And yet how could she deny the hunger he woke in her? Just now his hand slid upward, nestling possessively on her breast, arousing her even as he slept. A small moan surfaced from deep in Brynn’s throat, and she stirred restlessly, her body craving his heat and strength.
Easing away, she turned over, watching Lucian slumber in the dim moonlight. His masculine beauty was so compelling, even more so with a shadow of stubble darkening his jaw. She longed to reach up and caress his face, to feel the rough texture, so different from her own softness. She longed to press even closer to him, to stop fighting the passion he aroused within her, to surrender to his tempting allure…
An aching sense of sadness filled her as she acknowledged the hopelessness of her longings. She had no choice but to refuse his offer of a real marriage. Perhaps they could indeed end the turbulent dance of anger and defiance that had characterized their union from the first, and she would be grateful for that. But she couldn’t allow any deeper feelings to develop. For her, love would have to remain an unfulfilled dream. She had to keep her distance from him, emotionally at least.
Yet it would be so much easier if she could keep apart physically as well. If they could live separate lives…
Brynn drew an unsteady breath, struggling to bury the tangle of unwanted emotions that knotted inside her. Lucian had promised he would leave her alone if she conceived a child. She could hold him to his word, but first she would have to produce the son he wanted so badly. Only when he gained his heir would he be satisfied enough to let her go her own way.
She could make her escape then. She could demand that he honor his promise.
And if he wanted more than she dared give? Then she would have to drive him away. No matter what her own feelings, she had to protect him.
Renewing her resolve, Brynn let her eyes close. She dozed for a time, but the strangeness of sleeping in an unfamiliar bedchamber, next to the man who was her husband, kept her sleep restless.
Fingers of dawn were filtering beneath the brocade draperies when she came fully awake. She lay there, indulging in the guilty pleasure of watching Lucian, studying the chiseled planes and angles of his beautiful face.
It was still early when he stirred awake. His eyes opened abruptly, fixing on her in startlement. Then recognizing her, he gave her a slow smile. “Are you watching over me, guardian angel?” he asked, his voice a husky rasp.
Embarrassed to be caught staring, Brynn blushed and sat up, giving him her back. This would be hard enough without having to face him directly.
“Thank you for staying with me, love. My dreams were only pleasant ones.”
She felt his hand stroke her back lightly and winced. Clutching the sheet to her breast, she drew her knees up, girding herself for what she would have to say.
“I have been thinking about your offer, Lucian,” she began in a low voice.
There was a brief silence. “And?”
“And I agree it would be good to stop fighting, but… I prefer we adhere to the original terms of our arrangement. You promised you would leave me alone if I gave you an heir.”
“I said that, yes. But I think perhaps our circumstances have changed.” His fingers were warm at her back, distracting her.
“Not really.” Brynn turned to glance down at him. “I never wanted this marriage, and nothing has occurred to convince me otherwise.”
She was watching his face and saw his disappointment before a mask fell over his eyes.
“You said it was my choice,” she reminded him.
“It is,” he replied evenly.
“Well, I would like to keep our relationship strictly business.”
“Because you fear the curse.”
“Primarily.”
Lucian studied her for a moment. “You realize that for you to conceive,” he said finally, “we will have to resume carnal relations?”
“Yes, I realize that. And I intend to do my part. I will submit to you whenever you wish.”
“It’s not submission I want, love,” he murmured. “I want you hot and twisting in my arms, as you were the last time. Do you remember how wild you were in the carriage, Brynn?”
She felt herself blush. “You will have to be satisfied with submission.”
“I don’t believe that is possible any longer.”
Brynn gave him a questioning glance. “Why not?”