Chapter 27

27

KILLIAN

C harlotte's cheeks are flushed, and she's breathless, hands gripping the shelf behind her, as I invade her personal space. She's always beautiful, but tonight, she looks incredible.

My fingers trace the thin straps of her dress, barely touching the silky-smooth skin of her chest. Uncovered shoulders are considered far too revealing for a royal to wear, but she's not a royal, and she knows exactly what she's doing, displaying her slender neck like that.

"You're mine. Charlotte. Nobody will dare speak to you like that." My wolf is still rabid, eager to go and tear Cressida to shreds for the horrific words she spoke to our mate. "Do you hear me, Charlotte? There is nobody sexier, smarter, or more caring that I would want. Forever, you'll be the one that holds my heart. No matter what happens between us."

It's true. We might never be mates, but I'll never want another like I crave her.

Allowing my lips to brush across her exposed marking spot, I grin wolfishly when she sighs in contentment, a tiny shiver making her nipples harden under the thin fabric of the dress.

"Are you trying to tempt me by dressing like this?" My hand finds the slit in her dress and strokes her thigh, gently circling and caressing as my fingers travel higher and higher.

Charlotte closes her eyes, her dark lashes fanning against her high cheekbones, as I brush delicately over the soft skin of her upper thigh.

"Killian, we can't…"

I growl, cutting off whatever sensible argument she was going to make. "Yes, we can. We're dating. This will make it even more convincing."

My mate smiles, and I feel like a hero for making her happy after her mother tore her down.

Never in my entire life have I felt all-consuming rage like that. I want to steal away, to run her a bath, climb in behind her and wash away her worries, but I can't, so I intend to do the next best thing.

"This is supposed to be work, remember?" she counters. "I'm pretending to date you, so I can stay close and protect you."

Feeling braver, my hand glides higher before encountering something smooth and hard. "And you are protecting me. Protecting me from murdering your mother."

Wrapping my hand around the hilt, I pull the knife free from under her dress and hold it up between us, fascinated. This is a serious knife for my mate to be carrying concealed like that.

"See. I'm working, Killian," she mumbles breathlessly as I toss the knife onto the floor beside us and duck my head to kiss and nibble on her neck.

"Yes, you clearly take your job very seriously. I need to see what else you've got hidden under there."

Slowly, I gather the hem of her dress higher and higher until I can see the barely-there lacy thong she has on beneath the dress. If it weren't for the scent of her arousal already hanging thick in the air, the damp spot on her underwear would give away just how much she's enjoying this. I drop to my knees and Charlotte's eyes widen. A royal doesn't kneel for anyone, but right now, I'm just a man dying to worship his mate.

"I don't think these are standard issue. I might have to confiscate them," I mumble as I shimmy them down her hips as far as her knees.

"You can't…" Charlotte's shaking her head, but her magnificent breasts rise and fall, her pulse hammering, as she watches me inch closer.

"I can, Charlotte. I'm the prince. I can do what I want. The only person here who can tell me no is you."

Her pussy is calling to me, glistening with the evidence of how much she wants this. Rocking her hips forward, just a fraction, is all the invitation I need as Charlotte mutters, "I must be crazy," to herself.

When I press my mouth to her centre, finally getting a taste of heaven, I groan loudly. "Fuck, you taste so good."

She tries to wriggle away from me, but I grip the backs of her thighs and hold her in place.

"Stay still. You refused me last time, but never again."

Charlotte tips her head back and moans softly, parting her thighs enough to let me push my tongue up into her. Her fingers tangle in my hair as she rocks forward, gasping as I lick her from her entrance up over her clit before grazing the swollen nub between my lips.

"Killian," she cries, burying my face harder against her, and I hum in satisfaction, sending vibrations through her needy body. "Yes. Yes."

She grinds against me as I suck and lick, nearly levitating off the floor, when I push one digit, then two, deep into her tight channel. I stare up at her, watching every emotion that flits across her beautiful face, as I finally get to pleasure my mate.

Her nails dig into my scalp when I curl my fingers to brush the front of her walls, and she goes up on tiptoes to escape the intensity of the sensation.

"Come for me, mate. I need to see you shatter. I need to hear you call my name."

Her ecstasy is like a drug, as she moans and writhes, fighting the orgasm she feels barrelling toward her.

With renewed vigour, I stroke her g-spot harder, using my thumb to slide over her clit, as I lap and lick at her juicy cunt.

"Oh Killian, yes!" she cries out, her eyes suddenly flying open and finding mine.

As her pussy clamps down around my fingers, quivering with each powerful aftershock, we lock eyes, and I know my life will never be my own again.

She owns me, body and soul.

Panting, with a sheen of perspiration on her chest and brow, Charlotte is radiant. I'd give anything to be able to take her back to my room and finish what we've started, but duty calls.

Standing now, I tower over her, one hand still pressed between her thighs, holding her pussy possessively, with two fingers still inside her warm, pulsing channel. Rubbing the heel of my hand over her clit, I grin, smug as hell, when she twitches, and another high-pitched moan passes her lips, unbidden.

"You're mine, Charlotte, and I'm yours. Forever. Nobody, ever, gets to touch what's mine again."

Forcing my wolf back before he says anything else that's likely to get me a knee to the crotch, I release her and grab some tissues from the desk beside us to clean her up. Then I gently pull her panties back up, groaning at the sight of her, all covered up once more.

"And no matter what happens," I whisper, "I'll come back for you. I promise you. Whether you still want me or not, I'll make sure your mother doesn't get her way."

Slightly dazed and unsteady, Charlotte says nothing, but leans forward and presses her forehead onto my chest.

Realising I can feel her relief, my heart breaks a little. The bond is already getting stronger between us.

We're meant to be two halves of the same whole, and yet, I'm going to have to tear us apart to protect my family.

"Come on," I say, pressing my mouth ever so gently to hers, enjoying the fullness of her lips beneath mine. "Let's get this over and done with."