Ways To Ruin A Royal Reputation (Mills & Boon Modern) (Signed, Sealed…Seduced, Book 1) Dani Collins (lightest ebook reader txt) 📖

“How much do you think she would want?”

“That’s why I think she would be a good fit. Obviously, she should be compensated, but I don’t think she’ll care about money or publicity. She generates plenty of both on her own. But when we met, she said something that leads me to think she would find it useful to be seen as being committed to a man of your caliber.”

His brows went up in a silent demand for more info.

“Romantic troubles. I don’t want to gossip out of turn. I’m sure she would be more forthcoming if you formed a liaison.”

He hitched his trousers as he crossed one leg over the other, looking toward the windows with a flinty expression.

Amy bit her lip, well practiced in giving a client time to process her suggestions. In this case exercising patience was especially hard. She was eager to please, but was so aware of their kiss—their mutual attraction—that it twisted her insides to suggest he even pretend to see another woman.

After a long minute, he said, “I hate this.”

Her heart lurched.

Did he hate that he was sabotaging his own reputation? Or that he’d behaved badly with her and the repercussions were still coloring their discussion?

Or was he harboring a secret regret, the way she was, that they had to relegate their kiss and any potential relationship firmly offstage?

“I have to do this,” he said, bringing his gaze back to hers in an ice-blue swing of a scythe. “You understand that? I don’t have a choice to put it off or...” His hand scrolled the air and it sent an invisible lasso looping around her, strangling her. “I can’t chase what I want at the expense of what is right. I couldn’t even offer you—It would be once, Amy. Nothing more. And the window for that is already closing.”

Amy supposed his words were a compliment, but they slapped like a rejection. Through the fiery agony, she reminded herself that she was respecting boundaries and nodded acceptance. “Don’t worry about me. My job comes first.”

“Same.” His mouth twisted in dismay. “She sounds like a good option. Meet with her. Keep my name out of it until we’re further along.”

“Of course.” She ignored how heavy it made her feel. “I’ll have her sign confidentiality agreements before I pitch it, and I’ll gauge better whether she’s a good fit before you’re mentioned at all.”

“When will you see her?”

“I’ve asked for tomorrow afternoon.” Her heart was pounding so hard, her ears hurt. “Do you want a slower rollout? If she turns it down, we’ll have to find someone else.”

“I want my sister installed as quickly as possible,” he said decisively, rising.

“I think we’re on the right track.” She rose too, getting the message that this meeting was over. “I’ll finish up my gala work while I wait to hear.”

He nodded and she started to leave.

“Amy,” he growled, sounding so deadly, her breath caught.

She swung around.

He wore a look of supreme frustration. His hands were in his pockets, but were fisted into rocks.

“It would only be once,” he repeated grittily.

Such a bright light exploded within her, she was ignited by the heat of a thousand suns.

“Once is better than never.” She ran into his arms.

CHAPTER SIX

HE CAUGHT HER, barely rocking on his feet. His arms wrapped tightly around her, holding her steady even as he hesitated. His lips peeled back against his teeth in a moment of strained conscience.

“It’s just once,” Amy blurted in a bleak urgency that awakened old ghosts inside her. The wraiths slipped and swirled in cool trails of guilt, hissing, You shouldn’t. You know you shouldn’t. Nothing good will come of this.

“Just once,” he echoed in groaning agreement as he claimed her mouth with his own.

She’d been in a state of deprivation since last night. Relief poured through her as he dragged her back to where they’d left off. White heat radiated from his body into hers, burning away her cobwebs of misgivings. This was nothing like that tainted, ancient memory from years ago. It was sweet and good and right.

Amy felt safe and cherished in these arms that could crush, but didn’t. His mouth rocked across hers, seducing and ravaging, giving as much as he took. He stole soft bites of her tingling lips, and the heat in his eyes sent shimmering want through her limbs.

“Will anyone come in?” She wasn’t ashamed of what they were doing, but she dreaded another discovery.

“No,” he murmured, adding, “But let’s make sure.”

He moved as if they were dancing, smoothly pivoting her before he caught her hand and swirled her toward an unassuming door. It led to an anteroom and from there they entered a massive bedroom.

This was the king’s chamber, a mix of the palace’s opulence and Luca’s spare, disciplined personality. Huge glass doors led to a terrace that overlooked the sundial and the sea. The glass was covered in sheer drapes that turned the light pale gold. The marble floor was softened with a thick rug in shades of gold and green, the ceiling painted a soothing blue between the white plaster and gold filigree. There was a fireplace and a comfortable sitting area, and a button that he touched caused all the doors to click.

“We have complete privacy now. Even the phone won’t ring.”

He turned to her and she stepped into his arms with a sigh of gladness, wanting to be swept away again into that place where second thoughts were impossible.

He cupped her face. His spiky lashes flickered as he scanned her features.

“What’s wrong?” she asked, uncertainty creeping in.

“Absolutely nothing, but if we only have today, I’m damned well going to take my time and remember every second.”

“Oh,” she breathed. His words dismantled her at a very basic level. She wasn’t that special. Didn’t he realize that? She was actually tarnished and broken. What she was doing right now with him was akin to stealing.

But as the pad of his thumb slid across her bottom lip, she whispered, “I