How could I trust him? I knew their pact and how Arthur had gotten what he wanted before I realized what he was using me for. I couldn’t trust any of the kings. “Can I trust your word?”
He brushed his lips over mine lightly, leaving behind the smallest hint of whiskey on my lips. “With this, yes, you can. I want to have you, Anna, not for any other reason but to touch your skin and have you gasp with pleasure.”
His words felt so right. I wanted to feel pleasure again, but could I afford to feel it from Royce?
Or should I turn the tables on him? I should feel empowered to do so. After all, I was one of them now.
My hand curved around his shoulder, threading into his hair, and I pulled him into a hungry kiss, tasting his surprise. I could control Royce. We were both consenting adults and maybe I did need to lose myself for a little while with someone who at least pretended to understand me.
Royce recovered and his mouth devoured mine, his tongue sweeping in and taking over the situation as I knew he would. Suddenly his hands were everywhere, and I tore away from his mouth, my breathing labored. “Wait.”
“You’re fucking killing me, pauper,” he whispered, pressing his forehead to mine. “What now?”
“I’m cold.”
He laughed harshly, stepping back and extending his hand. “Come, then. Let’s get you out of those clothes.”
This was my chance to walk away. I could easily grab my bag and walk out, head back to the academy, and Royce would let me.
He wasn’t one to chase me down. Not him.
But as I debated whether or not to run, there was a hopefulness on his face, one that he couldn’t hide. This was the Royce that no one saw, and my heart ached just a little because of it.
There was no way I could walk away now.
So, I took his hand and he led me up the stairs to a bedroom, the master bedroom, in fact. It was intimidating like him, dark colors with a large king-sized bed in the center of the room. “The bathroom is in there,” he said, yanking open one of the dresser drawers. “I’ll get you something to wear.”
I hesitated, looking in the bathroom at the massive stand-up shower. It was the perfect size for two people. I suddenly didn’t want to be alone. I wanted to be with Royce.
Oh God, I wanted to be with Royce!
So, what was I going to do with him? A thought crossed my mind and I swallowed my anxiety. I was going to do this. “You have to be cold too.”
Royce’s hands paused and he looked over at me. “What are you saying, pauper?”
I swallowed. “Join me.”
His jaw clenched. “I’m in no mood to be teased, pauper.”
“I’m not teasing you,” I said softly, reaching for the hem of my shirt. Royce’s eyes darkened as I pulled it over my head, throwing it on the hardwood floor, and I heard the sharp intake of his breath as he viewed my sports bra. “I’m going in that shower now.”
Without waiting for an answer, I marched into the bathroom and started the shower, my hands trembling slightly. Would he come? Desire had my body flushed, no longer cold on the surface, and I knew I was playing with fire.
But I wanted Royce. I wasn’t going to deny it any longer. I wanted his hands on my skin, to make me forget that the kings were using me and to just live in the moment.
The hell with Arthur or anything else. I could use Royce for my own selfish pleasure, just like they were going to use me. Sure, I had a soft spot for the king, but I was far from falling in love with him, better prepared to handle this than I was with Arthur.
I stripped the remainder of my clothes and stepped under the hot stream of water, warming the remaining coldness that was clinging to my skin.
A hand touched my side and I smiled as Royce kissed my shoulder lightly. “I thought about not coming in,” he said near my ear. “But damn, pauper, I can’t stay away.”
His body pressed into mine and I felt his arousal, my body reacting in response. Was I really going to do this with him?
Yes, I was.
When his hand slipped down to cup my breast, I let out a moan, arching against his muscular body. His thumb rubbed over my peaked nipple and I felt my knees weaken, wondering where else he would touch with such steely softness.
“You’re gorgeous, Anna,” whispered, his other hand sliding down my body and delving between my legs. “What sorts of sounds can I get you to make?”
I didn’t know, for I had simply forgotten how to breathe. When his fingers found my hardened nub, I groaned, shamelessly grinding against his hand with some urgency. It had been eons since Arthur had touched me and no matter how I tried to recreate it, I couldn’t by myself.
But Royce was doing a fine job, and within minutes I was crying out as my body was racked with pleasure. “Damn, pauper,” he said, nipping at my neck. “You made that too easy.”
I turned in his arms, feeling his arousal press hard against my stomach. His eyes were heated with such an intensity that it took my breath away. “I hope that’s not all.”
His grin was quick. “Hell, no. I’m going to have you all night.”
I pushed at his shoulders, wanting to get a look at his body, not feeling an ounce of shame in doing so. This
