Free The Disgraced Princess by Robyn Donald Page A

‘If you had I’d have been more gentle.’
    On a swift indrawn breath she whispered, ‘I didn’t need gentle. Are you sure you don’t mind?’
    â€˜Mind?’ he said deeply. ‘I was just startled. And delighted. Why should I complain about your charming lack of experience? As I said before, you’re every man’s dream. No responsibility, and the pleasure of trans forming that sensuous innocence of yours into knowledge. I’m holding you to our deal.’
    Something about him made her move uneasily even as her heartbeat began to race. On an indrawn breath, she muttered, ‘Only if you’re sure?’
    The words strangled in her throat when he bent his black head to trace with his mouth the path his finger had taken.
    Against her skin he said, ‘I’m very sure. It will be my pleasure to teach you.’
    That uneasy feeling deepened until he lifted his head and said blandly, ‘But not tonight. You’ll probably be too tender.’
    Rosie opened her mouth to protest, only to be surprised by a yawn.
    With an ironic smile Gerd got up and gently pulled her to her feet. ‘Besides,’ he said, ‘there are things to be discussed, and tonight is obviously not the time to do that. When you’re dressed I’ll take you to your room.’
    Scrambling into her clothes, Rosie tried very hard to emulate his casual acceptance of the situation. But when he left her at her door, his kiss started off chastely, only to trans form within seconds into something much more potent.
    However, he lifted his head and stepped back, his expression giving nothing away. Rosie looked mutely at him, so awash with longing she couldn’t summon any words.
    â€˜Goodnight,’ he said evenly, and left her.
    Half an hour later, her evening regime completed, Rosie lay in the big bed and tried to make sense of what had happened. He’d probably thought she’d slept with dozens of men, she thought acidly, before a second, more bewildering thought occurred to her.
    Uneasily she turned and punched the pillow. Things—her life—had changed so fundamentally she didn’t know how to cope.
    It felt as though a balance had shifted, and their lovemaking had somehow given Gerd a power over her he hadn’t possessed before.
    No, that was foolish. She was the same person; well, almost the same, apart from knowing a lot more about sex than she had only a few hours ago.
    And it had been wonderful, she thought dreamily; no matter what happened, she’d always have that.
    He’d been masterful and skilled, passionate and fiercely tender, and she’d thrilled to every minute of it…
    Smiling, she drifted off to sleep.
    And woke the next morning to a slightly achy body and a much more practical frame of mind, half-bewildered yet still excited by what had happened the night before.
    She glanced at her watch and gave a muffled yelp. ‘Packing,’ she muttered, leaping out of bed.
    Most of the morning had disappeared, leaving her with practically no time to pack. She hadn’t even thought of it last night, but Gerd hadn’t said anything about her staying, so presumably he expected her to leave as planned.
    When she’d arrived her luggage had been unpacked by a maid, and she’d been told to ring if she needed anything. She hadn’t, and she didn’t know whether she should leave a tip, or how such things were organised in the palace.
    She should have asked Hani.
    It was less stressful to worry about that than face the fact that she had no idea what was going to happen with Gerd. Did he want her to stay? Would he suggest a date for their next meeting?
    The past week had shown her that his life was organised well ahead. He hadn’t suggested she stay in Carathia, but he’d talked about contraception—surely that meant he intended some sort of ongoing relationship?
    A knock on her door whirled her about; she hesitated, then