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Carly strode into the spacious living room and smiled when she saw flames in the fireplace. Perfect. She set the large basket on the coffee table and, swallowing the lump in throat, began to set the scene - blanket spread on the floor before the fire, bottle of red opened, dishes pulled out of their insulated containers and set out. She kept the berries and cream in the basket for later.

"Well, well, a picnic."

She turned towards Jace. He crossed the room and picked up the bottle of wine. After pouring two generous glasses, he handed one to her.

"Haven't been on a picnic in years," he teased. "And it looks great."

Carly's stomach fluttered. "Uh, have a seat."

She waited until he lowered himself to the floor then sat across from him. Jace smiled at her and reached for the flatware she'd laid beside his dish of lasagne. He cut into the pasta and took a bite. Satisfaction swelled inside her when he closed his eyes and moaned in appreciation.

"This is delicious. Absolutely hits the spot."

"You need to eat more than just takeout and frozen pizza." She wagged a finger at him.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah." He rolled his eyes.

Carly took a bite of the lasagne and immediately the tangy flavour awakened her taste buds. Damned good, if she did say so herself. Her mama had always told her the way to a man's heart was through his stomach. It was time to find out if the same held true about the way to this man's bed. She downed the rest of her wine, barely noticing the robust flavours in her haste to move things along, and reached for the bottle to refill her glass. She topped Jace's off while she was at it.

"So why aren't you on a hot date tonight?" Jace asked between bites.

She snorted. "A hot date? What's that?"

"Carly," he drawled. "Are the men you meet so clueless that they don't try to nab you up as soon as they can?"

Only the one I want.

"Anyone who's tried hasn't interested me," she answered with a shrug, then steered the conversation to safer topics. She wanted things casual and comfortable for now, then she'd make her move. They finished their meal, the wine and conversation flowing freely. Carly's tense muscles relaxed and she began to enjoy herself, even as anticipation grew inside her belly.

Jace gathered up the dishes and set them on the coffee table beside the basket. He stood. "Time for a movie?"

"Uh, dessert first," she said in a rush and rose to her knees to pull the fruit and cream out.

"Dessert? You're spoiling me." He laughed and settled back down.

"Well, it's nothing elaborate. Just some berries and fresh cream. The market had some gorgeous strawberries and raspberries, and I just couldn't resist." She set the dishes down and sat again, this time closer to his side.

Selecting a large strawberry, she swirled it in the cream and took a bite. The tart juice mixed with the sweet cream had her closing her eyes momentarily. She'd always found food incredibly sensual - the tastes, the textures. Unfortunately for her, the men she'd had in her life to this point hadn't been incredibly imaginative and had found experimenting with the sensual side of food a bit messy. She wondered if Jace would turn up his nose at bringing food into the bedroom. With what she'd heard, she doubted it, and if all went according to plan, maybe she'd find out.

She took a plump raspberry and coated in cream. Holding it up, she looked into Jace's clear, green eyes. "Here. Try."

His brow furrowed a moment before he leaned forward and captured the berry between his lips. A shiver of desire burrowed deep in Carly's belly when Jace's tongue swiped across her fingertips, licking the cream that clung to her skin.

"Mmmm. Perfect," he murmured.

She dipped her finger in the cream and brought it to her mouth, sucking lightly. She felt like a teenager, but the thought of her mouth on the skin he'd just licked thrilled her. His eyes darkened slightly and she swore she heard his breathing deepen.

"Carly?" he said, questions hanging in the one word.

Just do it. Don't give him time to think. She shifted and pressed her lips to his. After a moment, she slid her tongue along the seam of his mouth. She savoured the combination of flavours - the sweetness of the cream and the spiciness that was uniquely Jace. Desire shot through her core, causing her to press her thighs together. God, she was getting wet from just the touch of his lips. Of course she'd been fantasising about this, being with him, for years.

Jace pulled away slightly and looked searchingly at her. "Carly? What are you doing?"

She forced what she hoped was a carefree smile. "What do you think I'm doing? Kissing you, silly. Now, let's do it again."

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Rhys entered the Great Hall and surveyed the splendour. It was the Princess's twentieth birthday and a grand ball was planned for the occasion. As second-in-command to the King, he was handling last minute details while Kaelen spent the day with his wife and daughter in private. All was well and ready for the festivities. Rhys hoped the Princess enjoyed herself. She'd always been a bit shy at social gatherings, seeming to prefer one-on-one conversations. He'd been honoured with many of those conversations and had grown to appreciate his future Queen's deft mind and sharp wit. In fact, quite often he sought her out for a bit of verbal sparring.

"Hello, Rhys."

Speaking of Her Highness... He turned around and all reason was lost. The Princess was absolutely stunning. The silver gown clung to curves he was certain weren't there earlier that day. The skirt flared out and whispered across the floor as she moved closer to him. Her chestnut hair was swept away from her face but left to fall down her back to her waist. Rhys made a fist to squelch the temptation to run his fingers through the curls.

"How do I look?" She twirled slowly. "Dad couldn't talk. He just stared, and Mom got all teary. I didn't know if that was good or bad."

He found his voice, barely. "Good, I'm certain. You look lovely, Princess."

"Thank you. You will save a dance for me, won't you?" She batted-actually batted-her eyes at him.

"Of course I will. Though you may not have time. After the young men see you, I'll not be able to come near." His stomach clenched. The thought of her being courted unsettled him. And why shouldn't it? Not only was she a youth, she was Kaelen's daughter.

"Truly? You really think so? Most of them avoid me." She let out an unsteady giggle and moved another step closer to him. Her eyes were wide as she gazed up at him.

Rhys nearly laughed. He understood now. She was uncomfortable around boys and nervous about the attention she was certain to receive at the ball. Perhaps she even had a young suitor in mind. She was practicing her flirtations on him.

"Princess, they avoid you because they're afraid. You're a beautiful, intelligent, and powerful woman. Every one of them likely fantasises about courting you, but hasn't worked up the nerve to ask." He patted her shoulder in what he hoped was a reassuring manner.

She stared at him and, after a quick glance around the room, threw her arms around his neck. Rhys struggled to grasp a thought-any thought-as her mouth covered his. He remained motionless. Until her warm, slick tongue slid over his lips. Then, Goddess help him, he simply reacted. He deepened the kiss, his tongue exploring the hot confines of her mouth. She sighed deep in her throat and pressed her body closer.

Music floated on the air around them. Joy filled Rhys as he wrapped his arms around Neiva. He couldn't control it. He had to get closer to her, feel every inch of her. Every cell in his body sang as she rubbed against him. The music grew louder, the notes more intense.

He needed to get her to his dwelling, into his bed, needed to be inside her... By the Blessed Lady!

"No!"

It took every ounce of strength he had to push her away.

"What are you playing with, Princess?" His voice shook. Anger mingled with the powerful arousal.

Neiva's lips trembled and her eyes filled with tears. "W-w-what do you mean?"

"That song is not to be trifled with. Whatever little spell you conjured up to make the Song of Souls sound is dangerous. You do not mess with Fate!" A sick feeling churned in his gut and a cold sweat covered his body from head to toe.

"I don't know what you're talking about. I wove no spell, I swear. The Song sounded because we're meant, Rhys." The pleading note in her voice only added to his panic.

"We are not. This is a sick joke. If not of your doing, then of someone else's." He jerked around, searching for the culprit.

"Listen to me!" Neiva shouted. "We are meant. I saw it. I saw it in the Waters. On my honour, Rhys, I saw it."

He went absolutely cold. No, Fate would not be so cruel as to bind him to the King's daughter. His best friend's daughter.

Stepping forward, he grasped her shoulders and gave her a hard shake. "Understand this, we are not meant. I have no true mate. That is what I saw in the Waters."

"But that was before...before my dad saved my mom. He changed everything-"

"No. You are never to touch me again. Do you hear me? Never!"

He cut off any protests by flashing to his residence. With an oath, he slammed his fist into the wall over and over. Blood covered his knuckles, but the pain helped clear his head. Breathing laboured, he turned, pressed his back against the wall and slid down until he was on the floor. Dropping his head forward, he scrubbed his palms over his face.

What in Goddess' name was he going to do?

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Shannon sighed and headed over to the cooler resting on one of the tables. After grabbing two bottles and popping the tops, she walked slowly over to where Zac leaned against the back porch. Just be nice, she told herself. Give him the beer, make a little small talk, and all's good.

"Hey, you looked like you could use another cold one." She held out one of the beers and smiled-”a forced smile, but at least it was a smile.

Without a word, Zac took the bottle from her. Shannon sucked in a shaky breath when his fingers brushed hers. God, what was it about this man that made her feel like a gawky teenager? He lifted the bottle to his lips and took a long drink. She struggled not to stare, but couldn't pull her gaze from his Adam's apple bobbing as he swallowed. Who'd of thought that would be sexy? Shannon licked her lips. "So, how are you doing?"

He tilted his head to the side and studied her a moment. Shannon resisted fidgeting as his gaze swept from her face downwards. Her cheeks heated when it lingered on her breasts. Mortification filled her as her nipples peaked under her sundress. The corners of Zac's mouth quirked up as he lifted his gaze back to her face.

"I'm fine." He straightened and took a step forward.

Barely an inch separated them. Shannon focused on keeping her breath even, but refused to back away. She wouldn't let him know he intimidated her. No way. She tilted her chin up to look into his eyes. The amusement in his dark brown eyes made her grit her teeth.

"What about you, Shannon?" Zac slid a finger from her shoulder to her wrist. "How are you doing?"

"I-I-" She stammered as his fingers danced over her pulse. "Stop."

He moved even closer until her breasts touched his chest. The linen of her dress abraded the pert tips, and Shannon bit back a groan.

"Zac," she pleaded and despite her resolve, stepped back.

"Shannon." He moved with her and circled her wrist with his hand.

"You can't do this." She glanced around, and relief filled her when she saw no one was even paying attention to them.

"Do what?" he murmured.

"You can't touch me like this and look at me like..."

"Like what? How am I looking at you, darlin'?"

Shannon's stomach clenched at the warm tone and endearment. Stop, she scolded herself. He's your husband's best friend.

"You know damned well how you're looking at me," she snapped. "And it needs to stop. I'm married to your best friend, for God's sake. Nate would flip out if he found out you-" She stopped as a laugh rumbled in Zac's chest.

"You don't know your husband very well," he said with an amused shake of his head.

She yanked her arm away from his caressing hand. "You're wrong. I know Nate, and I know all about what you two used to do. He told me all about it. The sexual games, the sharing women. But that's the past. I'm Nate's wife, not some girl the two of you picked up at a club."

Zac didn't say anything. He simply stared at her. Shannon squirmed under the intense look.

"Just stop, okay? I can't-" she drew in a deep breath, "I don't want to ruin your friendship with Nate. It means a lot to him. I know that, but I can't deal with this from you."

Still, he didn't respond. He simply watched her with a little half smile. Damn it all, did he not get it?

She turned to walk away. She scanned the large yard and froze when she saw Nate watching her from where he stood near the dock. Oh shit. He was too far way to see his expression. Had he seen her arguing with Zac? Had he seen Zac touching her?

She felt Zac behind her before he even spoke. His hard warmth pressed against her back. Unbidden, heat settled in the pit of her belly. He rested his hands on her shoulders and leaned down. His breath whispered across her cheek as he spoke in her ear.

"He's picturing us together, right now. He's imagining what it'd be like to watch me take you. To push that sexy little dress up to your hips and sink into your sweetness."

The heat in her stomach unfurled and spread, right between her thighs. Shannon pressed them together and wrestled to find something-anything-to say.

"And the thoughts, the pictures in his head, don't piss him off, darlin'. I guarantee you, he's rock solid imagining what I'd do you. What we'd do to you." His fingers tightened, digging deliciously into her flesh. "Are you thinking about it, Shannon? Can you imagine what Nate and I would do to you?"

Oh hell yeah. Shannon shook her head immediately, cheeks flaming. Damn him. Damn her for letting him put that into her mind.

"You're wrong," she forced out before walking away.