Page 16 of The Princess and The Warrior

In the endless whispering rumors that circled the castle, I had heard of lower born women pleasuring their men with their mouths, but the reverse? It seemed unthinkable for a man to service a woman this way.

But from the way Trax’s dark eyes shone up at me, I could tell he was smiling. He appeared genuinely content, as if giving me pleasure was creating delight for himself as well.

Just when I thought I was about to explode from his thick tongue swirling around my little button, Trax brought his wide fingertip to the edge of my dripping entrance.

Entering me slowly, just a bit, the pressure kicked me over the edge until I squealed. The release was a deep relief, flooding every inch of my body as I blinked at the golden stars in my field of vision.

When I stopped twitching, Trax kissed my mound gently, then moved up to circle my breast in a ring of kisses before pulling my nightgown back down into place.

“Please,” I begged, “Trax – I need you to take me.”

“Not with company,” he said firmly. “I want you to think it through one more time, Althea. If I take you, no other man will ever tear me away from you. I know that I’ll be wanting your body over and over. Once that dam breaks, I don’t know whether I’ll ever be able to control myself.”

“Good,” I smiled, snuggling against his side as I brought my thigh over his. “I want nothing more than to love my big, handsome husband properly.”

I hadn’t quite realized what I said until it had burst from my mouth, but he gripped me tightly as his breath seemed to freeze.

Running my palm over his hard, broad chest, I didn’t want my declaration of love to upset him. His deep feelings for me were always on display. Perhaps he didn’t trust my affection yet.

Tomorrow night, once we were totally alone again, I would be as forthright as possible, and all but insist that my husband take his wife completely.

***

Although I woke up to an empty bed, I couldn’t stop smiling. Trax must have left early to help some of the farmers, so I rolled onto his pillow to breathe in his woodsy, masculine scent. After the incredible time we shared last night, I was confident that he would finally lie with me properly tonight.

When I finally got dressed and went to the kitchen, my ladies already had the kettle on, and were preparing breakfast.

“Prince Trax left you a note, your highness,” Lani said, pointing to the counter next to my jars of tea.

It read, “Good morning, my beautiful lady. I’ll try to be home early this afternoon. I miss you already.”

My blushing grin made the ladies laugh.

“He seems very sweet to you,” Faresha said. “There was a lot of gossip when you were first wed, as people were unsure whether you two would get along as a couple. We’ll be sure to spread the word that it’s indeed true love.”

I nodded as Lani poured the tea. It must be love. There was no other way to explain the intense, nearly desperate fire I felt whenever Trax was near me. The way he touched me with his mouth last night... There was no way a man would do that for a woman, refusing the same, unless he truly loved her.

My heart danced in my chest as I sipped my tea, realizing that my giant, strong warrior Prince was genuinely in love with me, and tonight was finally going to be the night we truly consummated our marriage.

***

An hour after my ladies left, promising to send more letters, I hadn’t even thought about what to make for dinner. Trax came bursting through the front door, presenting a little bouquet of wildflowers.

“Thank you,” I smiled up at him, taking them to the kitchen to arrange them in water.

“Althea,” he said softly, running his hand along my back as he hovered beside me while I organized the bouquet with the tallest flowers on the inside, “Have you thought about it? Do you really want this to be a real marriage, even though I am a lowly farmer?”

Turning, I wrapped my hands around his neck, pulling his lips to mine for a soft, slow kiss. “Trax, you saved our kingdom. You are a fierce warrior. But even if you were merely a farmer, a servant, or a carriage driver, I would still feel like I belong with you.”

The world tilted as he swung me into his arms, carrying me upstairs to our bedroom.

After years of being dressed and undressed by ladies who were not permitted to touch me, it was indescribable to have my dress peeled off while Trax tried to touch my skin as much as possible.

I loved that he tossed my fine garments on the floor behind him in a frantic rush. I loved that he snorted with annoyance as I insisted on unbuttoning his shirt before I allowed him to slip off my chemise. I loved the way his rough hands felt against my skin every time he took hold of me.

I already knew that I loved Trax, but hearing the shape of that phrase in my mind snapped something loose. Helping him slide off his trousers, I trembled at the thought of that huge part of him deep inside me. Crawling back onto the bed naked, I stared wildly as he followed me.

Instead of lying over me, Trax settled beside me, taking my hand and holding it to his heart. It was pounding very quickly.

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