“You’ve never known me with Nina. There has to be someone who can be assigned to her.”
“Nick is the best man on my staff. If you love her the way you say you do, you’ll want her to have the best.”
I glare at him, my whole body quaking in anger and frustration.
“Bugger me.” I turn on my heel and stomp out of the room.
I don’t have to pretend that I’m in love with her. I’m already halfway there.
***
“I don’t want to get up,” Nina murmurs the next morning. We’re snuggled down in the bed, listening to the rain batter the roof above us. “It’s just too nice here.”
“We could have a lie-in, we don’t have to get up for a while yet.” She’s pressed against me, her bottom snuggled tightly against my groin, facing the window. I’m already hard.
It seems I’m constantly hard when she’s near.
“I didn’t know that rain could sound so beautiful.” She wiggles onto her back and smiles up at me, dragging her fingers down my cheek. “This is the perfect day to stay under the covers and have sex all day long.”
“Now, that’s tempting.” I nibble the side of her lips and down to her jawline. “You smell so good. What is that?”
“Soap.” She laughs and then sighs when I cup her breast, tweaking the nipple between my fingers. “Oh, that’s nice. Have I mentioned you’re really good with your hands?”
“I don’t think so.”
“So good.” She arches into my touch. She’s still warm from sleep, her movements slow and groggy.
She’s blooming gorgeous.
Before I can move over her, she straddles my hips, impaling herself completely. Her head falls back, and I can’t resist sitting up to bite her neck, her collarbone.
“Can’t get enough of you,” I growl as she begins to move. My hands grip her hips, my fingertips digging into her arse as she rides me.
“I’m so sore from riding the horses yesterday,” she says with a laugh. I wrap my arm around her waist and switch our positions, kissing her as I begin to move now. I link my fingers with hers and pin her hand above her head. Her other hand digs into my backside.
“You’re strong,” she whispers. “I like it.”
I can’t speak. The orgasm has begun to gather in my spine, working its way through me. I move faster, grinding against her core, wanting her to join me.
“Shit,” she whispers, the first contractions coming from her core. She’s tugging and squeezing me, and all control is gone as I let go, spilling myself inside her.
Holy bloody hell.
“Nina.”
“Mmm. That was nice.”
“Nina, I didn’t wear a rubber. Shite, I’m so sorry.”
Her eyes spring open, but she just kisses the inside of my arm. “We’re good, Prince Sebastian. No baby princes will be made today.”
“This isn’t funny.”
She cups my cheeks and looks into my eyes. “I have an IUD. I promise, I can’t get pregnant. And I’m perfectly healthy.”
I blow out a gusty breath and tip my forehead against hers. “So daft. I’ve never lost my mind like that before.”
“I’ll take it as a compliment.” She grabs my arse again. “You were too excited to fuck me to remember the condom.”
“I don’t fuck you, darling.” I nibble her lips to keep myself from telling her that I’m making love to her. “Never that.”
“I know.” She sighs in contentment. “Trust me, you’ve shown me the difference.”
“What a lovely thing to say.” I move to the side and bring her with me, snuggling her to me so we can lay in bed and listen to the rain.
“It’s true. But if you tell anyone else, I’ll deny it.”
“It’s our secret.”
Chapter Eight
Nina
“YOU’RE GETTING MARRIED in a week!” Fallon runs to me and throws her arms around me, hugging me tightly. “And you said you’d never marry. Famous last words.”
It’s so good to see my friends. Christian and Jenna arrived last week, and just this morning, the rest of the gang flew in. Fallon and Noah, Willa and Max, Hannah and Brad, and of course, Grace and Jacob.
I have my whole tribe around me for the first time in over a month. To say I feel relieved is a gross understatement. I want to kiss them all on the mouth.
Me, the one who doesn’t like to be touched.
“I can’t believe we’re in the palace,” Hannah murmurs into my ear as she hugs me. “How are you? You look healthy. Should I do a quick examination while I’m here?”
“She’s in England, not a third-world country,” Grace reminds her with a grin. “But really, though. How are you?”
“Overwhelmed,” I admit and blink away tears. “It’s just been a lot, you know? But I can’t complain because it’s also amazing. And holy shit, you guys, I’m marrying a prince.”
“A freaking prince,” Willa says with a grin. “I want to see your wardrobe. I need access to your closet.”