Secrets of a Reckless Princess Read Online Free PDF Page A

my mother has her way, but I am afraid I can’t quite see what you are offering me.” She gave him what was hopefully a cool, assessing look.
    “I pledge that your wishes will matter to me. When it comes to Anasta, when it comes to our dealings with each other on a political level, and”—his voice dropped in a sexy change in timbre—“when we mate.”
    When we mate …
    That was probably true. She might still be innocent physically, but she wasn’t naïve. Marc Kartel exuded masculine appeal like a glowing beryl mine. “I have not yet agreed to anything,” she pointed out.
    “I’ve noticed.” His smile somehow managed to be both boyish and seductive at the same time. “What would it take? A demonstration?”
    A… what ? Jayla eyed him warily, all too conscious of his rangy presence, his tall body dwarfing the chair where he lounged, long legs extended. “I’m not sure I’m following your suggestion, Ambassador.”
    “We are attracted to each other, don’t you agree? At least I find you very beautiful, Princess. It is easy enough to determine if we are sexually compatible.”
    Was he actually suggesting…
    He stood in a smooth, lithe movement and held out his hand. “Come, let us seal our alliance.”
    “Now?” She stared at his outstretched fingers.
    “The moment I accept the offer and you agree, we are free to do as we please. You know how this works.”
    She did, but still, she didn’t take his hand. Damon …
    Had she whispered his name out loud? She wasn’t sure, but Marc lifted his brows. “I admire your loyalty, but surely you do realize this is the most effective way to help him, not to mention our mutual interest in the welfare of the planet you were born to rule.”
    The logic was irrefutable.
    And she could never have Damon as her consort. Even before her mother stated it so bluntly, she’d known it. Marc Kartel was everything she needed—and more importantly, what Anasta needed.
    She couldn’t help but let her gaze travel over the muscled length of his body. It wasn’t going to be a hardship either and maybe that was what made her feel so guilty.
    “It’s actually quite normal to have a physical reaction to more than one male.”
    This time, no, she definitely had not spoken out loud. “Can you read everyone’s mind,” she asked tartly, chagrined because she knew she was blushing yet again and it seemed that was all she’d done the entire day, “or is it unique to me?”
    “Let’s just say you have expressive face, but it’s nice to know we were thinking along the same lines.” He didn’t wait any longer but reached over and took her hand. “I formally accept the alliance. And you?”
    She rose and lifted her chin, looking him in the eyes. Those intriguing azure depths shimmered and a faint smile curved his finely modeled mouth. Jayla murmured, “Very well. I agree.”
    There. It was done.
    Well, not quite. Marc Kartel leaned down so his lips grazed her temple in a feather caress, his voice low. “Your sleeping quarters will be fine for our first mating. Shall we proceed?”

Chapter Four

    It had been quite some time since Marc had to actually seduce a female. Usually his sexual partners were eager and experienced, because, naturally, he didn’t mate with the young and innocent. Jayla’s purity intrigued him, but it also required an adjustment in how he would normally go about arousing the female in his bed.
    In this case, her bed. The sleeping quarters of the daughter of the sovereign of Anasta was truly suited to royalty with an elegant bed on a dais, decorative drapery in rich colors above, and a jeweled mirror by a table set neatly with her toiletries. Just his presence in the very feminine room aroused him, for it felt very personal, very intimate.
    There would be a formal ceremony later and the filing of the proper documents, but by Federation law, all that was required was the verbal agreement of both parties and consummation for a marriage to be recognized.