Page 157 of A King's Oath

“I am.”

“This year. Before the marriage season ends. As soon as Papa is done with this expedition,” he clarified. “Let me speak to him and ease our immediate future plans.”

“But your Argentina citizenship will take time…”

“We will live in Paris until then. You will also need to give your notice at Van Cleef.”

“Are you getting the marriage blues, Kunwarji?”

“I am getting Ava-blues, Raje.”

“I love it when you call me that.”

“It suits you. The king of all kings.”

“All our princesses are called Raje here in Gwalior.”

“I know only one princess deserving of it.”

Her head fell deeper into her mattress. Some childhood dreams, a few teenage fantasies, coming true. Like her boyfriend in her bedroom. Like said boyfriend having gone down on her. And then having officially proposed marriage.

“You did not say yes?” His authoritative question echoed.

“I said yes a long time ago.”

“I asked officially today.”

“Bro, how many times will you…”

He pushed his tongue inside her mouth, shutting her up. He pulled back just as suddenly as he had pushed in — “I am not your bro.”

Avantika grinned — “N for Newton, O for…” he cut her off again, this time his tongue merciless in its assault as his fingers bunched in her hair and squeezed.

“I am taking that as a yes,” he announced and pushed her farther up her bed.

“So you are finally giving me your virginity?” She reached back to help him pull off her spaghetti. He laughed, reaching for the shawl around his neck and carelessly pulling it off, tossing it to the side. He got off the bed to do the same to his pants and briefs and stopped long enough to grab his wallet. Avantika stared enraptured. She had seen him completely naked. She had seen all of him, even touched him. His trips to her apartment in Paris hadn’t been spent playing cricket, after all.

But now, knowing what they were going to do… her legs began to squirm together of their own accord.

“Shy?” He asked, getting on the bed and crawling up to her. She opened her mouth to make a smart comment but he cut her off — “Open communication, Ava.”

She swallowed it down. Then stared into Samarth’s dark eyes and nodded. His face softened. The tenderness such a contrast to his earlier dominant claim.

“It’s’ me,” he whispered, cupping her cheek in one hand.

“That is why I am shy,” she managed, fluttering her eyelashes rapidly — looking at his face and then not. Light, then dark, light then dark, light then his lips on her eye, pressing a long, tight kiss.

“You were my all or nothing,” he reached for his wallet and pulled out a condom. She stared on as he rolled it over himself and got ready. Her legs fell open, embracing his hips into them as he adjusted himself.

“I am still your all or nothing,” she murmured, feeling him sink closer and closer down into her.

“And you will always be my all or nothing,” he completed, notching in to the point of fullness. She bit her lip, trying to push her legs farther apart.

“Does it hurt?”

“A little…”

“We’ve been working at it for so long,” his face contorted. Her belly shook with laughter. Avantika took his face in both her hands and pulled him to herself, in the process pushing him deeper until he was all in. Their hips slammed and she gasped.

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