The Princess and the Pea by Eileen Dreyer

Author:Eileen Dreyer
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: ePublishing Works!
Published: 2015-10-14T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

"Here?" Paul asked, still holding his distance.

She nodded, her eyes even wider. "Here."

"Now?"

"Now."

She saw him tense, almost trembling. Cassandra saw his effort and was awed. She saw his pupils dilate, saw the quickened rise and fall of his chest, felt the sudden thunder of his heart. She knew enough to realize how unfair it would be to tease him. She was still innocent enough to be honest about what surprised her. Delighted her. Tormented her.

Even as she seemed to be held rooted, she felt drawn inexorably to Paul. Cassandra knew for certain that merely the feel of him would bring her that unique sensation that could only be felt in one man's arms.

Instinctively, she reached out.

"Paul..."

"Don't do this," he grated out, tensing against her touch. "You don't know what you're asking."

Her lips quirked in a wry smile. "I'm asking you to make love to me. You were ready enough to last night."

"Last night was different," he said.

"And because today you know I'm a virgin you would treat me differently?" she asked, knowing that she was being unfair, but wanting the truth in the open where they could deal with it, wanting him and knowing no other way to cross the distance. Deliberately drawing her hand away, Cassandra stood before him with the manner of a queen born. "Wouldn't that make you a man with a double standard?"

"No. It would make me a man who refuses to take advantage of someone who isn't used to the rules of the game."

Cassandra's expression grew dry. "Just because I haven't spent time on the court doesn't mean I'm not acquainted with the instruction manual," she retorted. "I'm twenty-three, not twelve."

"I'm the last person you need to tell that," he reminded her with a tight smile of his own.

Almost of its own volition, his hand came up to cup her cheek, to test the petal softness of her skin and soak in its warmth. "When I make love to you, Cassandra, it will be right. I'll have the time to make your waiting worthwhile. When I make love to you, it will be with all the care and tenderness and passion you deserve. It won't be here on a hillside in between lunch and an afternoon hike."

"Then, when?" she asked, her voice husky with surprised tears.

Paul stood very still before her, caressing her with his care, with the depths of desire that colored his eyes. Cassandra felt the wind tug at her hair and swirl about the fingers at her cheek. She heard the birds again, high in the trees, and the chattering of squirrels. The rich aroma of autumn filled her nostrils, enhancing the salty spice of Paul's scent. The elements of the moment seemed to fuse into Paul's words, the smile he offered with his promise.

Cassandra couldn't believe he'd done it again. Turned her around and turned her down, and somehow done it so that he made her feel all the more special. When was she ever going to understand him? When

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