by Nana Malone
"I love you, Sebastian."
He nodded. "I know. Good thing I love you too."
“I can't believe you did all this."
"Believe it. Now, will you answer me?” He gazed at me intently, and I realized he was holding something, a ring box. In the center sat a brilliant solitaire diamond ring.
I could only blink. "Yes. Oh my God. Yes."
He breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank God. I was terrified you were going to say no."
I launched myself into his arms, toppling him over. Suddenly no less than six members of the Royal Guard had us surrounded, including my brother and my father. "Michael? Daddy?" I slid my gaze to Sebastian. "You brought my family?"
He nodded. "Of course. I wanted them to see how talented you are."
"How did I ever get so lucky?"
"Well, you started by saving my ass, but if you ever repeat that, I'll deny it to my dying day."
"As long as I have you, I don't care that much about being right."
From somewhere on my left, I heard Lucas groaning. "Seriously, you two: get a room."
"Shut up, Lucas." Sebastian muttered.
His brother only grinned. "Fine. Now can you let my date up, please? She promised to introduce me to women of loose morals."
I met Sebastian's gaze. "Sorry, Lucas. Looks like you're on your own. I'm not leaving Sebastian’s side."
32
Sebastian
“I still can’t believe you said yes. No backing out now.” I pulled her to me, so happy to have her back where she belonged. We were back in my old apartment. It felt more right to bring her here than the sterile hotel I’d checked into. Here we were just Sebastian and Len again.
She stared down at her ring. “This feels like a dream.”
“We’ve still got to have the fairy-tale ending.”
“Nope. I don’t believe in fairy tales. Besides, I like being a badass Royal Guard and I’m pretty sure the fairy tales weren’t meant for me. So how about we say we worked our asses off to find our way back to each other.”
I leaned down and kissed her softly, my lips barely brushing hers. “Whatever you want to call it, I’ve still got you, my queen.”
A soft tint of pink stained her cheeks. “Keep saying it. It will sink in eventually.”
“I intend to, my queen.” Like I had done at the gallery, I bent to one knee. “You are the air I breathe.” I kissed her belly then lifted the hem of her dress, bunching it until I could get access to soft, satiny skin. “I want to worship you until you believe the dream is real.”
“Sebastian … ” My name came out on a breathy moan.
“I’ve been dying to touch you again,” I whispered. I trailed my fingers along her warm skin to the edge of her bra. My hands shook. Somehow this felt like the first time I was touching her. Slowly, I dragged my thumb over the soft lace to her nipple. “Do you have any idea how many times since you left I’ve thought about touching you right here?”
With a frustrated moan, Penny tried to make me squeeze harder. A chuckle rose from my throat. “All right, all right. I get the message.” As I circled a thumb around her nipple, she moaned into my kiss. Teasing the turgid tip, I rolled it between my fingers and tugged gently.
Penny’s hips bucked, and she tossed her head back. I took advantage of the exposed column of her neck and placed hot, open-mouthed kisses along her throat. She wrapped her legs around my waist, clasping them tight around me as she aligned her hot, slick core with my aching cock. Her hands moved from my hair to score down my back and shoulders. Everywhere the pads of her fingers traced, my muscles bunched.
When she switched from the pads to her nails, I growled, “God, Penny.”
“Yes?”
Reaching for the hem of her dress, I scooted back. “I want to feel all of you. We’re wearing entirely too many clothes for that.”
“You’re right. I’m wearing way too many clothes. We both are.”
I grinned crookedly. This was my Len. Sassy and impatient. The one who had tempted me with a smile and a booty shake.
I agonizingly raised the hem of her dress until it just reached the top of her head. From that position, I had clear access to her breasts, but her hands were secured. I leaned down and breathed soft kisses first on one, then another nipple, each responding to my caress by instantly budding into a hard little peak. God, she was responsive. I wanted to take my time. Not rush it. Taste every inch of her.
I tugged the dress the rest of the way off and went straight for her white thong.
Penny ran her hands over my back and pulled my shirt up and over my head. Her eyes roved hungrily over my chest. She leaned over and pressed a delicate kiss to my pec as she traced each muscle in my stomach.
My thumb drew slow circles over her nipple, drawing it into a tight bud.
Another moan broke from her lips, this one louder. I had to swallow down the wave of lust. The point was to make her limp from desire, to draw this out, to make this about her. But hell, I knew it was a losing battle. I wanted her too much.
She slid her hands into my hair and dragged me to her, fusing our lips together. Penny slipped her tongue into my mouth, and my brain short-circuited. She had my number all right. So much for slow and taking my time. With a low growl, I palmed her breast, testing the weight as I backed up and pressed her up against the one-way glass. The dazzling lights of the city below paled in comparison to the woman in my arms.
There were so many times I’d imagined having her pressed up against this glass. Able to see the pedestrians clear as day on the streets below, but them unable to see inside.
A shudder ran through her body as I unhooked her bra. She didn’t complain when I broke free of her embrace. Instead, she lowered her arms and let her bra slide to the floor. Dear God, her breasts could be a wonder of the world, they were so lush.
I had to touch her, feel her satin skin. I wanted to watch her nipples tighten to stiff beads for me. With a low groan, I kissed her again. When she opened her mouth and licked my bottom lip, mimicking what I’d done to her, I cursed.
Heat exploded in my body and my cock throbbed, begging for relief. I filled my hands with her breasts and pressed my erection into her belly. “You’re so beautiful, Penny. Do you know that?”
“And smart,” she added with a grin.
I laughed, and so did she. “And smart, and courageous, and generous... should I go on?”
“No, you should kiss me again.”
My hands moved to her waist, and I turned her to face the glass window, then propped her hands against the glass. She bit her lip, and I eyed her in the reflection.
I squeezed my eyes tight and tried to rein in the need. When Penny reached for my belt, a devilish grin spread across her face before I said, “Oh no you don't. Tonight is about you.”
“My turn can be later. I’ve missed you.”
“I do hate to disappoint a lady, but it’s my turn. Now hold still.” Unable to get enough of her taste, I continued to trail open-mouthed kisses along the column of her neck, nipping selectively and soothing the nips with tiny licks.
She arched her back and turned in my embrace. When I reached her breasts, she arched her back, effectively putting them on a platter for me. I knew what she wanted. Her breasts were so sensitive. Just me sucking the rosy tips had been enough to bring her near orgasm. I blew air across them and gently tugged on her nipple with my teeth, before continuing my travels downward. She tried to drag me back, but I stayed her hands. “Tsk, tsk. I’m very busy. You’ll get your turn eventually.”
Gripping her trim waist, I placed kisses in her navel and abdomen, swirling my tongue inside her belly button. I tickled and teased her by placing soft kisses on her hip bones, occasionally scraping the flesh with my teeth. She squirmed in my hold. Her breath came out in ragged puffs as her hips rolled, seeking relief.
I ran my hands down the inside of her thighs, careful not to touch her dew-slick lips, and splayed Penny wide. She smelled spicy and tangy,
and she was all woman. My woman. Need drove me as patience abandoned me. Seeing her like this, all open and wet for me, slick with need, made my blood roar, and I couldn’t think.
Her hips rocked forward, seeking attention. Instead of kissing the slick, dewy button that begged for attention between her parted legs, I placed soft kisses on her inner thighs. Left, then right. Flicking my tongue over her burning flesh.
“Jesus, I— Please hurry.”
Chuckling, I slid back up her thighs and positioned my mouth at her center. Slowly, with long, meandering strokes, I explored her swollen folds. When I reached her clit, I traced my tongue around it, once, twice, three times, until she was mewling and calling out my name. “Sebastian, Sebastian, Sebastian.”
I continued even while she begged. Stroke, lick, tease, flick. When I could feel her thighs start to quiver, I backed off, gently kissing her lips, never allowing her release. She raised her hips in time to the ministrations of my tongue, trying to urge me to go faster.
With my fingers, I gently separated her folds and explored all of her secrets. Using one finger to slowly penetrate her slick core, I flicked my tongue again and again over her clit.
“Yes, I…” Her voice trailed as she started to moan.
With my middle finger, I stroked the flesh deep inside her over and over again. I inserted another finger and gently probed in time to my flicking tongue; in, out, insert, withdraw. Penny’s thighs quaked. “Oh…My…God…I…”
The demon of lust that I rode hard made me stop screwing around. I needed Penny to come. When the walls of her pussy started to quake around my fingers, I quickened my pace and began gently suckling her clit.
Writhing and calling my name, Penny shook and convulsed in my arms for a moment, her legs going week. I picked her up easily, carrying her into the bedroom and laying her on the bed.
She was beautiful and smart and funny. There was something about her that made me want to take care of her and cherish her in a way that I’d never taken care of anybody else. And she was here with me.
I stripped completely, holding her gaze. She watched as I undressed, soaking me up with her eyes like I’d done to her. When I was done, I climbed into bed and tucked her against me.
“Your body is crazy amazing,” she whispered. Her gaze dropped to my swollen dick, and she licked her lips again. “Really, really amazing. It’s like you were carved.”
Her voice was low and throaty and dripped with sex and longing. My cock jumped, aching to be inside her. “Shit, Penny ”
“You know, Your Royal Majesty, there’s something I’ve always wanted to try. Since you got the chance to play.”
I kissed her shoulder. “Yeah, what’s that?”
She turned slowly in my arms. “Oh, you just brace yourself and let me take care of the rest.”
My brows rose. “Uh, Penny?”
“Shhh, Sebastian. I have a seriously excellent blowjob to administer.”
Oh. Fuck. Me. Why did that sound so damn good? Because you’re a guy. She wrapped her delicate hands around the stiff length of me, smoothly stroking me from root to tip.
“Oh shit, Penny.” My hips bucked.
“If you’ll pardon me, Your Majesty. I have always wanted to do this with you.”
Under her skilled hands, my body went rigid and I sucked in shallow breaths. My future queen leaned over and wrapped her full lips around the length of me, taking me deep until my cock hit the back of her throat and she deliberately relaxed her muscles.
My hands entwined in her tight curls. “Fuck. Oh, Fuck.” My hips canted upward and she took even more of me. “Penny, I—” A shiver wracked my body. She was trying to kill me.
Inch by inch, she slowly released me, a light scrape of her teeth chasing her tongue over my cock. With one hand, I guided her over me. She figured out how I liked pressure. Then she added two hands, and it was game fucking over … I was going to come. I could feel the tingling along my spine. “Love, I’m going to—”
She smiled then, tracing her tongue over the tip of my cock, and slid her mouth back down the length of me, stroking me. Mother of fucking God.
None too gently, I gave her hair a tug. “Enough.”
She gave me a smirk, then oh so innocently asked, “Why? What’s wrong?”
“Oh nothing, just you are seriously going to kill me.” I rolled us over. “You’re not distracting me. Not now. When I come, I’m going to be inside you. It’s been weeks and I need to feel your heat around me.”
“I feel like I can make that happen.”
I chuckled low and rolled her onto her stomach. Then I grabbed one of the pillows and tucked it under her hips.
“Hurry,” she whispered.
As I put my hands on her waist again, she arched her back and widened her legs.
I licked my lips as I slid a finger between her folds. Damn. She was so fucking wet already. I’d planned to take it slow, but I wanted her so bad. I wasn't sure if I could take my time. With my hands on her hips, I wrapped my fingers around the base of my cock and guided it to her slick core.
“Sebastian, God. I can’t wait.” She craned her head enough for me to lean forward and steal a kiss.
Slowly, I inched forward, watching her carefully for a reaction. Every bit of energy I had was concentrated on not moving too fast. Her fingers intertwined with mine and she pulled our joined hands to her lips. When I was finally sheathed inside her, she squeezed around me, and I knew I was lost. Being inside her warmth felt like a homecoming. I rocked my hips forward slowly and was rewarded with another contraction. “You … So … God … Tight.”
“Sebastian … ”
Through clenched teeth, I muttered, “Fuck.” I braced her hips and drove into her as deep as I could go.
She gasped, her sweet folds contracting around me.
I tightened my grip on her hips, holding her in place, not allowing her to move an inch. If she did, I’d be a goner. “Penny,” I gasped. “Jesus, you feel so tight.” I dropped my head to the nape of her neck. “Are you all right?”
Her response was a moan and a nod. She arched her back more and bucked her hips, forcing me deeper. Her eyes were closed, and her mouth was open in a perfect O. “Please, don’t stop, Sebastian.”
I felt like I was spinning in an erotic haze. With every retreat and slow slide into her silken depths, I watched her face in the window. Her gaze locked on mine as faster and faster we rocked in rhythm. I slid my hands over hers and intertwined our fingers, bracing against the glass as I drove into her.
Her breathing grew more and more ragged, and she licked her lips. “Sebastian, I’m so close.”
God, so was I. I released one of her hands, and slid my thumb to the spot between her folds.
Her eyelids fluttered shut, and I growled. “Look at me, Penny.”
She moaned but didn’t comply. “Feels so good.”
I was certain of it—I could die just like this. “I know, baby, but I want to watch your eyes when you come.”
She dragged heavy lids open once again, meeting my gaze. The moment I touched her clit, the satin walls of her core tightened around me. She yelled my name as she gripped me tight. With clenched teeth, I continued to stroke her sensitive bud, helping her ride out the orgasm.
She bucked her hips again, and I couldn’t hold back any longer. As I came and came, I whispered her name, holding her as tight as I dared.
33
Penny
He was still inside me. Even as Sebastian rolled us over he kept me to my side. He didn’t slide out, so I could feel every delicious tic and move of him. And of course, I couldn’t help but squeeze him back.
“Woman, are you trying to kill me?”
“You’re the one twitching.”
He nuzzled my neck and planted soft kisses along the column of it. “I mean, the problem is you’re unbelievably sexy. This is going to be a situation, because when you become queen, me mauling you in public is going to be a conduct unbecoming.”
&nbs
p; I still couldn’t believe how easily he threw around the word. That didn’t even seem like something that would be possible. He must have sensed the tension in my shoulders because he squeezed me. Then he pulled back so that our gazes met. “I was serious about what I said. You are it for me. And I have the votes. I don’t care if anyone has anything to say about it. You are beautiful, strong, and I’m pretty sure you’re smarter than I am. Not to mention incredibly talented, and you saved my life more than once. I am humbled before you, and the people of the Winston Isles will be as well.”
I stared at my hand. “I never pictured myself as being anything other than me. It’s terrifying. What if you want more?”
“That’s what I’m trying to tell you. Being you is enough. Everyone will love you as much as I do. Anyone who doesn’t will have to deal with me.”
“Sebastian, you can’t just behead anyone who has anything to say to me. That’s not how this works. Besides, I can fight my own battles. And I’m up for the challenge, that’s not what I’m saying. I have you now, and I’ve never been so happy. I don’t ever want to let you go. It’s all just daunting.”
“For me too. Not necessarily about you being queen, but for me being ready for all of this, being able to handle it all. But I know, together, we can do pretty much anything.”
I grinned. “Well, that I can agree with. Besides I—”
There was a thump out in the living room, and Sebastian frowned. “What was that?”
I disengaged us, and he growled low as he whispered, “Stay in bed. I’ll check it out.”
“Are you nuts? You’re the king. I’ll check it out.”
“Look, you’re my queen. It’s my job to keep you safe. That’s how this goes.”
Even as I grabbed my shredded underwear—then subsequently tossed it aside and just put on a pair of Sebastian’s boxers and a T-shirt—and grabbed my gun, I rolled my eyes. “We are going to discuss this later. I will not be the queen that just sits there and has people do things for me. I am Royal Guard, goddammit.”