Page 125 of Pervade London
“Anne would want you to enjoy it.”
My fingers curled around the bejeweled spikes. “Her memory is captured in this.”
“So is yours, Emily.”
“I see the good in you,” I whispered.
His irises darkened. “It’s inevitable that at some point I will shatter your heart to smithereens.”
“Then I better make the most of it.”
“That’s my recommendation.” He leaned forward and kissed the end of my nose.
I wanted to tear his heart apart like he was threatening to do to mine, but all I could do was surrender to these sensations that were making my face flush.
“I will be inside you again soon,” he whispered. “With Xavier present.”
I gave a nod and tried to look casual at his sensual promise.
James grinned. “Looks pretty on you.”
“Wish I could keep it,” I said. “Though I don’t know when I’d wear it.”
“Keep it on.” James reached for my hand to help me down. “Xavier will enjoy fucking you while you wear it.”
“Then I’m never taking it off.”
“I love that plan.” He weaved his fingers through mine. “Let’s go to the battlement.”
“What?”
“Roof.”
With me still wearing this precious crown, we wound our way up a stone staircase until we reached a door.
We stepped out into the crisp early morning air and strolled along a turreted wall.
“It’s cold,” I said.
“I have just what you need to warm you up.”
Turning a corner, I saw what he meant.
Staring out at the horizon was a vision of loveliness—Xavier.
He’d carried the duvet up with him and had wrapped it around his shoulders, the mound of material swamping him as he snuggled within its sumptuousness. He turned to look at us and his face lit up with a smile.
Rushing forward, I fell against the warmth of his naked chest. PJs were his only clothes, and he was barefoot, too. He welcomed me beneath the generous duvet and hugged it around us, then kicked it out so we could stand on the trailing material.
Facing the wall, I stood with my back against his chest and peered out at the dramatic vista with its oranges and yellows and bright reds lighting up the morning sky as dawn ascended along the horizon.
Xavier looked amused as he glanced over at James. “Is her crown fromthecollection.”
“Yes,” he replied.
I leaned back against Xavier. “It was Anne Boleyn’s.”
“Oldest trick in the book,” joked Xavier. “Make a woman your queen and she’ll do anything.”
