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Ben Locklear may be determined to make me his, but he’ll soon realize I’m not a woman who can be possessed. I belong only to myself, and to my duty. If he can’t accept that, then we have nothing more to discuss.
Even as I tell myself this, a traitorous part of me hopes he’ll return, as relentless and unyielding as the tides, and wear down my resistance at last.
6
Ben
I curse under my breath as I stalk down the hallway, my hands curled into fists at my sides.
My possessive instincts rear up, demanding I go back there and make her see reason. But I know that’s the wrong approach. Flore is as stubborn as she is beautiful, and forcing myself on her will only drive her further away.
As much as it pains me to admit it, she’s right that we can’t pursue a relationship. Not now, when there are threats lurking in the shadows, enemies who could use our feelings against us.
Protecting Flore is my top priority. If that means burying my desire for her, so be it. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe. Even if it means sacrificing my own happiness.
* * *
I stalk down the beach, fists clenched, struggling to rein in my temper. How dare she dismiss me like some importunate suitor? I’m not a man easily discourages, especially not when it comes to something I want as badly as Flore.
Her protests about duty and responsibility are nothing but empty excuses. Beneath the polished veneer of the untouchable lawyer beats the heart of a woman as passionate as she is stubborn. I’ve felt the heat in her gaze, the tremor in her touch. She wants me as desperately as I want her.
The memory of her in my arms is seared into my mind. The softness of her skin, the sweetness of her mouth, the way she arched into me with a soft cry…it was like nothing I’ve ever known. Losing that, losing her, is unthinkable.
Flore Coly may not realize it yet, but she already belongs to me. She surrendered to my possession the moment we first kissed. The queen’s safety isn’t the only thing I’m willing to sacrifice for. If Flore thinks she can send me away with a few careless words, she has another thing coming.
I’ll breach every one of her defenses, tear down her walls stone by stone, until she finally admits the truth. She’s mine, now and forever. And once I have her, I’ll never let her go.
The sea crashes in time with my heart, wild and relentless. Flore has no idea of the storm she’s awakened, but she’s about to find out. I’m not leaving this island without her. She has only one choice left: to accept her fate, and give herself to me completely.
7
Flore
I pace the length of my room, my bare feet slapping against the cool tile. What have I done? In a moment of weakness, I betrayed my sister’s trust and endangered us both.
Ben Locklear is not a man easily refused. His kiss ignited a fire inside me, hungry and primal, reducing my resolve to ashes. I melted into his embrace without thought of consequences, drowning in sensation.
The memory fills me with equal parts shame and longing. I ache to lose myself in his arms again, to feel the demanding press of his lips, the possessive clasp of his hands. Ben awakened a side of me I never knew existed, dark and wanting. I crave his touch like a drug, though I know it will only lead to ruin.
Reason tells me to send him away at once. But I can’t ignore this burning need, or the knowledge that Ben will never truly leave me. He has marked me as his, in body and soul. I’m caught in his web, struggling in vain against bonds I have no desire to break.
When the knock sounds at my door, I know who stands on the other side. My heart leaps in surrender as I rise to let him in. Ben’s eyes gleam with triumph, his mouth curled in a predatory smile.
“Did you really think you could escape me so easily?” His voice is a low rumble, dripping with promise. “You’re mine now, Flore. And I always claim what’s mine.”
He pulls me into his arms and covers my mouth in a searing kiss. I melt against him, desire and despair warring within me, as the door closes behind us with a note of finality. There’s no turning back now. I’ve made my choice, and sealed my fate. Ben Locklear will be my ruin - but tonight, I no longer care.
8
Ben
I walk into the dimly lit bar of my hotel, where I’m to meet Flore on my day off, scanning the room for her. My eyes lock onto her curves as she stands at the end of the bar, sipping a drink. She’s in a tight black dress that hugs her body in all the right places, making my mouth water. I can feel the possessiveness and desire stirring within me as I approach her.
“Hey beautiful,” I purr, leaning in close to her ear. “Have you been waiting long?”
“Only a few minutes,” she smiles, turning to face me. Her perfume fills my nostrils, and I fight the urge to take her right there on the bar.
“Let me buy you another drink,” I offer, motioning to the bartender.
