“I'm sure you're going to be a great mother,” I said sincerely. I felt a stab of jealousy at the thought of her with another man and immediately shoved it away. I had no right to be jealous. She wasn't mine. This was just a fun follow up to a great night.
“I don't think so.” She pulled her hand away from mine. “My eldest will be forced to do exactly what I'm doing now.”
I frowned. “But you don't have to do things the same way your parents do. You can let your kids do whatever they want.”
She shook her head, but didn't expound. She went back to eating and silence fell between us again. When the waiter came back to ask if we wanted dessert, we both declined and I asked for the check.
“I'll pay,” she said, reaching for her purse.
“No way.” I picked up the check and handed the waiter my card. “My treat.”
As the waiter walked away, Nami leaned across the table, her expression serious. “Reed, you do understand, this is not a date. It cannot be a date.”
“I know,” I said. And I did, intellectually. A part of me, however, still had a bit of hope that this could be something more. I didn't know what, because I wasn't letting myself think that far ahead, but something.
She shook her head. “No, you don't. You have to understand that I will have to walk away soon, and we will never see each other again.”
I couldn't let her see how much I hated that idea. I stood and held out my hand. “Soon, but not now, right?”
I saw the emotions flit across her face but didn't say anything. She had to make this decision on her own. If she declined and said she needed to go now, I'd respect it. I'd take her wherever she thought it best to find her bodyguards and then I'd go find a hotel room. But I didn't want her to say no. I wanted her to take my hand and come with me somewhere we could be alone. Really alone.
She stood but didn't take my hand. I tried to hide my disappointment as I lowered my hand. This was it then. We were done. I barely registered the waiter returning my card. All I could think about was the best way to say good-bye. I wanted to kiss her one last time, feel her pressed against me.
“Soon.” Her voice was low as she closed the distance between us. “But not now.”
She stood on her toes and claimed my mouth in a kiss that went straight down through me. I could feel the want, the need, as her tongue curled around mine, her body moving against me in a way that wasn't entirely appropriate for public. I didn't care about anyone who might be watching though. All I cared about was the woman in my arms.
When she broke the kiss, she didn't pull away. “Take me somewhere we can be alone,” she whispered.
“You read my mind.” I brushed my lips across hers. “Let's get out of here.”
Chapter 15
Nami
I didn't know what I expected, but it wasn't something like Hotel Moresco. It was absolutely gorgeous, and far too expensive for a few hours. I had no doubt that was all we would get. Tomas and Kai hadn't caught up with us yet, but I had no doubt that they'd find me soon. Even if they didn't, I would need to call them and meet. I'd missed the plane today, and we could make excuses for that, but if I put off going home for more than a day, I risked my parents finding out what I was really doing.
I should have left him at the restaurant, I knew that, but I hadn't been able to make myself walk away. I'd seen the look in his eyes when I hadn't taken his hand and it had reached something deep inside me, a part of me I hadn't known I'd had. All his talk of dreams and what I wanted had stirred up feelings I hadn't allowed myself to feel in a long time. I'd accepted my parents' will and resigned myself to my position, to marrying a man I didn't know or love. What I'd told him about children was true. I may have been inheriting the title of queen and the rule of Saja, but I was still expected to provide an heir. At least, unlike European monarchies, the gender wasn't important.
It had been that thought, that this was what I'd be doing to my own son or daughter, that had made me go with him. I needed to forget about what was to come, live in the moment, focus on nothing but him. I knew I'd gotten in too deep with him, cared too much, and it was that knowledge that would keep me sane during what was to come. It would be Reed's voice I would hear, his body I would see and feel when my husband came to me.
I'd heard a story once that a young English princess, when she told her mother that she was frightened shortly before her wedding night, was given the sage advice to close her eyes and think of England. I would not be thinking of Saja on my wedding night, gritting my teeth and getting through it. Instead, I would think of Reed. Imagine it was his hands on me, him inside me. My husband would never know that any sounds of pleasure I made were from the memory of the man currently at my side.
“Are you sure about this, Nami?” Reed asked. “I don't want you to do anything you don't want.”
I squeezed his hand and led him onto the elevator. “I want you.”
His eyes darkened as the doors closed and he backed me up against the wall. He cupped my face between his hands, and I waited for a hard, demanding kiss. I could feel the desire radiating off of him. Instead, his touch was gentle, his thumbs brushing along my bottom lip.
“The things you do to me,” he murmured. He lowered his head and touched his lips to mine, the briefest of kisses, but enough to heat my entire body from head to toe.
The elevator dinged and we were on the fourth floor. Reed had gone for whatever room they had available, but I had no doubt that even the cheapest room here would be opulent. I wasn't disappointed, but I only cared about one thing.
I pulled him after me, the bed my only objective.
“Not that I'm complaining,” Reed said as I pushed against his chest so that he fell back on the bed. “But I was thinking we could take our time.”
“I intend to,” I said as I stripped of my shirt and jeans. “I am going to take my time with you.”
His eyes widened slightly. “Nami?”
I didn't speak as I pulled off his shoes before climbing onto the bed. I straddled his waist and took hold of his t-shirt. He raised up enough for me to pull it off, baring his sculpted, lean torso. I felt his eyes on me as I slowly ran my hands over his chest, down his arms and then back up before moving down to his stomach. I didn't look at him as I teased along the waistband of his jeans, memorizing the way the pants hung low enough to show off the top of those v-grooves that I knew pointed the way to a magnificent piece of flesh.
I leaned down, running my tongue over his abs, enjoying the moans my attention elicited. I traveled up his chest, kissing and licking my way across his skin. When I reached his nipples, I took my time on each one, licking and sucking until he had a hand on my head, fingers buried in my curls. Pinpricks of pain went through my scalp, making things low inside me heat up. I scraped my teeth across the tight skin and he swore. I smiled and bit down, worrying at his nipple until he was writhing beneath me, the friction doing wonderful things to me.
Suddenly, he was pulling me up and crushing my mouth to his. He bit at my bottom lip, sucking it into his mouth to soothe away the sting. His free hand pressed against the small of my back, pushing me even harder down against him, the only thing between us was my panties and his clothing.
“Could I make you come this way?” He paused in his assault on my mouth only long enough to ask the question.
I didn't need to answer because I was already coming. The pressure and friction from his jeans on my clit pushed me over the edge. I pulled my mouth away from his to cry out.
“I love those sounds you make.” He sucked on my earlobe and I squirmed, sending new ripples of pleasure through me. “Want to see what else I can make you do?”
I pushed myself up on my knees. “Not yet. I'm not done with you.”
He slid his hands up my sides. “Please. You're killing me.”
“Maybe a peek.” I smiled down at him as I reached behind my back and unhooked my bra.
“Fuck,” he groaned as he cupped my breasts. “You have the most
amazing tits.”
My eyelids fluttered as his fingers found my nipples, rolling them hard and fast, almost painfully. He tugged on them and my head fell back, my body arching towards his touch. I put my hands on his chest, feeling the rise and fall against my palms, the beat of his heart.
His hips moved under mine and I felt his weight starting to shift. I shook my head and slid backwards, moving away from his hands.
“I'm not done with you yet.” I positioned myself at his knees and got to work ridding him of his jeans. I left his boxer-briefs on, wanting to remember the sight of him like this. Long legs, trim waist. The way the cloth clung to him. His cock was already starting to grow and I licked my lips in appreciation, remembering the taste of him from earlier today.
I ran my hands up his muscular legs, the hair rough against my palms. I cupped his cock through the cloth and gave him a gentle squeeze, smiling as he swore. I hooked my fingers under the waistband of his underwear and he obliged by lifting his hips so I could pull them down and then off. His cock came free, thick and swollen. I sat back on my heels, letting myself enjoy the new view.
“You going to stare at it all night or do something with it?” He was teasing, but I could hear the strain in his voice.
I didn't answer him, but instead reached out and lightly ran my fingers along the underside of his cock. It twitched and his hands fisted in the bedspread. He swore and begged, but I didn't let him hurry me. I let my fingers explore every inch of his shaft, never giving him enough pressure. When I was done with that, I moved lower, cupping his balls, rolling them between my fingers, feeling the weight of them, the soft skin holding them.
“Please, Nami, I'm dying here.”
I smiled. My panties were soaked, my pussy throbbing. I was as desperate for him as he was for me. I shifted, pulling off my panties and tossing them on the floor. I started to rise on my knees, then hesitated. There was something I wanted, but I wasn't sure how to ask it.
“What is it?”
My eyebrows went up. I hadn't thought my face was that easy to read. Or was it just that Reed knew me that well?
“Nami.” His hand touched mine as he sat up. “What is it? If you've changed your mind...”
“No,” I quickly assured him. “I was just wondering if...” I could feel heat rising to my face, and it wasn't from arousal. “Never mind.” I looked away.
“Hey.” He hooked a finger under my chin and turned my face back towards him. “Whatever it is, you can ask me.”
I wasn't sure if it was the look in his eyes or the fact that I knew this might be my last chance to have what I wanted, but I managed to force the words out.
“I want to feel you.”
“Nami...”
“Only you.” I saw him swallow hard. “Nothing between us.”
His hand tightened on mine.
“I'm on the pill,” I said. “But if there's a reason...”
“No.” He shook his head. “I always...I mean, I'm clean.”
“It's okay if you don't want to. I know some guys don't trust...”
“I trust you.” His words were firm. “Is this what you want?”
I didn't answer right away. I knew it was risky. He said he trusted me, but the trust had to go both ways. I didn't think he was lying to me, so there was that.
I looked straight into his amazing dark eyes. “If you want to...”
His mouth covered mine, silencing the rest of my statement. I let him lay me back on the bed, let him take control. I wanted to feel the weight of him on me, the way his muscles bunched and moved under his skin. His tongue thrust into my mouth even as he entered me with one smooth stroke.
My back arched and I cried out. Painful pleasure went through me with a shock, electricity shooting across my nerves as he opened me. He swallowed every sound as he drove us both towards our release. He stretched me wide around him, rubbing against every bit of me. The base of his cock pressed against my swollen clit and I dug my nails into his shoulders.
His lips began to make a trail down my jaw and I could hear my moans, loud in the relative silence. I should've been embarrassed, but all I could think about was how amazing he made me feel and not caring who knew it. As his mouth traveled down my neck, I made another decision. I was so close and there was one final thing I wanted.
“Mark me.”
He froze, raising his head so that our eyes met.
“My breast,” I said. “So my parents won't see it.”
He gave me a quick, bruising kiss and then buried his face against my breast. I gasped as he teased my nipple with his teeth, a sound that turned into a sharper cry as he began to suck on the skin next to it, drawing it into his mouth even as he kept steady, rhythmic strokes. His fingers raked through my hair, ran down my face, my sides. I was aware of all of it, every place he touched me. I was on fire, racing for a full-on explosion.
“Come, Nami.” Reed's voice was ragged and I could feel him start to lose control. “Please, baby, come for me. I'm so close.”
There was tenderness in his voice, something more than just lust. That did it, took down the last of what I was holding back. I let go, let him hear me call out his name, and then I felt him shudder, his cock emptying inside me. The warmth filled me, adding to the flames consuming me. I could feel the world starting to gray out, but I fought it back, needing to feel all of it. If this was the last time, I wanted to memorize every sound, scent and sensation. I would never see Reed again, but this would stay with me, warm me, keep me. No matter what happened.
Chapter 16
Reed
I couldn't breathe. My heart was pounding, my blood roaring in my ears. All of that, however, was secondary to her. Every place our bodies touched, my skin hummed. I was more aware of her than I'd ever been of anyone else in my life. I rolled us onto our side without pulling out of her. I wanted to stay as close to her as possible, keep us joined until I had no choice but to let her go.
It was foolish, I knew, to allow myself to get so attached. She'd made it clear that there could never be anything between us, that when she left, I'd never see her again. Drawing this out would only make it that much harder when she had to go. I couldn't help myself though. I'd told her that I wanted her, but that word seemed inadequate to describe what I felt towards her. She was a craving, an addiction. Every moment I spent with her just fed the habit. I couldn't be near her without needing to touch her. Despite that, it wasn't only physical. I wanted to make her smile, protect her from everything and everyone who would hurt her.
“You're thinking.” Nami pushed hair back from my face. “I must not have been very good if you can think so soon after.”
I took her face between my hands. “I'm thinking about you. Only you.” I kissed her fiercely, trying to put all the things I was feeling into that one action. I couldn't tell her because I didn't understand it myself, but I wanted her to know.
A knock at the door interrupted us and I frowned. I rolled over, reluctantly leaving her warm embrace. I grabbed my pants and pulled them on, grimacing as the jeans chafed my cock. I headed out to the main area as I zipped up.
“Who is it?” I called as the person knocked again.
“Mr. Stirling, it's the hotel manager.”
Well that couldn't be good. The only times I'd ever seen a manager come to a room was when someone had done something stupid or trashed it. Since I'd done neither, I had a feeling it could only be one thing. And, I guess, technically, I had done something stupid.
“Reed.” Nami's voice was soft behind me. “Is it them?”
I glanced over my shoulder and saw that she had the bed sheet wrapped around her. My stomach tightened at the sight. She was covered, but I knew she wasn't wearing anything under that sheet. Nothing but the mark I'd left on her breast.
“Mr. Stirling, there are two gentlemen out here who wish to speak with you and your lady friend.”
I could tell by his tone that he wasn't happy with me. He sounded polite enough, but I'd spent hours
in hotels like this and could tell the difference between professionally polite and genuine cordiality, even in heavily accented English. I didn't answer, looking to Nami to see what she wanted to do.
“Let them in,” she said. She straightened, shoulders back and chin up. The vulnerability she'd had with me was gone. Whoever her parents had brought her up to be, that's who she was now.
“Just a minute,” I said as I turned back towards the door. I took a deep breath and opened the door.
I stepped back so that I was at Nami's side, not touching, but close enough to make it clear she was with me. I knew she'd said that her bodyguards wouldn't hurt her, but I wasn't entirely sure I trusted them. The impression I'd gotten from Nami had been that she'd never really done anything like this before, which meant she couldn't know how they'd react, not really. And I'd be damned if I let anyone lay a finger on her.
The manager came in first, the expression on his face carefully blank. I had no doubt he'd seen much worse than this. Following him were Tomas and Kai. Even though they didn't really look alike – aside from their bulk – I didn't know which one was which. They weren't wearing blank expressions. They were pissed. I automatically took a step forward and to the side, shielding Nami. I caught a glimpse of surprise on their faces, but it passed quickly.
“It's okay, Reed,” Nami said. She put her hand on my arm as she stepped up next to me. “Tomas and Kai won’t hurt me.”
My hands curled into fists, but I didn't argue with her. I'd let her believe it, but if either one of them came near her, they'd have to go through me first.
“We have spoken with your father.” One of the men spoke to her as if I wasn't even there. His voice was surprisingly soft for such a large man. “We told him that we experienced some technical difficulties that delayed our flight.” He glared at me. “But we must go. Now.”
Nami slid her hand down my arm until she reached my hand. Her fingers threaded between mine. “And if I do not wish to leave right now?”