Chapter 34
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
Julian
I wasn’t sure how Wynn was going to convince me not to kill Katherine Francois. Her grin was full of pride, and I wanted to leap off the stage and strangle the life out of her. A sudden soft grip on top of my hand pulled me from my macabre thoughts.
“It’s okay. Your dad’s got this,” Wynn whispered in my ear and kissed my cheek. All my anger and rage slipped away as if he’d swung a magical wand.
It was then I realized that my father had answered her and was still at it.
“And to ask such a question is a direct insult to the crown!” He pointed down at her, and she appeared stricken. She’d thought herself sly but judging by the wide berth the other press and journalists were giving her, she’d ostracized herself.
“Now, does anyone have genuine questions that will not insult the crown?”
A gentleman in a dark blue suit was called upon. “Thank you, Your Majesty. Kevin Bolton from The Lamdera Press. My question is for Wynn Carter, if that’s okay?”
The king turned, and Wynn’s eyes widened. He’d known it was possible someone would want to talk to him, and if he didn’t want to he’d only have to shake his head, and my father would deal with it. But it would look bad.
He stood, and I gave his hand a squeeze before we were separated. My father stayed beside him.
He cleared his throat. “Sure, what’s your question?”
“We knew the prince rearranged his tour, and can you confirm if he did that because of you, for love?”
Okay, that was a sweet question, and it made Wynn blush. I frowned. I wanted to be the only person who made Wynn blush.
“I never asked him to change his tour or cancel it. I can say that having this time with him has been precious to me and if he did do it for me, I’m grateful and would love to thank the people of the Lamdera Islands for letting me take up all his time.
I know his absence has been felt, and hopefully things can get back on track now. ”
Oh, he was good…he’d fit in well. I glanced at my mother and judging by her smile, she was thinking the same thing.
We were all sitting around the dining table that evening, talking about the press conference and our next steps when Edward entered.
“Your Majesties, Your Highnesses.”
“Yes, Edward?” I answered. “Go ahead, you can speak freely.” Hannah and Mark had been with us for a while, then had decided to go out and enjoy some of the nightlife before they returned home.
“I wanted to inform you that Detective Ridgeway has been removed from the case, and has been ordered to return to Crellesia.”
My father chuffed. “Wonderful, it’s falling into place.”
“As long as Ridgeway lets it go.” August relaxed his posture. “We have eyes on him, though. He does anything, and we pin the murder on him and he goes away.”
“He didn’t do it,” Wynn argued.
“This is how things are done, Wynn. You’ll understand. As long as he lets it go, he’ll be fine. And remember, this is a man who wanted to throw you in jail because it would hurt Julian.” August quirked a brow.
“Enough, August.” I glared at him.
He lifted his hands up in defeat. “Fine.”
I faced Wynn. “You need to understand, if he pursues, we will have to protect ourselves.”
He nodded shakily. “I get it, I know, I just…it’s a lot to get used to.”
“But you will, you’re strong.” My mom winked at Wynn. “You did well today.”
“Oh, thanks.” That perked him up, and I was grateful.
Once dinner was done, Wynn and I retired to our bedroom. He was absolutely peopled out. While he texted his friends to let them know he was going to bed I went into the en suite and ran him a bath with rose bath oils.
“Are you taking a bath?”
I turned and he was leaning in the doorway, a smirk on his face.
“I am…and you’re joining me.”
He was already unbuttoning his shirt. “Oh, I am, am I?”
I watched, transfixed as he slowly removed his clothes until he was completely naked and standing before me. His cock was hard and twitching in front of my face. I smiled at him, shut off the water, and swallowed him down, relishing in the taste of precome that burst on my tongue.
“Fuck, Julian.” He gripped my hair in his fists, and I relaxed my throat.
I wanted him to fuck my face but I didn’t want to stop, so I encouraged him by gripping his ass and pushing him in rhythm with me.
“Yes, fuck, suck me, Julian.”
I loved his taste, his sounds, how frantic his thrusts were as he pummeled my mouth. He was my everything, and I’d never let him go.
Wynn released a loud moan and he filled my mouth. I swallowed it all. When his dick softened, I licked it clean.
I stood and started removing my clothes. Once I was naked, I helped a very jelly-legged Wynn into the tub. He sat between my legs, his back pressed to my chest.
“You’re hard,” he said.
“You’re touching me.”
He chuckled. “How about I—”
“Later. Right now, I want a bath.”
We sat silently. I could tell he was decompressing after the hectic day, and my mind was unfortunately on Ridgeway.
I knew he wasn’t going to walk away quietly.
The case was still open, and he’d do his best to keep abreast of everything.
But there was that darkness in him; I could see it. He wasn’t going to let this go.
“Since I’m no longer a suspect, do you think I could take the boat to Lamdera with Hannah and Mark tomorrow and spend some time with them before they leave?”
“You’re not a prisoner; I’ve told you that. And actually, I was going to ask you if you wanted to return to Lamdera after they left.”
He turned in my arms until he was facing me. “You were?”
“It is our permanent address and if I’m not mistaken, it’s a castle you haven’t seen yet.”
He smiled and kissed my lips. “That would be great.”
“Consider it done, then. Now let me wash your delicious body.”