come to expect from him, Callum’s hands are gentle, almost lazy as he glides his fingers up my side to my breast.
His lips wrap around the nipple as his hand travels down my belly to my core.
If intense sex with this man is fabulous, gentle sex is out of this fucking world.
“If you’re trying to kill me, it’s working.”
“I’m enjoying you,” he whispers and kisses my chin. “Your skin, your scent. The raspy tone of your voice when you’re turned on.”
“I’m damn turned on.”
“I know.” He’s at my side, not nestled between my legs. And rather than shift, he lifts my leg and guides himself into me. “So slick, so perfect.”
“Holy shit.” This position is new, and the angle is ridiculous. I reach down to press on my clit as he moves in a slow rhythm, set to drive us both mad.
I’ve never felt so exposed, so linked to another human being as I do at this moment.
Callum kisses my shoulder, and I feel the tension begin to build, low in my belly.
“I’m going over.”
“Yes, darling.” He moves just a bit harder, a smidge faster, and that’s all it takes to push me into the orgasm. I bear down, and he follows me over, then pulls me into his arms, holding me tightly.
I glance down at my left hand.
I’ve only ever worn a simple gold band on that finger. And now, it’s a huge emerald.
“That was Queen Victoria’s,” he says casually and brings it up to his lips for a kiss.
“I can’t wear this.”
“Why ever not?”
“Callum, it’s priceless. What if the stone gets lost or stolen?”
“Given that it will stay on your hand, and you have constant security, I’d say it being stolen is unlikely.”
“This is a family heirloom.”
“Indeed. And it’s staying in the family. My father gave it to me to give to you. He brought it with him to Montana.”
I stare at him, stunned. “What?”
“That’s why they made the trip. I originally asked them to send a royal courier with a ring for you, but Mum and Father decided to come themselves. I told him I wanted an emerald because they remind me of your eyes, and he chose this from the family vault.”
“Callum.”
“If you don’t like it, I’m sure we can choose something else. Or have something made.”
“Of course, I like it. My God, look at it. This stone must be ten karats.”
“Twenty-one, actually.”
My first instinct is to take it off and give it back. Not the proposal, but the ring.
“The girl from the wrong side of the tracks is wearing Queen Victoria’s ring.”
“Don’t ever refer to yourself that way again, Aspen. You’re not less than because of where you come from.”
“You’re right. But this is insane.”
“There’s a matching tiara that will be on loan to you from the Crown whenever we appear in an official capacity. After we’re married, of course.”
“Of course.” I shake my head. “I’m already overwhelmed.”
“I know.” He kisses my temple. “I’d like to go to London when we leave here tomorrow so you can see Frederick and his wife. You’ll also meet Mary, who was the lady in waiting for my sister most of her life. She also helped Nina extensively when she became engaged to Sebastian.”
“That’ll help. Can we think about all of that tomorrow? For today, I just want to enjoy our last day of vacation like a normal couple who just got engaged.”
“I think that’s a marvelous idea.” He shifts over me and kisses me down the middle of my chest. “I do believe a normal couple would make love again. Don’t you?”
“Probably. At least once more. Maybe twice.”
“Your wish is my command, sweetheart.”
Chapter 14
~Callum~
We’ve been on the plane for twenty bloody hours. Aspen and I are both knackered when we arrive in London and endure a short drive to the palace where my flat is.
I’m excited to have her here for a few days to show her where I live and what I love about London. She’s been to the palace before, when Ellie and Liam wed last year, but this is a whole new experience for both of us.
“That was the longest flight of my life,” she says as she leans her head on my shoulder.
“We’ll get home and take a nap.” I kiss her hair, breathing in her scent.
“I’m exhausted,” she says, yawning. “But I want to see everything.”
“You’ve been here before.”
“I was in and out for the wedding. I arrived the afternoon before and had to leave the morning after. I had just hired Gretchen