Tempting the Crown (The Crown 1)

“Only if you belong to me,” I whispered back to him.

“Shit,” he groaned. He pumped inside me, spilling his release in my walls. His body molded to mine.

We collapsed in a heap on the floor. The fire was down to a pile of orange coals.

“Fuck,” he whispered.

I rolled on my back. I wasn’t cold. Far from it. I was exhausted and sated at the same time. Vaughn stood to throw another log on the fire.

I watched his body in amazement. Every line of him was perfect. Every muscle. Every limb.

He took a few steps to the tray of food and brought it to the floor.

“I forgot we had food in here.” I sat up to take few bites.

“We have it all weekend.” He winked. “I didn’t really plan on leaving. I ordered the necessities: food, wine, and wood.”

I smiled. “Then why come all the way out here?” I asked. “We could have done this at my place.”

“I don’t remember you having a four-poster bed.”

I looked at the bed over his shoulder. “True. I don’t.” I took a bite of cheese and cracker and greedily gulped the wine he offered. “Do you think there’s more use for it?”

Vaughn picked up a strawberry. “At least a hundred more.” He said it with such seriousness I almost laughed.

Chapter Thirteen

Vaughn wasn’t completely serious about not leaving the room. The next morning, we had breakfast in bed. Room service delivered a full cart of pastries, fruit, and coffee. After we ate we took a shower, allowing the steam to billow around us.

“What do you want to do today?” Vaughn asked.

“What are my choices?” I dabbed shampoo in the center of my palm and ran it through my hair.

“Drive through the country side.” He counted off the options on his fingers. “Search for Civil War battlefields.”

“Really?” I eyed him.

“I did download a new crossword app.” The corners of his mouth twitched.

I rinsed my hair before pressing into the hard planes of his chest.

He laughed. “Or

we could take in the winery. It’s right outside.”

I grinned. “And turn down grassy fields of ancient battles?” I scrunched my nose.

“If you insist on wine.” He gripped my bottom, sliding me against him. “Such a smartass.”

I bit my lip, peering into his eyes. The water dripped from his lashes. He hadn’t shaved, and the stubble on his cheeks was irresistibly handsome on him. I sighed as his lips moved against mine with tender passion.

After the shower I pulled on a pair of jeans and a button-up blue plaid shirt.

The crisp air hit my nostrils when we ventured outside. We walked through the rows of grapes.

“Try this one.” Vaughn plucked a reddish grape from the vine.

“I don’t think you’re supposed to do that.” I looked around to see if anyone had noticed.