Page 55 of Wicked Queen

“Because of how you look at me.”

“How is that?” I wanted to know. I wanted to see it through her eyes.

“With love and pride,” she whispered. “I feel safe and beautiful and owned.”

“You are.” Every nerve in my body fired, ignited by her words. “And very soon, I will tie you up and make that a memory, not a wish. Do you want that?”

“Yes, please.” Her lips brushed over my chin, angling for more contact. I’d been dangling her off a cliff and she was ready to fall.

“For now, hold on.”

She hooked an arm around my neck as I began to roll my thumb over the point of her desire. But she didn’t close her eyes. She locked them with mine, shuddering violently in my arms as I released her. When she finally stilled, I kissed her cheeks and nose.

“Why did you look?” I asked.

“Because I don’t have to imagine when you’re touching me. It’s all I need.”

For so long I’d thought I looked at my wife with depravity, wanting to possess her. I’d fought that urge without ever seeing it from her perspective. I’d never needed to fear my darkness, because our love was born from shadows. She’d never needed to tame the beast, because she’d never feared it.

Chapter 19

Clara

There were a number of unfamiliar cars parked behind the gates to Buckingham when we arrived home a few hours later. We’d stayed to help Edward award winners of the day’s events. After the longer than usual drive, the sun was melting from the sky, twilight moving swiftly behind it, and there was a party at the palace.

“Did I miss a memo?” Georgia asked from the front.

“I told her not to go out.”

“It seems she brought the club here.” Norris turned the Range Rover into the garage with practiced ease, but his voice sounded weary.

I couldn’t blame him. I’d been planning a shower, a shag, and sleep.

But we had a teenager in the house now.

“She said it was a few friends,” I reminded him as Alexander helped me out of the car. All of them stopped to stare at me. Georgia and Norris looked torn between amusement and annoyance. Alexander looked betrayed.

“I left that bit out on purpose,” he muttered.

“Because he knew it was a stupid move,” Georgia clarified. “You two might want to brush up on raising an adolescent or we can all just keep on pretending she’s an adult.”

“Or we can ship her to diplomatic duty somewhere,” I said.

“Only if we’re angling to start a war,” Alexander said. “I’ll deal with her. Georgia take Clara to our rooms and make sure none of our guests have wandered too far off the standard tour.”

“I should come—”

Alexander silenced me with a kiss that made me forget what I was saying. “Go to bed.”

“I want to go to bed with you,” I whispered against his mouth.

“Oh hell, you two have done your duty to King and Country,” Georgia broke in. “You’re on your second heir to the throne. Aren’t you tired of—”

“Miss Kincaid,” Norris said softly.

Calling her by her formal name was enough reprimand. Georgia marched toward the house.

I followed after her. Every time I thought she and I were getting somewhere, she reminded me exactly what she thought about me. “That’s my ride.” I kissed him one more time. “Hurry up.”