Let Him Reign: An Underworld Romance

by Hart, Lane

  "Yeah, I've tried to tell them to keep it down, but it didn't work."

  "Must get that from their mother," he jokes with a wide smile. I know that he's referring to the night we were hiding and he kept shushing me. Then he'd had to kiss me when it didn't work. Eric's unwavering gaze on me and his silence tells me he's likely thinking about that night, too, and what came after the kiss. The moment's broken when the doorbell chimes, echoing through the enormous house.

  Eric moves forward to get it, but one of the downstairs guards jump in front of him and holds out an arm stopping his advance.

  "They've already called from the gatehouse. It's just Courtney Sandbank," Eric explains with exasperation, hands on his hips.

  The guard still proceeds toward the door and opens it himself, revealing a beautiful, young woman with long, blonde hair. She's wearing a white pant suit that doesn't seem to have a single wrinkle that I can see from upstairs. I instantly don't like her, and it has nothing to do with how elegant and majestic she seems. No, it's the way she's looking at Eric likes he's a double chocolate fudge brownie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, swirls of whipped cream and a cherry on top.

  Pain that feels like shards of glass being stabbed into my chest take my breath away. Of course I'm jealous of her. She's the type of woman that a rich, gorgeous man like him deserves to be with, unlike me, the lowly whore that's taken over his home with two energetic little boys.

  "Hi, Courtney," Eric says in greeting. It may just be my wishful thinking, but I swear he sounded annoyed.

  "Eric, love, how are you?" she replies, sounding so fake I have to hold back my gag when she goes in for a kiss to his cheek. "I see you've added quite a bit of new security."

  "Just precautionary," he says.

  "Well, I came by to see if you're free for dinner."

  "Ah," he starts and glances up at me which pulls the woman's attention to me as well. "We were planning on having dinner here tonight."

  "Oh," she says, still sizing me up, causing two identical wrinkles of disgust to form between the eyebrows on her perfect face. "I didn't know you had…company."

  "Yeah, ah, Hannah and her kids are friends that are in town visiting." Hannah? Did he tell her a wrong name on purpose?

  "Well, I hate I drove all the way here to find out you're busy." She huffs like it's his fault for her just dropping in.

  "Yeah, you could've called first and I would've told you," he replies, combing his fingers through his thick, sexy locks. "I guess you could stay and join us if you want."

  Shit.

  "I'd love to," she, unfortunately, says right away.

  Double shit. Oh no, I wonder if she'll stay for dessert and have some of that double chocolate brownie she's eyeing. The thought makes me feel ill, especially when the two of them disappear down the hallway like he can't get her alone fast enough.

  I stay miles away, worried about Kayla and completely distracted until dinner, dreading having to sit across from the woman I don't know if Eric's dating, screwing or whatever else with. It shouldn't matter since I know there's nothing between us except sex. Sex for money or now sex for room and board. But I owe him and will gladly give him anything he wants for returning my boys safely to me.

  The five of us sit down at the ridiculously long dining table and then Marjorie places salads and plates of food down in front of us, making me feel like I'm at a five star restaurant instead of someone's home. Not that I'd know what it's like to eat at a five star restaurant. I'm sure the uppity bitch across from me does, though.

  "This looks great, Marjorie," I tell her, and she smiles when she takes a seat next to the prissy woman.

  "It does. Thanks, Marjorie," Eric tells her.

  I reach over next to me and cut up Noah's beef tenderloin and then do the same for Riley. They both dig in and eat the meat but push the asparagus and pasta around with their forks. They don't even look twice at the salad bowl. My little carnivores. I can't really blame them for their pickiness with vegetables since they've been raised on sandwiches, Hamburger Helper, and take-out.

  "At least try a bite of the asparagus and pasta," I tell them, and both of their noses simultaneously wrinkle in the same cute way.

  "So how long are you staying, Hannah?" the woman asks. Courtney, maybe? I tried to forget her name. I feel the boys looking back and forth between us, probably wondering why she called me Hannah. Even though I'm Mommy to them, they've heard Kayla and other people call me Hope plenty of times.

  "Not long," I reply. "We're just passing through."

  "Marjorie's got two rooms ready for you," Eric says.

  "Thank you." I wonder if he intends for me to sleep there tonight since he has a visitor. I try really hard not to let the jealousy show on my face.

  "If there's anything you need while you're here, just let Marjorie know. Her room is on the other side of the boys'."

  "We really appreciate that," I tell him. "And I may need someone to grab some prescriptions from the pharmacy." The boys’ inhalers are low, and I don't like to wait until they're completely out before replacing them. I try not to feel guilty that they seem to breathe much easier here, in a spotless, mold free environment unlike our shitty little apartment.

  "Sure, I'd be glad to go out and pick up anything you need," Marjorie says. "Oh, and, Mr. Coughlin, I hope you won't mind, but I went into the attic and found some of your childhood toys and put them in Noah and Riley's room," Marjorie says.

  "Oh, wow, are you sure? These two can be somewhat...destructive," I warn.

  "They'll be fine," Eric says, lifting his wine glass to his smiling lips.

  "But don't you want to preserve them until you have your own little ones running around?" the bitch asks, causing Eric to almost choke.

  "God no," he replies. It sounded like she expects those imaginary children sooner rather than later, and that'd she'll be their mother.

  "But you don't have much time-" the woman starts, but Eric cuts her off.

  "We're not discussing that right now," he says in a tone that leaves no room for argument.

  The rest of the meal is quiet, until the banana pudding is served for dessert. Finishing up, Riley burps after drinking a sip of his apple juice that, and of course, it has to be answered with one from Noah. I apologize and then usher them from the table with Marjorie guiding us to our temporary rooms. When the wonderful woman shows us the pajamas she's bought for all three of us, along with toothbrushes and all the other toiletries we could possibly need, I can’t help but hug her in gratitude.

  Once the boys snuggle down in their beds, they fall asleep before I get halfway through telling them one of their favorite stories about a caveman named Ug the Thug. The two sleep like always, on their sides with their backs pressed against each other. Despite how much they might argue and fight during the day, at night it's like they need to be close to each other.

  I leave the light on in the bathroom adjoining their room in case they need to potty during the night, and then ease out the door. I sigh in relief that they're safe tonight and peacefully asleep, glad I got be the one tucking them in, unlike most nights when I'm working.

  Walking back into my guest room, I'm definitely not expecting to find Eric stretched out on top of the bed. I can't help but smile at the sight of him, knowing he's in here with me and not with the beautiful, classy blonde woman. It doesn't hurt that he also looks so freaking sexy smiling with his hands behind his head, the top of his white dress shirt unbuttoned and the bottom untucked from his gray slacks.

  "So, your friend's gone so soon?" I can't help but ask. He only rolls his eyes in a juvenile response. "You didn't want to fuck her? It's obvious she wants you."

  "Hell no," he says, surprising me. "I wouldn't put it past her to save the cum from my condom to try and impregnate herself."

  "Ew. What?" I ask in confusion.

  He puffs out a breath. "My wonderful father has found a way to fuck me over from his grave. His will says that if I don't have a male heir before mi
dnight on my twenty-fifth birthday, in less than two years, then I forfeit my inheritance...and everything that goes along with it."

  "Oh," I mutter in stunned understanding.

  "So when word got out, women began flocking to town like geese to try and get me to knock them up, or at least agree to marry them. They want my money and status, instead of me. They're nothing more than a bunch of greedy, deceitful whores. At least you're honest about it."

  I swallow back the hurt caused by his words, knowing he didn't say it to be intentionally insulting. It's what I am, and all I'll ever be to him. There are worst things to endure in life than having sex with this incredibly hot man.

  "So why do you still have on all your clothes?" I ask.

  "I thought we could go back to my room on the other side of the house, so you can be as loud as you want. And I promise I will make you scream," he assures me, and all I can think is, Yes, please.

  "As long as you put a few guards in front of the boys' door, lead the way," I tell him and he quickly scrambles to his feet.

  Instead of showing me the way, he picks me up, wraps my legs around his waist and carries me while claiming my mouth in a dominating kiss. We pass guards already in the hallway, but Eric is obviously unfazed by them seeing us together. He is their boss, so I guess he has the right to do whatever he wants in front of them. I try not to think about how many other woman they've probably seen him with.

  When he walks into a humongous bedroom he shuts and locks the door before lowering us both down on top of the massive four poster bed. Eric’s wonderful, familiar scent of sandalwood and new leather is even stronger in here, making me feel safe and happy.

  "I've been thinking about fucking you all goddamn day," he says, pushing my shirt up and over my head. Reaching underneath my back, he unfastens my bra and slides the straps down my arms. He gasps and goes silent for a second before he sits back on his knees and explodes.

  "Those motherfuckers! I will rip them apart, limb by limb!"

  I look down and realize he must be upset about the marks on both of my breasts. I'd forgotten they were there. "Usually Simon gives me a little of his blood afterwards to heal them, but he didn't last night. Bastard didn't give me my payout, either."

  "Usually?" Eric exclaims like he's hearing what I do for a living for the very first time. "Fucking vampires."

  Needing to distract him, I pull his face down to mine, kissing him gently. "Why don't you kiss them and make them better?" I say to him.

  The angry fire in his eyes dims slightly before his lips lower to my neck.

  "What's your blood type?" he asks randomly between lingering kisses.

  "Um, B positive. Why?"

  "Tomorrow morning, I'll have our physician get you a few bags to replace all that you lost," he says.

  I have to blink away tears at his kindness. For some strange reason he wants to take care of me. No one's ever taken care of me before, not even my parents, more than was legally required of them.

  All my thoughts and worries quickly become distant when Eric's wet suction over the wounds on my throat have me moaning and holding his head to me. One of his hands caress down my bare stomach to the waistband of my jeans. Undoing them, he slips his hand underneath my panties, making my hips squirm, wanting him to finger my aching pussy.

  Moving down my body he yanks on my jeans and panties, pulling them off until I’m completely naked underneath him. Hovering above me he's still fully dressed when he runs his tongue over each of the sores on both of my breasts and then lowers his head between my thighs.

  Eric makes good on his promise. I cry out curses and praises to him and God at the first stroke of his tongue lapping against my tender flesh.

  "That's right, baby. Tell me how good it feels when I lick your pussy," he says, lifting his blazing sapphire eyes to meet mine before his mouth goes back to devouring me.

  "Oh God, Eric! So good!" I moan in encouragement. “Oh yes!" I'm almost certain Eric was the last man to go down on me almost five long years ago, which is a shame. I’m certain the passage of time is what makes what he’s doing to me feel even more amazing.

  I spread my legs wider for him and grab two handfuls of his russet colored hair, using them as reins while my hips buck wild and uncontrollably against his mouth. I have no shame at all because it's too damn good. Sucking my clit into his mouth his fingers slip in and out of me, building the ecstasy until I can't take anymore. I scream out his name as my back arches off the bed and my entire body tightens and shakes with pleasure.

  When it's over I fall limply back onto the thick, comfortable mattress, trying to catch my breath after holding it for so long through the tremors.

  As my strength finally returns, I realize Eric's lips are slowly making their way back up my body. He eventually pulls away to undress, and when he comes back he doesn't waste any time. His hard shaft eases effortlessly into me before he begins pumping his hips frantically and desperately.

  "Ah fuck! Your pussy...it's too good...can't last." He looks down and tells me. “You know where I want to finish, don’t you, baby?”

  Realizing he's worried about not using a condom, I nod by agreement even though his concern about knocking me up is completely unnecessary.

  He pulls out and quickly moves up my body. I open my mouth wide to take as much of him as I can. He's big, but I can handle it all. I suck my own arousal off of him with long, deep strokes while he fucks my mouth faster and faster.

  "Hell yes. Almost," he groans, bracing his weight on his palm above my head. I take him all the way to the base of his cock and swallow several times while squeezing his balls. "That's it...just...like...that, baby. Ah!"

  I lick every single last drop of his seed off of him before his cock slips out of my mouth. I love the taste of him and can't get enough. In fact, imagining I was with him instead of whatever man I was really with at Heaven is how I lasted there as long as I did. We may have only been together for that one night, but it was very memorable for more than one reason.

  Eric moves back down the bed and collapses heavily on his side next to me.

  "I'd forgotten...how good that felt," he says, reaching over to brush the sweaty hair from my face, such a soft, tender gesture, one I've never felt from another man before. It's also such a contradiction to the guy who left me in a secret hideaway and never came back.

  "What happened that night?" I can't help but ask the question I've been wanting an answer to for almost five years.

  Eric rubs a hand over his face and curses. "My father was waiting out front and saw me before I could duck out again. He didn't know where I'd come from, so he didn't know about you. He was so fucking pissed about me throwing the party and the destruction and mess it caused. He...he told me to get the hell out of his house and never come back. I didn't want to tell him about you, but I didn't want to leave you, either. I figured it was better to let you sneak out on your own than have him say shit to you. I'm so sorry, Hope. I swear I wanted to see you again, but I didn't even know your last name. Hell, I still don't."

  "Gabriel," I reply, barely blinking back my tears. I believe him, it's just that all these years I thought he'd simply walked away after he got what he wanted. I didn't know he lived there or who he was.

  "Well, I'm glad I found you again, Hope Gabriel," he says, pulling me against his chest. "After that night my father decided to try and write me out of my inheritance. But fuck him, I'll find a loophole. At least, I hope I do. Tomorrow's problem," he says, pressing a kiss to my forehead.

  I let myself enjoy this moment in his arms, knowing I won't have many more before I leave with the boys and he has to marry a decent woman to give him heirs.

  Not for the first time I wonder if I should tell him the truth that he doesn't need an heir, because he already has two.

  Chapter Four

  Eric

  I wake up expecting to have Hope in my arms, but they're empty. I feel around the bed and realize she's gone and the sheets are cold. She must have
snuck out during the night because she was here when I fell asleep.

  Last night had been so fucking amazing. I don't know if I'll ever get enough of that woman. At least now she knows the truth about the night we were together. I wanted to see her and I would have if I'd known her last name or had been smart enough to get her phone number. At least I've been given this second chance with her.

  Hell, I know we can't be together. She wants enough money to get out of this town and I'm stuck here, taking over for my father. I also know that when it comes down to it, in a few months I may have to suck it up and marry a shifter, because despite how much I loathe the responsibility, I don't intend to be the one who lets a dynasty that's lasted hundreds of years die out.

  Continuing the bloodline is why I have to find an appropriate mate to ensure the Coughlin reign continues. Another shifter family is preferred, regardless of the animal of their house. The lion will always be dominant in heirs. Mating with humans is trickier. Some may provide adequate heirs but it's impossible to know in advance since the children won't be able to shift until years later when they reach puberty. Modern DNA testing done by our own specialized scientists may be able to predict, but it's still iffy at best.

  Over the last week I think I've met with every type of shifter ever made, including a fucking squirrel woman. Courtney is from a panther pride, about as close a mate as possible since lionesses are extinct. She's beautiful, smart, and classy. I couldn't ask for a better woman to help me rule and give me strong and powerful heirs. Yet, not a single part of me is sexually attracted to her. Whenever I try to think about fucking Courtney my thoughts instantly go instead to a gorgeous redhead.

  I've showered and dressed heading to my father's office to start sorting through today's problems, trying to figure out how to do the impossible which is to make everyone happy when Marjorie stops me in the hallway. I can tell by the usually cheerful woman's frown that something must be seriously wrong.