Annie West - Royals Untamed!

He took her hand and the moment of hesitation in the soft brown of her eyes almost made him waver. ‘In here,’ he demanded roughly, not comfortable with the direction of his thoughts as he imagined her dressed for dinner in a sexy figure-hugging dress. ‘Get what you need for tonight and a further two days. I will attend to the bill.’

Her hand loosened within his as he strode into the nearest boutique. He glanced down at her; the expression on her face was so desolate, so untainted that he wanted to hold her hard against him and kiss her lips.

‘Let’s just go back.’ She pulled on his hand, preventing him from going into the boutique, but he held her hand firmly, sensing she’d slip away into the crowded street if she got the slightest chance.

‘Go back?’ He knew his tone was harsh, but exasperation mixed with heady desire rushed around him mercilessly. He let her hand go, pushing open the door of the boutique and leaving her little option but to follow.

Glamorous assistants rushed forward and instantly his control returned as he told them what was required, watching as they took over, guiding Amber towards the dressing rooms of the boutique. She looked back at him, her beautiful face almost frozen with horror.

He turned his back on her, unable to deal with the need to protect her from hurt and harm that just being with her ignited. It was as if he was a young boy again, protecting his mother from his father’s wrath, boldly standing between, glaring at his father. He sighed and, with arms folded across his body, he stared broodingly out at the street, wondering just how everything had suddenly become so complicated.

He’d come on a mission to reclaim his wife but, as he surveyed the passing traffic, he begrudgingly accepted why it was so important. He wanted to prove, once and for all, to his father that he was worthy of his time, his respect. Failure wasn’t an option, even if it was what his father had cruelly taunted him with, despite his weakened state of health.

Kazim had to succeed, he had to return with Amber and take up his role as heir, but he hadn’t expected to want Amber so intensely, nor had he expected the desire that hummed through him just thinking of her. But, worse, he hadn’t anticipated she’d open up his past, bringing back the heartache from childhood and making him think and rationalise things he’d rather forget.

But something else wasn’t right—ever since the first moment they’d spoken, almost everything had come back to money. He’d sent her father money that would support her, but still it seemed it hadn’t been enough. Just what had she spent it all on?

He pondered the question. Why live in such an appalling flat when he’d been more than generous? Was she really as broke as she’d just alluded to? Something didn’t quite make sense.

Kazim turned his attention back to Amber, who was now watching as a seemingly endless bundle of bags were packed. He settled the bill and asked for the purchases to be delivered to the hotel without passing any comment. A discussion of what she’d done with the money could wait until later.

‘Let’s go,’ he said quietly, an unmistakable firmness in his voice. He was all too aware of her standing close to him. He could feel the heat of her body as if he stood in the middle of the desert beneath the sun’s unrelenting heat. ‘We have a few matters to sort out, Amber.’

‘Only your impossible attitude.’ She glared up at him as the heated words left her lips and he realised the assistant was tactfully looking down, studying the final bag just a little too much.

‘We can discuss that too if it makes you happy, but not here.’ He kept his voice light, wanting to avoid a public discussion. He hoped the assistant would be discreet. The last thing he needed right now was extra attention from the press. Headlines about his marriage would not help anyone.

He looked at Amber and she dropped her gaze, her face looking so young and inexperienced he fought against the urge to kiss her, as he had earlier. Not just a brush of the lips, but a kiss full of fire and passion. Maybe he should just do it and get it out of his system instead of wondering how she’d taste, how her lips would feel against his. That gentle brush of lips in the car hadn’t been nearly enough. All it had done was ignite the flame that had simmered since they’d first met.

Before he had time to say anything further she all but flounced out. He couldn’t believe how out of his depth he felt with her, just as he had done on their wedding night. The reasons had been different but the feelings the same. She brought out a passionate streak in him, something no other woman had done, and he didn’t like it. Not one bit.

* * *

Amber couldn’t remember walking back to the hotel, but now she was once again within the confines of their luxury suite, wondering how Kazim managed to irritate her so much. He stood watching her, his presence dominating and consuming every breath of air. What was he waiting for her to explain? What did he want her to say now?

The need to speak was taken away as a knock at the door broke the tension between them. She watched as an endless array of bags was delivered. Had she really bought that much? He must think her a shallow spendthrift. But it was what she’d wanted him to think, so why did it matter now?

‘I trust you are happy with your purchases,’ Kazim said, his mood changing as he closed the door. She looked at him, taken aback as a glimmer of humour lightened his eyes and tugged at his lips, melting her heart with incredible speed.

‘Yes, thank you,’ she said softly, wanting to defuse whatever it was that zipped between them, because retaliation certainly hadn’t helped so far. ‘There was no need for all of this, though; it cost a fortune.’

‘You are married to the Prince of Barazbin.’ He glared at her, that moment of humour gone, as if he thought she’d made a judgement on him. ‘There are certain standards to maintain. That is why I have been more than generous already.’

She frowned. Was he now going to bring his offer of treatment for Claude into all this? ‘And I’m grateful.’ She was. To think that Claude could finally get the treatment he needed and Annie would be able to give up a job she hated to look after her son. That reason and that alone was why she was here having this discussion in the first place.

Before she had time to think further, Kazim crossed the room and stood perilously close to her. Just as it had done when he’d held her on the street, her heart raced wildly and she slipped once again under his spell. She swallowed hard against skittering nerves which sprang to life, intensifying his touch. How had she ever thought she could remain immune to him? Just his voice was enough, but to have him this close was far too much.

Amber looked up into his eyes, which searched her face as if looking for answers, or trying to convey something to her. She dropped her gaze, suddenly shy. Gently, his fingers lifted her chin, forcing her to look up at him again. Her breath caught in her throat as he slowly lowered his head, his lips brushing over hers, making her eyelids flutter and close.

She swayed towards him, wanting more, needing more. This was the only man she’d ever wanted. One she’d stayed true to, despite his hurtful rejection of her on their wedding night. She blushed as she remembered that night. It had been her complete inexperience that had made her all but throw herself at him. She hadn’t wanted him to think she couldn’t even kiss a man. She’d flirted, flaunting herself, and had tried to kiss him.

She could still feel the shock that had iced her blood as he’d pushed her away, a look of repulsion on his handsome face. She’d been so determined not to show her hurt she’d continued the act of bravado, anything but admit failure.