enter, I stood up and walked closer. I even put my hand on the wood like I might be able to feel the intent of the person outside.
“Who is it?” I called softly.
“It’s Captain Keane, Your Majesty.” He cleared his throat, and I opened the door as he spoke to the guard outside. “You can finish your shift now. I’ll guard Princess Lily now.”
The guard nodded and walked away.
“How are you doing?” Keane leaned against the stones surrounding my door, with dark shadows under his eyes.
“Maybe I should be asking you that,” I murmured as I reached out and touched his fingers. He didn’t have his gloves on and I jolted at the contact. His eyes met mine and something passed between us, an unspoken need.
Without speaking, I stepped back and opened my door wide in silent invitation to the man I wanted by my side. He entered, his movements a little hesitant, but I closed the door firmly behind him and turned to face him.
Suddenly Keane wrapped his arms around me, folding me into the comfort and safety of his embrace. I melted against him, wondering how he knew exactly what I’d needed at this moment.
“I feared I’d lost you tonight,” he said, his mouth pressed into my hair.
“I knew you’d come for me,” I whispered.
“Always.”
He smoothed the loose wisps of my hair back from my forehead before pressing his lips against my skin. He drew back a tiny fraction, and I uncovered my face and met his gaze. A question lingered in his eyes…a hesitation, a request for permission, and I answered it by pressing my lips to his, softly at first and then harder.
He gasped in a breath and tightened his arms around me as his mouth moved over mine, seizing control of the kiss. I inhaled at his unexpected display of dominance, but it felt good not to be the one in control for once, and he coaxed my lips apart, sliding his tongue against mine.
The bulge in his pants pressed against my hip and he drew back, his eyes focused on mine. “Lily, we should stop this now.”
“I don’t want to stop.” I kissed him again, feeling desperate for more of him. “In fact, I command you to keep going.”
“Good.” He swept me into his arms, before laying me on the bed. He shucked off his jacket and undid the top button of his shirt, and my eyes were drawn to the slight hint of skin he revealed. Then he leaned down and kissed my jaw and my eyes fluttered shut.
He trailed more kisses down my neck, then along my collarbone and to the edge of my bodice. His palm pressed flat at the side of my breast, and I arched toward him as a wave of desire rushed through me. He murmured wordlessly as he moved his thumb and strummed it over my nipple until it hardened under his touch.
My bodice fastened at the front, and I reached for the laces, but Keane nudged my hands away and replaced them with his own, his nimble fingers making light work of the ties. I turned my attention to the buttons on his shirt, tugging it open. I pressed my greedy hands against his muscular chest, and he tensed at the first touch, as a jolt of energy seemed to pass through me. Sparks danced through my body, and heat simmered at my core.
Cold air skated across my breasts as Keane spread my bodice open, and I resisted the urge to press his head to me. I wanted his kisses everywhere.
I’d never let a man hold me or touch me this way. I’d never tolerated kisses the way I enjoyed and longed for Keane’s. I wanted more from him—I wanted to share all I had with him.
I shifted underneath him, the sound a ripple of silk skirts, and slid my fingers into his soft blond hair, tugging at it as he gazed at me. He met my eyes, his expression a kaleidoscope of confusion and desire.
“Lily.” My name was a plea on his lips, and my heart hammered in my chest.
“I think you should take your shirt off,” I said, my voice steady when all it wanted to do was shake.
I watched every movement he made as he undid the last buttons I’d missed. Then I grew impatient and helped him push the shirt off his shoulders, running my palms over his strong arms and down his hard stomach. I’d been surrounded by handsome men for