me. Then you could have given me the message yourself.’
‘I didn’t want to disturb you …’ She faltered.
Lysander looked so smart, it took her breath away. He was dressed in a formal black suit and a purple sash, which was studded with medals. His finery made the contrast between them all the more painful.
‘You mean you didn’t want to tear me away from the party where I was having so much fun?’ he said wryly, making sure Alyssa saw something behind his eyes. ‘But perhaps not quite as much fun as you thought I might be having when you stormed down here in your wrap to check up on me?’ He grinned.
‘I wouldn’t dream of doing a thing like that!’ she snapped, but his widening smile told her there was no point in denying it.
‘Well … maybe you’re right,’ she said grudgingly. ‘I thought you wanted me to parade Ra’id in front of some noisy bunch of famous halfwits.’
‘You may have a point.’ He cocked his head towards the state banqueting hall. The company might be more sophisticated than she had thought, but the chat and laughter were still pretty loud. ‘But my real reason for making that request was to show everyone how well Ra’id is being cared for.’
His pride was obvious. Gazing at him, Alyssa forgot everything except the bond she knew was already beginning to grow between Lysander and his little nephew.
‘Why don’t you go back and fetch him, Alyssa? I’ll take good care of him for you, and it’ll only be for a few minutes.’ He smiled.
It was supposed to be an irresistible request, but it had the opposite effect on Alyssa. It shook her out of her delicious trance, and back into real life.
‘I don’t think so. Not at ten o’clock at night. He’s only five years old, Lysander. He needs his sleep,’ she said defiantly, expecting him to argue.
That was the last thing on his mind. He stood back, shocked.
‘I had no idea it was that late! The staff only told me about this reception an hour before it happened, when I asked to have dinner served in my suite. My late brother was so disorganised, bless him, that this household practically runs itself. They have been used to telling their king what to do at the last minute. It meant he never had to worry about making any arrangements for himself. It was safer that way. So when I wanted to offer you dinner this evening to welcome you to Rosara …’ his voice took on a softer tone ‘ … it threw everything into confusion, and I lost track of time. Of course you’re right—I’ll go back and tell everyone they’ll have to see what a wonderful job you’re doing with Ra’id another day. Maybe he could host his own little party. The staff would love to arrange that.’
‘Don’t make him grow up too fast,’ Alyssa warned.
Lysander nodded. ‘That’s a good point. I had to when I was young, to make sure the staff didn’t push Akil, my brother, too hard. It wasn’t fun.’ His lips became a thin, serious line. ‘You’re right—I’ll tell the assembly they’ll have to meet our little star another time, and leave it at that.’
Alyssa smiled. ‘They’ll understand. I’m sure many of your guests have children of their own. But you’d better get back to your dinner party. You are the host, after all.’
‘Yes … and a lonely business it is too, despite all the racket.’ He laughed, without sounding happy. ‘It’s almost as barren as my old celebrity circuit.’
‘But much more useful.’ Alyssa glanced back along the way she had come, towards the nursery wing. ‘I have to hurry back. Even with this, I still worry about Ra’id.’ She tapped the monitor attached to the belt of her robe.
‘That’s why I never need to worry about him when he’s out of my sight, because I have you,’ Lysander said with a warmth that was completely different from his usual flirting. ‘Thank you, Alyssa.’
Dipping his head, he kissed her, in a brief echo of her wonderful dream. It was only the smallest gesture, but it was enough to send heat powering through Alyssa’s veins. Instinctively she reached out her hands, sliding them up his arms. It was all the encouragement he needed. His light touch became an all consuming embrace as he crushed her tightly against his body.
BEING kissed by Lysander was so much better than any dream. Alyssa relaxed into him as desire welled up within her, blotting out everything but the need to be held and appreciated. It felt so right, she knew it couldn’t be wrong—not while it was happening. There would be plenty of time to worry later … As she softened beneath his hands Lysander’s kiss became fiercely possessive. His hand slid to her bottom, kneading it until the fabric of her robe reefed up and he made contact with her warm, yielding skin.
It was a defining moment. As he released her mouth to kiss the gentle curve of her neck she gasped and braced her hands against his shoulders.
‘Lysander, no …’
He stopped. Leaning back, he looked at her. His eyes glittered with the need to make her his own and his breathing was ragged. It was the first time any man had looked at her with such naked desire, and Alyssa was spellbound. She knew she should break free and run to save her sanity, but she needed to enjoy her moment, and bask in the sun of his appreciation. For long, spectacular seconds she revelled in the warmth of his arms holding her close and would have done anything to make time stand still. Then he closed his eyes, and with a moan of animal intensity peeled his body away from hers.
Her heart sank as he stepped back. Lysander showed every sign of being equally disappointed. He tried to leave, but couldn’t.
‘You’re right, of course, but …’ As he leant forward to place another lingering kiss at the base of her throat his hands flowed over her again for an instant. Alyssa felt her breath catch in anticipation, but it wasn’t to be. After another mind-blowing kiss he released her with a long, heartfelt sigh of regret.
‘I must go. There are people waiting for me downstairs. This isn’t the kind of good example they want.’ He breathed, his warmth rippling over the softness of her skin and down into the shadowy depths of her cleavage.
‘Yes …’ Her body shuddered with a wave of disappointment. Knowing that Lysander wanted her, really wanted her, transformed Alyssa. The delicious feeling of power that filled her was like nothing she had known before. She wanted to enjoy all these unfamiliar sensations for as long as she could. A man craved her body and she wanted him in return, with every fibre of her being. Some ancient wisdom told her that, with one word, Lysander could be hers. She could bewitch him into a place where he would forget about his guests, his duties and his responsibilities—but this was Lysander Kahani, notorious playboy. He was a man who must look at every woman like this. A seed of disappointment germinated and grew inside her, feeding on the remains of her common sense. Yes, this was Lysander, lover of all the most glamorous and desirable celebrity women. Being seduced by him would put her in stellar company, and it would mean the world to her. But … Seducing her would ultimately mean nothing to him. She would be nothing more than another conquest, a number not a name.
Slowly, regretfully, she detached herself from his embrace. If a dull, respectable man like her ex-fiancé could talk of love yet still leave her high and dry, what chance would she have with a rogue like Lysander? His casual approach to women was a warning she couldn’t afford to ignore—but his touch was like a drug, making her hungry for more.
Catching at her hands, he drew them up to his mouth. Pressing his lips hard against her knuckles, he kissed them and she felt dizzy with longing.
‘Lysander!’ she whispered but he had already let her go. His easy stride quickly took him out of her reach. She was rooted to the spot, and could only watch him head off downstairs to rejoin his reception.
When he reached the open doors of the state banqueting