Page 133 of Reign of Light
Weston kisses me like it’s the first time, with all the desire and love that he poured into it before, but this time, he’s not pulling away.
And he’s right. None of it is fake. It’s just a secret.
His mouth is unwavering as his hands roam over my body, gripping my hips firmly. Heat flames under my skin, and I let out a soft moan into his mouth as his thumbs find the soft flesh just beneath the bone, kneading soft circles and making me want his hands in other places.
A low chuckle rumbles in his throat as he breaks the kiss, and I can feel his smile against my lips. He barely stops for a moment before his lips are on me again, trailing kisses along my jaw. I keep my face turned into the warmth of his neck, inhaling him deeply until I feel the tickle of his breath against my ear.
“Laugh.”
The giggle that erupts from my throat is from more than just following his command. It’s as if time stood still in the last few moments, and I’ve been so lost in Weston’s attention that I almost forgot there was more we have to accomplish, more to the ruse we are acting out.
Focus, Lennox.
His smile widens against my skin, and when his tongue flicks out, licking and sucking the sensitive spot beneath my earlobe, another uncontrollable wave of giggles overcomes me. He hums appreciatively against my skin before his lips drag back up to my ear.
“Every sound that comes out of that pretty mouth makes my cock stiffen. Any more and my guards will have no choice but to see how hard I am for you.”
I suck in a quick breath, and he grumbles at the sound. My hands fist in his clothes as I pull him closer to me and angle my face so now I can whisper in his ear.
“If we didn’t have somewhere to be, I’d be bringing you to bed right now.”
Leaning back just enough so he can see my face again, he lets out a sigh, and worry races through me. It almost seems…sad. But it’s gone in a second when he captures my chin in the crook of his hand, his thumb and his fingers pressing into my jaw, and pulling me in for another fierce kiss.
“I love you,” he murmurs. “Time for the next step.”
He pulls away abruptly, straightening until he towers over me again, and shifts to make sure I’m still shielded from any wandering eyes. He tugs my hood down a little farther over my face, then grabs my wrist, pulling me into his side and wrapping his arm around my shoulder. I curl into him, dipping my chin toward his chest and following the guidance of his body as we saunter toward the gate. His chest vibrates under my cheek as he grumbles a quick greeting.
“Gentlemen.”
“Sir.” A few other voices murmur a greeting, and I mentally tally the number of guards we have to worry about when the first one speaks again.
“Night off?”
“First one in over a week,” Weston says, all his normal confidence coating his voice. “The queen is in her rooms. All entrances should be closed down for the night. If anything happens, ONeal is in command.”
“Yes, sir,” the man says again, followed by the clank of the lock and high-pitched squeal of the hinges. “Enjoy your evening, Rowe. Miss.”
“We will,” Weston mutters, and his arm tightens around me. I let out another playful giggle, a planned one this time, and sink into him more, hoping that whatever look is on Weston’s face helps play into the scheme.
Weston’s body guides me through the gate so I don’t have to see where I’m walking. Hopefully to all the guards, it looks more like I don’t want anyone to know who is sneaking off with the First Guard on his first night off, and less like the queen is hiding beneath a staff uniform.
My boots pound on the cobblestones once we step outside the grounds, and Weston’s hand lifts from my shoulders. I assume he is signaling to the guards behind us it is safe to close the gate, and let out a deep breath when I hear the clang of the lock reverberate behind us.
We made it.
The mist and rain from earlier in the day have stopped, but the bitter wet chill in the air cuts through my clothes once we are out from behind the protection of the looming castle. I shiver, tugging my cloak more firmly around my shoulders and Weston leans closer.
“Almost there.”
I wait until we’re a few blocks away before straightening myself so I can walk normally. My hood still hangs low over my face, but at least I can see. I know the way, but the walk feels different this time. Very few people are out tonight, probably because of the worsened cold and late hour, but I still keep my gaze down. Now that the kingdom has seen me, I can’t take any chances.
Not tonight.
The darkened entry of the alley comes into view ahead, and the closer we get, the easier it is to hear. The unfamiliar rush of the flowing fountain and the water rippling in the pool stands out over the otherwise still night.
Neither of us utters a word, but our pace quickens together. Weston’s arm drops away from my shoulders only to clutch my hand and lead me around the corner and into the dark space. The bright white stone almost glows in the dim hue of the moon through the clouds, illuminating the air around it.
My heart pounds in my chest as we stop before it.
