Masked (Royally Hot 2)

He groaned, a lion-like purr from deep within his throat. It was a softer version of what I’d heard him do when some physical effort took all his strength. “Kissing is just the fucking beginning of what I want to do to you.”

Oh lord. I couldn’t take this anymore. I just couldn’t.

Dizzy with desire, I reached up and pulled his face to mine, kissing him first.

I felt him take over in an instant, driving me up against the side of the milking shed with a thump, ravaging my mouth. With one hand he held my face, and with the other he began to explore my body. I inhaled hard against his cheek, realizing I had hardly breathed since he leaned into me.

He was a powerful, aggressive kisser and it took my breath away. He kissed me with all he had. Before long, his hand was sliding down between my legs. He cupped me there, like my body was his and his alone.

With the heel of his hand, he ground against my most sensitive area, and I felt myself being swept away with the need to let him do whatever he desired—I wanted to feel everything.

But I withdrew with a gasp, planting my hand on his chest to push him back. To create distance where I wanted none.

“You should know,” I said, my chest heaving, “I’m…. I’ve never...”

His eyebrows lifted and he smiled “You’re a virgin?”

I swallowed hard and nodded. My eyes were open so wide that they actually stung. “Yes,” I gasped.

The bulge in his pants pressed against my thigh, an alluring, rock-hard mass. He ran his hand down his dark stubble, and then slid his palm through his thick hair. His hand went back to my sex and I gasped as the heel dug into my mound, sending lightning sparks flying to my brain.

Gripping his forearm, I looked up at him through wide eyes. “I want you so much. You have no idea.”

“I have every idea,” he said, grinning cockily. But his words were soft when he went on. “I feel the same way. But we’re going to fucking take it slow. We will get there. But not until I say so. You understand?”

He had a simmering, powerful fury that made me so, so wet. As long as he wasn’t pushing me away, I could be as patient as he needed me to be. I would follow his lead without question. The idea of allowing myself to be controlled by him was powerful, and somehow it felt like I was able to control myself because of it.

I looked up at him and nodded. “I understand.”

He took my face in his hand once more, as if to kiss me. But this time he didn’t. Instead, he pressed his forehead to mine, gripped my cheek in his hand, and looked me in the eye. “You are fucking perfect.”

Chapter 10

Randal

The knocking at my door started suddenly and continued insistently. It pulled me from yet another of a million fantasies of Iris, her arms tied above her head.

A smile creased my lips, my cock hard in my fist, even with the rapping at my door.

“Randal, let me in.” Patara’s voice was muffled by the reinforced oak and steel. “Please, Randal. Quickly. This can’t wait. Oh, God…”

The distress in her voice made me frown. I’d never heard her like this, not even when we were children. And coming to my room at such an early hour? Unheard of.

“All right. I’m coming.”

I rose quickly, throwing on my britches and fastening them up to cover myself before answering the door. Patara rushed inside, and no guards stood on duty behind her. For the queen to slip away unnoticed at this time in the morning was no small feat.

“Close the door, Randal. Now!” Her eyes were wide, and I pushed the door closed, wondering what this was about. Was she in danger? Would I have to kill again for my adopted sister?

“What is it, Patara? What’s happened?”

“It’s…tell me what you said to the king’s adviser. Tell me exactly what you and Giles Aaron spoke about.” She met my gaze with tears in her eyes. “What did the two of you discuss, Randal? I know you spoke with him, I have sources of my own.”

“What’s this about?”

“Just tell me! Trust me, please. This is important.”

I huffed a breath, wishing she would get to the point. “He wants me on the throne. He thinks it would be safer for everyone, you included.”

She dropped onto the edge of my bed and stared at me, her cheeks reddening. Was she angry with me? She was so hard to read sometimes. “You’re a fool. Giles Aaron is not to be trusted. We had a plan of our own, Randal, don’t you remember? Me on the throne, you living your life in whatever way makes you happy. Why would you do this? Why would you turn on me?”