“I…” The other two words are on the tip of my tongue. I want to say them, but for some reason I can’t. Not yet. Maybe it’s because I’ve never said them to a man before. Maybe it’s because I know the power those words hold and once I say them, they’re out there. I’ve never felt like this before and I would be lying if I said it didn’t scare me. “I need you,” I croak out.
Liam sighs, and I worry he’s upset, that he’s disappointed I wasn’t able to say the words he’s so easily able to voice, but then his mouth collides with mine. His tongue delves between my parted lips, deepening the kiss, and it’s as if he’s telling me with his actions it’s okay. He knows what I want to say. He knows how I feel. And he’ll wait for me.
We kiss like this for several minutes, getting lost in each other. His lips are strong and his tongue moves in perfect sync with my own. He tastes of coffee and sex, and I want to rip this suit off him and ride him right here… Then, I remember we’re alone on this balcony and I can do just that.
Without breaking our kiss, I reach between us and tug at the button on his dress pants. Understanding what I’m doing, he lifts slightly so I can pull his pants down enough for his dick to spring free. Not even bothering to remove my dress, I lift it up, so it doesn’t get caught and guide his hard length into me. I lower myself slowly, and we both groan when I’m completely seated around him.
“Fuck,” he hisses against my lips. “You feel so damn good.”
I glide my hands up his shoulders and around to the back of his head, threading my fingers through his short hair. His hands find my hips and he digs his fingers into my flesh. I might be on top, but when he lifts and then lowers me, making sure to hit that perfect spot that will have me coming in no time, it becomes clear he’s fucking me—and I let him.
I find my release first, and he follows shortly after. When we break our kiss, my lips are swollen, and my body feels like Jell-O. I lay my head against his shoulder, completely content to stay like this.
“Move in with me,” he whispers into my ear.
That has me lifting my head back up. “What?” I heard what he said, but I need him to repeat it.
“Move in with me,” he repeats. “I don’t care that it’s only been a week… I’m in love with you and I don’t want to be away from you.” His face beams with love. “We can even visit—”
“Yes,” I tell him, not needing to hear anything more. He’s right. I love him and he loves me, and I don’t care how long it’s been. We’ve wasted enough time and all I want to do is spend my days with him and our daughter. We can figure it all out as we go.
“Yes?” he parrots.
“Yes,” I say again. “We’ll stay.”
His grin widens, his dimple popping out. “You’ve just made me the happiest man on Earth.”
Chapter Fourteen
Liam
Two Weeks Later
“Daddy, throw me again!” Jasmine yells, swimming over to me like a cute little fish. Since Natalie agreed to move in with me, we’ve taken steps to move them in. We’ve hired a moving company to pack up and ship all of their belongings here. Their furniture is being put in storage for now, and once things settle down, we’ll visit and get it sorted. Stephanie isn’t happy that I’ve put off all my duties the last few weeks, but like I told her, my family comes first. I’ll have a lot to catch up on when I do return to work, but it will be worth it.
Every day with my girls has been better than the previous day. Even though we can’t leave, that doesn’t stop Jasmine from living her best life. She loves exploring the castle, and her favorite activity is playing hide and seek. Today is an exceptionally hot day, so when Jasmine asked if we could spend it in the pool, Natalie and I thought it would be the perfect way to spend the day.
Lifting her by her tiny waist, I throw her a couple feet. She plops into the water, then quickly swims back up, the top of her head, then the rest of her body, breaking through the surface of the water.
“Again!” she squeals, shaking the water off her face.
“Food first,” Natalie calls out.
I glance over and find her in a tiny as fuck string bikini. Her body is as perfect as it was all those years ago, but now, from carrying our daughter, her hips are a bit wider and her breasts are fuller. I love the way I’m able to grip her hips when I’m fucking her.
Her hair is up in a tight ponytail, exposing her slim neck, and when she looks at me, with the most gorgeous smile splayed across her face, I make a mental note to sneak her out here one night so I can fuck her in this pool… or on the lounge chair, or hell, maybe the hot tub. Or maybe all three…
My dick perks up at the thought, and I have to think about something else to make it go down before I can get out of the pool.
“One more time!” Jasmine begs.
“Your mom said food first,” I tell her. She pouts but doesn’t argue, instead swimming over to the edge so she can get out and eat. The first time she argued with her mom and I let her have her way, Natalie explained we have to be a team and provide a united front or Jasmine would pin us against each other. I laughed and told her she sounded like some of the countries I deal with. I mean, she’s only five, and we’re the adults. The next time she did it, Natalie gave me a look, so I had her back. Jasmine cried, and the tears in her eyes damn near killed me. So I gave in. Natalie glared, and Jasmine cheered—and those tears… they magically disappeared, and I realized I’d been had.
So, the third time, I didn’t give in. The tears came and went, but she got over it. And Natalie thanked me. I’m new to this whole dad thing, but Natalie is a wonderful mother and I have no doubt she’ll be by my side every step of the way.
“Your Majesty,” Lawrence, one of my advisors, says as I’m wrapping a towel around my waist and walking over to the spread Natalie whipped up. I told her the chef will make anything she wants, but she insisted she’s capable.
“Lawrence, how may I help you?” He only comes out of his office when it’s important. He’s been with my family for over fifty years and is planning to retire this year. He’s grouchy as hell, but he’s always had our family’s best interest at heart and has never steered us wrong.
“You’re needed in the Lavender room, sir.” The Lavender room is where all our meetings are held, and I don’t recall a meeting being scheduled. “It’s of the utmost importance, sir,” he adds.
“Okay, I’ll be right there.”
With a quick nod, he bows and exits.
“Everything okay?” Natalie asks once he’s gone.
“I’m not sure. He’s called an emergency meeting.” Her eyes go wide in fear. “It’s okay.” I kiss her cheek. “Eat and relax, and I’ll be back soon.”
“Can we swim some more?” Jasmine asks.
“Of course, princess.” I kiss her cheek as well. “As soon as I get back, we’ll have a race.”
Her eyes light up. “Okay, bye, Daddy. I love you!”
I still at her words. The one and only time she’s said those words to me was when she was half-asleep. I chalked it up to her saying them out of habit, since she had just told her mom she loved her. But right now, those three words are done with purpose. Meant for me. Because my little girl loves me. “I love you too,” I choke out.