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body burned into his consciousness. Suddenly, he was more than impressed, he was aroused.
    Her breasts, so full and soft, were against his chest with only her transparent shift between them. Her legs, lithe and obviously powerful, were tangled with his. Gripping her waist with one hand, he watched her lips part and her pupils dilate. His cock swelled against her thigh. Her hair surrounded them in fragrant silk and he wrapped his fist into it, pulling her closer. Moistening his lips, Wulf longed for her to kiss him, his gaze riveted to her lush mouth.
    Every nerve ending in his body was alert, everymuscle tense. Every breath pushed his chest into those beautiful tits.
    “Kiss me,” he ordered.
    The knife at his neck wavered. “I won’t.”
    “Why?”
    “You know why,” she whispered.
    “I know I almost died a few days ago and woke instead to the sight of you.” Wulfric lifted his head and nuzzled his nose against hers. “Kindness, a gentle soul—none of that would have revived me the way your desire did. You’ve no notion of what I owe you for that.”
    Sapphire sighed, her free hand brushing briefly across his cheek. “Then don’t ask this of me.”
    It was the regret in her tone and that fleeting caress that moved him. He didn’t have time to woo her properly, but he knew when it was wiser to retreat than press a shaky advantage. It took tremendous willpower to release her, but Wulf managed it.
    When Sapphire slid off him and returned to her seat behind the desk, his disappointment was acute. He sprang from the floor and landed on the pads of his feet with the grace of a cat.
    His stay with the lovely Sapphire was limited by necessity. Fortunately, the desire he felt was mutual. With that on his side, his rushed seduction just might succeed.
    Needing a distraction from his erection, Wulf asked, “How did I end up here?”
    “You were a gift.” Her low voice betrayed her response to him.
    “A gift ?” He scowled. He was not an object to be passed around.

    A laugh escaped before she covered her mouth.
    Heat coiled inside him at the seductive sound. He almost didn’t care why he was here. It was worth it to experience the things she made him feel.
    “I believe you’re to be my punishment, Your Highness.”
    “Punishment? For what?”
    She gave an offhand shrug. “It was another time. Another life. It’s of no consequence now. The fact remains that you’ve been given to me, and we must make the best of the situation.”
    “You could release me,” he purred in the silky smooth voice that never failed to get him what he wanted from women.
    She surprised him by agreeing. “It would be wise to do so and really, I have no other choice. You can’t stay here. Unfortunately for both of us, I’m reluctant to let you go.”
    “Why?”
    “You’re magnificent. The handsomest man I’ve ever seen.” She stared at him with clear admiration. “I enjoy looking at you.”
    Wulf had never realized how arousing honesty could be. All of his concubines were practiced, even jaded. Sapphire’s reluctant appreciation was far more flattering. He could give her no gifts, promise her no boons, yet she still wanted him.
    He walked toward her, allowing her to see his hunger. “I give you leave to do more than look. In fact, I encourage you to do so.”
    Her eyes widened. “ You give me leave?”
    The Guardian interrupted. “Mistress, the general has arrived.”

    Wulfric froze in mid-stride, his body instinctually flexing in preparation for battle. He watched as Sapphire rose from her chair, and the Guardian’s words came back to haunt him— With her training, you may find an unexpected result.
    After the surprise attack of a moment ago, he quickly comprehended how foolish he was to have stayed. Sapphire did indeed move with a warrior’s grace; he’d simply been too enamored to notice. She was concubine to the King of Sari and received visits from generals. He was in a hell of a position, completely at the mercy