin

Just Luka and Stacia.

My heart ached, and I pushed the stupid, weak thing aside, forcing myself to recall how Luka had acted in Montreal. And the way he’d acted when I’d gone with Aeric to visit Luka’s family in Luxembourg. WhatintimacyLuka might want to convey was illusory. He’d made that clear.

“I’m fine, Your Highness.”

His lips twitched, eyes burning into me.

I sat there a few more moments, nursing my drink, then leaned over and tapped Aeric’s shoulder. “I think I’ve mingled enough.”

His dark brows rose up. “You weren’t kidding when you said you’d only stay a few minutes.”

“Well, I warned you.” I gave him a teasing smile, then kissed his cheek. “Happy birthday. I’ll see you in the morning, okay?”

Leaving my drink on the platform behind the couch, I rose and headed for the pit’s exit, already thinking about getting out of the shoes, the dress and washing off my makeup, then slipping into some pajamas so I could watch Netflix and brood until I was tired enough to sleep.

Somebody bumped into me.

“Oh, please excuse…Stacia!”

I looked up and met a familiar pair of eyes.

“Ger…Your Highness.” I dipped into a quick curtsey at Luka’s brother. “Excuse me, I didn’t see you.”

“I bumped into you, Stacia.” He gave a mock bow and offered a charming smile. “How are you doing?”

“Ah…I’m well, and you?”

Before he could answer, a taller form appeared in my line of sight. “Still tripping over your feet, brother?”

“Learned from the best, Luka.” Geraint grinned at him. “Look who’s here. You remember Aeric’s cousin, Stacia, don’t you?”

“Indeed. I was actually looking for you, Stacia.” He held out a hand. “Care to join me for a dance?”

I wanted to punch him. What was the etiquette for refusing to dance with a member of royalty? I had no idea. I’d never researched that. I wouldn’t have minded finding out, but I realized more than a few people were watching us and I wasn’t about to draw any more attention.

“Of course.” I nodded at Geraint, and just for the hell of it, dipped into a much lower curtsey for the elder prince. Luka narrowed his eyes before leading me onto the dance floor. The moment he pulled me against him, my body started to melt, which didn’t help my irritated mind at all. Or my ego.

I kept my hand on his shoulder and stared at a point just over that, glad my heels were tall enough for that mercy. I didn’t want to look upathim and just staring at his chest seemed cowardly.

He had one arm wrapped around the small of my back while his free hand grasped my right one.

The music was still relatively formal, but more and more couples were moving into decidedlylessformal styles of dancing as it grew later. Luka held me close enough that the fronts of our bodies touched lightly, close enough to bring back all the aching memories I kept trying to bury and forget.

“You’re angry with me,” he murmured in my ear.

My skin broke out in goose bumps at his soft words.

I didn’t know how to respond, so I stayed quiet.

He dipped his head closer.

The feel of his lips brushing my ear elicited a sharp gasp, and under the double-layered silk gown, my nipples tightened into hard points.

“Not even going to speak to me, Stacia?”

My lips were stiff as I answered. “What’s there to say, Luka? You asked for a dance. We’re dancing. Once this dance is over, I’m going to my room. In a few days, I’m going home, and I’m certain you’ll do the same.”

“You’ll go to your room.” He drew the words out slowly, almost teasingly. “Are you going alone?”

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