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“We’re partners.”

“And you tell me all about your home life?”

Color rose on Eden’s cheeks. “That’s different. I’m not in line to rule your planet.”

“You have no clue what you’re talking about. It’s more complicated than that.”

“So tell me.”

His hands clenched and his breath quickened. “It’s my life. It’s what I was surrounded by from birth.”

“To do your duty and not question it?”

“I question it. All the time. That’s why I’m here and not matched to a suitable female.” The last two words stung with bitterness. Suitable and appropriate. Where was the passion in those words?

“But you’ll go back. You’ll join that world again. You’ll forget all about us.”

Blaze stepped even closer. “I could never forget about you.” He brushed Eden’s hair behind her shoulders and stroked his thumb over her bottom lip. Fighting his desire for her had become second nature, but he didn’t want to any longer.

Eden met his gaze with a defiant glare. “You must have power. You’ve never been tempted to abuse it?”

“Of course not.” His eyes narrowed, and his heart kicked in his chest. “Do you like me more because I have these connections?”

Her tongue slid across her bottom lip, and the sight captivated him. He wanted to taste her. He wanted to consume her. His need for her scared the hell out of him. But why was she letting him get so close?

“It makes no difference to me.” Eden’s voice was low and breathy.

His heart continued to beat too fast. Don’t be one of those women. Don’t fake your interest because of what you think you can get out of a connection with a Floridian.

“It does. It matters to everyone. That’s why I’ve never told you. When people find out who I am, where I come from, they change around me,” he said.

“Not me. I won’t change. I don’t care where you come from, so long as you know how to do your job, and we work well together.”

“It really means nothing to you that I could take over ruling my home planet, or summon an army, or have more family money than I know what to do with? I could get you anything you desire.”

Eden pressed her lips together. “How do you know what I desire?” Her gaze dropped to his mouth.

A fire lit inside him, but his heart still raced. She wanted him now because of what he could provide.

Blaze slid his hands up and down Eden’s sides, feeling her delicious curves, his cock growing rock hard.

Eden glanced at the door.

“Are you nervous?” he said.

Her gaze hit his. “Not when I’m with you. But we’re supposed to be working.”

“But you want me to kiss you? You want me?”

She opened her mouth then shook her head.

“I don’t believe you. You want what I can give you.” Blaze lowered his mouth to hers.

The kiss started gentle. He’d only meant it to be a tease, just to see if his newly discovered notoriety turned Eden on.

Her soft moan had him on fire. He pulled her close and deepened the kiss, his tongue meeting hers.

Her returning kiss was untamed as their tongues entwined. It felt almost punishing. He couldn’t stop the kiss now he’d started. She tasted like honey, and the feel of her sweet curves pressed up against him impacted his entire body.