Page 71 of The Prince Who Loved Me

He mimicked her motions, crossing his arms and tugging his shirt over his head. It would have been helpful if he undid the buttons first.

Brandi laughed, coming to his rescue to help pull while he tried to maneuver out of the material. Finally he yanked it off and tumbled onto the bed.

She hopped on top, straddling his hips. “Now I’ve got you right where I want you.”

He rolled her over. “No, you don’t.”

She arched up, her breasts grazing his chest, and crushed her mouth to his. “Oh, yes, I do.”

***

Sebastien lay in the bed, Brandi curled up on his chest, his arm making lazy circles on her back. He’d never experienced what just happened. Passionate lovemaking. Wild laughter. A sense of complete rightness.

“My new favorite sound in the world,” Brandi murmured, “is listening to your heartbeat.”

He thought his might stop in that moment.

“You know what I love most about this?” She ran her fingers through the wiry red hair on his chest.

The word love conjured images of forever. He wanted it, embraced it, but he didn’t think Brandi was there yet. “What?”

“That I can be me when I’m with you.” She put her hand on his jaw and kissed his cheek before curling up again. “Every other time before, I’d give into my thoughts. Was it good enough? Was I good enough? Did I keep it interesting? Did I wear the right clothes, say the right things? Is he using me for sex, or does he really like me? But with you.” She melted into him. “There’s no fear. No guessing. It’s wonderful. You’re wonderful.”

“You’ll never have to guess with me.”

She snuggled tighter against him. “In the morning I would see if you were hungry, gotten you clean towels for your shower. Maybe even put them in the dryer so they’d be warm when you were done.”

“And I missed out on all that?” He snorted in laughter when she gave him a mock punch on his arm. “Well, now it’s reversed. I got you something.” He could imagine Brandi putting on the dress, twirling around to show him. And then he could imagine holding her against him as he slowly undid the zipper, letting the dress pool around her feet while he kissed andcaressed her body.

“You did?” She looked adorably mussed, her hair tangled and lips swollen.

He slid out of the bed and got the box out of his closet. She squealed when he put it on the bed next to her.

She lifted the lid, her eyes widening at the dress inside. “You bought me a dress.”

Her voice didn’t contain the excitement he had hoped for. “I saw it and knew it was perfect for you.”

“It’s gorgeous, certainly.”

Something was wrong. “It’s for the art show.”

“It’s not like I could wear it to Belle’s.” She looked up, her smile tight. “Thank you.”

His eyebrows drew down. “Don’t hide with me,mon ange.”

Her eyes brimmed with unshed tears. “I just got done telling you that I can be me. And then you give me this.” She waved a hand over the box.

His face must have shown his confusion because she huffed out a breath. “Never mind.” She slid off the bed and fumbled for a night shirt that had found its way to his room. “I’m going to sleep in my bed tonight.” She grabbed the rest of her clothes into a ball.

“Brandi.” He stood close to her, his hands trailing down her back. “Don’t leave. You can tell me anything, and I’m not going to get angry or break up with you because you have an opinion that doesn’t match mine.”

“I know. I know that.” Her chin was lowered and her tumbled hair hid her face. “I can’t. Not tonight, okay? We’ll talk tomorrow.”

She stepped out of his room. Right when Wendy walked by, carrying a stack of fresh towels.

Wendy disappeared from his view, then returned,walking backward.

“I was just…” Wendy gave a vague lift to her burden. The corners of her lips curled up and she pressed them together.