“No, I am more than content here. To be honest, I’d like to hunker down for the entire winter and not stick our heads out again until the snow thaws.” I shiver at the image his words have put into my mind. I’m sure my six men could think of plenty of creative ways to keep us warm and occupied through the long cold months. If I can get this one to actually put out, that is. “Unfortunately, that is not practical, so I will follow wherever you go.”
“It’s not possible this winter, but maybe next. Given enough time, I bet we could make it happen despite all our schedules. I’m pretty sure Alex is hellbent on retiring from modeling.”
Riku snorts. “That’s because he wants to be a dad, and he thinks if he shows you he can be more than a pretty face, you’ll give in and have a baby for him to look after.” I feel my face heat when I think back to all of his actions. I’m not opposed to the idea, and I don’t think any of the others are either. Or at least they won’t be once I show them that I actually do have my addiction under control now. The thought that my and Jax’s kid would be close in age is certainly appealing. Maybe I’ll go off the pill and surprise Alex—after I have a chat with the others and make sure they are ready for that step too, of course.
Riku’s eyes flash with desire, and he stands up. “I’m not sure what you’re thinking, but if the color of your face has anything to say, it’s pure filth. I don’t know about you, but I am damn sure done resisting this attraction.” He strides over to me, and I scramble out of my chair, my heart racing when I think about where this might be going. But all he does is pick me up and throw me over his shoulder, a squeak flying out of my mouth in shock. He strides out of the kitchen and heads in the direction of my bedroom, or that’s where I think he’s going. It’s hard to tell since everything kind of looks the same upside down. Yup, there’s the suit of armor at the base of the steps. He has three flights to go before he even gets to the steps to my turret bedroom, so I just hang on for the ride, assuming he’ll get winded halfway and put me down. But I underestimated him. He’s been no slouch, working out, jogging around the grounds, and lifting weights in the gym, so he hasn’t lost any of his fitness. When we finally make it to my bedroom, he throws me onto the bed, barely breathless—unlike me. I’m panting hard, but it’s in anticipation of what’s about to happen.
“I tried my hardest to keep some distance through your recovery, but you are an impossible woman to resist. I wasn’t sure if there was a space for me in what you’ve got going on, but you have all convinced me that not only is there a place, but I desperately want it. Tell me you feel the same way.” His impassioned plea has me opening my arms and beckoning him forward.
“Yes, please.” And just like that, gone is the silent man who watches and waits. In his place is a man who looks like he wants to devour me whole.
“I wanted to take this slow, and worship you like you deserve, but I’ve been waiting so long.” He peels off his top layers in one go, showing me his sexy, smooth, ripped chest. My mouth waters as he steps over to the fire and fiddles with it, making more heat pump into the room, before coming back to me. His hair is falling out of its usual ponytail, and it hangs down around his face, framing such an intense look of longing that I start to scramble to take my own clothes off.
“Fast is good,” I rasp out as I get tangled. When I finally get free, I’m greeted with an even more mouthwatering sight. Even though I’d seen it before in his own hand and we’ve bathed in the thermal pools together, I haven’t really had an up close look at Riku’s cock. And now all I want to do is get my mouth on it.
Riku is all long, lean, and pale muscle. He stands before me like a god, his hand fisting his length. He lets it go and stalks toward the bed like a lethal predator after his prey, not stopping until he joins me on the bed between my parted thighs. With no delay, he parts my lips with his fingers and thrusts his tongue deep. I groan and thrash my head back and forth on the bed, grabbing the long lengths of his dark hair.
“Riku.” His name slips from my mouth like a prayer as he feasts on me, driving me to a quick peak and stopping just before I explode. He looks up at me, his eyes feral and his face glistening with my desire.
“You’re the best thing I’ve ever tasted,” he growls before climbing the rest of his way up my body. Without messing around, he thrusts his tongue into my mouth as he thrusts his cock deep. I cry out, but he smothers the sound, and I taste myself bursting across my tastebuds. Riku is like a dancer, his hips rolling, and with every stroke, his cock hits the right spot inside me. His body is trying to wring every ounce of pleasure out of me that it can, and all I can do is wrap my legs around his slender waist and hold on for the ride. He pulls his mouth away and looks deep into my eyes, trapping me. My body is tighter than a guitar string, and as Riku slides his hand between our bodies and caresses my clit, I feel us tumble over the edge together. He stills and holds himself deep as he comes, eyes closed, my cunt pulsing around him, prolonging our pleasure.
Finally, he relaxes his body, rolling to the side and taking me with him, his arms wrapped around me, my face pressed into his chest. A finger under my chin has me looking up into his dark, love-filled eyes. He smiles down at me.
“That was worth the wait.” He presses a kiss against my mouth before pulling away.
“It sure was, and now that I know what’s hiding behind your cool and calm facade, I can’t wait to try my hardest to push your buttons whenever I can.” I grin as he tickles me, reveling in the happiness on his face.
“Brat,” he grumbles, but his eyes are still smiling.
“Yeah, but I’myourbrat.” I snuggle in, looking out over the snow-capped mountains, wishing that we never had to leave our private hideaway.
ChapterEighteen
Jacinta
London is just as cold and miserable as rural Romania, but it does have a festive vibe. We end up spending the night at the Neighpalm Hotel in Convent Garden, instead of staying at Aunt Merideth’s, because we got in a day earlier than the others. Christmas Eve is only a couple of days away, but I’ve done no shopping at all, so I get online and arrange to have things sent to my family back in the States. This year, I bought everyone matching onesies and demanded a picture of everyone dressed up on Christmas morning. After that’s done, Ash, Riku, and I bundle up and head out to shop for the guys, Spencer, and Ash’s sister. The other thing I want to do is shop for the castle, but I’ll wait until after Christmas to do that. Maybe I’ll take Alex and Jace with me since they have great taste.
Harrods’ windows are full of Christmas displays, and when we get inside, the interior is decked out with lights, wreaths, and greenery. I beeline to the Christmas store. It’s packed, so I brace myself to be inundated with all the negative feelings, but they are not there. There’s no anxiety and no acidic whispering voice. It’s just calm inside my head. I want to do a little dance to celebrate, but I control myself.
“You okay?” Riku asks, eyeing the crowd, and I beam at him.
“So okay,” I assure him, and a slow smile stretches his lips.
“That’s good, but remember, if it gets to be too much, we can leave.”
“I’ll let you know, but all I feel is excitement and some panic about what to get everyone.”
I’ve arranged for a tree to be delivered to the place where we’re staying, and I want to decorate it with ornaments and everything else we’ve picked out. We’re not here long before we’re approached by a staff member. In his classy suit, he looks like he may be upper management, and he’s smiling at Ash.
“Lord Lavington, welcome to Harrods. Is there anything we can help you with today?”
Ash smirks at me and waves a hand in my direction. “Yes, Countess Bucataru wants to buy Christmas decorations. If we could have someone or a couple of someones take them and pack them up as she picks them, that would be wonderful. Everything should be delivered to the Neighpalm.”
The manager finally looks in my direction, and his eyes widen minutely in recognition. “Of course, let me just find a couple of personal shoppers for you.” He hurries away, and I smack Ash across the stomach.
“What was that?” I demand, and he shrugs.
“Titles always get you better service.”
