Chapter Thirteen #2
Annalena blinked. If Benedikt had said they were flying to New York or a private Caribbean island she wouldn’t have been surprised. A private mountain chalet, for this was no bustling resort hotel, was the last place she’d have imagined him taking her.
That was reinforced when they neared the building and she saw part of the floodlit white stucco decorated with a large painting.
Such paintings were a local tradition. This one represented the Almabtrieb, the autumn procession down the mountains as dairy herds, wearing bells and flowers, left their Alpine pastures for the valley.
It was charming but a far cry from the glitz and elegant sophistication she’d thought he’d favour.
But how well do you know him?
Last night she’d begun to believe she knew Benedikt in ways no one else did. Nonsense, of course. He must have had lots of lovers. Hadn’t she warned herself not to bring emotion into a purely physical connection?
‘We can be private here. The security team will be in accommodation on the edge of the clearing.’ He switched off the engine and she felt his eyes on her. ‘You like it?’
Annalena turned. The chalet lights illuminated his strong, familiar features. But his expression wasn’t familiar. He looked expectant and concerned, as if unsure of her reaction.
No. As if it mattered what she thought.
The thought snatched the air from her lungs. Was this an olive branch? Like visiting Oma straight after their wedding?
He looked like a man who wanted to please her.
‘Annalena?’
She moistened her dry mouth and was unprepared for the shaft of searing fire that shot through her as his frowning eyes narrowed on the movement, lingering on her lips before lifting to meet hers.
‘It’s wonderful. In fact…’
‘In fact?’
Did he lean closer? She swallowed, finding it hard to speak because she wanted to move closer and kiss him. Abruptly she sat back.
‘It’s the sort of place I’d have chosen.’ Belatedly she tugged her gaze free and looked over the dark meadow, fringing forest and outline of craggy mountains. ‘It’s so peaceful.’
‘I’m glad.’ His hand captured hers and she felt that deep unfurling sensation, as if vital parts of her body softened and melted. ‘I thought you’d had enough of cities and schedules for a while.’
Annalena’s vocal cords tightened. Because, despite the jam-packed diary of appointments she’d seen him and Matthias pore over, Benedikt had conjured time away from the stress and busyness of royal life for her.
Because he knew she needed it. Even if he’d been partly motivated by public perception, she knew this trip wasn’t part of his original plan.
‘When did you organise this?’
Benedikt tilted his head as if surprised by the question. ‘The beginning of the week. Why?’
She shrugged. ‘I’m amazed Matthias managed to reschedule your diary so quickly.’
‘It was a miracle. Anyone else would have quit on the spot when I raised it. I owe him a terrific bonus.’
She’d seen how hard Matthias worked. ‘Good idea. Maybe a long holiday?’
‘That’s the plan, as soon as we train a couple of secretaries to stand in for him. Right now I’d be lost without him.’
‘He didn’t work for your father?’
It was a guess, but Annalena liked the man too much to believe he’d been part of the previous King’s court.
Benedikt’s deep chuckle was inviting and it struck her that here in the dim confines of the car it was far easier to talk than at the palace. ‘Absolutely not. Matthias has been with me for years.’
Annalena had suspected as much. The pair had a camaraderie that spoke of mutual respect and friendship. Matthias was competent, friendly and honest. Interesting that such a man was so loyal to Benedikt over a long time. That told her a lot about her new husband.
‘What are you frowning over, Annalena?’
‘Just thinking what a formidable pair you are, turning things around for the better, taking on your father’s administration and rooting out problems.’
Like removing Ida Becker, whose negativity and rudeness had no place in the palace. But there was far more. Annalena had heard enough in the past few weeks to realise wholesale changes were under way to how royal business was conducted and contracts let.
‘You know, I think that’s the nicest thing you’ve said to me. Thank you, Annalena.’
Benedikt’s grin caught something in her chest, drawing it tight. To her astonishment, he lifted her hand and kissed it, lips lingering to brush slowly across her knuckles.
Suddenly it felt like last night all over again. The spark of desire and connection, the rippling sensation across her flesh and the softening low in her body.
Annalena’s fingers tightened on his. ‘You don’t seem to mind touching me now.’
‘Mind?’ He frowned. ‘I like touching you.’ His voice dropped to a low note that made her tremble. ‘You know that.’
‘Do I? You haven’t touched me all day.’ Her chin lifted. ‘Or kissed me properly.’
She’d instinctively avoided the subject but now the constraint between them had dropped.
‘Ah.’ He looked at their joined hands then to her. ‘There were reasons.’
When he didn’t continue she prompted, ‘We agreed to be honest.’
Benedikt released her hand and leaned back against the door. Finally he spoke. ‘I was…on unfamiliar ground.’
‘ You were on unfamiliar ground? I’d never had a morning after but you had.’
Slowly he nodded. ‘That was part of it. I felt concerned . You’d been saving yourself for someone who clearly wasn’t me. It brought home what I’d taken from you, the future you wanted and couldn’t have… I regretted that.’ He crossed his arms, all humour vanished. ‘You were waiting, weren’t you?’
Annalena tried to interpret his tone, stunned at the idea her inexperience had impacted anything other than his physical pleasure.
‘No. Maybe.’ She clasped her hands. ‘I don’t know.
Oma would tell you I’ve always been career focused.
I’ve been attracted to men but never enough to…
’ She shrugged, reminding herself she’d promised honesty too.
‘I suppose I held back. For as long as I can remember romance and tragedy have been tangled together in my mind. I suppose that was a barrier.’
‘Because of your parents.’
She nodded. ‘I was never going to be swept off my feet. I’m too cautious for that.
But I always imagined I’d find a partner and have children one day.
’ Benedikt looked as if he were about to say something but she’d had enough of this subject.
‘You said there were reasons, plural, why you didn’t touch me today. What was the other?’
Light danced in his eyes and the flat line of his mouth curved into a smile that made her pulse quicken. ‘I was afraid if I touched you I wouldn’t want to stop. And we had places to be, your grandmother to see.’
Her heart was doing a polka, or maybe following the rhythm of a sensual dance like a samba or tango. Because Benedikt wanted her, had wanted her all along. Her lips curved into an answering smile. ‘Keeping your distance seems a bit extreme.’
‘You think so?’ His nostrils flared and his expression grew hungry.
‘Do you have any idea how tough it’s been, holding back?
Making polite conversation with your grandmother and local dignitaries, meeting people in towns along the way.
And all the time you’ve been beside me, close enough that I can smell your perfume and feel the warmth of your skin.
But I haven’t been able to take you in my arms.’
Annalena had told herself she wouldn’t fall into those arms again, not easily. Because she’d yearned for his warmth from the moment she’d woken and he’d denied her that. As if what they’d shared last night was easily put aside.
Discovering his reasons broke down the wall she’d spent all day rebuilding.
Because you want him. You want the passion you discovered last night.
It was true, but she wanted more too. His tenderness and the sense of belonging she’d never expected but which had blown her away.
For a moment she felt that old caution rise. The fear of committing to something over which she had no control. But it was too late. She’d gone too far. She knew what she wanted and she wasn’t going to deny herself because of some nebulous fear.
Anyway, what was the worst that could happen? They were committed to this marriage. It made sense to find what pleasure she could in it.
Annalena held his gaze as she unclipped her seat belt and reached for the door. ‘Well, we’ve done our duty for the day. There’s no reason to hold back any longer.’
Benedikt drew the cork from the bottle. The wine was pale gold like Annalena’s hair as he poured it into an etched goblet.
With her bare feet curled beneath her on the sofa and a faint smile on her lips, she was entrancing. Every minute the housekeeper had spent giving them a tour of the place, Benedikt had chafed at the need for restraint.
He wanted Annalena. His need was tangible, a torsion in his body heavier and harder than anything he’d known.
Now the housekeeper was gone they were alone in the chalet. Yet he needed to maintain the veneer of a civilised man. He was mindful of Annalena’s inexperience. She could be tender after last night. He turned away to pour the second glass.
‘Benedikt.’ Her voice came from just behind him. ‘Put the wine down.’
He swung around, meeting sparkling green eyes less than an arm’s length away. In the time it had taken to pour the glass she’d let her hair down. It rippled like a sunlit river over her shoulders and around her breasts.
He heard the chink of glass on silver as he put the bottle down, then he was drawing her close, an impossible mixture of relief and urgency sighing through his body as he pulled her flush against him.
Last night he’d told himself his celibacy over the last six months had made intimacy with Annalena seem unique.
Or her virginity. Or his guilt. Even the fact it had been such a stressful time.
Maybe they were all factors but here it was again, the sense that he’d found something both fragile and powerful.
Something precious and new. Sexual desire on steroids but more too.
Dipping his head, he pulled her up and fused his mouth with hers.
Annalena wrapped her arms around his neck, grabbing his hair as she surged against him. He kissed her hard, delving between soft lips, one hand on her buttocks, pulling her to his pelvis. Fire streaked through him as she ground herself against his erection, making him buck hard.
Go slow. Go slow.
Reluctantly he lifted his head, dragging in air, lungs on fire.
Slumbrous eyes met his and something broke free inside. ‘Benedikt, what is it?’
‘I’m trying to pace myself. Not ravish you where you stand.’ His facial muscles ached as he attempted a smile. ‘I’m trying to be considerate.’
She lifted herself on tiptoe, in the process sliding up his aroused length and making him shudder. ‘Can’t you ravish me then pace yourself next time? I’ve waited so long.’
Annalena hadn’t finished talking when he put both hands to her backside and hoisted her high. So good, so incredibly good. Especially when she wrapped her legs around his waist.
Benedikt stilled, poised on the brink of losing himself though they were fully clothed. No woman had ever affected him like this.
A minute later they were on the sofa, she sitting astride him, arms around his neck, and they were kissing with a desperation that made him feel bizarrely as if he’d never done this before.
‘Annalena,’ he mumbled against her lips, stunned by how desperate he was. How much he needed her.
Her hands went to his belt buckle. ‘Yes. Please.’
Benedikt must have found his wallet because soon he was sheathing himself, rolling the rubber on while Annalena watched. For a second he shut his eyes, needing to assert some self-control. Instead he felt soft fingers slide down his length.
Vice-like, he wrapped his hand around her wrist and pulled it away, shaking his head.
She pouted as if disappointed. Did she have any idea what that did to him? How often he’d fantasised about those plump lips on him?
Still holding her wrist, he burrowed his other hand under her skirt, grateful she’d worn it instead of jeans. Questing fingers met warm flesh then damp lace. One tug and it tore away. Over the thrum in his ears he heard Annalena’s gasp but it was excitement, not outrage he saw in her shining eyes.
Releasing her hand, he pulled her skirt up. ‘Come to me, sweetheart.’
He watched her shuffle closer, rising as she knelt above him.
‘That’s it,’ he crooned, hands sliding around her hips. ‘Now down.’
She paused as they came in contact, heat meeting heat, need against need. Then, with an ease that emptied his lungs of oxygen, she sank until they were completely joined.
Benedikt saw her wonder and knew she’d see the same in his eyes. It was utterly new to her but inexplicably it felt new to him too. He barely had time to register that when his primitive self took over.
His hands were tight on her hips as he thrust, pulling her to him. His mouth crushed hers. But as she rose then fell again, learning the rhythm, she slanted her mouth fiercely against his. Her fingers dug into his shoulders as the urgency he’d tried to rein in took them both.
It was a desperate, wild ride. Acute sensation, driving hunger and a crescendo of pleasure.
Benedikt felt pressure build at the base of his spine then in his groin. He couldn’t last. He captured her face and poured all his jumbled yearning and unresolved emotions into their kiss, stunned to receive the same from her.
His hand slid to claim her breast and she jolted against him. He swallowed her cry, convinced he heard his name on her lips as they toppled over the edge together. His life force spilled into velvety heat as bliss took him.