I could hear people laughing and carrying on inside. The smell of dinner made my stomach growl. I ignored it and moved to the back of the palace. I had absolutely no clue where I was going, a fact that was made abundantly clear when I looked up at the three story building sprawled across several acres. My heart fell. There was no way I'd be able to find Nami before someone spotted me and I got kicked out, or arrested for trespassing.
I could hear Piper's voice in the back of my mind telling me not to give up, but I argued back that she hadn't foreseen this. I'd almost convinced myself to turn around and sneak back out when I heard something. Or rather, someone.
Nami.
“I'm fine, Halea.” Her voice was tired, but I knew it. “Go back to your room and get some sleep. You have your English lesson tomorrow.”
I followed the sound, arriving in time to see a girl walking out of a door. She was in her teens, with light brown hair, a fair complexion and a petite build. She had only the faintest resemblance to Nami, but I had no doubt this was Nami's sixteen year-old sister, Halea.
I waited until the girl was out of sight before I walked to the door. I didn't want to open it in case there was an alarm, but I wasn't sure knocking was the best idea either. Unfortunately, I had to do one or the other unless I turned around and left.
I knocked.
I heard Nami talking, “Halea, I told you...”
Her voice trailed off as she opened the door and saw me. Her eyes widened, her face going pale. She recovered quickly, holding a finger to her lips as she shifted so she could partially close the door.
“Gentlemen,” she spoke to someone behind her without taking her eyes off me. “My sister and I need to speak in private.”
“We're under orders not to leave you.”
I recognized Kai's voice.
“I want to talk to my sister without you thugs hovering over me,” she snapped. “Run and tell my parents if you want to, but get the hell away from me.”
I knew the moment they left because she grabbed the front of my shirt and yanked me towards her, going up on her tiptoes to press her lips against mine. I was so surprised that it took me a moment to respond, but when I did, my arms went around her waist, my mouth opening to let my tongue tease against her lips. She made a sound, crushing her body against mine so that I could feel her full breasts, soft against my chest.
When she finally broke away, she put her hand on my cheek. “What are you doing here?”
“I came for you.” I ran my thumb along her bottom lip.
She glanced over her shoulder. “I don't know how long they'll give me, but it should be enough.”
I barely had a moment to register the hallway she pulled me down, but then we were at a door.
“This is the quarters where my personal maid usually stays, but she’s not there yet. Walk through the bedroom. There will be a small kitchen and living space. On the other side is another door. It's usually kept locked, but I have the key. It leads into my room.” She put her hand on my chest over my heart. “Will you come to me?”
I brushed my lips across hers. “Always.”
Her fingers flexed against my chest, and then she turned and hurried away. I opened the door and went inside. It took me a moment for my eyes to adjust, but I was standing in a small alcove. Based on the coat rack, I assumed this was where the maid would've left her shoes and coat before going further into her quarters. I followed Nami's instructions, my body thrumming in anticipation. Waiting until I heard the key turn in the lock was pure torture, but then the door opened and she was there.
I didn't remember closing the door behind me or taking off my shirt, but then her warm hands were on me, fingers tracing over my chest, nails lightly scraping my nipples. I made a sound in the back of my throat as I slid my tongue into her mouth, thoroughly exploring the familiar territory, relearning it.
My hands moved across her back, then down to cup her ass, pulling her tight against me. She moaned into my mouth as she ran her hands around to my back and then down to my ass. I kept one hand on the firm flesh and the other pulled up the back of her shirt, giving my fingers access to her soft skin.
As we tumbled onto the bed, our mouths came apart. Her face was flushed, hair mussed, full lips swollen, and she was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen. Before I could rid her of her clothes, she pulled her shirt over her head and tossed it to the floor. She wore a strapless bra that barely contained her ample breasts and, as I watched, she reached behind her and undid the clasps, sending the bra to the floor with her shirt.
“My memory didn't do you justice.” I cupped her breasts, savoring the weight of them.
I lowered my head to taste her, circling her nipple with my tongue, first one then the other. She buried her fingers in my hair and held me to her breast. Her grip tightened when I took her nipple into my mouth, keeping the suction light at first, then increasing it until she was writhing against me.
When I raised my head, she was breathing heavily, her pupils blow wide with desire. “How quiet do we have to be?” I asked.
She shook her head. “I gave the guards permission to lock me in so they could leave.”
I gave her a questioning look. “Why would they need to lock you in? Aren't they here to protect you?”
She grinned at me, her eyes glinting with that wild streak I'd seen in Venice. “In theory, but lately, it's been more about baby-sitting me. I haven't exactly been the best-behaved princess lately.”
My hands went into fists as something occurred to me. Had she been with another man? I looked down at her and saw a shadow on her face as she read my expression. I didn't want to know. After all, I'd been with what's-her-name during the time we'd been apart, and several others. We'd agreed to move on. I couldn't blame her if she'd done the same thing I had.
“It doesn't matter.” I kissed her forehead. “As long as you want me now.” I looked down at her again, suddenly uncertain.
She kept her eyes locked with mine as she took my hand and slid it under her skirt. Our hands moved between her legs until my fingers were pressed against the crotch of her panties. Her very wet panties.
I took her mouth again, laying her back on the bed as my fingers slipped beneath the crotch of her panties finding her hot and ready. She cried out as I slid a finger inside her and I moaned in response, my cock throbbing at the feel of her pussy clenching around my finger.
I made my way down her throat to her breast, taking her nipple between my lips even as my finger pumped into her, preparing her. I added a second finger as my thumb rubbed back and forth across her clit.
“Please,” she begged. “Inside me. Please.”
It had been too long. I couldn't wait anymore. I'd go slow later. Right now, I needed to be inside her. I undid my pants even as I pushed her skirt up and climbed between her legs. I shoved my pants down just below my ass, lifting my mouth from her breast so I could see her face as I shoved into her. Her nails dug into my shoulders as her entire body stiffened. I swore, squeezing my eyes closed as she came.
She was still quivering around me when I gathered myself enough to start moving. My thrusts were jerky as I fought my body to put off the inevitable. The pressure inside me was nearly unbearable, the feel of her around me, under me, almost too much.
“Reed.”
I opened my eyes when she said my name.
“Let go.”
She lifted herself up enough to press her lips against my throat. As I buried myself deep inside her, she bit down on my neck, sending a sharp spike of pain straight through me and pushing me over the edge. I clutched her to me as I came, my body trembling with the force of my orgasm. She wrapped her legs around me, holding me to her, inside her.
It didn't matter that we hadn't seen each other in weeks. It didn't matter that her family had plans for her and that I had no clue what I wanted to do next. Nothing mattered but the fact that we were together, our bodies one. I loved her and that would be enough to overcome any obstacle that came our
way. I wouldn't lose her.
Chapter 10
Nami
We made love two more times, and I knew that's what it was, not simply having sex or fucking. No man would've come half-way around the world just for good sex, and especially not a man like Reed. Gorgeous, rich, sweet, charming...he was everything a woman could want, and that wasn't even throwing in how amazing he was in bed. Granted, I didn't have a lot of prior lovers to compare him to, but I had heard people talk enough to know that what I experienced with him wasn't normal. I felt a stab of jealousy at the thought of him being with other women and pushed it aside. I had no right to be jealous. Especially not now.
I could feel him behind me, the heat of his body warming me. I'd left the air conditioning on high through the night and the room was almost chilly. I was glad though because I wanted to enjoy this moment for as long as possible. I'd never thought I'd have this again. I didn't know what it meant for us, for me, but I was trying not to think about it.
“Mmm.” He made a sleepy sound, his arms tightening around me. “Good morning.”
I opened my eyes, but didn't look up at him. “How did you know I was awake?”
He kissed my temple. “Because the only time you're completely relaxed is when you're sleeping.”
How was it he knew that about me? We'd spent all of three nights and one day together. But he was right. I could feel my body tense up the moment I woke. Well, partially right. “Not the only time.” I pushed my bare ass back against him and heard him suck in a sharp breath.
He laughed, but there was an edge to the humor. His hand shifted until it was covering my breast. I closed my eyes as desire twisted low in my belly. How could I want him again? My entire body ached from last night, but I didn't care. I just wanted to beg him to take me again. From behind, on top, it didn't matter, so long as he was inside me.
“What time is it?” He kissed the hollow under my ear and I shivered.
I looked at the clock and groaned, but not in pleasure. “It's nearly seven. I need to get up.” The last thing I needed was someone bursting into my room to find out why I wasn't awake yet.
“Just a couple more minutes.” He squeezed my breast and I felt his cock start to harden against my hip. “We can be quick.”
My pussy gave a throb at the thought of it. It would be so easy to say yes, to feel him slide into me. I wondered how different it would feel to have him take me this way. I could imagine his fingers on my clit, bringing me to climax as he spilled inside me...
I sighed. No. It was too risky. Reluctantly, I disentangled myself from his embrace and climbed off the bed. I didn't look at him as I headed into my bathroom. I knew he was smart enough not to leave and risk being seen, so I took my time cleaning up. I needed to think, compose myself.
He'd caught me off guard last night, and once I'd kissed him, that was it. I didn't know what it was about him, but when I touched him, it was like my brain short-circuited. I couldn't think clearly. The fact that I'd brought him into my bedroom when my fiancé and his family were in the guest quarters was proof of that.
Tanek.
Shit.
I pulled on my robe. I definitely couldn't do this naked. It was going to be hard enough with him naked. I had to do it though, no matter how much I hated it. I took a slow breath and let it out, then stepped back into the bedroom.
Reed was sprawled on his stomach, the sheet only half covering his ass. I flushed as I saw the long, red furrows I'd made in his back. He hadn't complained. In fact, if I'd correctly interpreted the sounds he'd been making, he'd liked it.
For a moment, I thought he was sleeping and that I had a bit of a reprieve, but as I walked closer, he rolled over and smiled at me. I didn't smile back. I couldn't. My chest was tight and there was a knot in my stomach that felt like ice. His smile faltered and he sat up, thankfully pulling the sheet across his lap as he did.
“What's wrong?”
I sat on the edge of the bed, but didn't reach for him. “Last night was a mistake.”
I felt him tense and his face instantly became a hard mask, unreadable.
“A mistake.” His voice was flat.
“I'm engaged, Reed,” I said softly. “I told you that my parents would be choosing a husband for me. They have. I have no choice but to marry Tanek.”
I stared at her. “You have a choice. There's always a choice.”
I could hear the note of desperation in his voice and it hurt my heart.
“I was where you are, and I made the wrong choice,” he continued.
“You weren't in the same position,” I countered. “This is different. You were worried about letting down your family. I have an entire kingdom to think about.”
I stood. He might not have been touching me, but he was still too close. I walked a few steps away and then turned towards him. I couldn't meet his eyes though, and focused on a spot just over his shoulder.
“Just because I don't have a whole country doesn't mean I don't understand responsibility.”
I shook my head. I couldn't listen to him. He'd support all of the things I'd been feeling and I'd walk away from my family, my duty...and I'd never forgive myself.
“You're not one of us, Reed.” I saw him flinch and forced myself to finish it. “Tanek and I are getting married this weekend. This is my choice. My future is here on Saja with him, not with you.”
Chapter 11
Reed
This couldn't be happening. Not after everything I'd done to find her. And I knew it wasn't because she didn't want me the way I wanted her. It wasn't just because we'd slept together again either. I'd seen how she felt, heard it in her voice when she'd called my name. She loved me, I knew it.
But she wasn't choosing me.
Her words hung in the air between us. There was no question about the meaning.
I couldn't look at her as I climbed off the bed and began looking around for my clothes. Something about hearing this while she was clothed and I was naked made it feel all the more humiliating. I winced as I bent down, the skin on my back stretching the marks she'd made. I'd enjoyed it when she'd scratched me, and I'd enjoyed even more the thought that I'd be remembering this encounter for days while we made our plans. Now, the pain made my temper rise.
“You should've told me that when I first showed up,” I snapped as I pulled on my pants. “Instead of kissing me and then inviting me back to your room. Making me think there was a chance for us.” I grabbed my shirt and pulled it over my head, suppressing a wince as the fabric slid over the scratches. I hoped they'd heal quickly. I didn't want to remember this.
“You're right,” she said, her voice infuriatingly calm. “I should have told you then and sent you away.”
I turned towards her, bristling at her word choice. “Sent me away? What, like I'm some servant to be dismissed when I've served my purpose?” My hands curled into fists and I fought to keep my voice low. No matter how I felt, I didn't want Nami's bodyguards bursting in to find me here.
Her expression hardened. “Do not presume to understand my thoughts or feelings on the matter.”
“Oh, I'm sorry, Princess.” I spat the last word out as I shoved my feet into my shoes. “Should I be thanking you for letting me fuck you?”
I felt a stab of mingled guilt and satisfaction at the hurt I saw in her eyes.
“Do not speak to me that way.” Her posture was stiff, unyielding, her eyes cold.
“Excuse me if I'm a little pissed.” I walked around the bed to stand in front of her. Pain overrode my anger for the moment. “Do you have any idea what I gave up to come be with you?”
That was what hurt the most, I thought. She was behaving as if she was the only one who had something to lose here. As if I'd just happened to meander onto her property by happy accident and I could leave now and everything in my life would just go back to normal. No harm done.
“I've been looking for you for over a week. Hired investigators to try to find you because I couldn't stop thinking about
you. I liquidated all of my assets, signed over all of my property. I told my family that I was never coming back to the company and left Philadelphia with no plans to return.” My voice shook and I paused for a moment to steady it. “I did all of that so when I found you, I would be free to go wherever, be whoever you needed. I gave up everything for you, Nami.”
She started to raise her hand like she wanted to touch me, but then dropped it. “I can't.”
“Damn you!” I spun around, wanting to hit something. Anything. But I knew it wouldn't be smart. Anything sounding remotely violent would alert whoever was guarding her door. And with the way things were currently going, I'd be lucky if I didn't find myself arrested for rape.
“Reed,” she started to speak.
“No!” I turned back towards her, my hands almost shaking with the force of my emotions. “Don't. Don't you dare say my name or make some excuse. It's not that you can't. You won't.”
“I have to do what's best for my country.” There was a note of pleading in her voice, pleading for me to understand.
I shook my head, refusing to try to see it her way. “No, you're doing what's best for you. What's easy.”
“You think this is easy?” Her eyes sparked angrily. “Do you think I wish to be sold off like some prize to the highest bidder? Married to a man whose only interest in me is that I put his child on the throne once I'm gone?”
“I think it's easier to hide behind tradition and duty than it is to follow your heart.” I ran my hand through my hair and glanced at the door. We were tempting fate, arguing like this, but I couldn't let her go without a fight. “And I know that your heart is with me.” I walked towards her again, this time stopping only when we were mere inches apart. “Tell me I'm wrong.”
She looked up at me and, for one terrifying moment, I thought she'd say it. That I was wrong about how she felt about me. That she'd played me this entire time. After what I'd done to Piper, I supposed I would've deserved it.