King Aiden entered the chamber and his eyes lit up when he saw her. “My goodness, Mariselle. I didn’t think you could look more beautiful, but I was terribly mistaken. You look … ravishing.”
She lowered her lashes and thanked him. “You look very fetching yourself, Your Majesty,” she replied, seeing that he was now wearing a fur-trimmed burgundy robe with a dark blue tunic underneath. His beard had also been cleaned up and his hair combed neatly.
He held out his arm. “Thank you, Milady. I aim to please.”
“So, I’ve heard,” she said, smiling mischievously as he led her out of the chamber.
Looking down at her, his green eyes twinkled. “You’ve heard? What exactly have you heard, Beautiful?”
“That you’re one to watch out for. A bit of a scoundrel, when it comes to the ladies.”
“For once I must admit, the rumors are correct. Your virtue is safe with me, however,” he replied, leading her once again down the corridor. “Although, I have to admit, seeing you in that dress makes it hard to be a gentleman.”
His words puzzled her. “Did you speak to Griffin as to why I’m here?”
“As a matter of fact, I did. We’re still trying to work out the… details,” he replied. “You see, he’s married and I’m… a bit of scoundrel, just like you said. I wouldn’t want to break your heart. Truthfully,” his face grew serious, “I don’t think I could live with myself.”
“I see,” she replied, looking away. “I honestly wouldn’t want to break your heart either. And I’m afraid that I might.”
He laughed. “Really? Does your heart already belong to another?”
“It might. I’m still trying to decide if it’s love or simply just… pure lust,” she replied, smiling at him sideways.
His eyebrows shot up. “Lust?”
She nodded.
“And what do you know of that?” he mused.
“That it can keep you awake at night. Especially when you need and want something you can’t have.”
LISTENING TO MARISELLE talk about lust was strangely exciting. He’d always thought of her as young and innocent. But now, he felt like he was seeing her for the first time.
“Hmm,” he said, looking ahead as they walked. “I must admit, I don’t have that problem. I usually get what I want, when I want it.”
She looked up at him. “So, there are no challenges for you?”
“No, I guess not.”
“That must get kind of boring. Maybe you should set your standards higher?”
He threw his head back and laughed heartily.
She raised her eyebrow. “Why is that so funny?”
“Because, for someone so young, you have a lot of wisdom, Mariselle. In fact, just the other night,” he lowered his voice, “I hate to admit this because it makes me sound like a pig, but I had four beauties in my bed.”
“Four? Is that all?” she replied dryly.
“Yes and I actually found myself yawning after a while.” He smirked. “Maybe that’s the problem… four wasn’t enough.”
“Maybe you should focus on quality and not quantity.”
“They were all very comely,” he said, looking at her again. It was then that he realized that if he was being honest with himself, the four he’d been sharing his bed with lately couldn’t really hold a candle to Mariselle.
“What is it?” she asked, noticing that he’d gone quiet.
“Nothing,” he replied, patting her hand. “You’ve just given me some things to think about.”
She smiled. “Upstairs or downstairs?”
He laughed again. “Where do you get these things?”
“You bring out the joker in me I guess,” she replied.
Aiden found her words were ironic, since she was beginning to bring things out in him as well. He adjusted himself nonchalantly and asked if she was hungry.
“Yes, very. And you?”
His eyes twinkled. “Never been hungrier.”
32
GRIFFIN WAS ALREADY seated in the dining hall when Aiden walked in with Mariselle on his arm. It was hard to believe that she could look any more ravishing, but she pulled it off. Of course, he still couldn’t get the image of her in the tub out of his mind. And to know that she’d been fantasizing about him?
God, help him…
Everyone stood up and waited as the couple walked over and sat down at the royal table.
“Big turnout,” Griffin said, motioning toward the other filled tables. He knew that many of the guests were advisors or part of Aiden’s inner circle of friends.
Watching a busty server pour wine into his goblet, Aiden shrugged. “I figured your arrival was cause for celebration.” He winked at the girl when she was done. “Thank you, Lass.”
“You’re welcome, Your Majesty,” she said with a little smile. “I’ll make sure to keep your cup filled.”
His eyes drifted back to her chest. He grinned wickedly. “I’ll keep an eye on yours, too. They seem to runneth over quite nicely now, though.”
She giggled and walked away.
“My brother, ever-the-charmer,” Griffin drawled.
“So, I’ve noticed,” Mariselle replied.
“You look stunning, Mariselle,” Griffin said, his eyes moving below her neck. “Funny, though. I don’t remember purchasing that particular gown.”
Aiden spoke up. “Lady Veronica ordered the dress upon her last visit. She left without it; I thought it would be a shame to let it go to waste.”
“Indeed. It fits Mariselle perfectly,” he replied.
“I knew it would. I have a good eye when it comes to a woman’s body,” Aiden said, looking proud of himself.
“That’s because it’s all you ever focus on,” Griffin said with a grin.
“Good point,” he replied.
“Who is Lady Veronica?” Mariselle asked.
Aiden smiled. “A friend.”
“Ah,” she replied. “It’s good to have friends.”
“Especially pretty ones,” he said and looked down at her empty cup. “Would you care for some wine?”
“Yes, please, Your Majesty,” she replied.
“Oh, we’re back to that. Very well, as king… I order you to not only drink and be merry, but allow us to spoil the hell out of you tonight,” he said, waving the busty server back over.
“Your wish is my command,” she replied, looking at him and then Griffin. “Both of yours, of course.”
“Be careful, Mariselle,” Griffin said. “Aiden’s wishes can sometimes be… lecherous.”
“I’ve found that most men’s wishes are. It’s acting upon them that separates the courageous ones from the dreamers,” she replied.
“Courageous? What if it’s a dirty, old man?” Griffin asked. “Wouldn’t that be revolting?”
“Yes but I don’t see any here tonight at this table,” she replied with a small smile.
Griffin didn’t know what to say to that.
“She’s a little imp, isn’t she? Just like when she was young,” Aiden said, taking the wine jug away from the server. “Thanks, Lass.” He reached over and began filling Mariselle’s goblet himself.
“Not too much,” she said, her eyes wide as she watched him keep pouring.
“Afraid of getting too tipsy?” Aiden asked smiling wickedly. “Don’t worry. We’ll take care of you.”
She giggled. “That’s what I’m afraid of.”
33
MARISELLE DRANK, ATE, and laughed so much during supper, she didn’t pay much attention to the amount of wine she’d been consuming, until she stood up to dance.
“Oh, my,” she said, grabbing onto the table.
“Are you okay?” Griffin asked, staring up at her with concern.
“Yes. Just a little too much wine, I think,” she said and then hiccupped. Embarrassed, she giggled and put a hand to her chest. “Excuse me.”
“If you’re dizzy, you might want to sit back down,” Griffin said, touching her elbow
“I’ll be fine. Besides, I want to dance,” she said gaily and then quickly stepped away from the table to join the other women lining up in the center of the room. Mariselle found a place to stand and soon the music started.
AIDEN, WHO WAS feeling pretty good himself, watched as the ladies danced and smiled at each other as they moved around the room. This was his favorite part of the evening, especially when there were beautiful women taking part in the dancing Tonight, he had to admit that Mariselle outshined them all and although he’d vowed to let his brother have a go at her, he was starting to wonder if he’d been too hasty.
Taking another swig of wine, he watched as she laughed at herself for making a wrong step in the dance. She was definitely enjoying herself and seeing her happy warmed him. She’d always held a special place in his heart and although he’d never thought of her sexually in the past, seeing her all grown up and more beautiful than ever was having an effect on him.
It’s Mariselle, he reminded himself, taking another swig of the bitter wine.
Besides, he’d seen the way his brother had been panting after her. Griffin might not want to admit it, but he was obviously mad about her himself. Aiden couldn’t blame him for wanting the lass either. Not with what he was living with now. He could still remember the last time he’d visited his older brother’s castle. Queen Georgina had turned her nose up at him, especially when she’d found out that he’d brought two female ‘friends’ with him and that they were sharing the same room.
The next song began; Mariselle left the group and headed back to their table. He noticed that her face seemed flushed.
“I’m very hot,” she said, fanning herself. “Would someone care to walk me to the courtyard for some fresh air?”
Aiden and Griffin stood up at the same time and then looked at each other.
“Go ahead, Brother,” Aiden said, ready to sit back down.
Griffin stared at him for a second and then sighed. “I’m feeling a bit tired, actually. I think I’m going to turn in early. Please, show her around the castle.” He turned to Mariselle. “Goodnight, Mariselle.”
“Good night, Your Majesty,” she replied, curtsying.
He turned to Aiden. “Take good care of her.”
“I will,” he said. “Are you sure you wouldn’t like a bit of fresh air yourself?”
“No. Just a good night’s sleep,” he replied.
Aiden nodded.
Griffin left the table and he stood up. “Ready, Lass?”
She nodded.
He held out his arm and walked her out of the busy dining hall.
When they arrived in the courtyard, they noticed it was snowing and had been for quite some time. The trees were coated in white and everything sparkled around them.
“This is kind of early in the season for snow,” Aiden said, although the weather tended to be cooler in North and West Haven. Especially in October.
Mariselle squealed in delight. “Isn’t it beautiful, Aiden?” she said, raising her face to the sky. She stuck her tongue out to catch snowflakes.
“Yes.” He smiled at her childlike innocence. It reminded him of when they were young. She used to love the snow, even back then. He stepped closer. “Aren’t you cold?” Unlike Aiden, she wore only the gown where his fur-lined robe kept the chill out.
“Not really,” she said, twirling around. “I was warm from dancing and, of course, the wine. To me this feels nice.”
He chuckled. “I noticed that you were enjoying yourself back there. You always did love to dance,” he said, leaning down to grab a handful of snow while she wasn’t looking. It was too fluffy to form a ball, but he knew it would still do the trick.
“You should try it sometime,” she said, trying to catch more snowflakes.
“You know me. I never was one for that kind of thing.” Smiling wickedly, he threw the snow, hitting her in the neck and chest.
She gasped and brushed what she could off of her. “Aiden!”
He threw his head back and laughed.
“That’s it.” Bending down, she grabbed two handfuls of snow and began pelting him with it.
Laughing, the two went back and forth, until he could see that her face was red and she was starting to shiver.
“Truce,” he said, holding up his hands, which were also getting cold.
“Yes.”
He noticed that her teeth were chattering and his smile fell. “I’m sorry. Come here.”
She walked over and looked up at him. Her eyelashes and hair sparkled from the snowflakes and she looked so beautiful that Aiden suddenly found himself at a loss for words.
“What is it?”
“I just wanted to warm you up.” Aiden pulled her close and draped his robe around the both of them. Feeling Mariselle tremble, he ran his hands up and down her back, enjoying the way her hair smelled as they stood there. It was of hyacinth or some other flowery scent he couldn’t quite place.
She began to relax in his arms. “Thank you.”
“I suppose that we should go inside,” he murmured into her hair, enjoying the moment more than he knew that he should.
“Just hold me a little longer first?” Mariselle whispered, sliding her arms around his waist.
With her body pressed even closer against his, Aiden’s cock became rock hard and his balls boiled full of cum. He let out a ragged breath. “Okay.”
Mariselle looked up at him. “Am I keeping you away from something?”
“No,” he replied, still transfixed by how beautiful she was. He stared at the patch of freckles that ran across her nose and then her full, parted lips.
Her eyes searched his and then she smiled slightly. “Did you want to kiss me?”
At that moment, he wanted much more. Instead of answering the question, he chuckled. “You always were bold, Mariselle.”
“Does that irritate you?”
“Never,” he admitted, rubbing her back with his fingertips. If anything, it made her more intriguing.
“I can tell,” she said with a knowing smile.
“What can you tell?”
“That you want to kiss me. Your manhood is jabbing me in the stomach.”
He was both shocked and amused that she’d brought it up. “And what do you know of such things?”
“That when a man wants a woman, his stick grows,” she replied.
“Stick?” Aiden laughed. “You mean my cock?”
Her cheeks turned pink. She nodded.
“Say the word, Mariselle,” he said huskily.
She swallowed. “Cock.”
He was sure that his ‘stick’ was now a full-fledged tree. “Have you ever touched one before?”
She shook her head.
“So, you’ve never seen one either?”
“Not up close.”
He knew that he should stop, but couldn’t help himself. Plus, from the way she was staring back at him, Mariselle was enjoying the conversation just as much as he was.
He swore under his breath.
There were plenty of women willing to spread their legs for him at any given moment. Right now, he wanted Marielle underneath him and nobody else. He wanted to show her what he could do with his stick, fucking her so hard that she begged for more.
“Yes,” he said, trembling with desire.
Her eyebrow cocked. “Yes, what?”
His eyes traveled to her lips. “I want to kiss you. Have you been kissed before, Mariselle?”
She nodded. “A couple of times, but by nobody like you.”
34
THEIR CONVERSATION WAS making her tingle with excitement. Especially talking about his cock.
““I want to kiss you. Have you been kissed before, Mariselle?” he asked huskily, staring at her lips
“Yes. A couple of times, but by nobody like you,” she whispered, truthfully. Aiden was older and so much bigger. Where the others seemed like boys now, this was a man. She felt like he could break her in half if he wanted to.
Hot fire burned
in his eyes and before she could blink, his lips were on hers. Shocked, but excited, she didn’t pull away and when his tongue forced it’s way into her mouth, she eagerly met it with her own. As they kissed, his hands gripped her firmly, almost as if he was afraid she’d try to escape.
“What am I doing?” he growled, tearing himself from her mouth. He stepped back. “This cannot happen.”
“Why?” she asked, feeling dizzy. The passion in his kiss had taken her breath away.
“Because of Griffin.” He sighed. “He’s the monarch and the heir should come from him.”
She smiled. “We were just kissing.”
“I need more than that right now. You’ve set fire to my blood, Mariselle. If you were mine, I’d be inside of you already.”
His words made her womanhood wet.
She touched his arm. “He’s with the queen. She would never approve,” Mariselle said, desperately wanting him to kiss her again.
“Only if she finds out.”
“So, you think he should impregnate me, give him a son, and then what happens?” she said, scowling. “I’m supposed to go off on my merry way? That’s not what I agreed upon with Griffin.”
“I know. It won’t be like that, Mariselle.” He sighed. “Look, if it’s marriage you want, I’m willing to give it to you, at least in name. As far as the sex part, you will be Griffin’s lover. At least until you can bear him a son.”
“So, you don’t want to have sex with me?” she asked innocently.
Aiden growled and grabbed her hand. He placed it on the rigid outline of his cock. “I think we already had this discussion. If this doesn’t tell you what I ‘want’, then I don’t know what does.”
Intrigued, Mariselle moved her fingers over the length of him, wondering how a woman could fit something inside of her that was so big.
Aiden groaned and moved her hand away. “Let’s get you back inside. If this keeps up, I’m going to do something I’ll regret.”
“Wait. Can I at least see it?” she whispered.
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