by Leslie Kelly
Still not enough.
He wrapped an arm around her waist and stepped off the bike. Letting her go only long enough to shove his jeans down, he didn’t waste time pulling them all the way off. Penny was faster, getting out of hers in an instant. Before he could even begin to ask her whether she really wanted everything she’d said she did, she turned around and bent over the seat of his bike, her gorgeous ass pale in the moonlight.
And he found her last tattoo.
She looked over her shoulder at him and licked her lips. “Please, Lucas.”
He couldn’t have said no if someone had set his legs on fire.
With the full moon raining down on him and every primal instinct screaming for release from their human constraints, he grabbed her hips and slid his erection between her curvy cheeks. She rubbed up and down in welcome, her body’s juices flowing hot on his skin, sizzling in the cool nighttime air.
“This isn’t going to last long,” he growled through gritted teeth.
“I don’t care. Give it to me!”
Rough, passionate, wild. Untamed.
He did as she asked, grabbing his thick cock in one hand, spreading her legs even wider for his penetration. Then he entered her, hard, deep. She cried out with pleasure, thrusting back, taking everything he had and obviously loving it. At the feel of her, silky smooth, steamy hot and so tight, Lucas could only throw his head back and let out a cry that would sound like a howl to anyone close enough to hear.
But there was no one. Just him and Penny, thrusting wildly under the stars, lost in lust and sensation and pleasure.
He didn’t climax as fast as he’d feared, but it didn’t take long. Feeling it build, he tried to slow, not wanting it to end, not wanting to leave her unfulfilled.
She, however, wouldn’t let him change the pace. “Don’t you dare.” Her body pulled him deep inside, milking, squeezing, egging him on, until, helpless to do anything else, he came in a hot rush, flooding her with his seed.
He howled again, but even while lost in the throes of pleasure, he had no intention of leaving Penny hanging. Still inside her, he wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her up to stand before him, his front pressed to her back. He kissed her neck, ran one hand up to cup a beautiful breast and tweak it. The other he dropped to her sex, stroking her clit until she exploded.
“Oh, Lucas!”
The strength seemed to leave her legs and she collapsed back against him, but he didn’t let her fall. Holding her close, he continued to kiss her, caress her, feeling her heart begin to slow and her panting breaths begin to ease.
“Thank you,” he whispered against her nape.
“For what?”
“For helping me find your last tattoo.”
She laughed and wriggled against him. “Believe me, I didn’t know it was called a tramp stamp when I had it done. I’m really not the type to go around advertising that I’m easy.”
“You’re not easy,” he whispered.
You’re mine.
LUCAS HAD CALLED it a border. So Penny had been picturing an invisible line, one that didn’t really exist anywhere but on a map drawn by some surveyor. He hadn’t said it was an actual physical barrier that would make her feel as though she was plunging through a thick layer of wet spiderwebs.
As Penny followed him through the cloying, reeking tangle of Spanish moss that somehow wasn’t really moss, she wrinkled her nose and tried not to breathe. His hand was wrapped tightly around hers, and she knew he wouldn’t let her go. Which was good, because even after getting through the moss, the air itself seemed to push back against them.
Crossing this border wasn’t about moving through some low-hanging tree branches. Though not visible, or what she’d call solid, the separation between his world and hers was tangible.
She gasped with relief when they finally pushed out into clear, fresh air. The freshest air she’d ever inhaled, sweet and flavored with some spice that seemed like it belonged in a bakery instead of out in the wide open spaces.
“Welcome home,” Lucas said, reaching up to push a few stray twigs from her hair.
Home. Just like that?
She didn’t reply at first, slowly shifting her gaze to study her surroundings. The differences between the world she knew and this one were not stark. Despite the smell—Cloves? Nutmeg?—this actually looked much like any small stand of woods. The thing was, a minute ago, she hadn’t been in woods. She’d been standing in a swamp, hearing the croak of ‘gators and the hum of mosquitoes.
“It’s lovely,” she admitted, wondering why she could so easily see the trees, the layer of pine needles on the ground. Then she realized it was because the sun was already rising. “Wait, how wide is that crossing? Is it morning?”
“Time is different over here. The days are shorter. You’ll get used to…”
“Halt! Stop and pay the queen’s toll!”
Shocked to hear another voice out here in the woods at the break of dawn, Penny could only stare as a figure emerged from between two trees. A diminutive man wearing roughhewn clothes and a long cap sauntered closer. When he reached them, he hopped onto a stump and extended his hand, palm up, as if he expected it to be filled with money.
Lucas sneered. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
“Collecting the queen’s toll from every traveler,” the frowning man replied. Rising on tiptoe, he glared directly into Lucas’s face, which meant he had some major balls for one so small. “Now pay up or you won’t be allowed to trespass across Riverdale.”
Realizing they were indeed being asked to pay a toll by a grumpy dwarf, Penny could only stare, her mouth hanging open.
“Get out of my way. No Wolf pays a toll to a queen, especially one who isn’t the rightful ruler of Riverdale.”
“Wait! Are you the lawman?” The dwarf lifted a pair of thick spectacles to his eyes and peered through them owlishly. He studied Penny’s face, focusing on her eyes, then stumbled, almost falling off his perch. He put his fingers in his mouth and let out a shrill whistle, then shrieked, “They’re here!”
A sudden pounding echoed. Before Penny had time to process that she was hearing the sound of men running, she saw several of them in dark uniforms appear from the treeline.
Lucas instantly went on the defensive, grabbing her by the arm and shoving her behind him. “That double-crossing bitch,” he snarled.
Penny realized they might be in real trouble. “The queen?”
“She might have decided it was easier to get rid of you! Damn, how could I have trusted her? I’m sorry, Princess.”
She gulped, wondering if there was any chance the border was still crossable, despite the sun rising in the western sky…western? But before she could make a dash for it, dragging Lucas with her, the dwarf hopped off the stump and dropped to one knee before her.
“May I be the first to welcome your highness to Elatyria?”
Lucas hesitated, though she still felt the tension in his rock-hard form. “What?” he asked.
The dwarf ignored him, staring only at Penny. “We’ve been expecting you. Welcome.”
“Uh, thanks,” Penny said, looking to Lucas for guidance.
He visibly relaxed. “Sorry,” he muttered. “I overreacted. It appears Queen Verona is welcoming you with open arms.”
Rather than swords and executioners. Check.
Before she could reply, the guards converged on them. Surrounding her, they pushed between her and her escort.
“Your majesty!” the one in front said, bowing deeply. “Queen Verona sends her fondest welcome and is greatly looking forward to meeting you.”
“Yeah, well, we’ll get there,” Lucas said.
“Please come with me, your majesty,” the lead guard said, taking Penny by the arm. “We have a carriage ready for you and have been instructed to bring you to the palace immediately.”
“Damn it,” Lucas muttered.
Penny blinked, shaking her head, still a little dazed from the rough border
crossing. And from the unexpected welcoming party.
From the way Lucas had talked, she’d expected to have another day or two alone with him: Taking their time making their way to the palace. Stopping to explore, touch, have wild, lovely, delicious sex. Even time to deal with the feelings they seemed to be rousing in each other so suddenly, so unexpectedly.
She didn’t believe in love at first sight, despite what Lucas had told her about her parents. But something was there, something solid, sure. And growing. She wanted time to deal with it, to nurture it, before confronting the rest of her new life.
Lucas had seemed to desire the same thing. He’d told her he wanted to explain everything in more detail, prepare her for what was to come. Discuss the future.
Now, though, as she was being firmly escorted toward a gleaming carriage standing behind six white horses, she saw that fantasy slip away. Lucas was disappearing behind her, surrounded by a trio of guards, all of them looking belligerent and ready to stop him if he came after her. Indeed, when he stepped forward, he was grabbed by each arm.
Hell, if she ever needed to play the princess card, it was now. “Halt! Unhand my escort,” she shouted, wondering how she’d found the words when what she’d really wanted to say was, “Dudes, hands off the merchandise.”
The guards immediately dropped their arms, but didn’t move out of Lucas’s way so he could join her at the steps of the carriage. He stared at her from yards away, his brown eyes glowing with anger, frustration. Emotion.
“Your majesty,” said the head guard, his voice low and urgent, “I know you felt secure in the company of the…Wolf. However, you are now in our custody. You’re safe, I assure you.”
She gritted her teeth, furious on Lucas’s behalf about the inherent racism. “He’s with me.”
“He will be well-paid for his service. But, majesty, you must see that he cannot accompany you to the palace.”
“Why the hell not?”
The guard seemed startled by her language. “Well, uh…because word that you’ve been traveling alone with a…man…would not make the best impression on the people, majesty. And it will almost certainly displease your future mother-in-law, the queen.”
Penny froze, staring at him, trying to figure out if he’d really said what it had sounded like he’d said.
“Penny!” Lucas called.
He was still blocked by the guards, one of whom snapped, “She’s your majesty to you, Wolf!”
“Now we must hurry,” said the guard. “Your fiancé, Prince Ruprecht, has been so anxious to meet you.”
Okay. He had said what it had sounded like he’d said.
“Wait,” she whispered. “Just wait one damn minute.”
She stayed still, her hand on the side of the beautiful gold-trimmed carriage, a few feet from the white horses who pawed the ground in anticipation.
She was a world apart from everything she’d ever known. Separated from everyone she’d ever held dear. Except one person. The person she had entrusted to bring her here.
He stood across the clearing, watching her, saying nothing. Penny stared at him, silently demanding the truth. His jaw clenched and his eyes closed briefly. That was all the truth she needed.
The son of a bitch really had brought her here to marry another man.
8
NOT HAVING the luxury of a horse-drawn carriage, Lucas arrived at the castle one day after Penny did. In that time she had already started the entire court talking. The whispers were thick, every person having something to say about the long-lost princess.
That hair! The clothes! Those rings on her ears! But the prince—he’s enamored, can you believe it? He can’t take his eyes off her.
Those rumors he could have done without.
If he’d had any idea he and Penny would be separated as soon as they reached Elatyria, Lucas would have told her everything she needed to know before they’d crossed over. He’d never dreamed Queen Verona would recognize Penny as the princess without even meeting her. Was she so desperate to marry Ruprecht off that she’d accept Penelope Mayfair sight unseen?
Of course she is.
He’d been stupid, careless. And now, he might pay the ultimate price for that stupidity. Because the look of betrayal on Penny’s face before the guards had tucked her into the carriage and driven her away had stabbed him right through the heart.
She might never forgive him. God, she might actually marry Ruprecht.
“No,” he mumbled as he made his way through the throne room, thick with sycophants who wanted to get in the good graces of the princess they were so gleefully gossiping about.
He spotted her immediately. Penny had been changed out of her regular clothes and put into a formal gown that looked stiff and uncomfortable. It covered her up from neck to toe, revealing not a hint of ink on her skin, much less the bump of two silver hoops on her perfect nipples.
Beside her, sitting stoic and rigid on her throne, was Queen Verona. The queen’s famed ivory skin now verged on puce and she looked ready to choke on her own tongue.
And the reason was obvious; Prince Ruprecht looked utterly besotted. He sat beside Penny, their hands entwined, their heads together as they whispered and laughed.
Lucas’s heart pounded in his chest and his fingers curled into fists. He had never considered the prince any kind of competition, but now, Ruprecht and Penny looked like a happy, engaged couple.
How could she?
The thought quickly shifted. How could you, fool? Because the whole thing was entirely his fault for not telling her everything from the start.
“Lucas Wolf! The Huntsman!” a courtier announced.
Penny stiffened; he saw the way her spine went straight and her hand stilled. But she didn’t acknowledge him at all.
Queen Verona, however, did. She jerked up from her throne, breaking all protocol by marching toward him. Ignoring everyone around them, she snapped, “You’re sure that is the girl?”
“Quite sure, majesty,” he said, knowing Queen Verona hated Penny already.
The queen closed her eyes and groaned softly. “My God, what have you led me to, Wolf?”
“Nothing but what you asked for,” he replied evenly. “And I expect to be paid the agreed-upon price for doing my job.”
Not that he really wanted the money or the land…not for himself at least. But if this whole situation was going to leave him alone for the rest of his life, having lost the woman he should have spent it with, the very least he could do was fulfill his promise to his father.
“My son can’t marry her.”
Lucas frowned as Penny and Ruprecht laughed together over some shared joke. “I think he might argue that.”
The queen’s lip trembled. “She can’t be the princess.”
“She is, any test would prove it, I’m sure. Now, my purse?”
The queen froze, staring at him searchingly. “A test…”
Hell. “Majesty, there is no doubt. One need only look at her eyes…”
The woman waved a heavily ringed hand. “Coincidence.” Then a crafty smile widened her lips and she turned in a broad circle to look at her son and his chosen princess. “My dear,” she said, her voice ringing across the court, “there is one minor formality we must complete before we can proceed.”
Penny finally looked up and Lucas would swear she intentionally avoided meeting his stare. But her smile was tight, her slim shoulders stiff as she raised an inquiring brow. “Yes?”
Queen Verona cast a knowing, conspiratorial smile at her courtiers. “We, of course, have to satisfy all the traditional requirements. Which means, my dear, that we must put you to the test.”
A FRIGGING PRINCESS test? Who ever heard of that? For the first time ever, Penny found herself wishing she’d actually read a fairy tale once in her life. Not because she wanted to pass the test. Hell, no. Because she wanted to make sure she didn’t.
She could fool a lot of people…but she could never fool herself. From the minute the carriage ha
d pulled away from Lucas the previous morning, all she had been able to think about was getting back to him. First, to kick his butt for being so sneaky about his real motivation for coming to find her. Second, to find out how he really felt about her.
And third, to make sure he didn’t get away.
She wanted him. More, she didn’t want to ever be without him. If that equaled love at first sight, or love within twenty-four hours, then so be it. She’d call it love. She didn’t need to put a name on it, she just knew she had to have the man in her life.
He felt the same way. No, he’d made no effort to approach her this afternoon, but he’d burned her with a succession of fierce, possessive glances. Claiming her.
He might have been sent to bring her back for Ruprecht. But there was no doubt in her mind that Lucas Wolf wanted her for himself.
“You’re looking pale, my dear Penelope. Are you sure you can go through with this?”
She looked at Prince Ruprecht, who was charming, if a bit dim. He was leading her to the royal ballroom, where the big princess test was to be conducted. Wondering how on earth the dude hadn’t yet figured out what he really wanted, she replied, “Yeah, I’m sure. It’ll be fine, don’t worry.”
“I am worried,” he insisted. “What if you pass the test?”
Prince Ruprecht was on board with Penny’s plan to throw the contest. He didn’t want to marry her any more than she wanted to marry him, even though they had immediately hit it off. He was funny, had a cutting sense of humor, and did a great impression of his bitchy mother. The perfect guy friend, actually.
As so many gay men were.
Not that he actually knew that about himself yet.
“Well, you still don’t have to marry me. You can refuse me.”
“But she’ll only complain I’m too picky,” he said with a sigh. “I don’t understand why I simply can’t fall in love. But I like you better than anyone I’ve ever met. So maybe we should get married.”
“I don’t think so, Princey.” Patting him on his arm, she said, “Don’t let her bully you. You should go live your life for yourself rather than doing what your mother wants you to do.”