Page 101 of The Reluctant Wife

I notch my finger under her chin and tilt up her head. "I expect you to do what I say. I expect you to believe that I know how to wring every last drop of pleasure from your body."

"I do. And I’m afraid you know how to do that too well. I worry that when you finally let me come, it’s going to be so good, I’m going to be addicted to you."

"I’m already addicted to you, baby." I kiss her brow.

She frowns and opens her mouth when Tyler’s voice calls from the entrance to the balcony.

"Ryot? Duchess? There are people looking for you."

“Be right there!” I yell in his direction, then press my forehead to hers and groan. "Remind me why we’re doing this again?"

"So, your investment and my country will benefit?" she says in a droll voice.

I lift her to her feet. Then, pressing a last kiss to her weeping pussy, I smooth her gown down.

"I don’t have another set of panties."

"Good." I place my hands on her hips. "Each step you take, you’ll feel the imprint of my mouth on you and remember who you belong to."

She gapes. "You’re an?—"

"Animal?" I nod. "Only when it comes to you."

"But I’m so wet, and so turned on,” she gripes.

"You know how good it was when I made you come?”

She jerks her chin.

“Now, take that and multiply the effect by a hundred. That’s how good it’s going to be when I let you come again. I want it to feel incredible for you, baby.”

“You’re enjoying seeing me so needy,” she accuses me.

"I like being in control. I like knowing I have so much power over your body, that you won’t come until I let you.”

“I want to be angry with you, but”—she shakes her head—“a part of me loves it when you order me around. And the fact that you haven’t let me come yet is weirdly arousing.” She knits her eyebrows, looking so very dissatisfied, and so very cute, I can’t stop myself from chuckling.

"It’s not funny." She slaps at my chest.

"It’s not, but I promise, it’s going to be worth it." I tuck myself into my pants and rise to my feet. Then, pulling out my phone and switching to the camera app, I hold it up so she can see her face in it.

"Thanks." She cleans up the sides of her lips and the corners of her eyes, then pats her hair down. "How do I look?"

"Like a gorgeous, sexy, confident Empress."

She laughs. "You have a way with words, husband."

A hot sensation squeezes my chest, and I take her hand in mine. "And it is my greatest privilege to be your partner. Never forget that." She looks like she’s going to kiss me again, but I place a finger on her lips. "Come on, let’s do this."

Our wedding reception includes a speech from the king, and another from Arthur. Halfway through the sit-down dinner, which seems to go on forever, and during which my wife seems to grow more and more tired, I make the decision to leave.

When I rise, pull my wife to her feet, and bid everyone at our table goodbye, no one bats an eyelid. After changing into travel clothes, we leave within the protective cordon of the security team.

"I can barely keep my eyes open." She yawns.

I lead her toward the limousine waiting for us. I don’t want to go anywhere else. I'd prefer to keep her in the suite where she’ll be safe, but I don’t want to deprive her of her honeymoon.

Besides, we’ll be safe on the island an hour’s boat ride from Verenza. It’s private—owned by the Davenports—and we’ll be alone. The island is also equipped with CCTV and thermal cameras around the perimeter, which are monitored by the off-island security team.

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