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Return of the Warrior
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Royal Lockdown
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They were sitting sideways across the bed, Chase's back pressed against the wall and Julienne in his arms.

Now he shifted her slightly so that his eyes could meet hers.

"I told you I wasn't going to push you into anything you're not ready for."

She could hear her own uneven breath rushing in and out of her lungs. "I want to kiss you," she repeated. "But what if... what if...you're not satisfied with that?"

"A kiss isn't going to turn me into a savage beast, if that's what you're worried about."

Despite herself, she laughed, and the laughter broke some of the tension. Without giving herself time to draw back, she slid her hand possessively across his broad shoulders.

"Oh, Chase," she sighed, "I dreamed of seeing you again. And now I don't know what I can give you."

"Chère, I'm here to give you anything you want. As little or as much."

Anything she wanted. With hands that trembled slightly, she reached up, tunneling her fingers through his dark hair so that she could bring his face within reach.

The first touch of his lips on hers was sweet and warm, like a familiar memory wafting on a spring breeze.

Chase. This was Chase, and she knew her instincts had been right all along. Coming to him was the right thing to do. His mouth melted against hers, and she made a little exclamation of pleasure. There was so much she wanted to say to him. So much locked inside her.

She was still afraid to speak the words, but she could show him what she was feeling. Eyes closed, she shut out everything but him, the taste of him, the feel of him. He sent her senses on overload as memories melded with present reality. She was aware of so many details. The silky texture of his hair slipping against her fingers, the hard muscles of his shoulders, the scent of soap and water and man.

"Julienne." Her name sighed out of him like a prayer of thanks.

Craving more, she eased his lips apart so that she could taste him more fully, drink him in.

And though his mouth moved hungrily over hers, she knew he was holding back — clamping down on the strength of his response.

When she finally lifted her head, they were both breathing hard. Her whole body felt hot and tingly. Her breasts ached. And her brain felt as if it were on fire.

She knew what she had always known. She wanted this man — needed him. Yet there were other remembered sensations, too. The panic that came from a man's heavy weight pressing her down into the carpet. The terror of helplessness. The fear of having all control taken away.

Chase must have seen the sudden panic racing through her because he drew back so that his chest was no longer pressed against her breasts.

"Chère?"

"I...can't. Not yet."

"I understand."

"But you want me," she answered, her gaze falling to his lap. There was no way to hide the truth of what they both knew.

"And you want me. I know that as surely as you can see the state I'm in."

She gulped. "Yes."

"Then everything's going to be okay."

She wanted that to be true. More than anything she'd ever wanted in her life. Yet fear still kept her from reaching for her heart's desire.

To be continued...



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