Chapter 3

• Maya’s stomach twisted with a dizzying mix of electric excitement and sheer nerves. “Thank you for saving me from complete mortification back there,” she murmured breathlessly, frantically searching her mind for something clever or sophisticated to say and coming up empty. She had no clue how to handle a prince. “I can’t even imagine what you must think of me.”
• “I don’t understand why you’re so obsessed with everyone else’s opinions,” he drawled softly. “And right now, I’m not capable of complex thought. I’m just a normal, healthy guy, and every single one of my brain cells is currently hyper-focused on your stunning body.”
• Maya let out a sound halfway between a gasp and a breathless laugh. Skeptical, self-conscious, yet utterly flattered, she smoothed her hands down her fitted black skirt, glancing up at him before darting her eyes toward the closed doors. “Those women... they’re drop-dead gorgeous.”
• “Those women spend eight hours a day meticulously constructing an image. That isn’t beauty—it’s an obsession.” Completely self-assured, he reached out and took hold of her hand, weaving his long fingers through hers.
• A thrill flared straight through Maya’s core. “We really shouldn’t be doing this. I was assigned to this suite specifically because they thought I wasn’t your type.”
• “Well, that was a massive error in judgment on their part.”
• “They said you only went for icy blondes.”
• “I think I’ve just experienced a sudden, permanent shift toward deep auburn.” With a slow, dangerous smile, he lifted his free hand and casually ran a finger through a stray strand near her cheek. “Your hair is the shade of rich mahogany and spun copper. Now tell me... why were you crying?”
• Caught in a whirlwind of intoxicating, breathless momentum, Maya’s mind raced. For a split second, she had completely forgotten about Julian. If she admitted her fiancé had dumped her less than twenty-four hours ago, would it make her look pathetic?
• “I was—”
• “On second thought, don’t answer that.” Cutting her off, he lifted her hand, his eyes scanning her fingers for a ring. “Single?”
• Detecting a subtle shift in his tone, though too dazed to analyze it, Maya nodded quickly. “Oh, yes. Completely single,” she blurted out, instantly regretting how eager she sounded. She should have played it cool. But she didn't feel cool. She felt... overwhelmingly relieved that her engagement ring was sitting in a drawer at home.
• Lucian’s lips curved into a knowing smirk, clearly aware of the hold he had on her.
• Before she could react, he reached around her head, slid the pins right out of her hair, and ran his fingers through the tumbling, wavy auburn locks as they cascaded over her shoulders. “Much better.”
• Moving with absolute authority, he caught both of her wrists, gently pulling her arms up and anchoring them around his neck. Then his hands slid down her spine, resting firmly against the curve of her lower back and hips.
• “Oh.” Appalled that he was zeroing in on what she considered her most insecure feature, Maya let out a soft whimper of embarrassment, fighting the urge to pull away. But it was far too late to retreat. The confident, possessive grip of his hands meant he was already well acquainted with every curve.
• “Dio, you have a incredible body,” he growled softly, pulling her flush against the hard line of his thighs as if she belonged there.
• He thought she was incredible?
• Brought into sudden, intimate contact with the undeniable proof of his arousal, Maya barely had time to process the thrilling fact that he genuinely wanted her before his mouth came down on hers in a deep, demanding kiss.
• It hit her like a sudden bolt of electricity. Her entire body jolted. Her head spun, her knees went weak, and her sharp intake of breath only invited a deeper, more searing invasion. Never in her life had a kiss made her feel so completely undone. Her fingers gripped the fabric of his jacket for support, a soft gasp escaping her as she felt his hands slip under the hem of her skirt. The heat of his palms pressed against the exposed skin just above her stockings, and then he was backing her slowly against the edge of the heavy table. The slick, intoxicating rhythm of his tongue sent heat flashing across her skin, pooling deep in her abdomen.
• He was kissing her as if the world were ending outside those doors—as if he couldn't stop himself if he tried—and Maya was completely swept away by the raw, intoxicating rush of feeling utterly desirable.
• A distant, quiet voice in her mind whispered, This is fast—way too fast. But even as a small part of her registered the sheer madness of the moment, the rest of her responded with wild, uninhibited enthusiasm. Every insecurity and self-doubt she had carried all morning melted away under the heat of pure sexual chemistry.
• Control was slipping entirely out of her hands.
• Whenever Julian had kissed her, her mind had often wandered—she’d caught herself mentally checking off grocery lists or planning her weekly schedule—but with Lucian, the only coherent thought remaining in her mind was Please don't stop.
• But she had to slow down, didn't she?
• She didn't do reckless things like this.
• What if someone walked in?
• Struggling to regain her bearings, Maya let out a low moan and pulled her mouth away from his, intending to step back and catch her breath. But her resolve crumbled the moment she looked up into his sharp, handsome face. Her determination vanished entirely as she took in the long, dark lashes framing those impossibly intense eyes. How was any woman supposed to say no to a man like this? Beyond his sheer physical presence, the way he was looking at her felt like the highest praise she had ever received.
• “You’re staring at me,” she breathed, her voice barely a whisper.
• A lopsided smile touched his lips. “If you don’t want men to stare, stay indoors.”
• Maya let out a breathless giggle, half nervous, half amused. “I am indoors.”
• “True.” Lucian gave a slight, elegant shrug. “In that case, I see no solution. You’ll just have to tolerate it, tesoro.”
• “You speak Italian?”
• “I speak whichever language gets me what I want,” he purred softly, making her let out a quiet, disbelieving laugh. He was outrageously confident, and he made her feel gorgeous.
• Basking in the warmth of his undivided attention, she felt suddenly, intensely feminine. Dazzled by his features and the simple, unbelievable fact that this man was looking at her with such hunger, her bruised heart felt lighter than it had in months. Her confidence surged back to life.
• So what if she wasn't Julian’s ideal image?
• This man—this breathtaking prince who could have anyone he desired—found her irresistible.
• “You’re staring at me, too,” he pointed out, an amused glint in his eyes as he slowly dragged his fingers through her hair. “Maybe we should both just close our eyes so we don’t get distracted from what we’re doing.”
• “What are we doing?” Lightheaded with desire, Maya could barely force the words out.
• His smile widened, and he gently cupped her face in his hands, lowering his mouth until his lips were hovering just a hairsbreadth from hers. “I believe it’s called living in the moment. And kissing you is easily the best moment I’ve had in years,” he murmured huskily.
• She waited in agonizing anticipation, but he lingered right there, teasing her, refusing to close the tiny distance between them. Maya parted her lips slightly, desperately hoping he would take the hint.
• Why on earth had she pulled back in the first place?
• With a soft, desperate sigh, she looked up into his eyes, catching the faint flicker of amusement there and realizing he was deliberately torturing her.
• “That isn’t very nice, sir.” But she was laughing too, her skin burning with heat.
• “I’m not nice,” he whispered directly against her lips. “I’m definitely not nice.”
• “I don’t care... please,” she breathed, trembling with anticipation. “Kiss me again.”