by Kate Tilney
Her nose wrinkles and she laughs.
I smile, even without knowing why. “What is so funny?”
“It’s just that word pedigree. It’s like he was talking about a puppy or something.”
She is young enough. That should be reason enough for me to stay away from her. Yet I cannot bring myself to leave.
“If it makes you feel any better, my father did not want me to be the godfather.”
“Pedigree problems too?” She winces. “I’m sorry. I just realized that probably isn’t something to joke about given . . .”
Her cheeks flush a most appealing shade of pink. I’d love to nibble on them before capturing her mouth in a searing kiss, and—
Shifting in my seat, because I do not want a boner when I am holding my niece.
“It is actually a matter of pedigree. Since the news broke that Sarah will rule instead of me, my father would prefer I stay away and out of the spotlight for another decade or so. At least until people are used to the idea of a future queen.”
“Being your nieces godfather puts you in the spotlight?”
“It would seem.”
She rolls her eyes. “I’m sorry, but that’s silly. You’re here to support your family. Not stage a coup.”
“Ah, but you see in some people’s eyes, that may be precisely why I am here. Or, it could be an invitation for others to meddle in affairs of the crown.”
“Sounds pretty far-fetched to me. But what do I know? I’m just an American.”
And a beautiful one at that. With her bow-shaped lips upturned toward mine, all I would have to do to taste them is lean forward.
Before I can, the door opens. I jerk back, like I have been caught with my hand in the cookie jar.
My sister enters the room and arches an eyebrow.
“Fancy running into you here.”
I rise. “I wanted to get to know my niece. See what the fuss is about.”
Sarah’s face softens. “Well, I hope you think it is deserved.”
“Absolutely,” I say, eyes still trained on Lauren. If possible, her face grows even more flushed. So lovely. “Worth every bit of fuss.”
Lauren
The following morning, I open the nursery door to find Prince Henry on the other side. Again. My heart does a little somersault, which I do my best to ignore.
There’s no denying it. I’m happy to see him. Even if I’m surprised. The prince spent most of yesterday with Catherine and I, and here he is again. For someone who says he hasn’t spent a lot of time around babies, he is an awfully devoted uncle.
“I hope you do not mind,” he says with one arm behind his back, “but I brought a little something for the future queen.”
He brings his hand forward and reveals a pint-sized plush elephant.
If possible, I melt even more. “She’s going to love that.”
Henry’s eyes wander around the room until they settle on the pram, where Catherine is already nestled.
“Are you getting ready to head out?”
“The princess desires a turn around the garden,” I attempt to say in my most posh voice before breaking into a giggle.
“Mind if I join you?”
“By all means.”
We circle around the palace’s extensive gardens for longer than I originally planned. But Henry and I are so caught up in swapping stories about our lives—and Catherine is cooing happily—I hardly notice how much time has passed. I’m surprised how much we have in common. Who would have guessed a virtual Greek God who is a genuine prince and an aspiring preschool teacher from Idaho would have much in common?
Yet, somehow we do.
I am debating whether or not to turn the corner to prolong our walk when Henry freezes suddenly. His eyes narrow.
Panic slices through me. “What’s wrong?”
“Reporters.” He gestures to a fence at the end of the garden. I can just spot the lens of a camera poking over the top. “I suppose this will vindicate my father’s concerns.”
Placing his hand on the small of my back, Henry guides me around a corner behind a hedge. I’m so distracted looking over my shoulder, I trip over a rock. Releasing the pram, I nearly tumble head-first into a fountain.
Strong hands grip my waist. Before I can draw a breath, I’m pulled back up and spun to face Henry. He tears his gaze away from mine for only a moment to pull the pram back over to us.
“Are you alright?” Those bright green eyes are filled with concern.
I nod dumbly. I am suddenly aware of just how hard his body feels pressed against mine. His royal highness clearly makes excellent use of the palace’s weight room. Even through my cardigan, his hands warm my body.
His eyes flicker to my lips, and I lick them before I can catch myself. Those eyes seem to darken and his face lowers toward mine.
“Your highness!” A voice calls out.
I jump and the top of my head butts into his chin. We pull apart, he rubs his chin, while I clutch the top of my chin.
Around that same hedge, my friend Ona appears. She works as an undersecretary to one of the king’s undersecretaries. She’s a few years older than me, making her one of the only palace staff members who understands my dream of a One Direction reunion as well as my undying love for Taylor Swift.
Her gaze flickers between the prince and I. Eyes lighting up, I know our rapid breaths haven’t gone unnoticed by her. My cheeks flush bright red. Great. There is no way I can escape this without getting the third degree.
“Your highness.” She curtsies. “Your father has called you to the throne room to review tomorrow’s agenda.”
Henry rolls his eyes and runs a hand through his dark brown hair. “Wonderful.”
Sparing me a glance, he gives a wry grin. “I will see you later?”
I nod, unable to come up with anything intelligible to say. He gives my shoulder a quick squeeze, sending a tingle that radiates through my whole body.
Once we are alone, Ona practically pounces on me.
“So you and the prince?” she wiggles her eyebrows and my cheeks flush all over again. “Nice choice. I mean, he’s the only one still on the market, but still, very nice. My sisters and I had crushes on him growing up.”
I shake my head. “It’s not like that. We’re just . . .”
“Friends? With the prince.” Ona covers a chuckle. “How many women can say that?”
“Princes need friends too.” Though, really, I’m not sure the word friends describes what’s going on between us. “It’s not a big deal. He just wanted to spend some time with his niece.”
Ona chuckles at that. “Right. I’m sure the prince is super interested in babies.”
I wave off her remark, and redirect the pram toward the house after making sure Catherine is still content. I give vague responses to Ona’s questions and try to ignore her recitation of all the reasons Prince Henry is a catch.
Because I don’t need to hear them to know. I could live to be one hundred, and I will never find a man who makes me feel the way I do in his arms.
Henry
I toss to my other side, kicking off some of my covers in the process. After spending most of the past two days with Lauren, I still cannot get her off of my mind. Every time I close my eyes, I see those gold flecks in her eyes and smell the scent of honey and cream that clings to her.
My dick grows even harder. With a grunt of frustration, I toss the covers off of me.
I’ll never be able to get to sleep. Not when I know who is tucked away in a bed across the hallway. I glance out my window. It’s a clear night. The moon shines bright over the garden. It’s been years since I snuck out of my room at night to roam the palace grounds. Maybe a walk will be just what I need to get a certain someone out of my system.
At the very least, the fresh air will do me some good.
Dressing quickly, I exit through my balcony.
As I walk the gardens, I think about the woman keeping me up. Besides having a body that makes my mouth wat
er, Lauren has a sharp sense of humor and an independence to her I find appealing. After years of being fawned over—and having my face plastered over young girls’ walls—it’s refreshing to spend time with a woman clearly unimpressed by my job.
Both of my brothers mentioned that when they fell for their girlfriends. Alex and James say they like how normal they feel when they are with the women they love.
Is that what is happening to me already?
One thing I do know: I will not be able to deny my need much longer. If Lauren looks at me the way she did earlier today, I am not sure anything will be able to stop me from making her mine.
Maybe I should pay her another visit tomorrow after the christening. Sarah and Ryan already plan to spend the rest of the day with Catherine. I could use the time to whisk Lauren away.
A crunch to my right draws my attention. Lauren steps into view, almost as if I imagined her into reality.
A slow grin spreads across her lips. “I didn’t realize I had company.”
“I could not sleep.”
“Me neither.”
We stand there staring at each other. That is when I see it. The spark in her eyes from before. Hell. I cannot ignore it.
Gripping her chin, I turn her face up as my lips lower to hers. The moment our lips meet, sparks shoot through me. My arms move around her body as her hands slide up my chest and around my neck. I urge her mouth open with my tongue. Her own timidly touches mine, and I nearly come undone there.
I need her. Now. But she deserves a little more foreplay.
Pulling back, my chest is rising up and down. I take her hand and lace my fingers through hers. “Come. I want to show you something.”
And after I do, I will make her mine completely.
Lauren
Henry dives into the pond and resurfaces a moment later. The droplets of water across his skin shimmer in the moonlight. He looks more like a Greek God than ever.
Treading water, he flashes me a grin. “Are you going to come in?”
After Henry kissed me breathless a few moments ago, I was prepared to follow this gorgeous man wherever he led me. But skinny dipping in a pond hidden behind layers of trees and brushes never even crossed my mind.
“No one can see us here.” Even from this distance, I can detect the heat in his eyes. “It’s just you and me. And I want to see you.”
His words nearly make me melt into the earth. They also fill me with a confidence I’ve never had.
Before I can talk myself out of it, I pull the dress over my head and wriggle out of my panties and bra. Glancing over my shoulder to verify that we are in fact alone, I take my first step into the pool and gasp.
“It’s cold.”
“I’ll warm you up.”
I wade the rest of the way to him. The water laps at my breast. Between the hungry look in Henry’s eyes and the feel of the water against my skin, I am all sensation all over.
Taking my hand, Henry pulls me to his side. The water is too deep for me to stand, but he pulls my legs around his waist and walks me around. I wait for a burst of embarrassment or shyness. It does not come.
Instead, as I gaze into his face, I lean forward for a kiss.
This time, it’s even hungrier than before. Earlier it was a taste, now it is a feast. His hands move all over me, leaving tingles behind. I moan into his mouth when his hand brushes the side of my breasts. His thumb flicks my nipple and I almost come right there.
Moving us to shallower water, Henry’s head dips down to pull my nipple into his mouth. I gasp as he sucks. He slides a hand between us. I barely have time to brace myself before his fingers find my clit.
Clenching my eyes shut, I cling onto his shoulders. My fingernails dig into his muscles as the tingles of sensation turn into waves of pleasure.
I am only vaguely aware of Henry laying me on the grass at the shore. His mouth lowers from my chest to my abdomen and lower. My eyes flutter open just as his dark head disappears between my thighs. Fingers digging into my ass, he lifts me from the ground and kisses me where his fingers had been moments before.
My breaths become labored as his tongue moves over me and two fingers slide into me. The pressure and pleasure build, mingling together until they burst.
I go limp, wondering how I will ever possibly be able to walk on my own two feet again.
Henry lifts up and comes over me. His mouth meets mine for another intoxicating kiss. I can still taste myself on his lips. “Let me take you to bed. Please?”
As if I could say no.
Henry
Closing the bedroom door behind us, I press Lauren’s back against it. My fingers dive into her hair, still wet from our nocturnal swim.
My mouth crashes against hers, urging her lips open so our tongues can duel. Sliding my hands up and down her sides, I trace the curves of her breasts with my thumbs. We must have left her bra down by the pond. They’re probably with her shoes. That will make for one hell of a surprise for the gardeners.
She moans into my mouth as I find her nipples. The sounds of her pleasure make me wild with need. I need to feel her—all of her. Sliding my hands down to her hips, I cup her butt and pull her up. Her legs come around my waist, and my cock pushes against the apex of her thighs. She moans again, and I grind against her. The friction of my pants against her panties almost makes me come right there.
Not yet. I want to spill my seed inside her. Thoughts of letting that seed grow into life, making her round with our child sends a rush of possessiveness through my veins.
I do not just want to make this woman mine in body. I want her to be mine in soul as well. To take care of her. To build a life and a family together. But for now it is just the two of us. Pledging ourselves to each other with our bodies.
Mine. Ours.
Those words play over and over in my head as I carry her toward the bed. I pull back just enough to pull the dress over her head. I lean her against the covers and inch her panties down her hips, pressing hot, wet kisses along her skin. She wriggles as I do.
I crawl up over her on the bed, cradling my weight on my forearms.
My mouth finds her again as my hands resume their exploration of her body.
Mine. Mine. Mine. And I am hers.
She tears her lips away. “You’re wearing too many clothes.”
Glancing down at my white shirt, buttoned only halfway up, and my black slacks, I see she is right.
Jumping to my feet again, I toss them aside at record speed and come down upon her again, skin against skin.
My hard cock rubs against her seam. I cannot hold off any longer. Her wetness tickles the tip of my cock. I wonder briefly if I have condoms, then she tells me she is on the pill. She is clean. I am clean. Now it is time to truly make her mine.
I take one of her nipples into my mouth, and her back arches up. Using that movement, I release her and flip onto my back, bringing her over me.
With her legs straddling my hips, I grip onto her hands as she slowly eases onto me. Inch by inch, I fill her pussy. I clench my eyes shut.
“You are so tight.”
Then she moves forward and I hiss through my teeth. My fingers dig into her skin as I urge her in riding me. Hot lava runs through my veins. I want her to come again. To come around me. I move one of my thumbs to her front, finding her clit. My thumb makes circles around her, and she cries out my name.
Our breaths increase, my heart pounds in my ears.
And when I am not sure I can hold on much longer, she quivers around me. Her pleasure grabs onto my own. They mix together, pulsing in and out of each other, until we fall apart and over the edge into blissful oblivion.
She collapses against my chest, and I wrap my arms around her.
A few minutes later, when I can speak properly, I glance down at her. “I would like to take you out for a proper date tomorrow night.”
Those sweet lips of hers, still swollen from mine, curve into a smile that nearly stops my heart.
Lauren
I am standing in front of the mirror debating which of two dresses I should wear for Henry and I’s date this evening when there is a knock at the door.
Looking at the time, I frown. The family should all be en route to the cathedral by now. Not that I’ve seen any of them since Henry slipped out of my bed this morning.
Tossing the dresses on my bed, I throw the door open and smile at Ona, who is carrying a pile of newspapers.
“Oh perfect. I could use a second opinion.” I reach for the dresses and hold them up. “Which one should I go with?”
Ona closes the door slowly behind her.
“I am afraid I am the bearer of bad news.”
I freeze. “What’s wrong? Is anyone hurt?”
“On behalf of the secretary to the king of Rhodon, it is my duty to inform you that your services are no longer required.” Ona’s eyes take a frosty tint. “Your termination is effective immediately.”
My heart drops to my feet. “Why?”
Ona holds up the newspapers. It takes me a moment to realize what I’m looking at. When I do, my heart stops beating altogether.
There, in full color is my virtually naked body. In each picture, I’m kissing Henry in the pond. I burn with embarrassment remembering what happened just a few minutes after they were taken. That was just last night. How can there be pictures in a paper this morning?
“Are there any other pictures?”
“I think we both know there are. Fortunately, for your sake, they were too scandalous for publication.”
I am such a freaking idiot. I know Henry said the pond was private, but someone clearly followed us. A moment that had been just ours is now on display for the world to see. Bile rises in my throat.
Once these photos hit the international news cycle, there won’t be a school district in the world that will give me a job.
I’m spiraling into a pit of outrage, despair, and humiliation when the headlines on the papers come into focus.
Royal Nanny Getting Busy with Mystery Man
