Ruling Passions

Ruling Passions
Laura Wright

Crown Prince Alexander Thorne's honorable intentions were overturned when he rescued a red-haired siren from the sea and gave in to the chemistry raging between them. Alex had sworn he would never again be ruled by a woman, yet lovely Sophia Dunhill might be carrying his heir, and duty required she be kept very close at hand.Sophia valued her freedom and had no intention of remaining in Prince Alex's island kingdom for longer than it took to repair her boat–royal command or no. Despite his fiery kisses and their heated nights, Sophia wanted more. Could her love transform her duty-bound prince into a man ruled by his passions?

“Have I Proved Myself, Your Highness?”

Jaw as tight as the rest of him, Alex released her. “You are very bold, Sophia.”

She nodded. “I’m going in now. You’ll be all right out here by yourself?”

“I always have. I always will.”

Alex saw her flinch slightly before saying, “Good night, then.”

He watched her go, all the way up the sandy beach and into the house. His mind was blistered from their silly game of seduction. But it wasn’t merely madness and unrequited pleasure that plagued him. Those two shackles he could deal with.

No, it was something far more dangerous.

For the first time in six years, he felt connected with life—open to lust, to need, to pain and to want.

And Sophia Dunhill was his keeper of the keys….

Dear Reader,

Welcome to another stellar month of stories from Silhouette Desire. We kick things off with our DYNASTIES: THE BARONES series as Kristi Gold brings us Expecting the Sheikh’s Baby in which—yes, you guessed it!—a certain long-lost Barone cousin finds herself expecting a very special delivery.

Also this month: The fabulous Peggy Moreland launches a brand-new series with THE TANNERS OF TEXAS, about Five Brothers and a Baby, which will give you the giddy-up you’ve been craving. The wonderful Brenda Jackson is back with another story about her Westmoreland family. A Little Dare is full of many big surprises…including a wonderful secret-child story line. And Sleeping with the Boss by Maureen Child will have you on the edge of your seat—or boardroom table, whatever the case may be.

KING OF HEARTS, a new miniseries by Katherine Garbera, launches with In Bed with Beauty. The series focuses on an angel with some crooked wings who must do a lot of matchmaking in order to secure his entrance through the pearly gates. And Laura Wright is back with Ruling Passions, a very sensual royal-themed tale.

So, get ready for some scintillating storytelling as you settle in for six wonderful novels. And next month, watch for Diana Palmer’s Man in Control.

More passion to you!

Melissa Jeglinski

Senior Editor, Silhouette Desire

Ruling Passions

Laura Wright

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

LAURA WRIGHT

has spent most of her life immersed in the world of acting, singing and competitive ballroom dancing. But when she started writing romance, she knew she’d found the true desire of her heart! Although born and raised in Minneapolis, Laura has also lived in New York City, Milwaukee and Columbus, Ohio. Currently, she is happy to have set down her bags and made Los Angeles her home. And a blissful home it is—one that she shares with her theatrical production manager husband, Daniel, and three spoiled dogs. During those few hours of downtime from her beloved writing, Laura enjoys going to art galleries and movies, cooking for her hubby, walking in the woods, lazing around lakes, puttering in the kitchen and frolicking with her animals. Laura would love to hear from you. You can write to her at P.O. Box 5811 Sherman Oaks, CA 91413 or e-mail her at laurawright@laurawright.com.

To my child, who grows inside of me

as I write this final Fiery Tale: Daddy and I love you.

Contents

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Epilogue

Prologue

Scotland

May

The sea took the shape of a woman’s hip as it climbed into a wave: curved and pink in the setting sun. But Crown Prince Alexander William Charles Octavos Thorne had no use for women anymore, real or imagined.

Lungs filled with salty air, he sagged against a jagged rock and watched the surf crash against the beach and crawl toward him.

He didn’t run from its progress, didn’t move. Not even when icy water stung his foot.

He understood the sea’s endless need to consume, to take, to hurt. For five long years he’d felt the like—too many times to count. Then there was today…

Three hours ago he’d received word that his wife had left town, left him for another man. Like the cold, pinkish waves before him, relief rippled through his blood. Relief and anger—for a woman who’d hated him the minute they’d married, a woman who’d acted like a bloody iceberg no matter how hard he’d try to care for her, a woman who’d wanted no children, no warmth, no friendship.

Alex tore off his shirt, let the cool air rush over his chest.