Henry did the same for Karia, and soon, they were all enjoying the delicious food. They decided to play board games after dinner that night for a while, so after the kitchen was cleaned, Knox went to a cupboard in the living area and took out a Scrabble game that looked as if it had been around for many years.
“I think we should play girls against guys,” Kathleen suggested.
“I think that’s a great idea. I have to warn you, though, I love this game,” Karia said.
“Is that so? Well, let’s see you put your money where your mouth is, little lady,” Henry said with a grin.
“Better yet, why not play Strip Scrabble?” Knox said.
Karia looked at Kathleen, who nodded with a giggle. “Okay, but if it starts to go too far, we’ll call “red” and we stop.”
“What’s that, your safeword?” Knox teased.
Karia looked from Kathleen to Knox, immediately guessing that theirs wasn’t a vanilla relationship. When she glanced over at Henry, she could see that he was watching the other couple as well.
The game commenced, with the girls taking the lead early on. Both guys were down to their boxers—luckily, they were both wearing them—when Kathleen asked if they were ready to call it a night. She was sitting there in her bra, having lost only her top. Karia had removed her sweater but was wearing a camisole underneath, so she was still essentially dressed.
Henry looked over at Knox and said, “Okay, if you girls are afraid we’re going to catch up, we can call it. You won. That means we have to make breakfast in the morning.”
It had been a fun evening, and Karia had laughed more than she had in a long time. Knox put the game away, and the two couples said goodnight before going to their respective bedrooms.
When she and Henry were alone finally, she curled up in his arms and said, “I think it’s good the bedrooms are on opposite sides of the cottage. I’m not sure, but I think those two may be kinky.”
“I know they are,” he responded. “How much do you know about kinky relationships?”
“Not a lot, just what I’ve read. I do know, however, that last year, your guard punished me because you said something about a rule…”
“Yes, there is an old rule on the books that a royal can only spank his wife. I have no idea where that came from or if anyone even pays attention to it. I doubt my father even knows it’s in place. My brother told me once. He said he had spanked a girl he was dating, and he acted like it was a big deal because of the rule. We were teens at the time.”
“How did he know about the rule?” Karia asked.
“He had been studying royal protocol in preparation for his future. I have done some reading but haven’t read all the rules on the books.”
“So, in actuality, if you, say, for example, wanted to spank me, you could, as long as no one found out. I mean, your brother did it.”
He gave her a strange look and then said, “Well, I could, but why would I want to? Don’t you get enough of that at the academy? I would think you’d want to stay away from it outside of school.”
Well, I guess that answers my question, Karia thought. Aloud, she said, “Oh, I was just wondering. No real reason. You’re right, the school is big on discipline. But one thing puzzles me. When I first met you and your father, the king swatted my bare bottom. I was in the midst of a punishment from Master Armstrong.”
“Like I said, I doubt he is even aware of that rule. Looking back now, that incident seems so long ago. I can’t see my father ever doing that to you now.”
“Neither can I,” she said with a giggle.
“Enough about that. We are finally alone. We need to make good use of the time,” Henry said as he pulled her closer.
“I couldn’t agree more. I had begun to wonder if it was going to happen during this trip,” she replied as she melted into him.
No more words were needed as Henry began to undress her and place kisses all over her body, working his way to her center.
Karia moaned as he began to tease her with his tongue and then inserted two thick fingers inside her. She was already wet and needy and tried to hurry him along.
“Nope, none of that, sweet Karia. I am calling the shots tonight,” he said as he looked up and grinned at her.
She groaned in frustration but tried to relax and let him work his magic. Sex with Henry had always been good. He was as vanilla as could be, which sort of surprised her with his history of being a playboy, but that wasn’t to say he didn’t know how to please her. Of course, all of her experience to date had been of the vanilla kind, but given her feelings whenever Oliver punished her and the insinuations between Knox and Kathleen earlier, she wondered what it would be like to engage in something more risqué occasionally.
Bringing her thoughts back to Henry and the present, she began to feel the rush of desire again as he began to tend to her in earnest. The feeling was building, and she knew she would come soon if he kept this up. When she fell apart and gave in to the sensations that wracked her body, she could almost forget about the kinky side of life that she so desperately wanted to explore. And then, when she had recovered for the most part, Henry flipped her over and pulled her up on all fours. He intended to mount her from behind, which was new for them. Maybe he had sensed her desire for more. Whatever the reason, she savored the feelings as he entered her while his hands tweaked her nipples and his balls slapped against her ass. He thrust hard then, and she matched his movements until both of them were lost in the abyss. He rolled off her onto his back, pulling her on top of him. There, he held her quietly. A short time later, he went to the bathroom and brought back a wet washcloth and a towel to clean her, then he pulled her on top of him so that she could ride him. After the second round, they went to sleep.
The next morning, the guys kept their promise to cook breakfast. They made omelets and toast while the girls set the table, poured glasses of orange juice, and made a pot of hot coffee.
“I think we should go easy on them and do the dishes,” Kathleen said.
“I’ll agree to that. Breakfast was delicious,” Karia said.
After the cleanup was finished, the girls stripped the beds and packed their bags, which the guys loaded in the vehicle with their own. They decided to take a walk before heading back to the city for lunch. They talked as they strolled around the grounds that Knox had inherited from his grandparents.
“I love it here,” Karia said.
“I do too. I told Knox we should move out here, but he likes his city flat,” Kathleen said.
“Are you two moving in together?” Henry asked.
“We’re discussing it. We will eventually, just haven’t decided how soon,” Knox told them.
“Where do you live now, Kathleen?” Karia asked.
“At home, with my parents and sister. There really is no reason to move out yet, unless I move in with Knox. They have a big house, and they enjoy having us there. My sister is away at uni most of the time. I have a job in the city, so I’m gone a lot too. We don’t get in their way, and they still travel and do whatever they want, but it’s nice to have family time too. I imagine that when my sister and I both do eventually leave home, that’s when they’ll decide to downsize and travel more.”
“I live at home too. Since I’m an only child, I think my parents would both have a coronary if I decided to leave home before I finish school. They think it’s bad enough that I’m away at school.”
“Well, I’m in my own wing at the palace, but technically, I’m still at home, too, I guess,” Henry said with a chuckle, and the others laughed. “Knox is the only one who has his own place, and he has two of them.”
“My folks would think it odd if I still lived with them at my age,” the other man said. “I enjoy having my own place. And having the cottage is nice because it’s a getaway for me and for my friends.”
“Yes, this is such a nice place to spend a weekend,” Karia agreed.
When they decided to head back to the city, the girls chose to r
ide together in the back seat so they could carry on their own conversation while the guys talked in the front seat.
They chose a quaint little place on the way back to have lunch, and Henry and Karia were able to enjoy the meal without being noticed by anyone other than the server, who played it cool and acted like they were any other customers she might serve on a Saturday afternoon.
They said goodbye to their friends when they arrived at the palace and promised to stay in touch until the next time they could all get together. Henry took Karia’s hand as they walked inside, while one of the staff grabbed their bags and took them to their rooms.
They found Emma waiting for them in the parlor. She jumped up when they walked in and ran to give them both a hug. “I’m so glad you’re back. Mum is at an event, and Dad is with his cronies, and I’ve been here all alone. All my friends are either at school this weekend or busy.”
“Oh, poor little princess,” Henry teased. “We’re here now. Would you like to go riding, or did you go this morning?”
“No, we didn’t. Mum and Dad were busy, and I didn’t want to go alone. I’ll go change. Karia, I’ll get my extra riding habit for you if you want to come with me.”
“I’ll meet you both at the stables,” Henry called after them.
After an exhilarating ride in the cool weather, the three of them returned to the warmth of the palace and a tray of tea, cakes and scones. Karia filled Emma in on her week, and the three of them talked and teased each other until the queen returned from her engagement.
“Hello, you three. It looks like you’re having a fun time harassing each other,” she said when she entered the room and poured herself a cup of tea. It wasn’t uncommon for her to help herself. She often waved away the staff if she wasn’t busy.
She sat down wearily and talked while she drank the sweet, hot brew, then she excused herself to rest before dinner.
“I suppose we should get freshened up too,” Emma said. “Karia, come on. We’ll change for dinner, and then we’ll have time to chat some more.”
“I have to check my messages, so you two have fun. I’ll see you at dinner,” Henry said.
After agreeing to go to Emma’s room after she had changed, Karia went into her own room and chose a dress to wear to dinner. Then she took a quick shower. It was going to be a quiet family dinner tonight, so she had picked a casual shirtwaist dress and flats, dressing it up a bit with jewelry.
When she was ready, she made her way down the hall to Emma’s quarters and knocked on the door.
“Come on in, I’m just finishing. Oh, I like that dress,” Emma said as she let her in.
“Thanks. I ordered it for this week.”
The two girls caught up on girl talk until time to join the rest of the family in the small dining room the family used for intimate gatherings.
After dinner, they all went to the parlor for a while. Then Emma got a phone call from her boyfriend and excused herself. Henry asked Karia if she was ready to go to her room for the night and offered to escort her.
She told his parents goodnight, and the two of them walked up the long flight of stairs together, neither in a hurry for her time there to end. Tomorrow, she would be back at school. They stood just inside her door kissing and talking for several minutes before he finally told her he would see her in the morning. They had planned to attend church services with the family, which was going to be tricky. She, Henry, and Emma decided it would be best if they arrived separately from the king and queen so as not to draw attention to themselves should any press be lurking about. This constant planning around the paparazzi had Karia’s head spinning. Did they live like this on a daily basis, or was it just when she was around?
She got ready for bed and called her parents to tell them she would be returning to school the next day. They discussed her week, and then she tried to get some sleep after the call ended.
After church the next morning, Karia and the royals returned to the castle for lunch and then Henry and Karia took a walk while Emma got ready to return to school. They got back in time to see her off, and then it was time for Karia to finish packing. She hated to leave, the week had been that good. Fashion Week and the time spent with Henry and his friends and family had been a welcome respite from the structured atmosphere of the academy. But now, it was time to go back. She had three more months, and her second year would be behind her. The plan was for her to work with her father again this summer as she had last year. Henry would be doing his military stint in the fall, so she hoped to squeeze in some time with him as well.
“When can we get together again?” he asked as he walked her to the car. He wasn’t going to be able to ride back with her. “Spring break?”
“I’m not sure. I think my folks have a trip planned for us then. But we’ll work something out.”
“I’ll miss you. It’s been nice having you here.”
“I’ve enjoyed it too,” she replied.
They kissed, and then he waited while the driver opened the door for her and she got in. She waved as they drove away, a lone tear sneaking out of her eye.
And just like that, she was back at the academy, her days of glamour and nights of royalty over. When she got to her room, she unpacked and sat on the bed, wondering where her roommate was. And then she remembered that Colleen had gone home for a family event and wouldn’t be back until late. So, she had the evening to herself. She had worked hard on her article and was caught up on her studies, so she lay back on the bed until time to go to dinner. She thought about her night with Henry and the revelation that he totally didn’t get the whole kink and spanking thing. Maybe she should just forget about it. Really, the feelings that Oliver’s punishments brought out in her might be abnormal. She got up and took her laptop from her desk and fired it up. Using the search engine, she brought up some interesting sites and began to read. By the time she realized it was time to eat, she shut down the computer with a whole new perspective on the subject. She wasn’t abnormal at all! Some people were just wired to have the same feelings she had experienced. It was in their makeup. Now, though, what should she do with this newfound information?
She went into the bathroom to wash up and then headed downstairs. She saw Rhiannon and a few of the other girls and joined them. Of course, they wanted to hear all about her week, so the entire conversation throughout the meal centered around Fashion Week. She told them about being behind the scenes and how exciting it had been, that she had even ordered a few things for herself, and that she felt really good about her article.
“What about the nightlife? Did you do anything fun while you were there?” one girl asked.
“Well, I had rules to follow, of course. You know, the whole ‘you are representing the academy’ speech I got before I left, so I didn’t go out. I was able to have dinner with Prince Henry and another couple one night.” She left it at that. They didn’t need to know she had stayed at the palace or that she had spent a night in the country with her boyfriend and another couple.
She texted Henry when she got back to her room and chatted with him until Colleen came in. The two girls talked for a bit after they got into bed, but both were exhausted and fell asleep halfway through their conversation.
The next day, she went to her classes as usual, met with Professor Evelyn to go over her week and was pleased to hear that the teacher was happy with her article so far.
“I think you just need to clean it up, do some editing, and it’s ready to turn in. I’m proud of you, Karia. You really put your heart and soul into this. You’ll make a good reporter someday.”
“Thank you, ma’am. I enjoyed it so much. Melinda Matthews’ assistant was very helpful.”
After that, she had a class with Master Armstrong. When it was over, he asked her to stay after class again.
Bloody hell, I thought I was going to get out of this. What does he want now? I hope it’s only to discuss my week in the city, she thought as she waited for the other students to file out of the room.
Oliver wasted no time in getting to the reason for his request that she stay behind.
“Ms. Daly, I understand your visit to Fashion Week was a smashing success,” he began.
“Yes, sir. I was able to get a lot of inside information for my article, which Professor Evelyn says is nearly ready to turn in.”
The man smiled, and his dark eyes seemed to twinkle. “That’s good to hear. And only one incident with the tabloids, which turned out not to be bad.”
“Yes, sir,” she replied as she looked down at her hands in her lap.
“Now, Ms. Daly, I doubt that you are going to agree with my rationale on this matter, but I believe you need a subtle reminder that you are no longer in the city with glamorous designers and high society people, attending one of the largest events of the year. You are back at the academy, a student, and you are not staying with the royal family, being given a driver and a royal guard for your use. You are living in a dorm room, attending classes, and your job right now is to study.”
“I’m not sure I understand, sir.”
He smiled at her again, and a shiver ran up and down her spine.
“My reason for saying you would most likely not agree with me. Now, I want you to stand and come forward.”
Karia got up, wiping her sweaty palms on her skirt, and walked to his desk where he now stood.
“Bend over my desk,” he commanded in a low tone.
“Yes, sir,” she answered as every nerve ending in her body stood at attention. He was going to punish her! She hadn’t done anything wrong. What was it he had said? This was a subtle reminder. He was putting her in her place, so that she wouldn’t forget where she belonged. It wasn’t in the city, attending fancy events, wearing designer clothes, or staying in the palace as a guest of the royal family. She was Karia Daly, student, commoner.
Why was she feeling excited? Was she one of those people who enjoyed the pain, the kinky side of life? Did she really like being spanked by the master? Was it just Oliver, or would she take it from any man? Henry certainly wasn’t willing to dish it out. Was she just a slut who wanted to have her cake and eat it too? She was using Henry for sex and Oliver for punishment? No, that wasn’t it at all. It couldn’t be. She was so confused.
Karia and the Prince (Avalon Adventures Book 2) Page 15
