Tempting the Crown(59)

I clenched my jaw. “Kenley, it’s your job to know everything. How did he leave the palace?”

“He passed out,” she fired back. “Or at least he pretended to pass out. He was asleep when I left him. He made the library engagement on time. By the time I realized he was drunk it was too late.”

“Damn it.” The fallout from showing up drunk to a children’s event was going to be catastrophic. We had managed his vices so far, but at some point he was going to crack the shield we tried to protect him with. It had finally happened.

“I’m sorry.”

I inhaled deeply. “It was going to happen, Kenley. We all knew it was only a matter of time.” I sat in a nearby chair.

What kind of brother had I been? I dealt with my demons while Dominic dealt with his. As if we were on islands separated by a vast ocean instead of under the same roof, of the same blood. He was my family. My responsibility.

“I need to see him.”

“Would you like me to go with you?” she offered.

“No. I appreciate everything you’ve done, but this is a conversation between brothers.”

“I understand.” She spoke softly. It wasn’t Kenley’s usual demeanor. I could tell what happened this morning had rattled her.

“Kenley, what I said earlier.” I paused. “Dominic’s drinking isn’t your fault. I shouldn’t have said what I did.”

“I could have stopped him,” she argued. “I shouldn’t have left him last night.” Regret was written in her eyes.

“You carry no blame in this. He’s not Dominic right now. And I need to face that. So does he.”

I rose from the antique chair and squeezed her shoulder gently as I walked past. “Thank you for taking care of him all this time. I’ll take it from here.”

“I am sorry, Your Majesty.”

As I turned for the door, the ring box struck over my heart with a thud. My ribs closed in around my lungs, seizing the air. I straightened my shoulders and steeled my resolve. Today wasn’t going to be the day. My brother needed me.





38

Molly



I couldn’t take it anymore. Brooklyn hadn’t returned any of my calls. I grabbed my purse and headed for the door. I hoped Georgan was downstairs. He was my favorite driver. I didn’t know the others as well. I was out of options. I had to check on her in person. I still had a key to the apartment.

As soon as I opened the door I ran into Damon. His wide frame filled the door.

My eyes locked on his dark stare. Chills ran along my spine.

There was something sad in his gaze. It was as if the smolder in his eyes was clouded.

I took a step backward.

His arms encircled me. He held me, breathing into my neck. Holding me tighter with each exhale.

“What’s wrong?” I wrapped my hands around his waist. “Did something happen?” I asked.

He kicked the door closed behind us as he lifted me. I drifted over the hardwoods as he kept me in his embrace, carrying me back into the room.

My toes touched the floor again. I looked at Damon. I traced the lines of his sculpted jaw with the pad of my thumb. I could feel his somber mood washing off him.

“What is it?”

He still hadn’t spoken a word.

“I need you. I need this.” His voice was low and certain.

He brushed his lips over mine, drinking in the kiss as if I was the last breath he would ever take. His tongue slid along mine, twisting and curling in my mouth. I had no idea what had happened. I only knew he needed my lips.

He lowered me to the couch. His hands roaming. Pulling the clothes from my body. He sat up, shirking off his jacket and shirt. I reached for his zipper, freeing him from his pants.

He found my lips again, searing them with another heated kiss.

All the other times, Damon had been commanding and powerful with my body. But as he moved between my legs, I felt how different this was. I wrapped my heels around him, digging them into his backside.

He groaned as he pushed inside me. His thrusts were slow and deliberate. He kissed my throat and behind my ear.

“Ohh,” I whimpered as he drew back and stroked my inner walls with his thickness.

If I could take away the hurt in his eyes, I would. I would love him whole again. I would heal him with my body. Give him pleasure. Take away the pain.

I arched into him, giving him my body. He surged inside me with a vibrating growl. The wave began to build, my need matching his.

“I’m yours,” I whispered. My eyes locked on his. “Yours, You Majesty.”

“Oh God.” He pumped faster. And within seconds I could feel his body tighten.

I gripped his shoulders as we shattered together. Our bodies fighting the pleasure and giving in to the release until we were covered in the glow of making love.