Chapter 170

The sunlight streamed weakly through the palace windows, casting a pattern on the marble floor. Thomas admitted he initially doubted rumours about Leah’s beauty until they met. His intense gaze made her feel mesmerised. He resembled a pirate, ready to plunder, which startled her. He recalled seeing her in a red dress, determined to have her even if she was with his rival. He would've pursued her, even against the devil.

As he came up the stairs toward her, she was unable to move. Unable to breathe.

“You made me pursue you across Venice for a week before you finally surrendered and agreed to accompany me to Athens. Where I finally discovered to my surprise that you were a virgin.” He fixed his dark eyes on her, and a flash of heat coursed through her body. “For the first time in my life, I found myself wanting a woman more after I had bedded her, instead of less.”

He bent his head toward her. She couldn’t move, couldn’t breathe.

“The more I had of you,” he whispered, “the more I wanted