“How are you enjoying our fair island, Sasha?”
“It’s lovely.” She smiled over her shoulder this time, because apparently the view was more impressive than my compliment. “So beautiful and colorful.”
It was. “It’s nice to be here once in a while.” Visiting my homeland occasionally was much more pleasurable than actually living here had ever been. “More champagne?”
She giggled and nodded. “I can’t believe Harper dictated a champagne only event.” I’d been surprised too. The only drinks served tonight were champagne cocktails or champagne. “Good for her.”
“I can’t complain. Champagne does have a way of bringing out the best in the fairer sex.”
Sasha rolled her eyes. “Only you would say a thing like that.”
I laughed and leaned in close enough to get a whiff of the earthy scent she wore. “After you finish that one, I’d like to show you something.”
She held up her half empty glass. “Is there a drink minimum for this something?”
I plucked the champagne flute from her fingers and finished it off. “Follow me,” I grabbed her hand and pulled her along behind me. I hadn’t showed anyone this place since year eleven in school, but I knew Sasha would love it. I wasn’t ready to examine why that mattered, only that it did. I pushed open a panel in the wall and slid it back. “Go on,” I nudged her inside.
She gasped and tried to look around the dark passage but the old oil lanterns had been put away decades ago, so I fired up the flashlight app on my phone.
“Oh wow, a secret passageway!”
I smiled because that was exactly how I thought she’d react. “This was used to hide royals during times of rebellion and to transport black market items during wartime,” I told her as we walked the narrow passage that weaved throughout the palace. “And even secret trysts during weekend parties, political meetings, and of course between the staff and the residents.”
I pressed her against the wall and she succumbed willingly, pushing her hips out to meet mine with a grin. “You royals are a naughty bunch.”
I laughed against her, loving the way her soft curves felt pressed up against me. “That we are, love,” I told her and lowered my head to cover her mouth with mine. Teasing and tasting her while her body inched closer to mine, until we were so close nothing could pass between us. Her fingers danced in my hair as mine dug into her plump ass, pulling her ever closer. “So sweet,” I moaned and kissed my way down to her neck and across her collarbone, skimming kisses over the tops of her delicious cleavage.
When I dropped down on my haunches she knew what was happening and I thought, for a moment, she would try and stop me. But as I slid her panties down her smooth legs she didn’t push me away, she didn’t resist. Light green eyes pierced mine with the intensity of their stare as I stuffed the scrap of lace into my jacket pocket. Her fingers ran lightly through my hair and I closed my eyes and inhaled her sweet scent of arousal.
“Antonio,” she moaned when I blew on her, making her pulse.
Lifting a leg over my shoulder, I leaned in until my mouth landed where I needed it. I didn’t waste time with tentative tastes and teases, I closed my eyes and gave her pussy a proper kiss that made her pant while she pulled my hair to the point of pain. My tongue swirled, catching drops of her desire with every pass. She dripped for me and her clit throbbed, begging me to wrap my mouth around it and tug. I did, and the sound of her orgasm made it hard to think straight.
Sweet little cries and deep moans of my name dropped from her mouth as I pulled and sucked. Holding her wide open, I kept up my torture until I felt another orgasm rip through her. “Antonio.” She pulled my hair until I stood, looking down into her beautiful, satisfied face. “Kiss me,” she demanded and I happily obliged, kissing her until I thought I would die from the need to drive into her dripping pussy.
She was on the same page, her nimble fingers making quick work of the button and zipper on my slacks. I shoved them down and lifted her leg over my lip so I could slide into her waiting heat. “Oh fuck,” I groaned in her ear. “You’re always so wet for me Sasha.”
“Yes,” she moaned and dug one foot into my ass until I was buried deep inside her. “Don’t hold back,” she demanded and damn if that little command didn’t turn me on.
But I had no plans to hold back. Lifting her other leg so they were locked behind me, I thrust into her hard and fast, pumping all my twisted up emotions inside of her while the party swirled outside. She was so tight and wet as she gripped my cock in a vise, pulsing and milking me as another orgasm washed over her. And then I let go, letting her cunt milk me until I was empty. Spent. Thoroughly fucking satisfied.
A door opened in the distance and we both froze until the threat passed. “Just an empty room,” one of the waitstaff said as they walked by the wall we leaned on.
“Close call,” I grinned and smiled as I let her body slowly fall back to the ground. Before we separated, I cupped her face and kissed her. The kiss was gentle, almost loving but I couldn’t help myself. Couldn’t put enough distance between us even though I knew I needed to.
Luckily Sasha’s good sense returned. She smoothed her dress and smiled up at me with affection as she cradled my face in one hand. “I love you.”
I tensed the same way she did, but I could have done without the horrified expression on her face. The almost comical smack of her hand over her mouth, and the quick retreat to the party. Holy shit. She loves me.
I leaned against the wall, stunned by her heartfelt words. I never believed she would fall in love with me, dammit. It should have been a simple seduction. Now it was a shit show. A royal shit show. Heaven forbid if my mother found out.
What difference does it make? A voice asked and I knew the answer. It made no difference. Her feelings for me probably meant she’d sign the papers eagerly. I made a mental note to call Tara early the next morning. Then I rejoined the party.
***
“I can’t wait for this shit to be over.” Rafa gave me a weary look as we sat in his study, drinking scotch while everyone else scurried around the house for the formal pre-wedding dinner being hosted in the place tonight.
“Already regretting it?” I joked because the man was so damn smitten it was almost uncomfortable to watch.
“I am regretting that we conceded to Mother’s need for a huge event wedding. I just want to marry Harper and get on with our lives.”
“Then don’t worry about it now. In less than twenty-four hours she will be your wife. Just count down the hours.” I tossed back the rest of my drink and ignored that feeling I recognized as longing in my chest. I didn’t want what he had, it was just Sasha’s words confusing things.
Rafa grinned wryly. “Never pegged you as the romantic type.”
“I’m not, but you and Harper, you’re nothing like you were with Angelica. You can tell you two are in love before you even touch.” I may have envied him that, but I didn’t want that kind of love. Not again.
“Thanks,” he held up his glass and I slammed mine against his with more force than necessary. I looked away from his scrutiny, watching a family of birds enjoy seeds in the feeder the landscapers somehow managed to keep full. “What’s going on with you and Sasha?”
“Nothing,” I answered too quickly. Dammit. That was an amateur mistake.
“Want to try that again?”
“Nothing is going on. I’ve seduced her and yesterday she told me she loved me.” I ignored another twinge in my chest that told me I was betraying Sasha by sharing this information. I didn’t owe her a damn thing.
Rafa’s brows rose in surprise. “And I take it you don’t feel the same way?”
“Of course not.” I waited for him to call me on the lie, but he didn’t.
“Has she given up custody of Andreas yet?”
I shook my head. “No. But she will. Soon.” I had no doubt that I could make her see that she didn’t need to have custody of Andreas to have him in her life. She could be his
nanny for as long as he needed her. And what about your need? A voice asked. I drowned it out with another two inches of amber liquid in my glass.
“You’re so sure?”
“Yes.”
“And you’re not worried at all about the fallout?”
“What fallout could there be? She loves me, so she will do whatever I say.”
Rafa laughed. “If that’s how you think love works Antonio, I feel sorry for you. And it’s too bad I’ll be on my honeymoon when it all goes down.” He stood and clapped me on the back, still laughing.
“By the time you get back I’ll have everything I want.”
“Andreas? What about Sasha, will you have her?” His hand stopped the refusal I was about to voice. “You can deny it all you want Antonio, but I’ve seen the way you look at her. The way you touch her when you think no one is looking. You’ve fallen too, so I urge you to proceed with caution before you lose something you didn’t even realize you had.”
I thought about his words for a long time, tried to shake them off as a lie or the delusions of my deliriously happy-in-love cousin. But I couldn’t. I did have feelings for Sasha that went beyond lust and desire, but I couldn’t let them get in the way of getting what I wanted.
And it was so close I could practically smell the ink from Tara’s fountain pen.
A smile split my face and I stood. It was time for dinner and I would spend the entire evening next to the woman who I couldn’t stop thinking about. No matter how hard I tried.
Sasha
Never in the history of the world has anything good ever come from eavesdropping. Until now. If I hadn’t gotten turned around inside the maze of rooms inside the royal palace, I would never have overheard Antonio revealing his master plan to Rafael. The bastard had seduced me, took my virginity and my heart, all so I would sign over custody of Andreas to him.
It wasn’t good enough that I took care of his child around the clock, or that I cared for him as if he’d grown inside my own womb. No. What mattered was that I had something he wanted and he would stop at nothing to get it back. Absolutely nothing.
I felt like such a fool. An unsophisticated fool, I amended thinking about how I’d clumsily blurted out I love you after those three back to back orgasms had knocked a screw loose in my head. That had given him the final round of ammo he needed to get me to sign away custody. I wanted more than anything in the world at that moment, to just give him what he wanted. Sign away custody and move far away, so I could start living my life.
Then I imagined Andreas’ trusting blue eyes, and I knew I couldn’t abandon that little boy. Could I? Antonio would no doubt hire someone else to take care for him. But what if he was just a job to the next nanny? Or worse, what if she was more interested in Antonio than him?
I shook my head knowing I couldn’t do that to Andreas.
But I had to do something.
“Hey, is everything all right?” Harper stepped into my room and groaned. “I can’t believe they stuck you in here.”
“Why not? I am the nanny, and this room is for the help.” My words finally revealed the truth of my predicament, and along with it the realization that this was all my fault. I’d given my life to that little boy, to that family willingly. No one asked me to, because they didn’t have to. I’d done it all. I’d confused even myself, fooled myself into believing I was part of something. That I wasn’t alone. “What’s up?”
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Are you ready? Tomorrow’s the big day!” I tried for normal, but the words sounded too bright even to my ears.
“I’m ready,” she frowned, “but it looks like you’re not.”
I looked down at my jeans and pale green tunic and shrugged. “Andreas had a hard time today, so I thought I’d have dinner with him.” And the rest of the help, but I didn’t bother to add that part.
“Are you sure?”
“Perfectly.” I smiled with more effort this time because this was Harper’s wedding and I didn’t want to ruin it for her. “Did you need me to do something?”
“No I just wanted to chat with someone normal. All of this is kind of a lot, and if I didn’t love Rafa so much I’d be running in the opposite direction.”
“Well it’s a good thing you love him so much. Plus, this time tomorrow he’ll be your husband and you’ll be a princess.” Her gaze slid to my suitcases stacked in the corner. “Shouldn’t you be getting ready for the dinner?”
Harper sighed. “I thought we might get ready together, but since you’re not going I’ll get started.”
I hated guilt. “I’m sorry Harper, truly I am, but Andreas comes first. I promise tomorrow I will be all yours.” I wrapped my arms around her, giving her pregnant belly a rub. “I’m sorry but this is what happens when you’re friends with the help.”
She grinned. “I was the help too.”
“But now you’re queen of the castle, or you will be soon.” Despite my mood, I really was happy for Harper. She deserved this. “How about I fix your hair up for tonight?”
“Would you, really?”
“Of course. Let’s head to your room.” I paused at the door. “Rafa won’t be there will he?” I didn’t have anything against the man, but after hearing that conversation yesterday I didn’t want to see him.
“No, he’s off somewhere with Antonio.” She rolled her eyes and I followed her to their rooms which were twice as large as Andreas’. “Speaking of, what’s going on there?”
“Nothing. Less than nothing, in fact.”
She sat at the vanity in her bathroom and stared expectantly in the mirror. “Something is going on with you.”
“I’m fine Harper and I swear nothing will affect your wedding. You have my word.”
She scoffed. “I’m not worried about that Sasha. I’m worried about you.”
I couldn’t remember the last time someone worried about me, and it brought tears to my eyes. “Thanks, but it’s not necessary. I’m fine.”
“I don’t believe you, but since you have the curling iron in your hands I’m not going to argue.”
“Wise woman,” I smirked at her in the mirror. By the time I was done with her lavishly curled hairstyle she looked like the princess she would be in just a few hours. “You look stunning Harper. Have fun tonight.” I kissed her cheek and made my way back where I belonged.
The nanny’s quarters.
***
“I want you to make me look all sexy like you made my Harper look last night,” Edie instructed the moment I walked into the rooms designated as the bridal suite for the wedding.
“Good morning Edie. I’m not sure your hair is long enough for that style, but I’m happy to do something else.”
She waved my words off. “I knew you’d say, that which is why I had that handsome valet find me some of that weave you young girls love so much.” She proudly held up several bags of long gray hair. “Can you do it with this?”
“Uh, sure.”
“Grandma please, she is part of the wedding. The stylists and makeup artists will be here soon.” Harper wore a deep purple robe that fell to the floor but her skin had that flushed look of a woman in love and with child.
“Oh hush, they can put the weave in but I want Sasha to do it. Do you mind sweetheart?”
“Of course not Edie.” She was exactly what I would have wanted in a grandmother if I had one.
“Such a sweet girl,” she smiled at me before she turned to her granddaughter. “You packed for the honeymoon?”
“Grandma I told you we’re postponing the honeymoon for a few months.”
Edie waved her off. “Sex is good for the baby, trust me. Your mama was weeks overdo and I was hornier than the dickens. Your grandpa was terrified he’d hurt me, but I promised to hurt him if he made me do without. Twelve hours later your mama was born.” Edie winked, ignoring the horrified expressions we wore.
“Grandma!”
“What? Oh, I’m sorry did you get knocked up with a turkey
baster?”
I choked on my water at her words while Harper turned a brilliant shade of red. Finally, they moved on to other topics as the team arrived to make us all look gorgeous in front of an entire nation. In two hours, we all had new hairstyles, new faces and a bubbling excitement as the wedding time grew closer.
“You look beautiful Edie.”
She eyed herself in the mirror, paying particular attention to her hair. “Wait until Charlie gets a load of me.”
“Grandma,” Harper warned but even she couldn’t stop the laughter at Edie’s blunt words. “Hush up or I won’t give you both your bridal gifts.”
I froze. “That’s not necessary Harper.”
“Of course it is,” she insisted and handed us both gorgeous statement necklaces that looked like something she now sold to Hollywood starlets. “This is just a small thanks for flying out here and helping me make this day special.”
It was beautiful and I felt tears burn the back of my eyes again. “It’s amazing Harper, thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” she answered proudly. “Now can you please help me into my dress?”
I turned to remove the dress from its hanger as the door opened to reveal Rafael’s mother, the queen, and Antonio’s mother. I offered up a quiet good morning and helped Harper into her dress while the women chatted. “That is a beautiful gown.”
“You look magnificent as I knew you would,” said the queen.
She was right, Harper looked exactly like a fairytale princess with her elaborate blonde curls and big violet eyes eclipsing all else.
“Rafael is going to swallow his tongue,” I whispered to her.
She sniffled and laughed. “Thank you Sasha.”
The queen and princess stood before the woman who would soon be added to their ranks and presented her with a beautiful tiara filled with sparkling diamonds and trimmed with amethyst. “We had this commissioned for you as a welcome to our family Harper. Thank you for bringing Rafael back to me. To us.”
I turned away at their words and swiped a finger under my eye. As happy as I was for Harper, today highlighted just how alone I was in the world. I had no family to speak of, and after today I probably had even less than I realized. I turned when the queen addressed me.
Cowboy's Barmaid: A Small Town Military Romance (Lucky Flats Ranchers Book 2) Page 24