Page 81 of Royal Havoc

I explode inside her, filling her up, marking her as mine forever.

After she worships me in the shower and I’ve taken her against the steamy wall, she lets me carry her to bed. While I lay beside her, her finger trails over the tattoos on my chest.

“If you didn’t chase me in the woods. Who did?” I hear her whisper in the darkness before my eyes slide shut.

forty-two

Camp… Fires???

Tulip: 2016 Age: 19

“Stop pouting, B,” I giggle, leading him deeper into the woods.

Birds bolt from their nests above us, filling the sky as sticks break under our steps, disturbing the peaceful afternoon.

“I’m not pouting. I’m waiting on you to tell me what we’re doing,” he grumbles behind me.

The past few months have felt like a never-ending magical dream. One I hope never to wake up from. I’m finally seeing what life’s really about, and I’m loving it.

After Ollie won our case, he helped me get back all the money Bolton hid from me. From what Ollie said, I guess Gramps paida hefty price to keep me hidden away in The Row, making sure I completely disappeared from the world.

Once we were free with my new money tucked under our mattress, Brock and I found a little place with a lot of potential, which we’ve finally finished fixing up.

Finding a loft apartment with hardly any walls was a dream come true. It’s perfect for a couple who were locked up in cells for most of their lives because neither of us likes small spaces.

“Ta-da!” I shout, jumping in front of the huge tent I fought to set up alone earlier.

His eyes dash around the area before landing on mine. “A tent? For what?”

Rolling my eyes at his grouchy face. “We’re camping,” I sing happily, spinning in a circle.

He raises a brow, watching me intensely. “Why, when we have our own place?”

“Stop being a grouchy ass. You’re ruining my surprise,” I pout angrily.

“I’m just asking why you want to freeze in the woods? When we could be cozy in our bed,” he jokes playfully, trying to lighten the mood.

Kicking at the dirt with my boot. “It’s our one-year freedom anniversary. I wanted to surprise you with something special,” I mumble shyly, shamed by his judgy stare. “Never mind, let’s go.” Grabbing his hand as I turn and start to trudge back through the woods.

His arms grab me, forcing me to stop. “Whoa. Stop. Turn around,” he orders. I turn in his arms, avoiding his shocked stare. He forces my chin up. “I love your surprise.”

His lips capture mine, and I melt in his arms. After ending our kiss. “So we can camp?” I ask excitedly, my insides going bonkers, feeling like they might explode.

He leans close to whisper in my ear, “Yes.”

I jump up and down like a kid in a candy store, unable to contain the bubbling in my tummy.

We take our time eating the food I packed, then gather firewood. It’s amazing how easy he makes things look. In no time at all, he has a fire going and promises to roast marshmallows with me later.

He sits beside me on the blanket by the fire, watching me warm my hands. “Now what?”

I turn to look at him. “What?”

He narrows his eyes. “I love you, but you’re a shitty liar.”

I rush to straddle him as I shove him back. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

His cold hands grasp my waist. “Why are we here? Inthesewoods?”

---