Once Upon a Fairy tale: A Collection of 11 Fairy Tale Inspired Romances

by Danielle Monsch, Cate Rowan, Jennifer Lewis, Jeannie Lin, Nadia Lee, Dee Carney

  His eyes opened onto Reina’s face, and he said, “Not only is she wary of men, she knows nothing of what happens between men and women. If anything she thinks it’s a torture women have to endure.”

  Reina nodded. “She truly is an innocent. I talked to her some today. I didn’t want to pry too much, but I needed to understand where she was. She has never been accosted, but at best her family told her nothing, and at worst, they made sure she knew only the details that would scare her.” Her fist clenched, and Tiernan wondered if she was imagining using it on certain members of the household. “That Stepmother of hers needs to meet the sharp end of your sword.”

  “As a knight, that whole chivalry code would have prevented me from doing anything like that.”

  “No exceptions?”

  “None.”

  “A shame.” She got up and started pacing the roof. “You were right. As wary as she is now, she’s not ready to be courted. We need to figure out how to get her over that fear.”

  “Have faith. We’ll figure something out.”

  She cocked her head, her hair falling along the side of her jaw as she looked down at him. “What do you suggest?”

  He shook his head as he rose to a sitting position. “I’m not sure yet. Being here posing as a married couple helps, but we do have a time limit. That alone won’t be enough.”

  She sat back down next to him and drew her knees to her chest. After a moment, her brows drew together, and she began fidgeting, small movements at first, slow, but in short moments grew in speed and intensity.

  “Reina?” he asked, and she jumped. Whatever she had been contemplating was enough to make her shut out the outside world. She looked at him and then away at once.

  She shook her head. “It’s crazy,” she whispered.

  “OK,” he agreed cautiously, not pushing the issue when he saw the fidgeting increase. Some sort of internal battle was waging, and he was happy to stay far away from it.

  “We don’t have much time,” she said, not looking at him, her face still flushed.

  He nodded, not sure where she was going with this.

  He saw the battle end as the fidgeting stopped and her back straightened. She turned to him, her face still flushed but her gaze steady. Reina brought her lower lip between her teeth, biting it for a moment before taking in a breath and saying, “We could show her what physical love between a man and a woman is like.”

  The blood stopped moving in Tiernan’s veins as he stared at that lovely face. “Reina, what are you proposing?” But he knew, every sense focused on her.

  She licked that lower lip, and Tiernan’s every thought urged him to follow her lead. “We are husband and wife here.”

  With the elemental part of his being screaming at him for being a fool, he shook his head. “I will never use you like that. You’ll come to my bed for your own pleasure only, not as some sacrifice or an apology.”

  Reina reached out, laying the flat of her palm against his chest, sliding it upward until it cupped his cheek. “I want that pleasure for its own sake. Does it matter if it somehow also helps us as well?”

  Her proposal took his breath as surely as any blow to his body ever had. Thoughts of everything he wanted to do to her filling his head, he stood, never taking his gaze from her.

  He refused to reconsider. Nothing in her eyes or body language told him she regretted making the suggestion, and he would not be the cause of her changing her mind. “Wait for me in the barn,” he said, his voice guttural. She nodded and used magic to vanish from his sight.

  He disappeared from the roof, mere seconds later appearing in Cinderella’s room, and he leaned over and whispered into Cinderella’s ear, “Five minutes. You will awaken and come to the barn, thinking you heard the animals upset. Once you get there, you will see Tiernan and Reina. Watch them and learn what really happens between a man and woman.” Cinderella gave a little nod in her sleep, confirmation she had received the magical suggestion.

  He then disappeared from Cinderella’s bedroom only to reappear in the corner of the barn, and seeing Reina there waiting for him, Tiernan had never been so grateful for the magic in him as he was at that moment which allowed him to be with her so quickly.

  Reina’s gasp was loud in the surrounding silence as he lifted her and sat her on a bale of hay, nudging her knees apart so he could stand between her bent legs.

  “Do you trust me?” he asked, his hips moving in small circles, his breath in her ear, and the second she moved her head in the affirmative, his lips claimed hers, hungry and hot. He had waited an eternity to taste this woman, feel her. He felt her shock, but that was not going to stop him now, not when she was here, her soft body cushioning him perfectly where he pressed and strained.

  He absorbed every sensation, how her mouth opened under his, her tongue tentatively coming to taste him, and he groaned.

  He didn’t want this rushed. This moment was so long denied he wanted to spend hours dwelling on every single sensation. Her mouth on his was a miracle he could live on for days, and he took his time making sure he had kissed her in every possible way, with both soft caresses and demanding pressure, before moving to other areas of skin to do the same there.

  The skin of her throat heated where his fingers touched, the lush scent of aroused woman coming from that delicious body he had always been hard for. His mouth followed his fingers, marking her throat, wanting everyone who saw the satin skin to know she was already owned.

  “Tiernan,” she gasped.

  He travelled back to her mouth, plundering and tasting, before putting his lips to her ear. “You are mine, Reina. Remember that.”

  His hands traveled firmly down the front of her bodice, pressing into her breasts, the nipples hardening under his ministrations, and a loud rrriiippp as the fabric tore away from her body, leaving her bare to him.

  “So beautiful,” he murmured, his hands coming to palm the heavy weight of her chest, his thumbs circling her nipples. “And so hard. Would you like me to take one of these hard little buds into my mouth, Reina?”

  He didn’t wait for her answer. Lowering his head, his tongue flicked out to touch one tip. At her cry, he pushed his lower body harder into hers as his tongue settled more fully onto her nipple, sucking it into his mouth.

  “Tiernan… so good,” she said on a low moan that stretched out as his teeth came into play.

  He explored until he was sure each of his senses was satisfied that they had learned everything they could about this part of her body, and only then did he move on to her other breast. Beneath him, she was a wild thing, moving and crying out and begging him for more, her hands threading into his hair, trying to force him closer, her lower body grinding into him.

  He settled back slightly, bringing his face close to hers while his hands continued their devastating assault on her nipples. “One day, Reina, I’m going to play with your breasts until you come from that alone, but right now I’m a greedy man and there is something I need to do for myself.”

  He came down to his knees in front of her, taking her thighs into his hands and gently spread them wider, giving him complete access.

  She instinctively tried to close her legs, but he was prepared for that, using gentle pressure to keep her legs apart, his thumbs softly rubbing the skin of her thighs.

  His tongue came out again, touching her through the fabric covering her hot core. Her body arched, pressing his tongue harder on her, causing her body to buck with the pleasure.

  “So damn responsive,” he whispered. “I’m barely touching you, and you move like I’ve dreamed.”

  Feeling her fingers thread through his hair again, he looked up, meeting her eyes as she stared at him, arousal and disbelief swirling through those shadowed eyes. His gaze never left hers while he gently moved his hand, then used one long finger to move the fabric covering her, baring her dripping pussy to his assault.

  Her eyes dropped lower, taking in the sight, his face so close to her most intimate part, nake
d and vulnerable and wet and open to him. She was near panting, but no words came from her.

  He leaned in.

  This time, tongue tasted wet female flesh, aching and ready for whatever he would give.

  She never looked away, even as the sounds coming from her increased in volume and intensity, even as it became evident she was struggling to breathe.

  His eyes closed in ecstasy, his tongue and mouth determined to explore every inch of flesh, bring in every subtle difference so he could savor everything about her. He was making noises as though it was her mouth on him, as if doing this gave him more pleasure than he could stand.

  Then he concentrated exclusively on that little bud, his tongue never leaving it no matter how much her hips moved or her cries deafened him. He continued until he felt the spasming of her body, the rush of wetness coat his face, and he heard his name torn from her throat in the most beautiful sound he had ever known in his life.

  Still licking her lightly, he opened his eyes to see her head thrown back, her chest frantic with her pants, making him desire to stand up and fulfill the promise he made to her earlier.

  Beautiful. Such a fucking beautiful sight was well worth the thirty years it took to get here.

  Finally she came back to herself, looking at him once again, her gaze starting to sharpen. Not wanting her to end the moment yet, he stood, kissing her sweetly, tenderly.

  She took his kisses, and he couldn’t stop the bulge in his pants from pressing into her, the sensation causing her to moan, to tilt her hips towards him.

  This was killing him, this was killing him because he had to stop, because she wouldn’t stop him if he pressed but she might regret it later. He’d waited for her too long to jeopardize everything now.

  He took his mouth from hers, pressing small kisses along her jaw, along her brow, across the tip of her nose. “Let’s get back to the house,” he said, voice low between kisses.

  “Yes,” came her hazy voice, agreement without knowing what she was agreeing to, and he settled her clothes so that they covered her again.

  He picked her up into his arms, and flashed them into the room they were sharing at the manor. He gave her another kiss, his tongue languidly exploring her mouth, before forcing himself to back away from her. “I have wanted to do that since the first moment I saw you.”

  A small laugh escaped from Reina’s mouth. Her color was high, but as he saw awareness come back, Tiernan was pleased that regret was not following. “If we did that the first moment, Cinderella wouldn’t have been able to watch, now would she?”

  So she had felt Cinderella’s eyes on them as well as he had, the curiosity and first stirrings of hunger their lovemaking had caused in the young woman, all because of her plan. Brilliant his angel was. Brilliant and sharp and so fucking sexual that he was half sure he could start coming just by looking at her.

  He started undressing her. Her hands came up, but he was ready for her. “Don’t fight me, Reina,” he said, gently enclosing her hands in his.

  “I was going to help you get undressed.”

  Shock stole his ability to speak for a moment, but when her hands landed on his chest, he once again stopped her. “No.”

  “No?”

  “If you undress me, no power in this world could stop me from making love to you tonight.”

  She ducked her head as a flush rose on her cheeks. “What if I said…”

  “Don’t finish that sentence, Reina,” he warned. “My control doesn’t exist right now. I swear to you if you want me tomorrow, after you’ve had a night to sleep and time to think, I will spend the entire night worshiping your body. I swear to you, but right now all I want is to hold you as we sleep, and to do that, I need to be dressed.”

  That didn’t stop him from undressing her, though. His eyes took her in, taking delight in every place on her body they touched. He settled them both in the small bed, her back flush against his front.

  She surprised him, turning in his arms so they were face to face. Reina caressed his face, leaning forward to kiss his forehead. “Good night, Tiernan,” she said, then closed her eyes. Within moments, her even breathing told him she was asleep.

  Fulfillment engulfed him. Drawing her close, sharing her breath, he fell asleep as well.

  Chapter Seven

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  Reina was unsettled.

  She had no better way to explain the mass of confusion that existed within herself. She wasn’t anything specific… she was nothing, she was everything…

  Her head fell back, and a long, loud sigh escaped her mouth.

  When she’d fallen asleep last night, she half thought in the dreamy, well pleasured recess of her mind that she was going to awake angry—at herself, at him, most probably both. Instead, waking up to Tiernan’s face, one dimple noticeable in the morning light, her tongue was already out and ready to get a sample of him before she came to her senses and moved away.

  She got up, readying herself for the day. As she finished dressing, Tiernan woke, a hesitant smile at the sight of her. “Are you going to hurt me?”

  “Not yet, you have the barn to fix today.”

  Both dimples came out at her light response. “Of course, the secret is to go to bed with chores to do in the morning. That way I can be assured of not being murdered in my sleep.”

  “Wise Godfather. Up, up, up, we have a HEA to accomplish. You can discuss strategy with me at lunch.”

  Reina spent the morning scrubbing the floors with Cinderella. The good part was that none of Cinderella’s family was around. The bad part was they were not around because they were using every excuse possible to go outside and watch Tiernan, who was working shirtless in the morning sunshine.

  The fact that she had yet to see his bare chest while they were ogling him made her want to smash their faces in.

  Yeah, that was one feeling she wasn’t confused about.

  “Reina?”

  Cinderella’s soft voice broke into her thoughts. Cinderella had a true gift, a spirit gentle and loving, able to calm a person before they were even aware of it. “Yes, Cinderella?”

  “How long have you known Tiernan?”

  Reina smiled, for a moment the urge to tell Cinderella the truth and see what her response would be strong. “A long time.”

  “Did you always love him?”

  Hmmm, this conversation was going to be dangerous, and considering her own confusion, not one she felt up to having. Still, she had to try. She had a HEA to accomplish. “I was always… aware of him.” Aware of him, yes, always aware. Aware of his smile, of his scent. Aware that I didn’t want anyone else near him. Aware that he could lay me bare in ways that would destroy me. “I always knew the moment he entered a room, I always felt him when he was behind me. I can’t shut down my emotions around him.”

  “Oh,” Cinderella said, and the tone of that small sound sparked Reina’s interest.

  “Oh,” Reina repeated. “Have you ever felt that way?”

  A light blush suffused Cinderella’s face, and a small, shy smile passed over her lips. Before she looked away, Reina saw in Cinderella’s eyes complete, perfect contentment.

  Reina had been a Godmother for a long time, and she knew exactly what that look meant. Whoever caused that reaction was the only one who Cinderella could ever have a HEA with, the file be damned. That reaction was one of true love.

  Which meant Reina needed to find out the name of the man quick, since she didn’t have time to waste trying to put Cinderella with the wrong man. Tiernan’s life was on the line.

  Cinderella cleared her throat and went back to scrubbing the floor, but within a moment she sat back on her heels. “Reina?”

  Nonchalance would be best to draw Cinderella out. Reina kept her head down as she answered in a distracted tone, “Hmm?”

  “Were you scared?”

  “Scared?”

  “Your… first time, as a wife.”

  Oh yes, complete nonchalance. “Of course,” she answered, not ev
en bothering to look up to see Cinderella’s reaction. Keep it simple, keep the conversation easy.

  It seemed to work. Reina couldn’t see Cinderella’s face, but she could almost feel the relief come off the young woman.

  After a moment, afraid Cinderella wouldn’t continue, Reina said, “I guess you don’t have any women to discuss such things with.”

  From the corner of her eye, she saw Cinderella’s first reaction, an instinctive response to defend her Stepmother, but almost immediately Cinderella stopped herself. “I am not close to my Stepmother or stepsisters.”

  “I know many families like yours. It would be nice if when there is a remarriage everyone would love each other, but that is not always the case.”

  Cinderella smiled in gratitude of her understanding. After a moment of taking Reina’s words in, her mind turned back to the original thread of the conversation. “Is it painful, being a wife?”

  Reina reached out and grabbed Cinderella’s hand, keeping her manner easy and loving. “Will you allow me to speak with you as a sister in this matter?”

  “Please do,” she said, gratitude infusing her voice.

  “As you grew up around animals, I assume you know the basics,” Reina said, her voice holding the slightest undercurrent of naughtiness.

  Cinderella’s face turned beet red. “I, yes, I mean, I have seen horses.”

  Reina laughed. “If you have only horses to think upon, you will be more scared than you should be,” she said, patting Cinderella’s hand reassuringly. “Men are not that large, but yes, it is the same with humans as it is with horses.”

  “So it is painful?”

  “It is the greatest pleasure we as humans have been given, but there are moments that can hurt, especially for us women. Your body is made to take your man, but the first time, before you are accustomed to him, it will hurt. For some women, the pain is negligible, for others they may be sore an entire day afterwards. All of them learn to enjoy it.”