Royally Loved: The Royal Romances Books 1-5

by McKenna James

  “How so?”

  “Well, it’s kind of a reminder to me that all of our decisions are pointless, really. We’re so insignificant to the world, even more insignificant to the universe. It’s a freeing thought.”

  “I don’t find it freeing,” he said as he turned toward the exhibit. “I find it anxiety-inducing. All my life I’ve been told I have this important role to play. That my decisions matter. Then I look at this, and it doesn’t feel that way.”

  “Wouldn’t you like that?” I asked. “I mean, you said you don’t want that responsibility, don’t want that weight. So, wouldn’t you appreciate that weight feeling lifted?”

  He looked at me curiously. “I hadn’t thought about it like that before.”

  I looked into his eyes, he looked into mine, and I felt our chemistry once again.

  It was electric.

  10

  Edward

  It was obvious to me that Maggie was avoiding me. In a way, I found it kind of cute. I was also very confused about why.

  I thought we had a great time together. Although she did rush out a bit after we hooked up, I didn’t give it much thought.

  I had assumed that once I finally had her, I’d relax, and she wouldn’t consume my thoughts so much. But the exact opposite had happened.

  I thought of her even more now. I specifically came to the palace today just to see her, just to interact. So I was excited when I heard they were going to the museum. I thought it would be my opportunity to spend some time with her.

  Now I could see that, for her, it was an opportunity to avoid me.

  Still, I would not be deterred. I didn’t know why I still wanted to spend time with her, but I knew that nothing was going to stop me from doing so. I liked her, really liked her, and I would do whatever it took to keep seeing her.

  I had never felt this way about a woman. There’d been plenty of women I’d dated, plenty of women I’d spent adequate time with whom I enjoyed. At the end of the day, I could take them or leave them. I didn’t feel like I needed to spend significant time with any of them.

  I needed to spend time with Maggie. Craved every moment that she was near.

  “When you are dealing with the stresses associated with your father’s illness, is this the kind of thinking that calms you?” I asked her, referring to the exhibit and the way it made her feel insignificant.

  “Actually, yeah. When the medical bills were piling up and I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to make it, when I thought of the rising debt and my credit score being ruined, I thought of how silly that all was. Money, debt, credit scores … all things man made up to feel like they had some control over the world. We don’t have control of the world at all, do we? It’s always done as it pleased, and it always will.”

  I was so enthralled by her every word. She thought in a way that I never had before, though we did walk down two very different paths in life, and although I had no desire to struggle or feel the angst and suffering she’d spoke up, it gave me a newfound respect for her, for her family, for never giving up and working harder simply in the name of love.

  Though I hated thinking about her struggle with her father. It didn’t seem fair to me that someone like her should have to struggle so much. She was so kind, so smart, so wonderfully beautiful… I wished I could take away all of her hardships.

  “The kids will be back any moment, you know,” I told her.

  “Can’t wait.” She smiled but said it bitingly. She was making it clear she didn’t want to be alone with me.

  Why? Perhaps she didn’t trust herself in my presence.

  “You don’t enjoy spending time together?” I asked.

  “No, uh, I do…” she muttered.

  “So … what is it then?”

  “I’m just not so sure it’s a good idea,” she told me.

  “Why not?”

  She shrugged. “I don’t know, it’s just … you’re my boss, you know?”

  Oh, so that was what this was about.

  “Maggie, I’m not your boss. Not really. Have I ever felt like a boss to you?”

  “Not really…” she said quietly.

  “Well, then, what’s the harm?”

  Before she could argue, I clasped her face within my hands and leaned in to kiss her. I wasn’t sure if she’d pull away, but I had to risk rejection while the opportunity was present. She surprised me in the best way. The kiss was soft, gentle—romantic. Exactly what she promised she didn’t want, didn’t need. Completely opposite, however, where I was concerned.

  She never pulled back, though. In fact, she put her hand on my cheek as she leaned forward.

  I savored the taste of her lips on my own. She was delicious… I had flashbacks of our night together.

  Then, suddenly, she took her lips from mine.

  “I, uh, don’t want the kids to see,” she muttered.

  “Right,” I agreed, not all that eager for my younger siblings to catch me making out with their tutor either. “Then meet me later tonight? After you finish work?”

  “Like … meet you at the palace? After work hours?”

  “Yes,” I said seriously.

  She once again seemed hesitant. “I don’t know… I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”

  “Well, I am,” I told her. “I’m positive it’s a damn good idea. I want to see you again… No, I absolutely have to see you again.”

  Her eyes widened a bit. “You … have to?”

  “I insist,” I repeated.

  She sighed. “Okay … sure. Yes, I’ll meet you later.”

  I smiled. “Perfect.”

  The timing was just right because only a moment later, I saw Abigail and Drew running toward us.

  “Are you guys ready to get back on the tour?” Maggie asked.

  “Yes!” Abigail answered excitedly.

  I wasn’t.

  I couldn’t focus on anything at the museum. The only thing I could focus on, the only thing I wanted to focus on, was Maggie. I found myself obsessively thinking about later when I would have her alone to myself again. Everything I might do to her when given the opportunity.

  It had me thoroughly excited.

  I pretty much zoned out for the rest of the tour. Abigail or Drew would occasionally engage me, and of course I’d answer, but then my mind would drift back to Maggie.

  I watched her endlessly. I loved the way she moved. I loved her curvy body. I loved the way her hair bounced with every step … as well as her ass. As she walked, I imagined that body walking naked toward me.

  I couldn’t believe how insatiably I wanted this woman. I was not this guy. Why did I feel such strong desire to be around her? Why couldn’t I get her out of my head? This was nearing obsession, and I couldn’t figure out why.

  The only possible explanation I could come up with was that she simply made me … happy. It had been so long since I felt true, unadulterated happiness. She provided that for me.

  Speaking to her brought out something in me that I hadn’t felt since I was a kid. Usually, I would spend my time with people who would temporarily fill the void of loneliness. With her, there was no loneliness, there was no avoiding negativity. I felt at peace.

  I wanted more of that. I’d chase that feeling to the ends of the earth.

  11

  Maggie

  I was a total idiot for agreeing to meet Edward after my shift finished.

  I mean, really, what did I think I was doing? I had made such a thing out of the fact that I couldn’t continue to spend time with Edward, that I would get too attached. Then he asked me to spend time with him, and I just agreed?

  It was so stupid, but I didn’t know how to resist him. That was part of the reason why I didn’t want to see him at work in the first place.

  Now, as I was about to finish my meeting with Abigail and Drew’s teachers, my heart was pounding. I couldn’t believe I was about to see him again. Would he want to have sex?

  I assumed he would. Why else would he be asking me to
meet him? I wasn’t naïve. I didn’t think that this meant he wanted to date me. I knew that he had no interest in dating anyone exclusively, and I didn’t think I would be the exception to that rule.

  Being that I wasn’t the exception, I couldn’t succumb to Edward again. No, I would meet with him because I had already agreed to, but I would only meet with him to inform him that we needed to cease any intimate relations. Yeah, that was good… I’d be entirely upfront that I wasn’t interested in being a fling for him or anyone else. Hopefully he’d understand, and it wouldn’t affect our relationship too much at work.

  I left my meeting with the kids’ teachers and entered the west wing of the palace. It was a quiet wing, mostly made up of guest bedrooms that were currently unused.

  I heard footsteps coming from behind me and turned around to see Edward standing there, a smile on his face.

  “Here, follow me,” he said as he took my hands and pulled me into one of the guest bedrooms.

  As soon as his hand touched mine, a familiar tingle of excitement ran down my spine. He shut the door behind us, and I had to pluck up the courage to tell him we couldn’t do this anymore.

  “Look, Edward, I’m not so sure this is a good idea.”

  “What?”

  “You know, us seeing each other. It doesn’t feel like the right thing to do. I mean, are you so sure this is a good idea?”

  “No,” he admitted. “To be honest, I’m not at all considering whether it’s a good idea or not. I’m only considering one thing—the fact that I desperately need to have you.”

  He pulled me in close and kissed me once again. I told myself to pull away, but as his tongue explored mine, I couldn’t bring myself to do it. It just felt so damned good.

  Besides, if I was ending this now, what was one more kiss? I might as well enjoy his mouth one last time.

  So, I did. For minutes. When he pulled away, he looked at me seriously.

  “Do you really want to focus on how this isn’t a good idea? Or do you want to allow yourself to enjoy the moment? To enjoy me?”

  I bit my lip. He had a point. Sure, I wasn’t special enough to be hooking up with the Prince of England… This would never go anywhere, I’d never be his, and yeah… I may get a little attached.

  Did I really want to let go of the fun that I was having now because of a potential attachment? No, I didn’t think I did.

  “If you want me to stop, I will. It’s up to you.”

  “No,” I said without thinking. “Don’t stop.”

  He grinned and resumed kissing me.

  I was a worried that someone could walk in on us. It wasn’t the same as being in Edward’s penthouse. At any moment, we could be barged in on.

  It should have been enough to get me to stop, but oddly, it only encouraged me to continue. I thought about how taboo it would be for me to be caught in bed with Edward. Though I didn’t want to be, the sneaking around made it all the sexier.

  I did want this to be done fairly quickly, though. I wanted to get my fix and get out of here.

  I also wanted him to dominate me the way he had before so to encourage that, I bit down on his lip to hint that I wanted this rough.

  He got that hint.

  He threw me down on the bed so roughly I bounced once. He started pulling his pants down, leaving his shirt on. In true quickie fashion, I did the same. Taking both my pants and panties off quickly.

  He did lean down to give me oral again, like a true gentleman, but I didn’t feel we had the time. Still, it was hard for me to resist, so I let him at least lick me a bit to prime my fervor.

  I didn’t know how he was so good at this, but he had easily given me the best oral I experienced in my life. He knew just how hard to press down on my clit. He ran his tongue in circles around me like no man had before. Last time we had sex; it took everything I had not to come from the oral alone.

  I didn’t want that. I was greedy. I wanted to feel his full, fat cock inside me, thrusting roughly. It had been so damn amazing the first time. I’d never slept with anyone who had a cock his size. It filled me completely and stimulated places I didn’t even know existed before.

  “Just jam it into me, we don’t have much time,” I said in a low voice, not wanting to be heard by anyone who might’ve been in the hall.

  “Your wish is my command,” he said softly as he pressed the tip of his cock against my pussy.

  In one swift movement, he had jammed his stiff rod inside me. I was so soaking wet that it slid easily.

  I threw my head back on the pillow and started moaning against my better judgement. It was like an involuntary action. He pushed against the walls of my pussy and exerted so much pleasure that I felt I had to verbalize it.

  Thankfully, Edward had the quick thinking to cover my mouth with his hands so that my groans were muffled. This was even hotter. I loved when he exerted some control over my body.

  I was so turned on right now.

  I reminded myself that this would be my last time with him and encouraged myself to savor it.

  He ran his hand up my shirt, groping at my breasts as he moved in and out of me. He’d periodically pull his cock back, almost as if he was going to pull out of me, and then slammed his dick into me harshly. It felt like he was teasing me.

  As much as I liked being teased, I feared we’d be interrupted and that this wouldn’t last long. I wanted him to fuck me harder, but with his hand over my mouth, I couldn’t very well say that.

  So I grabbed his ass, digging my fingernails into his skin. Then I jerked him toward me.

  He got the picture. He drilling me furiously, going from zero to one hundred in just a second, and I was trying to keep my moans to just that—moans.

  I really wanted to scream.

  He was hitting every pleasurable point inside my body. And it only became more intense when he reached down while he was furiously pumping me and started rubbing my clit to stimulate me.

  It was too much to experience pleasure both on the inside and the outside. I couldn’t take it. I thought he knew that. I had a feeling he wanted me to come before he did.

  If that was his goal, he was about to succeed. I felt my vision go fuzzy and my mind go blank. It was like I wasn’t human anymore. Instead, I was giving into some animalistic and primal part of my brain. The orgasm was rising within me, and I couldn’t control it. I didn’t want to control it. I wanted to succumb to him and his passion and desire for me.

  So I did, and it rocked me to the core. I dug my hands into the sheets and grabbed handfuls of the blanket to keep from screaming. My legs began to shake wildly as my pussy pulsated on his cock. I could have sworn the orgasm went on for a full minute, but perhaps time just felt as though it had slowed down.

  Within the time that I orgasmed, so had Edward. He made a quiet grunt as he pushed his cock to the hilt, deep within me. I felt his warmth spread out into me. I loved the way it felt. I loved the evidence that he had been inside me.

  He pulled out of me and immediately got off the bed and grabbed his clothing.

  Even though I wanted to end this, it oddly hurt to see him get dressed so quickly. It was a reminder that this connection wasn’t what I wanted it to be. For Edward, it was purely sexual, and when he got that sexual fix he was done. It wouldn’t be like that for me. I needed more. I needed his attention, to be the only thought that crossed his mind. I urged to consume his heart and soul. I was head over heels, and I didn’t know how I’d come to this point in such a short time.

  I followed suit and started to dress as well.

  “I really think you’re the best sex I ever had,” he said as he pulled his pants up.

  This shocked me. I wasn’t sure why. It probably shouldn’t. He was just being nice after all. I was sure he probably said this to every woman he hooked up with.

  Though if he did mean it… That would shock me. I knew he slept around. It didn’t bother me much; he was the Prince of England and obviously he had messed around with hotter women t
han me. How could I possibly be the best with my minimal experience?

  “Well, thank you, you’re not too bad yourself,” I teased.

  “So, uh, listen… I’d love to see you again.”

  No! Okay, this was what I wanted to avoid. One last quickie was understandable. I couldn’t let this continue the way it had. I had to be forthcoming with him. We couldn’t continue to do this.

  How should I word that in a way that wasn’t mean? Damnit, I should have thought of this all earlier. I was never good on the spot.

  “I don’t know…” I muttered.

  “What? Why? Didn’t you have as good a time as I did?”

  “Well, yes…”

  “And is the sex as good to you?”

  “Absolutely,” I said eagerly, “you’re positively amazing.”

  He grinned. “So, we’re definitely doing this again then, right?”

  Ugh, but no! We couldn’t! The sex wasn’t the problem. The problem was that I wanted more than this, and my emotions were already too deeply evolved. I had to back out of his situation to save myself from getting hurt. It was inevitable.

  So why couldn’t I say that? Why couldn’t I tell him directly that this had to end promptly?

  Because, despite my better judgement, I still had hope. I knew it was stupid. I knew there was no chance of Edward falling for me as I was falling for him. Yet, I held out hope anyway; and that stung.

  I mean, even if Edward ever did like me, he couldn’t do anything about it. He could never be serious with a woman like me. I wasn’t fit for the royal family. I’d accepted that.

  So I needed to stop fucking royal cock.

  I willed myself to pluck up the courage and say this to him. Before I could open my mouth, he leaned in and kissed me. That shut me right the hell up.

  “You’re amazing Maggie, truly.”

  I bit my lip and allowed myself to be swept up by this compliment. In my mind, this compliment was about more than sex. Perhaps he had liked my personality. Perhaps he simply liked me.

  I had to drill it into my head that all his compliments were about sex, though. He didn’t really like me. He just liked fucking me.