Chapter 27 #2
“Please.” I’m not above begging, not when he’s looking up at me from between my thighs.
His blue eyes are drunk with desire. When he finally releases, my back arches off the table.
“Louis, fuck,” I say in a hushed tone as I come apart. I keep quiet as best as I can.
No one in my life has ever felt this inevitable.
“Mmm. You taste so good.” He slides his tongue in and out of me until the aftershocks fade.
He pulls away, still looking at me with hungry eyes. I look up at him, shyness on my face, even though I’m sprawled across his table with my dress bunched around my waist.
“Mmm. Mmm. Mmm. What a fucking sight to see. I think this is how I want you every morning.”
“I want you inside me. Now,” I whisper, seeing how hard he is, straining against his pants. “I need this as much as you.”
He’s already unbuckling his belt, and I watch him free himself. The sight of him makes me ache to be filled.
“Turn around,” he says. “Ass up.”
I slide off the table and turn around, bracing my hands on the polished wood as he steps behind me. His hand runs down my spine, and I breathe out. The position is vulnerable, and I love the way my body responds to him without hesitation.
He pushes my dress over my hips, and I glance at him over my shoulder. Seconds later, he slides inside me with one slow thrust, and I have to press my mouth against my arm to muffle the sound that escapes. He stretches me, and for a moment, neither of us moves.
This is what I’ve been missing, not just the sex, but this feeling of being utterly claimed by someone who sees and wants all of me. It’s the certainty that I belong with him, even when everything around us is chaos.
“Quiet,” he reminds me.
He starts to move, one hand gripping my hip while the other tugs at my hair. The angle is perfect, hitting a spot deep inside me. With every thrust, I steady myself by pressing my palms flat against the cool wood. Louis drives into me like he’s claiming me.
We find a rhythm together, and I push back to meet him, wanting more. The table creaks beneath us, and somewhere in the back of my mind, I’m aware that this piece of furniture is probably older than America.
“You’re getting close again, aren’t you?” he asks against my ear, leaning over me to press his lips to my shoulder.
“Yes,” I hiss.
“Let go for me.”
I turn my head to find his mouth while he fucks me.
It’s messy and desperate and everything I’ve desired.
He shifts his angle, and I see stars. My entire body clenches tight as the orgasm tears through me.
He groans and buries himself deep as he pulses inside me.
The warmth of him spills into me, claiming me from the inside.
Desperate moans come from his mouth as he kisses that spot below my ear that I love so much.
“I don’t ever want to be away from you again,” he whispers against my skin.
I laugh breathlessly. “I love the sound of that.”
He presses a kiss on the back of my head before pulling out. I feel him drip down my thigh. Without hesitation, he reaches into his pocket. I turn around as he slides a handkerchief with his initials embroidered in the corner to clean me up. The gesture is tender and caring.
When I smooth my dress back into place, I press my thighs together, already feeling sore. He helps me with my hair, straightening it down like he didn’t just wreck me. Then I slide back into my panties, sealing our secret.
He pulls out my chair with a smile. “Now, where were we?”
“Second breakfast.” I lower myself into the chair, feeling like a new woman.
I’m so aware of my body and the wetness between my legs. I reach for my coffee cup and take a sip like I’m not sitting here, full of the crown prince of Montclaire.
He adds food to two plates—eggs, bacon, and fruit—then sets it in front of me.
“Thank you.”
“It’s my pleasure to serve you.” Louis sits beside me, his free hand holding mine.
“Your lips look swollen,” I tell him before meeting his eyes. “Anyone who sees us …”
“Can assume what they fucking want. No one will say anything to my face.”
I can’t help but smile.
“This feels like the calm before the storm.”
Tonight, everything will change.
“Tatiana agreed to end it. Publicly. So then my mother cannot make excuses,” he says.
“And if she doesn’t?” I ask, studying him. “I’m sorry, but I don’t trust her.”
“You shouldn’t. But I’m choosing you. Publicly and permanently.” He meets my eyes. “This ends before the clock strikes midnight.”
I shift in my seat because this entire royal situation makes me nervous.
He rubs his thumb across my hand. “The sun will still rise tomorrow, and the next day, and the next day.”
Before I can respond, a key clicks into the lock.
My whole body goes rigid. Louis is completely calm, but unamused as he watches the door.
A minute later, it swings open, and the queen strides in with Tatiana two steps behind her.
As her eyes sweep over the two of us, I see both of their faces fill with fury.
I set my fork down and cross my ankles under the table, knowing how he just marked and claimed me.
“Louis.” Her voice could freeze the Mediterranean. “I was told there was a disagreement.”
“Good morning, Mother.” He doesn’t stand. He lifts his coffee cup and takes a leisurely sip before setting it down. “I wasn’t aware breakfast with the royal painter required approval.”
Her gaze flicks to me, then back to him. “You dismissed the staff.”
“They were hovering. I find it difficult to eat when I’m being watched.” He reaches for a piece of toast, buttering it with infuriating calm.
“It never seemed to bother you before,” she states.
“Yeah, well, a lot of things are changing around here,” he warns.
I smile politely, and her lips move into a straight line.
“I invited Miss Cross and made it very clear to her that having breakfast with me wasn’t optional,” Louis states.
Tatiana hovers behind the queen, watching me with hate in her eyes.
“Why?” his mother bluntly asks.
“I was discussing a private commission I’d like created.” He takes a bite of toast and chews slowly. “A gift for Father’s birthday. I wanted to keep it a surprise, which is why I required privacy. Surely, that’s within my rights? Shall I ask His Majesty?”
She knows he’s guilty and lying. He knows she knows, but doesn’t care. And there’s absolutely nothing she can do about it without making a scene.
“Breakfast is harmless,” Tatiana finally says, trying to ease the tension, but it doesn’t work.
“A commission of what?” his mother asks.
“It’s something personal and not your business.”
He stares directly at her. She holds his gaze, and I watch something pass between them. It’s a battle of wills, and it seems like Louis has won this round. The war is still far from over.
“Of course not. Well, if everything is okay in here, then I’ll be going.” Her words come out clipped. “I want to ensure you haven’t forgotten your obligations tonight. The ball preparations require your attention, and you need to be ready for the announcement. I don’t want any issues.”
Louis glances at Tatiana and smiles before returning his focus to his mother. “I haven’t forgotten my role. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’d like to finish my conversation in private. You’re both dismissed.”
The queen turns to leave but pauses at the door. “Miss Cross, I trust the commission is ready for the reveal tonight?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” I keep my voice steady. “I think you’ll be surprised. It might be my best work yet.”
“Thank you,” she says, then sweeps out of the room with Tatiana trailing behind her.
The door closes with a click, and Louis relocks it.
The silence stretches on.
“That was either very brave or stupid of you,” I say.
“Probably both.” He grins and leans over to kiss me. “I meant what I said.”
I shift in my seat again. We’re playing an impossible-to-win game, and for the first time, I think we might actually have a chance.
“Whose side is your father on?”
“He’s not aware that this is going on with Tatiana.” Louis reaches for my hand, threading his fingers through mine. “Delphine did some spy shit.”
“How?”
“Because he’s not well. This is the kind of stress he doesn’t need. Right now, he believes I’m ultimately choosing the person I want to be with. I guess, in a way, I am.” He brings my hand to his lips and kisses the finger where an engagement ring would go. “Princess cut?”
I laugh. “So subtle.”
“Just want to know what to shop for when that time comes,” he says.
“You said when.”
“I’d marry you tomorrow.” His smile turns wicked.
“Don’t get any ideas,” I say.
This makes him howl with laughter. “My true queen.”
I grin. We pick up our forks and continue eating. Everything I taste is delicious. Our conversation is easy and fun, full of flirting and random touches. Once our plates are empty, we move them out of our way.
His phone dings with a notification.
“Shit. I’m sorry. I have to go.”
“Of course. Duty calls,” I say. “I’ll see you tonight. Be on your best behavior, please.”
“Always,” he says, placing a kiss on the top of my head.
Louis walks toward the door, and I watch him go. Just before he reaches it, he turns back, giving me a smile.
“I won’t ever look at that table the same.”
I chuckle as he disappears through the door. By tomorrow, the whole world will know we belong to each other, but for these last few hours, the secret is still ours, and I’m trying to prepare myself for what comes next.