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“Looking for me, Lady?” a deep voice asked from behindher.
Veri jumped and whirled around to find Prince Asher barely a step away. If she leaned forward ever so slightly she could press herself against his chest. She nearly did as she saw exactly how toned and beautiful he was up close. Prince Asher wasn’t as big as some of the men she knew, and definitely not as broad chested or tall as Hayden, but he was gorgeous in his ownright.
“Um, yes I was, actually.” Veri held her ground and his gaze. It was no easy task. The weight of his dominance and rank was heavy. The prince didn’t smile as he studied her and said nothing at her admission. Rather he seemed to be waiting for her to explain herself. Finally, the intensity was too much and Veri dropped her eyes. She’d never had a male look at her with the entirety of his attention. She was all Asher was interested in at themoment.
Veri took a small breath and gave him a shy smile. “I wanted to ask if you were all right,” she admitted. She wasn’t sure what else to say, but the truth felt prudent. Asher would know if she lied. His deep purple eyes missednothing.
The Prince closed the distance between them and Veri gasped in surprise when his warm hands brushed her waist. “I do not like to watch people fall all over themselves and look like fools for a chance at power.” His hands trailed up herribcage.
She wasn’t sure what to do with herself. He was forward, demanding, and possessive. Veri liked it when a man was decisive. It was as though Prince Asher knew exactly how to please her without even trying. His thumbs brushed the undersides of her breasts and then touched her neck so softly he was a phantom. They stopped at her face where he held her, brushing across hercheek.
“Are you one of those fools?” he asked, voice low as he bent forward to softly kiss one cheek and then the other. His sweetness warned against something far more dangerous hidden under thesurface.
The spike of electricity hit her hard. Veri felt it in her belly and between her legs. Asher pushed all rational thought out of her head and filled her with wanting. She wanted him to kiss her and she wanted him to touch her wherever he desired, Hayden had all but disappeared from hermind.
“I am not a fool,” she whispered. “I know where Ibelong.”
Her heart tried to remind her she belonged at Hayden’s side, but her body told her she was Asher’s. It was difficult to deny a prince, especially one so dominant and captivating. Veri ran her fingers through his midnight hair. It was as silky and soft as she thought it wouldbe.
Prince Asher dipped down and pressed his lips over hers gently and then he was gone. Veri blinked long and slow. What had just happened? She looked up to find him a step away; the proper distance betweenstrangers.
Asher didn’t smile but his eyes sparkled. He offered her his arm. “Would you like to walk with me, LadyVeri?”
Veri blinked again. Her body was on fire and she could still feel the phantom of his feather light touch on her body and herlips.
“Yes, I would enjoy that, yourhighness.”
She placed her hand on top of his and let him lead them down the empty corridor. She noted him in the dominant position and smiled. It was rare she found someone more dominant than she. Even Hayden was only an equal. It didn’t surprise Veri she had needed a royal to fulfill the need toserve.
This prince had her flustered in a way she didn’t know how tomanage.
“Please, you may call me Asher.” His voice was so much deeper than she would have thought for someone of hisage.
“If we are to do away with formalities Prince, then you should call me Veri.” Males were easy. Veri never had trouble with them. She could get males to do what she wanted when she wanted, including Hayden. And she loved Hayden, but occasionally she wished he would challengeher.
Prince Asher was intense and currently staring at her. She hadn’t expected him to be so delightful. Veri wondered how she could play this game. “I am here for an indefinite amount of time,” she said as they walked out into one of the manygardens.
The night-blooming flowers glowed in the moonlight and their scent permeated the air. It was balmy and the summer night felt delicious against her barearms.
“I don’t know anyone and I’m not sure sitting in the Queen’s solar is something I would like to do all day and every day.” If the prince was interested in her he would take her up on the subtle offer. Veri needed to get to know Asher better. A marriage to him would prove to be veryuseful.
Prince Asher eyed her as he led her over a cute little bridge and he stopped there as he thought. “I’m not sure a lady with such dignity would be interested in participating in my daily activities.” He looked out over the small lake and then turned back toher.
The blue moon made his eyes shine with an iridescent light and Veri was entranced. She clenched her hand against her skirts as she tried to keep the other hand on his arm light and delicate. Veri hoped he wouldn’t notice her palms were sweaty. “What activities would those be?” she breathed the question in anticipation. For him she might do away withdignity.
The thought shockedher.
There was a long pause as he contemplated his answer and Veri reminded herself she loved Hayden. She was doing this forhim, but it was difficult to remember when Asher looked at her as he did now, like she was something he planned to devour whether she wanted him to ornot.
“Before breakfast I take my daily exercise and after the morning meal I ride. Then lunch and the afternoon I usually spend studying or hunting. After dinner, I am at the mercy of my mother and sisters’ plans. If they do not need me I am free to spend my night however I like.” Asher leaned his back against the railing of the bridge and studied her, gauging herreaction.
Veri was curious what he studied but she didn’t ask. “What kind of exercise do you prefer?” she asked instead, clasping her hands in front of her demurely. Asher seemed to like a submissive attitude even if he also enjoyed her honestcomments.
Asher’s eyes narrowed but he answered her. “I run the palace grounds before participating in the morning class on fighting styles with ourguards.”
It wasn’t much different than the exercise Veri did at home. She had to do something to keep her form slim and strong. Endurance couldn’t be maintained with sex alone. She grinned at him. “Perhaps I’ll join you one of these days. The stables sound like a wonderful distraction.” Veri curtseyed deep and low with her eyes downcast. She couldn’t rid herself of the smilethough.
The prince watched her as she rose and before she could leave he extended his hand. Veri wasn’t sure what thoughts ran through his head, but she decided to take a chance and placed her hand in his. Asher was a difficult person to resist. He tugged her forward and she fell against him. She could feel the hard ridges of his muscles against her curves, and those muscles weren’t the only hard thing pressing intoher.
