The Prince marriage to the Gold Digger

chapter 19. I can't wait much longer.

As she had half-expected, William was a full half-hour early, perhaps hoping to catch her still dressing and vulnerable to him. When she opened the door to him, he stepped inside and looked down at her with such grimness in his black eyes that she was startled, even though she'd been expecting him to be angry.

The door was hardly closed behind him when he took her wrist and pulled her against him, dwaring her with his size and strength.

"Why? he gritted softly, his head bent down so close to hers that his breath Was warm on her face.

Ursula knew better than to struggle against him that would only fan his anger. Instead, she made herself lie pliantly against him and answered him

evenly,

" I told you what I'd accept, and I haven't

changed my mind. I have my pride, William , and I won't be bought."

The black eyes snapped angrily at her. "I'm not trying to buy you," he snarled, his hands moving to her slim back in a caressing movement that was the direct opposite of the anger she sensed in him. Then his arms wrapped about her, welding her to his hard frame, and he dipped his head even closer to press

swift, light kisses on her upturned mouth.

"I only want to protect you, to make you so secure that you'll never again have to sell your body, even in marriage."

Instantly she went rigid in his arms and she flashed him a glance that scorched. "Beware of Greeks bearing gifts, she retorted hotly. "What you mean is, you want to ensure that you' re the only buyer!"

His arms tightened until she gasped for breath and pushed against his shoulders in protest.

"I've never had to buy a womant!" he ground out between clenched teeth. "And I'm not buying you! When we

make love, it won t be because money has passed between us but because you want me as much as I want you."

Desperately she turned her head away from his approaching mouth and gasped out,

"You' re hurting me! Instantly his arms loosened their hold and she gulped in air, her head dropping to rest on bis chest Was there nothingg she could say that would make him understand her point of view?

After a noment he put her away from him and drew a folded paper from the inner pocket of his jacket. Spreading it open, he placed it on the hall table and produced a pen, which he held out to her

"Sign it, " he ordered softly.

Ursula put her hands behind her back in the age-old gesture of refusal.

"Market value only," she insisted, her eyes holding his calmly. She played her

last ace. "If you don't want them, I'm certain there are other buyers who would be glad to get those shares at market value."

He straightened. "I'm sure there are," he agreed,

still in that soft, calm voice. "And l'm also certain that if you sell that stock to anyone but me, you'll regret it later. Why are you being so stubborn about money? The amount of money you sell the stock for will in no way infiuence the outcome of our relationship. That's already been decided."

"Oh, has it?" she cried, clenching her small fists in fury at his arrogance. "Why don't you just go away and leave me alone? I don't want anything from you,

not your money, not your protection, and certainly not you!"

"Don't lie to yourself," he said roughly, striding forward to lace his arms about her and hold her to him. She flung her head back to deny that she was lying; that was the only chance he needed. He bent his black head, and his mouth closed over hers. His kiss wasn't rough but moved seductivelyy over her lips, inviting her response and devastating her, sucking away her breath and leaving her weak in his arms.

Her eyes closed, her lips opened helplesly to his mastering tongue, and she let him kiss her as deeply as he wished until she lay limply against him

His tenderness was even more dangerous than his temper, because her response to him was growing more passionate as she became accustomed to him and she sensed her own capitulation approaching.

He was no novice when it came to women, and he knew as well as she did that the need he stirred in her was growing stronger.

"Don't lie to me, either," he muttered against her mouth. You want me, and we both know it. I'll make you admit it." His mouth came down again to fit completely against her lips, and he took full possession of them, molding them as he wanted. He began to touch her breasts, deliberately asserting his

mastery over her, trailing his fingertips lightly over the upper curves and leaving a growing heat behind.

Ursula made a whimpering sound of protest, muffled by his mouth; she gasped under his onslaught,

searching desperately for air, and he gave her his heated breath. Now his hand slid boldly inside her gown and cupped the round curves in his palm. At his intimate caress, Ursula felt herself

drowning in the sensual need he aroused, and she gave in with a moan, twining her arms around his neck.

Swiftly he bent and slid his arm under her knees, lifting her and carrying her to the lounge, where he placed her on the sofa and eased down beside her,never ceasing the drugging kisses which kept her under his sensual command. She moved restlessly, her hands in his hair, trying to get closer to him, aching with a need and emptiness which she didn't

understand but couldn't ignore.

Triumph glittered in his eyes as he moved to cover her with his body, and Ursula opened her eyes briefly to read the look on his face, but she saw him

through a haze of desire, her senses cliouded. Nothing mattered right now, if only he Would keep on kissing her.

His fingers had explored her satiny breasts, had teased the soft peaks into firm, throbbing proof of the effect he was having on her. Sliding his body down along hers, he investigated those tempting morsels with his lips and tongue, searing her with the heat of his mouth. Her hands left his head and

moved to his shoulders, her fingers digging into the muscles which flexed with his every movement Golden fire was spreading throughout her body,

melting her, dissolving her, and she let herself sink into her own destruction. She wanted to know more, she wanted to have more of him, and she thought

she would die from the pleasure he was giving her.

He left her breasts to move upward and kiss her mouth again, and now he let her feel the pressure of his entire body, the force of his arousal.

"Let me stay with you tonight, he breathed intoo

her ear. "You want me," you need me, as much as I want and need you. Don't be afraid, darling; there's no need to be afraid. I'Il take good care of you. Let

me stay," he said again, though despite the soft Words it wasn't a plea, but a command.

Ursula shuddered and squeezed her eyes tightly shut, her blood boiling through her veins in frustraion. Yes, she wanted him-she admitted it-but he

had some terrible ideas about her, and she found it hard to forgive him for that. As soon as he spoke she began to recover her senses and remember why

she didn't want to let him make love to her, and she.turned her tace away from his kisses.

If she let him make love to her, he would koow as soon as he possessed her that he was wrong in his accusations; but she also knew in ber bones that to

go to him under those circumstances would lower her to exactly what he thought her to be now, and her standards were too high to allow that. He offered nothing but physical gratification and material gain,

while she offered a heart that had been battered and was now overly sensitive to each blow. He didn't want her love, yet she knew that she loved him, against all logic and her sense of self-preservation.

He shook her gently, forcing her eyes open, and he repeated huskily, "Will you let me stay, darling?

Will you let me show you how sweet it will be between us?"

"No," she forced herself to reply, her voice hoarse with the effort she was making. How would he react to a denial at this stage? He had a violent temper;

would he be furious? She stared up into his black gaze, and her fear was plain for him to read, though he couldn't guess the cause.

"No," William. Not........not yet. I'm not ready yet. Please."

He drew a deep breath, mastering his frustration, and she collapsed in intense relief as she realized that he wasn't angry.

Roughly he drew her head against his shoulder and stroked her hair, and she

breathed in the hot male scent of his skin and let him comfort her.

" You don't have to be afraid," he

insisted in a low tone. "Believe me. Trust me. It has to be soon; I can't wait much longer. I won't hurt you. Just let me show you what it means to be my Woman."

But she already knew, she thought in despair. His confident masculinity lured her despite her better sense. His lovemaking would be sweet and fiery burning away her control, her defenses, leaving her totally helpless in the face of his marauding mastery.

And when he was finished, when his attention was attracted by another challenge, she would be in ashes. But how long could she hold him off, when

every day increased her need of him?