Once Upon a Royal Christmas

by Robin Bielman

  “If you’re planning to continue progressing this slow, it’s going to be a problem.”

  She’d noticed his “problem.” It was hard not to.

  “Are you laughing at me?” he goaded, his voice full of fun.

  “No, no. I’m laughing at my own silly joke in my head.” She put her hands on his thighs. “Sorry,” she added, suddenly realizing she was nervous and that was why she’d decided on a slow seduction.

  This night with Theo meant more than a quick trip between the sheets.

  “You never have to be sorry when you’re with me.” His hands cupped her jawline, and he leaned forward to brush a kiss to her lips.

  “You freed your arms.”

  “I’m taking over.”

  She stepped back. “Really?” It wasn’t so much a protest as a challenge. One she had every intention of letting him win. Her rules were overrated.

  He stood and shrugged out of his shirt, the material falling to the floor. She sucked in a breath, stared at all the masculine beauty before her. “I want to lick you,” she blurted.

  “I want to lick you, too.” So he did. His lips crashed over hers, and he wasted no time licking inside her mouth.

  Oh, God.

  Her legs shook as the kiss deepened. She clutched his shoulders to stay upright, to anchor herself to the best thing to ever happen to her. He brought her flush against his body. His hands roamed over her bottom and up her sides before settling in her hair and pulling the pins out. The soft strands tumbled down her back. Theo groaned, kissed around her chin and down the column of her neck. His mouth set every inch of her on fire.

  He made quick work of her zipper. The next thing she knew, her dress was sliding down her torso, over her hips, and landing in a pool of material at her feet.

  Theo’s appreciative gaze felt like a caress over her breasts, her stomach, between her thighs, and down the length of her legs. “You’re magnificent.”

  “Right?” she teased.

  His sexy smile proved a direct link to her nipples. They stiffened, ached. Taking her by the waist, he lifted her off the floor, and like she weighed nothing, playfully tossed her onto the bed.

  “Hey!” She bounced before leaning back on her elbows to watch him pull a condom from his pocket, toss it beside her, and strip the rest of his clothing off. Hello body made for unthinkable pleasure. “I hope you brought more than one of those.”

  “I did.”

  She fell back as he crawled onto the mattress and braced all his glorious nakedness above her. His thigh nudged her legs apart. His erection pressed against her red lace panties. He kissed her, stealing her breath, before he lifted up to pierce her with dreamy blue eyes. “I’m in awe of you, Rowan Palotay,” he said softly. “And plan to make love to you for the rest of the night, but right now, I want you to be a good cowgirl and ride me.”

  His finger hooked around the string of her panties, and he tugged them down and off. “The boots stay on.” Then he flipped her on top of him so she straddled his hips.

  A surge of sexual power rolled through her when she looked down at him and saw the lust sparkling in his eyes. She rubbed her center over the hard, silky length of him until she grew wet with need. He rolled the condom on. She gripped him in her hand, and guided his tip to her opening. Then she took his hands, put them on her breasts, and sank down.

  They muttered the same curse word at the sheer exquisiteness of being connected so intimately. For several pleasurable seconds she didn’t move, holding on to the feel of Theo filling her so completely. They were one person. One heart. One soul. A part of each other in a way she’d never felt before. When she couldn’t hold still any longer, the pleasure so intense she thought she’d come apart, she moved on him, up, down, their hips falling into a perfect rhythm. He groaned. “You feel so good,” he rasped.

  “So do you.”

  His hands played with her breasts, lightly teased and tweaked her very pert nipples. She rolled her hips forward, splayed her palms across his chest. His heart was pounding much like hers was, and the feel of its rapid beat chased away the tiny doubt that he didn’t feel the same way about her that she did about him.

  Their breathing quickened. The tips of his fingers slid down her sides to grip her waist. He sped up the steady tempo of their bodies by thrusting harder, faster. She arched her back and rode him with everything she had.

  Could a girl die from too much pleasure? Because the way Theo possessed her body and moved inside her was pure bliss. She shivered, imagining the other positions they’d get to. Him on top, him behind her while he bent her over the couch, her up against the wall with her legs wrapped around his hips.

  They had no future together, but for tonight, he was hers and she was his.

  “Theo! Oh, God, yes,” she panted unable to hold off her climax any longer. “That’s the spot. Right there!” She splintered in a rush of crazy good sensations that kept going. One orgasm rolled into another as Theo sat up, hugged her close, and buried his face in her neck while he followed her over the edge with a guttural groan of satisfaction.

  He held her in his arms while their racing hearts slowed. She dropped her chin on his shoulder, sighed in happiness. “Wow,” she said in a low voice.

  “Yeah,” came his gratified reply. He kissed the sensitive spot underneath her earlobe. His fingers combed through her hair at the middle of her back.

  “Are you sniffing me?” She wiggled and leaned back to look at him.

  “Couldn’t help myself. You smell even better after sex.” His smug expression implied he was taking full credit for her new and improved scent.

  She tried really hard not to be affected by his overwhelming appeal, but couldn’t stop the corners of her mouth from lifting while she gently brushed the hair off his forehead. “Should we test that theory?”

  “I’m very good at tests. Always ace them.” He delicately traced squiggles on her lower back, making her tingle.

  “I’ve got three more lessons planned for you then.”

  “Not sure that will be enough,” he said. And for the rest of the night, he proved himself a master with her body.

  *

  Theo woke with Rowan’s head on his shoulder, her thigh over his, and her hand resting on his stomach dangerously close to his growing erection. All it took was her breath on his chest to give new meaning to the term rise and shine. Not to mention the soft curves of her naked body curling against him were impossible to ignore. He lifted the sheet and glanced down. Yep, the tip of her finger was about to meet with the tip of his—

  Before he could finish that thought, she wrapped her hand around him and stroked. “Morning,” she whispered over his skin.

  He mumbled something unintelligible in return. Damn, her hand felt good.

  She chuckled softly before lifting up onto her elbow. “How long have you been up?” She grinned at her own joke, and he fell for her even more.

  “Not long,” he grunted. The woman had serious hand-job skills.

  “Oh, I don’t know about that. Feels long to me.”

  Her humor, combined with her beauty and intelligence, was ruining him in the best possible way. “Kiss me.”

  She scrunched up her nose. “I haven’t brushed my teeth yet.”

  “Don’t care.”

  “Suit yourself.” She pressed her lips to his while her hand continued to pump him toward morning bliss.

  The kiss started slow. A morning luxury he felt damn lucky to be on the receiving end of. When she’d confessed he was the first man to sleep in her bed overnight, he’d made sure she didn’t regret it. Multiple times. He hoped to continue earning her regard for the rest of the day. He couldn’t think of anything better than spending a Sunday in bed with Rowan.

  Her sigh of pleasure made him even harder. He nibbled on her lush bottom lip, coaxed her lips apart so he could slide his tongue inside her mouth. More. He needed more. Seemed she did, too. She kissed him harder, poured herself into it, while at the same time rubbing him
with perfect pressure. His hips bucked at the smooth glide of her palm from base to tip and back down.

  He framed her face with his hands and made love to her mouth. This beautiful woman raised the stakes to a whole new level. Kissing Rowan made him want to feel things he shouldn’t, but he couldn’t stop himself. Here, right now, she belonged to him, and he’d make sure she knew how deep his feelings were rooted.

  She broke the kiss, looked at him with glazed eyes, then sucked and licked her way down his body to take him in her mouth.

  Holy hell. He cupped the back of her head, urged her to take him deeper. She did, and he was seconds away from going off. “I’m going to come,” he warned. He’d be happy to push inside her and make this good for both of them. But after he felt her smile around his cock, she added that skilled hand of hers to already the best blow job of his life and his release barreled down on him. She swallowed every last drop before lifting her head and licking her lips.

  “Hungry?” she asked, hopping off the bed like she hadn’t just rocked his world.

  All he could do was stare. With her sleep-mussed hair and supple body she wasn’t shy about sharing, she triggered every possessive instinct inside him.

  She grabbed a T-shirt out of her dresser, slipped it on. It barely covered the sexy curve of her butt. When she turned around, he gave her what had to be the thousandth smile since they’d met.

  “It’s true,” she said. “Come on, let’s eat some waffles.”

  Of Course I Talk to Myself…Sometimes I Need Expert Advice her shirt said.

  He pulled on his boxer briefs and followed her into the kitchen. Snow fell outside the windows, but inside it was warm. Cozy. Watching Rowan move around the kitchen, he pictured this scenario happening on a regular basis before remembering that would be impossible.

  “Can I help with anything?” he asked.

  She cut him a quick glance. “That’s okay. You’re good right there.” As if to prove that, she peeked at him—or rather his chest—often.

  Silver-and-blue placemats already sat atop the round kitchen table. Rowan added plates, napkins, and utensils. “Have a seat.”

  He loved that she didn’t ask what he liked or didn’t like, that she’d decided to just feed him. She had no idea how refreshing that was. Back home no one did anything without checking with him first.

  “Okay, so remember we talked about our deserted island food?” She carried two plates and a jar of what looked like peanut butter over to the table. “These are Eggos.” She put everything down, and he jumped up to pull the chair out beside him. “Thank you. And this is my favorite way to eat them.” On one plate were waffles. On the other were sliced bananas. “Most people like to use butter and syrup, but this is way better.” She spread peanut butter on one of the waffles, added some bananas, and placed it in front of him. “Let me know what you think.”

  To say she was the most adorably sexy woman he had ever met would be an understatement. He waited until she had one of her own before picking up a fork and knife. When she skipped formalities and brought the waffle right to her mouth, however, he did the same.

  Her eyes closed as she took a bite, chewed. “So good.”

  “I agree.”

  “Really?” Her tone indicated not too many other people agreed.

  “Really.” He took a second bite. And after he’d finished the first waffle, he ate a second one.

  Rowan poured them orange juice. They talked about everything and nothing. Being with her was easy. He touched her often. On her arm, thigh, neck. Cupped her jaw and kissed her when she had peanut butter in the corner of her mouth. Laced their fingers together when she told him about losing her grandparents and how special Bea and David were to her.

  When she stood to clean up, he grabbed her around the waist and tossed her over his shoulder.

  “What are you doing? Put me down!” She wiggled and squirmed so he had no choice but to hold on to her bare bottom. “Are you copping a feel right now?”

  “I plan to do more than that, princess.” He carried her back to the bedroom and laid her on the rumpled bed.

  She quieted, studied him with something new in the depths of her eyes, but as quickly as it had flashed, it disappeared. In an uncharacteristic move, she pulled the hem of her T-shirt down.

  He hooked his arms behind her knees and tugged her to the edge of the bed, causing the shirt to ride right back up. “I can’t have you covering where I want to be.”

  “You want to be between my legs?” Whatever momentary weirdness had just taken place vanished with her flirtatious tone of voice.

  “Very much so.”

  She lifted her arms above her head with a dramatic sigh like he was really putting her out. “By all means then, don’t let me stop you.”

  For the next couple of hours, they didn’t. Stop. They laughed, explored each other fully, and laughed some more until they fell asleep wrapped in each other’s arms.

  “Hey, sleeping beauty,” Theo said, roused from a very nice X-rated dream sometime later. The bedside clock read 5:35. “There’s someone knocking at your door.”

  Rowan burrowed into the covers, made a sexy humming sound.

  “Do you want me to answer it?”

  “Answer what?” she mumbled.

  He traced his finger over her shoulder. “Your front door. There’s someone knocking.”

  She bolted upright. “Shit! I forgot all about my brother and Cass.” She scrambled out of bed, leaned out of the room with her hands braced on the bedroom doorframe, and shouted, “Just a minute!”

  Spinning around, she scanned the room. “They’re here for dinner. Chinese food.” She picked her T-shirt up off the floor, tugged it over her gorgeous wild mane of hair. “You’re welcome to stay if you’d like. I’m sure they brought enough.” Her eyes darted to his. “If you want to. No worries if you don’t. I can’t believe I fell back asleep for so long.” She plucked underwear out of a drawer and pulled it up her legs. He envied the boy short panties.

  “Either way, you need to hurry up and get dressed, please.” She gathered his clothes off the floor and dumped them atop the comforter.

  “I can stay.” He rolled out of bed to his feet.

  She looked over her shoulder, taking him in from top to bottom. “Okay. Sorry I don’t have something a little more comfortable you could wear.”

  Another knock sounded before he could tell her no worries. “I’m surprised they haven’t used their key already,” she said, pulling on sweatpants and a light sweatshirt over her shirt.

  “They probably noticed my rental car.”

  “Right.” She gathered her hair and twisted it into a bun on top of her head. “Oh! I almost forgot.” She hurried out of the room, but poked her head back in. “Don’t worry about the snake. It’s fake.”

  What?

  “Coming!” she shouted.

  Theo zipped his pants, buttoned his shirt, ran a hand through his hair, and made his way to greet her brother and best friend. He was only a couple of step behind her when she opened the front door.

  “Hey guys. Sorry to keep you waiting. Come on in.”

  Hugs were exchanged and coats hung up before Cassidy said, “Hi” with an embarrassed grin on her face. “It’s nice to see you again.”

  “You, too,” Theo said. Cassidy and Nick were great, and he liked them. “Hey, Nick.” Theo put out his hand.

  “Do not say one word. I’m a grown woman,” Rowan said to her brother.

  Nick didn’t look particularly happy to hear that or find Theo in his sister’s home, but his handshake was friendly nonetheless. Theo imagined all older brothers had difficulty when their younger sisters got caught with a guy, and the thought bothered him. Despite what little time they had together, Rowan meant something to him.

  “Thanks for bringing dinner over.” Rowan took the large bag out of Nick’s hands. “I’m starving. Come sit in the kitchen and let’s dig in.”

  “It smells great,” Theo said, falling in step
behind her.

  Cassidy helped Rowan set things up, moving back and forth from the kitchen table to the counter while he and Nick got comfortable in their seats. The women put their heads together to whisper and giggle more than once.

  “Those two together are trouble,” Nick said with affection. He’d yet to take his eyes off his fiancée.

  “Rowan told me they’ve been friends since they were kids.”

  “Yeah. Once Ro lets a person inside, she keeps them there.”

  Good to know. Theo was the same way, but since being burned by dishonesty more than once over the past few years, he didn’t let too many people get close any more. That was the one thing he envied most about his brother. Otis had found the girl of his dreams, someone to whom he could drop all his defenses and trust, and been lucky enough to marry her.

  Rowan and Cassidy returned to the table with two more plates of food. Rowan was right. They had more than enough. “This is probably a dumb question, but do you have Chinese food in Montanique?” Rowan asked as she took the seat beside him.

  “We do. I don’t eat it very often, though, so this is nice.”

  “I’m glad you stuck around for it,” she said.

  “Me, too.” He’d like to stick to her until he returned home in two weeks.

  “Shoot, I forgot napkins,” she said, looking around the table. “Nick, you know where they are. Would you mind grabbing us some?”

  “Sure.” The second Nick’s back was turned, Rowan and Cassidy shared a quick mischievous look that told Theo something was up. When their attention zeroed in on Nick, Theo watched him as well.

  Nick opened a kitchen drawer, looked inside, and gave a full-body startle that had him taking a step back. “Jesus Christ.”

  The girls burst out laughing. “Gotcha!” they said.

  “You did,” Nick agreed, his tone suggesting he found the situation amusing. He reached into the drawer and pulled out napkins—along with a rubber snake.

  Theo chuckled. Nick tossed the snake onto the counter.

  “We’ve had a snake war going since we were kids,” Rowan told him. “Ever since Nick put one in Cass’s sleeping bag because we didn’t invite him to make s’mores with us.”