Page 27 of Royal

I take a long hot shower, shaving every inch of my body, then lotion myself up, making sure every part of me smells good, feels smooth, and is as perfect as it can be with the stretch marks on my sides. Don’t forget the pooch on my stomach that never went away after I had Donovan.

I put on a pair of sleep shorts and a baggy t-shirt, not bothering to wear a bra because there is no way I can sleep with one.

I’m sitting on the edge of his bed waiting for him, brushing through my still damp strands, when the door opens, and in walks Royal.

He is in a pair of gray sweatpants that hang low on his hips, showing the V. Down at his lower abs is his happy trail begging me to see where it leads.

The tattoos on his arms crawl up his shoulders and neck, stopping under his chin. More ink is spread down to his hands and sides, dipping below his sweatpants, leading to God knows where.

I try to control my reaction to his appearance. Royal is all man. I have never felt so feminine in my life sitting before him.

As he shuts the door, his eyes are heated, and I watch as his hand smooths around behind him to the doorknob. My mouth dries at the sight of him turning the lock. He smirks at my reaction.

“I can see you shaking from here.” His voice is husky, and I can tell the sweet Royal I’ve come to know is gone now.

Right now, he is the man I know will rock my world.

“Why—why did you lock the door?” I stutter, and my face burns at how ridiculous I sound.

He chuckles and closes the distance between us, cupping his hand at the back of my neck. “Darlin’, don’t be nervous. We don’t have to do anything, but children typically like to barge in unwanted.”

I laugh. “That is the truth. I have woken many nights with Donovan standing beside my bed, staring at me dead in the face.”

He laughs in return. “Penny has done the same thing to me many times.”

Royal takes my hand off the bed, lifting it to kiss the back of it. “But I do plan on kissing you without interruption.”

That sets off my nerves again. He stands before me, towering over my frame. I swallow hard but don’t break my gaze from his.

I do want him, though.

He licks his lips, and his hand moves to the back of my neck once again, and he lifts me off the bed. I shiver at his demanding hold. I don’t know where to put my hands, so I settle them on his chest.

“Do you know how fucking beautiful you were today? Holding my daughter and taking care of her? I want to lay the world at your feet.”

Holy shit.

My lips are trembling from the intensity of his words. I tilt my head back, unable to say what I feel, but I can show him.

I may have kissed him first, but he takes the kiss over, and I gasp in his mouth when he presses flush against me. I can feel how hard he is against me. That is for me.

I clench hard, wanting him to fill me. I have an empty ache inside of me. That is begging for him.

My skin tingles down my back as his hand travels down my spine. I press myself harder against him, loving the way he feels.

His hands cup the bottom of my ass, lifting me, and my legs go around his waist, pressing myself against him. I shiver hard and pull back from his mouth.

I think for a second… Do I want to sleep with this man this fast?

Yes, I do.

He has proven that he wants me more than anyone has ever wanted me. From the very second I met him.

“I’m glad you locked that door,” I tell him, pulling away from his lips again.

“Darlin’, we don’t have to do anything.”

I kiss his cheek. “I know, but what we have is different. I never wanted to be with someone, spend my days with someone like I do you.”

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