Harlequin Presents: Once Upon A Temptation June 2020--Box Set 1 of 2

by Dani Collins

  ‘Security. Safety.’

  ‘That’s what you think I need?’ She gazed at him. ‘Because that’s not everything. That’s not the most important thing to me.’

  ‘Hester, it’s what you need.’

  ‘Is that really what you think?’ She gazed at him, horrified. Did he think he was ‘helping’ her somehow? Rescuing her? Trying to fix her life for her because he’d been unable to do that in his past? Because he’d seen her horrible cousins? ‘Am I just a win for your wannabe doctor ego?’ she asked, hurt. ‘I don’t want to be that. I don’t want your pity.’

  ‘You don’t have it.’ Arrogance glittered.

  She didn’t believe him. ‘When we first met, you were furious at the fact you had to get married. You thought a marriage of convenience was the worst thing ever and you wanted to fling your own choice in their faces. But now you’ve decided it’s everything you’ve ever wanted? What, something superficial, some purely contractual, cool paperwork?’

  ‘We’re hardly cool paperwork between the sheets, Hester.’

  ‘That’s just… That’s not anything more than sex for you. You don’t want anything actually emotional.’

  His jaw hardened and a wary look entered his eyes. ‘And you do?’

  She looked at him sadly. ‘I’ve not let anyone close to me in a long, long time. Do you truly think I don’t feel anything more than just lust for you?’

  He stilled and his expression shuttered. ‘Hester—’

  But she was struggling to maintain her composure. ‘I don’t want to settle for safety and security. I want it all, Alek.’

  He pressed his lips together. ‘What is it “all”, Hester? Moonbeams and fairy tales?’

  ‘Love isn’t an impossible fairy tale to me.’ She gazed at him. ‘My parents loved each other. I think yours did too.’

  He’d turned into a statue. But she couldn’t stop her emotions from seeping through her once formidable control as in this most terrible of moments her feelings crystallised. Her ability to stay calm—to maintain her mask—vanished.

  ‘And yes, that’s the “everything”, the “all” I want. Love. And, honestly, I want it with you.’

  He looked winded—as if she’d sucker-punched him instead of the other way round.

  ‘I can’t…say the same to you.’

  Of course he couldn’t. It was the cruellest moment of her life—when she was so close, but so far from the one thing she really wanted.

  ‘It’s not you—’

  ‘Don’t.’ She held up her hand.

  ‘I can’t offer that to anyone, Hester.’ He overrode her furiously. ‘I never have, never will. It’s not in my make-up.’

  ‘That’s such a cop-out. Why? You’re that afraid?’

  ‘It’s not about being afraid,’ he snapped. ‘I just wanted—’

  ‘What? To make me feel better? To make me feel safe?’

  He glared at her. ‘And what is so wrong with that?’

  ‘I don’t need you to keep me safe. I don’t need you to feel secure in my life. I just stood up to the worst people ever…and I didn’t need you there to do that.’

  He swallowed.

  ‘I can do more than survive now, Alek. I can fight for what I want. The irony is that’s because of you.’ She shook her head. ‘You’ve made me feel like I can.’

  He didn’t love her. He wanted her, yes, but that wasn’t enough.

  ‘And what I want—what I really want—is everything, “all that” and more with you. But because you don’t feel that deeply for me, you can’t understand that you’re hurting me without even realising it. That? That you couldn’t see that? You might be happy to live such a superficial, safe existence, Alek, but I’m not.’

  ‘You think I’m shallow?’

  ‘I’d hoped you weren’t. You’re good to your sister. I get that you’re trying to be good to me. You don’t understand how heartless it really is.’

  ‘Heartless?’ He scowled and his control began to slip. ‘Would you rather I lied to you?’

  ‘Of course not.’

  He was angry. ‘Are you going to run away because I can’t give you what you want?’

  ‘No. I only run away from abuse, and I know you won’t hurt me more now. I made a commitment to you and I won’t renege on our contract. But we go back to business.’

  ‘What does that mean?’

  ‘I won’t sleep with you any more.’

  ‘No more kissing? No more touching? You really think that’s possible?’

  He looked so disbelieving it was insulting.

  ‘It’s the only way I will stay for the duration until our divorce.’

  ‘You’ll need to lock the door, Hester. But not from me.’

  ‘I know I will. But I’ll lock the door and I’ll throw away the key.’

  ‘If it’s going to be that much of a challenge, then why fight it? Why not just accept that we’re good together, Hester? There’s no real reason why that can’t last.’

  But it wasn’t enough for her. She’d told him how she really felt and he still didn’t understand.

  ‘You’re really not used to not getting your own way, are you?’ She gaped at him. ‘Listen to me, Alek. I want more. And I’m worth more. And I will never settle for the little you’re offering.’

  She fled from the room, slamming the door behind her before she stared at him too long and surrendered everything regardless.

  Almost all her life she’d not had it all. She’d not felt secure and cared for. She’d not felt safe enough to care for others too. He’d opened her up. She’d allowed herself to fall for someone. To love.

  But she wanted to be loved in return. Loved the way other people were. She knew she’d shut down and hidden away, but she’d not realised how entrenched her defensiveness had become. She’d forgotten that she actually had things to offer people. Alek had reminded her. And made her believe she was beautiful. She could open up and share in joy and pleasure. She could engage with people beyond a quick moment in which to help someone in some superficial way. He’d made her feel warmth again—from companionship and closeness and, above all, humour. He’d changed her.

  But while she’d changed him—it wasn’t in the same way. The adjustment to his offer wasn’t enough. And it hurt more than anything.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  HESTER STARED AT her reflection, barely recognising the sleek, stylish woman in the mirror as herself. This coronation was more important than their wedding. It was the reason for the wedding—so Alek could fulfil the duty conferred on him from birth.

  This was what he’d wanted and truthfully it was all he’d wanted. Their affair had been a mere cherry on his already massive cake. No doubt he’d have plenty more cherries in the future.

  He might’ve thought they’d make a good team but it would never last. Because what he’d offered wouldn’t be enough for her. She’d be hurt more and more and more knowing that she loved him in a way he would never return. When she’d had so little for so long, she couldn’t do that to herself.

  The teardrop diamond necklace that had been sent to her room earlier hung like an icy noose around her neck, reminding her of the heartbreak she faced. A year was an interminable amount of time. She wished he’d see that there was no need for them to wait that long. But she’d promised him she’d stay. In public, she’d hold her head high and play her part. Thankfully the palace was large enough for her to avoid him at all other times. She would run away to her apartment and survive. Eventually she’d return to the States—or maybe somewhere else entirely. Then she’d start again. She just had to get through this coronation today.

  All the years of hiding her emotions were going to stand her in good stead. It was the only way she was going to get through this and do her job. Because that was her one thing—she was damn good at her job.

 
* * *

  It was worse than if she’d run away. She was still present, still doing everything he’d initially asked, but she’d become like a will-o’-the-wisp around the palace. He heard her footsteps but never spoke to her. Caught her scent but never saw her. She was incredibly skilled at making herself invisible. Because she knew what she had to do to survive—and for her that meant not seeing him.

  That hurt.

  And how badly he wanted to see her hurt too. When he was with her, he felt good. She’d slipped under his skin and exposed old wounds to sunlight. It had hurt, tearing off those crusted wrappers. But the salve was Hester herself.

  He’d not given anyone real meaning in his life in a long time because it hadn’t been a risk he’d been prepared to take. He hadn’t even realised how hurt he’d been. He’d not seen the truth. He’d accused her of being prickly and defensive when he was the one holding back. He’d thought he was whole and happy. But he’d been a heartless coward.

  But she’d asked him what his dreams were. No one had asked him that, ever, he didn’t think. And he hadn’t thought he had any. Until now. She’d ignited new dreams, enabling him to imagine beyond merely passing personal pleasure. She’d made him realise the emptiness in his life that he’d have denied he felt only a few short weeks ago.

  She’d wakened within him the possibility of a future that held more than duty. The prospect of private happiness—of laughter and fulfilment for himself. He wanted—ached—to inspire that in her. He wanted to be the one she dreamed about in the way he dreamed about her. He actually wanted this marriage—with her. And children—with her. He wanted to be the father he’d not had—one who was there. One who listened.

  She made him want everything he’d deluded himself into believing he dreaded—one woman. Children. Love.

  He’d been so wrong about her. He’d thought her shy—she wasn’t shy; biddable—where she was intractable, and dutiful—when she could be so defiant it made his blood sing. He’d been unable to admit how much she’d come to mean to him—not to himself. Not to her. Which mean she was right and he was a coward. It took strength to leave a situation, to speak up for what you wanted. He’d been weak in offering less than what either of them wanted or deserved. And in not opening up properly—in not allowing himself to be vulnerable the way she had—he’d hurt her. And he couldn’t stand to know that.

  The solution had dawned on him early this morning—after another long, sleepless, heart-searching night.

  Now, as she slowly made her approach towards him in front of millions again, he realised she’d retreated further behind her walls than ever before.

  Her ball gown was of epic proportions—it was the colour of the ocean surrounding the islands while the scarlet regal sash crossed her breast. This time her hair was swept up high. Long silk gloves hid, not just her fingers, but her wrists, right to her elbows. It was impenetrable armour.

  But while her face was beautifully made up, he saw through to the emotion-ravaged pallor beneath. He saw the tearful torment in her eyes for that snippet of a second before she looked to the floor again. She was so formal. So correct. So dutiful. And he hated it.

  He’d hurt her too badly and the knowledge gutted him. He curled his hands into fists, barely containing the self-directed anger building within him. Barely restraining his urge to run to her and haul her into his arms and beg her forgiveness.

  He had to do this properly.

  He didn’t want her to kneel in front of him. He wanted her to stand beside him. He needed her beside him. She strengthened him and he hoped he could strengthen her.

  For so long she’d been able to hide behind those walls. Self-contained and in control, masking her emotions, trying to bury everything so deeply so nothing and no one could hurt her. But he knew her walls were built with the thinnest of glass now and with one false move of his, they’d shatter. He didn’t want to do that to her. Not here, not now. He’d hurt her too much already. He’d never seen anyone as brittle and as fragile. Or as determined.

  So while he was filled with pain for hurting her, he was also consumed with pride and awe. Because she walked towards him smoothly, hidden courage lifting every step. She was loyal and considerate and frankly loving, even when he didn’t deserve it.

  He was determined to deserve it. And he was determined to show her how much she mattered.

  * * *

  Hester couldn’t hold Alek’s gaze. He looked so stern it scalded her heart. The last thing she wanted was to walk towards him in front of the world. This packed room was enough, but this was being broadcast again to millions over the Internet. But she had to lead the way for the rest of the citizens in his kingdom. Tradition dictated she display deference before him. Before all of them.

  Her blood burned as she kept her eyes on the floor. Slowly she walked to the edge of the dais on which he stood in his cloak and crown. She couldn’t look at him even then. The media would probably interpret her body language as submission and that was fine by her. Because she didn’t want anyone to guess that it was pure pain and hopeless love.

  Slowly she knelt before him. There was a moment of complete silence, then she heard movement as all those people behind her lowered to their knees as well.

  She couldn’t bear to look at him. It was all just a pretence anyway—just the part she’d promised to play. She’d grit her teeth through the final act and in a year’s time she’d leave and, fingers crossed, never see him again.

  ‘Hester.’

  His soft call was a command she had to obey. Looking up, she saw he’d moved closer, right to the edge of the dais. But his solemn stare still left welts on her heart.

  ‘I will not let you kneel before me.’ His harsh whisper rasped against her flayed skin, stinging like salt rubbed across raw cuts.

  She stared at him blankly.

  He bent and took her hand and tugged, but she frowned and didn’t move. With an impatient grunt he put his hands on her waist and physically lifted her to her feet, pressing her against him for the merest moment.

  ‘What—?’

  ‘Not long and we’ll be alone, Hester. Trust me until then, okay?’

  It was the quickest whisper in her ear so that no camera could capture the movement of his lips and no distant microphone could amplify the secret speech.

  Why was he insisting she stand? Why he was going so far off-script of this massive pantomime they’d been preparing for?

  Murmurs rippled across the crowd behind her. The courtiers and guests had remained kneeling, but they were looking up. Alek had stepped to the side briefly but now turned. She saw he held a crown in his hands—a smaller one than his but no less ornate.

  He met her gaze for only a moment before looking beyond her to his wide-eyed citizens.

  ‘Allow me a moment to explain,’ Alek said. ‘I am proud of Triscari’s traditions and I will honour them but I also look forward to building new ones.’ His face was ashen and his smile so faint. ‘I do not wish for my most important partner to bow before me.’

  Another murmur rippled across the crowd, but Alek kept talking and they silenced.

  ‘It is a bittersweet time, this coronation, because it only happens because we have lost my father and he was a great king. He was devoted to our country and you, his people. But he was also a lonely man after my mother died. As my sister is, my mother was intelligent, progressive and loving. Losing her was very difficult for us as a family. We do not speak of her enough. I will confess, I thought the requirement for the monarch to be married was archaic—that it was a constraint and a form of control. It is only recently that I’ve realised it was never for the country’s benefit, but for my own. To find a partner, a woman with whom I could share everything—riches and rewards, hope and dreams, and also the weight of this crown. So it is my honour, my privilege, to bow before you. To offer my life in service to my people, my country. And finally t
o offer my love to my Queen—Hester.’

  Vaguely she heard cheering through the stone walls—the crowds outside were shouting his name over and over again. Not just his name. Her name too.

  ‘Alek and Hester!’

  ‘Alek and Hester!’

  ‘Alek and Hester!’

  Now he was staring straight at her, willing her to move. She couldn’t ignore him, yet it hurt, this public display of unity that was so false. But his intense, unwavering gaze and the emotion emanating from him were all-encompassing. Surely it was something she had to reject?

  But she couldn’t. Not because of the crowds watching, but because of him. He compelled her to move with just that promise in his eyes. And even though she couldn’t trust it, she couldn’t deny him. So she stepped forward and took her place on the dais beside him. He turned and placed the crown on her head—the fine-wrought gold the delicate mate of his.

  To her amazement, he then bowed before her. Without prompting, without even thinking about it, she dropped into a curtsey before him. They rose together and he reached out to take her hand. This was good because the air was rushing around her and she felt faint. To the beat of those chanting voices, they walked the length of the grand hall and out to the balcony. Time sped crazily as they stood in front of the gathered crowds and the clicking cameras and listened to the hum of reporters broadcasting their commentaries.

  Eventually he turned and guided her back into the palace and into the nearest escape room.

  ‘We need a few minutes.’ He shut the door in the face of the palace official seeking to follow them.

  Keeping her back to him, Hester stepped further into the room to gather herself.

  ‘You…’ She trailed off, realising she couldn’t speak about anything too personal without losing it. ‘That was an amazing spectacle,’ she said harshly, indescribably angry all of a sudden. ‘You really nailed it.’

  His muttered oath sounded suspiciously close.

  ‘Hester, look at me.’ His hands were on her shoulders and he spun her to face him.

  His eyes blazed with an emotion she couldn’t hope to analyse and couldn’t bear to face.