He’d wanted, needed, yearned for the passion and spirit that were so much a part of her. He’d craved the softness and sweetness that offset the rest. If it was wrong, if it was impossible, he’d fight his way through the obstacles. He’d known, the moment he’d seen her again, that he had no choice.

How could she deny what was happening to her? She wasn’t a woman who lied to herself, who refused to see her own flaws. Desire, hot and liquid, ruled her thoughts. And it was Alexander, heir to the throne, whom she wanted. Desperately, she realized. Uncontrollably. Even as she tried to reason it out, her body was pulsing with more needs.

To be his, she thought as she released his wrist to comb her fingers through his hair. To be his would be everything.

He was edging toward madness. She was so smooth, so warm. The fire was licking at him, what was his, what had come from her. If he didn’t bank it now, it would overwhelm both of them. He couldn’t allow it to happen this way, not now, not here. Alexander drew her away, swore, then kissed her again until she went limp in his arms.

“You’ll have to choose.” His voice wasn’t steady, but he drew her head back and kept his eyes on hers. “And you’ll have to choose soon.”

She ran a hand that trembled over her face. “I don’t understand.”

“I don’t intend to lose.” He had her hair in his hand, holding her still. She wouldn’t have moved in any case. His eyes would have held her. “Understand that. I didn’t apologize for before, and I won’t apologize now.”

He released her, then strode to the door and out.

Alone, Eve eased herself down on the seat like a woman who’d had too much sun or wine. Perhaps she’d had both somehow. His kiss had been both hot and potent. She had to think. With a shaky sigh, she pressed her fingers to her eyes. The trouble was, she didn’t know where to start.

Chapter 5

Eve felt secure in the theater, satisfied with the office that had been prepared for her and grateful for the hours per day she would have away from the palace. And Alexander.

She was a professional woman. A businesswoman with her career in full swing and the ultimate success just at the tip of her fingers. Her biggest challenge to date was spread out before her. Nearly a hundred people were depending on her to make decisions, give orders and do things right. She couldn’t afford to spend her nights tossing and turning, trying to figure out a man. She couldn’t daydream about him when there were a million things to be done.