“That belief was your own.” Suffer? How had he suffered? But she wouldn’t ask. Eve studied the slim shiny épées and promised herself she would never ask. “I didn’t choose to deny it because I didn’t and still don’t consider it any of your business.”

“Not my business, when I’ve felt you melt and burn in my arms?” He examined the length of his own sword. “Not my business, when I lay awake at night dreaming of filling myself with you and hating myself for coveting what I thought was Ben’s?”

“What you thought.” She rounded on him, the softening his first words had begun, vanishing. “What, not even who. You considered me Ben’s property, and now that you don’t, do you believe you can make me yours?”

“I will make you mine, Eve.” Something in the soft, solid tone ran a quiver down her back.

“The hell you will. I belong to myself and only myself. Now that you perceive your way clear, you think I’ll tumble at your feet? I tumble for no one, Alex.” She drew an épée from the rack. “You consider yourself superior to a woman because you’re a man, and one with royal blood.”

She remembered the times he’d held her and let her go. Because he’d thought she was his brother’s. Not once, she thought grimly, not once, had he asked for her feelings, her wishes.

“In America we’ve begun to think of people as people, and things like respect, admiration, affection have to be earned.” She cut the air with the slender sword, testing its weight. Alexander’s brow lifted at the easy way she handled it. “If I wanted to be in your bed I’d be there.” She brought the sword down in an arch that whistled with restrained power. “And you wouldn’t know what had hit you.” Now she saluted him. “Your Highness.”

The ripple of desire tightened his muscles. She stood, dressed in black, her hair drawn back to leave her face unframed, a gleaming sword in her right hand. Challenging him.

He’d wanted her before. Now with his mouth drying up, he thirsted for her. Pride stung the air, coming from both of them.

“I have yet to ask you to my bed.”

Her eyes were as dark and dangerous as the sea. For the first time since she had come into the room, she smiled. The smile alone could have made a man beg. “I wouldn’t need an invitation. If I chose, I could have you on your knees.”

His head snapped up at that. Eyes narrowed. The truth was too close to the bone. “If I decided the time had come for you and me, I wouldn’t be on my knees.” He walked closer, a sword’s length away. “And you would tremble.”