by Kim Loraine
“What are you waiting for? You said you’d take me to bed, Ryder.”
In answer, I claim her mouth and walk us to the king sized bed. “I’m never letting you out of bed. Fuck the kingdom. We’re staying here.”
She laughs, but her expression goes serious when I lie her on the mattress. “You’re very clothed.”
“And you’re quite nude.”
“I need to see you. All of you.”
I nod and reach behind my head to grasp the soft cotton of my T-shirt. In one smooth movement the fabric is off my body and on the floor. The flare in her gaze goes straight to my cock. “Like what you see?”
“Very much.” Her hand trails over the ladder of muscles that define my stomach. “I knew you were fit, but this…”
Her fingers hover over the waistband of my jeans. “Go on, you do the rest.”
She pops the button and lowers the zipper, the concentration on her face would be adorable if I wasn’t so aroused. Every brush of her fingers over my hips sends jolts of need through me. Then my pants are open, and her warm hand grips my shaft. She gives a cursory stroke as if to test me and I groan.
“How much have you experienced?”
Confusion furrows her brow. “I don’t understand.”
“I know you’re a virgin, but surely you’ve fooled around.”
She bites her lower lip. “No. My knowledge comes from romance novels and episodes of Outlander.” Then fear creeps into her expression. “Am I doing it wrong?”
My eyelids flutter as she rolls her palm over my crown and back down. “Fuck, no. You’re perfect. Absolutely perfect.”
She continues exploring my length as I shove my jeans down my hips. The orgasm begins to build, a heavy pressure in my balls, and I know I have to stop her. I don’t want to find my release now. I have to be inside her for that.
“Spread your thighs, let me in.” I push my pants to the floor and fit myself between her knees. She moans and wraps her legs around my hips, her hot, wet folds brushing the tip of my cock. “Fuck,” I hiss as she lifts her pelvis and my crown sinks inside…just enough to show me exactly what I’ve been missing.
“Ryder, please,” she begs.
“Not yet, darling. I haven’t gotten you ready.”
“I am ready. I’m so fucking ready.” The sound of that dirty word on her lips sends a desperate jolt through me.
I hover over her, placing my palms on either side of her head as I sink down and take her mouth. Her soft whimpers as she rolls her hips make me push forward an inch.
“I don’t have a condom,” I say against her lips. “I swear to you, I didn’t plan this.”
“I don’t care. I just want you.”
“I’ll pull out.” I say the words but don’t want them to be true. Some primal part of me wants to fill her with my seed, make her come around my bare length and put the next heir to the throne in her belly.
“Take me, Ryder. Make me yours.”
I do. I kiss her hard and sink into her fast, knowing by her tense thighs and soft cry of surprise that I hurt her. I hate causing her pain. I still, my shaft aching with the need to gain friction. “Are you all right?”
“God, that hurt. You’re so big.”
I chuckle. “You’ve got no basis of comparison, princess.”
“True. But I’m certain you’re royally endowed.”
“Funny. Now, relax. I’m going to move. Tell me if it hurts.”
I pull back slowly, the drag of my dick against her tight channel nearly making me orgasm right then and there. She moans, but her eyes roll back in pleasure not pain. As I thrust long and slow I gauge her reactions, watching for any sign she’s not enjoying herself. Then I slide my fingers between us, rolling the marble of her clit until I feel her clench around me, and she begs me to move faster. She explodes around me, ankles tight across my back, fingernails digging into my shoulders, and it takes everything I have not to fill her when my orgasm takes me.
“Fuck, Gem. I need to pull out.” I grit my teeth and pull back, her legs releasing me as the first pulse of semen jets from my cock and onto the glistening lips of her pretty pussy. I’m too lost in my own pleasure to realize she’s ground her cunt against the head of my dick and I’m partially inside her again as I finish, until it’s too late.
She sighs and stretches, a smile on her face. “That was so… so much more than I expected.”
“You are so much more than I expected,” I say, dropping my head to rest between her breasts. Her fingers trail along the line of my spine, sending tremors through me. I can’t move on and live separate lives after we’re married. Not now. “This changes everything.”
Chapter 8
Gemma
Everything. This changes everything. Ryder’s words echo in my mind as we lie together in my bed. His heart beats steadily under my cheek where I’m resting on his broad chest. This heart I thought cold and unfeeling toward me is now the most important part of who he is. Ryder wants me. I gave him my virginity, but he’s also stolen my heart. I hadn’t planned on that. I hadn’t planned on a lot of things, but mostly, I hadn’t planned on falling in love with the man I’m being forced to marry.
His breaths are slow and deep, a sure sign he’s fallen asleep. Me though? I’m wide awake. I can’t stop replaying his tender touches, his rough thrusts at the end, the guttural groan that came from him when he spilled his pleasure. My thighs clench at the memories, and I roll away from the man in my bed.
The clock on the bedside table reads four-fifteen. It’s not even dinnertime. Excitement grips my belly at the though of still having the entire evening with my prince. I stand, stretching muscles I never knew could be tense. My inner thighs hurt where his hips pressed against them, but it’s a delicious pain.
I pad to the bathroom and clean up, washing away the remnants of our lovemaking in a quick shower. There’s a plush robe hanging on a hook with the royal crest embroidered on the left breast. After toweling off, I slide the fabric over my body and pull the robe tight. I have to cuff the sleeves three times because it’s so large, but I can’t deny I’m loving the luxury.
Ryder is still sleeping by the time I head back downstairs. I don’t have the heart to wake him. I make myself a cup of hot cocoa and snag a book before I settle in on the cozy loveseat facing the big window.
I’m not sure how long I sit there, absorbed in the world I’m reading about, but I sense Ryder before he speaks. His presence commands attention. My nipples harden and my belly clenches.
“You abandoned me,” he teases. “I wasn’t done with you yet.”
My cheeks heat. “It seemed like you were quite finished. You were out cold.”
“Only because you wore me out.” He presses a kiss to the top of my head and slides his warm fingers down my neck, over my clavicle, and down farther until he’s under my robe and cupping my breast.
“Ryder,” I moan in protest.
“Gemma,” he whispers. “Are you hurting?”
Am I? Not really. Not enough to stop him. “I’m fine.”
I don’t want him to take his hands off me. Not after what we’d done only an hour or so earlier. His fingers trail down my belly and farther, between my thighs. “Are you sure? I don’t think I’ll ever get my fill of you, but I don’t want to hurt you.”
He dips a finger inside my pussy and though I don’t want to, I wince at the invasion. Maybe I’m not as fine as I thought.
He sighs. “As I suspected. You need to always be honest with me. I couldn’t bear it if I caused you pain.”
“I’m sorry. I just…I want you too.”
He comes around to my front and grasps the sash of my robe. “There are plenty of other ways you can have me.”
Tugging me until I’m standing, he grins wickedly. His hands don’t leave the sash of the robe, and he unties the fabric before opening me to him. The plush material falls to the floor, but he’s still got the sash, now slipped from its loops. “Turn around, Gemma.”
I d
o as he asks, and when he takes my wrists behind my back and ties them together, I nearly lose my mind with need. “What are you—”
“Quiet. No talking until I give you leave.”
His voice rasps over my bare shoulder, sending shockwaves of arousal through me. “But—”
I’m interrupted by the sharp crack of his palm meeting my bare ass. The sting blossoms on my skin a second later. “I said, quiet. Obey your prince, or I may have to dole out more punishment.”
I wiggle my hips and moan. The desire pooling between my legs at the thought of another spanking.
“Now, do you want me to taste you?” he asks. I’m not sure if I’m supposed to talk or not, but he wraps his hand in my hair and gives a soft tug. “Answer.”
“Yes,” I whisper.
“Yes, what?”
“Yes, my prince.”
His lips trail across my jaw and down my neck until he reaches my shoulder. The soft scrape of teeth makes me sigh in pleasure. “Good girl. Now, walk to the couch and sit back with your legs spread wide.”
My cheeks burn with embarrassment, but I do as he says. I can feel his eyes on me, burning into my back with every step I take. As I sit on the sofa, I watch him look me over. There’s intense hunger in his eyes. Hunger for me. “Spread your thighs wider, Gemma.”
I do. I can’t deny him. He drops to his knees and fits himself between my legs. Then he hitches my knees over his shoulders and tugs until my pussy is next to his face. My arms pull from being tied behind my back, it’s uncomfortable, but not unmanageable.
As though he can tell how I’m feeling, Ryder reaches behind me and undoes the knot. “Hands to yourself, or I’ll bind you again.”
I nod.
“Very good, Gem. Such a good girl.” His fingers slide up my inner thigh, and I buck into him. “I’m going to savor you.”
Then his mouth is on me. His lips brush my cunt as his long fingers play with my clit. It’s delicious torture, but nothing in comparison to his tongue flicking out and swirling over the swollen bundle of nerves. I cry out and buck against him.
“Jesus,” I cry before I can stop myself.
He pulls back, that talented tongue of his suddenly gone. “Now, now, darling. I said to keep quiet.” His hand connects with my bottom, and I welcome the burn. I want more.
I groan and roll my hips, begging for more. With a naughty grin, he dives back down, this time sucking my clit into his mouth. Sparks fly behind my eyes, and the golden edges of pleasure begin to build around me. I’m a bomb ready to explode.
His finger slowly and gently sinks inside me, but this time there’s no pain. When he presses up on my G-spot, I nearly give in and grab his hair as the orgasm hits me like a freight train. My thighs quiver and toes curl as unbelievable pleasure washes through me.
He sits back on his heels and puts his finger in his mouth, sucking my orgasm off. “I knew you’d be delicious.”
I can see the erection tenting his boxer briefs, the swollen head of him peeking out of the waistband. But my prince hasn’t given me leave to speak yet, so I stare at him.
“Have anything to say?” he asks, a teasing note in his voice.
I shake my head, the fog of my orgasm lifting.
“Did you enjoy that?”
I nod.
When he stands, I pounce. I sit up, wrapping my arms around his hips, pressing my lips to the rigid muscles of his lower abs. His hands immediately go to my hair, and I worry he’s going to stop me, until he threads his fingers in my long locks. Then I lower his boxers until his cock is free. He tasted me, now I’m going to taste him.
The instant my mouth engulfs him, I know I was right to take charge. He gives a sharp cry of surprise as I take him to the back of my throat. “Holy fuck, Gemma.”
I can’t take him all the way, he’s far to long for that, but my hand circles his base and strokes in time with my mouth. My other hand cups his heavy balls, and I suck him in long smooth motions.
“I’m close,” he bites out. “Fuck, I’m close.”
My pussy clenches, and I swear a mini orgasm hits me at the rough edge to his voice. His grip on my hair is tight, and he starts fucking my face as his climax rushes through him. Hot jets of his cum fill my mouth, and I swallow it all down, taking everything he has to give me.
Pulling back, he falls back to his knees and takes me in his arms. Ryder holds me close, his breaths coming in harsh gasps as he strokes my hair. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were lying about being a virgin.”
I laugh. “Can I talk now?”
“Yes, yes. Go on.”
“I’ve always wanted to try that. You know, those romance novels really did help with my education.”
“Ah, so you read the kinky books.”
I giggle. “The kinkiest.”
“Thank God for romance writers.”
“Amen.”
Chapter 9
Ryder
The next morning I wake alone, frustration clawing at me because Gemma wouldn’t stay in my bed. She’s keeping her distance, and I don’t like it. Now that I’ve seen the real her, I want everything she can give me. That means a life, and that means I’m going to have to change what she thinks of me.
Gemma is puttering around in the kitchen, humming and dancing along to a song that’s playing from the bluetooth speaker on the counter as she fills a plate with fruit.
“You like this guy?” I ask.
She turns to face me, her smile making me ache. “I do. He’s swoony.”
“Swoony, eh? I’ll give you swoony.”
She giggles and tosses a grape at me. I catch it in my mouth, which only makes her laugh harder. “Jealous?”
“Most definitely. I’m not sure if I can compete with Easton Harrison. I can’t sing.”
“But you can do a lot more with your mouth.”
And now I’m hard. Fuck, this woman has been hiding in plain sight all my life. Now she’s got me wrapped around her little finger. “That is true.”
“Besides, he’s married, and I heard they’re having a baby.”
“You seem to know a lot about him.”
She throws another grape at me, but this time I run at her, full speed, and catch her up in my arms. “Ah! Put me down, you beast.”
“Never. I could put you in the tower for assaulting me with fruit.”
“You wouldn’t dare.”
My cock is a length of steel in my pants. “Don’t make me put you over my knee.”
I seat her on the counter, and she wraps her legs around my waist. “Did you see how much snow is coming down out there? Are you sure we’ll be able to get home?”
“Actually, that’s what I was coming to tell you. I was distracted by the private dance you were giving me.” Her cheeks turn pink, and I fight the urge to slide my finger up her little shorts. “The weather’s taken a bit of a turn. We might not be able to get out of here until Sunday at the earliest.” It’s not true though. Nick has a vehicle for every occasion. He could collect us within a few hours of my call unless there was an avalanche—or my sister interferes.
She cocks an eyebrow. “Her Majesty won’t like that.”
“Her Majesty doesn’t like a lot of things, but she’s going to have to fucking deal with it. I want any excuse to keep you in my bed.”
Her hand slides up my bare chest, and she licks her lips. “So that means…”
“It means I get you all to myself for another twenty-four hours.”
“I’m not so sure that’s a good idea.”
Her words bring me up cold. “What?”
“I just think we need to keep level heads. We’re so wrapped up in this…this fantasy. When we get back to the real world, it’s going to be different.”
“No, darling. Don’t over think this. We’re already engaged. Now that we know how it can be between us, why fight it?”
“Because marriage doesn’t change the fact that you don’t love me.”
She takes her bottom lip b
etween her teeth and keeps her eyes focused anywhere but me. “Is that what you really want? A husband who loves you? Happily ever after? The fairytale.”
“Is it so wrong to want all that?”
“Not at all.”
“Tell me you can be all that for me. Tell me you can love me.”
I can’t do that. Why, I don’t know, but I won’t tell her until I am sure that’s what I’m feeling. I’ve never loved anyone who wasn’t my family. I don’t know if I’ll do it right. “Stop this, Gemma. I’m telling you we can go through with the wedding. We’re a good match. You can’t deny it. Maybe our parents knew something we didn’t.”
“A good match isn’t what I want. Not now that I’ve seen what it can be. I want the perfect match. I need it.”
“And who’s to say I’m not your perfect match?”
She throws her hands in the air and lets out a frustrated groan. “Everything in your past says it. I understand my sister’s decision now. How could she settle for being your wife if she risked a one-sided love? Just because we’re good in bed—”
“Fucking amazing in bed.” She doesn’t understand. Charlotte and I never so much as kissed. She didn’t love me, and I never loved her. But what I have with Gemma is so much more.
She rolls her eyes. “And that’s enough to make us both happy?”
“I think it’s a start. I want to spend every night buried between your thighs.”
I know I’ve said the wrong thing as soon as it leaves my lips. Her expression closes off, and I’ve lost her. “Sorry, that’s not going to work for me. I want love, and I won’t settle for anything else. Charlotte was right to leave you. There’s more to life than duty.”
Dragging a hand through my hair, I sigh and stare out the window at the falling snow. “And doesn’t it matter that I want you? What if I won’t settle for anyone other than you?”
She shakes her head. “Listen, let’s stop worrying over this. We’re here together, as long as neither one of us falls for the other, we can enjoy what we have. You said it yourself, you’re not really ready for long-term. For a real marriage and babies. A quiz doesn’t change that.”