“Good morning.” His voice rumbled out of his chest. He was propped on his elbow looking down at me.
“Uh.” I made a face and closed my eyes against the bright light streaming in through the windows. “That’s weird.”
“What?” He chuckled.
“Watching me sleep. Is this going to be like those movies where we have sex and then the really hot guy turns out to be a creeper?”
“You make little mewing sounds.”
“I do not.”
“Like a baby kitten.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “I am not a baby kitten. I’m sleepy and annoyed.”
“It’s cute and sexy.”
“Oh, no.” I groaned. “You’re a morning person.”
“Mmhmm.” He moved so that I was lying on my back and nuzzled my neck.
“We’re going to have a hard time.” I sighed as his hand ran over my stomach.
“I think you’re right.” He moved so that I could feel him pressed against my leg.
“Oh boy.”
“You can say that again.” He chuckled as he slid under the sheet, his mouth trailing over my skin.
“Oh boy.” His mouth covered one of my br**sts, his tongue running over it teasingly. “Oh boy.”
When he spread my legs and pressed kisses to the tender skin there, I whimpered. I was starting to think I had been waking up to the wrong alarm clock all these years. As he took his time tasting and licking, I closed my eyes and floated along the bliss. When he slid his fingers inside, my h*ps moved in response. I was tender in a good way, like after you exercise for the first time in a while. One thing was sure, he had given me a good work out.
He focused all his attention on the sensitive place at the top of my mound while he worked the perfect rhythm. His fingers flicked just the right spot and I groaned loudly. I reached down, tangling my fingers in his blond hair. My movements increased and he understood the cue. Crawling up my body, he licked and sucked as he made his way out of the sheet. Reaching between us, he rubbed the head of his manhood against me.
I whimpered, needing him, and he smiled smugly. “Ask me.”
“For what?” My voice came out breathy.
“What you didn’t ask for last night.”
I licked my lips. “Please kiss me, Alex.”
His mouth covered mine and I could taste us mixed together on his lips. His tongue slid into my mouth while he continued to tease me under the covers. He eased in just enough to make me moan, then pulled right back out. I growled into his mouth in frustration. When he did it again I slid my hands over his ass and pulled at him. I made some headway before he chuckled and pulled away.
He sat up and the sheet fell behind him, letting me enjoy the sight of him in the morning light. Gripping my hips, he pulled me to him, tilting me upward so that he could slide in. My breath left on an exhale of pleasure as he filled me. I wiggled against him, wanting more, but couldn’t get enough traction. I reached above my head and placed my hands against the headboard and pushed, making us both groan.
He ran a hand over my stomach and between my br**sts before cupping the back of my neck. He pulled me against him and moaned, his h*ps setting a slow rhythm that was just enough.
“I could watch you all day.” He groaned louder when I pushed harder against the headboard, slamming him deeper. “God, that feels good.”
“Samantha. I’m Samantha, not God.”
“Samantha.” He leaned forward, bracing himself on the hand that had been holding my neck. “Samantha, you feel so damn good.” His words slipped into Lilarian and I only paid attention to the sound of his voice.
As we moved together it wasn’t fast or rushed, but a steady pace to find the finish line. When his breathing hitched, I was right there with him, my orgasm slamming into me as I felt him jerk inside of me.
He laid on me and rolled so that we were on our sides but still connected. It was a comfortable feeling and I liked knowing he was still inside me. My body was still twitching with aftershocks of pleasure. His hand lazily ran up and down my arm.
“That’s a great way to wake up.” I sighed against his chest.
“Glad I could help.” I looked up into his blue eyes and enjoyed his smug grin.
“But now I want a nap.” I rubbed the tip of my nose against him.
“That sounds like a great idea.” He pulled me tighter against him. “Unfortunately I have to leave soon.”
Disappointment crashed into me, even though I had known he would need to go. I didn’t say anything for a minute, just listened to his breathing and wondered what he was thinking. His hand continued its steady movement against my skin and I sighed. I fought against the nerves that were starting to bubble up underneath my skin. The realization that I was already in deep was sinking in slowly.
“Do you have time for breakfast?” I looked up at him. We couldn’t lie here all morning if he needed to go. And I needed to do something other than obsess about my fears.
“I have time to eat.” His eyes twinkled down at me. “And to take a shower.”
I rolled away from him and stood up, looking over my shoulder as I walked to the bathroom. “What are you waiting for?”
I turned the knobs for the water until I found a comfortable temperature. I was checking to make sure we had enough towels when he slid his hands around my waist. I sucked in a breath and fidgeted in his grasp.
“Your hands are so cold!”
“That’s why I’m trying to warm them up.”
“Dirty.” I stepped away from him and pulled open the shower door. I smiled at him as I moved under the water. He followed close behind and turned a knob so the extra shower head came to life.
“You already know I don’t play fair.”
My soaps had been put in the bathroom, which was kind of creepy, but I didn’t linger on it for too long. I poured body wash onto the bath sponge and began to lather my arms when Alex plucked it from my hands.
He didn’t say anything, just ran it over my body in slow circles. I had thought I was more than sated, but when he knelt down to wash my legs, my hormones came alive. He looked up at me, his wet hair trailing water down his shoulders as he lifted one of my feet and then the other. There was something gentle in his expression as he took his time cleaning me and it made my heart thump in a different way.
When he had finished I took the sponge and gave him the same treatment. I took my time cleaning every inch of his body. When I moved my hands down his thighs, he twitched and started to grow hard. Alex grabbed my wrists and wrapped my arms around his neck. He kissed me slowly before pressing his forehead to mine.
“I’d like nothing more than to stay locked away with you, but I have to go to Paris.” He twined his fingers with mine. “And if you kept doing that we aren’t going to make it out of your room.”
“Now you have something to look forward to.”
His eyes bored into mine. “I won’t be able to think of anything else.”
Eventually we finished getting clean and dried off. Thankfully, there were extra toothbrushes in the cabinets. I pulled out some new clothes and got dressed while he pulled his jeans from the night before back on. He stood there for a minute, looking around the room.
“What?” I pulled on a sock and looked at him as he frowned.
“I think my shirt is downstairs.” Alex looked at me and raised an eyebrow.
“Oh.” I realized we had left evidence. “Oh! I’ll go down and grab it.” I opened the door, but someone had folded and stacked his shirt and jacket neatly just on the other side. “So much for no one knowing what happened here.”
He took his shirt and pulled it on. “They won’t say anything, Samantha.”
“I know.” I frowned. “It’s not them I’m worried about.”
“The press?”
“I just got here and this would be even more fodder for the tabloids.” I bit my lip. “But it’s not just me, Alex. The papers would eat this up because it’s you. I mean, can you get in trouble for this?” I motioned between us.
“I’m a grown man, or hadn’t you noticed?”
“I noticed all right.” I smiled and sat down on the edge of the bed next to him while he put on his shoes. “I just don’t want to cause trouble for you.”
“People are going to be interested in us no matter what. That’s not going to change whether we’re together or not.” He looked at me seriously. “And there is no reason I would get in trouble over us.”
“Is there an us?” It sure felt like there was an us after last night. And this morning. And the shower.
“You told me you don’t do one-night stands.” He brushed some of the wet hair away from my face. “And while the sex is awesome, that’s not all I’m looking for either.”
“So, us.” I shook my head. “Alex, I—”
“Don’t make this complicated.” He frowned. “We can keep it quiet, see how it works.”
“Someone already knows.”
“There’s no getting around that. People are going to know; some people have to know.” He didn’t look happy about this plan and I felt guilty.
“Alex, it’s not that I don’t want people to know—it’s that I don’t want people to put pressure on us. I’ve been famous for a week and I already know that we would never get a break.” I grabbed his hand.
“I understand.” He stood up and pulled me with him. “Let’s go get some breakfast, I’m starved.”
We went downstairs and were met with the sound of voices in the kitchen. Alex laced his fingers through mine before lifting our hands to his mouth and kissing my knuckles. Whoever had picked up the clothes by the door had to know what had happened. Or at least had a good idea. There was no reason to try to hide it.
Chadwick was sitting at the island, a plate full of food in front of him while Margie moved about the kitchen. Margie was the first to spot us and smiled.
“Good morning, Samantha. Sir.” She dipped a quick curtsy. “I wasn’t sure what you like for breakfast so made a little of everything.”
Chadwick looked over his shoulder at us and smiled. “Good morning.”
I grabbed a plate off the island and picked out some food. “Thank you, Margie. You didn’t have to make breakfast.”
“I like to cook and I love that I have new people to cook for.” She smiled as she cut up some fruit. “Chadwick did tell me you enjoy fresh fruit for breakfast.”
“Thank you.” I sat next to Chadwick and he pushed a cup of coffee in my direction.
“Where’s the normally grumpy Samantha this morning? Is there a coffeepot in your room?” He took a bite of his toast and looked at me with innocent eyes.
“It’s a pretty morning.” I shrugged and sipped my coffee.
“A very pretty morning.” Alex sat across from me and smirked. I glared at him over my cup, but that just seemed to amuse him.
“Spring is definitely on its way,” Margie said. Her back was turned to us, so she didn’t notice the looks that were being passed around.
“I believe I heard some birds this morning,” Alex said as he ate his pancakes.
“I wonder when the bees will make an appearance,” Chadwick said thoughtfully. “Pollinate a few flowers and such.”
“Really?” I shot them both looks.
“Ignore them, Samantha.” Margie looked over her shoulder at us. “Do you think you’re the first people to fall into bed together? Or the first people that had a lot on the line?”
I closed my mouth and set down my cup. Alex cleared his throat and turned to look at the older woman. “I’m sorry if we’ve put you in an uncomfortable position, but this is something we would like to keep to ourselves if possible. The less people who know about us, the better.”
“Oh, I understand. That’s why I folded up your clothes and set them next to your room.”
“You had clothes all over the house?” Chadwick chuckled. “Jess would be very proud.”
“How did you know Alex was here?” I asked. He hadn’t seemed surprised in the least.
“His Land Rover is out front.” He shook his head and looked at Alex. “And Ned called me. I told him that I thought you had come over early to make sure Samantha was settled.”
“Thank you.” Alex nodded his head.
“Of course, I didn’t tell him that you were the one doing all the settling.”
“I’ve created a monster.” I groaned. Chadwick winked at me.
“I should have turned my phone on this morning, but didn’t want to deal with it yet.” Alex polished off his food.
“Why do you have to go to Paris?” I hadn’t asked him earlier. There had been more pressing things at hand.
“One of the head chairs was hospitalized last night and he was scheduled for a large appearance. They need me to cover for him this week.” He leaned back in his chair. “It’s mostly promotion.”
“Parties and fund-raisers?” I pushed the food around on my plate.
“There’s a gala and a few plaque unveilings.” He sighed. “Get used to the idea of unveiling plaques. You will lose count of how many you’ve done before this year is over.”
“Plaques?”
“To commemorate one thing or another.” He scratched at his chin. “For some people the monarchy is an outdated institution. We hold a little more sway than some of the other remaining royal households because we have retained ownership of the lands that made our country what it is. However, we do so much more than some people notice. We’re the ones sent to rally people for events, to congratulate someone on a job well done. In a time where real, honest successes often go unnoticed, we are the ones who make sure they don’t. If someone has spent fifty years of their life dedicating work to a charity or an important cause, we honor them. If the people feel they are being neglected by the government, they can petition us to bring their troubles to parliament.”