Crowned (Santa Catalina University)

Chapter 30

I know Cove’s trying to distract me from worrying about Bhodi and the others, but it really isn’t working. Reef and Vance have been gone since before sun up and the remaining three of us spent the day exploring the palace, which actually is deserted, and reading in the library. Well, I read in the library, the guys played a heated game of cards, which I didn’t understand at all.

Then the sun set and it was time for Bhodi to go, and all my anxiety came rushing back.

Cove has dragged me to the kitchens to make dinner, to the indoor pool for a swim, which was breathtaking, and now to the in-home movie theatre. But I can’t focus on the film. I’m too worried about the others. I thought Reef and Vance would be back from their meeting with the Council of Elders by now. I can’t stop worrying that something has gone wrong. They were planning to put the feelers out to try and gauge who might be trustworthy, but maybe their questions have got them into trouble.

“Mai-Tai,” Cove groans when I shift on his lap yet again.

His cock is rock-hard under my ass and I have to bite back a smile, even though I wasn’t meaning to rile him up. “Baby, you have to keep still.”

“I can’t. Let me sit in my own seat and I’ll stop bugging you.”

“I can’t.” I giggle at his reply. “I have to keep you close.”

“I’ll be right beside you,” I say, tutting and shaking my head, but smiling in spite of myself.

“Not close enough.”

Cove’s been especially…I don’t want to say clingy, so I’ll go with attentive …since my return. It’s sweet. And more than a little stifling. I think it has a little to do with missing me, and more to do with the fact that there doesn’t seem to be as much he can do to help with the plan. So he’s stuck with babysitting Malia duty most of the time, and I think he’s trying to stop himself from going crazy.

I wiggle again and he grabs my hips, grinding me down on his cock. I gasp. “Cove!”

“Hey, if you’re not going to sit still, we might as well get some fun out of it. Now, tell me what’s bothering you.”

“Nothing.”

“Don’t lie to me, Mai-Tai.” Another grind, another gasp.

“I—I’m not.”

“Malia—”

“I can’t focus on the film! There! Are you happy now?”

“Not even a little bit. Why can’t you concentrate?”

I shrug. “I thought the others would be back by now. And I hate that Bhodi has gone out on his own. What if something happens? What if something has already happened?”

“It hasn’t.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“Because, we’re all connected, and if one of them was in trouble, I would know.”

“How?”

“We all have tattoos, right? You’ve seen them.”

I nod. “You only have one, though. The star.”

“Yep. We all have five-point star tattoos. It marks us as the queen’s guard and they’re imbued with a unique magic that connects us.”

“That’s crazy.”

“No crazier than anything else in our world. We’re not human, baby, you need to remember that. Now…can I help you relax, please?”

Instead of waiting for my reply, he slips his hand inside my high-waisted leggings, sliding down my abdomen and between my thighs.

“No panties? Naughty.”

“It felt weird to wear someone else’s underwear.” I shrug. I have nothing of my own here and whilst the guys have assured me I can help myself to anything in the palace, I’m uncomfortable crossing certain lines. Second-hand knickers, no matter how clean, being one of them.

“We’ll get you your own things. Or maybe one of us can risk a quick trip home to get your things.”

“Mmmm, maybe.”

I’m distracted by him rubbing his finger over my clit in slow, tantalising circles. Within seconds, the tension is leaving my body and I’m leaning into Cove’s chest, my head thrown back to rest on his shoulder. Within minutes, my thighs are moving of their own accord, mirroring his actions, chasing the high.

I’m so wet, I’m soaking through the leggings, and still all Cove’s done is circle my clit.

“Cove, please?—”

“Stand up for me, baby.”

Honestly, I don’t think I can.

Growing impatient, Cove helps me to my feet, peels the leggings down my legs, and helps me step out. It’s fine, because I’m wearing one of his shirts and it comes down to mid-thigh, giving me the illusion of decency, and we’re alone anyway.

“I fucking love seeing you in my clothes,” he says, his tone low and gravelly.

Without giving further instructions, he sits back in his seat, pulling me down with him. Once I’m situated back on his lap, he spreads my knees wide and then hooks each leg over the chair’s armrest so that I’m indecently exposed.

“Cove!” I whine, trying to cover up.

“Shush, Mai-Tai, you’re perfect like this.”

His deft fingers slowly undo the buttons on my – his – shirt until the material is loose and draped over my breasts. My nipples are pert and begging for his attention – which has nothing to do with the kiss of cool air and everything to do with him – but he doesn’t give them it. Instead, he skims his palms over my waist, his thumbs tracing over my hip bones in a sensual caress.

Everywhere he touches me, my skin ignites.

The sensations are overwhelming, each caress of Cove’s hands sending waves of heat straight to my core. My skin prickles with goosebumps, as his thumbs brush over my hips again, teasing but never lingering.

“Cove,” I whisper, my voice trembling with need.

He doesn’t respond immediately, his gaze fixed on my body like I’m the most captivating thing he’s ever seen. The weight of his attention makes me squirm, the vulnerability of being so exposed a heady mix of embarrassment and excitement.

“You’re so beautiful, Mai-Tai,” he murmurs, his voice deep and reverent. “Every inch of you.”

His hands move to my thighs, his fingertips brushing along the sensitive skin as he leans in, pressing his lips to the side of my neck. The warmth of his breath fans over my skin, making me shiver.

“Relax for me,” he whispers against my ear, his voice a gentle command. “Let me take care of you.”

I close my eyes, letting his words wash over me. For a moment, I allow myself to forget my worries about Bhodi and the others, to forget the uncertainty and danger lurking outside these walls. Here, in Cove’s arms, I feel safe. Cherished. Loved.

He shifts beneath me, the hard length of him pressing against me in a way that makes me gasp again. His lips trail down my neck, planting soft kisses that leave a trail of fire in their wake. His hands slide higher up my thighs, thumbs brushing the edges of where I’m soaked and aching for him.

“Do you feel how much I want you?” he asks, his voice rough with desire.

“Yes,” I breathe, my head falling back onto his shoulder as his fingers inch closer to my center.

“I want you to feel good, baby. I want to take away every ounce of stress you’re carrying.” His fingers slip between my folds, sliding through the slickness there. “Let me do that for you.”

I nod, unable to form words as his fingers begin to circle my clit again, firmer this time, more deliberate. My hips move instinctively, rolling against his hand as he works me, his free arm wrapping around my waist to hold me steady.

The sensations build quickly, a rapid climb that has me gasping and clutching at his arm. My entire body is taut, strung tight like a bow, every nerve ending alight with pleasure.

“Cove,” I whimper, my voice barely audible over the pounding of my heart.

“I’ve got you, baby,” he murmurs, his lips brushing against my ear. “Just let go.”

And I do. The tension in my body snaps, releasing in a rush that has me crying out his name. The waves of pleasure crash over me, leaving me trembling and breathless in his arms. I never knew it could be that easy. Or quick.

He holds me through it, his hands gentle as they stroke my skin, grounding me as I come down from the high.

“Better?” he asks after a moment, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

I nod, my cheeks flushing as I meet his gaze. “Better.”

“Good.” He presses a kiss to my temple, his arms tightening around me. “Now, let me get you cleaned up, and then maybe we can actually watch the movie.”

I laugh softly, the sound light and free, and for the first time since Bhodi left, I feel like I can breathe again and I relax.

Cove doesn’t move to clean me up, though. Instead, he just holds me there on his lap, my body pliant and trembling as his hands continue to roam over my skin. His lips trail kisses along my shoulder, his teeth scraping lightly, sending shivers down my spine.

I can feel him pressing against me, hard and insistent, and even though my body is still buzzing from the release he just gave me, there’s a deeper, hungrier ache building.

“Cove…” I whisper, my voice breathy, filled with a need I can’t hide.

“Yes, baby?” His voice is low, teasing, as his lips find the sensitive spot just beneath my ear.

I can’t say it. I don’t know how to put into words what I want – what I need – but he seems to understand anyway. His hands slide to my thighs, gripping them firmly as he lifts me slightly, positioning me so I’m straddling him instead of perched on his lap.

“You’ve got to tell me what you want, Mai-Tai,” he murmurs, his fingers tracing slow circles on my hips, just above where I desperately want him to touch.

“I want you,” I admit, my cheeks flushing even as the words tumble out. “I need you.”

The growl that rumbles from his chest is low and primal, and it sends a thrill straight through me. “You have no idea how long I’ve waited to hear you say that again.”

He doesn’t hesitate. His hands grip the edges of his shirt that I’m still wearing, pulling it off in one swift motion. The heat in Cove’s gaze is enough to keep me warm.

“You’re so damn perfect,” he says, his voice rough, his eyes dark with desire as they rake over me.

His lips capture mine in a heated kiss, his tongue sliding against mine in a way that leaves me dizzy. His hands move to my waist, pulling me closer until there’s no space left between us.

I can feel every inch of him through his sweats, hard and throbbing against me. My hips move instinctively, grinding against him as I moan into his mouth.

“Fuck, Malia,” he groans, breaking the kiss to press his forehead against mine. “You’re going to be the death of me.”

“Then stop waiting,” I whisper, my hands tugging at his t-shirt. He helps me pull it off, and I run my hands over his chest, marveling at the heat of his skin and the way his muscles ripple under my touch.

He shifts beneath me, his hands sliding down to push his sweats down, just enough to free himself. My breath catches at the sight of him, thick and heavy, the tip glistening with evidence of just how much he wants me.

“Are you sure?” he asks, his voice softer now, his hands pausing on my hips, as his eyes search mine.

“Yes,” I say without hesitation, my voice steady. “I’m sure.”

He lifts me slightly, positioning me over him, and the anticipation makes my whole body tremble. His hand moves between us, guiding himself to my entrance.

The stretch as he pushes inside is intense, but it’s everything I need. I let out a shaky breath, my fingers digging into his shoulders as he fills me completely, a deep groan rumbling from his chest. I relax and let gravity help us do our thing, groaning when he’s fully seated inside me.

“God, Malia,” he growls, his grip on my hips tightening. “You feel so fucking good.”

I can’t speak. I can only move, my hips rolling as I find a rhythm, each movement sending jolts of pleasure through me. Cove meets me thrust for thrust, his hands guiding my movements as his lips find mine again in a desperate, hungry kiss.

The movie playing in the background is long forgotten. The world outside these walls doesn’t exist. It’s just Cove and me, our bodies moving together in perfect sync, our breaths mingling as we lose ourselves in each other.

The pressure builds quickly, my body already sensitive from the high he gave me earlier. I can feel the tension coiling deep inside, tighter and tighter with each thrust.

“Cove,” I gasp, my nails digging into his skin as I cling to him.

“I’ve got you, baby,” he murmurs, his voice hoarse with need. “Let go for me. Again. Come for me. Once more. You know you can do it.”

His words send me over the edge. My climax hits me like a tidal wave, crashing over me in wave after wave of blinding pleasure. I cry out his name, my body trembling as he holds me through it, his own release following seconds later.

He pulls me close, his arms wrapping around me as we collapse against the seat, our breaths coming in ragged gasps. For a moment, neither of us speaks, the silence filled only by the sound of our hearts pounding in unison.

“You okay?” he asks softly, pressing a kiss to my temple.

“Yeah,” I whisper, my lips curving into a smile as I rest my head against his chest. “More than okay.”

“Good.” He tightens his arms around me, his voice filled with warmth. “Because we’re not letting you go, Mai-Tai. Not ever.”