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.
Sixteen
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 surpri
se 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?”
The other one spoke, his voice apologetic, but firm. “Then we will involve the police.”
“The police?” Nami echoed. “What are you talking about, Kai?”
Kai looked at me, his gaze anything but friendly. “We will tell the police that this American kidnapped you and violated you.”
My mouth dropped open. Was he serious?
“You cannot do that.” Her hand squeezed mine. “I went with him willingly. I will not support your story.”
“You will have no choice.” The one who must've been Tomas spoke up. “The media will pick up the story and your only options will be to confess the truth to the world or go along with the lie.”
I found my voice. “I don't know who you two think you are, but I'm not some nobody. My family has money and influence too. I'll have the best lawyer in Venice on my side and I won't just refute the charges, I'll file lawsuits against both of you for defamation of character.”
The look Kai gave me told me clearly that he thought me beneath him, no matter what I'd just said.
“Can I speak with you for a moment?” I turned my back on the bodyguards and looked down at Nami. “Privately.”
She looked at Tomas and Kai. “Give us a moment.” When they didn't move, her voice hardened. “Now.”
Neither one of them looked happy, but they stepped back into the hallway and closed the door behind them. I had no doubt they'd taken up their post there, ready to do whatever was necessary to get Nami home.
“I'm sorry, Reed,” she apologized. “I never thought things would go this far.”
I made a dismissive gesture. “You don't have to go with them, Nami. I'll protect you. Let them try to get me arrested. I wasn't kidding when I said I could have the best lawyer in the city. And that's not counting the American lawyers my parents would send as soon as I called home.” I took both of her hands. “I'm sure my family knows people here that will make a big enough fuss that nothing will happen to me.”
“But they're right,” she said. Her smile was sad. “If the press picked up the story, I would have only two choices. One, to hurt you and lie, or two, tell the truth and ruin my family.”
My heart gave a painful thud. “Admitting to being with me would ruin your family?”
She raised our hands and kissed my knuckles. “Admitting to what happened between us would. Maybe not ruin, but certainly harm.”
“I thought you said your parents weren't that old-fashioned.”
“You don't understand.”
The words were gentle, but they sparked my temper.
“What do you mean I don't understand? I'm probably the only person who can come close to understanding. I know what it's like to have parents pressuring you to do what they want you to do. Mine forced me into an arranged marriage, for fuck's sake!” My voice was rising and I struggled to keep it down. I wasn't angry with her, not really. I was angry at the circumstances, the stupid little things that were keeping us apart. Her family. Her sense of duty.
“No, Reed.” She pulled her hands out of my grasp and took a step back. She took a deep breath, a resigned look on her face. “You don't understand because my parents aren't some rich family with a business they want me to run.”
I looked at her, confused. Had she lied to me? Was she trying to scam me? Get money from my family? A thousand possibilities ran through my head, each one worse than the last. Were my instincts with women that awful? Granted, Piper was as good as I'd thought she was, just not the right girl for me. Britni, I'd known she wasn't the kind of woman I wanted. Maybe it wasn't bad instincts, but rather bad luck.
Then Nami said the last thing I expected.
“Reed, I'm a princess.”
Seventeen
Reed
“Excuse me?” I had to have heard her wrong. I could've sworn she'd just said that she was a princess, but that couldn't be right.
Could it?
She spoke stiffly, formally. “I am Princess Nami Carr, eldest child of King Raj and Queen Mara, heir to the throne.”
I stared at her. This had to be some sort of joke. A weird, twisted prank.
“Tomas and Kai are my bodyguards, my protectors,” she continued. “But they were also sent to the States and Europe with me to make sure I didn't do anything that would embarrass my family...or cause problems with my betrothal.”
“Betrothal?” This kept getting better. I was getting light-headed. “You're engaged?” The thought occurred to me that Piper would've appreciated the irony of me falling for someone who was engaged.
“Not officially,” she said. “Like you, I was given no choice in the matter. My parents are in the process of selecting an appropriate husband for me. A man from my country who has a good name and a good family.”
“And who wants to be king,” I quipped, trying to make a joke out of it. This couldn't be happening.
“No.” She shook her head. “I will rule. He will be king in name only. Our children will inherit the throne when I am gone. His bloodline will rule only because it is a part of mine.” She stopped suddenly and waved a hand dismissively. “That's not important.”
I sat down on the arm of the couch, not trusting my legs to hold me. “Right. The succession of monarchs isn't important.”
She gave me a sharp look and I could see the hurt in her eyes. I immediately regretted my flippant remark.
“It's just a lot to take in, Nami...I mean, Princess.”
“Don't call me that!” she snapped.
Her face was flushed, but I knew it wasn't because of arousal or embarrassment. She was pissed and I was pretty sure it was at me. And I deserved it.
“This is why I did not tell you when we first met.” Her eyes were dark and flashing, the color of an ocean during a storm. “I have spent my whole life as Princess Nami, one day to be queen. Never knowing if someone wanted to be close to me for my title, for royal favor. I wanted only to be wanted for me.”
Now I really felt like shit. I stood and crossed the distance between us quickly. She didn't move or reach out to me, her jaw set.
“I'm sorry,” I apologized. I pushed back a curl from her forehead and let my fingers linger for a moment. “I was shocked and acted like an ass.”
She relaxed a bit, but still didn't try to touch me. Her arms hung at her sides, her hands clenched into fists.
“Please, Nami. Forgive me.” I went for quiet and sincere rather than charming. I put my hands on her shoulders, but didn't try to pull her towards me. If she came to me, it would be her choice.
Suddenly, her shoulders sagged and she leaned against me, her free arms sliding around my waist as she rested her head on my chest. Her other hand clutched the sheet to her chest. I wrapped my arms around her, closing my eyes as I kissed the top of her head.
“I wanted to tell you,” she confessed. “When you were telling me about your family and everything that happened. I wanted to share it all with you, but I didn't want you to look at me differently. I wanted to be seen as just me.”
“There's nothing 'just' about you.” I looked down at her as she tilted her head back so she could see my face. “And knowing who you are...it makes me admire you more. It took a lot of guts to rebel.” I paused, and then tried to lighten the mood by adding, “The whole polit
ical science major thing makes a lot more sense now.”
That got a faint smile. “Just one small step in the process that started when I was born. Training for the throne. Etiquette and language classes outside of my regular classes. In depth history of most countries. Knowledge of treaties and trade agreements.” She sighed.
“And that's why you won't abdicate,” I said, understanding. “Why you won't hand things over to your sister. You don't want her to have to go through all of that.”
She nodded. “If my brother had lived, I could have turned things over to him and no one would've thought worse of me for it. There are plenty of countries we deal with who have issues with women in power.”
“You're right,” I said. “Your situation is definitely different than mine. My parents can hire someone to take over the company if Rebecca screws things up. You have an entire country relying on you.”
“And that's why this meant so much to me.” Her hand slid up and down my bare back as she turned her face and pressed a kiss over my heart. “Time to be me and not have to worry about my responsibilities.”
“Because you have to go home and be the crown princess again,” I said.
“Right.” She flicked her tongue against my nipple and I bit back a moan. “And that means marrying a stranger. Bearing his children and letting another raise them. Even if I'm not queen yet, I won't be allowed to raise them the way a normal person would raise their children.”
“And you don't want your husband doing it either.” I wasn't sure how I knew it, but I did.
“I don't know him,” she said. “What kind of man and father he will be. Maybe he'll be a good man and I will grow to love him.”
I tried not to acknowledge the flare of jealousy that went through me at the thought of her loving another man. Of another man touching her. Making love to her. I clenched my jaw. She wasn't mine, I reminded myself.
“If that is the best I could hope for, I wanted to have something I could remember.” Her fingers traced patterns on my lower back. “That's why I slept with my best friend in college, so I would not have my first time be with a stranger.”