Page 7 of Royally Theirs (Risqué Royals)

Chuckling, I brush her hair back from her face, letting my touch linger. Her thick lashes flutter against her cheek as I cradle her jaw, my thumb tracing over her pink pouty bottom lip. My dick jerks in my trousers and I know she feels it. Her eyes flare when my hard cock presses against the heat between her thighs.

“How about we get lost in the gardens, love? They won’t start things without us. We can put this off as long as you want to. Just know,” I cup her jaw, my thumb pulling at that bottom lip. “Youwill bemy wife, Charlotte.”

That wedding I was not looking forward to needs to happen as soon as possible—I want to leave no doubt that Charlotte is mine.

Chapter Four

Charlotte

Maybe all royal men are gorgeous and sexy.

When I first arrived at the castle, yes, my new home is an actual castle, a guard greeted me warmly. Dominic was beautiful in a dangerous way, kind, and very polite as he led me and Gran through the castle. I was in awe as he threw open two huge doors to a sprawling library filled floor to ceiling with rows and rows of books.

Duke Chambers’ mother was there waiting, greeting my Gran as if they were old besties. Four grand chairs waited beside a spread of tea and sweets. Chambers was not there yet, and his guard Dom teased me that he wants to make a grand entrance to impress me.

“Come, let these two ladies catch up. I will show you some of the best parts of the library,” he said, offering his arm and a warm smile.

Dominic smelled like fresh pine and leather and his dark eyes never looked away from me. In a blush crepe dress, my nicest dress with its off the shoulder top and scalloped skirts, I felt very underdressed. He wore a dark suit with his dark hair very short on the sides and slicked back on top.

“Did he send you to greet me so you can report back if I am good enough to wed?” I asked him as we circled the expansive library.

“No, no, I am his guard. I will be a fixture of both of your lives. He may assign you a guard as well. I am his right hand in most things. He knows you will make a good wife, Charlotte. I do too,” Dom said softly, reaching out to brush some hair from my face.

His touch startled me. Not because I did not welcome it, but because I was surprised at how my body reacted to it. Really my body reacted the moment he took my hand to wrap it around his arm, leading me away from my gran and Chambers’ mother. He carried himself with a regal air though I suspect he is not royalty at all.

“How do I know he will make a good husband?” I shot back.

Dominic chuckled and lowered his head, meeting my gaze. “I would wed the man myself if they allowed that sort of thing. He will treasure you, Charlotte. He will be a good husband to you. He will be loyal, he will be kind, and he will be attentive to your every need.”

A thrill shot through me at his words. At the heat in his deep voice. Also, at the innuendo that he is interested in Chambers. This revelation hits me with a wallop of jealousy. Only I can’t figure out if I am jealous that this beautiful man might feel something formyfuture husband. Or if I would rather he feels something for me.

Breaking away from him, I swallow hard. Twenty-four hours ago, I found out I was going to get married. Now I am not just excited about it, I am anxious about it. I thought I wanted to spend my life alone. I never needed to have someone. Now that I have been given that chance, I realize I want it.

“Excuse me...can I just take a moment alone?”

Dominic nods, his dark eyes searching my face. Giving a quick bow, he nods his head towards a set of doors. They lead out a different way than we came in, meaning I can sneak out without my Gran or Mrs. Ashe knowing. Thanking him with a smile, I rush that way, my feet moving faster than I knew they could.

Out in the hall, I fall back against a wall, realizing I am gasping for air. I take several huge breaths as I steady myself. I am dizzy for a moment, but I push away from the wall, heading down a dark hall. I need some fresh air.

Walking down the long hall, I am awed by the beauty of this place. It looks just how I expected a royal castle to look. Huge rooms with centuries old, gilded walls that reach seemingly miles high. Gold marble flecked floors. Wall sconces with flickering candles burning. Several walls feature huge paintings that date back hundreds of years.

Taking a turn, I am gazing at portraits of previous Duke’s when I hear a door slam. I start to scramble back, then forward, before I slip and start to fall on the marble floors. Just as I am going to hit hard, a huge body crashes into me, large hands grasping me by the waist to right my fall.

“Oh!” I let out a cry when I gaze up at the big man holding me.

Chambers Ashe. I do not need an introduction to know the man holding me is the Duke of Cambridge. Royalty. My future husband and maybe the father of my children. And he looks even better than I thought a Duke could.

Tall and stocky with the build of a football player, he is roguishly handsome. A thick beard covers his strong jaw, accentuating his soft lips. Gosh, I bet he kisses so well. His gray eyes are sharp and glimmer in the dim lighting as they gaze down at me. His thick hair makes my fingers itch. I want to tangle them in the dark waves to feel how silky they are.

“I am sorry, love.”

Oh. Oh my. His voice is warm, deep, and has the slightest hint of the same lilt as my Gran. Of course, he would sound similar as they came from the same province. Hearing his voice with that same cadence sounds very different than hearing it in my gran’s voice.

His voice makes my panties feel too tight.

Mumbling something about wandering off when I was not supposed to, I am very aware of his huge body. Mostly because his big hands hold me pressed against it. He is thick and hard everywhere and I find myself feeling very safe. Safe, protected and... maybe a little claimed?

“How about we get lost in the gardens, love? They won’t start things without us,” he teases me with a chuckle, winking as he draws me closer. “We can put this off as long as you want to. Just know, youwill bemy wife, Charlotte.”

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