But as she lay thinking, her mind kept drifting to Ian. Strong, honest, and so much what she wanted. She’d given him up once for her family and country, but not again. If the situation on Aubonne settled down, she would still choose to be with him. If that wasn’t acceptable to her family and the parliament, the country would do without her. She would not live without Ian ever again.
When she’d stood at the edge of the property with the water slapping at the bulkhead, Sofie looked east toward Europe and then back at the house where the man she loved was asleep.
So much had happened. So many decisions had been made on her behalf, and many of those decisions had been mistakes. Ian was the one she most regretted. So from this point forward, since nothing was certain, Sofie was going to make her own choices. If her life was going to down the crapper, she was going to be responsible for it.
Not wanting to wait another second, she reached between them as they sat on his bed and she pulled her t-shirt overhead and gasped a little as her chilled skin touched his. Ian was always so warm; his body radiated the most amazing heat. When they’d been dating, one of her favorite things was to curl against him on a chilly night, and let his body work its magic.
Linking her hands behind his neck she pressed her breasts against him, getting a much appreciated moan. “God, Sofie, I love how you feel.” He kissed her, hungry and rough, with his mouth open, his tongue searching for hers and his teeth nipping her lips.
He nudged her feet to the floor and stood her up in front of him. She was naked to the waist and when Ian pulled the drawstring on her pajama bottom she realized she would soon by without clothes altogether. And nothing thrilled her more.
Easing her pants down, Ian’s thumbs grazed over her mound and found the sensitive spot between her legs. It wouldn’t be long before she came apart, but Sofie had a feeling that was exactly Ian’s intent. His hands caressed and stroked her, his beard made her skin scream with sensation. His eyes smiled every time he looked up, and when he pulled her close, his mouth and tongue teased her warm, wet center. There was no defense over what he was doing and her body stopped doing anything predictable. When her knees buckled because of his ministrations, Ian held her up. “Ian, don’t stop. Oh, my God.”
“Not a chance.” The tingling, the heat, the little burning shots, which teased every nerve ending were nothing short of a miracle. Her muscles contracted and spasmed. Sofie arched, and bucked her hips. With his hands planted firmly on her ass, Ian didn’t let her go; he pulled her closer continuing to work his magic as she came undone.
He didn’t let her regain her wits before flipping her onto her back in his big bed and hovering over her. “You look so beautiful, Sofie. I’m going to make you come again and again.
Even if we’re apart, you’re never going to want anyone else but me. I love you. I love you so much.”
“I’ve never wanted anyone else, only you. I love you, my darling, and if I have my way, we’ll never have to be apart.”
He brushed a lock of hair from her face and “What do you mean?”
“I can’t control what happens with my family and my country. As long as they’re safe, I don’t care about the throne. I’m not losing you again because of my “station” in life. I choose you and as long as you choose me, we will be together.”
Ian kissed her, and kissed her again, kicking off his sweat pants and climbing into bed.
His hand stoked her—shoulder to waist to hip—and Sofie’s body was ready for him already. He lowered his mouth to her breasts, gently sucking one nipple then another. “I love touching you. I love talking to you, being with you. I haven’t ever slept well, but the nights we’ve been together, even without sex, have been the only nights I slept peacefully.”
Sofie remembered the nights at her flat when they fell asleep watching a film, or doing schoolwork, and she felt herself smile at the thought. They were sweet, perfect memories they would carry with them forever.
“When I’m with you, Sofia, I’m happy. Of course, I choose you.”
Sofie didn’t think she could hold him any tighter, but she did, wrapping her arms around his neck and drawing him to her. He’d just made her the happiest woman on the earth.
“But I have to know, are you sure? I do think your family will be back in Aubonne
before the year is over. What will that mean for us?”
Reaching down, Sofie touched his very impressive erection, and he sucked in an audible breath. “Christ,” he hissed.
“It means, if you are willing to be part of that life, you’ll one day be making love to the queen.”