by Nana Malone
That did it. He glanced around then took a step back. “We’re not done, Penelope.”
“Yes, you are.” Ariel called after him. When he was gone she turned back to me. “You okay? I swear to God you get back with him and I will die a thousand deaths.”
I inhaled deeply. “He’s going to tell everyone.” It was no use trying to keep the quiver out of my voice.
“He won’t if he knows what’s good for him.” She leaned over again. "Look, take five. Go for a walk. I’ve got this covered. Besides, after what you did, no one's expecting you to thwart another assassination attempt. You've done well."
It was the last thing I wanted to do, but I took the opportunity anyway. I needed some air. I just had to get away from the crowd before I lost my mind. Seeing him like this was messing with me. "Okay, thanks. I'll be right back.”
I took a left out of the ballroom, and strode down the hallway, toward the state dining room. There was a balcony there that I'd always liked as a child. Maybe I could remind myself of why I was on the assignment in the first place.
Everything had changed when I’d come home. Sure, Sebastian treated me like I had the plague. But everyone else—my coworkers, my family, etc.—thought I was some kind of damn hero, which was just bullshit. Well, everyone except Robert and Michael. My brother was my brother, so I didn’t know what I expected there. Robert was just a snake.
He hadn't announced that he'd found me there in Sebastian's apartment without any clothes on. He'd been discreet so far, but why? He could have burst the Penny-the-conquering-hero bubble dozens of times now.
Everyone had congratulated me on saving the king's life. Except I felt like a fraud. A liar. Yes, I'd done my job. I also made the fatal mistake of falling in love. I knew better. I never should have slept with him. I hadn’t slept with him for the job or for his own protection. I'd slept with him because I wanted to. And that had been my first mistake, wanting him. Wanting someone who couldn't be caught.
As I passed along some of the staff offices, a door swung open, startling me, as someone dragged me inside.
I twisted my arm around and went straight for his shoulder with my free hand, and then I pulled him forward and landed a knee. But when I went for the next one, the guy slipped an arm between my arms and dislodged my hand. He didn’t hit me, but he certainly blocked my next blow.
Frustrated, I leaned back, hips forward, unable to kick. He twisted at the last second to avoid getting hit in the balls by my shin, and then he let go of my arm and tried to wrap both his arms around me. Basically, he walked right into my open palm to his nose.
His oomph was low and angry, and I was scared. My heart was beating a hundred miles a minute. My adrenaline was spiking, but if someone was attacking me, that meant they were after Sebastian. It was fight or flight. I had to choose fight, even though I really, really want to pick flight. I flipped up my shoes and grabbed one as a weapon, slicing it in the air wildly. I couldn’t understand why he was bigger and not coming after me. But if he wasn’t going to come after me, then I was going to put him down. I launched myself at him, throwing elbows, a back hammer fist, and twisting around to put an elbow to the gut. He doubled over and grabbed me once more, this time squeezing tightly as I struggled. But I was able to get a hand behind my back and pushed my ass out to create a little space. Then I grabbed his balls, squeezing.
His mumbled, “Fuck,” was all I got out of him before he twisted to the side, forcing my hand to release.
Shit. I should’ve had a stronger grip. He squeezed tightly again, and all the air flew out of my lungs. Oh, my God, I needed air. I needed to make it. I had to protect Sebastian. The guy loosened his grip, and that was my chance. I had held a giant puff of air ready to let it rip. Despite the party, someone would hear me, someone had to. I would make them.
Before I could belt out a scream, a hand clamped over my mouth.
"Don't scream, Len."
Oh, God. I knew that voice. Well. It had haunted my dreams. "Sebastian? I mean, Your Majesty?"
"Don't talk. You’ll ruin this if you talk."
I shut my mouth at once then quickly opened it again on a gasp when Sebastian kissed that hollow behind my ear. "I've been watching you the whole damn birthday ball. I pretty much haven't see anything else—anyone else."
"Sebastian—“
He clapped his hand over my mouth again. "I told you not to talk. Did you really think I wouldn’t notice you with him? Like I wouldn’t see the way you were flirting with him?”
What the fuck. “I—I wasn’t flirting. And Robert is nothing to me.”
“His hands were all over you. I saw the look on his face. He seemed desperate to drag you out of there.”
“Were you watching me? Did I look desperate to go with him? And furthermore, do I need to remind you that you’re not my boyfriend anymore?”
His grip tightened just enough to remind me he was bigger and stronger and far more powerful. “I feel like I told you to shut up.”
Sebastian picked me up and sat me on the desk in the office. His erection pressed against me, hard, throbbing, and just what I craved. I missed his touch, his breath on my skin, his hands holding me in place.
But then he did the unexpected: he lifted my arm and inspected it gently, turning it over. He gently ran his thumbs over my wrist.
“What are you doing?”
“Making sure that fucker didn’t hurt you. Making sure I didn’t hurt you.”
“You wouldn’t.” I swallowed hard. We couldn't do this. I knew that this path would only lead to heartbreak. But I'd missed him. I reached up, dug my hands into his hair, and pulled him down for a kiss. The moment his lips slid over mine, I was lost.
* * *
Penny
He stepped into my space. His voice dropped low and made me shiver. “I don’t like him touching you, Penny.”
Yeah, well, that made two of us. But I was feeling ornery. “You should take that up with him.”
“Maybe I will, and I’ll make it quite clear that you are mine.”
“But I’m not, am I?”
Sebastian stroked my cheek with his thumb. “Right now you are. You were in New York. Even if my father did send you, you were mine. You’ve completely taken over every waking thought, and I don’t have a clue what to do about it.”
I stared up at him. The moonlight through the window hit his skin and made him look like he was glowing. He looked like a dream, like something I’d conjured up in the sleepless nights since New York.
“I—”
He pulled me close, and the first things to go were the pins holding my hair up. When my curls sprang free from the updo, he grunted low. “That’s so much better. Now, stop telling me what you’re afraid of and tell me what you want.”
My heart squeezed as I swayed into him. I wanted to tell him all my fears, all the things I’d hidden away. Including what the hell I was still doing in this palace in a job I hated.
Oh, cute. You think he doesn’t know it’s for him.
There was so much I wanted to say, but my tongue felt too thick, and I couldn’t form the words. So I said the easiest thing. “I want you.”
The thick length of his dick strained and pulsed against my belly. “I don’t want anyone else with their hands on you.”
Fucking cocky king. “The same goes for you. The princess, she was … hard to watch.”
He tsked, his thumb stroking my cheek again. “I know you think I was rolling so I said things I didn’t mean, but I’m telling you now, you belong in my arms.”
The possession part I understood. But how did he feel? And how bad was this going to hurt later? “Sebastian—”
“We can take this as slow as you want. I just can’t pretend I can stay away anymore. Tell me now, Len. Tell me you don’t want me and I’ll leave you alone for good.”
I couldn’t say that. Any strength I had to resist had evaporated when he checked me for bruises. With him, I felt sexy. Confident. Not the fake confidence
I projected, but the real deal, radiant from the inside kind of confidence. And I liked it. I wanted more.
Sebastian pulled back and pinned his gaze on mine. When he still looked unsure, I took matters into my own hands. Reaching up, I looped my arms around his neck and tangled my fingers into the hair at his nape. Gently, I tugged him down and molded my lips to his.
He hissed an intake of breath just before sliding his hands down to my ass, drawing us closer. The moment our tongues met, the spark lit and threatened to burn the whole place down with us inside.
Sebastian moaned low, his hands impatiently inching my skirt up my legs. He was in full control of the kiss. This time, his tongue mastered mine. Sliding. Coaxing. Owning. His teeth nipped my bottom lip, and I gasped.
He took that opportunity to change the angle of the kiss. Deeper, more intense. He sucked on my tongue, letting me know that he owned every part of me.
The deep tugging at my center started as a sweet, dull ache that deepened with every kiss. My nipples were hard points under my bra, and I practically begged to be released from my uniform.
But he was way ahead of me. As he kissed me, he started roughly tugging off his tuxedo coat then my jacket. The frenzy ate at us both, and we couldn’t get close enough quickly enough. Finally, with my jacket off and his tux thrown against the door, he had my silk buttons open as if they were butter. My bra posed no problem for him whatsoever.
The cool air had my nipples hardened to pinpoints, the pleasure so intense it burned. When Sebastian palmed me, I moaned into his mouth.
“Jesus, Len. You make me want to lose control.”
“I’m yours.” For once, I was going to do the reckless thing and have what I wanted.
Gently, he circled the tip of my nipple with his thumb, making it tighten and pebble as I fought for breath.
“God, do you know how much I have fantasized about touching you again?”
His thick erection pressed insistently into my belly as he devoured my lips and stroked my nipple. Reaching between us, I tugged on his belt, fumbling with his button. I grunted with satisfaction when it gave, then I slid my hand into his pants. I was too impatient, too desperate, and I closed my fingers around him. His low growl and muttered curse gave me a boost of confidence.
“Mm, Len. I’ve been ready to explode since you walked into that ball. Hell, since I met you.”
I didn’t listen. Instead, I rubbed my thumb over his crown. His fingers dug into the flesh of my ass, and he muttered curses through clenched teeth.
“You’re so big.” I whispered as I stroked his thickness, my thumb and middle finger barely touching as I wrapped my hand around him.
Sebastian’s hips bucked, pushing him further into my palm. A drop of precum oozed out of the wide tip, giving my palm lubrication.
His fingers dug so firmly into my ass I wondered if he’d mark me there. “Fuck, Len. I can’t—Jesus.” He licked his lips.
“Yeah?”
“You’re killing me.” With a muffled curse, he tore his lips from mine and watched me as I pumped him. I worked the full length of him with both hands and pumped in slow, fluid movements. His legs shook as he watched me with intense, hooded eyes.
Suddenly his hand flew to my wrist and he stopped me. “I promise you can spend as much time as you want torturing me—later. Right now, I have other plans.” He stepped back then tugged my skirt up over my hips. Stupid thing was so tight. He grinned a little when he reached the thigh holster with my knife. “Naughty, naughty. Where is the gun?”
Gun? He was asking about … Oh yeah. I tried to focus on his words. “Jacket. Interior holster.”
“Hmmm.” His answer was noncommittal. “Stand up. Turn around.”
I did as he told me, swaying a little.
“Let me help.” He turned me around and settled me over the desk. “I’ve been thinking of doing this since I saw you in my office.”
As he laid me belly-down on the desk, he caressed my ass. “Your skin is so gorgeous. One day, when I have more time, I’m going to spend a day playing with you.” He gave me a quick tap on the ass, and I squeaked.
“Did you just spank me? I swear to God, you will—”
He did it again with his left hand, and I squirmed. The heat of the sting mingled with the tug of desire. But like hell I was telling him that.
I shook, the anticipation ripping through me as I heard him removing the rest of his clothes behind me. Finally, he stood with both hands on my ass. “Widen your legs for me, sweetheart.”
In the distance, I could hear the music and laughing and chatter. My legs shaking, I complied because I didn’t care where we were. I just wanted his hands all over me.
He kneeled behind me. “I should be the one on my knees before you. I don’t like seeing you bow before me.” His words were soft, but I understood what he was saying. He leaned forward and stroked my folds with his tongue. I let out a low keening sound I didn’t even recognize.
“Let me take care of you, Len. Let me show you what I cannot say.”
I sighed and forced my body to relax, allowing my thighs to fall open some more. As he feasted on me again, his thumb traced a path from the opening of my cleft, over the stretched skin between my pussy and my ass. I stilled and tensed. That was new.
“It's okay, baby. I'm only playing … ”
As he continued his ministrations, licking my slit, I rocked my hips back against him. I was already so close. “Sebastian, hurry, please.”
* * *
Sebastian
She wanted me to hurry? Not likely.
But if I was being honest, I was past my desperate point. She fucking melted like sugar on my tongue. How was I supposed to last through that? With a final lick, I stood behind her and guided the tip of my cock to her slick heat.
Just feeling her heat against my cock was enough to shoot me right to the edge. Fuck.
Breathe, goddammit. Breathe.
No way in hell I was coming just yet. Nope. No. Not going to. Shit. That telltale tingle along my spine was the harbinger of orgasm.
I lined up my cock against her slippery, wet lips. And then, inch by inch, with a measured control that made my eyes narrow, I slid into her.
Holy. Fuck. Me
I took it as slow as I dared. My damn dick felt like it was expanding. I could hear her soft pants as she took each inch of me. My gaze focused on her as she gripped the edge of the desk. When she held tight, I retreated, just a little. It had been too long since I’d had her. I needed to go slow, despite the flood of need in my veins.
I retreated enough to give her a little friction and release some pressure. When her fingers loosened again, I slid in further.
We continued this dance until I was fully seated inside her stretched pussy. Sweat popped on my fucking brow as I slowly retreated a few inches and slid back again.
I wanted to do nothing but fuck her for hours and hours and hours. The tight glove of her silken walls milked my cock, and I tried in vain to ward off the orgasm.
Penny arched her back and moaned.
I needed her to come with me. I was so damn close. I secured her hips to me and reached under her to pluck the tips of her nipples. She shuddered and clamped down around my dick. Jesus. I pinched one of her nipples again, and she swore.
I kissed her shoulder blade and whispered, “Touch yourself for me, baby. Help yourself along. Remind me what to do to make you come.”
She reached underneath herself, and I could feel her pussy quiver around me the moment she started circling her clit. I bit into her shoulder hard enough to leave a mark, and she called out my name. “Oh, God, Sebastian … Yes, God, there. Please, there.”
I drove into her with that same measured pace. Even though I wanted to ride her hard, I didn't want to hurt her. Gritting my teeth, I wet my thumb with more of her slick juices and circled it around her tight pucker once more.
I watched in wonder as the rosette quivered under my touch. She liked it, so I did it again and aga
in, and each time, her whole body convulsed and she pushed back against my cock.
Bringing my other thumb down, I covered it with more of her juices before bringing it back to her tight rosette. Gently, I pushed, and she went perfectly still beneath me. I withdrew my thumb again before reinserting it to the first knuckle.
Beneath me, she gasped my name.
“That's it, baby. Take it. Feel how tight you are. I’ve been dreaming of your ass since I first laid eyes on you.”
“Sebastian, I … I don't … ”
I withdrew my thumb again, in time with my cock. Then I penetrated her once more in both tight holes. She moaned and pushed her hips back against me.
As her breathing grew more rapid, the leash on my control waned. I increased my pace, and she met me thrust for thrust. Her walls glided over every ridge of me as I drove into her, with her ass trying to hold onto my thumb. I felt the spasms of the walls in her slick channel, and knew she would come around me at any moment. I reached up and caressed her lower lip.
“Come on, Len. Let go for me. I’ll catch you.”
With a scream, she bucked and shook. Her violent orgasm trapped both my cock and my thumb inside her body. Her groan of ecstasy reverberated around us, bouncing off the walls.
A gray haze filtered on the periphery of my vision as my balls went tight. Her screaming moans were loud enough to send someone coming, so I clamped my hand over her mouth.
Shit. Shit. Shit.
My orgasm started in my toes then worked up around my spine. Tingles snaked through my body until I was driving with no other thought except emptying myself inside her. Through the haze, I heard her whimpered moan of my name as my soul shattered.
15
Sebastian
I rested my forehead against Penny’s shoulder and panted. My hands were gentle in her hair, teasing as my lips dusted over her jaw. Jesus, I'd missed her. I'd missed this. I’d also been completely out of control just now.