Protector of the Pride (Lions of Pride Island Book 3) (3 page)

“That was…” She didn’t have any words for it.

He cocked his head. Her eyes trailed down to his zipper and widened at the sight of his bulging member there.
King indeed
.

She wasn’t even sure if she could take it.

But before she could say anything, he took a step back, bringing her with him. He brought a chair and set her on it. Then he stepped back, hair mussed, lips swollen, muscles taut. Cock erect and pressing against his designer suit pants.

She’d never seen the king so disheveled.

She’d never thought just one kiss would lead to this.

And she really had to eat her words about his competence now that he’d made her come in just a few minutes.

She just kept breathing, feeling a pleasant calm come over her body, even as her emotions and heart were still riled up. What would he say? Would he chide her? Rub it in? Say he was right? Or even worse, that he regretted it?

Instead, with a terse look, he turned and walked out of the room.

That felt like the worst reaction of all. She watched him go with narrowed eyes, wondering what her next step should be.

A
xel closed
himself in his room and leaned against the door, totally shaken.

It was just supposed to be a kiss. Just quick proof to show her he wasn’t an imbecile when it came to pleasing a woman.

But from the moment their lips had touched, it hadn’t been about kissing just any woman. It had been about kissing
Lucy
.

And what a kiss it had been, shaking him down to his toes.

She’d taken everything from him in that kiss, leaving him with a hole inside that said only she could complete it. He’d been unable to stop as she urged him ahead, until she’d come in his arms, writhing and trembling and filling his mind with her scent, her sounds.

Everything inside him screamed mate. He didn’t think there was another woman in the world who could give him such feelings.

But that was confusing, because unlike most shifters, he wasn’t allowed to decide who his mate was. So why would it matter what his internal compass indicated?

A small hope flickered in him, one he didn’t dare acknowledge. That perhaps Lucy could be his mate. That it was more than coincidence that she had been sent to work at the castle with him.

She’d brightened his life in numerous ways since she’d come to the castle, and he honestly didn’t see how he could go back to life without her.

And he didn’t know how to go back to the time before they’d kissed. Those moments fraught with tension and tingling anticipation.

They had chemistry, real chemistry. He didn’t feel it was his inherent gift with women that had made her come so easily, but more a combination of the chemistry between them. Hot, erupting, unstoppable.

Even now, the giant lion inside him paced angrily, demanding he go back and finish what he’d started, claiming the female who seemed willing enough to go forward.

But he’d also seen a hint of fear in her eyes, hesitation.

She’d made it clear she didn’t want this to turn into anything. That she didn’t expect to love him.

The only way to have more of her, to be with her more, would be go along with her inane plan to teach him about courting a woman.

But what happened if he fell in love with her? If the stupid voice in him that screamed mate didn’t want to let go if the oracle picked someone else?

He never wanted to be forced into choosing between his country and Lucy.

But he knew he was getting ahead of himself. She hadn’t promised anything. She hadn’t said that was even an option. He crossed to his desk and thumped a hand on it, looking out the window into the night.

He could call the oracle, ask her thoughts on it. But he knew she’d just look at him in that cryptic way and tell him to make his own decisions and accept the consequences.

Well, it would hurt, but he had to engage with Lucy, accepting that they might have to part after.

But that was better than the alternative. Not having time with her at all.

He’d go along with her fake courting plan. Get to date her. Get to know her. Try to figure out the voices inside him that were urging him toward her.

She was right, he decided, looking out at the grounds. He’d gone too long without letting himself live. It was time to take steps to open up. Being fully alive with her, feeling his body zing with anticipation as she writhed in his arms, he knew what he’d been missing.

And he wanted so much more. To go places with her and see her smiling. To buy her presents and see her face light up. To eat meals together. He wanted it all.

And he’d start by going down to her room, if she was there, and telling her he was ready to go along with her plan.

* * *

L
ucy opened
the door when she heard the knock, wondering who would be there.

She was shocked when she saw Axel there, looking abashed.

If it was any other man who had kissed her senseless and then disappeared, she’d have been expecting them.

But not stubborn, cold, anxious Axel. Even if he’d thought leaving was a mistake, she’d assumed it was something he’d pretend had never happened.

But here he was, with his tie disheveled, lines under his eyes, as if he’d done nothing but torture himself in the hour or so he’d been gone.

After he’d left her in the dining room, she’d tried to finish dinner and then given up and went to her room to think about what had happened. Her body was still thrumming just at the thought of him.

Seeing him there at the door woke up all of her senses again, and she folded her arms over her chest as she stepped back to let him in.

She had no idea what he was going to say.

He didn’t look like he knew either.

He walked in, went straight to the window, and propped himself on the seat.

The room he’d given her was spacious and beautiful, decorated with antique furniture, but the window seat was her favorite place. It gave a beautiful view over the grounds and the woods and was soft and comfortable.

But even though it was her favorite place, or perhaps because it was, it seemed right to see him sitting there, blond hair glinting in the moonlight, suit and white shirt reflecting shades of silvery blue in her dark room.

When he looked at her, his golden eyes glinted a grayish silver in the muted light. “I want to accept your deal.”

She sat on the bed, arms still folded, heart pounding. She didn’t feel like the cocky tease she’d been before. She felt slightly in awe of him. Slightly worried about her own feelings.

She knew that romance and commitment weren’t for her. She
knew
that. Yet, looking at Axel, she feared for her heart if they went along with what she’d suggested earlier.

But his eyes looked so hopeful, his masculine body so tempting, and she knew, even if she did fall, she could get over it eventually.

It would probably be worth it. And she liked taking risks. It was exciting.

And there was something between them that she’d always sensed but hadn’t been able to put a finger on. Some connection. For a second, the fairy-tale section of her brain wondered if she could somehow be his mate.

But no, the chances of that would be one in a million. Things just didn’t happen like that in real life.

She scooted back on her bed until she could lean against the headboard and continued staring at Axel. “I just don’t know.”

His gaze snapped to her, his features once again sharp. “What do you mean?” he asked. “We had a deal. You offered.”

She raised an eyebrow. “And I’m allowed to renege.”

He shuffled his position uncomfortably. “Of course. But I’m allowed to ask why. Was it something I did?”

Yes, you made me shudder in unabashed ecstasy, and I never thought you could have that effect on me. Now I’m scared of what else you could do and how much I would miss it when you were gone.

“No.” She lied.

He folded his arms and glared at her, and she suppressed a groan as she felt her body respond just at the way he was looking at her.

She was already getting hot just being in the same room with him. Her body couldn’t seem to forget how easy it had been for him to please her.

“Axel,” she said. “I just… What happened between us was strong.”

“It doesn’t always have to be like that,” he said. “I can be more careful about the physical things.” He bit his lip. “I want to woo you. Date you. Do the other things we talked about. Not just jump into bed with you. After all, you know that’s obviously not a problem for me now.”

Jealousy lashed through her at that. “Yes.” The thought of him doing that to another woman was already agonizing. For some reason, it felt like this beautiful man was already hers.

She hugged herself with her arms and then stopped when she realized she was doing it. “I don’t know.”

“Should we just cut out the physical stuff?” he asked. “Would that make it easier?”

She snorted. “No way. I need that part.” She scooted to the edge of the bed and stood, heart pounding. “In fact, I think I really need that part. Now, even.”

He looked at her, eyes glowing again, lips pressed together in a firm line. But he scooted over as she joined him on the window seat. It was a tight fit, and they stayed together like that for a minute before he lifted her into his lap. She could feel his erection beneath her, but it was somewhat comforting.

He was just as lost in this as she was.

His arms came around her, and he pressed a kiss to the side of her head, searing the skin there. He was even more overwhelming when he was gentle like that. She was beginning to regret requesting to see that side of him.

He was much easier to resist as her stressed-out, uptight boss. Now, no matter how professional she tried to be, she’d still see him as that sexy, sensitive lover that overtook her like a storm.

His hands stroked over her arms, alighting the sensation there, and she groaned.

“Stop that,” she said, not really meaning it.

“Tell me the next step,” he said. “Courting you, I mean.”

“First off, stop calling it courting,” she said as his hand trailed down to her belly, stroking her there and then coming to rest on her hip. “And stop that. I can’t think.”

“I can’t,” he said, squeezing her hip. “You’re so soft and delicious. My hand just wants to keep doing it.”

She squirmed, liking the feel of his touch, the acceptance of it. But she needed to think straight. What had he just asked her? Oh yeah, about courting.

“Call it dating,” she grated out, relieved as his arms settled around her again, caging her in. “And I don’t know. I guess flowers, chocolate. And we should go out.”

“I work during the day, as you know,” he said. “But how about tomorrow evening?”

She nodded, loving the feel of his chest on her back. When they were done discussing this, would he leave? She didn’t want him to.

“What do you think about sexuality?” he asked. “Should we cut it off? I don’t want either of us to get overwhelmed.”

“And you aren’t already?” she asked tersely, bitter at her own body and its constant begging for him.

He laughed. “Yeah, I am. But I’m trying to be sensitive. Which is a feat for me, as you know.”

She laughed, feeling some of the tension seep out of her. “I guess so. I don’t think we have to cut it off. We just have to have some control.”

He nodded, his chin grazing the top of her head. He felt so big behind her, like a large, steadying wall she could depend on. She’d never had anyone like that, and she hadn’t ever expected it to be Axel.

After all, he supported and protected the country. But this was more personal. Better. More than she’d hoped for.

She honestly hadn’t thought she was this into him when she’d suggested helping him. But now she was realizing she was, and it scared her.

But not enough to back her off. Fear had never been enough to keep her from doing stupid things. The rush got to her. The risk.

It had been good working with Axel because it kept her out of trouble. And now she was taking both of them right back in.

“Speaking of control,” he said. “I think this position is getting a bit tough for me.” His deep voice was tight with control, and she realized he hadn’t even gotten off before.

That was thoughtful of him, just taking care of her. What would Axel look like when he lost control, that tight face lost in pleasure?

She turned around and knelt in front of him, looking pointedly at his crotch. “Nice.”

His fact twisted as he turned away from her. “Thanks.” His tone was terse. “I should get back to my room.”

She reached for his face, turning it toward her. “What if I’m not done?” she asked. “What if it wasn’t enough?”

He looked into her eyes frankly. “I thought you were overwhelmed. I thought you were worried.”

She came closer. “Right now, I’m more worried you’ll leave before I can have everything I want.” And she meant it. Her body was humming. She couldn’t resist him, no matter how stupid it was. “How about just once, to seal the deal before we start dating?”

He raised a perfect blond eyebrow. “Isn’t that a little backward?”

She growled and shook her head. “I don’t really care at the moment what direction it is. I just want you.” She put a hand over him, and his eyes widened as he scooted back slightly. He put a hand over hers and removed it from his member, eyeing her warily.

“Look, I want you, too, Lucy. So much. But I don’t want to do anything we’d both regret.”

She could see want mirroring hers, shining in his eyes. “We can’t regret something we both choose,” she said, touching his face.

She could see his big body giving in to her, leaning a little closer with each touch.

Just a little longer, and this big lion would be hers. She told her lioness not to purr prematurely.

“And you aren’t going to regret this in the morning? You aren’t going to say I went about it all backward and not want to keep going with dating?”

She shook her head. “On the contrary. I’ll be looking forward to it even more,” she said. “Even after just the one you gave me, I keep thinking about you. Filling me.”

He swallowed, the large Adam’s apple in his throat moving nervously. “Still seems backward.”