Love Schemes

by Stacy Charasidis

  Ava jumped in. “We need supplies. My father will not be pleased to find out I’ve absconded with Seraphina’s fiancé, so I know he won’t help or house us.” She looked a bit sad for a moment, but the expression disappeared quickly.

  Brody looked at Ava. “Don’t you worry about money. I’ve got it covered.”

  Doran looked at Seraphina, who smiled. “I think it’s a great idea. I can’t get married if there’s no groom.”

  He thought for a moment before he responded. “Okay, Seraphina and I will get you some gold so you can get the supplies you need, but only if you and Seraphina try to speak to your fathers one more time.”

  Seraphina looked sceptical. “You know my father can manipulate me easily. If you want proof, look at the horrible situation I’m still in!”

  Brody looked worried. Something else was bothering him, Doran thought.

  Brody shuffled his feet impatiently. “I don’t think it will make a difference in the end. All my father wants is to continue fishing with King and not fight a war.”

  Seraphina looked at Brody. “Your father said that? Did he say that he’d be humiliated, or King would be, or something to that effect? Wait, did he talk about a dirty sock?”

  “No sock, but yeah to the rest.” Brody looked upset, and punched his fists together. “I don’t want to make my family unhappy.”

  Seraphina looked at Brody. “They’re in cahoots, Brody. Your father used the same arguments with you as mine did with me, to make us feel guilty and do our duty!”

  “As royal heirs,” Brody said primly.

  “Oh, that’s such bullshit!” Seraphina laughed. “I’m sure King set me up with that stupid romance novel he was reading—trying to soften me up and think sweet things about him because he was missing my mother.”

  Doran looked across the room to a bookshelf behind his desk. “No, actually, that quirk is real. That bookcase is dedicated to romance novels. You just couldn’t see them before, behind the mess.”

  “King said they were my mother’s.”

  Doran shook his head. “Nope, it’s clearly marked ‘King’s Books. Touch and Die’ on them.”

  “Oh.” Her father was such a shyster.

  Ava interjected. “While King’s reading matter is an interesting subject of discussion, we are getting a bit off topic. The wedding is in two days. Brody and Seraphina, you both need to speak to your parents as soon as you can. Doran, if you could get us some money, I’ll get the supplies we’ll need.”

  Doran was thinking furiously. “I’ll give you enough gold to outfit the four of us. We won’t stay either.”

  “Yes, we’ll come back when they realize they can’t run our lives!” Seraphina said hotly.

  Doran picked up a couple of the gold sacs he normally took with him. “So…we’ll see you later. Ava, I’ll give you the money this afternoon.”

  Brody rubbed his hands together. “Much appreciated. Let me help you, ol’ buddy. I’m strong—”

  Seraphina frowned. This was unexpected. Did she omit wearing underclothing for nothing? That had better not happen.

  Ava smiled mischievously at her cousin before putting her hand on Brody’s arm. “I know you want to help your friend, Brody, but the treasure room is a secret place.” Ava winked at Doran, who was looking relieved. “Why don’t we wait here while they go get the gold? It’ll take what…an hour maybe two to get there and back?”

  “At least,” Seraphina agreed, choking a bit.

  Doran was having a hard time keeping a straight face.

  “We can stay here and wait. It’s quiet,” Ava purred at Brody. “You need the rest, having been under so much stress.”

  Brody nodded. “That’s a good idea, Ava. Okay, we’ll wait here. See you in a few hours.”

  Doran took Seraphina’s hand and dragged her to the door that led down to the treasure room and pulled her through, shutting it soundly behind him.

  Brody turned and was punching his hands together. “I wish I had my vintage warrior-knight gauntlets with me.”

  Ava walked to the wooden doors of the office and locked them with a small click. She turned and leaned against the door. She stretched her arms up sinuously, wiggling her hips suggestively, her little maid skirt rising up, past the juncture of her legs. She was bare under her skirt. His heart started to pound and he felt his groin grow heavy and start to stiffen. He was going to have sex with Ava.

  “Trust me my love, you won’t need them for the next little while,” she said with a small smile.

  Chapter 37 – Brody and Ava

  “I know you miss your gauntlets, but maybe I can distract you,” she said, undoing the buttons of her uniform and opening it wide so her chest was exposed. Her breasts jutted out firmly, small pink nipples begging to be touched. Brody advanced, breathing heavily. He took off his shirt so he could feel her breasts against his chest as he took her in his arms and bent down to kiss her. Her body and her mouth were warm. She wrapped her arms around his neck and they held each other tight as they kissed ravenously, tongues sliding as they tasted each other.

  It didn’t matter that he’d spent hours between her legs the night before, thrusting and pushing and loving her until she screamed with pleasure. His body hungered for hers, to join with her and remain that way. God, he loved this girl so much.

  She was moaning against him. One of his hands had slipped under her skirt and was pleasuring her. He could tell she wanted him inside her right now, but instead, he lifted her up and carried her to one of the ornate velvet chairs, lifting up her skirt so that her derriere was exposed. He opened her legs, wrapping them over each arm handle. Her arms were still tightly around his neck, and he hadn’t broken their kiss. His sex was pressed against hers, and she moaned at the pressure. He nudged her a little and she let go. “Lean back,” he said gruffly, holding her legs firmly as he moved down to put his mouth on her. She bucked, but he held her down firmly with one forearm while he used the fingers of his other hand to enter and withdraw from her body. When he began to use his tongue instead of his fingers, she relaxed and just moaned in ecstasy, her hands running through his hair, pulling his face toward her.

  Her pose was so provocative Brody was painfully hard. He tugged his pants down and rose up. The view of her completely open almost undid him. Ava’s eyes were glazed, her legs spread wide, ready for him. He bent over her and while kissing her, entered into her slowly, wrapping his arms around her and sliding his hands down to hold her butt, squeezing her cheeks as he pushed in all the way. Then he lost it. Holding her in a vice grip he thrust into her powerfully, grinding against her. Within minutes she screamed in release, holding on helplessly to his pumping hips. He followed with a roar, crushing her to him.

  Panting, Brody leaned back bringing Ava with him and seating her in his lap. He wrapped his arms around her, still deep inside her, and just kissed her. She wrapped her legs around his hips tightly and kissed him back, running her hands through his hair. If this wasn’t love, he wondered as he ran his hands over her soft skin, he didn’t know what was.

  They had a fun couple of hours. Ava teased Brody as he chased her around the room. Depending on where he’d catch her, he’d take her in some interesting position. She’d let him have some fun before squirming away. After after Brody had finally pinned her down on Doran’s desk and made her scream with pleasure again, they rested, snoozing curled up together in Doran’s large leather chair.

  “I hope the gold isn’t too heavy to carry all that way,” Brody said sleepily. “It sounds like such a long walk.”

  Ava just kissed his head and smiled.

  Chapter 38 – Doran and Seraphina

  They ran down to the treasure room, giggling.

  “That was close,” Seraphina said.

  “You have no idea. Thank God for Ava.” If not for her, Doran was sure Brody would try to court him.

  “She’s probably entertaining him right now,” Seraphina said slyly. She wanted Doran to have provocative images in his head.r />
  He cleared his throat, embarrassed. “That would be right down Ava’s alley.”

  Seraphina laughed. “I love her. She’s a smart girl. She gave us two hours together!”

  Doran snorted. “She gave herself two hours as well.”

  They entered the treasure room and Seraphina watched as Doran walked gracefully through the room. His butt looked very good in those pants. She hoped she’d get to “entertain” Doran. Seraphina was breathing rapidly. Doran had walked to the couch and looked behind him, invitingly. As she got nearer she could see the hand he held out to her was trembling slightly. She took it and he pulled her close to him and bent to kiss her. It was a soft, breathless kiss. Her heart was beating frantically with excitement, and she could tell his was too.

  “I have a surprise for you,” she said softly, as his mouth moved from hers to kiss her jaw and then her neck.

  “Hmmm? What is it?” he asked quietly, kissing the top of her breastbone.

  In one smooth movement she slipped her arms out of her dress and let the top fall. Doran took a deep breath as he stared. Seraphina’s breasts were beautiful. Round like large apples, they were firm with pink nipples the size of a gold piece. She ran her hands through his hair and brought his mouth down to one, pert breast. He put his mouth over her nipple and rubbed his tongue across it. He cupped the other one with his hand, rubbing his thumb lightly over the stiff nub. She sighed with pleasure.

  His mouth moved to the other one as Seraphina gently removed his shirt. He didn’t even notice her undoing the buttons.

  “Kiss me,” she whispered, and his mouth covered hers. They made out passionately, chest to chest. Seraphina was hot. She needed something. She ran her hands restlessly around the band of Doran’s pants then undid them quickly, letting them slide to the floor. Doran protested but she ran her hand over his very hard part and he gasped, waiting for her to do it again, so she did.

  He groaned as he threw her onto the couch. He stripped then pulled off her dress so there wouldn’t be material in his way as he pressed against her. She didn’t have any underwear on. He was shocked.

  “Seraphina!” he said with delight. She was built like a goddess, all creamy, curvy pale skin and fiery red curls at the juncture of her thighs. He kissed her breasts and her belly, licking inside her belly button. She squirmed shyly as he buried his face in her curls. Oh God, she smelled like sex. He wanted her so badly.

  “Doran, do something,” she pleaded, moaning a little. “I’m so turned on I can’t sleep anymore. All I think about is you, kissing me and touching me. I don’t even want to eat.”

  Doran was heavy and hard. He was so beautiful, tall and slender with a flat muscular stomach that tapered to his groin. He lay on top of her, their skin touching from mouth to toes. He pushed against her and he could feel her slick wetness. She was ready, if he was.

  He groaned as he slid against her slowly, pressing hard. He knew she needed release, but he didn’t want to take her virginity casually in a treasure room on a couch he suspected her parents had put there for privacy. He wanted her to be his wife, or at least his betrothed, when he did. He’d gone into Gold River yesterday with his childhood ring, and after picking a fiery ruby had asked the smith to make him a gold and ruby ring so he could propose to Seraphina. It would only be ready tomorrow, the night before her “wedding” to Brody. He knew she loved him and wanted to make love with him, but he wanted to wait for something special.

  She was writhing underneath him.

  “Seraphina,” he whispered, barely in control himself. He pressed against her. Just a slight change in angle, and a thrust of his hips, and they’d both be in heaven. One more day, he thought to himself.

  “I want the first time we make love to be special,” he said softly, groaning as she grabbed his butt and ground herself against his swollen flesh. “For now, I can relieve you another way.”

  Seraphina’s eyes were glazed with passion. “What way?”

  He kissed her mouth and then trailed down her neck, stopping at both breasts, before continuing over her belly and below. Seraphina was absolutely still as he made his way down, his warm lips touching her skin and his tongue leaving a moist trail. When his mouth reached the apex of her thighs she gasped as he licked her. She had no idea people did such pleasurable things to each other. She moaned when he started using his fingers and opened her legs wider, working diligently to make her squirm. Panting, she screamed with pleasure as she came, her fingers tangled in Doran’s hair. When she stopped writhing, he moved over her again and kissed her.

  “Feel better?” he asked with a smile. Seraphina felt warm and sated. What an incredible experience.

  “What can I do for you?” Seraphina asked Doran, her green eyes stormy with passion for him.

  “I’ll show you,” he said softly.

  Later, they walked up the stone steps, each carrying a bag of coins and gems. It took them a while to get back to Doran’s office as Seraphina stopped frequently to rest, which turned into heavy kissing sessions until Doran realized she was doing it on purpose.

  Seraphina couldn’t help herself. The things they had done in that room were so…naughty, but so incredibly exciting. She loved touching him, and the fact that she could thrilled her. Doran was hers. Her prince, her love. He obviously returned her affections. Beautiful Doran, the way he stared at her and touched her made her shiver.

  Just before entering his office he pulled her to him and kissed her hard. “Maybe tonight I can stay with you in your rooms. We’ll have an adult pyjama party.”

  Seraphina’s heart skipped a beat. All night with Doran? That sounded like a dream come true.

  “I accept, Prince Doran. Just don’t invite your girlfriend Brody along.”

  Doran laughed. “Don’t be jealous, flame-haired one. He is only a dancing partner, nothing more. It means nothing.”

  When they entered Doran noticed his desk was not as he left it. “Hey, have you guys been touching my stuff?”

  Brody looked nervous. “No, we just looked at a few things.”

  “My whole desk has been rearranged!” Doran exclaimed, moving things around. “And there’s stuff on the floor!”

  “Oh, well.” Ava didn’t look contrite in the least as Seraphina handed her some gold. “Thanks, Seraphina. I’ll find you when we’re back.”

  Ava and Brody left. Doran looked at them suspiciously. “Something happened here they’re not telling me. Is Ava’s skirt shorter than usual?”

  Seraphina thought about it. “Oh, yeah. That’s the ‘bum skirt’ because you can see her bum when she bends over. She always wore that skirt to clean the male rooms. She has another outfit that’s a bit more modest.”

  “Ugh,” Doran said, looking at his desk suspiciously. “Do you think…?”

  Seraphina looked at the desk with great interest. “Oh, probably. After all, I would have,” she said with a roguish smile.

  “Great, now I have to clean my desk.”

  Chapter 39 – Faith and Zuric

  Faith was having a terrible week. She watched jealously as Seraphina and Doran snuck around, loving each other secretly. She watched Ava and Brody together and felt pain in her heart. Brody was showing Ava his horse while wearing a strange pair of gauntlets. Ava was laughing as Brody did some warrior moves to impress her. Why couldn’t she have that? Why was Zuric such a blockhead?

  After their ride in the forest, Zuric had avoided Faith like the plague. She couldn’t get him alone, not even for a minute. At one point, in the guard house he’d practically held hands with another soldier so the man couldn’t leave him alone with her.

  Faith had given up. She wanted to go home, but she had to stay for the stupid wedding nobody wanted.

  She wanted to get married and have a family, but no one would ask her. Certainly not chivalrous, metal-clad bonehead knights, even though he obviously loved her. Even though he knew she loved him.

  What was a girl to do?

  She wanted to smack someone.r />
  Seraphina came by humming. “Hey Faith,” she said, giving her a big hug. “Have you seen King? I need to talk to him.”

  “I think he’s in his chambers,” she said petulantly, looking at Seraphina with narrow, jealous eyes.

  “Thanks,” she said, breezing by.

  “You look happy,” Faith commented. Since Seraphina started seeing Doran, she didn’t spend any time with Faith, and she’d invited her here for support. Had she come to be ignored? Hmmph. Maybe Seraphina would notice how miserable Faith was and ask her about it.

  “I just spent two hours in the treasure room with Doran,” she said dreamily. Faith looked less than impressed.

  “You didn’t!” she said, dully. Everyone was getting some except her.

  “What? No! Well, technically no. It was so wonderful,” she gushed, looking at her cousin. “I love him so much, Faith. I really need to find King.” Seraphina disappeared.

  Faith was furious. She was so thwarted. Nobody cared.

  She wanted to slap someone!

  Zuric came around the corner and tried to backpedal when he saw her. That was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Faith marched toward him and before he could blink, slapped him so hard she was sure his ears were ringing like church bells.

  “We’re through!” she screeched, bursting into giant, broken-hearted sobs. “I am not waiting for you to be a man anymore! Tonight, I’m going to find another man to marry me. You can go and live with the pigs for all I care!” she raged.

  All her pent up frustration and anger burst through and she ran by him, crying.

  “Faith, wait!” he said, pain in his voice.

  But Faith was past caring. She’d attend this fiasco of a wedding and then she was going home.

  Chapter 40 – Seraphina and Brody

  That evening, Seraphina tried to find King to talk to him about the wedding again, but he was nowhere to be found. He’d sneaked away from her this afternoon after she’d thrown a tantrum and issued threats in his presence. When she passed out in fury, only Belle was there when she woke up, with her usual jug of cold water.