The Prince's Texas Bride by Leanne Banks Page A

a more perfect moment than this?” she whispered, lifting her mouth just beneath his ear.
    He searched his brain and came up empty. “No,” he murmured, pulling her even closer.
    The song finally faded away, and she lifted her head, searching his eyes. The expression of wanting he saw there made his gut twist. The connection between them was shocking in its intensity. He lowered his head and took her mouth in a kiss. She immediately responded, tasting of oranges, bourbon and something forbidden.
    Although he was already aroused, he couldn’t resist feeding himself on her mouth. He felt her arms climb around his neck as she kissed him with equal intensity. He slid his own hand to the small of her back, bringing her intimately against him. He wondered if she would pull away. Instead, she wriggled against him. His heart stuttered in his chest.
    â€œYou make it difficult for me to show restraint,” he muttered against her mouth.
    â€œIs that what I’m supposed to be doing? Helping you show restraint?” she asked, her voice husky, her lips already swollen. She grazed his neck with an almost kiss and another twist of need ricocheted through him, this one stronger than before.
    â€œYou need to understand that everything will change once we become lovers,” he told her.
    â€œIs this the standard warning required by theadvisers?” she asked, pulling back slightly with a sliver of wry amusement in her eyes.
    â€œNo,” he said. “It’s just me being straight with you.”
    â€œAren’t things already different between us?” she asked.
    â€œYes, but I am determined to be discreet. I don’t want you or your reputation to be affected.”
    â€œCan we just make this between you and me?” she asked.
    â€œMy position makes it difficult,” he said.
    â€œI don’t want the position. I want the man,” she said.
    Her words nearly put him over the edge, nearly made him pick her up, lay her down on the couch and take her that moment. He’d spent a lifetime being the prince instead of a man. “You really don’t care about my title, do you?”
    â€œTo be perfectly honest, Stefan, I’d probably like you more without it,” she drawled.
    A sliver of exultation rushed through him. “I like your honesty,” he said, lifting a strand of her hair. “I like you too much.”
    Her eyes darkened in awareness. “It’s good to know I’m not the only one feeling this way.”
    â€œNo fear of that,” he said in a dry tone and gave in to the urge to sink his hands into her hair and pull her head toward him.
    They kissed again and he linked one of his hands with hers.
    Eve’s heart hadn’t beat regularly since she’d first laid eyes on Stefan tonight. She wasn’t sure when she would breathe normally again. The world was tilted upside down, the night was spinning and heaven help her, she liked it. She liked the way his mouth moved againsthers. The way his body felt against hers. The way his voice felt against her ears and skin…
    She wanted to feel more of his skin. More of him. Seeking his lips, she tugged at his shirt, unfastening one button, then two… She spread her hands over his chest and sighed at the indulgent luxury of feeling his muscles beneath her fingertips. He sighed, too, and the sound was more delicious than the most decadent chocolate. The sea air and the sound of the surf only added to the ambiance.
    â€œYou have muscles,” she said. “When do you ever get the chance to work out?”
    His laugh rumbled through her. “Every morning at 4:30 a.m.”
    She winced, still sliding her hands over his bare chest. “That’s insane.”
    â€œAnd what time do you get up?”
    â€œFive-thirty,” she said. “Compared to you, I’m a slacker.” She kissed him again. “But maybe if I had to deal with your advisers, I’d get up at