Page 20 of Royal Sin

The connection was shattering—more intimate than I’d expected, more powerful than I’d prepared for. In his eyes, I saw not just desire but something deeper, something that terrified and thrilled me in equal measure.

His rhythm quickened, each thrust driving me closer to the edge. I wrapped my legs tighter around him, urging him deeper, wanting everything he could give me.

“Let go for me,” he whispered against my ear, his hand sliding between us to where we were joined.

His touch against my clit was my undoing. I shattered beneath him, crying out his name as waves of pleasure crashed through me. He followed moments later. His massive frame shuddered.

When the world stopped spinning, I became aware of Leonard’s weight on me, his breathing harsh against my neck. He shifted, rolling to his side and taking me with him, keeping our bodies connected as he tucked me against his chest.

“That was….” I began, but words failed me.

“Yes,” he agreed, pressing a kiss to my temple. “It was.”

We lay in silence for several minutes, his fingers tracing lazy patterns on my back. The intimacy of the moment should haveterrified me—this wasn’t part of the plan. The plan had been to use him, to parade him in front of my parents as the ultimate act of rebellion. Instead, I found myself curling closer, savoring the warmth of his body against mine.

“Can I get you anything?” Leonard asked finally, his voice gentle but insistent.

I sighed, pressing my forehead against his. “Water?”

He nodded, squeezing me tight before moving off the bed. His bare footsteps echoed down the hall. Whatever devil lived in my chest drove me to jump up. I hurried to the bathroom where I found the discarded pile of clothes. I pressed a particularly dark spot, and my fingers came away sticky with blood. Leonard had bruises, but not a single cut marked his body.

Whatever he’d been doing…I shivered. He might not know the truth about me, but I had a feeling there was so much more to this man than I suspected.

It both thrilled and terrified me.

Chapter 9

My fingers flew over the keys. The words formed on the screen, but in my head, a battle of epic proportions raged. The enemy forces battled it out for a strip of land, while the rightful king struggled with a band of a valent few to save the area for the peasants and their farms. From far behind the battle lines, but still within earshot of the screams of the dying, the mortal paced, her magic simmering under the surface, but not well enough controlled to be of use—

“Your drink is cold.”

I jumped from my seat, heart thumping loud. “What the hell, Americano?” I tried to sound serious but ended up laughing.

“I, um, was hoping you were here.” Leonard set his beverage down and pulled out a small, red box. “Here. This is for you.”

The chaos of war fizzled out, and the sounds of the café roared to my senses. I unwrapped the package and gasped. “Leonard! It’s beautiful.”

He shrugged. “Saw it in a window and thought of you.”

I carefully plucked the gold chain from the box and held the necklace so the gold pendant caught the light. Delicately molded flowers framed a book.

“This is….” I lifted my shoulders.

“I thought about waiting to give it to you for Christmas or something, but I, uh, wanted you to have it now.” Leonard held the back of the chair so tightly that the split in his knuckle reopened. “It’s too soon, isn’t it?”

“Nothing about us is normal, and I’m okay with that,” I drawled, pulling my hair to the side. “Put it on me?”

His steps were long and elegant, like those of a great cat. As he bent behind me, the warmth from his body washed over me.

I’m in over my freaking head.

His fingertips brushed the nape of my neck as he fastened the clasp, sending a shiver down my spine. The pendant settled against my collarbone, its weight both delicate and significant.

“Thank you,” I whispered, turning to face him.

Leonard’s eyes softened as he studied the necklace against my skin. “It suits you.”

I touched the small golden book, feeling the raised edges of its tiny pages. “I don’t know what to say.”

---