by Renee Carr
“Okay,” she said. “What are you?”
“I’m your capta...well, that still doesn’t sound right.”
“Friend?” she suggested and he smiled.
“Friend, yes,” he said. “I can handle that.”
“I am so excited to go with the queen tomorrow,” Christine said as they walked. “I understand why she wants a night alone on Earth before returning to... all of this life. But do you think she’ll be safe without any sort of guard?”
“It was what Nathan could get her to agree to,” Joshua said. “And honestly, no one makes Ivy do what she doesn’t want to. So we should count ourselves lucky. She’ll be safe there; she always is. And with Cory gone, the palace will be extra quiet tonight.”
“And half the guard unit with him,” Christine said. “Should we not send more with the queen?”
“Again,” Joshua said, “with Ivy, we pick our battles.”
Christine chuckled.
“Well, she is the queen,” she pointed out. “And without the other two of you married, she doesn’t even have princesses to compete with.”
“To be honest,” Joshua said, “if we are talking about marriage, I’m not sure Cory ever will. He’s too independent.”
“And you?” she met his eyes.
“And me,” Joshua said slowly. “I just... haven’t met the right person, I suppose. I’m not opposed to the idea entirely. I’m just... not in any rush.”
“I understand that,” Christine said. “My father used to be in such a rush to get me married as well.”
“Used to be?” Joshua asked. “What happened?”
“I joined the guard,” Christine explained. “So now he assumes I’m just going to be alone forever.”
“Not true,” Joshua replied as they came upon the bar. “Many of my guards are married and happy.”
“Well,” she said as they entered the bar, “let’s just... drink to a happy future, whatever it may be.”
“That sounds good to me,” Joshua went up to the bar and ordered a drink for both of them. When Christine noticed what it was, she smirked.
“A triple laymen?” she said. “Are you trying to get me drunk?”
“I’m not,” he protested as he raised his glass. “I just thought we both deserve something good. To a happy future.”
“A happy future,” she said and clinked glasses with him. She took a sip that was bigger than his, which impressed him.
“You know how to drink?” he asked her. She shrugged.
“I’m not as delicate as I look,” she said. “And I’ve been known to hold my liquor, yes.”
“I like that in a soldier,” he declared and then took another sip. “Tell me about your family.”
“There’s not much to tell,” she said. “I grew up with my father, and I never knew my mother. She died giving birth to me, and so it was always just the two of us.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Joshua said.
“It was fine, really,” Christine assured him. “My childhood was happy, I traveled with him for work, and this is the first real time that we’ve been apart.”
“That’s interesting,” Joshua said. “Do you miss him?”
“I do,” Christine admitted. “But I’m ready to be my own person. Tell me about your childhood.”
“What don’t you know about it?” he asked. “I don’t mean to be rude, I just assumed every aspect of my childhood was published in the papers.”
“I mean, a lot of it was,” she said. “But it was the official things, or the scandals, that were published. What I never heard were the little things. What you liked to do as a kid. What games you played, what you thought of being a prince, those kinds of things.”
“I’m afraid that you think I am far more complicated than I am,” Joshua replied. “My brothers and I played simple games, ran through the fields, that sort of thing. As for being a prince... it’s not like I’ve known another life, so I had no idea.”
“I suppose that is true,” Christine said. “But did you ever wonder?”
“I didn’t,” Joshua said. “I’ve always been about duty, I suppose. Cory used to tease me about that, that I would be married to duty before any woman. So, when the position came up as captain of the guards, I jumped on it. I liked war, I liked adrenaline, and it was a way to serve my kingdom without technically sitting on the throne. I knew that I would never be king, so I figured I wouldn’t bother with trying to take all the classes in school that my brothers did. I focused far more on physicality and battle tactics and... here I am.”
“Impressive,” she said, and then her face went a bit dark. “Of course, you’re a bit closer to being king now than you intended to be, aren’t you?”
“Yes,” Joshua said. “But it’s alright. I try to dwell in the moment.”
“I do too,” Christine said and raised her drink. “To living in the moment.”
Both of them finished their drinks and then Joshua stood up, collecting the glasses.
“Another one?” he asked. “I know I said one, but these are just too good.”
“I think so,” Christine said, smiling. “Just one.”
Joshua went to get them, and Christine took a moment to look around the bar happily. The atmosphere was so warm and friendly, and no one was looking at Joshua as if he didn’t belong. This seemed to be the one place in the world that accepted him for who he was.
And, she decided, if everyone else was going to act like he was just another dragon, so was she.
“Thank you,” she said when he came back. “You’re a gentleman.”
“I’m not that much of a gentleman,” he said and she realized that their faces were just inches apart.
“Oh no?” she asked and he shook his head.
“No,” he said. “Because if I were a gentleman, I wouldn’t do this.”
In one smooth move, he swooped down and kissed her on the lips. He knew that this could go one of two ways. Either she could fight him or she could keep kissing him.
He was glad to see that it was the latter. Their kiss was rough and passionate, and Christine only pulled back when she needed to breathe.
“Wow,” she said. “That was... wow.”
“Sorry,” he said. “I’ve been wanting to do that for a while.”
“I’m glad you did,” she murmured and took a sip of her drink. “That was amazing.”
“In that case,” he leaned in, “allow me to do it again.”
Chapter 6
Christine realized that finishing her second drink might have been a mistake, but she didn’t care. All she cared about were Joshua’s hands on her, and his eyes looking over her body as if she were a meal. The truth was, she wanted him as well, and had wanted him ever since she laid eyes on him at the banquet.
“Do you want to get out of here?” she whispered in his ear. She was practically in his lap at the bar, making out as if their mouths were glued together. She couldn’t stop at this point, even if she wanted to. They were somewhere in the middle of their third drink, and she could tell he was at least feeling good, with his eyes half glazed and his hands a little clumsy. She was sure she was on her way to full-blown drunk, but she didn’t care to do anything to stop it.
“Yes,” he said. “If by out of here, you mean my room.”
“I do mean your room,” she said. “Unless you want to go to the garrison?”
“Whatever is closer,” he said, standing up and throwing a huge wad of bills on the table. Christine was sure that he had tipped the waiter at least one thousand percent, but it didn’t matter to her in that moment.
Instead, she took his hand. She knew that everyone was looking, but she didn’t care. She leaned over and kissed his neck again, which made him moan a bit.
“If you keep doing that,” he said, “we may not make it back to my room.”
“Mmm,” she laid her head on his shoulder as they half stumbled out. The palace was not a far walk, but it seemed to go by quickly. Although Joshua was try
ing to maintain decorum in public, it did not seem to be working. She was sure half the palace staff heard them or saw them by the time they got upstairs.
She couldn’t help it—she gasped when she saw his room. It was grander than the banquet hall and bigger than the entire garrison. There were strong wooden beams supporting the ceiling, and a huge bed in the middle.
“Wow,” she said. “It’s beautiful!”
“So are you,” he replied. “Absolutely beautiful.”
He went and kissed her, and she wasn’t going to stop him. She knew exactly where this was leading and she couldn’t wait for him to undress her.
Christine’s breath was coming in gasps and she couldn’t help but try and take off his clothes first. He let her pull off his shirt and then his pants, until he was completely naked in front of her.
“Lots of people think that I have something to hide because I’m the prince,” he said. “I’m here to show you I have nothing to hide if you don’t.”
“Nada,” she said, and let him pull off her top.
Her figure without clothing was even more impressive than when her curves were hugged. He gaped at her like he had never seen a woman before, and then pushed her gently backwards toward the bed.
“Are you going to take me just like this?” she asked, panting.
“How do you like it?” he teased. “Do you like it rough? Or do you like it slow and playful?”
“To be honest with you,” she breathed, “I just like it. And I know that you do too, given your reputation.”
“Oh my, you are a naughty one,” he said, and then began to kiss up and down her stomach.
Christine couldn’t believe that she was really here, and they were really doing this. She felt like she was floating, although she realized that some of that might have been the alcohol. He started to rub her thigh and then traced his finger up her leg.
“Would you like this?” he asked, touching her clit. She gasped as she felt his fingers start to rub.
“Yes,” she moaned. “I would.”
“Then listen to me,” he murmured in her ear. “I want to hear you scream. I want to make you cry out my name again and again. Then, and only then, will you get my cock.”
“Yes,” she whispered and then shifted, so he could have better access to her pussy. She was already dripping wet.
He stuck his fingers inside of her, and she cried out, already on the edge of coming. Christine shifted again, throwing her legs up in the air and wrapping them around his back. It gave him better access and he smiled.
“I see you’ve done this before,” he replied.
“No,” she said and then rolled her eyes back. “Maybe a few times.”
“Just relax,” he said. “Just relax and let me take care of you.”
“Oh Creator,” she groaned as the waves of pleasure started to build. “Oh Creator, that’s so good.”
“Who is making you feel this good?”
“You are,” she moaned and he squeezed her wrists gently. “Joshua. Oh Creator, Joshua.”
That seemed to satisfy him and he continued thrusting his fingers into her, making her writhe in pleasure.
“I used to... fantasize about you,” she choked out. Joshua responded with a gruff moan of his own.
“Did you?” he asked. “What did you think I would do to you?”
“This. Just like this,” she said. “I always thought... I mean, whenever I saw photos or videos of you, I always thought that you were the sexiest prince. And sometimes, when I was alone... sometimes I thought about you... oh Creator...”
“Come for me, baby,” he whispered in her ear. “Did you ever come while thinking about me? Did you ever touch yourself and come?”
“Oh Creator, yes,” she said. “I would...” She reached down. Despite the fact that his fingers were still playing with her pussy, she began to rub the top of her slit. It sent waves of pleasure down her spine like she had never felt before. She threw her head back, closing her eyes. “Just like this.”
“Come for me,” he repeated, and she knew that she wouldn’t be able to hold out.
“I want you to come inside me,” she said to him. “I want you to come inside me and I want...”
“First, you explode,” he answered. “And then it’ll be my turn. And I promise, it will feel better than ever.”
Christine couldn’t resist. She arched her back and thrust her hips in his hands. It was enough to throw her over the edge, and she screamed. She knew that she probably shouldn’t, because there were likely guards right outside his door. But she didn’t care; the pleasure was too good.
“Yes,” she said, as her eyes rolled back. “Yes, yes, yes!”
“That’s right,” he said, continuing to thrust. “That’s right, baby. Yes, you’re so wet.”
“I need...” she couldn’t even form proper sentences. “I need to have you inside me. I need you there.”
“No problem,” he said, and positioned himself to slide inside of her. She braced herself as his cock angled in front of her pussy, because he looked enormous. His cock was rock hard and it slammed into her with a force she was not ready for. She cried out again as waves of pleasure shot through her. Joshua moaned and then started to thrust roughly. The headboard shook and they rocked violently together, lost in the throes of pleasure.
“Oh Creator, yes, yes, yes,” she moaned. She felt pins and needles go up and down her spine, and she felt limp with desire. She just needed his cock; she just needed to come again and again.
Joshua had impressive stamina, and although his pace picked up, he showed no signs of stopping. He grabbed her breasts and ran his hands up and down her curves, shifting his angle slightly so his cock could press deeper inside of her.
“You going to come again?” he asked her. “Are you?”
“I... I can’t... oh Creator...” She really thought that she wasn’t going to be able to, but the waves of pleasure were building again. “I need you. I need your come. That’s what will push me over the edge.”
“Not a problem,” he said, gritting his teeth. He had no idea how long they had been going at this, but he felt like he was going to pass out if they didn’t come. “Are you ready for this? Are you ready for my big load?”
“Give it to me,” she cried. “Give it to me.”
“Oh, I’ll give it to you,” he grunted and then felt the pleasure knot break. His cock spurted into her tight pussy and she screamed, thrusting upwards to get the wave of pleasure she needed. She reached around to hold his back and pushed forward as his cock finally stopped. He slid out and then rolled onto his side, groaning.
“Oh Creator,” he said, gasping for breath. “That was... that was amazing.”
“Yes,” she managed, breathless herself. “Oh Creator.”
He patted her thigh with a devilish smile.
“Perhaps round two in a bit?”
She choked.
“More like round three hundred, given how many times I came.”
“Mmm,” he said, rolling over to nuzzle her neck. “Whatever works, baby.”
Christine had never felt so content. She knew that she and Joshua weren’t on the same level, but at this moment, they felt like they were perfectly connected.
“Can I ask you a weird question?” she said.
“Sure,” he responded.
“Do you often sleep with your friends?” she asked. “I mean, I don’t mind if the answer is yes, I’m not proud or anything. I was just wondering...”
“I don’t,” he said. “It does happen from time to time. But honestly, you are special.”
“I’m special?” Her eyes lit up.
“You are,” he said with a smile. “There is something about you that I don’t see in the others.”
“Ice?” she asked and he chuckled.
“Yes, it could be ice,” he said. “Or it could be something else entirely. I still can’t believe that you taught yourself to do that. Your father can’t do that?”
“N
ope, not as far as he’s told me,” she said. “I mean, I’m sure he could learn, though. My father is like that. He’s just very... determined.”
“I got that sense when I met him,” Joshua said. He got up and looked around the room, calculating his next move. “Another drink?”
“Are you mad?” she cried. “We shouldn’t.”
“We shouldn’t,” he said as he went to the decanter in the corner of his room. “But we do lots of things that we shouldn’t. It’s okay, one more won’t hurt.”
His phone beeped then, and she hoped that he would ignore it. After all, she didn’t want the moment to be interrupted. However, he glanced at it, just quickly.
“What is it?” she asked. “Is something wrong?”
“No,” he said. “Just the rest of the guards checking in for the night. I would respond, but I don’t trust myself to type right now.”
“Mmm,” she displayed her naked form as he handed her a large cup. “Good.”
“Good?” he repeated, coming forward and kissing her. “Why?”
“I just want you,” she said. “Again.”
“Oh, I thought you said you were done,” he teased, inserting his tongue into her mouth. She had been with other people before, but nothing like this. This dragon set her very heart afire and she didn’t want anyone else to have him, even for a second.
As she kissed him, Christine’s eyes flew open, just for a moment. They landed on a picture of Leah and him, hanging on the wall. She screwed her eyes shut, willing the image out of her head. Joshua was hers, and she was going to keep him.
“What can I do to you?” he asked as he laid her back. “Do you want to come again?”
“I want you inside me again, if you’re able,” she said, half in his mouth. “And I want you to keep thrusting until I come.”
“Mmm, I like that idea,” he said. “Very few people give me orders around here.”
“Would you like me to give you more orders?” she asked as she positioned herself for his cock.
“Maybe,” he said and pushed inside of her. He was still half-hard and she had no doubt that he would find his stride again. Her pussy was sopping wet. “That could be hot.”
She rolled on top of him, pinning him down. It took a moment for both of them to get situated again, but as soon as she did, she began controlling the thrusting.