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medieval times if you wanted a baby you had to have the permission of the monarch and that’s why ‘fuck’ means Fornication Under the Consent of the King.’”
    He chuckled. “Uncontrollable laughter isn’t the best aid to a great erection,” he pointed out. “I’m trying to concentrate.”
    “You don’t seem to be having any problem,” she murmured, wriggling her backside. He was impressively long and hard against her butt. He laughed and slipped his hand underneath her thermal top, his palm warm against her cool skin, and traced his fingers around her breasts, not quite touching her nipples.
    His light, teasing touch made her breath come in short gasps, and when she spoke, it was almost a whisper. “Did you know that…Cretans developed the first bras…in 2500 BC? They lifted their bare breasts…up and out of their clothing.”
    “Julia?”
    “Mm?” Her eyelids drooped.
    “Stop talking.” He continued running his hand along her body, around her butt, across her stomach.
    “Oh, sorry. It’s a nervous condition.” And she’d never been more nervous than she was now. Although his gentle hands were beginning to relax her, loosening her muscles and making her sigh.
    “Listing historical facts?” he asked.
    “Talking. But anyway, I told you, archaeology turns me on.”
    He stopped stroking her and kissed her shoulder. “In that case I’ve got something that should give you an instant orgasm.”

Chapter 6
    She turned her head and stared at him. “Oh?”
    He grinned and leaned over the side of the bed, picking up his jeans, and delved into the pocket. Her heart seemed to shudder to a stop as he retrieved an item and sat back up in the bed. “Open your hand.”
    She did so. He held his closed fist about a foot above hers and then opened his fingers. The necklace unfurled slowly, falling into her palm.
    She stared at the chain of small stones, pushing herself upright, not even feeling the icy cold breeze that curled around her back. Turning the stones in her fingers, she saw the tiny runes cut into the surface and the intricate gold wire that linked the stones together and formed the clasp at the top.
    “It’s beautiful.” Her fingers tingled at the thought of how old it was.
    “It’s allegedly from the twelfth century.”
    Ah, yes. She wasn’t supposed to know anything about it. “Really?” She didn’t have to fake the awe. “Where did you get it?”
    “It was supposedly made by a Swedish queen from the quartz band in Blekinge,” he said, neatly sidestepping the question.
    “The Runamo?”
    “That’s the one.” Her knowledge obviously impressed him. If only he knew. “It’s supposed to mirror the necklace the goddess Freyja wore. Apparently the runes spell out an ancient charm that grants the wearer the potent sexual power to ensnare any lover she chooses.” He undid the clasp and, leaning forward, placed it around her neck and fastened it. “There.” Pulling her back down under the bedclothes, he drew the furs close around them, kissing her nose. “You’ve ensnared me. Not that you needed the necklace to do that.”
    She stared up at him, rolling the stones between her fingers. Now she could pretend she needed to go to the bathroom and make a quick escape. She had what she came for.
    However, the look in his hazel eyes took her breath away. And suddenly she knew she’d been kidding herself all along. This wasn’t about the necklace. He fascinated her, and she wanted him. Just for one night. She wanted to find out what it was like to be loved by a man like this, who touched her as if he were cleaning dust from a precious artefact. It wasn’t love, it wasn’t a relationship, it wasn’t anything except lust, desire, sex. She’d never had this in her life, and she knew it wasn’t for keeps. But what harm could come from having a little, tiny taste?
    “Just for tonight.” He smiled and lifted the necklace. “Tomorrow it’s going to Te Papa.”
    “Of course. It must be