Accidentally Royal_An Accidental Marriage Romance

by R. S. Lively

  “I'm just afraid of letting myself get too attached again, and then having it turn out that Carter really is the monster Mason is making him out to be,” I say. “I don't know that I could take another broken heart like that. I mean, I know Carter has a past. He has some secrets.”

  “Don't we all?” she asks. “Listen, Mason is all about Mason. You know that as well as I do. He aspires to a higher office. He aspires to more power and control. And he's using you as a stepping stone to help him get there. He always has. He doesn't really give a damn about anything other than how something impacts him and his ability to control those people around him. Why do you think he and I hated each other so much growing up? I saw right through his bullshit and called him on it.”

  That much was true. Jade and Mason hated each other with a passion when we were kids. And that feeling didn't change as we got older. If anything, they both seemed even more entrenched in their positions on each other than before.

  Even still, despite her loathing of my brother, that doesn't make what she's saying any less true or valid.

  “You know the quickest way to clear this all up?” she asks. “Talk to Carter. Ask him about it point blank. Listen to your gut. Your intuition. If something seems off or you get any sort of a hinky feeling when he speaks, you'll have your answer.”

  “And what if my heart gets in the way and clouds my perceptions?”

  “It won't,” she says. “You're a hell of a lot smarter than that. You're not going to do something stupid and put yourself in a bad position. I know that much about you.”

  I reach across the table and take her hand, giving it a tight squeeze. I feel so lucky and blessed to have somebody like Jade by my side. She's my rock. She's also the first one to tell me when I'm being an idiot – something I value in her above most all other things.

  “You seem really invested in me getting together with Carter,” I say and laugh.

  “Honestly, it's because for the first time in, I don't even know how long, I see that you're happy,” she says. “It's hard to explain, but you just have this glow about you I haven't seen – oh, in about ten years. Plus, the fact that my girl is getting some toe-curling sex with one of the hottest men in New York makes me deliriously happy and insanely jealous all at the same time.”

  I laugh. “Shut up,” I say.

  “It's true,” she replies. “I think Carter is good for you, Darbs. I think he was right about you two being given a second chance for a reason. Don't screw it up by overthinking it. Listen to your gut. Trust yourself.”

  “Thank you, Jade.”

  “You owe me,” she says. “I want details about this toe-curling sex. Video if you have it.”

  I slap her hand and laugh. “I love you.”

  “And I love you, Darbs,” she says. “I just want you to be happy.”

  “That makes two of us.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  Carter

  “So? How'd the meeting go?” I ask.

  “About how we expected,” Rupert says and gives me a smile.

  “So, the hook is baited.”

  “Indeed it is.”

  We walk across the lobby on the ground floor of the office building and step into the coffee house located there. Despite the fact that it's after two, the place is still packed. Most of us tend to run on caffeine and adrenaline, so it's not all that surprising. We get into line and Rupert waves to a girl behind the counter. A pretty blonde little thing.

  “Didn't they outlaw child labor a hundred years ago?” I ask.

  “Eat shit,” Rupert replies, laughing. “She's a sophomore in college.”

  “And you're like thirty-two.”

  “Worrying about a slight age difference is so last century,” he says.

  “Slight?” I ask. “You were like, already in high school when that girl was born.”

  “Our love knows no arbitrary bounds like age,” he says.

  “Poetic.”

  “And like you have room to talk,” he says. “Isn't Darby –”

  “Six years,” I say. “Totally doesn't compare.”

  He shrugs and grins at me. “Yeah, it kinda does.”

  “Not even close.”

  We get to the counter and I place our order, paying for Rupert's and leave the girl a healthy tip. I will say, Rupert has good taste in women. She's a knockout, no question about it. A few minutes later, my name is called, and I grab our drinks. Rupert manages to peel himself away from his girl and we walk back out into the lobby. He raises his cup to me.

  “Grazie, my capitan,” he says.

  I nod. “So, when are you supposed to make the exchange?”

  “I told him I'd call him,” he says. “Wanted to coordinate it with you. We need to make sure we have clean visuals and audio.”

  “Agreed,” I say. “Let me call my guy.”

  He nods. “You coming up?”

  I shake my head. “Nah,” I reply. “I'm taking Darby to a new exhibit down at the Bog.”

  “Well, have a good time then.”

  Hold down the fort,” I reply. “And I'll let you know what I find out about when we can make the deal.”

  “Sounds good.”

  ~ooo000ooo~

  “The work is exquisite,” she says.

  The Bog – the Bogosian Museum – is a small museum located in Chelsea. It's not as well known as some, like the Guggenheim, but it has a collection of work that rivals it. It also houses paintings from one of my favorite painters.

  “I had no idea you were such a big fan of Caravaggio.”

  I nod. “I've always loved his work,” I say. “It's some of the most beautiful stuff I've ever seen. Well, until I saw yours, of course.”

  I squeeze her tight and kiss her neck as she giggles. I can't put into words what it is, but there's something off. Darby seems a little distracted tonight. It's like something's on her mind. She hasn't said anything, and it's subtle, but I can tell.

  “Everything okay with you?” I ask.

  She nods. “Yeah,” she says. “Everything's great.”

  She's obviously not ready to talk about it yet, so I'm not going to push it. Better to let her spin this out however she wants to. In her own time.

  We stroll around the museum for a while, looking at the amazing collection of works they've assembled. I've been to this museum many times – I'm a large donor to it, actually – and I always seem to find something new, every time. Something unexpected. Something I didn't see before. It's one of my favorite places to come.

  “Carter Bishop, lovely to see you again.”

  “Midge, great to see you too,” I say.

  Midge Waters, the museum's chief curator, walks over to us and gives me a hug. I've known Midge for a few years and have the utmost respect for her. She's a wonderful person and does an amazing job making the Bog one of the best museums in New York.

  “Midge, this is Da –”

  “Darby White,” she says, beaming. “I absolutely adore your work.”

  Darby blushes, but her smile is wide. “Thank you,” she says. “I appreciate that.”

  “I actually have a piece of yours hanging in my home,” Midge says. “It's your take on Munch's, The Scream. I thought what you did with it was utterly brilliant.”

  “Well, thank you,” she says.

  “I would love to have you in for a talk on modern art sometime, if you'd be interested?” Midge asks.

  “I'd love that,” Darby replies.

  “Excellent. I'll have somebody contact you to set it up.”

  I turn to Midge and smile. “Anything new and exciting not on the floor yet?”

  “As a matter of fact, there is,” she says slyly.

  “Any chance of getting a sneak peek?”

  “Not for anybody but you, Carter,” she says.

  I give her a wide smile. “You are too good to me, Midge.”

  “Damn right I am,” she says and laughs. “You have your passkey?”

  I nod. “Just so happens I do
.”

  “Well then, take your time and enjoy it.”

  “Thanks, Midge,” I say. “You're scoring me a lot of points with Darby here.”

  “Yeah well, remember that when donation time rolls around again.”

  “You know I will.”

  Midge laughs as she walks on and Darby looks at me, arching her eyebrow. “You have your own passkey to the lower levels of the Bog?”

  “I do indeed.”

  “Must be nice to rate so high.”

  “Not gonna lie, it has its privileges,” I laugh. “Seems like you've got a fanclub.”

  Darby smiles, but looks a little embarrassed. “It's kind of nice to be recognized,” she says softly.

  “Well, get used to it,” I say. “I have a feeling your star is on the rise in the art world.”

  “I wish.”

  “Watch and see,” I say. “So, shall we go below?”

  “After you.”

  We walk to a bank of elevators and step inside. Using the passkey, I punch the button for the basement floor and the car starts to descend. I look over at Darby, who's staring off into space. Something is definitely on her mind.

  “You sure everything's okay?” I ask.

  She nods. “Yeah. I'm good.”

  A soft bell chimes and the doors slide open. We step into a lobby with doors that lead to some offices and work rooms. The door I want is directly across from us. I offer Darby my arm and we step forward. Using the passkey, I unlock the door and hold it open for her.

  The interior of the large basement warehouse has a unique smell to it. I've never really been able to identify it though. About the most intelligent thing I can come up with to describe it is – old. Which isn't really saying all that much about my intelligence. Certain places though, have a distinct aroma all their own. Bookstores are one. That's a smell I never get tired of. And this place.

  Large racks stretch from one side of the room to the other, every rack holding carefully wrapped paintings and other items that either have been displayed, or will be. Some of the pieces are on loan and will need to be sent back to where they came from.

  The section I'm looking for though, is on the other side of the warehouse, beyond the racks.

  “Come on,” I say and take her hand.

  We walk through the towering racks, around assorted boxes, and rolling ladders, making our way to the far end of the warehouse. That's where Midge keeps the upcoming displays. She likes to lay them out beforehand to give the staff an idea of how she wants them set out.

  There are some statues, some old jewelry, and paintings galore. All in all, there are four separate displays, marking four different periods of time.

  “Looks like Midge has been busy,” Darby says.

  “She always is.”

  Darby approaches the rope that keeps us from running amok through the displays. I can see the excitement in her face looking at these rare and precious pieces of art and it makes me smile. I like being able to make her happy.

  “Come with me,” I say.

  I lead her to a room off to the side and open the door for her. I follow her in, allowing the door to swing shut behind us. To our left and right are work benches filled with a variety of tools used in the restoration process. Directly in front of us, on the far side of the room, is a large window that overlooks a sterile clean room. Darby walks toward it and I lag behind a few steps, admiring the way her ass swishes in her pencil skirt.

  She looks over her shoulder and catches me watching, giving me a smile.

  “Incorrigible,” she says.

  I shrug. “Not all works of art are on display in a museum.”

  She laughs and shakes her head. I join her at the window and look at several paintings in the process of being restored. The Bog does terrific work preserving these old treasures.

  “I've never seen the restoration process,” she says, as she surveys the pieces inside the clean room.

  “I got to see one from beginning to end once,” I say. “It's tedious and a little boring at times, but overall, it's pretty fascinating. I thought you might be interested in seeing this.”

  She nods. “I'd love to see the actual work being done.”

  I turn to her and take her in my arms, pulling me close. “Then, we'll have to set something up with Midge.”

  I lean down and kiss her, slipping my tongue past her lips as I run my hands through her hair. She seems a little stiff at first, but she warms up quickly. Our tongues swirl together as I take a handful of her hair and pull her head back nice and hard, exposing the soft, alabaster skin of her neck. I plant a line of kisses from her chin down to her chest, drawing a soft moan from her.

  “I don't know if we should be doing this in here,” she says softly.

  “Better than out on the museum floor,” I reply.

  “I have a feeling Midge wouldn't be too appreciative of that.”

  “Probably not.”

  I press my mouth to hers again and feeling her come alive in my arms sets me on fire. I grab her hand and put it on my hard cock. She grips me nice and hard, stroking me through my slacks. I knead her breasts through her shirt, circling my thumbs around her hard nipples.

  “We should probably be quick,” she says.

  “Probably so.”

  Kissing her again, I walk her backwards until we bump into one of the work benches. I slide her skirt up to her waist and slide her panties off, slipping them into my coat pocket. She runs her tongue from my ear down my neck, continuing to stroke me through my pants.

  “I need to be inside of you,” I say.

  “I need you inside of me,” she replies.

  Lifting her up, I set her down on the bench and she spreads her legs for me as she reaches for my belt. I help her undo it and slide my pants down as I step forward. Reaching into my interior coat pocket, I take out a condom and quickly put it on. Darby is biting her bottom lip, her eyes filled with fire and lust as she grips my cock and pulls me forward, guiding me to her wet opening.

  “Fuck me, Carter,” she says, her voice low and dripping with desire.

  Without a word, I slam my cock into her, hard and deep. Darby's eyes grow wide and she gasps as I fill her up completely. She leans her forehead against mine as she wraps her arms around the back of my neck, whimpering softly as I sheath myself fully inside of her.

  “Yes,” she whispers. “Fuck yes.”

  She digs her fingernails into the back of my neck, making me draw a sharp breath, as I start to drive myself into her. I pump my hips in a hard, steady rhythm, pounding my cock into her tight, wet little pussy. She slides her hands down and grips my ass, urging me on.

  “Harder, baby,” she growls, her eyes burning with desire. “Faster. Fuck me, Carter. Give it to me hard.”

  I grab hold of her hands and pin them to the table top, bracing myself on my arms on either side of her. Stepping closer forces Darby to lay down on her back. I have her pinned to the table, unable to move. Unable to do anything but lay there and let me fuck her.

  “Yes, baby,” she says as I drive myself into her harder. “Just like that. Yes.”

  I stand up again and put her thighs up on my forearms, giving me a little more leverage as I hold on and bang her even harder. The sound of flesh striking flesh echoes around the small room with an impossibly loud crack.

  Gripping her thighs even tighter, I grit my teeth as I start to feel my body tensing. I pound myself into her again and again, harder and faster. Darby bites the side of her hand to keep her from crying out too loudly. I'm turned on by her muffled screams and groans though, and fuck her with a renewed vigor.

  I quickly pull her off the table and spin her around. Keeping her skirt up around her waist, I bend her over the workbench, taking a handful of her hair and pull her head back as I thrust my prick into her again. Darby stutters and gasps as I fuck her, pressing herself back into me, taking my cock even deeper into her.

  An electric sensation ripples through my body and the tension begins t
o build. I grip her hair tighter and drive myself harder into her, our gasps and moans blending in perfect erotic harmony. I give her a quick slap on the ass with my free hand, drawing a sharp squeal from Darby.

  She looks at me over her shoulder, biting her bottom lip. Her cheeks are flushed, and her breathing is ragged. I feel her body tensing up beneath me as I plunge into her deep and hard. I throw my head back, a growl that's barely human passing my lips as my body begins to tighten. I know I'm not going to last much longer.

  “Come for me, Carter,” she gasps. “Come for me.”

  Pushing myself as deep inside of her as I can go, Darby lets out a strangled gasp. A moment later, she cries out my name as her body begins to tremble. As her pussy clenches harder around my cock, squeezing me tight, I feel the familiar pulsing as I empty my seed into the condom inside of her.

  Together, we shudder and gasp, our bodies riding currents of ecstasy. We stay like that, joined together for several long moments, reveling in the warmth and glow of the act. Slowly, our breathing returns to normal and as I stand, my deflated cock slips out of her. I slide the condom off and toss it into the nearby trash can, covering it with some pieces of crumpled up paper.

  I pull my pants up quickly and get myself sorted as Darby slides her skirt down and does the same. A moment later, our eyes meet, and we share a warm laugh.

  “You know we're acting like a couple of horny teenagers,” she says.

  I pull her to me and kiss her full, soft lips. “I wouldn't have it any other way.”

  She looks into my eyes and I see that shadow pass through them – the one that's been hovering around her all night long. I let it pass though, preferring to enjoy the moment. Still, I can't help but wonder what's going through her mind.

  “We should probably get back upstairs,” she says.

  “I suppose so.”

  Together, we walk out of the restoration workshop, hand-in-hand. We make our way back upstairs and she leans her head against my shoulder on the elevator ride back up.

  “Thank you for tonight,” she says.

  “My pleasure,” I say. “Will you stay with me tonight?”