Just a King: A Secret Romance, page 5
“It seems your father’s re-election campaign is going as expected,” he says, his lips curling beneath his mask.
“We have high hopes for Election Day,” I say. “Though, we never want to seem too confident.”
He laughs. “Of course. I know the feeling. Well, you can let your father know he has my vote. Always has, always will.”
“I’m sure he’ll appreciate hearing that. Thank you, sir.”
His hand trickles a little further down my spine. I try not to stiffen. I want to jerk away and slap him. I want to tell him exactly what’s on my mind, that voting for my father doesn’t give him the right to feel me up.
But I stay quiet.
I keep smiling.
Luckily, at that moment, the mayor’s assistant appears beside him in a gown and mask far simpler than mine, but it’s not her job tonight to look like a porcelain doll. She whispers something in his ear. He nods before taking a step back.
“I’m afraid something has come up that requires my attention, Ms. Garland.” He offers me a sincere bow. “Would you excuse me?”
I smile even more. “Of course, Mr. Mayor. Enjoy the rest of your birthday.”
As he turns away, his assistant hangs back a step and winks at me.
Good assistant.
I bow with gratitude and she saunters off behind him.
“I suppose it’s my turn for a dance.”
I smile but with relief this time. Finally, the only man here I can count on not to treat me like a conquest.
“Yes, Daddy,” I say. I rest my hands on his broad shoulders. “I’ve always got time to dance with you.”
He moves with me and we settle into the music’s quiet rhythm. I let myself relax, safe and warm in my father’s protective hands.
After a minute, he laughs. “You know, it seems like only yesterday you used to dance on my feet at these things… until your mother started buying you stilettos. That was the end of that.”
I chuckle. “What I wouldn’t give for a pair of flats right now.”
“It’ll all be over soon,” he says, his smile hardening. “Listen, honey, about last night…”
“I’m sorry I worried you,” I say. “I really didn’t mean to.”
“I wasn’t worried. I know you can handle yourself.” His brow piques. “But Roland…”
I cringe. Roland.
“He cares about you,” he continues, “and I think it would be a good idea for the two of you to play nice.”
“We do play nice,” I say.
“He plays nice. You ignore him.”
“I treat him with the same respect I give to every other person on your staff.”
“And I want you to give him more,” he says, hitting the word hard. “Do I make myself clear?”
I hold my breath, reacting to the change in his tone. “Yes, Daddy.”
“Roland has a bright future ahead of him,” he says. “Possibly brighter than mine and that could mean great things for both of us if we play our cards right. So…” He releases my waist and pinches my cheek. “Play nice.”
I recoil slightly. Great things? Roland’s out of my life come the election — for good, hopefully. I’ll be back in school. Dad will be back in the Senate. I don’t care where Roland ends up, so why am I supposed to worry about the great things he can do for me or my father?
But I’m not about to get into this in front of the entire upper class of Las Vegas.
“Yes, Daddy,” I say instead.
He gives me one more smile and lets go. “I’ve got a few more deep pockets to schmooze,” he says. “You go find Roland.”
I swallow hard, tasting bile as he disappears into the crowd. I stand still, keeping as straight a face as I can while my stomach turns and my spine twinges from my endless, perfect posture.
“May I have a dance?”
And just like that, I button it all up. I throw on yet another accommodating smile, just so freakin’ happy to be passed around like a piece of meat to all of the mayor’s wealthy friends.
I turn to face this new man and my breath catches. A simple black mask obscures three-quarters of his face but there’s no way I’d forget those eyes.
“Kingston,” I say.
He steps closer and places his left hand on my hip. I take his other hand and we stand entwined as if we’ve rehearsed this dance together a hundred times before.
“Are you all right?” he asks me.
I nod. “What are you doing here?”
He smiles, or maybe smirks. Hard to tell with the mask. “You told me you’d be here.”
“Right.” I glance around for prying eyes. “I also told you not to come.”
“And I shamelessly disobeyed. Are you sure you’re all right?”
I tremble beneath his concerned eyes. “Just a long night, that’s all,” I answer.
“Yes, I can imagine you’re feeling a little touched-out by now. How many dances so far? Eight? Ten?”
“Fourteen.”
“Ah, well. I got here late.”
“Right on time, actually.” I squint. “How did you get in here? You didn’t have an invite.”
“Nothing a misspent youth never prepared me for. A mask and a bit of imagination can get you anywhere.” When I say nothing, he sighs. “I bribed a maid.”
I chuckle, my first genuine smile of the night. “Just to get in here and see me?”
Kingston pulls me a little closer and drops his voice for my ear alone. “With how beautiful you look tonight, it was worth the trouble,” he says.
Blood rushes into my cheeks. I pray it’s not too noticeable behind my crimson mask. His lips brush along my neck and I know it won’t be long until someone notices that.
“Kingston…” I warn.
“Meet me tonight,” he whispers.
I inhale sharply. “I can’t…”
“It’s your last night here, right?” His eyes lock on mine through his mask. “Spend it with me.”
I tremble at the thought, but my nerves keep a tight lock on my limbs. “I’m not sure that’s a smart idea,” I say.
His hand moves up my back, sending a flurry of shivers in all directions before settling between my shoulder blades. “I need to see you again, Fiona. After last night…” He pauses to look around for listening ears. “It wasn’t enough. I want you… and I think you want me, too.”
My chest flutters with golden butterflies. I thought last night was just a fluke. It was just one night where I could shed the Garland shadow and just be me for a few hours with the boy I liked before…
Before I had to get back on the campaign trail with my father and Roland lingering over my shoulder.
But what if I got off that trail again?
Just one little detour?
Who would know?
“Where?” I ask.
Kingston takes something from his pocket. A hard, metal object touches my palm. I recognize what it is without even glancing down.
A Botsford Plaza room key.
“May I cut in?”
I flinch backward as Roland appears beside us and discreetly close my hand.
“Of course,” Kingston says, obscuring his voice as he turns to keep the exposed half of his face in the dark.
He squeezes my hand before his leaves mine. I shift to give him a proper curtsy while angling my front away from Roland so I can slip the key into the depths of my cleavage without notice.
“Thank you for the dance, Ms. Garland,” Kingston whispers before walking away.
“You too, sir,” I say, our eyes meeting through our masks.
Roland steps between us and forcefully grabs my waist. “Well, this party has gone on forever, hasn’t it?” he asks.
I nod, taking a breath. “It certainly has.”
He says something more, but I honestly don’t hear it over the pounding of blood in my ears. With each breath I take, I feel that golden key digging into my chest, reminding me of where I truly belong.
Roland’s grasp is only temporary.
For the second time tonight, a real smile touches my lips.
“Who was that?” Roland asks, craning to look over his shoulder at Kingston’s back.
I shrug. “I have no idea,” I lie.
9
Fiona
I slide the key into the lock and my heart jolts. The evening was long and grueling up until this point, but I’d never know it. I feel as if I just woke up and there’s a long day full of possibility ahead of me.
Or rather, a long night.
I turn the key. The sound echoes throughout the empty hallway. I startle, every little noise triggering my nerves. If I’m found here, at this place, at this time…
On second thought, I don’t care.
I step into the suite. At first glance, it’s a normal everyday room at the Botsford Plaza with white walls and white pillows. But, as I look a little closer, I see a little bit of Kingston. His coat from earlier lies tossed over a chair with his mask set on top. Stacks of paperwork sit on the writing desk, a few more on the bedside table. A bottle of champagne rests in a bucket with two clean glasses beside it.
Desert air caresses my skin and I turn to look out the open window. Kingston stands on the balcony with his back to me, gently leaning his elbows on the railing as he stares at the florescent city across the street. I pause to admire him in the moment, eyes trailing down his thick shoulders to the belt of his pants.
A breathtaking view, no matter where you look.
Kingston’s head barely turns as I step out onto the balcony.
“I thought maybe you wouldn’t show,” he says with a smile in his voice.
I pause beside him. “It was hard to get away.” I glance over my shoulder back into the room. “You live here,” I note.
“I do.”
“Why?”
Finally, he looks at me and shrugs. “It’s convenient. And I didn’t want to live at home anymore after a few broken promises...”
I chortle, taking my place beside him by the rail. “I know what you mean. God, what I wouldn’t give to have this option.”
Kingston raises a brow. “Whatever happened to not seeing the appeal of these golden boys clubs?” he teases.
“Opinions change,” I say, biting my lip. “Besides, I’d take room service and housekeeping over my father’s estate in Henderson in a heartbeat.”
“Well, you’re welcome here anytime.”
“Thank you.”
“With me.”
I blush. “I thought that was implied.”
Kingston rests his hand on mine on the railing and sidles behind me. “It was,” he says, “but just in case it wasn’t obvious enough…”
His fingers spark the side of my neck as he gathers my hair and pushes it over my right shoulder. I close my eyes. I silence my thoughts. I lose myself in whatever this feeling is that’s taking over me.
“Fiona…”
I tremble as his whispering lips caress the nape of my neck. He notices and lets out the smallest chuckle.
“You’ve never done anything like this before, have you?” he asks.
“I’ve been with men before,” I say.
“That’s not what I meant.” He lays a soft kiss on my slender column. “The hiding. The sneaking. Getting caught…”
He kisses me again, this time harder and deeper. I swallow as my body naturally pulls toward his.
“No,” I answer.
“Do you like it?” he whispers in my ear.
My voice is breathy and wild as I say, “Yes.”
“I thought so.” His right hand curls around my hip to rest on my stomach, forcefully pulling me closer until our bodies are flush together. “You like the rebellion. You crave it. I’m the same way.”
I breathe a laugh. “Can only do what Daddy says so many times before I just…”
“Snap.”
“Yes.”
Kingston turns me around to face him and leans in within an inch of a kiss. “Sounds like we both have the same itch to scratch.”
I nod, the air around us thick and warm.
He seems to hesitate. His eyes flash with an internal struggle. I’m sure mine do as well, though I wouldn’t have come here if I wasn’t prepared to face the consequences.
I tilt my head as I close the inch between us. This kiss is all mine as Kingston stands completely still. For a moment, I fear he’s given in to his second thoughts, but his hand quickly takes hold of my cheek and pulls me in for another kiss.
“I can’t stop thinking about you, Fiona,” he whispers. “After last night, you’re everywhere.”
“And after tonight, I’ll be gone again.”
I smile as I say it, but the words grip my chest. Outside of this room, I’m Fiona Garland. Always Fiona Garland. Daddy’s perfect angel. The princess of the Nevada Senate.
I’d rather be here.
Just Fiona.
Kingston’s dirty secret.
My heart flutters with another burst of rebellion as Kingston presses his lips against mine again. I melt against him as his bulge digs into my hip, and I know we’re both here for the same reason.
The same itch.
“Take me, Kingston,” I say. “I want you to—”
He crushes his mouth on mine again as his arms wrap around me. “I can’t promise I’ll give you back,” he teases, though I secretly wish for it to be true.
I wish he would take me away from everything I know.
I wish he would lock me up here in this golden tower with him.
I wish I were brave and stupid enough to make this night last forever.
Then, I remember the alternative. I remember what life awaits me on the other side of that door.
And I die inside a little more.
I choose to live.
“Do it,” I say, practically begging.
Kingston kisses me, hard and fast. He cups my rear, forcefully pulling me up. My toes dangle several inches above the balcony. I keep my focus on him rather than looking over and becoming even dizzier than I already am.
With weightless ease, Kingston turns and carries me through the open door back into the suite. I hold on as my stomach flutters and my heart races. To spend the night with Kingston, to really spend the night with him, it could ruin me. Not just my reputation, either. After tonight, I might never look at another man ever again without thinking of Kingston first.
That’s a risk I’m willing to take.
We reach the bed and Kingston loosens his grip, letting my toes touch the floor. He guides me to turn around and pushes my hair out of the way to expose the zipper on my dress. Shivers dance down my spine as he opens it slowly. His warm touch grazes my skin all the way down. I have to bite my tongue to keep from whimpering.
“Fuck,” I hear him whisper behind me. “You’re perfect.”
I’m not allowed to be anything less.
I nearly say it out loud. The habit to be perfect digs deep. My dress sags along my shoulders, and I instantly worry about wrinkles. Kingston pinches my chin and draws my head back to meet his lips, and I worry about smearing my lipstick. I give into the greatest pleasure of my life, and I worry what my Daddy will say…
But it all fades as Kingston touches even more of me. He pushes my dress down to my ankles and kisses me so hard I see stars. I melt in his arms and he gracefully guides me back to lie on his bed. He follows me down and I tremble, practically wishing for him to strip us both down and put me out of this lustful misery. He takes his time, though. Soft kisses and warm caresses, going too far and not far enough at the same time. It’s elegant, teasing torture, but I never want it to end.
When his kiss finally descends to my breasts, I gently arch my back and reach around to unclasp my bra. He rips it free and tosses it across the room, gladly shedding another layer between us.
And just like that, I feel another surge of worry. But why? What have I got to worry about while I’m safe in the comfort of Kingston’s bed? Why can’t I let go of someone I don’t even want to be?
Before I can spiral further, Kingston pinches my chin and guides my gaze toward his. I welcome another deep, passionate kiss. Blood pounds in my ear and it quickly overwhelms my thoughts.
Kingston shifts above me and settles between my open thighs. I welcome the intrusion by spreading them wider and moaning on his tongue. He smiles, easily sensing my urges as his own threaten to overpower him. He kisses down my chest and cups my breasts as he draws a line down my belly with his tongue. I purr as a wet spot builds on my panties, waiting ever so patiently for him to rip them from my body, too.
Finally, he pulls them down to my ankles. “I’ve waited so long for this,” he growls.
Kingston kisses my clit. I gasp with aching pleasure. A few slow, teasing laps and I melt into a puddle beneath him. I run my fingers through his hair, and he groans. I squeeze and he presses harder. Each stroke of his tongue sends shudders throughout my limbs. I twitch involuntarily, unable to do anything but yield to him.
“Kingston.”
I breathe out his name. He responds by shoving his tongue inside of me. I buck and mewl, more turned on than I’ve ever been in my life. I feel as if I’m about to fall apart, but I’m not afraid. I want Kingston to tear me in two and stitch me back together the way he likes.
He squeezes my breasts. I grab his hands to hold on for dear life as passions and pleasure vibrate through me. I try to say his name again, but it comes out as nothing but moans. I’m so close yet so far. I’m… I’m…
“—Coming,” I stutter, breaking down.
I pinch his head between my thighs. I tighten my grip on his hands. I scream as I come, but Kingston doesn’t stop. His tongue continues working me over, licking up and down and side-to-side with the erratic buck of my hips.
When I can’t take anymore, I beg and whimper for reprieve. Kingston laughs and turns away, abandoning my throbbing clit to leave gentle kisses on my trembling thighs. I hum, breathing hard and feeling sparks radiate within every nerve.
