by A. M. Hardin
His cock presses against my pussy and I can’t help but arch into it, attempting to force him inside me. He smirks but doesn’t enter me immediately. Instead, he rubs the head of his cock against my entrance teasingly. “Don’t be impatient.”
“Don’t be a tease,” I snark back, still ignoring the flashes of his life that are still pounding into my head.
They’re not coming as often as they were when he first touched me. Thank the Gods. I want to be able to enjoy and focus solely on this.
His lips curve as his hand moves to my stomach, his finger fiddling with my belly button ring. “You’ve been teasing us since you arrived. I think it’s only fair to give you a little payback.”
I narrow my eyes at him. “Just because my clothes are a little revealing doesn’t mean I’m teasing.”
A teenage Ezra holding a female that bears a striking resemblance to him, his face scrunched in agony and piercing my heart.
He laughs. “I’m not talking about your clothes, Crystal. You’re refreshingly playful when your family and no one that isn’t close to you is around. It doesn’t help that whenever Levi chastised you about your clothing, you would draw our attention to this delectable body.”
His hands wrap around my waist and he slowly inches inside me. I moan, forgetting what I was going to say. When he’s halfway, he thrusts hard until he’s fully seated inside me. He pauses for a moment before he orders, “Wrap your arms around my neck.”
Without arguing, I instantly wrap my arms around him, allowing him to lift me off the bed while he’s still deep inside me. I gasp as he goes impossibly deeper because of the change of angle. “Oh Gods,” I moan against his mouth.
“Good girl,” he growls, his fingers digging in my ass as he holds me up.
He turns, pressing me against the bedpost at the foot of the bed. The intricate design of the post pressing into my back as he starts moving, adding a bite of pain to it.
“Oh fuck,” I moan, my fingers tangling in his hair as my head falls back.
He pounds into me, his thrusts brutal as I’m left with nothing to do beside hold on for the ride. Our teeth clash together as he devours my mouth while he fucks me, my moans being swallowed by him. My nails scrape against his scalp as the room is filled with flesh slapping flesh, moans, and grunts.
“Harder. Faster,” I pant against his mouth.
“You sure you can take it?”
I moan in response and he takes that as a yes because he starts hammering in and out of me like a man possessed. His hands grip my ass so hard, I’m sure I’ll have fingerprint bruises on my ass after this. One hand reaches between us and flicks against my clit, intensifying the pleasure coursing through me.
His lips make a trail from my mouth to my neck and he licks at the sensitive skin before he sucks hard on it. The sucking sensation with a touch of teeth, mixed with his finger strumming on my clit, the slight bite of pain from the post, and his cock pounding in and out of me throw me over the edge.
I come screaming his name. My powers push into him as he continues to fuck me hard, making me feel more centered than I have since before we came here. In a heartbeat, he follows behind, our breaths mixing as we pant together.
“Holy shit, Crystal,” he moans, pressing a kiss against the hickey he left in the curve of my neck. “You can use me anytime, baby.”
I laugh and punch his arm hard. He chuckles and groans in the same breath as he looks at me.
“I’m kidding. Sort of.”
I purse my lips, but it doesn’t take long for my sour expression to transform into a wide grin.
I kiss him gently. “Thank you, Ezra.”
He pulls out of me and places me on my feet. “Let’s get you cleaned up.” His eyes fall to the hickey and they start to glow with pure male satisfaction.
I roll my eyes and nod, allowing him to pull me into the bathroom. Glancing at the mark in the mirror, I sigh. “You really shouldn’t have left a mark.”
“Too late to do anything about it now,” he says with a shrug as he starts the shower.
* * *
Laying in my bed a few hours later, I put my chin on Ezra’s chest and meet his gaze. His eyes are still shining with heat as he looks at me and it makes my chest ache as I think about the fact that I’ll be leaving soon enough. Hopefully to go back home.
“Do you think you’ll regret this?” I ask quietly, my eyes dipping to his chin as I doodle a random pattern on his chest.
His hand cups my chin, lifting it, and forcing me to meet his eyes again. “I will never regret being with you, Crystal. In my past, I’ve never been with a female that I cared for. However, I do care for you. How could I possibly regret that?”
I purse my lips as I think about that. “I guess that makes sense.” It especially makes sense with what I’ve been able to understand from the flashes of his memories. His hand moves to cup my cheek and I place my own over his. “I care about you, too, Ezra.”
He smiles and lifts his head, giving me a brief but dizzying kiss. “Then that’s all that matters.” His hand runs up and down my back. “How are you feeling? In better control now?”
My mouth curves as I press a kiss to his chest. “Much better now,” I tell him truthfully. After three rounds of sex, I’m probably the best I’ve been in ages. I shouldn’t be surprised that Ezra seems to have a serious amount of stamina, but for whatever reason, I am.
After the initial time, he took me hard and fast against the tiled wall in the shower. After we dried off, he took me to bed and took his time, teasing me for what felt like hours before finally thrusting his cock inside me.
“Can I ask you a question?” I ask softly, meeting his gaze. You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to.”
He raises an eyebrow at me, his mouth quirked up slightly. “Go for it, baby.”
I bite my lip, knowing that this will mean telling him more than I want to about my abilities, but I want to know. “What happened to your family?”
Shadows form in his eyes as he sighs heavily, leaning his head back on the pillow. He stares at the ceiling for a while before finally answering. “My mother is still alive. My father and sister are dead.”
An image of his devastated face flashes in my head as I kiss his chest. “How did they die?” I ask gently.
He runs his hand up and down my back absentmindedly. “They were killed by some rogue thugs that came to our home hoping to rob us.” My chest tightens at the pain in his voice. “I was the one that found them. I found my sister first. Then my father.”
“I’m sorry, Ezra,” I whisper. “You don’t need to tell me anymore.”
He turns his probing gaze to me. “How did you know something happened to my family?”
I purse my lips, inhale deeply then let it out before I answer. “I saw it. Not all of it,” I quickly assure him as he stares at me in shock. “I saw you holding a female who looked like you. You looked devastated. I just . . . I didn’t know the context and I want to know you better.”
He narrows his eyes at me as his fingers dance over my shoulder blades. “What do you mean you ‘saw’ me?”
I bite my bottom. “One of my abilities that takes a lot of my mental strength is the power to see inside of someone. To see their memories. Their personalities. Ever since coming here, my shields that I developed have weakened. I’ve been trying to shield myself from seeing anything, but with how weak they are, I couldn’t help but see some things whenever I’m touched by someone. You helping me gain better control will help so that I don’t unwillingly pull memories from others. I don’t want to see that any more than others want me to see it.”
Understanding flashes in his eyes. “Ah. I was wondering why you tensed when I touched you earlier.”
I shrug. “The last couple days my shields have been embarrassingly weak. My father always shields himself strongly enough when I’m around, so I don’t get anything from him anymore. Everyone else who doesn’t have those kinds of barriers? I can’t help but se
e things when they’re that weak.”
“I’m sorry,” he murmurs, one hand playing with a bit of my hair. “That doesn’t sound like fun.”
“It’s not,” I mutter, laying my head back on his chest.
We fall silent for a while, just enjoying each other’s company.
“Thank you,” I tell him earnestly. He frowns, confused. “For, well, for proving that not everyone here is an asshole. You guys have helped me more than you know while I’ve been here.”
“Hopefully we will continue to be able to help you,” he says softly, moving a strand of hair out of my face.
“What do you mean?”
“When you marry the prince, you’ll be going to his kingdom, Crystal. We aren’t guards there. We’re guards here. After you marry, your father may not let us join you.”
My heart pangs hearing that. How did I not consider that?
“Hey,” he whispers. “No sad faces. I just want to see you smiling tonight, alright?”
Even though I don’t really feel like smiling with the thought of them not being with me after I leave here, a smile breaks free as I brush my lips against his. “Alright.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Crystal
I laugh as Celeste blushes after Jade makes a snide comment. “Oh, please tell me why you’re blushing. It has to be good.”
She glares at me from my vanity, making Jade laugh too.
“She’s embarrassed,” Jade teases.
“What happened?”
“It’s nothing,” Celeste snaps. She turns her glare to Jade. “Why’d you even have to say anything?”
“Oh, come on. I’m stuck in here,” I whine dramatically as I toss myself back on my bed. “The least you guys could do is keep me updated on what’s going on outside the room.”
It’s been two days since my father ordered me confined to my room. Thankfully, Jade and Celeste have been coming to visit and spending most of the day with me. It helps that my guards have been faithfully at my side and doing their best to stop me from going stir crazy.
I haven’t seen Julian since our kiss and I’m honestly kind of glad about that. I don’t know how the hell to act around him right now. Knowing that if we stay here and I marry him, the night of the wedding I’d have to fuck him with an audience, then there’s the fact that I slept with Ezra, and not him . . . it’s just awkward.
I’d rather avoid that right now.
Speaking of being here . . .
I glance at my guards. “Could you guys get us some food please?” Each of them narrow their eyes at me. Suspicion pouring off them in waves. I roll my eyes. “Fine. One of you can stay, but you need to go outside.”
The suspicious looks don’t go away.
“So you can keep us out of whatever you want to talk about?” Levi asks, too damn perceptive.
“It’s girl talk, Levi,” I lie easily. “Seeing as the three of you have penises instead of vaginas, it might get a little uncomfortable for you.”
They glance at each other, making me laugh as they grumble and leave the room.
“Tell me what happened in a sec,” I say quickly. “First, Celeste—”
“I made the room soundproof as soon as the door closed. I figured you wanted to talk about something that you didn’t want to be overheard.”
“What do you want to talk about without your guards?” Jade asks, leaning back on her hands from where she’s sitting in the middle of the floor.
“I have an idea on how we can get back home.”
They both sit up straighter at my words, listening intently.
“There’s a new moon tomorrow night. I know it doesn’t give us much time to prepare, but if we can leave in the cover of darkness, it’ll give us a better shot, I think.”
“What about the guards?” Jade asks.
“I’ll handle the guards. Just be prepared to meet me at the edge of the pond in the courtyard. The guards of the castle won’t be watching you guys so closely. If you guys leave with the promise that you’re just going for a walk they won’t search for you for some time.” I glance at the door, wondering how much time we have left before my guards come barging in. “Jade, can you make me a sleeping draught for whatever guard is with me that night?”
She nods. “Yeah, no problem.”
Celeste bites her bottom lip. “Are you sure about this Crystal? That’s a very small window we’d have to escape.”
“So long as you don’t get caught, I think we’ll be fine. Just meet me at midnight at the edge of the courtyard. If I’m any later than thirty minutes, don’t wait for me. Just go and get away. You guys shouldn’t be trapped here too.”
My father will never let them go if he thinks that he can use them against me.
Which he sadly can. I’d do anything for my girls.
“We aren’t going to leave you behind.” Jade scowls at me.
“You’ll have to. If I get caught trying to escape, my father will immediately send someone for the two of you and they will kill you in front of me.” They shake their heads, but I interrupt them before they can speak again. “I’m going to do my best to get to the courtyard on time. That’s why I need the sleeping draught. Enough for a few guards at the very least in case I run into any on the way. That way it’ll be hours before they can even get the opportunity to try to find me.”
Celeste and Jade glance at each other before Celeste finally nods once. “Fine. We’ll be there waiting for you.”
“If you don’t show up, I’m going to kick your ass,” Jade says, pointing at me. I grin, then turn to Celeste.
“Now, tell me what happened. Why were you blushing because Jade said she doesn’t understand people getting stupid over someone they like?”
Celeste starts blushing again. “Oh nothing,” she says, waving her hand in front of her.
I raise an eyebrow and look at Jade, waiting for her to blab.
“She has a thing for one of the guards from home. He was one of those chosen to help guard you from Julian’s kingdom. It’s been years since they’ve seen each other so what better way for them to get reacquainted than for Celeste to literally fall right on her face in front of him?” Jade grins, looking way too amused by the story.
I nibble on the inside of my cheek, trying to stop myself from smiling as I look at a murderous Celeste. “I mean, at least you got to see him, right?”
Celeste sighs. “I guess. It’s been years, so I’m not even sure if he remembers me.”
My bedroom door opens, revealing Ezra standing there looking stern. “Princess, your father and mother are here with your sister.”
I frown at him. “What? Did they say why?”
He shakes his head, his eyes glinting with worry as they come in behind him, followed by Maxwell and Levi.
Celeste and Jade stand up but make no movements to leave until my father orders, “You two, leave us.” They glance at me and flash me supportive smiles before leaving my room.
I stand and cross my arms over my chest, squaring off against my father. “What do you want now?”
He narrows his eyes at me, anger darkening his gaze. “Don’t be disrespectful. Your sister and mother are here for your wedding dress fitting.”
I glare at him. “No.”
My sister’s eyes widen then a smirk slowly spreads over her face.
“What do you mean ‘no?’” my father asks, his tone dangerous.
“If you expect me to get married then you can damn well let me pick my own dress and not have mom and Rita here being condescending. Bring Celeste and Jade back, then I’ll do the fitting. Otherwise, you will not get any sort of fucking gown on me.”
“You’re such a selfish bitch,” my sister sighs. “Do you honestly think I want to be here? I’m here because it is our duty as your family to be here for this.”
“You are not my family,” I inform her bluntly. “None of you are. Jade and Celeste are my family. Bring them back.”
“No,” my father says with a smirk. “Yo
u’ll do this with your mother and sister, and you will keep your damn mouth shut.”
My mother sighs as she studies her nails. “Yes, it would be a shame if something were to happen to your friends while they were here.”
I clench my fists, but instead of lashing out like I would have a few days ago, I take a deep, centering breath to control the anger. “Fine.”
My father nods then leaves the room. In moments a handful of maids and a seamstress enter the bedroom, practically shoving my guards against the wall to make room for all the clothing, fabrics, and designs they want to show off and have me pick from.
I stare at the endless sea of white, my heart sinking. What I wouldn’t give to have this be a wedding I wanted. Where I have a choice. If this plan tomorrow night goes through . . . I won’t be able to stay where I’ve made a home the last year and a half. I’d have to go on the move for a while, never settling down for longer than a couple months.
“What do you think of this one, mother?” Rita asks sweetly as she fingers one of the sample gowns.
“No. Not with Crystal’s shape. It wouldn’t look flattering on her.” Gee. Thanks.
I shake my head and just sit back to watch them decide my dress. I refuse to take part in this any more than I have to. I glance to the side and meet my guards’ eyes.
Maxwell looks like he’d rather be anywhere but here during this. Levi is alternating between sending daggers through his eyes to my mom and sister and the maids wandering around my room, then to me, and then back again. Ezra is watching me, his expression blank, and his eyes are worried.
I rest my chin in my hand as I put my elbow on my leg.
“What about this one, Crystal?” my mother asks.
I look at the gown without moving from my position and flinch. “If you put me in that, I’m going to vomit all over it so it wouldn’t even be worth it.”