He cupped the sides of my face and bent his knees until our eyes were at the same level. His thumbs wiped the tears on my cheeks, and the intensity of his gaze stole what had been left of my breath.
“What are you doing here?” Thunderous joy brimmed in his eyes. “I have missed you.” He glanced behind me, and a knowing look filled his expression. “I should’ve known David was in on this.” He released me and embraced David. “It’s good to see you.”
“You, too,” David said. Then, the tone of his voice dropped. “I’m sorry for your loss.”
Richard’s features clouded for a moment but then cleared when he turned back to me. “You made it a thousand times better. I hope we get more than a couple of hours this time. Please tell me you’re here until Sunday. Oh, but I leave early.” He shook his head. “We have the worst luck.”
We’d had two blissful hours our last visit. Memories surfaced—the scruff of his beard scratching my thighs and how he’d buried his face between my legs. Heat rose in my cheeks, and I ached with the need for more.
“We’ll have more than an hour or two,” I said, not willing to disclose my plans in front of so many.
“How long are you here?” he asked, pulling me hard against his chest.
The brocades and medals of his regalia poked my skin. “As long as you’ll have me.”
His brows drew together. “Come, let’s go where we can speak privately.” He glanced at David. “You, too!”
Mark followed on David’s heels. I suppose my security escort didn’t need an invitation. Two other men peeled off from those gathered and traveled a discreet distance behind.
With a hard grip on my hand, Richard guided me down an ornate hallway, passing a string of opulent rooms.
I’d missed him. I’d missed the overwhelming presence of him.
Finally, he brought me to a wood-paneled game room with dark huntsman-green walls. A pool table dominated the room, barstools were snuggled in the corners, and a dartboard occupied the far wall. He angled me toward a corner furthest from the door where two barstools sat. Mark along with the other two men took up positions in the hall, leaving Richard, David, and me alone.
He spun to David. “Care to tell me what’s going on?”
David redirected that comment to me. “It’s all on her,” he said and then gave a wink. “Go get him.” Without another word, he left. On his way out, he pulled on the heavy door, shutting it with a sense of finality, sealing Richard and me inside.
Richard’s eyes sparked with excitement. “I can’t believe you’re here. How did you manage it?”
“Simple,” I said with a cheeky grin. “I bought a plane ticket.”
His eyes narrowed. “You know that’s not what I meant.”
Chapter 38: Game Room
Richard
My sweet Rowan had something up her sleeve. The urge to force her to spill her secret rose within me. A good swat of her ass should do it. She did that to me. No other woman ignited the beast like she did. With Rowan, it wasn’t about simply dating. I needed to possess every facet of her being.
A growl escaped me. “I think you should tell me now,” I said, giving that light swat.
Her eyes widened, and that made my cock jerk, but then an impish grin spread across her face.
“And what will you do if I don’t?”
My gaze riveted to her tight ass, and I licked my lips. “Right now, I’m thinking about putting you over my knee.”
She took a teetering step back. Those riveting bluebell eyes of hers widened even further. “You wouldn’t.”
I crossed my arms, affecting a relaxed and confident pose, while my desires clawed to the surface. All I could think about was ripping off the pompous uniform caging me in, divesting myself of my pants, and bending her over that pool table where I could retake my rightful place—standing over her, sliding inside her, and pounding against that perfect ass.
“If you think I wouldn’t,” I said, “answer one question.”
“What?” Her voice shook, either from fear or desire. At this point, it didn’t matter.
“How are you feeling, my sweet Rowan?”
Her mouth gaped, and her eyes rounded with understanding. That smirk returned, and then something amazing happened.
Dropping to her knees, she glanced up at me. “Green, Sir. Definitely green.”
It was my turn for my eyes to grow wide, and I reined in the overwhelming desire to strip her down and fuck her right then.
“Someone has been busy.” My heart swelled with a new emotion. Desire and overwhelming happiness filled my chest, but pride edged to the surface. “I thought you weren’t familiar with…this.” I gestured at her perfectly submissive posture—the way her hands turned, palms up, and how she sat back on her heels.
The curtain of her lashes swept against the rise of her cheeks. “Turns out, the Internet is a great place for research.”
“And is this what you want?” My question needed to be answered. And, holy hell, what would happen if she gave the right answer?
“If you lead.” Her cheeks colored, and she dragged her tongue over her lower lip. “I don’t know if this is what you want, but it feels…it fits us, don’t you think?”
“And what about punishments?” Because, if she didn’t tell me what the hell was going on, and soon, I would lovingly beat it out of her.
“A little light swat here and there is fine. Maybe something more, but I’m not sure about some of the other things.”
Her hesitation gave me pause, but her words instilled hope.
“Well, if you don’t tell me what’s going on, I’m going to bend you over that pool table and smack your smart ass into submission.”
Her eyes sparkled with a flare of arousal, which stirred my rapidly hardening member to stand at full attention.
“How about a compromise?”
“That’s not how this will be. If we take this step, if you’re willing to travel this path, you’ll follow where I lead. I won’t have you topping from the bottom.”
Her brows pinched together.
“Do you know what that means?”
She drew her lower lip into her mouth and pressed her teeth into the soft flesh. “I know what it means, but I was thinking about how I left you last time, and I’ve been aching to taste you these past two weeks. I just thought a little worship might lift your spirits. I didn’t mean to top from the bottom.” Her gaze cut away, and she struggled with some of the words.
Her interest was cautious at best and not something I would force. I would take that as a precious gift.
My focus cut to the door, and my eyes narrowed in thought. Rowan and I didn’t have much time before my duties took me away, but I did have a few moments to indulge. I also had the best wingman in the world guarding the door.
She glanced at the bulge of my pants. “It would be a shame not to, um…” She giggled. “That must be uncomfortable.”
“Trust me, I’m used to it.”
She made it easy to relax, drop all the formalities of my status, and simply be a man. That was, perhaps, the best gift she gave.
“Well,” she said, glancing up, “may I?”
The correct response would be to deny her, if only because she was topping from the bottom. But that would deny us both this pleasure. The thought of her ruby-red lips wrapped around my cock made my head spin. With my course decided, I unbuttoned my jacket and draped it over the back of the barstool. Then, I slowly released the buckle of my belt. With a crook of my finger, I gave the command.
“Come and greet your…” Her what? Master? Was that too presumptuous? I liked the sound of it, but our journey had barely begun. Sir? She’d bestowed that name upon me, but it didn’t feel appropriate. I hadn’t earned it yet.
She scooted forward, and all further thought stopped when the heat of her lips wrapped around the tip of my cock. With her cheeks sucked in, she took me deep. All the while, she looked up with adoration, trust, and something much more profound. Fa
ith.
I curled my fingers in her hair, pulling slightly at the roots. In this way, I guided her, chasing my pleasure until the telltale tingle gathered in my balls. I tilted my head back, opening my mouth, as my hips jerked, and my ejaculate shot down her throat.
“Holy fuck,” I managed after my hips stopped bucking.
She licked me through my release and used her mouth to clean me off.
“Now, how is that for a proper hello?” Her wink brought a smile to my face.
I ran my fingers through her hair and helped her to stand. Kissing her, the tang of my essence coated my tongue.
“I definitely enjoyed that.”
Her eyes crinkled with promise. “All you have to do is make it a command. I’ll gladly obey.”
“My only regret,” I said with a pointed look to the pool table, “is that, now, I can’t bend you over that and fuck you from behind.”
It would be a few minutes before I could perform again, more time than we had left. Quickly, I put myself back in order, making sure to tuck my shirt in tight.
“How do I look?”
“You look like a magnificent prince.”
“Do I look like a prince who just had his cock sucked? Or do I look like a prince who carried on a nice, respectable conversation with his American girlfriend?”
Her lilting laughter filled the room. “You look like you’ve been pressed into that suit, and the only thing on your mind is the private conversation with your American girlfriend. Now, how about me? Do I look like I just gave a blow job to a prince? How’s my lipstick?”
I couldn’t help it. Her filthy mouth surprised me. “Better not let the Queen hear you say that about her son, and you might want to reapply.”
“Oh,” she said, “I will definitely do that.” She twisted her fingers together. “I hope I never meet your mother. I would have no idea how to behave.”
“Well, don’t expect a warm welcome when you do. She’s not the cuddly type.”
Chapter 39: Decisions
Rowan
Being together again brought my world into alignment. The empty weeks faded to a distant memory, and I refused to consider spending more time apart.
Richard examined his image while I reapplied my lipstick.
I slipped my arms beneath his and wrapped them tight around his back. Laying my cheek against his chest, I closed my eyes and breathed him in. “You look very regal.”
He cupped my head and kissed my forehead. “When are you going to answer my question?”
“Which one?”
I knew exactly what was on his mind. My attention slid to the closed doors and the sounds I might make if Richard followed through with his promise. Perhaps this wasn’t the time to test his resolve. But I was tempted.
“I’m here for as long as you’ll have me,” I said. “All I want is to sleep in the same bed with you for once.”
“What do you mean, for as long as I’ll have you?”
His question brought an explanation of the arrangements I’d made with my professors. “I have to come back for my exams and to present my projects. So, you see, I’ll be busy.” I rushed through my spiel, terrified he would stop me and utter the words that would send me back. “You don’t have to worry about me, entertain me, or any of that.”
His features darkened. “I wish you had discussed this with me.”
“I wanted it to be a surprise.”
“It is, but I can’t have you with me and hiding in the shadows.”
My heart crumbled. He didn’t want me.
“Stop,” he said, his voice stern and disapproving.
“Stop what?”
“If you think for a second that I would ever hide you from the world…” He shook his head. “I won’t cheapen what’s between us. If you come with me, you are with me.”
“But…”
David had explained protocol. I wasn’t a welcome addition to a prince’s life.
“There are some functions you can’t attend, but I won’t let the world think I’m ashamed of you, not when you’re the first thought in my head when I wake and the last when I go to sleep.” He tilted my face, and a smile graced his features. “Do you understand what I’m saying?”
“I just want time with you.”
“Well,” he said, his expression lightening, “you have all the time in the world.” He lifted his finger in warning. “But your studies come first. We’ll come up with a schedule. Miss Rowan Cartwright, your world has changed.” He drew in a deep breath and took his time in blowing it out, as if fortifying himself for what he was about to say next.
My eyes shimmered with the threat of tears. This man meant more to me than my heart could handle, especially knowing that time was working against us.
His voice deepened, becoming firm and commanding. “I love that you surprised me, but if you ever make a decision of this magnitude without checking with me first, you’ll find yourself draped over my knee and finding it difficult to sit for a week. I’m not giving up on what brought you to me. I can’t.”
“I don’t want to give that up.”
His finger pressed over my lips. “Be careful with your words. You’ve agreed you don’t want to give up the D/s lifestyle. As of this moment, your life revolves around me because my position demands it and, most importantly, because it’s what I want. Can you live with that?”
If it meant staying with him, I would take anything.
“Yes.”
“Good. Now, bend over the pool table.”
“Why?”
“If for no other reason than I said to. I’m going to smack that ass. Because you gave me that right. Because you failed to include me in a major decision. And, finally, because you promised to never lie, and while not telling me about this isn’t technically a lie, it does fall under an error of omission. My sweet Rowan, show me that pretty ass.”
Chapter 40: Departure
Rowan
Our rendezvous delayed Richard’s departure. His entourage waited patiently while their prince smacked my ass and then fingered me into oblivion. In my opinion, the wait was well worth it. There was something wrong with me because the ten swats from Richard might have hurt, but the sensation left behind, the one pulsing between my legs, stayed with me far longer than the sting of his hand. When it faded, all I had to do was look at him or sneak a peek at his hand, and that delicious feeling would flood my senses yet again.
I wanted more.
“Come, it’s time to leave.” He set me on my feet and helped me get dressed.
A glance at my pants, wrinkled blouse, and comfortable shoes had my belly doing the flipping thing again. I dressed for comfort on the seven-hour flight, but there was no way I was going to be seen with the Prince of England while dressed like a slob.
“Um, I can’t exactly go with you, not when I look like this.” I made a show of how I looked.
He looked every bit the prince, regal, commanding, and sexy as fuck. I looked sloppy and cheap at best.
Gathering my hand in his, he interlaced our fingers. “I can’t believe you’re here. And you’re certain your studies—”
“My curriculum has been set for this semester, and I’m taking off next semester.”
His fingers twitched, and his jaw tightened. “Yes, that makes sense, of course. So, I have you all to myself?”
“Every day, except the first Saturday of the month, plus travel time. That’s Freddy’s day, and I’m not going to miss it.”
“I can live with that.”
We approached the heavy oak front doors, and he pulled up short. “Are you ready?”
I rubbed my palms on the fabric of my pants, surprised at how clammy they felt.
“Follow my lead and smile. There are over a hundred cameras out there.”
My instinct was to run back home. Instead, I lifted my chin and pretended this was my grand debut at my debutant ball.
Flashes sparked in my eyes from a hundred different lenses. Richard tightly gripped my hand a
nd lifted his other to wave. The polite crowd shouted no questions about the stranger on his arm, but every camera zoomed in on me. My association with Richard wasn’t a surprise. Our picture had been shot in Savannah, and news had spread about his latest American fling.
Richard leaned down and whispered, “You’re doing great. Smile, but don’t engage.”
That was exactly what I did for the next four months. A permanent smile would fix itself to my face whenever Richard and I appeared in public. My wardrobe expanded. Exclusive personal shoppers purchased clothing more appropriate for the functions I attended. Evidently, it wasn’t appropriate to be seen shopping for myself. For the more casual events, I would join Richard, never straying far from his side. When I wasn’t with him, Mark would watch over me, keeping the press and their questions far away.
It was kind of fun—being kept in a bubble and protected from the rest of the world. Richard’s protectiveness shadowed me during the day, and his possessiveness caged me in at night. He consumed my every waking thought and all of my dreams. The moment his royal engagements completed for the night, he would whisk me away to the privacy of whatever accommodations we held for the night. We rarely went out socially, spending most of our time behind the closed doors of the bedroom. There, I entered a completely different realm and became something else.
I learned to kneel, to obey, to please and be pleased. We drowned in the pleasure of each other’s flesh, giving and taking, as we learned what we could about the other. As my comfort level increased, spankings took on a more prominent role. Richard released his restraint, delved into his fantasies, and dominated me with the sureness of his will.
I followed, willing, loyal, and obedient. One memorable evening found my voice hoarse after I disobeyed for the sheer pleasure of his hand punishing my flesh.
An understanding grew between us—limits defined, lines drawn, and roles determined. In public, we’d charm the populace and endear ourselves to the press. In private, I’d cry, beg, and bend beneath the unwavering steel of the man determined to steal my heart, claim it with his dominance, and bind me with his love.
The Fidelity World_Nondisclosure Page 19