His grin deepened as he teased heated kisses along her throat and down the curve of one swollen breast, the soft moans slipping from her lips as intoxicating as any drug. He fastened his mouth around one pert nipple and suckled.
She gasped, her head falling back and her eyes closing.
Cupping her other breast, he stroked its ruched peak with his thumb and forefinger as he continued to taunt and tease the first with his lips and tongue. He lifted his head and flicked his tongue over her nipple, then turned to the other. He fastened his mouth on it as he laved it with his tongue before suckling.
“Eli,” she begged as she writhed beneath him.
He understood her need and slid his knees between hers, parting her as he continued ministering to her swollen breasts. He stroked the gentle curve of her thighs, and she opened herself to him, offering him more, offering him everything he wanted. Everything she wanted him to take.
He teased his fingertips up, tracing her thighs and the soft curls at their juncture. He cupped her, his hand rubbing against the hidden little nub as he slipped a finger into her hot silken sheath.
“Eli,” she begged as her thighs opened for him and her hips moved in time to his gentle thrusts.
Her virginity again stopped him, but now she’d chosen him. She was his. His to love, his to protect, his to pleasure.
He drank in her soft moans and gentle sighs, watching her body move in the most ancient of dances as he stroked her core. As she started the climb towards the golden halo of fulfilled desire, Eli withdrew his hand and eased between her parted thighs, her slick softness beckoning him.
Her eyes widened as he touched her in the most intimate of ways, his weight pressing her into the bed.
He took her mouth again, his thumb and forefinger teasing her heavy breasts as he pressed against her soft entrance. Eli focused her attention on her taunt nipples, teasing them as he kissed her.
Then he thrust forward and took her.
A whimper escaped her as she clung to him. He filled her, completely and totally, stretching her so she could take all of him.
Eli held her close as he waited for the pain to ebb, cradling her against him as he found her little bud.
He stroked her hair and caged his own need as he waited for her, as he eased her discomfort and replaced it with desire. Her body felt like hot silk wrapped around him, and as much as he wanted to finish what they’d started and take her completely, he also wanted her there with him. He wanted to share the ecstasy of their first joining.
He waited until her hips moved beneath him and need replaced pain before he eased back then filled her again.
Moving inside her, slowly, carefully, he waited for her to get used to the rhythm of this dance.
She gasped as she clung to him, the whimpers of pain fading into the quiet moans of growing desire.
He focused on her, watching need tighten her face, listening to her ragged breathing, and feeling her legs wrap around him. He understood her need and increased the intensity and speed of his rhythmic thrusts as he pushed them both towards the golden glow that beckoned.
She was so soft and fit tightly around him, amplifying all he felt. Need built within him and merged with the golden heat that promised the heights of pleasure.
She’d shown him how much she wanted him, and he gave, taking her, filling her, giving all of himself as he took all of her.
Need pooled like golden fire around them, and it exploded through her, shattering her and carrying her away on its golden tidal wave.
As she climaxed, she tightened around him and shuddered with fulfilled desire. The intensity of her release pushed him over the cliff with her, and with one final thrust, he lost himself in her.
Eli wrapped her in his arms as their pleasure quieted. His conqueror was satisfied, and his strategist was plotting how to deal with royal succession.
One thing was non-negotiable.
Auburn was his, and he was never letting her go.
Chapter 28
Auburn awoke with Eli’s arms wrapped around her as he held her close. The sun had yet to break the horizon, and she enjoyed him naked beside her.
A sleepy smile stole over her lips as she stretched her arms over her head and rubbed her bottom against him.
Eli groaned.
Her smile widened as his body responded to her provocation.
“Minx,” he said against her hair. Skating his hands along her sides, he teased over her full breasts then dipped lower and stroked the curve of her hip before tracing the long column of her thigh.
Lifting her leg, he draped it over his and eased into her.
A moan escaped Auburn as he stretched her, filled her, and touched her core. By the gods, he was so hot and hard inside her, but it felt so amazing. It was strange to be so exposed, so vulnerable, yet so protected.
Eli teased her flesh, tracing his fingers in almost reverent circles as he explored her. Palming her breasts, he thumbed over their sensitive peaks as he kissed the back of her neck.
Sensation shot through her, and molten heat stirred at her core, amplified by the fullness of him inside her. She gasped and pushed back against him, taking him deeper into her as he filled his hands with her breasts.
Desire swirled through her as his calloused fingers pressed against her soft mounds and his rigid length tapped her core. The clean rich scent of him intoxicated her, and she reveled in his hard masculinity surrounding her, filling her, completing her.
Eli lavished attention on her bare flesh as he moved inside her.
Heat bloomed inside her, sensitizing her skin and snaking through her limbs. Desire intensified the feel of his touch, making each kiss, each caress add to the rising need inside her. As he continued to taunt and tease her, his other hand moved lower, parting her womanly folds and finding her hidden pearl.
A gasp escaped her at the sizzling contact, and thought disappeared as she gave herself over to sensation. Reaching her arms back, she clung to him as he rubbed her tiny bud in time to his rhythmic thrusts.
The heat built faster, filling her, swirling through her senses as she moved her hips in time to his ministrations. She met his thrusts then arched forward to press more firmly against his hands.
“Eli,” she said, his name fading into a whimper of aching need.
He smiled against the smooth column of her neck and propelled her upward and onward, closer and closer to the golden glow of pleasure.
Desire, passion, and molten heat coalesced then crested, carrying Auburn with it into the brilliant waves of fulfilled passion.
With a final thrust, Eli held her against him as he joined her in golden bliss.
Auburn awoke with Eli’s arms wrapped around her as he held her close. The sun had yet to break the horizon, and she enjoyed him naked beside her.
A sleepy smile stole over her lips as she stretched her arms over her head and rubbed her bottom against him.
Eli groaned.
Her smile widened as his body responded to her provocation.
“Minx,” he said against her hair. Skating his hands along her sides, he teased over her full breasts then dipped lower and stroked the curve of her hip before tracing the long column of her thigh.
Lifting her leg, he draped it over his and eased into her.
A moan escaped Auburn as he stretched her, filled her, and touched her core. By the gods, he was so hot and hard inside her, but it felt so amazing. It was strange to be so exposed, so vulnerable, yet so protected.
Eli teased her flesh, tracing his fingers in almost reverent circles as he explored her. Palming her breasts, he thumbed over their sensitive peaks as he kissed the back of her neck.
Sensation shot through her, and molten heat stirred at her core, amplified by the fullness of him inside her. She gasped and pushed back against him, taking him deeper into her as he filled his hands with her breasts.
Desire swirled through her as his calloused fingers pressed against her soft mounds and his rigid length tapped her core. The clean rich
scent of him intoxicated her, and she reveled in his hard masculinity surrounding her, filling her, completing her.
Eli lavished attention on her bare flesh as he moved inside her.
Heat bloomed inside her, sensitizing her skin and snaking through her limbs. Desire intensified the feel of his touch, making each kiss, each caress add to the rising need inside her. As he continued to taunt and tease her, his other hand moved lower, parting her womanly folds and finding her hidden pearl.
A gasp escaped her at the sizzling contact, and thought disappeared as she gave herself over to sensation. Reaching her arms back, she clung to him as he rubbed her tiny bud in time to his rhythmic thrusts.
The heat built faster, filling her, swirling through her senses as she moved her hips in time to his ministrations. She met his thrusts then arched forward to press more firmly against his hands.
“Eli,” she said, his name fading into a whimper of aching need.
He smiled against the smooth column of her neck and propelled her upward and onward, closer and closer to the golden glow of pleasure.
Desire, passion, and molten heat coalesced then crested, carrying Auburn with it into the brilliant waves of fulfilled passion.
With a final thrust, Eli held her against him as he joined her in golden bliss.
The sun tickled the thick curtains before they climbed out of bed and enjoyed breakfast together. The warm glow of fulfilled pleasure still enveloped Auburn as she leaned against Eli, happy and protected in his arms.
A single knock sounded on the door before Leopold flung it open and tromped into the room.
Eli sheathed his blade and sat back beside Auburn.
“Here I thought you were an early riser,” Leopold said. “Time to get moving.”
Color tinged Auburn’s cheeks. “I’m sorry.”
“Nothing to be sorry about.” Eli tightened his arm around her. “You already eat, Sir Leopold?”
The Knight glanced from Eli to Auburn and back again. “Whatever you two may have gotten up to, nothing changed last night. She’s still safest in Tamryn.”
Auburn’s blush deepened.
“If Eli really wants what’s best for you, he’s gonna send you back with me. No chance of Premal or one of his goons accosting you there.”
“You’ve been talking to Sligo,” Eli said.
“Tried, but he wouldn’t tell me anything. Your other attachés, well, some of them are chatty.”
Auburn glanced up into Eli’s pale blue eyes, and a lump balled in her throat. “I want to be with you.”
Eli took her hands in his and brought each to his lips then met Sir Leopold’s gaze. “If you and Nderk stayed in Qumaref, you could supervise my activities. Make sure I’m upholding Tamryn’s honor while overseeing security after the assassination attempt.”
“Must mean a lot for you to swallow your pride and ask that.”
Eli’s face was impassive.
“I’d agree to it if I didn’t know for a fact she’s still safer in Tamryn. No Premal. No assassins.”
Eli raised a brow.
“No known assassins. The gods willing, you’ll see her again in a couple months.”
“I have little faith in gods.”
“That’s part of your problem. Now let the lass get her stuff so we can go.”
Auburn stared down at their joined hands. She knew how much it had cost her prince to ask anything of Sir Leopold, and her heart soared as she tightened her fingers over Eli’s. “I’m willing to accept the risk of staying in Qumaref with you.”
Leopold turned away. “Sounds like another lass I once knew.”
Auburn heard Eli’s breath catch, and the prince closed his eyes. “Tamryn is safer, and as much as I want you with me, I can’t risk you.”
“But-”
“Go pack,” Leopold said. “It’s more important than ever that I get you to Tamryn safe.”
Auburn swallowed back her objections and forced herself to pack for the trip to Tamryn. As she watched her vision come true, a vision she’d prayed for her whole life, her throat constricted and her heart ached.
She should be overjoyed that she was on her way to the home of the Dragon God. The land where her son would be born. But she fought back her tears as she touched the signet ring around her neck. Whispering a prayer, she begged the Twins to see her through this.
Leopold watched her finish packing then picked up her bags for her. He glanced at the prince. “You don’t deserve her, that’s for damn sure.”
“I know.”
Leopold opened his mouth to say something, then snapped it shut and nodded once.
Eli cracked the door and motioned to Sligo. “I’m going to the docks this morning with Leopold and Ndrek. Make arrangements-”
“No, you’re not,” Leopold said. “You’re gonna stay right here and make Sligo’s job easy. You’re still a prince of Tamryn, and your death still means war.”
“I didn’t ask for your permission.”
“I know you didn’t, but you won’t break Auburn’s heart by getting yourself killed.” Leopold glanced at Sligo. “You think it’s safe for him to go down to the docks?”
Sligo turned his attention from Leopold to Eli and back again. He kept his silence.
“Told ya so,” Leopold said.
Auburn fought back her tears. “Please keep yourself safe. I want to see you again in Tamryn.”
“Girl’s got sense in her head. Now say your goodbyes so we can be on our way before anyone finds out we’re leaving.”
“Give us a moment,” Eli said.
“Make it quick.” Leopold hefted her bags and closed the door behind himself
Biting back her sadness and tears, Auburn touched Eli’s signet ring around her neck. She unfastened the silk cord and let it fall into her hand.
Eli closed her fingers over it. “Keep it.”
She gazed down at where their hands touched and smiled, then refastened the cord around her neck.
He wrapped his arms around her and held her close. “I will see you in Tamryn. I promise.”
She held him, her tears dampening his shirt as she breathed in the rich masculine scent of him. Memorizing it in case she never saw him again. “This is happening too fast. I feel like we just found each other.”
“We’ll have a lifetime to explore what we’ve found.” He stroked her hair and held her tight, the hitch in his voice belying his impassive face. “Listen to Leopold. He’s gruff, but he’ll protect you.”
“I will. I hope the negotiations are successful.”
Eli leaned forward and touched his lips to hers, the kiss soft, tender, and filled with emotion. Auburn held onto him and the surge of raw emotion that flooded her.
Leopold popped his head around the door. “Carriage is waiting.”
“Take good care of her. I’m holding you personally responsible for her.”
“Don’t you worry about Auburn. I’ll make sure she’s okay.”
It was almost painful to let go of Eli, but Auburn forced her arms to her sides and walked away from the heat of his touch. She reminded herself of the danger she represented to the prince, knowing Premal would be far less interested in him if she were in Tamryn. Clinging to that knowledge, Auburn sucked in a breath as she glanced back at the man she loved.
Leopold closed the door.
Chapter 29
Ndrek met them in the hall, and he smiled at Auburn. “Are you ready, my dear? It may be a shock for you leaving the palace.”
Leopold frowned.
“She most likely has not been outside of these walls since the sultan purchased her.”
Auburn steeled her resolution and knuckled away her tears. “I won’t get to Tamryn staying inside the palace.”
“Put this on.” Leopold tossed her his cloak. “It’ll keep the worst of the sand off you.”
It would also help hide her.
Auburn slipped on the enormous cloak and hid her hair under the deep hood. Her heart ached, and her chest fel
t painfully tight, but she huddled into the cloak and followed Leopold and Ndrek.
There was something about Leopold that commanded obedience, and no one stopped them as they walked out of the palace and climbed into the waiting coach.
Auburn stayed buried beneath the folds of the cloak despite the heat. As the vehicle passed through the palace’s walls, she gripped the edge of the seat and sucked in a breath. Squat buildings and sand-strewn streets replaced the vibrancy and grandeur of the palace. She inched closer to the Knight, her nose wrinkling at the smell of animals, cooking food, and unwashed bodies.
“Your first look at freedom,” Ndrek said.
“I’m not sure I like it, but my son will.”
“Son?” Leopold’s fists balled. “Eli said... I’m gonna kill him.”
Auburn touched his arm. “I’m not with child, but I want to be a mother someday. And I want my son to be born free.”
“You will be a good mother,” Ndek said. “Few are brave enough to risk all that you have to give their children freedom.”
Leopold shook his head. “Eli’s a fool.”
Auburn blanched and stared down at her hands.
“The Dragon Church swears allegiance to the Crown, but they do not do so blindly,” Ndrek said.
“We make sure the man wearing that pretty trinket is worthy to wear it.” Leopold leaned back in his seat. “Eli hasn’t proven that yet.”
“He would make a good king. Hard but fair,” Auburn said.
Leopold paused. “Maybe he will, but that’s up to him and the Dragon God.”
“He’s worried about what will happen to Tamryn when his father dies.”
“He’s not the only one.” Leopold shook his head. “Boy had promise for a time. Might again.”
“Had promise once?” Auburn asked.
“Boy’s always fought for what he’s wanted, and he’s good at getting it. He used to want the right things.”
“Prince Eli wants to keep Tamryn safe and protect children he doesn’t yet have. He’s willing to sacrifice a lot to do it.”
“He told you that?”
“Yes, but I didn’t mean to betray his confidence. I’m surprised you didn’t know that.”
To Love a Prince (Knights of Valor Book 1) Page 14