Page 138
Story: Guarded King
“Mm-hmm.” I cross my legs, and since I’m only wearing his partly buttoned shirt with no panties, his focus drops straight to the spot between my legs.
A laugh bubbles out of me. “Don’t get distracted.” Considering how many times we’ve both come tonight, I’d think he’d be satiated by now.
“How am I supposed to help myself?” he growls. “You’re making me hungry.”
I ignore my own renewed spark of desire. “You can eat later.”
Instinct kicks in, and my hand moves across the paper. I’m rusty. I haven’t done anything like this in a long time, and this pencil isn’t a proper sketching pencil. Even so, it feels good. As I continue, outlining the shape of his eyes and the angle of his jaw, muscle memory kicks in and I loosen up.
He’s watching me. Every time I look up from the paper, his wolf-gray eyes are roaming over my face.
I’ve picked up speed, capturing the straight line of his nose and the curve of his lips with ease. Then I move on to the way a dark lock of hair hangs over his forehead and the muscled slope of his shoulder.
Fifteen minutes later, I put the pencil down on the bed next to me and hold the notepad in both hands, studying whatI’ve drawn. It’s rough, but considering it’s the first portrait I’ve attempted in years, I’m happy with it.
More than happy. Looking at it makes me feel… light.
I smile at him. “You can move now.”
He rolls over and props himself up against the headboard. “Can I see?”
My breath catches. If I show him, will I be revealing more of how I feel about him than I’m comfortable with?
Though nerves skitter through me, I take a deep breath and turn the notepad around.
He stares at it, his brows pulling together.
My chest tightens. “It’s not perfect?—”
He shakes his head, cutting me off. “Come here.”
I put the notepad down and scoot closer.
When I’m within arm’s reach, he brackets my waist and lifts me until I’m straddling him. “It’s incredible. I look happy.” His mouth twists. “I wasn’t sure what that expression looked like on my face.”
My heart swells. “It’s my favorite expression.” I press my lips to his and wind my arms around his neck, my own hunger returning.
He slides his hands up my thighs and under his shirt. Then he flips me onto my back with ease and shoulders his way between my legs. “You promised me I could eat later. So give me what I want and come on my mouth like a good fucking girl.”
CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN
ROMAN
The morning sun casts sharp lines across the meeting table. Cole, who’s sitting next to Tate, gives me a nod. This isn’t just another exec meeting.
Chloe, Sophie, and Samson set up the room, ensuring everything is ready for our deep dive into the EcoTech bid.
“Let’s get started.” I nod at Chloe, signaling her to distribute the latest financial reports and competitor analysis. “We need to finalize our bid for EcoTech today, and I want no stone left unturned.”
David flashes Chloe a too-bright smile as she hands him the reports.
Irritation scours through me, but with a heavy breath out, I push it aside. I need to focus today.
“We’ve got one shot at making this unbeatable. Haverscombe Industries is pushing hard to outbid us, and if they can’t do that, they’ll look to other strategies.”
“If we push our bid much higher, it’ll stretch our finances,” Carl, our CFO says. “We need to consider not just winning this bid but sustaining the company afterward.”
“We’ve already emphasized our commitment to ethical practices and community engagement.” This comes from Margo.“We couldn’t be more different from Haverscombe in those realms. That should go toward swaying their decision.”
A laugh bubbles out of me. “Don’t get distracted.” Considering how many times we’ve both come tonight, I’d think he’d be satiated by now.
“How am I supposed to help myself?” he growls. “You’re making me hungry.”
I ignore my own renewed spark of desire. “You can eat later.”
Instinct kicks in, and my hand moves across the paper. I’m rusty. I haven’t done anything like this in a long time, and this pencil isn’t a proper sketching pencil. Even so, it feels good. As I continue, outlining the shape of his eyes and the angle of his jaw, muscle memory kicks in and I loosen up.
He’s watching me. Every time I look up from the paper, his wolf-gray eyes are roaming over my face.
I’ve picked up speed, capturing the straight line of his nose and the curve of his lips with ease. Then I move on to the way a dark lock of hair hangs over his forehead and the muscled slope of his shoulder.
Fifteen minutes later, I put the pencil down on the bed next to me and hold the notepad in both hands, studying whatI’ve drawn. It’s rough, but considering it’s the first portrait I’ve attempted in years, I’m happy with it.
More than happy. Looking at it makes me feel… light.
I smile at him. “You can move now.”
He rolls over and props himself up against the headboard. “Can I see?”
My breath catches. If I show him, will I be revealing more of how I feel about him than I’m comfortable with?
Though nerves skitter through me, I take a deep breath and turn the notepad around.
He stares at it, his brows pulling together.
My chest tightens. “It’s not perfect?—”
He shakes his head, cutting me off. “Come here.”
I put the notepad down and scoot closer.
When I’m within arm’s reach, he brackets my waist and lifts me until I’m straddling him. “It’s incredible. I look happy.” His mouth twists. “I wasn’t sure what that expression looked like on my face.”
My heart swells. “It’s my favorite expression.” I press my lips to his and wind my arms around his neck, my own hunger returning.
He slides his hands up my thighs and under his shirt. Then he flips me onto my back with ease and shoulders his way between my legs. “You promised me I could eat later. So give me what I want and come on my mouth like a good fucking girl.”
CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN
ROMAN
The morning sun casts sharp lines across the meeting table. Cole, who’s sitting next to Tate, gives me a nod. This isn’t just another exec meeting.
Chloe, Sophie, and Samson set up the room, ensuring everything is ready for our deep dive into the EcoTech bid.
“Let’s get started.” I nod at Chloe, signaling her to distribute the latest financial reports and competitor analysis. “We need to finalize our bid for EcoTech today, and I want no stone left unturned.”
David flashes Chloe a too-bright smile as she hands him the reports.
Irritation scours through me, but with a heavy breath out, I push it aside. I need to focus today.
“We’ve got one shot at making this unbeatable. Haverscombe Industries is pushing hard to outbid us, and if they can’t do that, they’ll look to other strategies.”
“If we push our bid much higher, it’ll stretch our finances,” Carl, our CFO says. “We need to consider not just winning this bid but sustaining the company afterward.”
“We’ve already emphasized our commitment to ethical practices and community engagement.” This comes from Margo.“We couldn’t be more different from Haverscombe in those realms. That should go toward swaying their decision.”
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