A hush fell over the room.
"I don't want to choose, and my suitors have helped me understand that I don't have to, and so I'm not. I'll marry them all." I closed with a smile and the hush that fell over the room before could have been a roar compared to now.
"What, you're marrying both princes?" Mother asked, frowning slightly.
"Yes. And Mr. Esker as well," I said, my smile deepening as my mother's frown did the same.
"Well, " she said slowly.
"We are so happy!" Queen Sofia said jubilantly, standing up to come over and kiss me. Bless this woman. Bless her.
She moved on to her sons afterwards and then to Kostas as well, the latter of whom looked surprised out of his skin to be kissed by a queen.
"Well, of course, we're happy too!" My father said, not to be outdone, rising to his feet so as to come embrace me. My mother followed suit, and suddenly the room erupted into chatter. Congratulatory remarks were interspersed with the low mutterings of the reporters as they approached everyone for their thoughts.
I was so taken aback by the burst of happiness and support that I nearly failed to notice the only three people who did not seem to share the feelings of everyone else in the room.
Both Smithes were unsurprisingly among the ranks of the pouters. The other one was someone who I was becoming less and less enchanted with by the day: Amanda. She was practically scowling, her red hair pulled flush back out of her face into a low bun. She looked like someone had pulled her hair too tight and so her face was stuck in a grimace.
I made eye contact with her, and her expression immediately changed into one that could pass as happy, but it was too late. I already knew something was going on.
I just didn't know what.
But, before I could delve into my thoughts any more on the topic, I was whisked over to a corner to speak with the reporters. Further digging would have to wait.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Violet
The next few hours were a blur. There were lots of questions. So many questions.
I answered one after another after another.
No, this wasn't a group sex situation. No, it wasn't a gang bang. I was simply in love with three men, who all loved me, and I wanted to marry them all. The two reporters who came actually shifted from the 'gotcha journalist' into two people who were genuinely interested in the kind of relationship we were going to have. It was actually almost nice, talking about it like we were.
Of course, the real test would be the news that evening.
Even as Gideon and I settled in on the sofa in his suite, I felt nervous.
Kostas had gone home, kissing me at the door before leaving with the two members of his new security detail my father had entrusted him with.
"No future son-in-law of mine is going to be left to the elements," he'd boomed, before slapping Kostas on the back and sending him on his way with his bodyguards.
Tristan, in a show of sportsmanship, ceded his evening with both of us, citing that both he and Kostas had gotten to share time alone with me, and Gideon had been waiting patiently on the sidelines to be tapped in, so to speak.
I was fine with that. I hadn't gotten to spend any time with Gideon and, since I had told off George at the dinner, I hadn't seen hide nor hair of my advisor. Or of Amanda, now that I was thinking about it. I was still wondering what was going on there. I suspected I had been duped into believing an employee was any friend of mine.
A discovery of this nature might have floored me a mere few months before but, as I was realizing, I was more than my title. and I had three men who agreed.
She'd been acting awfully strange for the past few days. Not at all like the carefree woman I'd come to know and care for. I hadn't been paying the most attention to anything but what was going on with my newfound romantic relationships, so it might have partially been my fault, but it felt like something more than that. I supposed there would be more time to ponder Amanda's new turn of character, but now was not that time.
Now was the time to peel back the cover and see if any of the seeds we'd planted that evening had sprouted. If anything during those long interviews had made a difference.
Gideon himself had been so helpful during all the interviews. He'd held my hand, answered the tough questions about polyamory and polygamy that I hadn't been able to address, and otherwise charmed everyone in the room into seemingly believing as he believed.
It was at that moment, watching Gideon charm the reporters, where I realized just how fortunate all my matches were.
I had Gideon, who was outgoing and likeable, someone who wasn't camera-shy and was able to befriend pretty much everyone. There was a lot to be said for diplomacy, after all. True, he was loud and boisterous, but he had certainly begun to tone that down lately.
I had Tristan, who's attentiveness to my needs was absolutely necessary in any and all forms of rule. Tristan, who had practically bloomed like a flower in the week since he'd been here. If anyone had told me I'd be head over heels in love with Tristan Stalswift in my lifetime, I'd have laughed in their face.
And last, but certainly not least, I had Kostas, whose sharp tongue and street smarts would keep me grounded. He was one of the most loving and caring individuals I had ever met. He was one who loved with his entire being, and I was fortunate to have him in my life.
To have all of them in my life. Tristan was right. I did need more than one man.
I needed all three of them. They were perfect for me. I only hoped I provided to them something of equal value to their lives.
I glanced back over to Gideon, who was holding and stroking my hand as the weather person came on to give the report. I wanted nothing more than to kiss him. A million kisses. Other things. Other things that included ripping his clothes off and pressing my naked body against his. I wanted his hands all over me. His lips. But… we were kind of busy at the moment.
The news report was important. Naked other things were going to have to wait, because I wasn't going to be able to concentrate until I knew what those reporters were going to say. I wanted my mind free and clear when I kissed him next. Because I wasn't going to want to stop kissing him.
"Do I give you something, Gid?" I asked, using the nickname he'd been encouraging me to use every time I addressed him.
"Give me something?" he asked, turning to face me. "Like gifts?"
"No, like… I was just thinking. You and Tristan and Kostas, you all… you all fill me out in some way. You make up for my shortcomings. I was just wondering if I did the same for you?"
He smiled, pulling my hand up to press a soft kiss onto the back of it before speaking.
"I don't have any shortcomings," he teased.
I rolled my eyes. "Right, sure."
"No, you see? I can tend to be a bit… self-centered, but you roll your eyes once and I'm floating back down to earth to be with you." He leaned over to kiss my lips. "So, I suppose my answer is yes. I can't speak for the other two, but for me… at the risk of sounding cheesy and shamelessly pilfering movie dialogue, you complete me."
I smiled and kissed him back, and with a little more heat than was strictly necessary. "That's interesting. And good to know."
The news anthem played again, signaling it's return from commercial.
I put my steamy kiss on pause, clutching his hand as the newscaster began to speak.
All in all, the report was definitely in favor of our union. Multiple unions, as they were. It was a relief, to say the least. And, while it was merely a fluff piece they used to fill the gaps in the news program, I was still pleased with its outcome. And that there was no mention of the phantom pictures.
Pictures I still hadn't seen and needed to procure from Amanda's hands. Simply one more thing I needed to speak with her about. But as I had decided earlier, that was for another day. Right now, this day, or what was left of it, was for Gideon.
Feeling much more relaxed, I reached for the remote and then for my handsome, handsome prince.
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"Want to go to bed?" I asked, my hand still clasped in his.
"Tired, are you?" Gideon teased.
"Extremely," I leaned over to press my lips to his. "Take me to bed, Gideon."
The guest suites here were opulent, but said opulence was an afterthought, something we'd notice later. Right then, Gideon's eyes were only on me, and I couldn't manage more than a muffled squeak when the door clicked shut because his arms were suddenly and completely around me. I kissed his mouth like it was life-giving. And for me, in that moment, it was.
I stood on my tiptoes, my hands clutching at the front of his shirt, bunching it up into my fists as I moved my lips against his. Tiring of wrinkling and stretching his shirt, I reached down, tugging on the hem and he stopped me, breaking off the kiss.
"We don't have to…go further than we have. " He raised his eyebrows knowingly. "Don't feel like you have to just because we're alone."
"I want you," I assured him, running my fingers through his hair and looking him dead in the eyes. "I want you, Gideon. Today. Tonight. As soon as we get undressed… and again after that. nd again. nd again…" I punctuated each 'again' with a kiss.
He slid his arms around my waist, picking me up and spinning me around once. "I appreciate your faith in my stamina, but I'm not entirely sure I will be able to oblige that many 'agains'."
"Guess you'll have to owe me."
I leaned up press a hot kiss to his jaw. As soon as I did, I felt the tension drain from his shoulders. His hands crept around my back to tug at all the buttons on the back of the gown that I'd neglected to change out of after dinner.
He'd only gotten a couple undone by the time I'd sucked a purple bruise onto his throat. He pressed me against his front, his hands clutching at me.
I could feel him, hard against my stomach. His breath came out in small gasps, his hands still fiddling with the godforsaken buttons.
"Are you attached to this dress?" he asked. "It's not an heirloom or something, is it?"
I shook my head. "No…and no."
The rip of the fabric took me by surprise. The buttons popped off and went rolling around on the hardwood floor. The dress fell away to a pool at my feet, leaving me standing there in my strapless bustier and matching panties.
"I'll replace it," he murmured, hands finding me, scanning the bare skin now on display.
I heard his breath catch in his throat as he drank me in and I took advantage of the momentary lull to wrap my arms around his shoulders and jump onto his front. He caught me, kicking the dress out of the way and carrying me to the bed.
He set me down on the edge of the mattress, and leaned over to kiss my lips, his tongue plundering my mouth. I clutched at his shirt, yanking it up and over his head. He let it fall on the floor at our feet and didn't stop me when I reached for his belt. I undid it slowly, popping open the button and unzipping the zipper before tugging his pants down over his hips. He kicked them off and away.
I rubbed my hand over the bulge in his boxers, letting my thumb wiggle slightly over the head. I felt more bold, having handled two other men before him.
He covered my hand with his, pulling it away and spreading my knees delicately, standing between them. He pressed his lips to my neck, kissing me roughly and making my skin tingle with every caress. He reached around behind me to undo the row of hooks on the back of my bustier. It took him considerably less time than the dress would have taken, but I was practically aching for his touch by the time he tossed the lacy garment aside.
My nipples were already stiff, and only became more so in the chilly air of the room. He swiped his thumbs over them, flicking them gently and forcing a low moan to come rumbling from my mouth.
I moaned louder when he bent his head over me, kissing his way down my chest. He sucked one pebbled peak into his mouth while his thumb swirled over the other. He switched sides and I canted my hips towards him, reaching for his other hand and placing it on the waistband of my panties, impatiently awaiting what was next.
Gideon released my breast, raising his eyebrows as he gently tugged at the garment, pulling my panties off and down my legs. "You are quite possibly the best present I've ever unwrapped."
I blushed, giggling a little when he leaned down to kiss my belly button, sucking loudly and making a wet smacking sound when he released me. He moved slowly south, peppering kisses all over my skin.
I inhaled sharply when he kissed the crease of my thigh, spreading my legs to give him better access. He let his tongue glide up and down each thigh crease, flicking ever so lightly at my labia before running up the length of my slit. I shook when he did it again, and again, wriggling over my clit on both the up and down sweep. He stayed there a little longer each time, swirling lightly over the tense bundle of nerves, never enough to do more than tease me.
I propped my weight on my hands, rocking towards his face, silently begging for more. He smiled, a devilish expression visible from between my spread thighs.
His finger prodded my opening, gliding through the slick he found there. Pressing ever so slightly into me and withdrawing again. Pressing in again, this time further before withdrawing. All the while, he teased me mercilessly with the tip of his tongue.
I leaned over on one hand, reaching up to play with my breasts with the other. I let my fingertips dance over the stiff peaks, mimicking the way Gideon's tongue danced over my clit.
He had one finger inside me, working me open for a second. I could feel how slick I was for him, how his finger squelched softly when he pressed it into me
The second finger went in without a hitch, pushing up to the third knuckle easily. He slowly withdrew them, pushing them back. They felt thick and perfect, crooking slightly to stroke me from within. Hitting that spot that made me whimper with pleasure. The spot that had me shaking.
My toes were curling into the carpet as he flicked his tongue lightly against my clit, holding off when I got too tense, when my moans got too breathy.
A third finger breached my opening, meeting some resistance. Not much, but some. He worked the digits in slowly, letting his tongue speed up a little more on my clit. He lapped at me, using my moans to gauge how close I was, letting his fingers work me open more for him.
I nearly jumped off the bed when he hit that spot inside me again. He kept his fingers nearly stationary, pumping only shallowly, so the brunt of the sensation was coming from my core.
My hand went to the back of his head as he lapped and sucked at my clit, bringing me closer and closer to release. I could feel the spring coiling inside me as I began to plead with him. To beg him not to stop.
He groaned against me and that's what did me in, sending me spiraling into an orgasm so intense that I pulled his hair asmy walls clamped down hard on his fingers. My toes cramped with how hard they were curling.
I soon let go of his head, falling back flat on the mattress. I couldn't talk for a moment, but he was there, rubbing his hands up and down my thighs before crawling up on the bed with me.
He scooted up to the pillows and I followed him, leaning over to kiss his lips and tasting myself there.
"I love you," I whispered.
"I love you too." He smiled crookedly and reached down to push off his boxers. "You still don't have to do anything," he whispered. "If you don't think you're ready, it's okay. I can take care of it. " He licked his palm and reached down, encircling his cock with his hand. He moved his fist slowly up and down his length, his eyes never leaving my face.
I shook my head. "I want this," I reached down to roll my thumb over the slit on the end of him, making his hips jerk. "I want this inside me." I leaned over to kiss him again. "I want this with you…"
He nodded. "Okay."
Gideon sat up and leaned forward, grabbing his pants from the floor at the bottom of the bed. He pulled his wallet out of the back pocket, producing two foil squares from inside. One, I knew was a condom. The other was…
"Lube," he answered my quizzical look.
"I'
m fairly," I whispered the next word, "Wet…I don't think we'll need that."
"I don't want to hurt you," He leaned over and kissed me again. "You need to be really wet. This will help."
My heart was pounding as I watched him lay back. Watched him roll the condom down over his length. Watched him open the lube and squeeze it up the shaft. He wrapped his hand around himself then, his eyes squeezing shut as he spread it all over, his hand making a squelching sound. He reached for me, his eyes dark and inviting.
"I don't know what I'm doing," I murmured as I crawled over to him.
"I think it'd be better if you were on top, so you can control how fast things go."
I nodded, liking the idea immediately, because it was the one hang up I still had about this part.
I was shaking as I climbed on top of him, but then again, so was he. He had his hand still wrapped around his cock, and I rose up on top of him, letting him guide the tip inside me.
I gasped at the intrusion, my eyes squeezing shut.
"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice sounded strained, almost like he was in pain, but not.
"Yes," I answered. "I'm fine. Are you okay?"
"Yes. Please look at me…" he murmured, his free hand squeezed my thigh reassuringly. I looked down, into his eyes. His eyes that were blown wide with lust, and at the same time, they searched mine. Trying to gauge my reaction. Gods, he was beautiful.
I pushed myself down a little more, sliding easily. Nothing hurt, it was all just so… strange. I felt full. Different than when it was just fingers. This was more. Bigger, sure… but also smoother. The more I relaxed, the better it felt. I rose up, pressing down again slowly, feeling tears gather in the corners of my eyes. Not from pain, but from something else entirely.
"Gideon, I love you," I whispered.
The hand he had wrapped around the base fell away and he reached for mine, lacing our fingers. He grunting softly with every slow thrust of my hips. "I love you, Violet. You feel… so good. So hot. You're so warm…"
I was surprised when my hips pressed snugly against his, I was expecting it to hurt more, taking him fully inside. He gripped my hands, his thumbs stroking along the backs.
Unsuitable: Part 1 of a Reverse Harem Royal Romance (The Princess' Harem) Page 15