After our night in the gazebo, Rhys and I didnโt get any
more time alone during the tour. But when we returned to Athenberg a few days later, we managed to sneak in trysts despite my packed schedule.
The guesthouse at midnight, after everyone had gone to sleep. The supply closet on the third floor of the staff quarters during lunch hour. My favorite rooftop above the kitchen. No place was off-limits.
It was risky, dangerous, and out of character for both of us, given how practical we usually were, but we couldnโt have stopped if we wanted to. Weโd waited too long and needed it too much.
It was a crazy ride that would eventually have to end, and while we never talked about the future, weโd come to a silent agreement to enjoy every second we could.
But, as much as I wanted to spend all my days and nights with Rhys, I had other responsibilities, and three weeks after my return to Athenberg, I found myself in my grandfatherโs office, waiting for Erhall to finish speaking so I could present my agenda items.
โLet me guess. You have anotherย citizenย issue youโd like to bring up. Your Highness,โ Erhall added tightly, no doubt remembering my grandfather was also in the room.
I responded with a serene smile. โYes. That is what we do, isnโt it? Help the citizens of Eldorra?โ
Erhall, Edvard, Andreas, and I sat around Edvardโs desk for the kingโs weekly meeting with the Speaker. It was my third such meeting since I returned from my goodwill tour, which had been a smash success. Henrik ran a glowing profile of me in theย Eldorran Herald,ย and my public approval rating shot sky high, nearly rivaling that of my grandfatherโs.
I personally didnโt care much about ratings, but it was one of the most powerful weapons in my arsenal since I didnโt hold any actual political power. I also took great pleasure in the fact Erhallโs rating was nearly twenty points lower than mine.
โOf course.โ Erhall smoothed down his tie, looking like heโd just sucked on a lemon. โWhat would you like to discuss?โ
Iโd built on my impulsive decision at Idaโs farm and created an official Citizen Letters program by which Eldorrans could write or email me with their concerns, and I acknowledged every one. The most important ones, I brought to Erhallโs attention during the weekly meetings. He probably wouldnโt do anything about the majority of them, but I had to try.
โItโs about the roads in Rykhauverโฆโ I launched into my presentation, ignoring Andreasโs smirk. I hated that he was there, but he was still โshadowingโ Erhall, and since he was second in line to the throne, no one objected to him joining the meetings.
It didnโt matter. He would never be King, not if I had anything to say about itโand, as crown princess, I had plenty to say.
โIโll look into the issue,โ Erhall said. Code forย Iโm going to pretend this conversation never happened after I leave this room.ย โNow, Your Majesty, about the tax reformโฆโ
Edvard cast a sympathetic glance in my direction. He refrained from fighting my battles for me because it wouldnโt look good if I ran to him for help every time Erhall was a jerk, but Iโ
Oh God.ย I nearly jumped out of my seat.
Erhall paused and gave me a strange look before resuming his speech.
I pressed my thighs together beneath the table as the silent but powerful vibrations resumed between my legs.
Iโm going to kill him.
Rhys had ordered me to wear a vibrator all day and I, like an idiot, had agreed. Itโd sounded hot, and Rhys had a minute-by-minute breakdown of my day. Heโd kept the vibrator off during my meetings, so whyโ
My eyes fell on the grandfather clock in the corner.
Dammit.ย We were running over. Fifteen minutes over, to be exact. Rhys probably thought I was out by now.
A bead of sweat formed on my forehead as I tried not to moan, squirm, or do anything that might give me away.
โAre you alright? You lookโฆflushed.โ Andreas raised his eyebrows, his eyes sharp as he stared at me.
โYes.โ I forced a smile. โPerfectly all right.โ
โYou donโt look so well,โ Edvard said, sounding concerned.
Dear God, every minute they spent asking about me was another minute the meeting dragged on. It needed to end, soon, before I came in the middle of a discussion about freaking tax legislation.
โItโs just a little hot in here. Please, donโt stop on my account,โ I managed.
The vibrations ratcheted up a notch, and my nails dug into my skin so hard it left little grooves in my palms.
Edvard looked unconvinced, but he and Erhall resumed their conversation while Andreas watched me with narrowed eyes.
Normally, I would give him an icy stare right back, but I couldnโt concentrate on anything except the throbbing of my clit and the rasp of my nipples against my bra.
Thankfully, the meeting ended soon after. I bid Edvard a hasty goodbye, gave Erhall a curt nod, and ignored Andreas completely before exiting as normally as I could. I didnโt want to raise their suspicions any further by running from the room, even if I was a hairโs breadth away from orgasming.
The instant I was in the hall, the vibrations ceased.
Of course they did.
I smoothed a hand over the front of my skirt and managed to walk semi-normally to my office, where Rhys waited for me.
My heart leaped when I saw him leaning against my desk. Eyes dark, arms crossed over his chest, his pose casual and arrogant.
โThat was cruel.โ I pinned him with a stern stare even as my clit throbbed againโnot from the vibrator, but from the sight of him. The stubble, the tattoos, the way he looked at me like I was the only person in the worldโฆStop. Focus.ย โI was in a meeting.โ
โIt was supposed to end half an hour ago.โ โIt ran over.โ
โClearly.โ Rhysโs eyes lit up with a wicked gleam. โCome here, princess.โ
I shook my head, even though I was so turned on the faintest gust of air against my skin caused my breath to quicken. It was the principle of the matter. โNo.โ
โThat wasnโt a request.โ
My nipples hardened into aching points at his authoritative tone, and I folded my arms over my chest to hide them. โYou canโt tell me what to do.โ
โCome. Here.โ His voice dropped to a dangerously soft decibel. โBefore I bend you over my lap and spank you so hard you wonโt be able to sit for days.โ
My core clenched at the mental image, and I almost refused so he could do exactly that. But after hours of teasing, I couldnโt wait anymore, and I walked forward on shaky legs until I stood in front of him.
โThere. That wasnโt so hard.โ Rhys grabbed the back of my neck and pulled me toward him. โRemember. In public, youโre my princess, but in private, youโre my whore.โ His other hand reached down and pinched my swollen clit until I squealed, and the beginning tremors of an orgasm rocked through me. โYouโll do what I say, when I say it, and youโll take my cock however I want. Wonโt you?โ
Oh God.ย Another rush of moisture flooded between my legs.
โYes,โ I breathed.
The word hadnโt fully left my mouth before he swallowed it with a hard, knee-buckling kiss, and any vestiges of resistance crumbled.
I wrapped my arms around his neck, reveling in the taste and feel of him. Weโd been insatiable since the night in the gazebo, and I still couldnโt get enough.
The sneaking around, the late-night trysts and loaded glances in rooms full of peopleโฆit could all crash down around us at any second. But for once in my life, I didnโt care.
Iโd never felt more alive.
โHow was your day, sweetheart?โ Rhys breathed against my lips, his tone gentling from moments ago.
โGood.ย Frustrating,โ I said pointedly before I, too, softened my voice. โI missed you.โ
I hadnโt seen him since breakfast.
His eyes crinkled into a beautiful smile, and my heart soared so high I thought I might float off the ground.
If I could have any three things in the world, it would be world peace, my parents back, and Rhysโs smiles forever.
โI missed you too.โ He gave me a softer, lingering kiss before he slid his hand up my inner thigh again and a low
groan escaped his throat. โYou are soaked.โ His tone returned to the hard, commanding one I was used to. โBend over and lift your skirt.โ
I obeyed, the prospect of having him inside me soon making my fingers shake as I bent over the desk and yanked my skirt over my hips.
โTake off your underwear.โ
I slipped my hand into the waistband of my panties and shimmied them down until they pooled around my ankles.
Heat rose on my cheeks when I realized Rhys now had an unimpeded view of my vibrator and the mess itโd left behindโmy panties completely drenched, my thighs slick with my juices.
Still, I was turned on enough to brush past my embarrassment.
I gripped the edge of the desk, my body taut with anticipation, but there was only silence. No words, no touch.
I twisted my head in confusion.
Rhys stood behind me, his eyes ravenous as he soaked me in. Between his hungry stare and my current position, I felt like a sacrificial lamb waiting for a lion to pounce and devour me.
โSpread your legs wider. Let me see that pretty pussy dripping for me.โ
Heat scalded me from head to toe, but I did as he asked. โSo beautiful.โ He palmed my ass with both hands and squeezed. โWhat would the good citizens of Eldorra say if they could see you now, hmm? Their prim and proper princess bent over and spread wide, waiting for a hard cock
to fuck her.โ
Was it possible to come from words alone? Because I was this close to doing so.
โNot just any cock,โ I panted. โYours. Now are you going to keep talking, or are you actually going to fuck me?โ
Rhys laughed. He made quick work of his belt and pants, and my mouth dried. I would never get over how huge he was. Thick, long, and hard, the head already dripping pre- cum.
โThatโs right.โ He pulled the vibrator out and positioned the tip of his cock at my entrance. โMine.ย Onlyย mine. And donโt you forget it, princess.โ
He drove into me with one deep thrust, and my initial yelp turned into a series of whimpering moans as he pounded me from behind. They mingled with his grunts, the creaking of the desk as it shook beneath the force of his fucking, and the sound of flesh slapping against flesh. A delicious, filthy symphony that muddled my thoughts until all I could focus on was the feel of him thrusting in and out of meโ
โBridget? Are you in there?โ
Mikaela.
It took a few seconds for her voice to penetrate my sex- drenched fog, but once it did, my eyes flew open and I tried to stand up, only for Rhys to push me down again.
โNot done with you yet, princess.โ He thrust into me again and clapped a hand over my mouth to mu๏ฌe my moan.
โRhys, sheโsย right outside,โ I hissed when he loosened his hold enough for me to speak. I desperately wanted to come, but my stomach churned at the prospect of being caught.
I couldโve pretended I wasnโt there, but Mikaela and I had a scheduled meeting Iโd completely forgotten about until now.
โThe doorโs locked.โ โShe could hear us.โ
We spoke only loud enough for the other to hear, but to my paranoid ears, we might as well be shouting.
โThen you better keep quiet, hmm?โ Rhysโs hot breath slid over my skin as he reached around to pinch my nipples.
Another jolt of lust rocketed through me.
โBridget.โ Mikaela sounded impatient now. โThe doorโs locked. Is everything okay?โ
โY-yes. IโmโโRhys slammed into me with a particularly brutal thrustโโcoming!โ
My last word devolved into a gasp as my orgasm crashed over me in a tidal wave.
I buried my face in my arms and bit down to stifle my screams.
Rhysโs breathing changed, and a second later he came with a quiet grunt before sliding out of me.
We didnโt have the luxury of basking in post-coital bliss, and the aftershocks of my orgasm were still rippling through me as we cleaned ourselves up.
โOne minute!โ I called out for Mikaelaโs benefit.
I glared at Rhys, whoโd fixed himself up in record time and looked like he was trying not to laugh. โThis isnโt funny.โ
โNice double entendre there at the end,โ he said with a smirk.
Iโm coming.
I flushed as I finished straightening my clothes and hair. A quick glance in the mirror told me I still looked a bit disheveled, but I could blame that on running around the palace all day.
โI almost miss the days when you were an overbearing, overprotective ass.โ
โThen youโll be pleased to hear Iโm still an overbearing, overprotective ass. And princess.โ Rhysโs voice stopped me when I was halfway to the door. โYouโre forgetting something.โ
My face flamed when he held up the vibrator.
โYou areย tryingย to get us into trouble.โ I snatched the vibrator from him and wrapped it hastily with a tissue before shoving it inside a desk drawer. Iโd deal with it later.
โItโs Mikaela. She doesnโt notice anything that doesnโt have to do with parties and society gossip. You could shove an elephant in front of her and she probably wouldnโt notice. You think I wouldโve done that had it been Markus or Elin at the door?โ
Okay, Mikaela wasnโt the most observant person on the planet, but Rhys was exaggerating. In this case, though, I hoped he was right.
I opened the door and finally let my annoyed-looking friend in.
โWhat took so long?โ she grumbled. โI have to meet my motherโโ She stopped when she saw Rhys. โOh, hey, Rhys. What are you doing here?โ
He was technically off duty when I was in the palace, and I scrambled to think of a plausible excuse.
โWe were going over security plans,โ I improvised. โFor Nikโs wedding. Some of it is, uh, confidential. Which is why I took so long to answer.โ
Nikolai and Sabrina were still in California, but they were getting married in Athenberg and preparations were in full swing.
Mikaela frowned. โJust the two of you? I thought the Royal Guard was handling that.โ
โPersonalย security plans,โ I amended quickly.
โOh.โ The confusion in Mikaelaโs eyes cleared. โIs now still a good time to meet? I can come back if not.โ
โNow works,โ I said, even though all I wanted was to shower and take a nap. I was just grateful she didnโt ask any more questions about why it took me so long to unlock the door. My excuse wouldโve unraveled faster than a cheap sweater under any scrutiny.
โIโll see you later, Your Highness. Lady Mikaela.โ Rhys inclined his head and left, but not before shooting me a wink.
I bit back a smile.
โItโs too bad,โ Mikaela said, her eyes lingering on his backside a tad longer than I wouldโve liked before the door shut behind him.
โWhat is?โ I absentmindedly shu๏ฌed some papers on my desk and tried to push aside the mental images of what Iโd been doing on that exact spot ten minutes ago.
โThat Rhys is a bodyguard.โ Mikaela returned her attention to me and plopped into the chair opposite mine. โHe isย soย gorgeous. I donโt know how you see him every day without drooling. If he werenโt a commonerโฆโ She fanned herself. โI would be all over that.โ
My entire body stiffened, for multiple reasons.
โJust because he doesnโt have a title doesnโt mean heโs less than anyone who does have one.โ
I shouldโve gone along with what she said because Lord knows I didnโt want to encourage any attraction she had toward Rhys, but I hated the implication aristocrats were better just because they were lucky enough to be born into a titled family.
Mikaela blinked in surprise at my sharp tone. โOf course not,โ she said. โBut you understand the social dynamics, Bridge. Getting involved with the staff is so tacky. And Iโm the daughter of a baron.โ An unusual note of bitterness punctuated the last sentence. โMy social standing isnโt high enough to surviveย thatย kind of scandal.โ
The aristocracy had a strict hierarchy, and barons and baronesses sat at the bottom. I suspected that was part of the reason Mikaela worked so hard at networking and staying on top of society gossipโto overcome her perceived lower status, even though her family was still wealthier than the average Eldorran.
โLike I said, too bad, but at least I can look at him.โ Mikaela brightened again. โYouโre so lucky to have a hot bodyguard. Or not, since you canโt hook up with him.โ
She laughed, and I forced myself to join.
โOf course not,โ I said. โThat would be crazy.โ
