Almost as if she could read his mind, Julienne nuzzled his shoulder with her lips, her voice weak when she whispered, "I can well see how you earned your nickname, the Prince of Pleasure… But I confess I don't mind disappointing your legion of fans… all the countless damsels who will be heartbroken because you are retiring from the lists."

Summoning his strength, Dare raised himself up on one elbow so that he could see her beautiful face.

"I'm not retiring," he contradicted, offering her his bone-melting smile. "Merely concentrating all my effort on one particular damsel." Bending, he touched his lips to hers as his voice lowered to a rough whisper. "I want to pleasure you all the way down to your soul, my beloved Jewel."

Julienne reached up to bring his beguiling mouth down to hers. "You always do," she murmured, giving herself up again to his enchanting caresses.