“Oh.” I chewed on my bottom lip. “Thank you.”
“I was hoping to catch you before you went to bed, but I never expected to find you dressed like this.” His fingers slid up a little farther to trace the thin strap.
“I wasn’t expecting company.” My fingers itched to run over his chest.
“What would you have worn had you been expecting company?”
“Shorts and a T-shirt, if I have any left after Chadwick packed my stuff. He hates them and made me go shopping.” I took a deep breath when he shifted closer to me. “Lucky you.”
“Lucky me.” His breath rushed over my skin and I shivered. “Why did you want to see me, Samantha?”
His fingers had moved to brush the hair off my shoulder and grazed along the skin of my collarbone. I don’t know if it was the wine or the fact that I didn’t want to fight it anymore, but I threw caution to the wind.
“Kiss me.”
“Not exactly a request.” His eyes darted down to my lips.
“It’s a demand.”
“About damn time.” His mouth crashed down onto mine as his arms wrapped around my body. I ran my hands over his chest while I greedily returned his kiss. When he pulled me against his body, I groaned in pleasure. Spinning around, he pinned me against the front door and I could feel the bulge in his pants pressed against my hip.
He pulled away from my mouth to trail kisses over my neck, his tongue flicking over the pulse point below my ear before he bit down gently. I let my head fall back against the door and moaned. His hands ran over my waist, down to my hips, and back.
“Jesus, I can’t get enough of you.” He whispered the words right before he captured my mouth in another scorching kiss.
He wasn’t the only one that couldn’t get enough. I’d opened Pandora’s box and there was no turning back. I pushed his jacket off his shoulders and he let go of me just long enough to let it fall to the floor. His hands slid up over my body, his thumbs tracing my nipples through the material of the nightie. Fire ran over my skin, every cell in my body alive with need.
I ran my hands under his shirt to trace the ridges of his muscles before tugging the material up. He shrugged the shirt off quickly and threw it to the side. The moonlight poured in through the windows, making his eyes glow as he moved back to me. He slid his hands down to cup my rear and lifted me from the floor. I wrapped my legs around his waist and sighed in relief when he pressed his hard body against my hot center. His mouth teased my lips open and he kissed me as if he was drowning. I shifted my hips in a slow move, enjoying the feel of him between my legs. Then again, harder.
“Oh, fuck.” He pulled away from the kiss and groaned against my neck.
“I want you.” I whispered the words into his ear as I moved against him again. Forget caution. Forget willpower. I wanted Alex and I wasn’t going to fight it anymore.
He stepped away from the door, still holding me against him. I kissed along his jaw as he stumbled through the house and up the stairs. When we reached the landing he moved much more steadily and we were in my new room in no time. He set me down next to the bed and cupped my face in his hands.
“You’re sure you want this?” He was breathing heavily and pressed his forehead against mine. “There’s no going back.”
“I told you.” I traced the top of his jeans with my fingers before tugging at the button. “I want you, Alex. All of you. Right now. No more games, no more waiting.” Slowly I slid his zipper down before pushing his jeans off his hips.
“Are you on birth control?” He kicked his shoes off, stepped out of his jeans, and let his boxers go with them.
“Yes.” My breath caught in my throat. He was gorgeous. “Should I worry about you being tested?”
“Done. I’m clean.” He looked at me seriously. “You?”
“After my last boyfriend. No problems.”
Taking a step closer, he grabbed the bottom of my nightgown and pulled it over my head. His eyes ran over my breasts and down to the tiny black panties I was wearing.
“I’ve wanted to undress you since I helped you with your zipper on the plane.” He wrapped a hand around the back of my neck, tilting my head up. “If we’d been alone, I would have torn that dress off right then.” His lips touched mine in a slow, teasing kiss while his free hand ran over the outside of my breast and down to my hip. “It was torture to leave you that night in your room.”
He moved us back until my legs touched the bed and he lowered us down carefully. The warmth from his erection against my skin was intoxicating. He slid a hand up to cup my breast while he kissed me, his fingers pinching my nipple gently. I moaned and my hips bucked against him.
“So eager.” His deep chuckle rumbled out of his chest. He shifted so that he could slide his hand between us, rubbing the growing moist spot between my legs. “So wet.”
Carefully he peeled my panties down my body and I helped kick them off my feet. He slid back up my body, his face skimming along my skin. I sucked in a deep breath when he nuzzled the curls between my legs, but he didn’t stop until he reached my breast. I fisted my hands in his hair when he closed his lips over the peak of my left breast. Pleasure washed through my brain and I could only form one thought. More. I wanted more.
His hand slid between my legs and I opened willingly. With sure fingers he explored between my folds and slid deep inside. I dug my fingernails into his shoulder and groaned loudly.
“You’re beautiful.”
I opened my eyes to meet his gaze as he worked my body slowly. I slid a hand between us and he shifted so I could touch him too. I ran my fingers along him, enjoying the way he sucked in a deep breath. After a moment he pulled away and slid his mouth down to my other breast to tease it gently with his teeth. When he shifted to his knees between my legs, I reached down to stroke him again, taking the time to touch every bit of him.
He growled loudly and sat back, his eyes running over my body. I was breathing heavily, more than ready for him. I leaned up enough that I could pull his head down to mine, needing his kiss, while he teased my opening. With painful restraint, he slowly entered me. Much slower than I wanted.
“Damn it, you’re tight, Samantha.”
I couldn’t respond. My breath was caught in my throat as he finally rocked his hips home. He stayed there for a minute, letting me get used to him, until I moved under him to let him know I was ready. When he finally started moving, I couldn’t think. I couldn’t do anything other than experience this moment.
“Oh, God.” I moaned.
He brought his mouth to my ear. “Alex. My name is Alex, not God. I want to hear you say my name.”
“Oh, God. Alex. Alex.” I said his name over and over again with each thrust of his hips.
“Samantha.” He whispered my name in my ear and I understood what he needed. I dug my heels into the bed and lifted my hips for a better angle. He groaned loudly and picked up his pace.
“Samantha, I can’t wait much longer.” He gripped my hip with a hand, slamming into me. It was too much and I couldn’t hold on any longer.
“Alex!” I screamed his name as I fell over the edge into oblivion. He came right behind me, burying his face against my shoulder, his hot breath tickling the hairs at the nape of my neck.
We lay there limply, our hearts thudding in our chests. After a moment, he shifted so that he was supporting his weight on one arm while he slowly kissed my neck where the charm of my necklace rested. When his mouth touched mine in a soft, gentle kiss, I sighed in contentment. He finally left my mouth, but only to nuzzle my hair. Rolling, he slid out of me and pulled me onto his chest. I traced the planes of his face with my eyes, appreciating the way his features cut sharp shadows in the moonlight. I liked the sated look he was giving me, pride and possession mingled together.
“You look smug.”
“I feel a bit smug.” He chuckled.
“I can’t think of a better way to have christened my new bedroom.”
He kissed my che
ek. “Well worth the wait.”
“Maybe we shouldn’t wait so long next time.” I propped my chin on my hand and used my finger to stroke the stubble along his jaw.
“Couldn’t agree more.” He ran a hand over my hair and I closed my eyes. “But right now, I don’t think I can move.”
“This could be addicting.” I let my head slide onto his chest, enjoying the sound of his heartbeat.
“Get some sleep.” I felt him shift a bit before pulling a blanket over us.
“Are you staying?” I asked. I was in that sweet spot between wakefulness and sleep.
“As long as I can.”
Does the Return of the Duchess Herald New Jobs?
—Lilarian Daily
The chirping of birds woke me up. I opened my eyes slowly, enjoying the laziness that permeated my muscles. I shifted and tried to untangle myself from the sheets when I realized I was pressed against Alex.
“Good morning.” His voice rumbled out of his chest. He was propped on his elbow looking down at me.
“Uh.” I made a face and closed my eyes against the bright light streaming in through the windows. “That’s weird.”
“What?” He chuckled.
“Watching me sleep. Is this going to be like those movies where we have sex and then the really hot guy turns out to be a creeper?”
“You make little mewing sounds.”
“I do not.”
“Like a baby kitten.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “I am not a baby kitten. I’m sleepy and annoyed.”
“It’s cute and sexy.”
“Oh, no.” I groaned. “You’re a morning person.”
“Mmhmm.” He moved so that I was lying on my back and nuzzled my neck.
“We’re going to have a hard time.” I sighed as his hand ran over my stomach.
“I think you’re right.” He moved so that I could feel him pressed against my leg.
“Oh boy.”
“You can say that again.” He chuckled as he slid under the sheet, his mouth trailing over my skin.
“Oh boy.” His mouth covered one of my breasts, his tongue running over it teasingly. “Oh boy.”
When he spread my legs and pressed kisses to the tender skin there, I whimpered. I was starting to think I had been waking up to the wrong alarm clock all these years. As he took his time tasting and licking, I closed my eyes and floated along the bliss. When he slid his fingers inside, my hips moved in response. I was tender in a good way, like after you exercise for the first time in a while. One thing was sure, he had given me a good work out.
He focused all his attention on the sensitive place at the top of my mound while he worked the perfect rhythm. His fingers flicked just the right spot and I groaned loudly. I reached down, tangling my fingers in his blond hair. My movements increased and he understood the cue. Crawling up my body, he licked and sucked as he made his way out of the sheet. Reaching between us, he rubbed the head of his manhood against me.
I whimpered, needing him, and he smiled smugly. “Ask me.”
“For what?” My voice came out breathy.
“What you didn’t ask for last night.”
I licked my lips. “Please kiss me, Alex.”
His mouth covered mine and I could taste us mixed together on his lips. His tongue slid into my mouth while he continued to tease me under the covers. He eased in just enough to make me moan, then pulled right back out. I growled into his mouth in frustration. When he did it again I slid my hands over his ass and pulled at him. I made some headway before he chuckled and pulled away.
He sat up and the sheet fell behind him, letting me enjoy the sight of him in the morning light. Gripping my hips, he pulled me to him, tilting me upward so that he could slide in. My breath left on an exhale of pleasure as he filled me. I wiggled against him, wanting more, but couldn’t get enough traction. I reached above my head and placed my hands against the headboard and pushed, making us both groan.
He ran a hand over my stomach and between my breasts before cupping the back of my neck. He pulled me against him and moaned, his hips setting a slow rhythm that was just enough.
“I could watch you all day.” He groaned louder when I pushed harder against the headboard, slamming him deeper. “God, that feels good.”
“Samantha. I’m Samantha, not God.”
“Samantha.” He leaned forward, bracing himself on the hand that had been holding my neck. “Samantha, you feel so damn good.” His words slipped into Lilarian and I only paid attention to the sound of his voice.
As we moved together it wasn’t fast or rushed, but a steady pace to find the finish line. When his breathing hitched, I was right there with him, my orgasm slamming into me as I felt him jerk inside of me.
He laid on me and rolled so that we were on our sides but still connected. It was a comfortable feeling and I liked knowing he was still inside me. My body was still twitching with aftershocks of pleasure. His hand lazily ran up and down my arm.
“That’s a great way to wake up.” I sighed against his chest.
“Glad I could help.” I looked up into his blue eyes and enjoyed his smug grin.
“But now I want a nap.” I rubbed the tip of my nose against him.
“That sounds like a great idea.” He pulled me tighter against him. “Unfortunately I have to leave soon.”
Disappointment crashed into me, even though I had known he would need to go. I didn’t say anything for a minute, just listened to his breathing and wondered what he was thinking. His hand continued its steady movement against my skin and I sighed. I fought against the nerves that were starting to bubble up underneath my skin. The realization that I was already in deep was sinking in slowly.
“Do you have time for breakfast?” I looked up at him. We couldn’t lie here all morning if he needed to go. And I needed to do something other than obsess about my fears.
“I have time to eat.” His eyes twinkled down at me. “And to take a shower.”
I rolled away from him and stood up, looking over my shoulder as I walked to the bathroom. “What are you waiting for?”
I turned the knobs for the water until I found a comfortable temperature. I was checking to make sure we had enough towels when he slid his hands around my waist. I sucked in a breath and fidgeted in his grasp.
“Your hands are so cold!”
“That’s why I’m trying to warm them up.”
“Dirty.” I stepped away from him and pulled open the shower door. I smiled at him as I moved under the water. He followed close behind and turned a knob so the extra shower head came to life.
“You already know I don’t play fair.”
My soaps had been put in the bathroom, which was kind of creepy, but I didn’t linger on it for too long. I poured body wash onto the bath sponge and began to lather my arms when Alex plucked it from my hands.
He didn’t say anything, just ran it over my body in slow circles. I had thought I was more than sated, but when he knelt down to wash my legs, my hormones came alive. He looked up at me, his wet hair trailing water down his shoulders as he lifted one of my feet and then the other. There was something gentle in his expression as he took his time cleaning me and it made my heart thump in a different way.
When he had finished I took the sponge and gave him the same treatment. I took my time cleaning every inch of his body. When I moved my hands down his thighs, he twitched and started to grow hard. Alex grabbed my wrists and wrapped my arms around his neck. He kissed me slowly before pressing his forehead to mine.
“I’d like nothing more than to stay locked away with you, but I have to go to Paris.” He twined his fingers with mine. “And if you kept doing that we aren’t going to make it out of your room.”
“Now you have something to look forward to.”
His eyes bored into mine. “I won’t be able to think of anything else.”
Eventually we finished getting clean and dried off. Thankfully, there were extra toothbrushes in the cabin
ets. I pulled out some new clothes and got dressed while he pulled his jeans from the night before back on. He stood there for a minute, looking around the room.
“What?” I pulled on a sock and looked at him as he frowned.
“I think my shirt is downstairs.” Alex looked at me and raised an eyebrow.
“Oh.” I realized we had left evidence. “Oh! I’ll go down and grab it.” I opened the door, but someone had folded and stacked his shirt and jacket neatly just on the other side. “So much for no one knowing what happened here.”
He took his shirt and pulled it on. “They won’t say anything, Samantha.”
“I know.” I frowned. “It’s not them I’m worried about.”
“The press?”
“I just got here and this would be even more fodder for the tabloids.” I bit my lip. “But it’s not just me, Alex. The papers would eat this up because it’s you. I mean, can you get in trouble for this?” I motioned between us.
“I’m a grown man, or hadn’t you noticed?”
“I noticed all right.” I smiled and sat down on the edge of the bed next to him while he put on his shoes. “I just don’t want to cause trouble for you.”
“People are going to be interested in us no matter what. That’s not going to change whether we’re together or not.” He looked at me seriously. “And there is no reason I would get in trouble over us.”
“Is there an us?” It sure felt like there was an us after last night. And this morning. And the shower.
“You told me you don’t do one-night stands.” He brushed some of the wet hair away from my face. “And while the sex is awesome, that’s not all I’m looking for either.”
“So, us.” I shook my head. “Alex, I—”
“Don’t make this complicated.” He frowned. “We can keep it quiet, see how it works.”
“Someone already knows.”
“There’s no getting around that. People are going to know; some people have to know.” He didn’t look happy about this plan and I felt guilty.
“Alex, it’s not that I don’t want people to know—it’s that I don’t want people to put pressure on us. I’ve been famous for a week and I already know that we would never get a break.” I grabbed his hand.
Suddenly Royal Page 24
