by Annie West
That was only the beginning. Caro had expected fast and hard. What she got was endless patience and a sure sensuality that made her realise how limited her experience was. Mike had never seduced her with such infinite patience, or with such devastating knowledge of how to excite her.
By the time they were on the bed, he in boxers and she in nothing at all, she was quivering with anticipation, her breath coming in broken snatches. Finally, unable to wait, she reached for him, hand closing around his fabric-covered erection.
‘Wait.’ Hard fingers encircled hers and she saw Jake grimace as he throbbed against her touch. ‘We need a condom.’ His ragged voice made her realise that in this passion they were equals.
She almost smiled till his words sank in.
‘I don’t have any.’
He frowned, head turning to the bedside table.
‘Not there. Not anywhere.’ She pulled her hand away, feeling almost embarrassed. As if it were a crime to be celibate! ‘I don’t have sex.’
Jake stared as if he’d never seen her before. Because he hadn’t believed her when she’d said there’d been no one but Mike? But before she had time to take offence, his mouth curled up in a sexy grin that made her heart leap against her ribs and her throat jam.
‘You do now, Princess.’ He kissed her quickly but with a naked intent that had her writhing beneath him.
Then suddenly she was bereft as he rose and reached for his trousers. Moments later he was naked, rolling a condom onto his impressive erection.
Caro swallowed hard, overwhelmed by her need for this magnificent man. She told herself her emotions were more profound because of the intense circumstances, the roller coaster of hope and fear since she’d heard Ariane was alive. But as Jake met her eyes and that ponderous pulse of connection pounded between them, Caro feared it was more.
He came to her, held her, kissed her, then, despite his arousal, slowly explored her with his mouth and hands. By the time he reached her sex, his breath a caress, she couldn’t take any more.
‘No!’ He lifted his head and Caro stared, overwhelmed, at the sight of him there between her legs. One more touch and... ‘I want you.’
‘I haven’t finished—’
Raising herself on her elbow, she reached for him, her hand sliding through the dark silk of his hair. ‘Please.’
The teasing light in his eyes faded, replaced by something that felt heavy in her chest. Something warm and almost reassuring. Jake prowled up her body and carnal excitement stifled everything else.
This time when they came together it was slow and sure and almost familiar as he held her gaze and she held him. This time the fizz of sparks didn’t explode as fast but the way their bodies rocked together, the searing strands of fire threading through her at every movement, every breath, every touch, made the climax more compelling.
Caro’s orgasm bore down upon her, first in tiny ripples that made Jake’s eyes glint with approval. Then in great undulating waves that made her cling and bite her lip against the urge to cry out.
She hung suspended, held from oblivion only by that grey gaze. Then his wide shoulders quaked, he flung his head back and powered deep inside and ecstasy took her.
CHAPTER TWELVE
JAKE WOKE ALONE in her bed.
Daylight streamed in yet he couldn’t bring himself to move. Caro’s ‘perhaps just once’ had turned into a long, vigorous night. Good thing he’d had condoms in his wallet. The more he had her, the more he wanted, and Caro had been equally needy.
Now he was content to wait for her to emerge from the bathroom.
Last night’s madness could have been a major error. The last thing he needed, if it did come to a court case, was a sexual relationship with Princess Carolina muddying the waters.
Yet he couldn’t regret that amazing night.
His belly warmed at the memory of her coming apart in his arms, her generous passion and his exultation. Caro had been everything he desired, though more than once he’d observed surprise at some of his caresses, and his ability to bring her multiple climaxes. Ego suggested the quality of his lovemaking surprised her but he suspected she really had been pretty inexperienced.
Which put an intriguing slant on what she’d told him. Some of it was true, possibly most of it. But he couldn’t accept it all without proof, despite what felt like the best sex of his life.
It was tempting to believe they’d shared something extraordinary. His sated body and the smile tugging his lips confirmed it. But Jake was cautious. He preferred to ascribe this feeling to a particularly compatible woman and recent celibacy.
Jake surveyed his surroundings, curious at the difference between this room and the rest of the palace. Despite its high ceilings, ornate plasterwork and spacious dimensions, it wasn’t as opulent. The furnishings looked comfortable, the fabric on the armchair in a shaft of sunlight actually looked frayed.
Probably because Caro only stayed here occasionally. But the bookcase on one wall, stuffed full, proved it was more than a convenient bolthole. Intrigued, he investigated.
Children’s books jostled with classics and tomes on art. On one shelf was a stack of sketch books. He plucked one, leafing through and discovering drawings of formal gardens, a servant in livery and a bird on a branch.
He turned, looking for information about the woman he’d spent the night with. Nearby was a single framed photo. The resemblance was so intense Jake’s pulse jumped.
Picking it up, he saw a woman of about thirty with Caro’s slim build. Her hair was red but not Caro’s dark auburn. This woman’s was lighter, matching Ariane’s, and her eyes, deep violet with that familiar slanting angle that made them look mysterious and happy at the same time, looked like Ariane’s eyes, and Caro’s.
This must be Caro’s mother. Ariane’s grandmother. She held a baby with a fuzz of reddish hair, one tiny hand reaching towards her mother.
Abruptly Jake put the photo down, recalling Neil’s report on Princess Carolina. She’d lost her mother when she was tiny. Her father remarried almost immediately. This photo seemed to indicate a bond with a mother she could barely have known, rather than with the woman who’d raised her.
He thought about Ariane losing her adoptive parents. And Caro’s story of having Ariane stolen from her.
What if it were true?
What if the passionate woman he’d bedded wasn’t a spoiled princess who hadn’t wanted her child? What if she’d genuinely believed her child dead, the maternal bond broken, as with her own mother?
Something lodged in Jake’s belly. A weight that, against the laws of physics, rose within him, crushing his lungs and stopping his breath.
He swung around, needing to find her. She’d been in the bathroom a long time. Too long.
* * *
Jake walked past a wooden-faced footman on the ground floor. Either the servants were used to guests ending the night in a royal bed, or too well trained to bat an eye. He didn’t care. What he cared about was locating Caro.
His need to find her had grown from a niggle to a presentiment of trouble. No matter how unaccustomed she was to nights of passion, it was unlike the woman he knew not to face him this morning. His nape tightened.
Finally, when he was almost at the ballroom, he heard a loud voice. Pushing open a not quite closed door, he found himself in an empty sitting room. On the far side French windows stood open to the garden. Following the sound of voices, Jake stepped outside then realised the conversation was taking place in the next room. He moved to another set of French windows and looked inside. It was a study with gilded antiques and floor-to-ceiling books that looked, unlike the ones in Caro’s room, as if they’d never been opened. The occupants didn’t notice him on the threshold.
King Hugo of St Ancilla sat behind an oversized desk. Caro stood before him in a tailored skirt and jacket, spine straight and chin up. Jake silen
tly applauded her, for the monarch wasn’t holding back his tirade in mixed English and Ancillan. Jake’s stomach curdled at his blistering vitriol.
He was about to make himself known when Caro spoke.
‘I did what you insisted, came back and attended every event this week. As for leaving early last night...’ She shrugged. ‘I’m not here to discuss that.’
‘How dare you speak to me like that?’ The King’s face darkened.
‘Oh, I dare, Father.’ Amazingly Caro’s defiant tone made the King stop, eyes widening. ‘I only came here because you threatened to send your goons to haul me back, and, in the process, wreck my plans.’
‘Plans? You don’t have plans. You spend your time playing at being a preschool teacher. It’s time you toed the line and came home.’ He sat back, an ugly smile on his face. ‘I’ve a mind to organise your wedding next. There’s a banker in the US I’m cultivating.’ His tone turned sneering. ‘I know your weakness for Americans.’
Any thought Jake had of revealing his presence died as Caro turned parchment-pale. She wouldn’t thank him for witnessing this.
Besides, it could be his chance to discover whether she’d told him the truth.
‘Or perhaps the Australian you spent the night with. We could turn your scandalous behaviour to advantage, put pressure on him to come up to scratch. His fortune is huge.’
Jake was absorbing that when Caro stepped up to the desk. She slapped her hands down and leaned forward.
‘Make your plans for my brothers, not me. I wash my hands of you.’ She drew a deep breath and Jake, seeing the light glinting on her bright hair, realised she was shaking. ‘I know what you did. The lies you told, the laws you broke.’
For a moment the King said nothing. When he spoke his voice was venomous. ‘Careful, Carolina. I’ve let you go your own way for years but I can bring you to heel like that.’ He snapped his fingers.
Slowly she shook her head. ‘Not this time. Not any more.’ She straightened, her hands clenched. ‘You stole my child. You had her illegally adopted without my consent.’
Jake’s hand closed so hard on the door frame that pain shot from his palm up his arm.
It was true. Unbelievably it was true.
His mind boggled and his stomach dropped.
He’d got her so wrong.
The things he’d said last night!
Jake rocked back as guilt and horror filled him.
‘There was never any question of you keeping it.’
‘Her. I had a girl.’
‘A bastard.’ Her father shrugged. ‘As if I’d allow that blot on the family name. I did what I did for the family. You should be grateful—’
‘Grateful? Hardly. I know where she is and I’m going to get her. We’re going to live together. I’m going to raise my daughter the way a child should be raised and—’
‘You’ll do no such thing. Put the idea from your head right now. Unless you’d like another year living under guard till you see sense?’
Jake couldn’t take any more. He rapped on the window frame, feigning a smile as they whipped round towards him.
‘Good morning, Your Majesty... Carolina. I hope I’m not interrupting.’ He paused, looking from one to the other, willing Caro to follow his lead. She looked pale, her features drawn.
He’d heard enough to suspect that, with only a little more provocation, her father would have her clapped in a dungeon or a tower, guarded by sentries. Jake recalled her bleak expression when she’d spoken of being held against her will by the King’s security men. Until he could get her out of St Ancilla, she wouldn’t be safe.
Jake didn’t question his determination to get her away. She’d told the truth. He owed her more than an apology for last night’s scathing words.
‘Not at all.’ The King recovered first, stretching his mouth into a smile like a hungry shark’s.
‘I’m so glad.’ Jake stepped into the room, standing beside Caro and planting his palm reassuringly at her back. She shivered and he had to bite back the words he longed to fling at her father. Instead he made himself smile. ‘Carolina promised to show me something of the countryside today, didn’t you, darling?’
She blinked, her brow furrowing at his words. Before she could speak Jake ploughed on.
‘I must thank you, Your Highness, for the invitation to last night’s event. It was spectacular. I’m honoured to have been invited.’ He smiled as if his one aim in life were to hang out with pampered aristocrats, then added the bait. ‘Especially as I understand there are some interesting investment opportunities in your country.’
Ignoring Caro’s scowl, he watched the King and saw his ruse had worked. Perhaps Neil was right and the royal coffers weren’t as plump as they used to be. He’d noticed a number of high-profile financiers attending last night, including a few involved in his latest project. It wouldn’t hurt if the King thought he planned to stay and look at business options.
‘It was our pleasure to have you here.’ No sign of a scowl now on that crimson face. ‘You must accept our hospitality for the rest of your visit.’
‘You’re most kind, Your Highness.’ Jake slipped his hand from Caro’s back to capture her hand. He squeezed it reassuringly. ‘I’d hoped to make an early start on our sightseeing. Unless...’
He let his words trail off as he gave Caro a melting smile. Best if her father thought he was unaware of the dark undercurrents in the room.
‘Of course. Carolina, see you take Mr Maynard to the business park on the way out of the city.’
Caro opened her mouth and Jake spoke first. ‘That sounds perfect. But maybe on the way back. There are other sights Carolina promised to show me first.’
‘I’m sure there are.’ The King’s suggestive chuckle curdled Jake’s belly but he kept his expression light.
Finally, to his relief, Caro spoke up. ‘That’s right. We’d better leave now if we’re to fit everything in.’
‘Come and see me when you return, Carolina.’ It wasn’t a suggestion but an order.
Jake wore a calm face as they traversed the palace. He was determined the servants wouldn’t see anything amiss, though restraining his seething emotions took concentration. Caro’s hand was cold in his and she moved stiffly, shoulders high and face blank.
He was torn between slashing guilt over the way he’d treated her, disbelief at the enormity of what he’d witnessed and the desire to do serious damage to the man they’d just left.
Jake had thought his own mother appalling. She had nothing on Caro’s father.
They remained silent till they reached Caro’s rooms. As the door shut, Jake wrapped his arms around her, breath expelling in a rush when she didn’t push him away. He didn’t deserve her trust.
His scorn last night proved he had no filter and precious little control where Caro was concerned. He’d told himself he was furious on Ariane’s behalf but this was more, much more.
Caro leaned close, fracturing his thoughts and filling him with relief. He inhaled spice and woman, her hair tickling his cheek, her body warm and trembling.
His arms tightened. ‘I’m getting you out of here. Now.’
* * *
Caro let Jake lead her from the helipad along the path to the castle. She’d been away less than a week yet spring had arrived in the Alps. The air was warm and the snow had begun melting. Further down the slope she saw the first traces of wildflowers. The air felt fresh with promise and the fragrance of growing things teased her nostrils.
While she felt chilled.
Everything had happened quickly. Maybe she was in shock. The confrontation with her father, then Jake spiriting her off St Ancilla in a private jet, followed by this short hop in a helicopter. She wasn’t used to anyone, especially a man, coming to her rescue. That added to the air of unreality.
If ever she’d doubted Jake’s
ability to make things happen, today would have disabused her. He’d made one call while she gathered her most precious possessions in a large shoulder bag. Her mother’s photo, her mother’s jewellery that she’d worn last night and some illustrated books she’d had when she was young and had always wanted to give her own child. Then they were heading to the garages and from there to an airfield.
All the time fear tingled down her spine as she imagined her father’s reaction when he found her gone.
She had no illusions that his threat to hold her by force was bluster. He was ruthless. While she was in St Ancilla he had all the power, despite what the law said.
‘I have to thank you. Getting me off the island.’ She stopped and turned to Jake as the helicopter lifted off and its throbbing thunder retreated.
He looked the same, dark-featured, broad-shouldered and with the air of calm competence that reassured.
Alarms tripped in her brain, warning that she couldn’t relax her guard, couldn’t rely on anyone but herself. Yet it was too late. She’d gone so far with him, in so many ways, she couldn’t pretend none of it had happened.
It felt as if a lifetime had passed since they met.
‘There’s no need for thanks. I was glad to get away too.’
There was so much to discuss but neither was eager to start. They’d barely spoken on the trip. Caro because she grappled with a barrage of emotions and Jake because he was busy working on his phone. Because his business couldn’t wait or because he realised she needed some quiet time?
Pewter-grey eyes surveyed her. ‘You’re feeling better now you’re off St Ancilla?’
Caro breathed deep and nodded, looking away to the magnificent vista of fields, forests and soaring mountains. On the other side of the valley towering waterfalls, fed by melting snow, plunged to the valley floor.
‘I wouldn’t have got away so easily without your help.’ She faced the horrible truth today had revealed. ‘I love my country but I can’t stay there. Not with my father’s threats hanging over me. If he sends his men after me...’
