Page 25 of Her Royal Master
“Come on.”I interlaced my fingers through hers.
Shadow crowded us to the door, tail wagging, excited for adventure.He led us both up onto the deck.The sun glowed orange, just emerging from the turquoise blue horizon of the sea.The spray of sea mist fell on our faces in a soft caress.
Chelsea closed her eyes and made a soft hum.“It’s so beautiful,” she breathed.
Shewas so beautiful.Her olive-toned skin glowed gold in the morning light, which also picked up the gold flecks in her eyes.Her lips were plump and full from sleep.She lifted her face to mine.“Thank you.”
I brushed my lips across hers, addicted to the taste.
“Look.”I pointed and pulled her, running, to the stern of the yacht, where a pod of dolphins swam along behind us.
Shadow raced with us.He saw them at the same time and gave a joyful bark, bounding to the rail.
“Shadow, no,” I said sharply.
My exuberant dog leaped over without hesitation, plunging into the ocean to play with the dolphins.
“Cut the engine,” I shouted, running for the bridge.I wasn’t afraid for Shadow’s life—he’d been swimming in the ocean many times, but it would be a pain in the ass to get him back ontoSweet Surrender.
In the time it took me to get the captain’s attention, Chelsea disappeared.I peered over the rail.Oh hell, no.
Her golden body glinted in the water beside Shadow’s dark fur and the sleek gray forms of the dolphins, who’d stayed to play.
“Chelsea!”My heart shot into my throat.I grabbed a life preserver from the wall and threw it over before peeling off my shirt and diving in, too.
I surfaced near the boat and swam swiftly to the gathering.
Chelsea was laughing, holding onto Shadow’s collar, eyes wide with wonder at the dolphins leaping in circles around them.“I can’t believe this!”
“I can’t either,” I muttered, trying to modulate the fight instinct seeing her overboard had triggered.The cave man in me needed to drag her out and fuck her hard against the deck floor, claiming every inch of her until I was certain she was solid and real and still with me.But her joy was infectious, and I found myself grinning.
Shadow loved it too, barking happily at the dolphins, paddling his somewhat lethal paws through the water.Chelsea struggled to keep her grip on Shadow’s collar and avoid getting scratched as he swam.Her attempt to drag him back toward the yacht was clearly failing.
“Shadow, come,” I commanded in my native language and swam toward the yacht, and he immediately followed.“Let him go, baby, it will be easier for both of you,” I said to Chelsea, who’d grabbed the life preserver.
She obeyed and turned to watch the dolphins, who gave us a few more leaps before they swam away.
I swam to the ladder and had to lift my ridiculous dog up to help him climb it, and Avar, one of our crew members, reached down to pull him the rest of the way up.I waited for Chelsea, next, offering my hand.
She let go of the life preserver and swam into my arms, tucking her body against mine when we each stood with one foot on the ladder.My boxer briefs sagged off her hips, only staying on by virtue of the water cling.
“Can you believe that?”Her eyes were lit with excitement, joy palpable.
I twisted my lips over hers, drinking from her mouth.“No,” I said when I reluctantly broke the kiss.“I can’t believe you risked your life for my dog.”
She laughed, shoving her wet hair out of her eyes.“Are you nuts?I love Shadow.”
Such easy love she gave to my dog.I wondered what it would be like to be loved by her.
“It wasn’t necessary, you silly American.”I couldn’t keep the warmth of affection from my voice.I wanted to scold her, but the moment felt far too sweet for that.It wasn’t time to dominate.I kissed her again, slower this time, twining my tongue with hers.
Avar cleared his throat.“You need a hand, your highness?”
“No, thank you.We’re fine.”I kissed her again, tasting the strawberry sweetness of her lips.
“Crazy girl,” I murmured.Her nipples pointed through my wet t-shirt, and she shivered in my arms.“Come on, let’s get you into a hot shower.”I pretended to guide her up the ladder with my hand on her ass, until she reached the deck and Avar held out a towel for her.
“You jumped in after Shadow?”Avar asked, shaking his head.“You’re a dog hero.”He chuckled and handed me a towel.
