Page 95 of Royally Drawn

“Well, they do,” Alexandra protested.

“Here, Lex,” Rick laughed. “Not many places.”

“We grew up picking up after ourselves,” Keir said.

Alexandra appeared scandalised.

“Mamma was a normie and American. Sheloathedstaff. Bestemor was a staunch believer in doing everything herself, and Mamma kept that with her. We didn’t have staff. Mamma did it all—carpooling, cooking, laundry, everything.”

Rick and Alexandra stared at him as if he were alien life on Earth.

“When Nate and I moved in with Auntie Nat and Uncle Ed, it was a brave new world. We had a governess, then footmen and maids. It was wild.”

“Your mother didn’t even have a dresser?” Alexandra asked.

“Nope. No dresser, no lady’s maid. At least not after Dad died. We had this amazing, beautiful apartment in Kensington Palace that had staff. I remember thinking how wonderful it was and how I wanted to live there forever. But then Dad was diagnosed, we fled the country, and Mamma never found it to be home. We were raised very average.”

“Ingrid is not used to average,” Rick noted. “None of the girls are. Good luck to you.”

“I cannot say that there is much average about any of the Deschamps girls,” Keir said. “But I will break her of this habit with the clothes if it kills me.”

“Hand me the baby,” Rick beckoned. “Go, be free. The two of you must want to catch up.”

I did—very much. After several weeks apart, I only wanted Keir to run me back to the bedroom or any room with a locked door. We faded into the hall before I pulled him into a big kiss. Staff bustled around us, but I couldn’t be bothered to worry. I waited too long to kiss this man. And when the wedding was over, we’d only have a couple more days before he shipped out for six months. I wanted to soak it all up.

He pulled away, “Are we waiting on something? Plans?”

“I have three hours of nothing, and I’d like you to do everything to me,” I said.

“That sounds brilliant,” Keir agreed.

The Lies We Tell

KEIR

Icouldn’t help but enjoy the look of Ingrid writhing beneath me as I fucked her. I’d been unsettled since I left last time, unable to explain why things felt off. Now, though, with her here—eyes rolling back, nails digging into my back, and moans getting louder and louder—all worries faded. That was the magic of Ingrid. She could ease my mind like this.

She came for the third time, her legs locked tight around me.

“Oh, Keir! Don’t stop!”

I wouldn’t. I ploughed into her harder, hitting the spot within her that made me want to cum, too. I came hard and fast as she fell back into the pillow, also satisfied with our impromptu love-making session. I loved this woman but never lusted after her as much as I did when she screamed my name.

I leapt up to get rid of the condom and returned to find her still a mess, just waiting for me. Her blue eyes followed me around the bed. I climbed in again, pulling her back towards me. I spooned her now, resting my chin on her shoulder. She was tiny, warm, and soft like velvet. I loved to spend afternoons like this with her.

“I missed you,” Ingrid said.

“I missed you, too. More than you missed me, I would bet.”

“Impossible!”

I kissed her shoulder. “How has everything been?”

“Chaotic. Astrid is still upset that Alex won’t be able to walk with her down the aisle. Rick will have to do it.”

“That’s sweet, though,” I said. “He’s willing?”

“He isburstingat the chance,” Ingrid giggled. “To the point, Alexandra told him to pipe down about it. She can’t do the walk. They’re going to bring her in through the side door.”

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