by Godiva Glenn
“It’s new. I can’t say it’ll go perfectly, and it’s a larger project than I’ve ever tackled before,” she reasoned.
“And you’ll do your best. That’s enough to make it.” He glanced away and nodded to himself. “I wish she could see this.”
“I know.”
“While you were speaking I finally realized I could let go.”
She leaned forward. “I’m not sure what you mean.”
He waved his hand in the air as if collecting thoughts. “I used to ask your mother how we’d know if we did a fair job raising you. She said we’d know because there would be a moment where we could safely let go. I know you’re a grown woman. I don’t forget your age or that you no longer have imaginary unicorn friends, but after your mother left us… I couldn’t see you as anything but my little girl.”
“It was hard,” Alethea agreed. “But I haven’t been a little girl for a long time.”
“But just when I thought you were doing so well, you and Julian split up. You refused to talk about it. He refused to talk about it. It’s my job to worry.”
She took a deep breath and summarized two years into two sentences. “Julian was only using me, and I probably never would have fallen for it were I not grieving. He cheated on me every chance he got.”
Her father didn’t look as shocked as she’d expected. He smoothed a hand over his beard. “I suspected. When that ridiculous article spread claiming that I was trying to force you back with him, whispers came to me. There was concern, expressed by a few staff members, and others.”
“So that statement was a complete fabrication?” She’d always meant to ask him about it but forgotten as time passed.
“I can guess and say someone took liberties. I know I’ve pushed you to find a proper gentleman, but I could hardly force you to marry someone. And yes, for a long time I still thought you and Julian could try again, but even I wouldn’t think of arranging a reunion.”
“It wasn’t easy, but I managed to keep the mess of it out of the papers. It was a guarded secret, but even those have a way of escaping.” She brushed her fingers across the couch’s arm. “I know you didn’t see it, but that helped me grow. And I can admit that for a while I’ve been unfocused and irresponsible, but I had to find my own way.”
“You’ve found it now. I’ve never been prouder of you.”
She smiled. “Remember this moment. For next time you think I’m messing something up.”
“You say that like you’ve already got your next mistake planned,” he grumbled.
“Not a mistake. But I’ve got a lot of plans.”
He stood and shoved a hand into his pocket. “That’s exactly what a father needs to hear,” he said with a sigh. “Come on. Let’s have dinner before it gets cold.”
“Speaking of dinner, maybe Blair could start joining us once or twice a week.”
Her father’s face was completely neutral, but as he held the door open for her, he let out a resigned, “I’ll consider it.”
“You like him. I can tell.”
Her father looked her over and shook his head slightly. “It’s never been about what I like. It’s always been about what’s best for you. And in that regard, all I can say is that he’s the best so far.”
The story was out and slowly unfolding. The few openly existing fae in the city weren’t helping to dig into Blair’s origins, so the paparazzi were left to guess as to what sort of fae he was, and indeed, what that even meant.
Unlike shifters, the fae kept their identities guarded as a habit. Alethea understood why. Blair and Vevina had more than a little lingering magic from Prism, as opposed to shifters who tended to just be stronger and have a keen sense of smell and sight.
All that aside, the press finding Blair meant that his apartment was no longer a secret. It wasn’t a typical condo, however, and there were a few out of the way entrances. Nikki had been thinking ahead. For now, Alethea would gain access through the book and coffee shop next door. The secret wouldn’t last, but they’d figure it out as they went.
She sent Blair a text to unlock his door, so she could hurry in. This was a last-minute visit. Her lunch meeting with some investors had fallen through and she wasn’t going to waste the opportunity. Hurrying up the stairs, she heard her phone chime but didn’t look down. It would just be a confirmation.
The guarded, coded entrance meant the paparazzi couldn’t just waltz in, so the hallway was clear when she exited the stairwell. Blair was standing in his doorway, waiting. Her heart flipped as she rushed to him and hurried into the room.
“I didn’t think I’d see you again. Two days in a row?” He gave her a welcoming kiss then looked her over. “You’re spoiling me, lovely.”
“Meeting postponed. I wanted to see you.”
“Congratulations,” he said. “I know we talked about it on the phone, but it’s a cause for celebration, right? I have wine...”
She slipped off her shoes and followed him to the kitchen with her hands around his waist. “Just a little.”
“You don’t have long?”
“No, I have a while. I just want a clear head.” She retrieved two glasses and set them in front of him.
“When will it slow down?” he asked, filling each glass half-way with a rich red wine.
“After the foundation is set-up, I guess. Things may come up.” She lifted her glass and sniffed the wine. The rich smell alone eased some of her underlying stress.
He tapped his glass against hers. “Then here’s to you and your amazing accomplishment, and to us.”
She sipped, their eyes meeting in the moment. It was strange to imagine that the man standing before her in this clean, modern kitchen was once so new to the world that he didn’t even know what an olive was. He’d adapted quickly and without complaint, and on top of that handled the strange and frenzied demands that a relationship with her threw at him. “You know, I never asked how you chose to settle here, of all places. Coming from Prism, you could have lived anywhere, couldn’t you?”
A look of amusement crossed his face, and he leaned against the counter next to her. “I didn’t choose this country or city. I chose you. Or rather, I allowed my fate to be in the hands of Gerri, in the hope that I’d find love.”
“That was it?” Alethea asked in disbelief. “She said I was here, and you came?”
“That’s it.”
She couldn’t imagine tossing caution to the wind for that. Questions tumbled through her mind. But what if it hadn’t worked out? What if he hated here? Yet they didn’t matter. She’d had the occasional doubt about their relationship, but they made it work.
“I suppose I should tell you something, then,” she said, placing her glass down and resting a hand on his cheek. “I know you must have guessed, but in case you have any doubts about choosing here... choosing me... I love you.”
The words had barely left her lips before he was kissing her. His mouth crushed her own, and his arms held her tight. Joy pumped through her veins, a sensation of unbelievable lightness. He pulled away, leaving her to gasp at the intensity of his kiss.
“I love you too,” he said breathily, then kissed her again.
They began to move, her own body simply following his. They left the kitchen and stumbled to the bedroom. His hands found the zipper running down the back of her dress and yanked it down before leaning her against the bed. She fell back but pulled him with her. He kissed her neck then shoulder, his mouth following her freshly exposed skin as he pulled the dress away. Once the fabric was bunched around her waist, he straightened and pulled it from her legs while she lay back. He caught one of her ankles in the air and nibbled at it through the nude pantyhose.
“These are infuriating,” he remarked. “You never wore these when we first met.”
“I was rebelling when you met me,” she teased.
He removed his shirt so swiftly she swore she saw a button go flying. His belt and pants soon joined his shirt on the ground and he crawled onto the bed
, his lean hips between her legs. “I’d like to make love to you.”
Her head spun. She’d been waiting forever for this moment.
“I know we’ve both been dancing around this. Trying to find the perfect time and place... but isn’t now as perfect as any time?”
She lifted up on her arms to look him in the eyes. “It was foolish, wasn’t it? And it only drove us mad.”
“I wouldn’t have waited—”
“But let me guess, you read somewhere that it had to be perfect?”
He nodded guiltily. “And you?”
“I don’t even know what I was thinking.”
“I can’t wait any longer.” He ground his erection against her, leaving her dizzy with lust. “I need to be inside you.”
She squeezed her thighs against him and fell back. Ready was an understatement. She’d been wet since she hit the front door—he had that effect on her. His finger slid beneath the front-clasp of her bra and popped it open, allowing her breasts to escape.
“Damnit,” he murmured. “I love this.” He massaged her breasts and drew a taut nipple into his mouth.
Her eyes rolled back with pleasure. His mouth was absolute magic on her skin. “I thought you’d like it.”
“I’m about to show you how much.” He gave her nipple a final flick of his tongue then switched his attention south.
She knew what he was aiming for, so she lifted her hips and helped him tug off the sheer pantyhose and lace underwear in a few quick motions. He sank down against her and squirmed as he maneuvered his boxer briefs off. The skin against skin contact seared at her sanity. Surely, she’d never wanted anything or anyone as desperately as she wanted Blair right now.
His fingers searched between her legs and dipped into her pooling arousal. A single finger entered her and pumped in and out a few times. “I was going to ask if you were ready,” he said with a low chuckle. “But of course you are.”
“Please,” she begged.
The swollen head of his cock pressed at her opening, spreading her wet folds. She braced her hands on his shoulders, her lips parted in anticipation. He slowly thrust into her, burying himself inch by painstaking inch. She hissed as he stretched her around his impressive girth.
“Oh my...” she breathed.
He sank in to the hilt and shuddered. “You feel like a miracle,” he murmured into her ear. “I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to leave.”
There were no words she could think to respond with, so she simply slid her hands around to his back and held on.
He rocked against her at first, an easy motion that rubbed her inner special spot. Then he pulled out and gently pumped back in. Everything was careful, like he thought she would break, and just when she thought she’d speak up, his movement changed. He shoved deeper and harder, shaking her body on the bed.
His head dipped down, and he kissed her neck, the action contrasting with the steady pounding of his length into her pussy. But soon even that changed, and he was biting her as he plunged in and out.
Her nails dug into his skin. The emotion in the air was pure and raw, everything they needed. Every rough thrust he fed her was met with a breathy gasp from her lips. She didn’t breathe, she moaned. Her legs pressed against his sides, desperate to keep him close as he plunged in and dragged out.
A tight sensation built at her core. She was already on the brink of explosion, and she didn’t try to fight it. With Blair, she knew the first wouldn’t be the last. She licked her lips and waited for him to hit the right spot and send her tumbling over.
She didn’t have to wait long. He arched into her and she cried out as she shook and thrashed. He pressed his body to her, trapping her and holding her down as her climax rode through each and every nerve ending.
He didn’t stop his fierce rhythm, instead placing a hand behind her back to lift her body slightly, so that he could enter at a sharper angle.
The pleasure was almost sweet pain in her pulsing sensitive state. She never wanted it to end. His hand gripped the curve of her ass.
“I want you on top. Can you do that, lovely?” he asked, his words punctuated by his heavy breathing.
Her legs felt like jelly, but she nodded. “I can try.”
Supporting her body, he flipped them both over so that she sat atop him. It took her a moment to adjust, her palms pressing to his sweat-slicked chest. The dark tree was warmer than the rest of him and seemed to thrum with energy. The sensation flowed through her, a gentle vibration that not only fed her hunger for him but energized her as well. Her hips rocked back and forth, taking his magnificent length deeper and deeper.
She sucked in her bottom lip and her head fell back as she found the perfect pace. His hands found her breasts and squeezed them. They overflowed his grasp and he pinched the tips, sending a sharp zing of ecstasy straight to her core.
All of her senses became heightened as she continued to ride him. Past her own frantically beating pulse and soft moans, she could hear his staggered breath. Through her hands, she felt his racing heart. Almost there.
Both of his hands dropped. One lingered on her waist, gripping it so hard his fingers bit into her skin. The other drifted to where her body met his. His thumb pressed and circled her clit eagerly. Of course.
“Again, lovely. Let me feel it,” he said hoarsely.
She was close already, but this time she held on to the building pressure. “I want to feel you too.”
“Then milk it out of me,” he teased.
Challenge accepted.
A chill ran over her body. Cool air swept the room as the fan kicked on, refreshing her. She took one of her breasts in her hand and massaged it using the same rhythm as his hand between her legs. Though her eyes were closed now, she knew he was watching. Touching herself was a pleasure but knowing how much he loved to see her do so tripled it. Her lips parted as she let every moan escape unmuffled. She wasn’t faking—she was falling apart.
Her hand slid down his body until she felt the top of his washboard abs. The muscles flexed beneath her palm.
“Yes...” she whimpered.
The pressure pulled tight within her before expanding outward in waves. Her fingertips and toes went numb while the rest of her body hummed in delight. She couldn’t speak, but the words I love you bounced through her mind. Blair’s entire form stiffened on the bed beneath her and he groaned.
She rocked gently over him once, then he held her still. His cock pulsated and throbbed within her, emptying. It was a fulfilling sensation that nearly triggered another orgasm from her exhausted body. As far as firsts went, she was certain that it was absolutely perfect.
Spent, she lay down on his chest and nuzzled his neck. His arms wrapped around her and stroked her back as they both waited for their hearts to stop racing.
“Amazing,” he said softly.
“Wonderful,” she agreed.
He kissed her damp forehead. “Part of me hates that we waited so long. The other part of me thinks we waited exactly long enough.”
“The good news is that now it’s out of the way,” she mused. “Now we can do this whenever we want. No pressure.”
“It’s always going to be perfect,” he said. “Because you’re perfect.”
“Hmmm.” She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, filling her lungs with the earthy scent of him. “You’re perfect-er.”
“That’s not a word.”
“Shhh.”
They lay there in silence and she drifted into a half-sleep until her phone began to buzz from the other room. Her alarm. She had to go.
He brushed his fingers through her hair. “I left you a mess.”
“Quick shower,” she mumbled. “Do you have a shower cap?”
“What’s that?”
She sighed and lifted herself from him, reluctant to leave the intimate moment. “I’ll do my best to keep my hair out of the water, then.”
“Do you really have to go?”
She sat up on his lap and pushed her
hair back from her face. “I do... why don’t you join me?”
“For dinner with your father? I’m not sure he wants to see me.” He traced a finger down between her breasts and soft stomach. “But I suppose I can ignore him and pretend it’s just dinner with you.”
“Deal.”
He pulled her hand to his lips and kissed her fingertips. “I love you.”
The outside of the palace was brightly lit with faux candles lining the pathway. Above, the stars were faint flickers hiding behind gauzy clouds that draped over the sky, moon included. As good a night as any. Blair cleared his throat and chose his words carefully, analyzing each proposed sentence in his head.
“We spend nearly every moment together,” he said.
The King, who walked beside him, made a sound of agreement, though his face didn’t exactly shine with approval. “I’ve noticed. But Alethea continues to uphold her obligations, and that’s all I can ask.”
“Of course. You know I support her fully.”
“Perhaps you could do more than offer support. A man should also carry his own weight.”
Blair frowned as he considered the meaning behind the Kings reply. They’d been having these after dinner conversations for a few weeks now, but it was always a game of tiptoeing around. He tried to assert the continued seriousness of his relationship with Alethea while being careful not to overstep his bounds. It was mentally exhausting. With anyone else, he could speak plainly. Even with the aspect I’d not had to jump through these hoops.
“Alethea will be Queen. She needs more than a shadow. Her guards can hold her purse,” the King said pointedly.
Blair stifled a growl. The leash on his careful demeanor tugged tight. “My love and support is one facet. I’ve already put forth my ideas for her foundation.”
“Correct. Her foundation.”
“I don’t aim to simply stand behind her, but nor do I see a reason to compete with her. She’s doing wonderful things, and for now, if all I can offer is assistance, I don’t see any fault with that,” Blair reasoned. “My relationship with her comes first.”
