Falling Hard (Veronica's Secret)

by Scarlet Rose

  Veronica’s Secret

  Falling Hard

  Book 1

  By: Scarlet Rose

  Copyright © 2013 All Rights Reserved

  This book is a work of fiction. References to real people, events, establishments, organizations, or locations are intended only to provide a sense of authenticity, and are used fictitiously. All characters, and all incidents and dialogue, are drawn from the author’s imagination, and are not to be construed as real.

  This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase another copy for each recipient.

  All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form is forbidden without expressed written permission from the author.

  Chapter 1

  Veronica’s life was not turning out how she thought it would. Her brother, the future King of Palinna, and her mother, Queen Mariana, had been killed in a brutal attack just outside the city walls. Her father, King Doogan, was ill. He would die within the next year.

  And now she was being forced into a marriage she didn’t want.

  She stared out the window of her room, watching the people of the city go about business as usual.

  The sky was overcast, and so was Veronica’s mood.

  The happy world she grew up in no longer existed. Bands of grolls—nasty bear-like creatures that ate human flesh—patrolled the countryside, and killed anyone stupid enough to travel alone or in small groups.

  They came out of nowhere, it seemed. No one even knew they were there until the day they killed Veronica’s mother and brother. Then, the bands seemed to grow larger and attack more frequently. The people of the city huddled inside the vast stone walls for protection. Traders traveled from city to city in large groups, causing the replenishment of supplies to be unreliable and sporadic.

  Veronica’s dying father wanted to secure his kingdom before he died, so he found a husband for her that would build a strong alliance with the neighboring lands.

  But she didn’t want to marry a man she didn’t know from a place she’d never been. She wanted to marry Aaron, her best friend’s brother. Veronica understood the necessity of her father’s plan to marry her off to a strong Prince. But that didn’t change the fact that her heart already belonged to someone else.

  It was all she could do not to worry as she waited for the one carriage that could bring her a moment’s peace to come up the drive.

  Carriages had been arriving in groups for the past several days, in anticipation of Veronica’s imminent engagement to Prince Benard. Each arrival upset her more as people she didn’t know spilled out of them and into the castle.

  Finally, she saw the carriage she hoped for creeping slowly up the front drive. It carried her only friend in this world, Nayla, and her brother, Aaron. The sight of it cheered her a bit. The reason for its arrival dulled it back down.

  Veronica went back inside her room, and waited for Nayla and Aaron to break through the ceremony of arrival and make their way up to see her.

  Anxiety coursed through her veins. Soon she’d be engaged to Benard, who she’d never even met, and would only be able to fantasize about a life with Aaron. It was something she could have had if her brother were still alive to take the throne, but now those dreams were crushed.

  She tapped her fingers absently on her nightstand while she waited.

  The door to her room flung open and Nayla entered with her arms open wide. “Veronica!”

  She hugged her tighter than she ever had before. “Nayla,” she whispered into her friend’s short brown hair. “So much has changed since you visited last autumn.”

  “I know. I’m so sorry we couldn’t come sooner.”

  “Did Aaron come with you?”

  Nayla gave her friend a sly smile. “Of course. No amount of heroics could have kept him away.”

  Mixed emotions fluttered through her. She couldn’t wait to see Aaron again. She loved him. But she would also have to say goodbye to him.

  Nayla held Veronica’s hands for comfort. “Listen. We can talk tomorrow. I want you to have time to spend with Aaron tonight. The ceremony isn’t until dawn. You still have some time together.” Nayla raised her eyebrows and then winked at her friend.

  Veronica sighed in relief at Nayla’s understanding and consideration for what she was going through. “Thank you,” she whispered and hugged her dearest friend.

  “I’ll go give him an excuse to break away from all the men. You sexy yourself up.” Nayla turned and left.

  Veronica laughed at her best friend’s boldness, and ran one more time to gaze into the mirror.

  She would make the most of this last chance to be with Aaron.

  Chapter 2

  Veronica tucked her dark brown curls behind her ear just as Aaron poked his head into her room. The sight of his sparkling green eyes and dark shoulder-length hair made her heart skip a beat.

  She ran to him and he wrapped his arms tight around her waist. She buried her head in his chest after draping her arms around his strong shoulders.

  We are a perfect fit, she thought. Why did things have to turn out his way?

  He rubbed his hands up and down her back while he held her tight. They helped relax her. Then Aaron gently released his hold on her and closed the door. She reached up beside him and clicked the lock into place to ensure they would not be disturbed.

  “I’ve missed you,” she said, staring up into his loving eyes.

  He reached his hand up and caressed her face. “I’ve missed you,” he said in his deep silky voice. “With the grolls on the rampage, it hasn’t been safe to visit. I’m sorry.” He leaned forward and gave her a tender kiss that lingered only for a moment, but it was enough to flush her cheeks and make her heart flutter.

  Veronica turned away from him. She felt that she needed to sit down, so she made her way to one of her soft cushiony lounge chairs that were big enough to seat two.

  Aaron followed her, and sat down on the edge of the chair so he was facing her.

  “It doesn’t matter now anyway. We can’t be together.” She let out an exasperated sigh, hoping to calm herself. She and Aaron had never made love before. They wanted to wait until they were married because that’s what they were taught was proper for royal children. While, they were no longer children, they still felt constrained by the values with which they were raised.

  As the third-born son of his father, Lord Baltis, Aaron wasn’t in line to take over his family’s estates. Before the groll attacks, he and Nayla had spent most of their days at the castle, getting their educations. Aaron and Veronica thought they would have all the time in the world to be together, and decided not to rush into anything.

  Now, Veronica regretted and respected that decision.

  A stray strand of curly brown hair escaped from behind her ear. Aaron grabbed it and wound it gently in his finger before tucking it back behind her ear.

  “We have tonight,” he whispered.

  She looked back up into his eyes. She couldn’t resist how they made her knees feel weak, knowing she could stare into them for days without getting bored. Veronica longed to kiss him—to make love to him—and then run away with him.

  “Are you sure you want to do this even though we can’t be together?”

  Aaron slowly leaned in toward her, not wanting to rush anything. Softly, he caressed her cheek with tiny kisses, tracing his lips slowly across her face and down to her neck, just below her ear.

  He paused to whisper into her ear. “I love you, Veronica. I always will. Let’s have this one n
ight together so we can think back on what we shared.”

  She could feel the heat rising inside her and nodded, unable to make words. It had been so long since she’d felt his touch. It sent shivers all over her body.

  Aaron moved one hand to support the back of her neck while the other traced up her arm until he found the strap of her soft pink dress. Gently, he slid it down off her shoulder and did the same with the other side.

  The loose-fitting top of her dress slipped down to her waist, revealing her bare breasts and erect nipples. She slipped her arms out of the straps while his free hand caressed her nipples with the tips of his fingers. His lips still traced soft kisses on her neck.

  Her head fell back and she moaned.

  His mouth moved down her chest until his lips were able to ever-so-gently graze her nipple. Then he flicked his tongue across each of them.

  Another moan escaped her throat as the sensation caused the spot between her legs to ignite. She wanted him more than she ever had before.

  Veronica pulled his face up to hers and kissed him, hard and deep. His tongue darted in and out of her mouth. His hands played with her breasts as they kissed more passionately than they ever had.

  Breaking loose from her hold, he stood and pulled her up with him. She slipped her dress the rest of the way off, and then helped him out of his pants while he stripped off his shirt.

  His sleek chest, pressed up against hers, took her breath away. She could see the desire he felt for her in his hungry green eyes.

  She’d always fantasized about how her first time with him would be, and so far the sheer ecstasy she felt at the touch of his fingers and mouth blew her fantasies away completely.

  Aaron kissed her once again, this time his fingers trailed slowly down the front of her body and made their way between her legs. She had no doubt how wet she was. His fingers found her clit and massaged it gently.

  She let out a long deep moan, not knowing if her knees would hold her up.

  Suddenly she no longer wanted him to take it slow. She felt a maddening desire to have him inside her. “Make love to me?” she asked, as her hand sought out the growing shaft between his legs.

  His deep groan made her smile. Veronica wanted nothing more than to please the man she’d loved for as long as she could remember.

  He picked her slender body up with ease and carried her to the edge of the bed. She lay down, with her legs hanging off the edge. Still standing, Aaron leaned over her and kissed her again.

  She reached down and stroked the shaft of his cock. She couldn’t believe this was finally happening.

  He stood and slowly slid himself inside her. She could not believe how amazing it felt. His strokes came slow at first, which she was thankful for. Veronica was overwhelmed with the ecstasy it gave her.

  She arched her back as his strokes came faster and faster. Soon, he was slamming into her, and it felt amazing. She could think of nothing other than how much she needed him. She loved how it felt to have him buried deep inside her.

  Aaron reached his climax in a thrust of pure passion, and a few strokes later Veronica’s orgasm exploded through her body.

  Aaron collapsed in a heap beside her on the bed. She scooted up so she could position herself in his protective arms. Their breathing slowed after several minutes.

  “Have you met him?” Aaron’s voice was quiet.

  “No. I’m not supposed to meet him until the engagement ceremony.” Her voice came out cold and hard. She couldn’t believe that she was expected to have a long happy marriage with a complete stranger.

  “That’s not right.”

  “Tell me about it. But it’s tradition.”

  They remained quiet for a long time. Both were furious at how their fates had been dealt, and neither wanted to move for fear their time together would end.

  The strength of Aaron’s arms put her in a state of bliss. She felt like the rest of the world could disappear, and she could stay right there forever.

  Veronica dared a glance out the window. Clearly the light was fading behind the mass of clouds. Darkness would fall soon, which meant only one thing. Their time was running out. A groan escaped her mouth.

  “Don’t think about it. Come here.” Aaron rolled onto his back and pulled her up to him. His warm lips helped to distract her. After a moment, she could feel the fire stirring inside her again. He wound his fingers into her tangled hair.

  Veronica decided it was her turn to take charge. He had his turn. She had so much anger pent up inside her that she needed a release. She swung her leg up over him so that she was straddling him. Then she grabbed each of his wrists and pinned them down on the bed just above his shoulders.

  Aaron peered up at her with a wicked grin. He grew even harder as she positioned herself to ride him. She easily slipped him inside her once again, and began to rock her hips on top of him.

  “That’s it, baby. Just like that,” Aaron groaned.

  His approval made her even more excited. She wanted to please him. She rocked her hips increasingly harder while continuing to pin his wrists.

  She released one of his hands to pinch her nipples.

  He slipped his free hand down and used his thumb to rub her clit. The heat and passion shattered through her.

  His groans grew louder as she worked her hips faster and faster. The sensation of having him inside her made her feel complete. She never wanted it to end.

  “Oh, it feels so good inside you, Veronica. Ride me, baby!”

  Her head fell backward as a roaring moan escaped her mouth. Her hair flailed about as her body moved faster and faster. It didn’t take long to build up to the point of release. She screamed as the built-up tension shattered. A pure bright wave of pleasure rushed to every nerve in her body.

  Every inch of her body felt like it was singing.

  She felt like Aaron was close to coming too, so she continued riding him until he exploded inside her once again. Finally, she released his wrist, and leaned over him to kiss him.

  She felt calm. Relaxed. She didn’t want to leave his arms. “I love you, Veronica,” he whispered into her ear.

  “I love you too.”

  The growling of Aaron’s stomach made them both laugh. “I guess we worked up quite an appetite.”

  Veronica slipped off the bed and strode over to the bathroom. “I’m going to wash up. You can too when I’m done. Then we can go get something to eat.” She glanced out the window once again to find complete darkness. “Everyone else should be in bed by now.”

  Aaron gave her a nod.

  Chapter 3

  A trip down to the kitchen confirmed that the halls were nearly empty except for the night guard. Veronica found them each some bread, jam, and fruit. Then they sat down at a corner booth that was used by the kitchen staff.

  Aaron slid all the way up against the wall and draped his arm around Veronica as they chattered about nonsense and stole kisses between bites.

  Just when the kissing was starting to heat up once again, Veronica jumped at the sound of someone clearing his throat behind her.

  She turned to see a tall man she didn’t know. He had short, well-trimmed, blond hair and deep brown eyes.

  Once her heart settled back into her chest, Veronica responded. “Can I help you?”

  “Pardon me. I didn’t mean to disturb you.” He bowed slightly and awkwardly. “Shouldn’t you be off duty by now?”

  Veronica’s back stiffened. “Oh. We aren’t kitchen staff. We were just getting a snack before heading to bed.” She realized that this regal-looking stranger was probably related to Prince Benard in some way.

  Suddenly she grew nervous at what he must think of finding her snuggled up to Aaron.

  The man held out his hand to her. “My apologies once again. Please allow me to introduce myself. I’m Benard, Prince of Yarinna.”

  Oh god! Veronica screamed at herself. She knew she looked like a mess. She shook his hand hastily, then slid out of the booth as quickly as possible. I h
ope he doesn’t recognize me. “Uhh … nice to meet you … Bena … Prince Benard.”

  Get ahold of yourself, Veronica!

  Benard had a slightly amused look on his face, and she suspected he knew exactly who she was and what she was doing. She knew she had to get out of there before she embarrassed herself even further.

  Veronica pulled Aaron out of the booth, hustled them out of the kitchen, and back up to her room without looking back.

  Once inside the room she paced back and forth, hoping for her heart to settle from its place up inside her throat. She felt like she was choking on it.

  “Calm down. It’s going to be okay.”

  She looked up at his eyes fiercely. “Calm down? Do you know who that was down there? How can I look him in the eyes in the morning?”

  Aaron placed his hands on her shoulders to get her to stop pacing. “I’m sure he understands. This is an arranged marriage, Veronica. It’s possible he had someone to say goodbye to also.”

  She hated to admit it, but he had a point. Maybe it would be okay. Still she bit her nails and went back to pacing.

  “You have to go,” she said. “This isn’t right. We shouldn’t have done this. What if this causes him to not want to marry me? My father will kill me if I’ve ruined this arrangement.”

  Aaron wrapped his arms around her, but it did nothing to calm her fears. She studied his face, clearly seeing the hurt in his eyes at what she’d said.

  “I love you, Aaron. I always will. It’s time to say goodbye.” A tear slipped out of the corner of her eye and trickled down her face.

  Aaron wiped it away with his thumb. “I love you, Veronica. Maybe we got a little carried away, but I will never admit that this was a mistake. I want you to be happy. I will always be available if you need me.”

  “I know.” Her voice came out in a choked whisper.

  They kissed one last time, and Aaron left her arms for good.

  Chapter 4

  Prince Benard waited at the head of the enormous room. His mother and father waited before him, right next to King Doogan, Veronica’s father. The room was decorated finely in gold, cream, and silver flowers, ribbons, and candelabras.