Free Alexander & Rebecca (Royals of Valleria #1) by Marianne Knightly Page A

I saw you, there was no use denying it anymore. I wanted to dance with you, to take you into my arms and hold you close. However, you had come with a date, just as I had, and it wouldn’t have looked appropriate. Not with all the press there.”
     
    “I didn’t even think you’d noticed me except for when I greeted you and your family.”
     
    “As I said before, I was very good at hiding how I felt for you. Though it became difficult that night when that cretin you were with couldn’t keep his hands off of you.”
     
    Rebecca chuckled at his irritated expression. “We were dancing most of the night. It is hard to dance and not touch.”
     
    “As if that’s a valid excuse. Anyway, I tried to find a moment, a night for us, like tonight, but you were always so busy with Cat’s schedule and I couldn’t get away because of my own. When the opportunity came up tonight, I seized it. I know it seems sudden, but it’s not, not to me. I hope with a little more time, you’ll realize that.”
     
    Rebecca gazed at their joined hands. His hand felt warm and strong around hers. “I’m trying. That’s all I can do.”
     
    He brought her hand to his lips for a brief kiss. “That’s all I want, at least for now. Now then, I’m asking my question again. Please tell me what was troubling you earlier.”
     
    Rebecca sighed. It seemed only fair to provide him with her truth, as he had done the same. “I’m not as experienced as you are,” she said and felt his hand squeeze hers.
     
    “Explain.”
     
    She took a drink to fortify herself first. “I’ve been with less men than you have.”
     
    His mouth was a thin line. “Well, I haven’t been with any men, so unless you’ve been with less than zero you’ll have to elaborate.”
     
    “You know what I mean.”
     
    “Stop evading the question.”
     
    “I just think you’ll be upset when I tell you, so I’d rather not say anything else.”
     
    “I think you should just let me decide what to be angry about. Though I promise to keep a cool head, and I don’t make promises lightly. You should know that about me.”
     
    Though she believed him, it didn’t make it any easier to say the embarrassing words. “I-I’m a virgin.”
     
    For the first time in her life, she saw Alexander with a shocked face. Eyes wide and mouth parted, and his hand tightened on hers. “What did you say?”
     
    “I’m not going to repeat it,” she said and took another drink. Good God. She’d just told the crown prince of Valleria that she was a virgin. Where was a rock to bury yourself under when you needed it?
     
    “You’ve never been with anyone? No one? But we’re the same age.”
     
    “I know,” she said as she put down her wineglass and tried unsuccessfully to pull her hand away again. After a few more tugs, he finally released her and she stood and fled the room towards the front door of the office suite.
     
    He caught up to her barely a moment later, and stood behind her, placing his hands on her arms and rubbing softly. “You’re very much mistaken if you think I find that news upsetting. If anything, I’m even more attracted to you and I didn’t think that was possible.”
     
    “What?” she said as she spun around to face him. His face held a small smile but his eyes smoldered. “What?”
     
    He pulled her against him and wrapped his arms around her. “Knowing you’re untouched, God, it’s arousing.”
     
    “It is?”
     
    “Oh, yes. I want to take you right here and claim you for my own, like I’m some uncivilized caveman.” When she stiffened in his arms, he said, “But I won’t.”
     
    She had to admit that she felt a little disappointed, though it didn’t make sense to her logical mind.
     
    “I will, however, do this,” he said before his lips fell hers. This kiss was different than the one before. It was just as powerful, just as masterful, but it meant something different. It felt different.
     
    Before, she had been a confused