Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 66387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 332(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 332(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
He pulls back and tugs me next to him on the couch.
“But we do need to talk about this because you will not dictate to me what I am and am not allowed to feel. I’ve lived my whole life being told how to manage my emotions, and I won’t allow my wife to do it.”
I frown. “But we discussed—”
“I don’t give a bloody damn what we discussed. You told me what you would feel, and I said that I understood. I never said I’d feel the same. Not to mention, love is a term of endearment.”
“I know.”
“You have to stop being so damn prickly about things, Nina. Expecting everyone to fall in line with your expectations is not realistic or healthy.”
“Are you a psychiatrist now?”
“Just call me Dr. Sebastian.”
I can’t help but chuckle. “I don’t like it.”
“You don’t have to.”
“Are you saying you’re in love with me?”
Don’t panic.
“No. I’m saying there may be times I use a term of endearment, and you need to stop overreacting to it.”
I nod. “Okay.”
“We have to be at dinner in an hour.”
“I know.”
His eyes narrow on my face. “What’s wrong? Didn’t you enjoy your party today?”
“No, actually, I didn’t. Women are just plain horrible. Especially jealous women. And can I just say that nine out of ten of the girls there would rather have me beheaded than see me marry you? One, in particular, was pretty pouty about not having sex with you anymore.”
He swallows hard. “Well, that’s…disturbing.”
“It was horrible. The only saving grace was having my friends there.”
“Does it help to know I have no interest in having sex with any of those women?”
“Not really. I mean, we’re entering an arrangement. Who’s to say you won’t decide to sleep with them later?”
He doesn’t answer. Well, not with words. Instead, he growls and lifts me off the couch, then stomps into the bedroom and drops me right in the middle of the bed.
He crawls over me, dragging his nose up the material of my dress covering my torso as he moves. With his face buried against my neck, he slips a hand between my thighs and pushes under the elastic of my panties to brush his fingertip over my nether lips.
“You,” he whispers. “You’re the only one I’m interested in touching like this. Jesus, after the past month, you’d think it would be clear that I’m completely enamored with you. But if you need reminding, I’m happy to do so.”
He pushes two fingers inside me, and my back arches in wanton invitation.
“You make me crazy,” he growls, watching my face as he drives me insane with just his fingers. I’m lying here, completely clothed, and ready to come any second.
“Same,” I manage to moan.
He fumbles with his pants, unleashes his cock, and replaces his fingers with one long, fluid thrust.
“Bloody hell.” He traps my hands above my head as he rides me hard and fast. “It’s just you, Nina. I’ll remind you as often as you like.”
I can’t speak. All I can do is watch as, after three powerful thrusts, he clenches his jaw and loses control, falling into his orgasm.
He presses on my clit with his thumb, and I follow him over.
***
I’m fucking exhausted.
It’s been the longest day of my life. From my fight with Sebastian this morning, to the horrible party with strangers, and the late dinner with the entire royal family, I’m ready to sleep for about a week.
“We need to meet with Charles and Nick,” Sebastian says as we walk to our apartment. We’re walking slowly, our fingers tangled, my head resting on his hard biceps.
I’ve discovered I have a thing for Sebastian’s arms.
“At this time of night?”
He squeezes my hand.
“We’re running out of time between now and the wedding,” he reminds me. “They have some things to go over with us, and this is the only free moment in both of our schedules.”
“Okay.” I yawn. “I’ll do my best to stay awake.”
Charles and Nick are waiting for us at the door of the apartment when we arrive. They both offer a head nod as we approach.
“Your Royal Highness,” Charles says. “Thank you for meeting with us at this late hour.”
“It’s quite all right, Charles. Please, come in.”
They usher me in first, and then we all sit at the dining table.
“Am I correct to assume that you’ll want to have a home in Montana?” Charles begins.
“I have a home in Montana,” I remind him. “You’ve been there, remember?”
“Of course. Let me begin again. Your current home in Cunningham Falls is lovely, but it’s a security nightmare.”
I narrow my eyes. Partly out of irritation, and partly because I’m about to fall asleep.
“There is no fence, no way to keep it safe from people. Our men who remain there have been reporting back to me, and it would be impossible for His Highness to live there for any length of time.”