The Accidental Princess (17 page)

‘It’s all right,’ she managed. ‘You can help me.’ Her heartbeat clamoured in her chest, punctuating the indecision building up inside her.

‘Will you turn down the lamp?’ she whispered. ‘I don’t want you to see me.’

He didn’t answer. Instead, he came around to face her. He made no further move to undress her, but the gown sagged about her shoulders. ‘Do you want me to sleep somewhere else?’

‘No. You can’t.’ Not only was it too expensive to hire out a second room, it wasn’t safe to be apart.

He stepped back, waiting for her command. Hannah clutched the edges of her gown, as if trying to hold together the last remnants of her upbringing.

Michael seemed to be weighing his own decision. In the end, he walked towards the hearth and sat down in one of the chairs, his gaze averted from her.

It was like she’d already lost him. And it hurt, worse than anything she could imagine. This man had taken care of her when she’d needed him most. He didn’t live by the rules, but
by his judgement. And she knew there would never be another man like him in her life.

If she did marry, it would be to a titled lord who would expect her to bear his children. She’d met dozens of them over the last year, and not a single one would come close to the intense feeling she held for Michael Thorpe.

She wanted to know him intimately. To feel his skin upon hers and to know that he cherished her. There was not a doubt in her mind that if she let him make love to her, it would be the worst sort of rule to break. It would also be wonderful.

Her moments of freedom were slipping away, with every hour. This might be their only night together. And she wanted it, no matter that it was wrong. No matter that he could never be hers.

Hannah let her gown slide down, baring her corset and chemise. She untied the petticoats, stepping free of them.

The long walk across the room was the most frightening she’d ever taken. But in her heart, she knew she would hold regrets if she did not reach out to him now.

In the candlelight, he would see every part of her body. Right now, shivers prickled over her skin as she walked in front of him. Wearing only her undergarments, she laid herself bare, offering herself.

And still Michael didn’t move. His eyes stared into hers, as though he didn’t know what to think of her actions. Kneeling down before him, Hannah reached out to remove his coat. Her fingers shook as she untied his cravat and unbuttoned his waistcoat. Abruptly, Michael’s hands suddenly closed over hers.

‘You don’t want this, Hannah. I can see your fear.’

She’d never been so bold in all her life, but more than anything else was the fear that he would turn her away.

‘I am afraid, yes. And I know that I should ask you for help with my corset and sleep far away from you.’

He waited, and she touched her hand to his heart. Despite the calm mien he presented, his pulse was racing. ‘I know what I should do,’ she repeated again. ‘But I want this night. Give me a memory I’ll always have.’

H
er body tensed when Michael reached the laces that tightened her corset. He loosened the stays, and his fingertips caressed the thin fabric of her chemise. Almost instantly, her nipples puckered. As he helped her remove the corset, the stiff panel brushed against her breasts. A pang of arousal echoed within her core, and the awakening of desire began to silence the voices of her mother’s warnings and her conscience.

Layers of clothing fell away until she wore only the thin chemise and drawers. Michael had removed his shirt, and in the firelight, his bare skin was golden. She reached out to his wounded upper arm and saw that the angry skin was healing. The abrasions on his neck were also fading.

‘Does it hurt?’

‘Sweet, there’s only one thing I’m feeling right now. And it’s not the kind of pain you’re thinking of.’ He glanced up at the mantel. ‘The candlestick is there, if you need it to bash my head.’

She almost smiled, but the overwhelming nerves were gathering strength. ‘How do you want to…do this?’ Perhaps if she had an idea of what was expected, she could calm the anxiety boiling inside her. ‘I don’t know what I am supposed to do.’

‘I’ll start by kissing you.’ His voice rumbled against her ear as he slid her chemise and drawers away. Before she could comprehend that she was no longer wearing anything at all, his mouth came down on hers.

Hot, feverish feelings permeated her, sending flames of desire over every part of her body. Michael picked her up in his arms, laying her down upon the bed. Her hair fell across the pillow, and he caressed the length. A moment later, he turned around and removed his trousers and undergarments. She caught a glimpse of his taut backside, the rigid curve of his hip. When he turned around, he was holding the plate of cake and there was a wicked gleam in his eye.

He wanted to eat, now? Confusion caught her sensibilities, making her wonder what he intended.

Michael walked towards her naked, his erect manhood jutting forward. A flash of panic flew through her mind, for she couldn’t imagine him joining with her. He sat down beside her on the bed, setting the plate down.

‘Open your mouth,’ he ordered, breaking off a morsel of cake.

A distraction. That’s what this was, she realised. Something to calm her down.

She tasted the sweet creamy icing, but it did nothing to alleviate her apprehensions. Michael kissed her again, devouring the traces of buttercream from her lips. She clung to him, startled by the feeling of his bare skin upon hers. Her breathing quickened as he ran his palms down her spine and over the curve of her bottom.

‘I know I shouldn’t do this,’ he murmured, lowering his mouth to her shoulder, drifting downwards to her breast. ‘But I’ve given up trying to resist you.’ He dipped his finger into the cake icing and touched it to her nipple. ‘It’s too late now, sweet. I intend to spend the rest of the night taking you apart.’

With that, he covered her nipple with his mouth, swirling
against her skin with his tongue. He licked the icing off, sucking hard while she shuddered at the sensation. She was bending to him, growing moist between her legs.

Michael turned his attention to the other breast, kissing it with the same attention while he flicked the erect bud of the first nipple with his fingers. Tormented by his touch, she fought to catch her breath.

‘You’re more delicious to me than any cake,’ he murmured. ‘I could taste you all day.’ His mouth drifted lower, down her stomach toward the soft hair covering her mound.

His cheeks were smooth against her thighs, and she clamped her legs tight, afraid of what he might do next.

He lifted his head up, staring at her. In the dim light, his hazel eyes held the warmth of chocolate, with green flecks. ‘I’m going to give you a night to remember, Hannah. Trust me.’

He pressed a kiss upon her stomach, his hands reaching beneath her spine to her hips. He drew his palms over her bottom, pressing her close to his face.

Oh, sweet God. He wouldn’t taste her there, would he?

He dipped his finger into the icing, brushing a small amount upon her cleft. A moment later, her hands dug into the sheets, a keening cry erupting from her throat as he covered her intimate flesh with his mouth.

He nibbled at her delicate skin, arousing her until she arched deeply, shaking with the ferocity of his wicked tongue.

The rising crescendo of need burst forth in a release that made her cry out. She tried to sit up, but he held her down, her legs splayed as he worked her again with his mouth.

‘I can’t. Michael, I can’t do this. It’s too much.’

In answer, he slid two fingers inside her wetness, stretching her. It sent her over the edge once more as he entered and withdrew.

‘Touch me,’ he urged, pulling her hand to his shaft. She had never felt a man’s flesh before and had never realised how soft
and smooth it was. Her thumb caressed the tip, and she felt moisture there.

As she dragged her hand along the length, she watched him hiss with pleasure. He let her explore him, feeling the change in skin texture, and the way he grew even harder in reaction to her touch. When she began to glide her hand up and down, he caught her wrist and pushed it aside. ‘Not tonight. This night is for you.’

Michael turned her on to her side, while he came up behind her. Raising her leg over his, he placed his manhood between her thighs. ‘When you’re ready for me, I’m going to be inside you.’

He cupped both of her breasts, nipping at her shoulder with his mouth. His thick erection nudged an inch within her, and Hannah trembled at the feeling. As he continued to caress her nipples, rolling the tips while he teased her wetness, she pleaded with him, ‘Michael, I need…something. But I don’t know what it is.’

He moved his length between her legs. ‘Sweet, don’t rush. I want this to be good for you.’ Slowly, gently, he eased himself into her body. He didn’t force her, or hurt her. Just a gentle sliding, back and forth. The thickness of him was like a caress inside her body, each time going a little deeper. His thumb moved to the ridge at the top of her womanhood, stroking her while he sheathed himself partway inside her. ‘I want to see you come apart again,’ he murmured, coaxing the wet heat.

Her body ached, squeezing him while he rubbed the small hooded opening. She felt herself rising up again, reaching for the intense pleasure. He held back from her, slowing his pace. Tears escaped her eyes, and she shivered violently against his hand.

‘Come for me,’ he commanded. And with another stroke of his hand, she soared. He pushed the rest of the way inside
her, filling her up until they were fully joined. Though the fit was tight, she held him close, shocked at the wonder of it.

Her hips arched as he pulled back and slid home once again. The tenderness of his penetration made her heart weep for this act of love.

But she sensed he was holding back, trying not to hurt her. The position of being on her side felt too cautious, and she wanted him to know the same fulfillment.

She eased away from him, lying on her back and bringing him atop her. With her hand, she guided him inside once more, raising her knees. ‘Take what you need from me, Michael.’

His face turned to stone, his body growing harder within her. He plunged inside, quickening his pace. She gripped him, holding tight as he rode her hard.

A moment later, he pulled her hips to the edge of the bed. He stood up, lifting her legs high while he filled her. His face transformed with his own pleasure, tight with suppressed need. She met each stroke with her hips, offering a counter-pressure. It wasn’t enough. Michael gripped her hard, thrusting his body inside her until at last, his face tightened, and he let out a low groan.

He collapsed on top of her, their bodies still joined. Hannah felt a wetness from his warm seed, and she reached down to run her hands over his backside. She wrapped her legs around him, squeezing him in a different sort of embrace.

No wonder men and women never talked about this. She’d never dreamed that the intimacy would be this wild, this pleasurable.

‘How are you feeling?’ he asked, his voice husky.

‘I feel beautiful.’ And she did. Languid and relaxed, as though it were the most natural thing in the world to be naked with a man.

‘Hungry?’ he prompted, withdrawing from her.

‘A little.’ She let him feed her cake from his fingertips, and
she licked the icing, watching his eyes grow dark with desire once again.

‘You’re going to kill me if you keep looking at me like that.’ He ran his hands over her flesh. ‘I won’t be able to get enough of you.’

Hannah locked her arms around his neck. ‘I don’t mind.’

Later that night, after he’d made love to her twice more, he straightened the bed sheets. ‘Time to sleep.’ She was about to curl up next to him when he dropped a pillow on top of her.

‘What is that for?’ She tried to move the pillow away, but he laid it in the centre of the bed. When she reached out, she felt the presence of the two pillows set lengthwise down the middle of the bed.

‘I’m setting up a barricade on the bed. You’ll sleep on your side, and I on mine.’

A pillow barricade? What on earth?

‘You don’t want to sleep beside me?’ she asked, confused at the gesture. ‘Is something the matter?’

‘Sweet, if you come anywhere near me again, I won’t be responsible for what happens.’ His body weight settled on his side of the bed. ‘I’d suggest you stay over there, if you want any sleep at all.’

She smiled in the darkness and huddled beneath the coverlet. Was he truly serious about being unable to resist her?

A moment later, a hand nudged at her cheek. ‘You’re on my side,’ he said.

‘I’m on the edge of the bed! If I move any further, I’ll fall off,’ she protested.

His leg tangled up in hers, beneath the pillow barricade. ‘You’re still on my side.’

When she realised that his long leg was sprawled all the way across the bed, hanging off the end, she started to laugh. ‘If you had your way, this entire bed would be your side.’

‘It is. I’m just letting you borrow it.’ He withdrew his leg, his hand reaching for hers.

Lying on her back with their palms entwined, Hannah released the laughter building up. ‘You don’t like to share, do you?’

‘Not at all. And I’ll never share you.’ His hand moved up to caress her face with his knuckles. And when at last, she heard the quiet sounds of his breathing, her heartbeat wouldn’t calm at all.

For this was the sort of marriage she’d dreamed of. A handsome husband, teasing her. Making her feel beloved. Lying beside him at night, whispering secrets in the dark.

Please don’t let him be the Prince,
she prayed. For if he was, he was as good as lost.

Michael rose before the sun came up, letting Hannah sleep. She was curled up on her side, her palm slightly open. He dressed in silence, slipping outside the door. He reached into his pocket and found the ring, still there. At first, he’d planned to return it to the jeweller’s. But after last night, he wasn’t certain.

He didn’t know what had come over Hannah, why she had given herself to him. She’d refused to accept a ring from him, telling him that she would want it to mean something else.

Was she saying she wanted to marry a man like him?

It was foolish to consider the possibility. He was better off living on his own. He couldn’t take care of her in the manner she deserved.

Grimly, he thought of their impending visit to the
Schloss
. The cynical side to him didn’t believe it would accomplish anything. A man like him…becoming a Prince? He simply couldn’t believe it could ever be true. They would take one look at him and toss him out.

But if he were a Prince, he’d have the means to take care of Hannah. He could make her a Princess.

You’re not capable of protecting a wife. Don’t even consider such a thing.

Being with Hannah last night had changed everything. He’d become her lover, and it had been better than anything he’d ever imagined.

Sweet, fiery and passionate, she’d swept him away. He’d been conscious of her every move, her every sigh.

He fingered the ring in his pocket, and continued towards the innkeeper. He thought of hiring a maid to help Hannah dress, but in truth, he wanted another excuse to touch her again. Instead, he ordered a tray of food to be sent up for their breakfast.

While the innkeeper’s wife went to prepare the food, the innkeeper paused. In halting English, he offered, ‘Lieutenant Thorpe, some men arrived last night. They were searching the inn for a man of your description. I thought you should know.’

He suspected it was the Graf’s men. But it could also be the men who had attacked their coaches. There was no way to be sure. Nonetheless, it was not safe for them to remain here any longer. Michael thanked the innkeeper and went upstairs with the tray of food.

Hannah was already awake and struggling to dress herself. ‘Good morning,’ she said, offering a hesitant smile. ‘Could you help me with this?’

‘Of course.’ He set down the tray and came up behind her, his hands grazing her shoulders. With both hands gripping the corset strings, he tightened her stays.

‘Why in the name of God do women torture themselves this way?’ he grumbled. He’d worried about hurting her, but Hannah had only laughed and told him to pull it tighter.

He’d much rather have unlaced her, baring her soft, pale skin. As it was, he stole another kiss, trying to quench the need for her body. Her mouth moulded to his, her arms wrapping around his neck.

The dark desire to have her again took control without
warning. He wanted to strip her down, making love to her until she trembled with pleasure.

But Hannah broke away from him, her face crimson with embarrassment. ‘Michael, I’ve been thinking. Last night when we…were together, well…I don’t think we should…do that any more.’

Her sudden refusal bruised his pride. He reached into his pocket, touching the ring.
This was her choice,
he reminded himself. And perhaps it was better that way.

‘You’re right.’ He shrugged as if he didn’t care one way or the other. But he knew he’d become too tangled up with thoughts of her. Their time together would be short enough, and the more they became involved with one another, the worse it would be to say goodbye. ‘Last night was a bad decision for both of us.’