Sovalon Royals: The Complete Series Read online

  “Yikes.”

  “I hadn’t realized she was betraying anyone, but I’d known all along that she was just using me. It didn’t occur to me to mind.” He moved his eyes from the dark forest in the distance to look straight into Kyra’s. “Now I know what it feels like to really care about someone.”

  Kyra smiled, and he thought he noticed the faintest flush creep onto her cheeks in the moonlight.

  “When people expect nothing of you, why bother trying? That’s what I thought before,” he said. “But since I met you, Kyra, I have a damn good reason to try.”

  Suddenly a zig zag spear of lightning lit up the sky. Marcus grinned, imagining it was Mother Nature’s way of emphasizing his admission of his feelings, but when he looked back at Kyra, her face had paled, and she was obviously on edge.

  “Are you okay?” he asked.

  “I’m okay,” she said, but he could hear the tremble in her voice. “I don’t like storms is all.”

  “Well, this one’s still pretty far off,” he said. “Nothing much to worry about yet.”

  Kyra nodded and swallowed. He could tell she was still nervous. “When I was young, my family narrowly survived a tornado. We were visiting my granny on her farm, and we had to hustle into her storm cellar.”

  Marcus noted that Kyra’s eyes hadn’t left that sky. Thunder clapped, and she jumped.

  “Granny’s house was destroyed,” Kyra said. “We would have been killed had we not made it to the cellar in time. Ever since that day, I’ve been terrified of storms.”

  “Well, I can tell you that in my twenty-six years in Sovalon, we’ve never had a tornado, so you don’t have anything to worry about.” Marcus felt the urge to comfort her. “Here, come sit next to me, and we can watch the lightning together.”

  Kyra stood from her chair across from Marcus and started toward the one beside him. Before she could sit down, he reached out and pulled her onto his lap. He wrapped his arms round her and felt her relax into his body.

  “Better?” he asked.

  “Mmm hmm.”

  Marcus relished Kyra’s nearness as she leaned back into him, closing the gaps between their bodies. He tucked his face into her hair and inhaled the sweet jasmine scent of her. How was it possible that a woman could smell this good? Feel this good? But the truth was that being with Kyra felt more than just good. It felt right.

  As the wind picked up and began to whip around them, Marcus felt Kyra’s shoulders tense.

  “Do you want to go inside?” he asked.

  “I think so.”

  Just as the words left Kyra’s lips, the sky opened up and raindrops came at them like bullets from the sky.

  Using his body to shield hers as best he could, Marcus ushered Kyra back toward the house, but they both were soaking wet by the time they got inside.

  Kyra was shaking so badly she could hardly see straight. Even now that she was inside the house with Marcus, she still didn’t feel quite safe. Her hands trembled as she gripped the granite countertop in the kitchen and watched Marcus shake the rain from his dark mane of wet hair. Marcus had shielded her head from the rain with the nylon jacket he’d been wearing, but the rest of her was soaked through from the shoulders of her button-down shirt to the hem of the denim skirt she’d put on before dinner. She slipped out of her damp shoes and kicked them aside as lightning flashed through the kitchen windows, shaking her once more. She leaned into the counter and set her head in her hands, grossed out by the feel of wetness on her toes and frustrated with the phobia that had haunted her all these years.

  After wiping his face dry with a kitchen towel, Marcus looked at her. “Kyra, it’s okay,” he said and rushed to wrap his arms around her. “We’re safe. It’s just a little thunderstorm, I promise.”

  “I’m alright,” she lied.

  Just then, another boom of thunder shook the walls. Kyra flinched, and Marcus held her close. “You’re freezing,” he said. “Let me find some bath towels, so we can dry off.”

  Kyra’s teeth chattered as she followed him silently. Even though she was frightened of the lightning, she liked being so close to him. She hated the idea of depending on any man coming to her rescue, but Marcus did soothe her anxiety. It was a strange but good feeling to allow him to hold her in the face of her fear. She wasn’t used to letting anyone get that close or to see her in her weakness.

  She turned the corner behind him into the bedroom just as he called out to her from the guest bath beyond.

  “I found the towels.”

  A bolt of lightning lit up the dim room, and Kyra gasped.

  Damn it. Why was she so jumpy? It was just a thunderstorm, not a tornado.

  Marcus hurried back into the bedroom with a pile of towels in his hands, looking ready to hand them off, but when his eyes met hers from across the room, he stopped dead. Thunder crashed in the distance, and a jolt of electricity seemed to pass between them. She felt the temperature in the room rise as he approached her. Slowly, with what looked to Kyra like a decision in his eyes, he closed the distance between them until he was only an arm’s length away. Kyra stepped a few inches nearer to him to let him know she’d made her decision as well.

  Marcus set all but one towel down on the bed beside them then used the one in his hands to pat Kyra’s face dry, all the while his eyes never leaving hers. He moved the towel slowly to her shoulders, carefully dabbing each droplet of rain that was there, treating her as if she were a precious work of art. Kyra sighed as he brought the towel to her neck and down the center of her torso. She let her head drop back and closed her eyes as he worked over her breasts and down her back.

  The feel of his fingertips teased her. She wished they would tear through the terrycloth of the towel and even through her clothes. She ached to feel his hands on her fiery skin. With painstaking care, Marcus lowered himself and smoothed the towel down each of Kyra’s legs, stopping on the second one to kiss the sensitive flesh at the back of her knee. She heard herself moan as his lips touched her bare flesh.

  As Marcus stood and faced her, she felt her lips fall open with longing. He accepted the invitation and crushed them with a kiss so passionate, there was no question as to what would happen next. His hands found her waist and pulled her body into his, as he continued to kiss her hungrily on her mouth, her neck. Circling behind her, he continued trailing kisses on the back of her neck, sending shivers of pleasure down her arms. Kyra felt her body respond to him like it had never responded to anyone before. She leaned back into his chest as he unbuttoned her wet shirt and slid his fingers beneath the silk of her bra. When his thumbs began to circle over her hard nipples, she had to bite her lip to stop from crying out.

  She wiggled out of her shirt and bra as she turned to face him again, then pulled his wet T-shirt over his head. As before, Kyra was turned on by his chiseled body. She ran her hands over his ripped abs then pressed her body into his, kissing his hard chest.

  They fell onto the queen-size bed together, and Kyra slid out of her skirt then helped Marcus out of his shorts. They lay next to each other, their hands and mouths exploring. She thought she’d die with need when Marcus ran his hands up and down her thighs, tickling the flesh at the top of her legs then back toward her knee. She angled herself into him and nearly cried when his fingers snuck beneath the lace of her panties. He took a moment to play his fingers along the folds of sensitive flesh, driving her crazy, then slipped her underwear off.

  A moment later, he slid his body over hers. She could feel him—rock hard—against her thigh and wanted nothing more than to be filled up with him. She pushed her body up into his, to tell him without words that she was more than ready for him.

  “Not yet,” he whispered and kissed her lips gently. He massaged her breasts with both hands then kissed her neck and chest, then her belly button.

  As Marcus worked his way slowly down Kyra’s body, he left a path of kisses at each swatch of skin. He kissed her inner thigh then placed his warm mouth on the spot that caused firewor
ks to go off behind her eyes. As he moved, ever so slowly, his tongue drew circles over her flesh. He nibbled and licked as she arched her back. He used his finger to trace lines where his tongue had been. When his finger entered her, she couldn’t stand it any longer.

  “Please Marcus,” she said. “I want to feel you inside me.”

  And, finally, he gave her what she wanted.

  When they came together, both cried out with satisfaction and joy, their cries only intensifying as they worked each other higher and higher until they reached their peaks.

  Fully satisfied, Kyra curled her body into Marcus’s. As she drifted off to sleep in his solid arms, a flash of lightning illuminated the room. It wasn’t until that moment before sleep that Kyra realized she’d forgotten all about the storm.

  9

  “I love pancakes!” Ava exclaimed and slapped her open palms on the kitchen table. Her cheeks were rosy with joy and plumped in a wide grin. Kyra couldn’t help but catch her mood. She smiled at her adorable niece, as Ava shoveled another forkful of breakfast through her lips and then continued her proclamation with a mouthful of food. “I love pancakes and syrup and strawberries and chocolate milk and—”

  “Okay, okay, Ava, we get it. You approve of your breakfast.” Kyra held a hand up to quiet Ava. “Stop talking with your mouth full.”

  Kyra sipped her coffee and let her mind wander for a quiet moment as Ava finished her breakfast and Marcus packed up his things. Two days at the estate had flown by, and she found herself wishing they had more time here. It was almost as if they were removed from reality out here in the country. Even though they were technically working, the time she and Marcus had spent together had been like a fairy tale. She didn’t want it to end, but reality was calling.

  And so was her sister.

  Maggie had checked in a few times during the past couple of days. She and Ava had chatted over the phone, and Ava was anxious to see her mom. Apparently, the weather emergency in Barcelona had been dealt with, and Maggie was able to get back to Sovalon where she awaited their return at the hotel.

  As much as Kyra wished she could ignore the calls of both reality and her sister, she knew she had to get back into the swing of her daily life. The question was how would Marcus fit into that life? Was there a space for him? If not, was she willing to make one?

  It was a question she wouldn’t have entertained a few days ago, but these last two days, Marcus had proven himself in ways she never would have expected. Last night, he’d shared so much of his own life struggles. She appreciated his honesty and his efforts, not to mention his attentiveness in the bedroom.

  That man could certainly shake her down and make her toes curl. A wave of desire swelled inside of her as memories of last night’s lovemaking played out in her mind. Marcus’s voice pulled her from her thoughts.

  “All set?” he asked and placed a hand on her shoulder. She stood and slid closer to him.

  “Not really,” she said and pulled a face. “Wish we had another day or two.”

  “Me too.” His grin broadened, and he reached out to tuck a stray curl behind her ear. “I’m glad you feel that way,” he said, and she shrugged.

  “It’s been like a dream here, Marcus,” she whispered. “Highly unexpected, but really wonderful. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy spending time with you here.”

  “Well, there’s no reason we can’t continue to spend time together back in the city.”

  She nodded, but she knew the magic of this place couldn’t possibly follow them back.

  “Where are yours and Ava’s bags?” he asked. “I’ll take them out to your car for you.”

  “Hi, Prince Marcus!” Ava called out and hopped down from her stool onto her good foot.

  “Well, good morning, Ava!” Marcus beamed at Ava, and Kyra noted that his affection for her niece was truly genuine. Marcus really connected with Ava.

  “How was your breakfast, my dear?” he asked.

  “I love pancakes, and I love strawberries, and I love chocolate milk…”

  Kyra laughed as Ava once again proclaimed her adoration of all breakfast foods. She watched as Marcus grabbed a napkin and wiped Ava’s mouth and cheeks, impressed by his fatherly instinct.

  Maybe he could fit into her life… Kyra brushed the thought aside. It really was too soon to know.

  “Looks like you were saving a little chocolate milk for later,” he said and patted her on the head. She threw her arms around his legs.

  “I like you, Prince Marcus,” Ava said, staring up at him. “You’re a nice prince.”

  Kyra had to bite her fist to stop herself from giggling out loud.

  Marcus got down to eye level with Ava and looked her straight in the eye. “Well, you know what, Ava?”

  “What?” Ava placed a hand on each hip and stuck her sassy chin out.

  “I like you too,” he said. “In fact, I like you so much, I’d like to crown you honorary Princess of Sovalon.”

  He really was too much. But again, Kyra thought, he seemed sincere.

  Ava’s eyes stretched wide and her mouth formed into a big O. “Really?”

  “Yep,” he said and scooped her into his arms. “We don’t have any princesses here in Sovalon, just me and my two brothers,” he said and winked at Kyra. “I think we could use one. What do you think?”

  Ava tapped on her chin for a few seconds, seeming to ponder Marcus’s proposition.

  “Do I have to live in your castle?” she asked. “Because I have an apartment at home, and my best friend Serena lives downstairs, and she has this puppy named Jojo—”

  “Nope, nope,” he said, interrupting her. “That’s why you’re an honorary princess, Ava. You can live anywhere you like.”

  Ava shrugged. “Okay then,” she said. “You got yourself a princess!”

  “Oh, my Lord,” Kyra said and shook her head at Ava. “Girl, you are a princess now. Wait until we tell your mama.”

  Ava grinned.

  “Now head out to the car.” Kyra handed her her crutches and pointed her toward the front door. “Prince Charming here is gonna grab our bags, and I’ll be right there.”

  “Okay, Auntie Kyra,” Ava said, then formed her lips into a fake pout. “But don’t keep me waiting. Princesses don’t like to wait too long.”

  Kyra shook her head, and she and Marcus shared a laugh. They marveled as Ava used her crutches like a pro to make her way to the limo. Marcus grabbed Ava’s overnight bag and Kyra’s small suitcase and they left the house together.

  Once outside, Kyra couldn’t fight the insatiable urge to kiss Marcus. She tapped him on the shoulder, and when he turned around to face her, she planted a sweet kiss onto his lips.

  As a smile lit up his face, she heard a clicking noise coming from the bushes beside the porch. Before she could investigate the sound, Ava popped her head out of the limo.

  “Are you coming?”

  “Yes, Princess Ava, we are,” Marcus said and laughed. He hopped down the steps toward the limo. “Get your seatbelt on. We like our princesses to be safe.” He pushed Ava’s passenger door shut.

  Kyra stood on the porch and watched Marcus hand the luggage to the driver. She inhaled the fresh country air and took the steps slowly down to the driveway. As sad as she was to leave, Ava’s antics had cheered her, and Marcus’s interactions with her niece gave her hope that they really might have some sort of future together.

  Marcus met her in the driveway and looked her straight in the eyes, a wistful but satisfied look on his face. “You’re all set,” he said. He stood there, looking so sexy with his thumbs tucked into the front pockets of his jeans, his crew neck shirt hugging his chest and abs. Without planning to, Kyra edged closer and planted her lips onto his again. He responded immediately, folding her into his arms and kissing her back sweetly.

  Suddenly Kyra heard another series of clicks, and a flash assaulted her eyes.

  “What the hell?” she asked, then realized it was a photographer. He must have b
een hiding in the bushes.

  Marcus stepped into action immediately. “This is private property,” he told the man. “I could have you arrested for trespassing.”

  “Easy, bro,” the young man said and snapped another picture. Marcus stepped forward to try to grab the camera, but the man sprinted off down the lane.

  “Does this happen to you often?” Kyra asked, feeling both annoyed and a little stunned.

  “Unfortunately, yes,” Marcus admitted. “No matter where I try to hide, the press finds me.”

  “Jesus.” Kyra shook her head. “What happened to respect of privacy?”

  Marcus shrugged and made a guilty face. “It flew further out the window every time I gave them another juicy story to run, I guess,” he said. “My social life has always been more interesting than anything else that goes down in the royal family.”

  With those words, Marcus leaned in and kissed her goodbye, his lips leaving her both wanting more and worried about the wanting. She slid into the limo and made sure Ava was, in fact, buckled in.

  As the driver descended the long gravel drive, the entrance to the estate came into focus. On either side of the gates were a handful of reporters with their cameras hanging around their necks, just waiting like vultures to scoop up a tidbit of dirt on their playboy prince. A sick feeling came over her as the car passed through the gates and cameras flashed her way.

  How could Marcus live like this? She could never get used to being hounded by the media. If she chose to let Marcus be a part of her and her child’s life, would they have to deal with this, too? Was that something she could subject her baby to?

  So many questions bounced through her mind. She watched as Ava nodded off to sleep, wishing she could summon the peace she’d felt just hours before as she’d lain in Marcus’s arms.

  Even if Marcus could fit into her life, she wasn’t sure there was space big enough for his notoriety. She glanced into the rearview mirror, deflating as both the countryside and her fairy tale disappeared in the distance.