"Ma'am, if you follow us, we will have to restrain you and call the authorities," one of my guards says, sounding almost eager to do so. I have half a mind to let him.
She's already done enough that I could file a claim.
"You can't do that!" I hear her gasp. "Do you know who I am? I will have you fired!"
"I don't know who you are, nor do I care to. But that is Prince Herne, a Singarti Prince. A very well-respected one. Whatever you are, whoever you are, it doesn't compare," my other guard says in response. "Perhaps you should think before you say anything further."
That shuts her up. I'm only slightly disappointed that she doesn't do anything to justify an arrest. The threats cut her tirade short.
Bullies are like that, weak when faced with actual consequences. She doesn't even try to follow us out.
"I'm sorry you had to hear that," I say grimly as we step into the elevator and it takes us down.
Elle shakes her head, smiling faintly.
"I'm used to it," she says, shrugging. "It doesn't matter."
"It does matter," I argue. "And you're not used to it anymore," I add, holding her close. "Anyone speaks like that to you again and they're getting punched in the face."
She lets out a burst of shocked laughter, her face lighting up, erasing the signs of strain and sadness. Much better.
"You wouldn't!" she exclaims.
I shrug.
"I bet that woman could take a right hook to the jaw like a champ," I tease. Of course, I would never hit a woman, but my beast wants to hurt anyone who ever hurt Elle.
"Herne!" Elle says, laughter and censure in her voice.
I smile. "I like how you say my name," I say softly, my voice lowering.
She blushes as she hears the change in my tone, her eyes darkening in response. She knows exactly what I'm thinking. Then we're out onto the street, in the crowd of people.
I guide her to the car waiting at the curb as my guards move to their own transport.
"Take us home, please," I say to the car.
"Yes, sir," it replies in a pleasant contralto.
As it starts moving down the street, I pick Elle up and move her to sit on my lap, cuddling her to me.
"I was afraid I'd never see you again," I confess, wanting her as close as possible.
"Me too," she whispers, placing one gentle hand on the side of my face, searching my eyes. "Thank you for coming for me."
"I'll always come for you," I whisper. "Even when you run away." She laughs at that and I have to smile. "Though I'd really appreciate it if you didn't run away a third time."
She shakes her head. "I promise I won't run away again," she agrees.
"I'll hold you to that promise."
She ducks her head against the side of my neck and I hold her close all the way home.
For the first time in days, I don't feel that urge to keep moving, keep doing something.
I feel...content. I marvel at that settled feeling, smoothing my hand down her back.
We reach my building and I help Elle out of the car. Then we're taking the elevator up, her hand clasped securely in mine. And then we're in my apartment.
Where we're finally completely alone.
I turn to her, the need to take her, to possess her, pounding inside me. I want to stake my claim in the most primal way possible. The drive is undeniable.
Elle's eyes travel down to my raging erection, the thick length clearly outlined by my pants. It isn't going down any time soon.
"I'm sorry," I say, taking a deep breath, trying to calm myself though it feels like a futile attempt. "I can't help wanting you."
"Don't apologize," she replies. She looks up to meet my eyes, her cheeks already slightly flushed, her eyes dark with desire. "I want you too."
She takes a step towards me, placing her hand on my chest.
Just those words, that light touch...they snap the tight hold I'm keeping on myself.
Growling, I pull her in close against me and she goes up on her toes to meet my kiss.
It feels like coming home.
But even though my desire is raging through me, the arousal is tempered by the care, the relief, the love I feel for her.
Yes, love.
There's no denying it.
Why else would I feel so completely torn up inside when I couldn't find her?
The kiss is thorough, but gentle, as I pour everything I have, everything I'm feeling into the joining of our mouths. I show her what she means to me through that kiss.
She gives as good as she gets, until we're both panting, my arousal painfully hard. I break the kiss and pull back to look into her eyes.
To look at the face of my future.
"I'm not letting you get away again," I warn, wanting to be clear. "This is for keeps."
She smiles at me, her expression a little wistful. "Good," she murmurs. "No more letting girls throw themselves at you either."
I grin. "That doesn't really happen..." She raises a brow at me, not buying it. "...very often," I add sheepishly. "Don't worry. I only want you throwing yourself at me. Feel free to at any time, by the way."
"I'll keep it in mind," she agrees wryly. "Just wanted to be clear about the parameters here."
Her hands slides down and closes on my erection.
Squeezes it firmly.
"Now that we're clear..." I say, my voice coming out a little strangled.
I need to be inside her now.
I pick her up and she wraps her legs around my waist, giggling. The happy sound warms my heart as I cup the rounded curves of her backside, walking us into the bedroom.
She lets out a soft sigh that goes straight to my cock as I lower her onto the plush bed, laying my body on top of hers.
I know I'll never feel lonely again.
I'm home.
The only one I'll ever need.
Chapter 17
Elle
I sigh as my back hits the soft mattress.
Herne's lips come down on mine, his body big and warm of top of me.
His familiar taste, his full lips...
As I sink into the kiss, a sense of rightness, of being exactly where I'm supposed to be, comes over me.
Just a short time ago, I was trying my best to simply keep my spirits up. Now Herne is here with me. He found me. I'm not just another girl to him.
As much as I tried to bury my own feelings about him, tried to move on, I knew that he was it for me. I just couldn't accept it when I had no way to contact him. And no way to know that he cared for me too.
The kiss goes on for long moments, deep and slow and thorough. We have all the time in the world now. We're in his bedroom. Not stealing time backstage or in the bathroom.
Now I'm the one who gets impatient. I missed him too much to go this slow. I break the kiss and tug his face away so I can look at him.
"You need to be naked," I demand.
He raises a brow, his eyes a little amused at the order. "Hmm. That can be arranged." He plucks at my shirt pointedly. "Of course, payment in kind would be necessary."
I grin at that, sliding my thumb across his full bottom lip, already pinker because of our kisses. "I think that's fair," I concede.
Somehow, I end up naked before he does. He's good. He pulls off my shirt, my bra, my shoes, and my underwear with my jeans. All in an impressively short amount of time.
Maybe I should have him undress me every time. I smile at the thought.
He stands to undress himself. I rise up on my elbows to watch. Seeing my interest, he slows down. He takes his time peeling off a lightweight, forest green sweater that brings out his eyes, and then a pair of slim trousers that hug his thighs and ass.
"You're pretty good at removing women's clothes," I point out, teasing, but I can’t keep a hint of jealousy out of my voice.
His face softens as he hears that hint. Then he hooks his thumbs into his boxer briefs and removes the last of his clothing. He's almost too perfect.
He's tall and muscled, with light
brown chest hair sprinkled across his defined chest. His arms and legs are just as well muscled, roughened with hair. My eyes skate over all the skin he's just revealed, until they get caught on the narrow happy trail leading down from his navel. Right down to that impressive erection.
I swallow as I stare at it. Thick and long, it rises up from the cropped hair at his base, big enough that I wonder how I was able to take all of him. But I was.
As he puts a knee on the bed and crawls up my body, I slide my hands over all the skin I can reach, enjoying the texture difference between smooth skin and skin sprinkled with hair.
"I'm only interested in removing one woman's clothes now," he says, kissing me softly.
It takes me a moment to realize that he's responding to what I'd just said a moment ago. My attention is so thoroughly diverted by his body that I completely forgot.
"That's right," I say mock seriously, reaching down to squeeze his ass. Hmm. That's nice...
"I'm the only woman whose clothes you'll be removing from here on out," I add, kissing his shoulder.
"Of course," he says smoothly, his mouth quirked up at the corners as he raises himself up to look at me. "And, just so you know, I will be removing your clothes quite regularly. In fact, feel free to not get dressed at all." He kisses the tip of my nose. "It would really make things much more efficient."
I snort out a laugh, reaching down between us to take hold of his hard shaft. His smile fades and his jaw tightens as I stroke him.
"Also..." he says, obviously fighting to speak past the sensations. "I'm the only man you're ever going to be naked for. That's nonnegotiable."
I have no desire to be with anyone else.
"Just as long as you follow your same advice," I say, enjoying watching him lose control.
Enjoying having that power.
"Mmm. I'm willing to go along with this arrangement," he says hoarsely, looking down to watch my hands on him.
I take my time, moving slowly. Learning every inch of him. Cupping the soft weight of his balls. Thumbing the already leaking head of his erection. Finding what kind of touch he likes.
I want to drive him as crazy as he drives me.
"You're killing me, Elle," he groans, his body damp with a light layer of sweat. "I think that's all I can take."
He pulls out of my reach, away from my grasping hands. I make a disappointed sound and he smiles, though his face is tight.
"I'll let you touch me all you want later," he promises, spreading my legs. "But I'm too greedy for you right now to want to come that way. I need to be inside you."
He kisses each of my breasts lightly, nibbling at the sensitive lower curves.
And then he dips his head between my legs, latching his mouth on me exactly where I need it. There's no teasing, no slow seduction. His mouth is just there, hot and wet and utterly perfect. He drives me up hard and fast, using everything he's learned about me and applying it with so much skill I can't help but be impressed. He's a fast learner.
I cry out, arching up against his mouth as my orgasm rolls through me in a sharp ripple of sensation. He pushes me through it, his tongue flicking, his mouth sucking. It's almost too much, the long moments of pleasure. He doesn't let up until I'm pushing him away, my breath coming in gasps, my body so sensitive even the cooler air feels like a caress.
Then his hot body is on top of me again, the broad head pushing into me, the rush of wetness down there easing his entrance.
We both groan as he squeezes his way in, the fit as tight as I remember it.
"Elle..." he whispers, kissing my forehead, my cheeks, my lips. "I don't think I'm going to last very long," he admits.
I slide my hands down his broad back, arching up into him.
"It doesn't matter," I reassure him, moving restlessly, already needing more. "Herne, move," I order, taking hold of his slim hips and pulling him in even deeper.
He chuckles, the sound a little strained. "Yes, ma'am."
I moan as he pulls out and pushes back in obediently. Oh, it feels so good. He feels so good.
"You feel so good," I say, wanting him to know.
He lets out a breath.
"You feel like a dream," he says. "I don't want to wake up."
I feel my heart crack a tiny bit at the sweetness of Herne.
We settle into a steady, smooth rhythm, Herne's muscles clench and release as his body moves in that rolling motion that hits all the right spots in all the right ways.
This time, my orgasm catches me by surprise.
"Herne!" I cry out, my nails digging into his back as I push up against him hard, grinding against him as it rolls through me in a tingling rush.
He growls, pushing one of my legs up and wide so his next thrust is even deeper, even more intense.
I cry out again as another rush of sensation hits me.
His body shudders as he fights past my clenching core, forcing his erection to bottom out inside me, his cock jerking and throbbing with his own orgasm.
We stay locked like that as our orgasms tear through us.
Our breathing is harsh in the quiet as he rolls us over so I'm on top, his eyes closed as he smoothes a hand down my back.
"I think I might be dead," he says.
I prop myself up on his chest and stare down at him. He face is so relaxed I know he could fall asleep at any moment. I poke at him a couple of times. His eyes crack open to look at me.
"Still alive," I say cheerfully, lying back down on top of him.
He chuckles, and the deep sound vibrates through my body where I'm pressed up against him. I snuggle in closer. His arms tighten on me as he kisses my forehead.
"I love you, Elle," he whispers. "I'm going to ask you the question that's been burning a hole in my mind. Elle...will you marry me?"
I didn’t expect this. Not at all.
I rise up so I can see his face, wanting to be sure he really means this.
His eyes are steady on mine when I meet them, his arms holding me possessively.
"You want to get married?" I repeat, wanting to be sure I heard him right.
"Yes," he says simply. "I need to seal the deal before you decide to run off again, after all," he adds with a smile.
I laugh, cupping the side of his face with my hand.
"I'm not going anywhere." I memorize the clean lines of his face, his mussed hair, his half-lidded eyes. I want to remember this moment. "I love you too. And you don't even have to marry me to keep me here."
He scowls. "Let me rephrase this, then. I think you might be mistaken about my intent." He takes a deep breath, his hand covering mine on his chest. "Elle, I love you and I want to marry you because I want you in my life from here on out. Even if you have permanently retired your running shoes."
I grin.
"How romantic," I say, feeling my heart ache. In a good way. The best way. "Then yes. Let's get hitched."
The grin he flashes at me after that response sends another bolt of lust through me. The man is dangerous. And then he's flipping us over yet again, kissing me, the joy and love bubbling up between us.
My heart is full to bursting.
I've found my Prince Charming.
Did you enjoy Prince? Thank you so much for reading, please be sure to leave a review, it’s the best way you can help me as a self-published author!
(Keep reading for a smoking hot preview of DRAGON’S BABY: RED PLANET DRAGONS OF TAJSS #1)
Red Hot Preview: Dragon’s Baby
Red Planet Dragons of Tajss Book 1
MIRANDA MARTIN
& JUNO WELLS
Blurb
Not every alien is an enemy, even if he kidnaps you...
Calista is happy with her life of scientific research. She doesn't need love, she has her books, her friends, and her work. Things are fine until her ship is attacked by space pirates and crash lands on a desert planet with heat so intense she and her friends can't survive without help.
Ladon is a Zmaj warrior resigned to a life alon
e, who only desires to protect his treasures. His hopes for a mate faded long ago, yet when he meets Calista something stirs. It takes only one look to know that she belongs to him. He's been alone for so long but she is the ultimate treasure and he will protect her.
Now there's only the small problem of her living long enough to understand.
A devastated planet, a mysterious history, space pirates, and threats environmental and alien beset them on all sides. The sexy Zmaj warrior will have to battle the planet's ultimate threat in an epic effort to obtain the one thing he knows Calista needs to survive.
But will the other humans accept this huge and alien looking dragon warrior? Or will they find him just as big a threat as the rest of the red planet? The future of both their races depends on it.
CALISTA
“Who are you?” I ask.
His head cocks to one side then he opens his mouth and makes a sound that contains a lot of s sounds and a bit of hissing. I shake my head, not understanding, but it’s clear he’s intelligent and has a language. He waits for me to respond then repeats the same sounds again. I shake my head, frustrated.
“I don’t understand,” I say, motioning with my hands like that will help.
On board the ship we all spoke Galactic Common. Everyone does, though some old holdouts keep their native language too. No one in the galaxy doesn’t speak Common. Where the hell have we crashed that he doesn’t know it? Vulcan, right, well if only I’d been geek enough to learn to speak Vulcan. He doesn’t look like Spock though and I sure as hell ain’t Captain Kirk.
He slides closer and as he does my stomach tightens and my pussy grows wet again. He’d been… examining me and he really is quite attractive. It’s wrong though, what the hell am I thinking, getting off on an alien? He pauses as if waiting for me to stop him then he reaches out and touches my thigh. His hand is so cool, a thrill runs along my nerves at his touch. It’s exciting and enticing and so damn wrong. I can’t do this. I pull back but the delay in my action seems to encourage him. He touches both my legs with his hands and traces a path along my thighs down from my knees to the sides of my hips. Electric chills race along to my spine then up to my core as he moves closer to my erogenous zones and moisture slides down my thighs.
Prince: A Filthy Sweet Fairy Tale Romance Page 10