"Did you become your mother with talk about clothes for appearance’s sake?" She shook her head. “I’ve not thought about a weddingdress.”
He patted her arm. "You need to, quickly. Tomorrow evening, can we spend the night together? I'll plan somethingspecial."
She smiled at him and it felt like he’d won a marathon, but the only crowd that cheered was the one he needed. "You had me attomorrow."
"I promise I'll make thingsbetter."
Then she wrapped her arms around his waist and puckered her lips. He leaned forward and accepted her offering of peace. Her kiss righted everything in hisworld.
Without another word, he led her off the balcony and toward her room. Once he opened the door for her, she reached into his suitjacket, massaged his back, and kissed his cheek. "Stay with me. No one hastoknow."
He followed her into the room, but said, "Everyone will know in thepalace."
She kissed his cheek again. "Does itmatter?"
No ring… He kissed her and forgot about that for the moment. She tugged him toward her bed and he said, "I have to leave early in the morning for the changing of the guard ceremony. I’m pinning a metal on Babik and the young nurse who saved myfather’slife."
"That's tomorrow, and Babik deserves a raise." She took off her earrings and placed them on the vanity below the longmirror.
The racks of clothes were gone now and he had a clear sight to her bed. His body grew hard, so he tugged his ear to avoid the change. Duty. "You'll see my mother and pick out adress."
She removed her necklace as well and then returned and kissed him, drawing his lip into her mouth. "All this protesting. If you don'twantto…"
"Oh, I want." He kissed the nape of her neck. Her skin was soft andtantalizing.
She wiggled her backside and laughed. "Then help me with mydress."
He reached out and unzipped the tight red dress. The curve of her back was something he could stare atallday.
Once the zipper went to the bottom, he traced her spine with his lips and kissed her neck again. "Kristin, you arebeautiful."
She turned and let the gown hit the floor. She tugged at his suit jacket and he slipped it off, along with his shoes. She unbuttoned his shirt and gazed up at him. "So, any hints on your plan tomorrow for a special evening?" She reached the bottombutton.
“I made you a promise I intend to keep, but that’stomorrow.”
"No." She unbuckled his belt. "I can be patient as long as you keepmebusy."
Without another word he stripped off the rest of his clothes and let his manhood free. "Likethis?"
"Now you're getting it." She scooted on the bed, inviting him tojoinher.
He unclasped her bra, freeing her nipples. They were pert and ready for his kiss. "How about this?"He claimed her chest withhislips.
She arched back for him, "Mmmhmm."
He let one full breast free and aimed for the other. "Whatwasthat?"
She wrapped her legs around him and he felt her panties as the barrier. "No more talking, YourHighness."
"Are you ordering me around, Princess?" He traced her body with his fingertips. Her skin was soft everywhere and her curves just made him harder. He tugged off underwear so there was no morebarrier.
She giggled and reached for his shoulders to pull him up to her face. "Is that aproblem?"
He claimed her lips in a kiss as he pushed his way inside her. She sighed a sweet sound as he said, "Not as long as I candothis."
"Oh, yes," she murmured as he set a rhythmforthem.
Then to tease her he withdrew and kissed her neck. She placed her hands on his hips and gently guided him back insideher. "More."
