Page 35 of Mistaken as His Royal Bride

His hand on her breast squeezed harder. Maddi’s nipples were stiff, tingling. Aching. And then his thumb found the hard tip and teased it, over and over, through the flimsy covering of lace. Maddi was turning into a boneless pool of lust. She didn’t feel human any more. She’d become a creature of base needs.

Aristedes broke the kiss again, breathing harshly. ‘I could take you right here and now...’

Maddi opened her eyes. She should be shocked by what he was suggesting. But the fact was that every cell in her body vibrated with agreement.

Yes, please. Take me right now.

But Aristedes pulled back, and Maddi had to stop a sound leaving her mouth. A sound of distress.

He took his hand from her breast. Pulled her top down again. ‘This isn’t the time or place.’

Maddi tried desperately to remember why it wasn’t a good idea to throw caution to the wind.

A series of unwelcome answers flooded her brain:

Because he’s the King...because he hates you...because you’re a virgin...

She went still. Pulled back too. She felt wobbly without his hands on her.

He reached for her again. ‘Are you okay?’

But she put a hand up. She’d just revealedeverything. ‘I’m fine.’

She looked around, as if seeing the beach for the first time. Had the earth shifted on its axis? It felt like it.

‘We should get back to the palace. My security team will be wondering where we are.’

He emitted a sharp whistle that had the two horses trotting over obediently. Maddi didn’t have time to be scared of getting back on the horse. She was sitting astride her again before she knew which way was up.

Aristedes made sure to stay close this time, watching La Reina carefully. He was within touching distance of taking the reins again if he had to.

Maddi was occupied just trying to get her scrambled brain back into some kind of order.

Aristedes wanted her.

As much as she wanted him.

But what would happen now? Would he regret this moment of passion with the woman who had upended his world? Would he judge her for being so...wanton? Maybe he was already cursing himself for his own weakness.

What did she want to happen?

Maddi’s insides clenched.

She wanted him.

With a desperation that felt almost feverish.

This was the man she’d been waiting for. The passion she’d dreamt of.

The man who is promised in marriage to your half-sister.

Maddi sobered at that.

Surely Laia wouldn’t care? After all, she’d spent the last four years doing her best to put this man off marrying her. And she was now completely AWOL in a bid to get to her coronation before they could be married.

Maddi knew Laia wouldn’t care. She might care that Maddi had taken leave of her senses, but she wouldn’t feel remotely betrayed. If anything, she would see it as Maddi going to extreme lengths to distract the King of Santanger.

Maddi put a hand to her mouth as a little giggle erupted at the thought of Laia encouraging her to seduce the King.