Loving the Crown (The Crown 3)

I wasn’t sure how Liam did it, but he stayed out of the way the rest of the day. He was either on the phone or scowling at that black electronic tablet every time I looked for him. He seemed to wear a scowl more than a smile.

When

it was time to leave, I felt a level of awkwardness that had built between us.

“Hi.” I smiled shyly.

The prince rose from his seat. He clutched the device. “Done for the day, or are you on another break?” he asked.

I draped the leather jacket over my injured arm. The costume department had to sew another one this morning before we tried a re-take of the sunset scene. Yesterday’s was ruined from the fountain.

“I’m done.” I rocked back on my heels. I wondered if the offer to go back to the palace and talk was off the table. I would understand if we both accepted that we didn’t belong in each other’s worlds.

The stage hands hustled around us, cleaning up the props for the day and storing the sound equipment.

Liam wrapped an arm around my waist. “Let’s go, love.”

“Go?” I was surprised.

“Home,” he answered. “I think we’ve promised each other a conversation that can’t wait any longer.”

I nodded. This would be it. It had been a wild and romantic twenty-four hours, but I knew deep down this breakup was coming. I couldn’t sustain a relationship overseas, and if I was being honest, I couldn’t see myself with a man who didn’t respect my profession. One of Tom’s kisses shouldn’t have thrown him into overdrive like that. It wasn’t as if I looked forward to those scenes. I didn’t want to kiss Tom any more than he wanted to kiss me. I’d never heard Leo complain.

“All right. We should talk.” I straightened my shoulders. I was prepared for the worst, and prepared to bring up all the arguments about how his jealousy was way over the top.

“I believe we have Charles and Romero again tonight.”

“Do you usually have different security?” I asked as he led me to the car.

“They rotate often. I know most of the guys, but they filter through the family.”

“Oh,” I said. I ducked inside the car and Liam closed the door behind me. He walked around to the other side.

When he slid in next to me the anger that had gripped me all day, started to fade. I couldn’t help it. His fingers curled against mine as he brought my hand over his chest. I turned toward him just as his lips crushed mine with a powerful kiss. Powerful enough to make the stars spin overhead. And the oceans surge as we rolled past the waves beneath the cliffs. It was powerful enough to erase the reason I wanted to end our quick relationship. Powerful enough to make me want to stay.

By the time we reached the palace I had to crawl out of Liam’s lap. I tried to wipe the smeared lipgloss back in place before Romero opened the door.

“Your Highness,” he greeted Liam first.

Liam nodded and took my hand, leading me from the backseat. We walked quietly along the corridor and to the private elevator.

The royal staff stopped as we passed and either bowed or curtsied. Liam didn’t seem to notice. I wondered if he ever noticed it.

The elevator deposited us in his empty apartments. I wanted to talk. I did. I wanted to have the conversation about what happened today, but as soon as our feet touched the marble foyer, his arms circled my waist and his hands tangled in my hair.

I moaned as his tongue twirled in my mouth. I climbed out of my leather and onto the round table in front of us. I pulled on his jacket and tugged the buttons on his shirt. I couldn’t get to his skin fast enough. His fingers dipped below my panties. I was so wet and hot for him.

“Shit, Gillian.” He snapped the lace until it was tattered in his hands. “I want you here and now.”

“God, yes.” I nodded, kissing him harder and deeper. I wiggled to the edge of the table, hiking my thighs against his waist.

He pushed his boxer briefs to the floor and his giant cock bounced in front of me.

“I need you,” I whimpered.

“You have no idea what you do to me,” he groaned, pushing the tip to my center.

I hissed at the contact. It was as if his cock was on fire for me. It seared my sensitive skin with just one touch. He pushed inside me and I moaned with pleasure. He felt so good. He stretched me until I coated his shaft with honey and he began to thrust in and out.