by Cora Caraway
“I think I’m okay.” Onscreen, I begin to cry. Silently, I swear at myself. I’ve been doing far too much of that lately.
“There, there.” Nic runs his thumb under my eye to wipe my tears away. The motion chills me. It’s far too tender, too intimate. I want to see Damon’s reaction, but I’m too afraid to turn my head his way. I keep my eyes glued to the screen.
“We’ll sort this out tomorrow,” Nic says.
Oh no. Here it comes, the last moment I remember. Fear makes my stomach roil with acid.
There I go. Projected on the wall, I lean toward Nic, close enough to kiss. Dear god, let it end at that. A kiss I could stand. Any more than that, and I’ll have to hope that the ground will swallow me up.
There’s silence for a wrenching moment. Then I put a hand on his face. No. No! I would bolt from the room right now if I weren’t rooted to the spot. I can see where this is going, and I can’t bear to watch any more.
“Is that icing?” Onscreen, I laugh. “There’s this new invention called the napkin,” I say as I wipe it off the corner of his mouth. “You should look into it.”
Nic lurches forward. “You should look into … your face.”
I laugh. “That was really good. You’re much wittier when you’re drunk.”
“I’m not as drunk … as you.”
“Oh yeah?” I hold up a finger as if I’m about to launch into a rebuttal, then fall onto the bed, asleep.
Nic sways, then stands over me for a moment. He reaches for me, trying to keep himself steady. At last, he pulls over the blankets to tuck me in.
I roll over, thrashing for a bit before pushing my pants out from under the covers. Nic takes off his own pants, rolling them up into a pillow that he sets on the floor. He lies down, and then neither of us moves. There’s only the sound of heavy breathing. The tape runs on for a few more moments before it goes black.
I’m innocent. Innocent. I bring my hands up to my mouth, unsure what to do with myself. The relief is making me giddy. I feel like I could run laps around the palace. I didn’t cheat. I’m not like my mom.
But this is what Natalia and Marc have been holding over my head? This is what I’ve agonized over? Instead of letting me be with Damon, they’ve tried to pull me away from him, to twist what should be a happy time into something ugly. They’ll pay for this. I’ll see to that.
“Are you okay?” Damon asks quietly.
Nic has gone, closing the door behind him. Soft light from the projector still plays against the wall.
“I’m fine,” I reply automatically. I sit on the bed before my shaking legs can give out under me.
Damon sits beside me. “You’re not fine.”
“No. You’re right.” I can’t bear to look into his eyes. I’m worried what I might find there. “I thought everything might be over. I thought you’d never trust me again.”
“I trust you with my heart.” Taking my hand in his, he brings it to his chest. “That’s why I gave it to you. I didn’t need to see the tape to know what happened in there.”
“Really?”
“Well, you had me scared for a minute there. But I know you, Grace. Better than you know yourself, it seems.”
He’s teasing me, but my eyes well with tears all the same. I thought I might never again hear that softness in his voice that he reserves just for me.
As if he can sense my thoughts, he wraps me in his arms. “None of that now. No more tears.”
Something releases inside me. Damon trusted me, through everything. I can trust myself to him. Even this part of me that I’ve never given to anyone before.
We don’t waste any time. He unzips my dress, and before it’s even fallen to the floor he’s unhooked my bra.
Damon stands before me, drinking me in with his eyes. “How are you so beautiful?”
I could ask him the same question.
“These are going to have to go, though.” Kneeling before me, he slides my panties to the floor. I feel his breath against my legs as he grips the back of my thighs, caressing me all the way down to my calves.
“Let me take off your clothes,” I whisper. “It’s not fair.”
He gazes into my eyes. “Not yet.” Giving me a coy smile, he sets one finger against my skin, letting it graze ever upwards until it reaches the place where my legs meet. I exhale as he strokes the soft folds of flesh.
“Oh, Grace.”
His words and his expert fingers make me gasp. I can feel myself pulsing for him. It’s almost as if my heartbeat has shifted south. A shudder runs up my spine. He’s making me throb, making me wet for him. I tingle with anticipation. I wonder what it’ll feel like, if it’ll hurt. But then he moves his marvelous fingers again, and the pleasure overrides the last of my fear. I’m not going to let anything keep me from Damon.
His fingers rock me to the core, drawing forth sounds I didn’t even know I could make. I don’t know if it’s been minutes or hours, but my legs have gone weak. Lurching forward, I have to lean on his shoulders for support.
“Grace.” Damon grabs my wrist. He’s panting, and not from exertion. My arousal is fueling his own. This discovery only makes my desire burn hotter.
“What do you want, Grace?”
I close my eyes involuntarily, overcome by his words alone. “Everything,” I whisper at last. “I want everything. I’ve been waiting for you for so long. Don’t make me wait another second.”
I reach down for him, and he lets me draw him up to stand with me. His hazel eyes are intense as I strip him, leaving his clothes discarded in a heap. Running my hands over the hard muscles of his stomach, I glance up at him.
“What are you thinking about?” he asks, his voice taut.
“I’m imagining what your body will look like as you plunge into me again and again.”
Damon lets out a ragged breath. “You don’t have to imagine. I’ll show you.” Scooping me up, he carries me to the bed. Though he looks at me ravenously, he lays me down with care. He straddles me, his hardness pressing against my flesh. I tilt my hips into him, wanting him with a fierceness I’ve never known before.
“Take me,” I say. “Take me now.”
He pins my arms to the bed. “Be patient,” he whispers in my ear. “Good things come to those who wait.” He plants fiery kisses down my cheek, my neck, my collarbone. Each kiss seems to be a mark, a brand, a signal to the world that I am his. He’s hungry for me, and I want him to possess me. I want to be his so badly.
Cupping my breast in one hand, he circles my nipple with his thumb. It firms at his touch. I arch my spine as he puts his mouth to my breast, his hot tongue exploring me. He shifts his attention to my other breast, lightly sucking until he makes me moan.
With one last coy look at me, he plants a kiss on my ribcage, then a trail of kisses down my belly. His lips brush my waist, my upper thigh, and then he’s between my legs again. He parts them with his hands.
“Damon—”
But he’s already buried himself in me, his tongue like a flame. I cry out, unable to control the bucking of my hips or the arc of my back. He slides his hands under me, grabbing me, bringing me closer to him. I can’t escape, and I wouldn’t if I could. The motions of his tongue are languid, but they have me in spasms. I twine my fingers through his hair, incoherent except for when I call his name.
His tongue speeds at my cries, until I’m driven wild. I clutch the sheets, afraid I may tear them apart. My knuckles are white against the black silk.
“Please, Damon. Please.” I’m not even sure what I’m begging for, but I know that only he can give it to me.
He stokes me until fire roars in my veins. I throw my head back against the pillow, giving into the waves of pleasure that crash over me. I’m lost with Damon, spinning through a world of sparks.
At last the fire subsides, though my muscles still twitch unbidden. Damon lies on top of me, grinning at his success.
“Did you like that?”
I take his face in my hands. “Come
here.” I kiss him for a long moment, caught in the mix of our scents on his face. We smell right together.
“Have you had enough for tonight?” he teases.
I spread my legs wide, throwing my arms behind my head. “Do I look like I’ve had enough.”
“Oh, no. You look like you haven’t had anything yet. Let’s see if we can fix that.” He lowers himself into me.
I close my eyes, gasping as I feel him enter.
“Are you all right?” he asks.
“Just—just go slow at first.”
He kisses my cheek. “Anything, for you.”
Carefully, he slides into me. I can feel him stretching me, but I’m so wet for him that it doesn’t hurt at all. My breath hitches as he pushes deeper, slowly filling me. He draws back, and in that moment, there’s nothing I want more than all of him inside me. I angle my hips to meet him as he returns, suddenly impatient. Thrusting forward, I gather him into me, all the way to the hilt. It feels so good to be one with him.
I let out a ragged cry. “Faster.”
Still deep inside me, he takes me in his arms. “I have a better idea.”
Rolling us off the bed, he carries me to the pool. He throbs inside me with every step. I wrap my legs around him as he wades into the water. The sudden coolness makes me shiver, and I hug myself closer to Damon.
He walks until the water is up to our chests. Setting my back against the tile, Damon hooks one arm around my hip and braces the other against the pool’s edge. I feel weightless as he plunges into me. His thrusts are hard and sure, each sending a jolt through my very being. He moans my name, and I give myself to him.
His arms are tight around me, and I love the pressure, the sensation of being as close as possible to him. His rhythm speeds, and I hold onto him for dear life, rocked by more pleasure than I can stand. Damon’s mine, he’s mine, and nothing can take him from me now. The cool of the water clashes with the fire inside me, until he has me keening for him. He crashes into me harder, faster, gasping as he finds sweet release in my arms.
Damon holds me as our spasms pass and the ripples die around us. I lay my head on his strong shoulder, trying to remember how to breathe. I’m limp as he finally carries me out of the pool. I whimper as he slides out of me, not wanting to lose that connection.
“I’m still here,” he murmurs, draping a towel around me. “I’m here with you.”
He runs the towel up and down my body, making sure I’m dry. I’m too tired to return the favor. Once he rubs himself down, he takes us to bed.
My eyes close as soon as my head hits the pillow. Damon draws me against him, and I smile at the feel of his muscles against my back. I’m caught in his embrace, exactly where I want to be.
“You had me so scared,” he whispers. “I don’t want to lose you. Stay close to me.”
I happily obey. This is my fiancé, my prince. My heart will be safe with him.
Entwined with Damon, I drift to sleep.
13
I lie awake as the sun’s rays grow longer on the floor. Usually I can’t wait to jump out of bed, but today I want to linger forever. Damon’s arm is draped over my waist. The weight is comforting. He’s here with me, and no thought could make me happier.
Bringing my hand up to my nose for the hundredth time, I drink deep of the scent. I can still smell him on my skin, and it’s heavenly. Across from me, Damon dreams on. Grinning stupidly, I kiss the stubble on his jawline. How was I lucky enough to come across him? How? There’s nothing I could have done, or could ever do, to deserve him. Still, I’ll take him.
He stirs. “What time is it?”
“I don’t know and I don’t care.”
His eyes flutter open. “Were you planning to stay in bed all day?”
“If you are, then yes.”
Damon gathers me into a bear hug, kissing me soundly. “I take it that you enjoyed last night, then? Our very first time. The first of many, I can assure you.”
“Mmm.” I tuck a wayward wisp of hair behind my ear. “Thanks for making my first time so good.”
He pulls back, studying my face. “Your first time … with me, or first time—”
“Ever.” I nod.
Damon sits bolt upright. “Wait, that was your first time? Really?”
“Really. You couldn’t tell?”
“Of course not. But if I had known…” He runs a hand through his hair. “I should have gone slower, should have let you savor it.”
“Oh, I savored every second. Believe me.”
He puts a hand on my waist. “Was I good enough for you?”
“Better than I ever dreamed.”
Rolling over, he props his head on his hand. “I want you to know that you can tell me things. Important things. Like that you’re a virgin, or being blackmailed. I’m here for you, and I want to help you whenever I can.”
“I’ll try.” I nestle close to him. “It’s strange though. No one’s ever been there for me before. Not for things like that.”
“I’m here now.” He kisses my cheek just as my stomach growls. “I’ll take care of the smaller problems too. I’d say it’s time for breakfast.” Damon gets out of bed, his skin glowing in the morning light. I don’t bother hiding my gaze. I drink him in, from his curving shoulder blades to his sculpted ass.
He looks back, arching an eyebrow. “Are you going to get ready with me? Or are you just going to stare?”
“I can’t do both?”
He laughs. “That works for me.”
Somehow, I stay focused long enough to get clean and clothed. I can’t stop thinking about last night, and I’m still tingling as we walk into the dining room. It’s like I’m walking on air, and nothing could take the bounce out of my step.
Damon frowns, looking at the bare tables. “Where’s breakfast?”
Instead of carrying covered silver dishes, servants dart around with white chairs, streamers, and huge bouquets of white flowers. They’re all bypassing the dining room, instead heading for the gardens out back.
The prince takes my hand. “I don’t like the look of this.”
Sarina sweeps by, yelling at a man who looks very scared.
“The tents should be here by now! I don’t care that it was a last-minute request. It was last-minute from us. Besides, we’re paying triple. I want this done right!” She trails him outside, barking orders to others along the way for good measure.
“Stay here,” Damon says. “I’m going to find out what’s going on.”
I can’t follow him, because only a moment later a group of men rushes by carrying twelve long tables. Damon has already been lost in the crowd. I step into an alcove so I don’t get trampled in the frenzy.
“Are you excited for the big day?” Marc ambles in with me, either to torment me or get out of helping I’m not sure.
I spare him a cool glance. “I was excited for breakfast, but that doesn’t seem to be happening.”
He holds up his hands. “What’s with the hostility? If I remember correctly, I just helped throw an insane engagement party for you and my favorite brother. I don’t get a ‘thanks’ for that? Not even a little warmth?”
“If you wanted warmth, maybe you shouldn’t have helped Natalia tape and blackmail me.”
“Don’t be sore about it.” He actually has the gall to look wounded. “It was only a bit of fun. Natalia said you’d laugh about it.”
“Do I look like I’m laughing?”
“No, but you have no sense of humor.”
I cross my arms to keep myself from strangling him. “What exactly is so funny about it?”
“First of all, I don’t know where you’re getting blackmail from. Natalia said we’d show the tape of you drunk at your wedding. It would make people laugh, and embarrass you. Win-win. Besides, it’d make a great story. You ruined it though.”
“I’m so sorry.” I don’t entirely trust him, but I doubt that Natalia told him the full extent of her plans. She couldn’t have, since the whole point was to
secure Damon as her groom. In a way, Marc is just another of her victims.
“It’s okay, Grace. I know you’re jealous that we’re going to have a nicer wedding than you. Natalia will make sure of it.”
There’s more excitement in his voice than malice. Actually, I feel a pang for him. If he thinks he’s going to have a fairytale wedding day, he’s going to be sorely disappointed.
Marc adjusts his cuffs. “I’m sure you already heard—important news travels fast—but we decided to move the wedding up to this afternoon.”
I stare at him. “You can’t be serious.”
“You’re just upset that we’re getting married first. I can’t help it if Natalia and I love each other more than you and Damon ever could.”
“Yes, Marc,” I deadpan. “That’s exactly it.”
“I knew it.” He smirks. “Stick around, we’ll show you how a real wedding’s done.” Marc saunters off, looking pleased with himself. Is he in denial, or does he really believe that Natalia is eager to marry him?
I spy Damon across the hall, looking grim as he talks to the king. Trying not to be seen, I get as close as I dare to listen in.
“Yes,” Darius says. “They’re getting married today. That’s what Marc wants. Who am I to protest?”
“You really think this is a good idea?” Damon gestures to a passing ice sculpture of a swan in flight. “All this effort and expense?”
The king shoots him a forbidding look. “Marc may be your half-brother, but he’s my son.”
“It’s not about that, Father! I want you to remember what happened last time, when Natalia convinced you to throw her a wedding and no one told me I was supposed to be the one standing at the altar.”
“Natalia learned her lesson. Marc wants to marry her. Besides, the Fa family will make a great ally.”
Damon turns away. “There’s no talking to you when you’re like this.”
“You don’t have to be happy about it, but I expect you to be there.” Darius strides toward the gardens, parting the throng as he passes.
The prince spots me. “Did you catch all that?”
“Most of it.”
Sighing, he leans against a pillar. “Did you hear the part about the royal wedding gift?”