Page 51 of Always a Princess

She gasped. “No. Impossible.”

“What?”

“I did not marry a twenty-six-year-old man.”

Alexander reached out to cup her cheek. “No, you married a twenty-six-year-old prince. And I promise, there are benefits, Your Highness, to marrying a younger man, which I shall show you soon.”

He kissed her, silencing any further objections.

CHAPTER 22

It took all four maids to help her remove the dress, take her hair down, and change her into the sumptuous silk and lace dressing gown that left little to the imagination.

Thea thanked God at least she wasn’t a terrified virginal bride, but even she blushed when she glanced in the glass at the dressing gown. She looked … decadent.

Thea stood in front of the firelight, knowing full well it would hide nothing from his gaze.

She couldn’t say she wasn’t nervous. It had been ten years since a man had touched her intimately. She didn’t even know if she knew how it was done anymore. And now, knowing he was nearly five years her junior … Thea blushed again.

Will the surprises never end?

She heard the click of the door opening and marshaled her courage as she turned to face him.

He had removed the jacket of his uniform, and his shirt was completely unbuttoned, exposing his muscled chest and the hard ridges of his stomach.

Thea was spellbound.

He paused as he shut the door behind him, and he stood silently for nearly a minute as he stared at her with both hands behind his back.

“You look like a goddess,” he finally said.

“And you look like a statue come to life.”

His lips curved into a smile. “I am working to maintain my self-control, Thea,” he said as he moved away from the door, stopping in the center of the room. “But you take my breath away. Every inch of you. Come to me.” He held out a hand.

She stepped away from the fireplace with a trail of lace following her.

“Exquisite.”

She stopped in front of him, taking his hand.

He held his arm up and out. “Turn for me. I want to see every angle.”

Heat bloomed within Thea in places that hadn’t felt that heat in forever. But the way his worshipful gaze devoured her made her feel things she’d never felt before.

She turned slowly, swearing she could feel the ardor of his gaze drawing up and down her body.

“Priceless,” he whispered as she turned slowly.

The lace tangled around her feet, and she stumbled as she turned back to face him.

He caught her, pulling her against his body. “I have you, from now until forever.”

The tension in her body melted away as he lifted her into his arms and carried her to the palatial bed in the center of the room.

Heat blossomed on the surface of her skin as he laid her down.

He skimmed his fingertips over her cheek. “Like silk.”