Chapter 11
Chapter Eleven
B reathing heavily, Rome tried to get his brain functioning.
He’d wanted Sofie—wanted to claim her, tie her to him. Mixed with the volatile emotions of the night, it had been hotter and rougher than he’d intended.
Hell, she was a princess . First, he’d mauled her in a hotel closet, then he’d come in here and fucked her hard.
Rome hadn’t expected to lose any semblance of control. To be swept up in his own clawing needs.
She was sprawled over him, face hidden by her cloud of strawberry-blonde hair. His cock was still inside her, and he felt tremors running through her.
He slid his hand up her back, feeling the delicate knobs of her spine. Jeez, she was so finely made, and he’d taken her hard.
Had he hurt her?
“Sofie?”
“ Mmm .” She stirred a little.
“You okay?”
She lifted her head, her eyes dazed, a little smile on her face.
Something inside him eased.
“Okay doesn’t come close to describing how I feel right now,” she said.
She’d matched him in bed, meeting every kiss, caress and stroke with her own. And as his worry cleared, he remembered her begging him, her husky cries.
Right now, her face was flushed with pleasure, her hair tangled, and she’d never looked more beautiful.
He fingered the strands of her hair. “I was rough.”
“I know.” She shivered. “I hope you will be again.”
Rome shook his head. “You never do what I expect.”
He certainly never expected her to be an infamous international jewel thief.
She sat up, straddling him, her pretty breasts snagging his gaze. She ran her hands over his chest. She was staring at his tattoo, fascination on her face.
“Roll off, beautiful. I need to deal with this condom.”
She shifted to the side.
He strode straight into the bathroom and was back as fast as he could. Sofie was lying on the bed, smiling.
Hell, she was glowing.
There was no way he would regret breaking his own rules to be with her.
Her chin lifted. “I’m guessing you’ve changed your mind about me needing a boring, proper prince—”
Rome flicked the sheet off her body, gripped her ankles and yanked her to the edge of the bed.
She let out a squeal.
He pressed his hands on either side of her body, their faces inches apart.
“Those princes lost out. They were too slow to realize what a sexy beauty they had right under their noses. Too bad for them. Their loss,” he nibbled her lips, “is my gain.”
“No one’s ever wanted me the way you do,” she whispered.
“Then all men are idiots.” He pressed his lips to her jaw and she arched into him.
“You really want me. It wasn’t polite, or nice, or elegant.” Her smile widened. “It was hard and rough.”
Shit, she brought him to his knees. Rome lay back on the bed, pulling her close.
Sofie propped herself up on one arm, eyeing his chest again.
“You need something, Sofie?”
She licked her lips. “Your body is so… I want to explore.”
He shoved a pillow under his head. “Have at it, beautiful. But be warned, I only had one condom in my wallet. I’ve got more, but they’re in my bag downstairs.”
“Okay.” She pressed into his side. She stroked a hand over his pecs, over his tattoo, tracing the lines. She toyed with his nipple.
She was totally absorbed and he loved the way she looked at him. She spread her hands over his abs, and stroked down his thighs.
His cock twitched, already hardening.
She made a sexy little sound. Those elegant fingers circled his cock.
Shit . His hips jerked.
She smiled and stroked. Tightening her grip, she took her time, exploring and experimenting. She leaned over him, the curtain of her pink-gold hair blocking his view of her face.
He groaned. “Put your mouth on me, beautiful.”
She eagerly closed her mouth over his cock.
Rome locked his muscles. She licked, that pink tongue so damn sweet.
“That’s my greedy princess.”
She looked up at him, her eyes blazing.
It was a hell of a picture. He almost came.
She shifted, and he realized she had one hand between her legs.
“You working your clit, beautiful?”
She nodded, her mouth still on his cock.
“You want more?”
She moaned.
“Open wider, Sofie.”
She opened and Rome pushed his cock deeper.
She sucked harder, her cheeks hollowing. He tangled his fingers in her hair. “Baby, God .”
He surged up, and her mouth slipped off him. He pushed her onto her back and replaced her hand with his between her legs.
“ Rome .” She writhed on the sheets.
He worked her clit, sinking one finger inside her. With his other hand, he pumped his cock.
She detonated.
She cried out, the words inarticulate. Damn, watching her come was the best damn thing ever.
“I’m going to come,” he growled. He stroked his cock faster and started to shift away.
“No.” She gripped his head. “Come on me.”
Rome groaned. “Sofie.” His orgasm hit, so hard the pleasure hurt.
His body jerked as he spurted. His come hit her belly.
Then he couldn’t think, could only feel. He collapsed beside her, pulled her close, and pressed his face to her hair.
* * *
Sofie woke slowly. Mmm . She was so warm. She snuggled into the hard body holding her tight.
Her eyes popped open.
Rome’s big body was curled around her. She was part under him, like he wanted to make sure she would stay exactly where he’d put her.
Pure, undiluted happiness filled her.
She absorbed the feel of him—the hardness, the heat, the heavy arm at her waist. Keeping her pressed into him.
It was a little strange to be sleeping naked, but she had no complaints when he was naked as well.
She was pretty sure they hadn’t moved after the last time they’d gone at each other.
She shivered.
After the first time, and their sexy exploration on the bed, Rome had rallied to clean off her skin with a washcloth, then get more condoms. When he’d returned, he’d gone down on her with that clever mouth, giving her another earth-shattering orgasm before he covered her, hitched her legs around his waist and taken her again.
Mmm-mmm . She shifted, her bottom rubbing against the cock nestled against the cleft of her buttocks.
As she felt it hardening, she guessed Rome was awake.
“Good morning,” she murmured.
“Morning, beautiful.”
She loved the husky edge to his deep voice.
“Sleep well?” he asked.
“I did.”
“I guess all that jewelry robbery took it out of you.”
That startled a laugh out of her. “I don’t think it was that.” She paused, glancing back over her shoulder. “You aren’t upset? About me being Robin Hood?”
His arm tightened, and he pressed his lips to her neck. “I understand, Sofie.”
Relief hit her.
“But I won’t let you put yourself at risk.”
She frowned. “Rome—”
His hands slid down her belly, then lower, arrowing between her legs. She gasped.
“We’ll talk more over breakfast,” he said.
She gasped. “Okay.”
“You want to get up and shower?”
She shimmied on his hand. “Later.”
“Later,” he echoed.
She felt him reach to the side of the bed, then heard the crinkle of a wrapper. Then she felt his hard cock prodding her.
“Damn, Sofie, I love your ass.”
She was thrilled. She’d had compliments on her beauty, her elegance, and her poise before, but never her ass.
He lifted her thigh and pushed closer. Then his cock surged into her from behind with one hard thrust.
She cried out, gripping Rome’s arm.
“That feel good, Sofie?” he murmured in her ear.
“Yes, so good.” With a whimper, she pushed back against him.
“So damn hot.”
She tipped her head back, her body shuddering with each thrust.
“Can’t get enough of you, Sofie.” His hand found her clit.
“ God .” She gasped for air, pleasure coursing through her.
“Find it, Sofie.”
She couldn’t take anymore.
Then suddenly, he slowed. Each thrust was still firm, deep, but blissfully slow. She rode the edge, trembling so close to her orgasm. He filled her up completely. Just Sofie and Rome.
On that thought, she broke.
Pleasure crashed over her and her vision grayed, her chest locked.
Rome’s hand tightened, almost painfully on her thigh. He bucked against her, thrusting deep and groaning loudly. Then he bit her neck. She jolted, the final spasms of her own climax pulsing through her.
He pulled back, but kept his tight hold on her. She felt his deep breaths against the back of her neck.
Her pulse was racing like crazy.
“I want to wake up like this every day,” she said.
He chuckled deeply. “Is that an order, Princess?”
She rolled to face him. He looked relaxed and sated.
“Yes, it is.” She used her best princess voice. “I demand that you, Rome Nash, give me delicious orgasms every day.”
A beautiful smile crossed his face. “Yes, Your Highness.” He kissed her.
She cupped his strong jaw, emotions tightening in her throat. She realized she hadn’t been this happy for a long time. Since before she’d lost Tori.
“How about some breakfast?” he asked.
She nodded.
They showered together and Sofie pulled on some fitted pants and a top with ruffled sleeves in a pretty blush pink.
Rome changed into fresh suit pants and a blue shirt. It made his eyes stand out.
In the kitchen, he made coffee while she whipped up some omelets. She hummed as she cooked.
“So, you have a lunch today.” He set a mug down beside her.
“A luncheon,” she said. “Lots of San Francisco socialites. Wealthy ones.” She set the plates with the omelets on the island. “I’m starving .”
“I wonder why,” he said dryly.
She grinned at him. “So, at the luncheon today, I smile, hobnob, and hope to get some new supporters for the gala and charity.”
Rome nodded. “It’s at the Palace Hotel. I’ve done a preliminary security plan, and I have the schematics for you to memorize. I want to go over an evacuation plan, in case something goes wrong. And we get separated.”
She took a bite of eggs and swallowed. “You’ll stay close.”
He touched her hair. “Yes. That’s no hardship.” His phone pinged and he pulled it out. “Robin Hood’s exploits hit the news.”
She pressed her tongue to her cheek.
“The tiara is back safely.”
“You can count on Robin Hood,” she said.
“Yeah. But promise me you won’t sneak out again. If Robin Hood needs to get something done, I’ll help you, and keep you safe.”
She couldn’t find any words. She’d always done this alone. It was kind of nice to have a partner.
But worry nipped at her.
“I have diplomatic immunity, Rome, as Caldovan royalty. I won’t let you get into trouble.”
He grabbed her hand. “Let me worry about that. Your safety is what I’m most concerned about.”
“Thank you.”
“I also need to talk to Vander about this. I need to tell him about Robin Hood.”
“Rome—”
“I promise you that he won’t mention it to anybody. There’s no one who can keep a secret like Vander.”
She nibbled on her bottom lip, but nodded.
“We’ll also find a way to anonymously tip off the police that Petrovitch was involved in the firebombing and the man’s death.”
“Good.” She paused. “I was worried this would…change how you think about me.”
“I told you that I understand why you do it.”
“I do it for Tori. Losing her left a hole. Being Robin Hood, righting these wrongs, helps fill that hole. Along with my charity work.” Sofie shook her head.
“She was so wonderful, and then she was just gone. It broke her boyfriend, Lorenz. He’s a rare book dealer and she used to travel with him sometimes.
They were like chalk and cheese. She was bubbly, and he was quiet and reserved.
They reminded me of my parents.” She pressed her hands to her chest, to the hurt in her heart.
“Being Robin Hood stopped the grief from dragging me under.”
“I get it.”
There was something dark in his voice. Frowning, she grabbed his arm. “Rome?”
He took a deep breath. “When I was eight, I was looking after my younger sisters— Lola and Liana. They’re twins. They were six. We were walking home from school. My mother worked two jobs to feed us after my dad ran off.”
Sofie hated the terrible look in his eyes.
“I stopped to talk with some buddies from school. Lia was picking flowers, and Lola walked on. She was skipping.” Rome shook his head. “She was always skipping, dancing, singing, never sitting still.”
Sofie’s belly hardened. “What happened?”
He was silent for a moment. “I was only a minute behind her. But by the time Lia and I followed, there was no sign of her.”
Sofie grabbed his hand and squeezed.
“She was just gone. I searched everywhere, but nothing. It was like she’d disappeared into thin air. I gave Lia to a neighbor to look after and then ran blocks to where my mom worked.” He met Sofie’s gaze. There was so much heartbreak in his green eyes.
Sofie threw her arms around him. He hugged her close, so tight it hurt, but she didn’t pull away.
“Lola was missing for three days. Three hellish days. They found her body in an abandoned lot. She’d been raped and murdered.”
“ No .” Sofie hugged him tighter. “I’m so sorry, Rome. I know how much it hurts.”
“Yeah.”
“Did they catch the bastard?”
“They did.”
But her big, protective man wouldn’t forgive himself. Even though he’d been just a child himself.
“It wasn’t your fault.”
“I was supposed to take care of her.”
Sofie cupped his cheeks. “It was not your fault. You were a child yourself. You were all doing the best you could.” Realization hit her. “This is why you joined the military? Became a bodyguard?”
He just stared at her.
This big, rugged, protective man was paying his penance and honoring his sister.
Like she did for Tori.
“Tell me about Lola,” Sofie said softly.
His eyes changed. “She loved to sing. Drove us crazy.”
As they finished their breakfast, he talked about his sister, telling stories that made them both smile.
Then the doorbell rang.
Rome rose and went to answer it. He came back with a large bouquet of flowers. They were huge, exotic blooms in shades of white and purple.
“Sorry, these aren’t from me,” he said.
“I get stuff like this all the time.” She grinned. “Besides, you’ve been a little too busy to order flowers.” She searched the blooms. “No card.”
“Yeah, the guards checked it. The florist said it was a cash sale.”
“Wait.” She crouched a little. There was a small envelope on the bottom of the vase. Sofie recognized the handwriting. Her gut cramped, and all her happiness drained away.
Rome cursed and set the flowers down. He took the envelope and flicked open the note. His face hardened.
She held out a hand.
He shook his head. “You don’t need to—”
“Rome, I won’t bury my head in the sand.”
A muscle twitched in his jaw.
She took the note.
You’re mine, Princess. No one else can have you. Only I will touch you. Only I will choke you and see your fear.
“Lovely.” She wrapped her arms around herself.
Rome hugged her. “I’m not letting this sicko close to you. Ever . I’ll protect you, Sofie, whatever it takes.”