Prince of Desire Read Online Free PDF Page A

was.
    Was he nervous waiting on her answer?   More than that was a burning question she had to have answered.
    “Why me?   You don’t know me.”
    He leaned closer and wrapped his other hand around hers.   “Please understand, Isabelle, I want to tell you everything, but I doona want you thinking I’m daft.”
    “Well, I think it’s a little late for that,” she said, amazed that she could tease him after such a serious matter.
    One side of his lips tilted in a heart-stopping smile.   “It’s you because I know it here,” he said and touched his chest over his heart.   Then he put a finger to his temple.   “And here.   It’s a…gift…my family was given.   We know our mates instantly.”
    She tried to swallow, finding her mouth suddenly dry.   Isabelle couldn’t look away from his penetrating gaze.   He believed everything he said, the truth of it shining in his eyes.   “Tell me of this wonderful place you come from.”
    He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his massive chest as his eyes crinkled in the corners, as if he was pleased she asked. “It’s deep in the Ben Nevis Mountains.”
    “Now I know you're jesting,” she said as she finished laughing. “There is nothing in those mountains but wild animals, snow, and ice.”
    Instead of arguing with her, he continued to smile. “But what if I was right?”
    “Nothing can survive in those mountains.”
    He leaned forward and placed his hands over hers again. For a moment, time stood still as she gazed into his dark eyes and something passed between them. It left her dazed but wanting to experience it again.
    “Do you believe in magic?” he asked so solemnly that she knew he was serious.
    “Nay.”
    He frowned and sat back once more, releasing a long breath. “That’s too bad, Isabelle.”
    She loved the way her name rolled off his lips. Who would have thought her name could sound so wonderful?   So sensual and alluring.  
    How strange that just the sound of her name on his lips could have her contemplating things she would never dream of doing otherwise, things that made her blood heat and her heart skip a beat.  
    And her body burn.
    In order to try and regain some composure, she rose and faced the hearth. Either the man in her cottage was daft and needed to be put somewhere safe, or he was telling the truth.
    “You want to believe me,” he said near her ear, his hot breath brushing the nape of her neck.
    Chills raced down her spine at his words…because they were the truth. She had no idea when he had risen from his chair.   He moved as silently as a spirit, his body a hot, hard presence behind her that urged her to lean back against him, to believe in everything he said.
    She had always dreamed as a little girl that there would be more to her life, that she was destined to be something…more. Her dreams had even gone so far as to make believe she would be taken away and made a princess.
    “Let yourself consider the possibility.”   He softly took hold of her upper arms and drew her back against his chest.  
    His warmth spread around her, enveloping her in a cocoon that did anything but soothe her.   She was all too aware of the very male, very solid man at her back.   She imagined his large hands moving over her body, his arms holding her close as he kissed her, languidly, deeply.   Thoroughly.
    His head nudged hers aside so he could nuzzle her neck.   His warm breath caused chills to race over her skin.   “Come see my birthplace, Isabelle.   See the splendor, the hidden beauty of it all.   My parents await my return.   They await you.”  
    Her breath hitched when she was sure she felt his tongue touch her ear.
    “Our city is hidden, but it thrives.   You can do anything you want there, be anything you want.   The gates to the city will open upon our return.   We’ll travel down the road paved with blue stones that leads to the castle sitting high up on the mountain.   The people will come