Twice Upon a Time

by Olivia Cunning

  The man on the floor groaned. Reece released Lara and kicked the man in the ribs.

  He then put his foot on the man's throat. “Who sent you to kil Farima?” Reece asked, his voice only half as cold as his heart felt at the moment. He leaned forward, putting more of his weight on his foot. The man choked. “Tell me who sent you.” There was a flash of metal, and Reece expected the knife the man had been hiding to end up through the instep of his foot, but instead the assassin stabbed himself through his open mouth and into his own brainstem. He went limp, instantly dead.

  Lara screamed. Reece stepped away from the dead man on the floor and pulled Lara from the edge of the bed, dragging her to the far side of the room. She clung to him, sobbing against his chest harder now than before. He held her against him, murmuring soothing words under his breath, until several guards entered the room.

  They took in the scene before them and one of them raced out of the room, apparently to find additional help. Two of the guards checked on the dead assassin. Another approached Reece.

  “Is the princess safe?” the man asked.

  Reece nodded. “Just frightened and maybe a little bruised.” The dark man nodded. “That man is one of the Kadins' eunuchs,” he said. “I'm certain the governor will wish to speak with his mistress.” The Kadin. The first wife of a harem. Was that who was threatening Farima? The governor better do more than speak to her or Reece would take matters in his own hands—assuming history al owed him to intervene. He knew from past experience that he couldn’t change history even if he wanted to. At least not in a way that would have an effect on the future. Reece nodded again. “I'd like to take the princess away from this room until the body is removed. Perhaps there is a different room she could use that has a bit less blood on the floor.”

  “The room next door is vacant,” the man said.

  Reece lifted Lara into his arms and carried her out to the bathing pavilion before entering the neighboring suite. This one was just as opulent as the first. Reece carried Lara to a divan and set her down. When he stood to retrieve a sheet to wrap around her nude body, she clung to his hand.

  “Don't leave me alone,” she pleaded.

  “I won't let you out of my sight,” he promised.

  She reluctantly released his hand and he hurried to retrieve a cover for her before returning to the divan. He took note of the darkening marks on her long neck. If the bastard hadn't been dead already, this sight would have driven Reece to murder.

  “Hold me, Reece,” she requested.

  He gladly complied, sitting next to her on the divan and pulling her into his arms.

  “Why did he do that? Why did he kill himself?” she asked.

  “I'm certain his punishment for trying to assassinate you would have been death. He chose his own death rather than reveal who sent him to kill you.”

  “Why would anyone try to kill me?” she asked.

  He stroked her back soothingly. “A harem is a scary place,” he murmured.

  Chapter Five

  Lara was glad that Reece didn't leave her side for the rest of the day. Even when Farima’s mother-in-law came to speak to her about the incident, he refused to leave the room. Rather than be angered by his behavior, the governor's mother seemed pleased that he was so dedicated to the princess’s well-being. As night approached, a meal was brought to Farima in her room. One of the eunuchs tasted all of the dishes before leaving her alone with Reece to eat. She insisted he sit down and eat with her. He complied, but warned her of the possibility of someone entering the room and seeing he had the audacity to dine with royalty. She didn't care. Her feelings for Reece were growing stronger with each passing moment they shared. Farima loved Nasir just as much. Lara wanted the couple to be together even if it meant the end of a politically motivated marriage. They needed to find a way to be together. Just as Reece had found a way to be with her after he’d discovered her murdered in that parking garage.

  “Try some of this,” she said, placing a bite of perfectly seasoned pilaf on his tongue.

  “It's good,” he said, watching her while he chewed. That look. She knew what it meant. It didn’t take a second for her thoughts to fol ow his towards the more physical expression of their growing love.

  “I'm feeling sort of dirty,” she whispered, glancing up at him. “Do you think you might help me through another bath?”

  He grinned, and her heart skipped a beat. “I think I can handle that.” She smiled and ate another bite of pilaf savoring its perfectly seasoned flavor.

  Reece placed a hand on her lower back, soothingly stroking her bare skin beneath her clothes.

  “I'll probably need another massage to relax me as well,” she whispered.

  “Not a problem.”

  “And I'll want you to make love to me, of course.”

  “I aim to please,” he whispered. He kissed her gently, and she opened her mouth, pulling him closer. His fingers found the tip of her breast and stroked her pebbled nipple until she cried out with need.

  “I'm feeling very dirty right now,” she said, standing up and abandoning their meal.

  She led him to the bath. There were a few torches lighting the bathing pavilion but the main source of light was the moonlight streaming through the arched doorways on the far side.

  “I'm so glad Farima’s husband has a private bath,” she murmured, standing still as Reece's hands moved to remove her clothing.

  “Are you sure about this, sweetheart? You've had a pretty traumatizing day.” He swept her top aside and it dropped to the floor.

  “I'm sure,” she whispered. Every inch of her thrummed with longing for him.

  He bent his head and flicked her hardened nipple with his tongue before drawing it into his mouth and sucking. She clung to his shoulders, her knees going weak. He rubbed the surface of his tongue over her nipple and then lifted his head to kiss her eager lips. His fingers brushed feather-light over the skin of her lower back as he molded her body to his. The crisp hair on his chest teased her breasts. The evidence of his excitement pressed against her lower bel y robbed her of all remaining strength.

  “Reece,” she moaned into his mouth.

  He drew away and looked down at her. “Is now a good time to tell you how I feel about you?”

  She stared up at him, her heart drumming. Shadows obscured his expression. He lifted one hand to touch her face. She couldn't have responded if she tried.

  “I'll wait then,” he said. He unfastened her pants and moved away to draw them down her trembling thighs.

  “Don’t wait. Tell me. Say it as often as you like,” she gushed.

  He smiled. “I want to be with you always. No matter where. No matter when. I love you, Lara.”

  “I love you, too.”

  “That’s good,” he said. “Sex is so much better with the one you love. You showed me that.”

  “Show me.”

  She wondered if things had always been like this between them. Had he always made her feel like a vessel of smooth, melted chocolate? Like there was a fire beneath her, turning her boneless, making her feel like she was the most delectable object on Earth. He was so familiar with every inch of her body, as if there was some Guide to the Many Erogenous Zones of Lara Kensington available at local bookstores. Reece's personal y autographed copy was dog-eared, with highlighted passages, notes in the margins, and sticky notes marking the best parts. He sank to his knees and lightly stroked the backs of her knees with his fingertips while he kissed trail along the inside of her thigh.

  “Reece,” she whispered. “How do you make me want you like this?” He chuckled. “I was well-trained.”

  He blew a cool breath across the moist flesh between her thighs and she shuddered.

  “Remind me to send your teacher a thank you card.”

  “Save yourself a stamp and just pat yourself on the back, sweetheart. Are you ready for your bath?”

  “We could skip the bath and go straight to the love making.” His tongue swiped across
her swollen clit before he stood. She collided with his chest, cupping his face in her hands as she kissed him eagerly. She wasn't sure when he'd removed his pants, but the smooth skin of his erection rubbed against her belly.

  She moved her hand to run the length of it. He gasped into her mouth and she smiled, glad he was as affected by her as she was by him. She stroked the engorged tip of him with her thumb, encouraged by the bead of moisture she found there. God he was hard, and big. She couldn't wait until he filled her again. She moved her hand to the base and gently scraped her nails across his sac. She suddenly found herself in the air and moving towards the water.

  “Enough of that,” he growled. “I won't last ten seconds if you keep that up.” She chuckled and gasped when he set her in the cool water of the bath. He sat her on a set of steps, the water lapping against her waist. He settled between her thighs, holding himself up with an arm on either side of her body. She opened her legs to him, eager to accept him into her body. He merely stared down at her, his eyes drifting to her breasts and then back to her face.

  “You are the most beautiful woman who ever lived.” He kissed her and pushed forward, seeking entrance into her hot, swollen core. Her hands eagerly moved between them and guided him home. She sheathed him as if she'd been made specifically for him and rocked her hips forward to drive him deep. He lifted her against him, driving himself deeper stil and her head fell back in undisguised bliss as he waded into deeper waters. When they were hidden in the alcove where the water trickled into the pool, he pressed her up against the wall, al owing the water to cascade over her skin. He thrust into her slowly at first and then faster, driving her to a state of pleasured delirium.

  “Reece,” she gasped. “Reece!”

  “Shh, sweetheart,” he whispered. “They'll think someone is trying to murder you again.”

  She couldn't help it. His hands gripped her buttocks, his fingers brushing against a part of her she'd not even realized held such erotic delight until he'd shown her earlier that day. When he pressed a fingertip into the puckered opening, the dam holding back her pleasure burst. She cried out as her body quaked with release.

  “That's my kinky, girl,” he whispered, sucking her earlobe into his mouth as he continued to assault her senses in a most delectable way. “Do you like my finger in your ass?”

  “Yes,” she admitted breathlessly, groaning when he pressed deeper.

  When her body stopped convulsing, he drew away. She knew he had yet to have an orgasm of his own. She wondered why he didn’t seek his own release. Reece shifted her to the edge of the pool, where earlier he had set her to shave her legs. He turned her to face the ledge now and moved behind her, he brushed her hair aside and kissed her neck before his fingers found her nipples. He plucked them, exciting her with his harsh touch as he had with the gentler one of before. She could feel him seeking entry again and she arched her back to ease his way. He slid inside her after several failed attempts and she squirmed her hips to accept him deeper. His hands glided over her rib cage and gripped her hips beneath the water, lifting her feet off the floor of the pool as he pressed forward. When he was fully inside her, he shifted his fingers to her clit and rubbed her there until a second climax enthral ed her. She gripped the edge of the pool straining against him as her sheath tightened around his cock in spasmodic waves.

  “I never understood men who don't take the time to bring their woman to orgasm,” he said. “They can't possibly know how good it feels to have this wonderful sensation pulling at their cock. There is nothing like it.” The husky timber of his voice made her tremble deep inside.

  He thrust into her hard, ruthlessly. She strained against him, wanting him to never stop. Every sensation was adding to her pleasure, the lap of the water against the tips of her breasts, the scrape of the hair of his legs against the back of her thighs, the fingers of his left hand digging into her hip, his other fingers persistently stroking her clit, the cool marble against her hands as she held her position to accept his vigorous thrusts. His breaths became shaky as he moved closer to climax. She let the sound wash over her, her only regret was that she couldn't see his face when he finally let go.

  A thrill of delight snaked down her spine, and then her third climax gripped her. She cried out in surprise and shuddered. Reece groaned in the same instant. The magic of the moment was intense as pleasure carried them away together. Lara’d had no idea that she was multi-orgasmic. Or maybe Farima was the lucky one and Lara was being taken along her path of easy bliss.

  Reece leaned against Lara’s back and she went limp in the water. The water supported their weary bodies as they slowly drifted back to Earth from the stars. His arms moved to circle her waist, one hand palming her breast as he cuddled up against her back.

  “You're amazing,” he breathed.

  “Me? You're the amazing one.”

  He chuckled. “Yeah, well I try to please my lady. It’s in the job description.” He planted a gentle kiss on her shoulder.

  “Your lady is definitely pleased,” she murmured lethargically, “though I’m not sure you’ve correctly interpreted that job description. Not that I’m complaining.” She could feel his smile against her shoulder. “It only took three orgasms to get you to admit you’re my lady.”

  “I hope that doesn't mean you're going to stop working as hard to please me.”

  “Now I'l work even harder to keep your interest.”

  “No wonder I feel in love with you,” she murmured. “It was definitely for your body and not for your lame jokes.”

  “Whatever works, sweetheart. Whatever works.”

  Chapter Six

  Reece was dozing in a collection of soft cushions beside Lara's bed when a eunuch brought their morning meal into the room. Reece watched through hooded eyes as the man set the platters of flatbreads, feta cheese and vegetables on the slab that served as a table. The man kept glancing over his shoulder at the sleeping princess and then her guard, whom he apparently assumed was also sleeping. His nervousness was apparent, which certainly raised Reece's suspicions. When the man moved to leave, Reece cleared his throat.

  “Aren't you going to taste each dish?” Reece asked.

  The man started and spun around, his dark eyes locating Reece, who was lounging comfortably among the cushions.

  “I did, sir,” the man said.

  “I must have missed it. Perhaps, you should try it again.”

  “I assure you this food is safe for the princess.”

  “Then you'll have no problems consuming some for your own pleasure, with me watching, natural y.”

  “I assure you this food is safe,” he said. He bowed and headed for the door.

  Safe, my ass! “Where are you going?” Reece asked, climbing to his feet.

  “I must bring the morning meal to the others,” he said.

  “You're not the same man who brought Farima's food yesterday.” Lara was stirring. “Nasir,” she murmured, rubbing her face drowsily and, he couldn't help but notice, looking irresistibly sexy, as usual. “What's wrong?”

  “Go back to sleep, Farima,” Reece said, crossing the room to stand in front of the door. This man was not leaving until he tested the food with Reece watching. “I have everything under control.”

  The eunuch surprised him by shoving him to the side and running out the door.

  Reece shouted, “Don't eat the food, Farima,” before he ran after the eunuch.

  The man would have been an Olympic class sprinter in the 21st century. He raced far ahead of Reece, turning corners with the precision of an Italian made sports car.

  Darting around pil ars and rushing through common areas that were empty at this early hour, the gap between them lengthened with every step. Reece pursued him, half his mind back with Lara, whom he'd left alone. What if someone decided to attack her in his absence? Or if she didn’t heed his warning about the food? The man Reece was chasing ducked around a corner. Reece fol owed. When he turned the corner, the man was gone. Reece drew t
o a halt, breathing hard. He concentrated on quieting his breath so he could listen for receding footsteps or any sound that might alert him to the other man’s hiding place. Reece glanced back down the corridor, his fear for Farima tangible.

  He needed to return to her at once. He turned to go and caught a movement out of the corner of his eye.

  He sidestepped just in time to miss the downward thrust of a knife. Who would have thought that a harem would be one of the most dangerous places he'd ever visited?

  Reece ducked and kicked the man in the knee in the same motion. As planned, the man's knee buckled, and he staggered, but did not go down. Reece stood, looking for his next opening. The African man lunged at Reece, swinging his blade in a wide arch.

  It slashed Reece across the chest. Deep enough to bleed, but not enough to kil .

  Praising his martial arts training, Reece side-kicked the man in the side and then, while the man's concentration was broken, roundhouse kicked him in the jaw, knocking him to the ground. Reece would have kicked him in the balls to keep him down, but, well, a eunuch didn't have any.

  On impact, the knife flew out of the man's hand, slid across the floor, and disappeared in the shadows. Reece, bent to force the man back to his feet. Sweat made the wound on Reece’s chest sting, but he was too hyped on adrenaline to feel much pain. The man struggled to free himself from Reece's grasp, but a forearm to the nose settled him down.

  “Who is trying to kill the princess?” Reece asked in a cold voice. When the man refused to speak, Reece slammed him into the wall, with his forearm pressed hard into the man's chest. “I'm only going to repeat this once. Who is trying to kil Farima?”

  “I will not answer any of your questions,” he said.

  “Perhaps counsel with the governor will loosen your tongue. Or with her father, the sultan.”

  “I will taste the food now to prove to you it is not poisoned.”