He slides into me slowly and I moan. His fingers move to rub between our legs where we meet and he pushes further in.
“Don’t stop kissing me.” The urgency in his voice is like the key to his invasion, opening me right up.
He dives in and I take all of him. Everything he has to offer.
I don’t expect it to feel so good the first time, and it does hurt. But every time it gets painful, he’s there kissing, soothing, and it changes into a good pain. When I start thrusting in motion with him, his head rears back and I feel him get even harder inside me.
“Oh,” I moan.
“You feel so good,” he whispers. He leans up on one hand, his other still moving between us, and stares at me like he’s seeing me for the first time. I pulse around him and his eyes close. “I’m not going to last long with you doing that…”
The way he says it makes me feel like I’m doing something right. He starts moving again, faster this time, and I watch his face in wonder. He looks agonized but determined. I feel the flood of him inside of me and am completely ruined.
He will demolish me.
In a way, he already has.
Chapter Thirteen
“What do you think?” he asks, a few minutes later. He lies facing me, the closest thing to pillow talk I’ve ever had.
“It didn’t hurt as much as I thought it would.”
“Because you wanted me so bad,” he says, grinning.
“You don’t suffer much from humility, do you?”
“Not when it’s obviously true, no.”
I flush and look at his chest instead of his eyes. His fingers are lightly tracing over my skin, making goose bumps pop up everywhere despite the sweat we worked up.
“Hey,” he tilts my face up, “where did you go?”
“I must seem so backward to you. So stupid. You hated me in the beginning; now you’re being nice…I’m just wondering who you really are.”
“I’m the bastard, remember? Still the asshole. You might be growing on me a little bit.” He tweaks my nose and his grin drops when he sees I’m still not smiling back. “Did I rush you?” He leans up on his elbow and looks worried.
“No. I wanted to, remember?”
He drops his head back on the pillow and tucks the edges under his face, his eyes wide. “You were like a vise around my cock. Next time will be even better for you…”
I don’t have any complaints, but I don’t tell him that.
“I’ll run a bath for you and ring the chef. Are you hungry?”
I nod and he gets up and goes into the bathroom, while I watch his backside like a hungry lioness. When he’s out of sight, I put my hand across my eyes and remind myself that I cannot fall for my husband.
I get up before he comes back and look at the sheets, realizing there’s a cloth that contains all the proof of our consummation. “They really think of everything,” I mutter out loud, pulling the fabric off to a spotless bed underneath.
Luka comes out and sees me holding the cloth. He walks over and takes the cloth, depositing it outside the bedroom door without a word. I hurry to the bathroom so he won’t see me streaking across the room and step into the bath, sighing as I lean back into the fragrant water. I wash my hair and as I come up from under the water, Luka is sitting on the ledge watching me.
It’s the way his eyes linger—take their time tracking every detail of me—that makes the blood rush to my head. I like his eyes on me. He reaches out and glides his hand down my body, and just like that, I’m ready for more.
“Your body is a revelation, Eden. I’ve never seen another so beautiful. I’m afraid it will haunt me—” He stops, as if he realizes he’s speaking too freely.
“—When you’re with another?” I say it boldly, like it doesn’t shred my heart to say those words.
I watch his neck rise and fall when he swallows and looks away. “We won’t speak of others on our honeymoon.” His jaw ticks and I wonder if I’ve angered him. “Our food will be ready in half an hour. I’ll give you some privacy until then. After we eat, I won’t be so generous.”
* * *
Dinner is a feast of fresh seafood grilled to perfection. I dip each bite in the lemon butter sauce and sigh in bliss. The meat of the fish is succulent and exotic compared to what I’m used to from home.
“I could eat this every day.” I wipe my mouth with the cloth napkin and Soira, the woman who has served our food, asks if I would like more. I hold my plate up to what she is already dishing out and Luka watches us, amused.
“Me too,” he says, grinning wider.
“Your wife is very beautiful and has a good appetite.” Soira beams. “I’ll bring the dessert tray out, but you keep eating this as long as you like.”
“Thank you, Soira.” Luka’s eyes never leave mine, as he sits back sipping some sort of expensive scotch.
By the time Soira steps out with the desserts, I’m full, but they look too delectable to not at least have a bite. I pick out a small cake with fruit and chocolate drizzled over it. I take a bite and close my eyes, moaning over how delicious it is. I hear Luka laughing across from me and smirk when I open my eyes. Caught.
“One would think you’ve been schooled on the fine art of seduction,” he says, eyes gleaming. He leans forward and when he can’t quite reach, he shrugs and stands, leaning over to lick the chocolate that is still on my lips. He puts the next bite in my mouth and watches as my mouth closes over the fork. As he slowly pulls it out of my mouth, I lick my lips and he pounces.
He picks me up and puts my legs around his waist, sitting back down with me on his lap. His lips tease me with little nibbles and licks and I squirm on top of him. I’m the greedy one.
“You want another bite?” he asks against my lips.
I give his lower lip a bite and his eyes widen before his tongue dives into my mouth. I’m wearing a short dress that I found in the closet…very few clothes in there, but more swimsuits and cover-ups for the week. He reaches under my dress and feels my damp scrap of lace.
“I want to care that you might be hurting from earlier, but the thought of you aching where I’ve been, remembering me long after I’m there, makes me so hard, I’m losing my mind. Tell me to stop if you don’t want this.”
I bite his lip again and get lost in his kiss. He rips my lace with one hand and pulls himself out, teasing me with the tip. When I’ve soaked him, he lifts me up and sets me back down with him firmly planted inside. I feel so full my head falls back and he nips at my neck, tongue tracing up to my ear.
“What would you like me to do to you, Mrs. Catano?” His words are raw and dirty and I cry out when he pinches my nipple. “Do you want it slow?” He moves agonizingly slow. “Or do you want it like this?” He rocks into me even harder and I can’t breathe.
I can’t form a coherent sentence, but hearing his words drives me crazy.
“Ride me.” He gives my hair a tug and I start moving. His fingers move between us and work me until I go off like a rocket. He doesn’t let up, thrusting up into me—faster, harder, and I see stars. Neither of us last long and I don’t even care that I’m practically screaming as I squeeze every drop from him.
“Excuse me, Prin—”
Luka and I both go still when we hear a man speak. Who did Cece say would be here with us? I try to lift off of Luka, but he holds me firm.
“Leave us,” Luka barks. “Can’t you see we’re—”
“I am so sorry, sir. It is an emergency. I would not interrupt if it were not urgent. Please meet me in the study when you are able. Both of you.”
I hear him shuffle behind me and then it’s quiet.
“I apologize for that. You’re covered, he couldn’t have seen much,” he says, lifting me carefully off of him. I stand up, knees still wobbly and smooth my dress down. He adjusts himself and stands up, eyes worried. “We should hurry.”
“What’s going on?”
“I have no idea. The plan was we wouldn’t have to speak to anyone but S
oira all week…and she was to make herself scarce.”
We go inside and I barely see the rest of the house as we walk to the study. When we step inside, the man is waiting. Brienne is next to him and my face flushes when I see her. I wonder how much she’s seen or heard since we got here.
“This is Drake, head of our security when we’re here,” Luka says. He motions to me. “My wife, Eden.” His voice is formal again. Back to cold Luka.
“Very nice to meet you,” Drake says politely. “Please forgive my intrusion. I need you to return to Niaps. We have the jet waiting.”
Luka’s brows furrow and he shakes his head. “Why? Has there been a breach here?”
“No, nothing like that. I am afraid I cannot tell you the details, but your father will as soon as you’ve landed. He barely made it home and sent the jet right back.”
“This makes no sense.” Luka’s anger is bouncing off of him.
I put my hand on his arm and he turns to me.
“Something must be wrong. We need to see what’s happened. He wouldn’t just do this for no reason.”
“You don’t know my father,” he snaps.
“If it’s nothing, maybe we can come back.” I feel ridiculous as soon as I say it. And fearful…that the hope was heard in my voice, that he would know how desperate I am for more time with him, just him…
But he puts his hand on my cheek and nods. “You’re right. We should get going. Let’s go as we came, with nothing. It will all be here when we get back.
Drake opens the door and holds his hand out. “Right this way, Lady Catano.”
When we climb on the plane and as I look out the window, I say a wistful goodbye to yet another place that now holds a special part of me.
Chapter Fourteen
“Thanks for teaching me how to swim.” I lean my head against the seat and look at Luka.
“That’s what stands out about our time in paradise? ‘Thanks for teaching me how to swim?’”
I shrug. “It was nice.” I press my lips together and hold back my smile.
“Nice.” He shakes his head, a mock glare on his face.
It’s strange—I feel I’ve gotten to know him far better since we got married. And not just that he can make me melt with one scorching look, but when he’s teasing me, when he feels something, even shyness, and doesn’t want me to see it. When he wants me as much as I want him. When his walls crack a little more…I wish we had the days at the Catano safe house so I could unravel more of him. I’m afraid he won’t be the same, that the magic of that place holds a part of him he won’t show just anywhere. And that thought has me wishing we could go back, or rewind time. I’m already mourning the loss of our time alone together.
“Nice,” he repeats. He reaches across the plush chairs and unbuckles my seat belt. “Come here. I’ll show you how nice I can really be.”
Brienne walks to the front of the plane and goes inside the cockpit, closing the door behind her. She’s so quiet and still as a statue, I have a hard time remembering she’s here.
I bite the inside of my cheek and shake my head. “I don’t want to get caught again tonight, thank you.”
“There’s always the bedroom, but by the time we get in there, it’ll be time to land.” He tugs my hand and I make a show of acting put out over having to move. “I’ll make it worth your while…”
“Don’t mess me up when I’m about to see your mother.” I sit on top of him, knees pressing against the back of the seat.
He lifts a mocking brow at my nerve and I know I’m in trouble. His hands find my ribs and he tickles me until I’m gasping and yelping. I laugh until I cry and he’s laughing just as hard, both of us practically wheezing to catch a breath.
“Uncle!” I yell.
“Your uncle cannot save you.” He can barely get the words out.
I finally get my hands on his side, tickling him, and he violently jerks to the right.
“Oh, you’re not immune either, are you?” I dig into him and he sounds like a little kid, howling.
He captures my wrists and our laughter dies down. We’re both breathing hard and can’t look away from one another. He leans in and kisses me slowly, reverently, and I never want it to end. This kiss is everything—like a puzzle piece just clicked into place and I feel complete.
This time it’s different and I wonder if he feels it too.
The slow, the sweet, the burn that is always ready to combust.
The pilot announces that we’re about to land and I reluctantly move off of Luka. He reaches out and takes my hand in his and we’re quiet until we touch the ground. So quiet I’d worry if he didn’t smile at me when we stand up.
“Shall we do this?” he asks, motioning for me to go first.
My nerves ratchet up to an uncomfortable level. I’m at a disadvantage walking into Luka’s home during an emergency, or whatever this is, having never been here and not knowing his family well.
A driver takes us to the family castle that looks like it could safely house the entire Kings Passage University and then some. I’m blown away by such displays of wealth. I wonder how it felt growing up never worrying if the winter would be too long, how the crops would survive, how the people in the villages nearby would make it. I’ve had a very comfortable life, and I’ve still never seen anything close to this degree of luxury.
We pull around and are greeted by the staff of House Catano. Once I’ve been introduced to the dozen staff members there, we move to the study and are given refreshments. It’s all so formal and I watch Luka carefully for my cues. He seems to have gone further inside himself the moment we stepped into his home and I don’t try to bring him out of it. We’re both quiet and exhausted.
Titus comes into the room and Cece isn’t too far behind him.
“Thanks for getting home so quickly,” the king says.
“We didn’t really have a choice,” Luka responds, running his hands through his hair and looking at the floor.
“We both know the last thing you wanted to do was get married, so I didn’t think you’d mind being interrupted on your honeymoon.”
My throat closes and I wish I didn’t have to hear this.
Cece makes a face, making it seem like she’s not in agreement with her husband.
Luka leans forward, his elbows on his knees. “Why don’t you just let us know why we had to come here in an almighty rush, Father.” His knuckles are white as he grips his hands together tightly.
“Your sister Mara is in trouble. She’s offended the people with her disregard for the church and they have been going after her hard in the media. I need you here to show a good front…distract them with your marriage…get their minds off of her for a while. And with the threat to Farrow with Alidonia, it would be a good thing to have your faces showing up in Niaps anyway. We can’t take the Farthing family lightly.”
“So we basically came home from our honeymoon to do a few photo opps. If you’d told me this yesterday, we could have arranged for photos there and still been on vacation. What’s really going on?” Luka gets up and walks to the bar. “Gin and tonic, anyone?”
“I’ll have one.” Cece perks up.
“Eden?” Luka raises the decanter and I shake my head. “What about school? Was that just for show too or can we go back?”
“I’d like to do a wedding reception for you here, let everyone feel a part of this marriage,” Titus says, ignoring Luka’s question.
“Eden, are you okay with that?” Luka asks.
I’m so surprised he’s asking my opinion that it takes me a moment to speak. “Um, sure?”
“Very well. In two weeks…to give us time to prepare.”
Titus leaves the room and Cece takes her drink from Luka, holding it up to clink his.
“Basile will show you to your rooms…room? I’ll let the two of you sort that out. Titus saw the proof and confirmed it with your father, Eden, so what you do from here on is your concern.” She winks. “Although, you know, an heir will be
expected next.”
My mouth dropped open when she mentioned proof and further drops about an heir. She leaves the room and Basile comes in, a man that comes to my chest and his eyes do get stuck there for a few seconds before Luka snaps his fingers in his face.
“Eyes off my wife, Uncle Basile.”
“So it’s like that—wife—hmm.” Basile grins. “Good to know.” He reaches out for my hand and then kisses the top of it. “I’m pleased to meet the lovely Eden. You’re even more beautiful in person.”
“Thank you.” I smile shyly.
Basile holds his hand out for us to follow him, elbowing Luka. “Does my sister think you don’t know your way around your own home? Or does she just want to make me feel like a servant?”
“Probably the latter, Uncle.”
Basile chuckles, but it doesn’t ring true, and it brings up even more questions about the weird family dynamic vibe I’m getting. He leads us to two rooms side by side.
“Obviously you know your own room, Luka, but we’ve cleared the room next to you for Eden. I’m taking it you’ll be in Luka’s room though.”
This is all so awkward, I pause in front of my room as Luka touches my arm.
“Stay with me,” he whispers.
The relief I feel from his words is ridiculous, but I don’t dwell on my feelings. Basile claps, ecstatic that we’re a “real couple” and I can’t help but laugh. We step inside Luka’s room.
“Clothes and anything you could possibly need are in your room, but there’s easy access. We’ll get everything moved in here, if you’d like.”
I start to answer that it won’t be necessary to move my things, but Luka beats me to it. “As soon as possible, please.”
“Very well. I’ll tell Hanna to do that right away. I hope you’ll feel welcome here, Eden. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask me. And whatever you do, don’t put your guard down around our dear king and queen. They will eat you alive,” he warns, baring his teeth.
Downfall: Kingdoms of Sin, Book #1 Page 8
