Page 60 of Queen of Legends and Lies
I wrench back, bracing my hands on his chest. “What if I fail them all? Our people, this kingdom, you?”
With skilled precision, he drags my skirts up my trembling legs while holding my gaze. “Are you going to give up? Accept defeat?” His calm tone contains a note of challenge.
My lungs hitch. “Never.”
Approval flashes in Sterling’s eyes. He bunches my skirts around my waist and hooks a finger in my underwear.
“Then you cannot fail, my queen.” He leans in to place a row of sultry kisses along my neck, and my knees become jelly. “So long as your fire burns, I will burn with you. For you. Until our enemies are nothing but ash in the wind.”
Fingers fumbling, I try to reach for the buttons in the back of my gown only to be interrupted as he tears it right off.
Fabric rips. Delicate seams snap. Buttons scatter, skittering across the floor.
But I can’t find it in me to care as Sterling lifts what remains of the ruined dress over my head and tosses the material aside.
Along with my fears, my doubts, and my insecurities.
For this stolen moment, I am only Lark. A woman stripped bare before her lover. Vulnerable yet unashamed under his heated gaze as it rakes over my nakedness. My breasts rise and fall rapidly with each shallow breath.
Sterling drops to his knees before the throne.
Before me.
A king kneeling before his queen.
The image sends a dark thrill through me. He grasps my hips and pulls me to the edge of the seat. Spreads my thighs wide. Cool air caresses my exposed flesh.
Just as he starts to lower his mouth to my aching center, a wicked thought enters my mind. I catch his face between my hands. Tilt it up to mine. “My turn. You already had your fun earlier.”
His eyes glimmer with amusement and arousal. “Is that a royal command, Your Majesty?”
In answer, I slide forward on the throne, pushing him back until he’s standing in front of me. I make quick work of his pants, freeing his impressive erection. It juts proudly, the broad tip glistening.
My mouth waters, and every nerve in my body sizzles.
Impressive doesn’t even begin to describe his magnificent body, but it’s a start.
Maintaining eye contact, I take him into my mouth.
Sterling tilts his head back with a low groan. “Fuuuck.”
I hum in pleasure, the vibrations causing him to shudder. There’s power in bringing this formidable man to the brink with my lips and tongue. I revel in it as I stroke and suck and tease. Coaxing more of those delectable sounds from him.
He threads his fingers through my hair, not to guide, just to anchor himself.
I set a relentless pace, spurred on by his labored breathing and tensing muscles.
His hips start to rock, meeting my eager mouth.
“Lark, I can’t. I’m going to…” Sterling chokes out the words between clenched teeth.
But I don’t let up. I want to ruin him as thoroughly as he destroyed my dress. Shatter him into a million glittering pieces that only I can reassemble.
Then he pulls back, putting himself just out of reach.
“You trying to kill me?” His breathing is ragged, and his legs quiver.
“Never. But you did say I could punish you later.” I flash him the sweetest smile I can muster. “It’s later, Sterling.”
