Page 46 of Queen of the Crimson Throne

“What makes you think he’ll give you the information you want?”

He smirked. “When someone has their hand wrapped around your cock, information slips from your lips real easily.”

“Luka,” I hissed. “I am not touching him.”

“I didn’t mean you,” his eyes darkened, “You will not be touching him. There are plenty others here that will be at hisdisposal, but we need to be there when it happens, while he’s distracted.”

Before I could press about it further Luka stiffened and shushed me.

“What?”

“It’s the duke.” He spoke through his teeth. “The moment he spots us he’ll surely make his way over here. Now’s the time, Sweetheart, pretend like you like me.”

I stiffened as he snaked an arm around my waist and pulled me closer to him. “Anytime now.” He murmured as his lips pressed into the side of my neck. An involuntary shiver wracked my body at the feel of his lips moving across my neck, placing soft kisses wherever they traveled. I shifted so one of my legs draped across his lap, intertwining with his. I closed my eyes and exposed my neck further to him. Moaning slightly as his fangs scraped over my heated skin.

“Keep making sounds like that, Sweetheart, and I’ll think you aren’t pretending.”

“Don’t ruin it.” I panted as I gripped my hand in his shirt pulling him closer, causing the hand on my back to tighten.

Too easy,it wastoo easyto fall back into his arms.

“Well, isn’t it the happy couple?” A male voice interrupted the exploration of his lips. Luka bent forward, resting his forehead in the crook of my neck—breathing me in before he sat up and turned toward our visitor. The duke’s golden hair was cut similar to Luka’s, the longer pieces were mused, as if someone else had been pulling at the strands. His white shirt was unbuttoned, exposing his muscular chest.

“Caspian.” Luka gave me a hard time about the face I put on as queen, but he did the same as he addressed the duke and his companions. “I was wondering when you’d find us.”

“I’ve been previously occupied.” The male’s blue eyes glimmered as he looked at the male and female beside him before breaking out into a grin. “As I see you have been too.”

“Yes, I don’t think you’ve been introduced.” Luka stood before giving me his hand and pulling me to stand next to him, wrapping his arm around my waist as he tucked me into his side.

“This is High Queen, Lennox Adair.”

The duke’s smile faltered for a second.

“My Queen.” He bowed. “What an honor it is to meet you and have you in my home. I’m sorry I didn’t know of your arrival sooner I would have?—”

“There is no need.” I interrupted the male. “We are all here to have fun are we not? My arrival should have no hinderance to that.”

The male opened his mouth, but Luka interrupted him. “Lennox and I are engaged. We are here so she can see what she is marrying into.”

“And are you enjoying yourself, Your Majesty?”

“Very much so.”

“I would love for you and Luka to come and join me in my suite.”

Luka’s grip on my waist tightened, but he smiled. “We would love to.”

21

LUKA

It was a shame I liked this particular duke because right now I’d like nothing more than to tell him to fuck off, so I could go back to making Lennox make those little sounds I loved so much as she arched into my touch for the first time in months.

My hand remained on her back as Caspian led us through the ballroom into his private suite. It would be a lot harder to fake our relationship in his private room. There would be fewer eyes on us, but Caspian would be watching closely—it was the opportunity I needed. I just hoped Lennox was ready for what would come next.

We followed Caspian out of the ballroom and down a narrow hallway lit by torches, stopping when we came to a door.

Lennox’s eyes were wide as she took in the room. The entire suite was bathed in red light and was smaller than you would anticipate. A bar took up the left side of the room, manned by a single masked barkeep. It was typical for any staff at such parties to remain masked to keep the illusion of anonymity for everyone. There were several tables and booths in the center of the room, occupied by other invited guests.

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