3. Chapter 3

OPHELIA

A heavy sigh leaves my lips as I stare at the precious bundle currently moaning her way through a dessert that has entirely too much whipped cream for my sanity. Those delectable sounds started half an hour ago during the roast dinner that the tavern provides and I've had to steel my emotions lest my brothers catch on. Granted, Blaise and Artemis aren't stupid. They also have eyes. We're a set of triplets and the ease with which they catch onto my thoughts is terrifying.

After spending those final moments before dinner with Juliette, I had to distance myself from her bubbly personality. Her emotions have since been muted and while I wish I could apologize, there's no reason to. Not when we both know that these moments go no farther than this little town.

Someone jabs me in the side and I glare at my brother, Artemis—Blaise is goddess knows where at the moment. "Do you need something?" I snark, leaning against the wall and placing my hand on the hilt of my sword. The beer I downed during dinner was a terrible idea because the sounds Juliette keeps making sound like an invitation rather than a red flag.

Artemis' gaze follows mine and then he grins at me. Despite the three of us tasked with bringing Juliette back in one piece, he has discarded his soldier attire for more comfortable clothes while we rest here. "You're shacking up with the princess tonight. There's only one room in the inn," he jokes, wiggling his brows.

I throw a punch toward his arm, loving the way he playfully bends over in fake pain, and then grabs my wrist to kiss it. "You realize that my preference is women, right?" I ask, wondering if he sees the irony of forcing me and the princess in a room together.

He shrugs. "So? She's the princess. You won't do anything to disrespect Kusovania or the King of Smunia. You're her protection, her soldier. Blaise and I know you wouldn't cross that line. Well, that you wouldn't cross it again after that brazen kiss in the hall."

I snort and shake my head, attention still focused on Juliette. They know nothing. They have no idea how far that woman has nestled herself into my heart without even trying. They have no idea that I've already tasted her sweet nectar nor made her whisper my name after trying to run from me. They have no idea what she looks like after she lets go, the way her lids grow heavy as a smile spreads across her entire face.

"She started it," I grumble, tearing my gaze from her and staring at Artemis. "Fuck, it won't happen again."

He chuckles, shaking his head as he pushes off the wall. "Promises, promises. You know that when we get back, she can't be yours. Oh, don't give me that look. Pheli, I know how attached you get to people. Remember your last relationship? Thought you would have fought her father because of some of the dumb rules he made. When she decided to marry a noble, you closed yourself off. This," he points to Juliette. "Can't happen. Grab your little slice of heaven but not at the expense of your heart. It hurt seeing you like that last time."

I hate thinking of Lola, my last girlfriend. We had been the same age, just under 30. Most people attending the yearly gala tried to find their mates by 25, the latest 30 but we were stubborn, taking the world by the balls and owning our freedom. At least that's what I had thought.

Two years in, Lola told me that she needed a stability I couldn't provide. In the end, it came down to money. I hear she's enjoying an elegant life somewhere in Kusovania but I don't keep tabs. Since then, I have closed down my emotions and found excitement where I could. Quick and easy is my motto. Well, it was.

Until I stumbled upon Juliette and for some reason, I can't fathom anyone else touching my little piece of sunshine.

Artemis snaps his fingers in my face and I lunge at him before he twists us around to flatten me against the wall, his arm at my neck. "Don't you dare, Pheli. You'll lose this fucking fight in an instant. Get a hold of yourself. Cuddle your princess for the night and then be ready to let her go in the morning."

I open my mouth to respond when Blaise decides to make an appearance at that moment. Identical as we are, Blaise is the only one with brown eyes but they speak volumes. He arches a brow and we straighten up, silently apologizing for the fuss in the tavern. The chaos of the small dining area that stopped continues, Juliette looking on, confused.

Blaise moves toward us, bending his head to mine so that our foreheads touch and then he does the same to Artemis. "You always choose the most unattainable, frustrating women, Pheli. Protect her. And we'll protect you."

"Are you saying-"

He cuts me off, pulling Artemis away from me. "I'm saying that you're going to do whatever you think is right. I can see it in your eyes that she means more to you than she should. In such a short amount of time too. I won't stand in the way of that, however, I won't let you lose yourself to it either."

Artemis sighs, sagging against Blaise playfully. "Fuck the lot of you! I'm joking, Pheli. I would prefer you stay away but our leader has spoken. We shall stand by you."

"Both of you are idiots. Go find somewhere else to be." I wave them off, waiting for Juliette to finish before we walk silently back to her room. Her eyes flit wildly around the small space, no doubt remembering the sweet moments we shared earlier. "Juliette, get some sleep. You'll need it. Take the bed and I'll sleep just outside." The temptation is too great if I stay within the confines of these walls. Juliette doesn't seem too pleased with that idea, marching over to the door and locking it. I raise an eyebrow as she stomps her way back in front of me, hands poised on her hips, a frown plastered on her face. "What are you doing, sunshine?"

"There's no reason for you to protect me out there. You can sleep in the same bed."

I snort at her determination, distancing myself a few steps. "As you wish." Sleeping on top of the covers will keep anything from happening, right? I"m not prepared for how she huffs over to the mattress and throws back the covers. She glares at me and slides onto the bed before tucking herself in, angrily patting the empty space. Juliette is adorable when she"s angry but I won"t push my luck as I sit on the edge, preparing to take off my armor. I don"t get that far as I feel cold fingers slipping beneath the small space at my waist, petite fingers moving to caress the small of my back. "Juliette," I grind out, biting back the response I truly want to give her. "Rest."

"Too anxious to rest." She begins drawing little circles on my bare skin, my breathing picking up as my control wanes. Juliette is playing with fire and I"m letting her. Earlier was a mistake. A glorious one, but a mistake nonetheless. This is a conscious choice. Juliette is a temptation and I can"t help but indulge. I retreat from the bed, turning around with my hands raised, throwing in the white flag before anything has started.

Juliette's mind, however, is in an entirely different place. Where I am trying to respect her status, she has none of the same reservations.

Juliette turns toward the attached bathroom, her shoulders falling as a heavy sigh follows before she pulls at the sleeves of her gown. The garment slides downward, leaving her nearly bare except for a pair of dark blue panties that do nothing to hide the round cheeks of her ass. Every gorgeous curve of hers is on display, Juliette shimmying the gown the last bit to the ground so she can step out.

"Juliette, what are you doing?"

"I need a shower."

This woman will be the death of me. "You just had one before dinner." I stalk over to her, hovering behind her, warring with my desire to hold her and the need to distance myself as my position demands. "Juliette."

She sighs again, "One more time. That's all we have, okay? Then I'll be good. I promise." Weaker words have never been spoken. Blaise all but told me to follow my heart and Artemis warned that I should nip this in the bud before it becomes too hard to let her go.

Too late.

She guides me to the bed, revealing her true intentions and I hold back a smile as she eagerly waits for me to pull off my armor. Once I remove the few pieces of metal and my sword, Juliette is there in front of me, her hands splayed across my stomach.

"Let me." Her words are nearly a purr and in this moment, I'd give her the world if she asked. Her hands move upward to cup my breasts, squeezing lightly before she sucks one into her mouth through the fabric of my shirt. I do well not to move despite how much I want to yank her head back and devour her mouth.

Juliette continues to give my breasts attention, alternating between sucking and massaging until a grunt tears from my throat. The princess giggles and pulls back, just enough for her hands to move down to the hem of my shirt and beneath it. I hiss at the cold hands that splay across my stomach but Juliette's wide-eyed expression keeps me from moving.

Slowly, she peels off my shirt, each layer after that falling in silence. By the time we're both naked, the desire in her eyes is begging for me to take her. I lean down to taste her sweet lips, Juliette clinging to me like I'm her last lifeline. "Sunshine." I walk her the last few steps to the mattress, Juliette glued to my chest, her head now buried between my breasts.

"I want to feel you," Juliette mumbles, the vibration of her words running down to my lower half.

This version of Juliette is different from earlier. This morning she was cute and shy, enticing me to touch. Now, she's saying the sweetest words and I don't even think she knows it. "You're wrapped around me like a koala, sunshine. I'm not sure how else-"

"I want to feel you fucking me."

My breath catches in my throat as I release her, putting enough distance between us so that I can see her expression. Her eyes dart to the bedroom door, sounds of rowdy tavern goers stumbling their way to their own rooms. She swallows nervously before darting over to her sack at the edge of the bed. Confusion and anxiety spread through me before she returns holding a small velvet bag that has a slight curve to it.

A blush rises to her cheeks as she crushes the bag in her hands, holding it up to me like the entire world is inside that package. "This. I want… can you… would you?"

Is this precious woman truly asking me to fuck her?

I'm not sure whether to laugh at how adorable she is or wrap her in my arms and never let her go. I do neither. Instead, I drag her onto the bed, pushing her to sit, groaning when I unearth the rather thick pink silicone cock that slides from the bag. A strap dangles from the base and a stimulator sits right where I would position it over my clit. Naughty girl.

"Juliette, where did you-"

"No questions. Fuck me."

I arch an eyebrow, wondering at what point she became so brazen. "Juliette-"

A slow whine peels from her lips as she shifts up on the bed so that she's sitting on her knees. She looks like the perfect present, waiting for me to corrupt her. "One more time. Please, Ophelia. I won't say anything when we get back but I have to have this. I have to have you. I want to know what it feels like when you fuck me. When you use me. The others"-

I cut her off, smashing my lips to hers, not wanting to hear about anyone else in her bed. Slowly, I push her farther back onto the mattress until I'm hovering over her small form, my hands roaming up and down her soft stomach. Juliette wiggles beneath me as she delicately holds onto my shoulders.

"Stop being so gentle," she whines.

"Sunshine, you want rough?" That's not surprising now that I've voiced it. "You really want this, don't you?"

"Yes! Yes," she softens her voice and I suspect years of royal training have taught her to stay soft and quiet but there's a fight in those hazel eyes begging to come out. "Everyone is always so delicate and careful. I'm not glass. I don't break. Fuck me, Romeo. Break me. I want to feel it tomorrow and the day after when my father hands me to whoever pays him the most for my hand."

Now, that's a challenge I'll take. "As you wish, sunshine." Then I kiss her again, our tongues tangling as I give her just a taste of what's to come. I sit back and slip on the strap-on, sighing as the stimulator presses against my clit. I'm worked up and have been all morning so I won't last long but I'm determined to fulfill Juliette's wishes.

To make her feel me for days to come.

Worry scratches at the edge of my consciousness, that maybe I'm barrelling down a path that I won't be able to come back from but seeing Juliette splayed out and waiting for me, I ignore it. She's beautifully bare for me from her full cheeks to the soft thick rolls gathering around her stomach. "Goddess, you're gorgeous," I whisper and her entire body flushes a faint pink as I lean down to kiss her again.

The silicone cock presses between us, Juliette wriggling beneath me to position it where she needs. Not soon enough, I angle it toward her entrance, Juliette digging her fingers into my shoulder as I press inside. Her face contorts in a mixture of pleasure and shock when I'm finally inside, the room silent except for our heavy breathing. She bucks forward, the stimulator rubbing against my clit and pulling a groan from my throat.

"It feels so good," she whispers hoarsely.

I give her time to adjust, waiting for her eyes to open again before I pull out and thrust back in.

"Harder, Romeo."

Gripping her waist, I let out a deep breath and then start up a pace, ruthlessly plunging into her sex. Juliette's lips fall open and she slaps her hands over her mouth to cover her sounds but I shake my head. "I want to hear you, sunshine."

"But the-"

"Let them hear. Let them know just who is giving you pleasure tonight."

She doesn't move so I gently pull her hands away from her face, kissing her softly before holding them above her head. I grip her wrists in one hand, holding her waist in the other before I resume my pace, pumping into her. Juliette melts into the mattress as her back arches up toward me, meeting me with every thrust. The stimulation spurs me on toward my own orgasm, Juliette leaning her head forward to catch my nipple between her full lips.

"Sunshine," I purr as I snap my hips harder. She mewls around my nipple, suckling my breast as her legs wrap around my waist. I'm consumed by a woman I can't have and will never be able to touch again. I want to savor this moment but I also want to watch Juliette explode and fall apart beneath me. When she gently bites down, I can't hold back, my entire body shuddering over hers as I come.

Juliette whines through her own release, wriggling beneath me until I let her hands go. I'm not ready for the way she twists me onto my back so that she's now straddling my waist, furiously circling her hips for another orgasm. Her lips attach to my neck and I wrap my arms around her back as she takes her pleasure. "Again, again," she pleads.

Her hands sift into my hair, pulling it from its manicured ponytail until it's spilling around my shoulders and fanning across the pillows. She tugs and grips, her movements wild and free. This is the woman I knew existed beneath the gown and princess airs. This is the woman that stole my heart the first time I saw her.

This is the woman that will break my heart tomorrow when I will have to face the fact that she's not mine to have.