Page 41 of Out of Office Nights
‘What are you doing?’ he rasped then shook his head. ‘You’re staying here. Neither of us are in a fit state to drive. I’ve given the bodyguards the night off.’
She gritted her teeth, knowing it would be selfish and insensitive to insist she be driven back to her house. ‘You really need to stop thinking I’m your puppet to command. Or believe that every woman who lets you within a foot of her wants to jump into your bed.’ Dear God, why had she said that when she’djust willingly participated in a sexual act that still trailed magic in her blood?
‘Santo cielo.You’re standing in a perfectly adequate guest room. You should wait until you’re invited into my bed before you make assumptions one way or another.’
Heat enflamed her from head to toe. Snatching up her bag, she shoved her feet into her flats and headed for the terrace, ignoring the heavy footsteps thudding behind her. Two steps down the stone slabs leading down the beach, she heard his sharp inhalation.
He caught her arms, turning her to face him. ‘What the hell do you think you’re doing?’
‘What does it look like? I’m walking home,’ she replied.
A frown clamped his brows. ‘That’s out of the question.’
‘Watch me.’
She sailed past him as he dragged his fingers through his hair. Less than ten seconds later, she felt his domineering presence behind her.
‘Should you be out without your bodyguards, Prince Domene?’
She felt more than saw the bone-dry glare he threw at her back. ‘What they don’t know won’t hurt them.’
‘Are you sure?’
His longer stride easily propelled him closer. ‘Someone in the palace will throw a fit at some point. Not to mention my twin brother will flay me alive. I’ll happily blame you if I’m thrown into some dungeon.’
Her feet slowed, a spike of worry catching her middle even though she suspected most of that was nonsense. ‘Teo, seriously, this is ridiculous. You forget I grew up here. I know my way home.’
He walked past her then waited for her to catch up. ‘Good. Then, we’ll make good time. Come on.’
When her feet refused to move, he rounded on her, ruthless resolution etched deep into his face. ‘I’m seeing you home safe,cariña. And that’s non-negotiable.’
‘Is being an infuriating, domineering alpha bred into you at the palace or taught from birth?’
That sardonic twist of his mouth again. ‘I wasn’t brought up in the palace, so it’s safe to say it’s in my DNA.’
‘Oh joy,’ she muttered.
Glinting eyes drifted over her face. When that wave of simmering heat threatened again, she quickened her steps. The effect of her climax still lingered, a thrilling reminder and a throbbing demand for more.
Both conditions she was going to fiercely deny, battling it all the way to her front door.
Her hands shook as she slotted the key in the lock.
She knew she should’ve drawn a line under the whole day then. Just as she knew she wasn’t going to the moment her gaze drifted over him.
‘Your clothes are still damp.’
He arched a brow. Said nothing. Don’t say it…don’t—
‘Come in. I’ll dry them for you.’
Somewhere in the cosmos, Sabeen was sure deities were laughing at her as she did her utmost not to stare at a half-naked Teo, wearing only a towel and sitting at her dining table.
Molten silver eyes watched her restless pacing. ‘You’re wound up.’
‘I guess your relaxation day failed after all,’ she snapped then the fight fizzled out of her. Courtesy forced her to continue. ‘That’s not true. I… Parts of it were great. Thank you.’
His wry look intensified. ‘But?’
