‘I’d be free to travel?’
‘It isn’t my intention to cage you. You seem distracted?’ he observed when she fell silent.
‘IfI agree to your suggestion—and I’m nowhere near close to that yet—I would need to undertake a real, practical role. I could never agree to being a puppet princess, wheeled out now and then for the sake of appearances.’
Luca laughed, and as he threw his head back, making his thick, wavy hair catch on his stubble, she almost weakened.
‘I’m sorry,’ he said, curbing his laughter with obvious difficulty. ‘I realise this isn’t the best time for humour, but you in the role of meek, obedient wife? I’m sorry, but that’s a stretch too far. And I don’t want that,’ he insisted. ‘I need challenge. I expect you to espouse causes and fight for them tooth and claw. Being “wheeled out,” as you put it, on state occasions, is a little harder to imagine. I’ll have to rely on your better nature to oblige me when it comes to that. I’d be wasting your talents if all you did was to sit dumbly at my side. I’m hoping you would want to use your royal role for the good of the people.’
‘But—’
‘There’s something else?’ he queried when she broke off.
‘Yes,’ she admitted.
‘Go on,’ he prompted.
‘If I’m hopeless in...’
‘In bed?’ he supplied.
‘If I can’t... If I really can’t stand it...’
‘I assume we’re talking about sex?’
Swallowing convulsively, she nodded her head.
‘Remember, I do know a little about you.’ His lips tugged fractionally, though not in a mocking smile, but with understanding.
They had very few secrets left when it came to her physical responses, she accepted. It was just that life-changing next step she dreaded.
‘‘You can stop looking so worried. We won’t sleep together until our wedding night, by which time you will be—’
‘Ready?’she whispered. It was more question than a statement.
Luca shrugged.
Her imagination raced ahead. When it came to wanting him there was no problem. The comfort of his arms around her, and the pleasure of his touch—those were wonderful. But the pain she associated with penetrative sex—
Sucking in a great shuddering breath, she knew for certain that she would never be ready for that.
Crossing the room in a couple of strides, he took Samia in his arms. There could never be sufficient punishment for what that bully had done to this woman. She couldn’t accept that a man could be kind? What kind of legacy was that? His negotiations were still under way, but the offer of physical warmth had no conditions. And she was in no hurry to break away, he noticed. ‘You’ll be fine,’ he soothed. ‘You’ll make the right decision. I won’t say anything more, or try to influence you.’
She laughed softly, her voice muffled against his chest. ‘You already have influenced me. I tried to fight you, and found I don’t want to. Can we just be friends?’
Samia was naked beneath the robe, her arousal plain to see. Her nipples thrust imperatively against the robe, and he guessed the rest of her body would be equally receptive.
‘Don’t you want me?’ she asked. ‘Or are you just playing me to get what you want?
Even he wasn’t entirely sure about his motives, but he did know he wanted her. ‘I want you,’ he confirmed as he pulled away. ‘But we’re going to wait until our wedding night.’
‘You’re very confident,’ she whispered.
‘Yes. I am.’
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
HEMETSAMIAagain at breakfast the next morning, beneath an awning on deck where an exquisitely dressed dining table with a crisp white damask cloth and napkins, crystal glasses, delicate porcelain plates and silver cutlery was a setting fit for a princess. A role Samia played with consummate ease, and unassuming elegance, he noted as a steward directed her to the chair next to his.
