[RiverHart 03] • Desire for Ecstasy

In the aftermath of terror, violence and death, Avienne Rivers and Benedict Hart struggle to keep their fragile relationship together.

**AVIENNE GRACE RIVERS ...**

People passed them on the sidewalk, staring back as they passed. Hunter didn’t blame them. Avia Rivers was tall and hourglass shaped. Her shortish, honey-blond waves caught the breeze and her skirt pressed against her thighs. She was as full of life as anyone he’d ever known. But right this minute, her eyes sparkled with unshed tears.

“Go home, Av. Go home. You remember? Your condo, your life? You, before you were whisked away to a castle keep by a handsome prince?”

She looked stricken. “You think I should leave Ben?”

“You were never like this. You aren’t a weepy kept woman. You’re a feisty investigative reporter who plays lousy racquetball. But you still play. Or you used to.” He headed for the car. “You’re afraid of losing yourself but you already did. And I’m betting he didn’t ask for that.”

**BENEDICT VALOR HART ...**

“Tell me why,” Avia interrupted, crossing her arms. “Tell me why and I’ll get out of your office.”

“You’ll get out in any case when I call security.” His head went back, his indigo eyes darkened, the planes of his face sharpened. “I’ll also spank you over this desk, first. And not in a way you’ll like.”

Avia felt the color drain from her face and return in a rush of anger. “We are not at home. This is not our bedroom.”

He was looming over her with his hands on the arms of her chair almost before she could draw breath. “You think it matters where we are?”

Avia’s mouth went dry looking into his face. He was the most compelling, beautiful man she had ever encountered. Ben Hart was striking, rather than handsome, with a clean forehead above dark winged brows. His eyes, deep-set over high cheekbones, went almost black when he was angered or determined or aroused. No other man had ever turned her to a molten mass of need and lust the way Ben Hart had. No man had loved her, cared for her, demanded everything of her and given her more in return.

His sculpted mouth set in a firm line, he waited for her answer. Avia knew he wouldn’t wait long.

“Yes,” she said because they didn’t lie to each other. “I think it matters where we are.”

HE'D AVOIDED THIS MOMENT For months. After a terrible time of injury and death, They’d finally found some peace and happiness with one another, he’d not wanted to disturb it.

But he had also become distinctly uncomfortable in the relationship. Avia had become more and more demanding.

Benedict Hart was born a Dominant male. At one point he’d given up looking for a woman to be a life companion. Then Avienne Rivers walked into his office and he was lost. And found.

As alpha a female as he was a male, when she finally had submitted, it was earth-shattering.

*The thought of losing her made him feel empty. The thought of clinging to her until everything they loved about each other was destroyed in a battle for control was sickening.*

A faint electronic click. “Embassy on four, Mr. Hart.”

Willful Avia might be, but her resistance was no match for the inexorable determination with which he’d built an empire. It was time.