Page 41 of Wicked Queen

I followed her to our rooms, promising myself I wouldn’t push her too far. I wouldn’t take more than she’d given. As soon as we were inside our bedroom, she headed to the bathroom, slipping off her robe as she went. She hung it on a hook and began her nightly routine. I watched her going through a handful of ordinary habits— brushing teeth, washing her face—the whole time falling more in love with her. When she was finished, she walked into the bedroom and gave me a funny look. “Aren’t you going to get undressed?”

“I didn’t want to presume.” In fact, I did want to presume. I wanted to strip down and carry her to bed.

“Are you going to sleep in your suit?” Her eyebrow arched as she called my attention to the obvious. She moved to the bed, gliding past me in her slip of a nightgown. As she drew down the coverlets, I forced myself to the closet. Hanging my suit jacket, I considered the ridiculousness of the situation. She was my wife, I reminded myself as I unknotted my tie and tossed it on the bureau. This was our bed. I slipped my belt off, my thoughts drifting to how she would react to it now. An image of her flawless bottom covered in red stripes floated to mind and I shook it loose, but not before my cock showed a little interest. Was she ready for that? Not now. And that wasn’t what this was about—it was about going to bed with her. We’d been there before. Multiple times a day, if I could help it. Even sleeping next to her was a luxury, but I couldn’t stop planning what I would do to her once I got there.

Anxiety fed those fantasies in a way it never had before, because I finally understood what I had to lose. She’d given all of herself to me, even the parts she’d once protected, and I had shown her the darkness I tried to deny.

She winced as she sat on the edge of the bed and the sight squeezed my heart. “Are you okay? Is it…?”

“Down, boy,” she said with a giggle. “My back hurts. In case, you haven’t noticed I’m lugging a few extra pounds around.”

It was a relief, but I needed to check on her. “It’s my responsibility to ask, Poppet, but let’s see what I can do. Where is it bothering you?”

Her hand reached to the small of her back. I placed my palm there, applying gentle pressure and began to massage circles against her tight muscles. A moan spilled from her, filling the room.

“I don’t think you’ve ever made that sound before,” I said dryly. I adjusted my pants with my other hand, my cock having gotten the wrong impression about what was happening.

“Clearly, you’re doing it wrong,” she murmured, continuing to groan with pleasure.

My self-control was slipping away with each noise she made, but I wanted to do this for her —to be what she needed in other ways. Still, I couldn’t help but press my lips to the freckles dusting her shoulders. My mouth drew the strap of her nightgown down so I could continue to worship her.

“That feels so good,” she murmured, leaning into me.

“Is anywhere else feeling tight?”

She angled her face so our eyes met over her shoulder. “Getting ideas, X?”

“Poppet, I always have ideas.” With effort I pushed off the bed and knelt before her. Taking her right foot into my hands, I massaged it gently. “What about these?”

“Don’t stop,” she begged.

“Every night for the rest of your life,” I promised, kissing her knee cap.

“I think I’ll settle for every night I’m pregnant.” She laughed softly and the sound of it settled on my chest like a warm light.

“Like I said, every night for the rest of your life,” I teased. “In case you haven’t noticed, making babies is one avenue we don’t need to perfect.”

Her smile faded a little, and I realized I’d overstepped. There were so many unsettled issues between us. Every moment with her I saw our future together more clearly but it was a mistake to assume she felt the same. “You probably don’t enjoy being pregnant as much as I enjoy it.”

“It is a little easier for you.” She sighed as I started on the next foot. “There’s just…”

“Yes?” I prompted.

“Nothing,” she murmured. “You don’t have to keep doing that. You’ll turn me into jelly.”

“I think I’d have to do rub a little more to do that.” I didn’t keep the suggestiveness from my voice. Continuing the foot massage, I began to kiss her upper legs. “There’s something I need to do.”

“Hmmmm?” She mumbled dreamily as I reached the soft skin of her inner thigh.

I breathed in her lovely almond scent before tearing myself away. “I need to check your bottom.”

“Oh!” She sounded startled by the course correction. “Why?”

“Part of my responsibility. That was intense and…” I didn’t want to overload her with information. It was best to teach her slowly.

“Should I?” She motioned with her hand and I nodded.

Clara stood and turned, raising her nightgown and putting me face to face with her rear. I sucked in a deep breath as I took in the purple bruise decorating her left cheek. Above me, she strained to see as I traced it with cautious fingers.