Page 56 of Royally Bad

I hopped up, reaching down to help her stand. “Can you walk?”

“Of course.” She laughed, scrutinizing me like I’d said something insulting. “I’m fine, the fall off the horse wasn’t that bad.”

“I meant, can you walk after being fucked so hard?”

Her grin was sly. Gripping my hand, she let me tug her onto her feet. “You’re really full of yourself.”

Pulling her close to me, I scraped my nose just across the outer edge of her ear. “The same could be said about you five minutes ago.”

Her waver of pleasure came and went. She pushed her lips together, disengaging and putting a foot between us. “Every counter I have, you’ll just turn it into something dirtier.”

“Is that so bad?” Reaching for Knight, I said, “Let’s get out of here.”

Poised where she was, just inches from the flattened grass we’d lost ourselves in, Sammy scanned the black horse as if he was a loaded rifle. “You’re taking me back to the mansion?” She didn’t try to hide her disappointment.

I motioned Rosel closer. The horse trotted my way, her agitation vanishing with a few nose rubs. “Yes. But only so we can get my bike. I’d rather take you out of here on something other than horseback. It’ll be easier on your bruised ass.”

Her shocked delight was almost as good as making her writhe with pleasure.

Almost.

Helping her onto Rosel, I slid my palm down the outside of her thigh. The way she jerked was a reminder of the contagious heat between us. “You’re really going to help me?” she asked.

“Is it that shocking?”

Sammy looked over my head and toward the mansion in the distance. “I assumed your father had a hold over you. He wants me to stay on lockdown here.”

Her observation made me flinch. I loathed the idea of anyone thinking I was under someone’s thumb, especially my father’s. “Let him get pissed. It’s only a little ride.”

I’d always look back on that moment—the way her green eyes bloomed with the first flicker of her appreciation for me. Sammy never looked more beautiful than when she was seeing the good inside of people ...

The good inside of a rash idiot like me.

It was a powerful, wonderful memory.

One of my favorites.

I couldn’t have guessed that I’d need it to survive the guilt brought on by the consequences of my arrogant actions.

- CHAPTER FIFTEEN -

KAIN

It wasn’t hard to leave the estate.

But it was hard not to be seen.

As we pulled out of the driveway, I was sure someone would notice us. It didn’t matter now, though; that was a problem for Future Kain. Present Kain was happily flying down the road with a cute girl clinging to his body, enjoying the afterglow of the rough sex he’d gotten to indulge in.

Hurrah for Present Kain.

Sammy had been delighted by my offer. I was dumb for making it, but I couldn’t take it back, not now. Seeing her so depressed and knowing I could relieve evensomeof that pain ... I couldn’t have done anything else but help.

When I squeezed my motorcycle’s handlebars, I imagined the glittery heels that had recently been dangling there. When I’d arrived home after visiting the Dirty Dolls yesterday, I’d taken them inside with the clear plan of handing them back to Fran. What use did I have for pre-worn wedding shoes?

Instead, I’d passed by her room and tucked the glittery heels away in mine.

Somehow, I couldn’t give them up.

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