The palace was beginning to stir. The chefs were in the kitchen rolling out fresh pastries. The launderer was ironing. I didn’t have to look out the window to know the gardeners were collecting fresh blooms for the drawing rooms and apartments. A cart filled with fresh coffee was probably on its way up to the apartments now.

The routines were the same each morning. Only this one was different. I wasn’t in bed waiting for Elena to appear with the daily rundown of the day’s agenda. She wasn’t going to barge in, demanding I get dressed and have a cup of coffee. Elena was in my arms.

“Good morning,” I growled into her neck as she stirred under me. I already loved the warmth and silkiness of her naked body.

“Hi.” She shifted against my chest. “So last night really happened.”

I nodded. “It did. Many times.” I waggled my eyebrows.

She faced me. “Before I go, I want to tell you it was the best night of my life.”

“Now, princess you aren’t trying to tell me something I don’t want to hear, are you?” I eyed her, while my hand slid under the covers.

Her breath seized when I spread her legs and began to strum over her clit. Fuck. She was already wet and ready for me. My cock grew hard in almost an instant. I could feel my blood pumping and rushing for her.

She swallowed. “I can’t resign.”

I pushed a finger inside her before circling her nub. “You will resign.”

There was no way I was backing down on this.

Her head rolled back and forth. “Oh God.” She clutched my shoulders when I dipped to take her tit in my mouth. I sucked until it puckered under my tongue’s command.

It took all restraint to keep my fangs in. I wanted to mark her. Take her then and make her my mate.

Her back arched and I sank my fingers deeper inside her. They were soaking wet from her sweet pussy. I groaned.

“You’re killing me, Elena. I can’t take what you’re doing to me.”

Her hand reached low until she fisted my cock with steady strokes. And then Elena did something incredible. She wiggled underneath me, grazing her breasts from my chest, past my hips until her mouth was at the tip of my dick. Her eyes were big and blue. Loving and lusting.

“Oh fuck,” I growled, watching her lick the tip with her tongue. Her tongue was wild running to the base, tracing the thick vein that pulsed.

I leaned forward, sliding my cock between her fuckable lips. She inhaled me with one thrust after another.

“Shit,” I hissed, hitting deeper each time. I grabbed the headboard with one hand as I pumped in and out of her mouth. My cock was slick and swollen.

And then I was in. All the way.

“Oh, baby.” My hips rocked back and forth, taking my dick to new depths.

I squeezed my eyes tightly as the fire bolt shot through me. If I wasn’t already on my knees, she would have taken me there. I came with a rush in her throat.

She smiled.

I pulled out of her mouth and fell backward on the bed. “Holy fuck. How am I supposed to accomplish anything today after that?”

“Your schedule is still rather light today.”

“That’s not what I meant.” I pulled her on top of me as she squealed.

“I know, but I’m responsible for your itinerary.”

I scowled. “And this is exactly why I’m requesting your resignation immediately.” I smacked her bottom with a playful whack.

“You haven’t heard anything I’ve said.” I could hear her frustration. “It hasn’t even made a dent.”

“Not true. I’ve heard all of it.” I tucked a loose curl behind her ear. “And I’ve always known your dedication to the crown. Always. I’m not questioning that. I never would.”

“Then why are you putting me in this position? I took a vow to serve the crown.”

“Because I’ve been given a second chance at life, my sweet Elena. And I’m not going to waste it. Who cares if you aren’t royal? Does anyone really give a shit after my brother married an American? The rules have changed.”

I saw her eyes mist over. “It used to matter,” she whispered.

“Alaric wants a modern monarchy and I have to agree with him. You are and I were raised and trained with the old traditions, but we don’t have to let those things determine what we want in life.”

“Then why are you asking me to resign? I love my job. I’m good at it.”

“There’s no one better,” I admitted. “I’ve never wanted anyone in that position other than you. And I definitely don’t want anyone else in this position.” I grinned, eyeing her full breasts.

“I never thought this would actually happen. That it could happen. I dreamed about it, you know?” She propped herself forward and I studied the flecks of blue in her eyes. “But it was always a fantasy. There was no way for us to actually happen. First there was Sophia.” Her voice quieted. “And then there was the alcohol.”

“Both of which are in the past,” I reminded her.

“Yes.” She nodded. “But you see, I didn’t have a plan for this possibility. It was a dream. I didn’t plot out how to navigate it. I never thought about you ever looking at me the way I looked at you.”

“It shouldn’t be hard to believe. You’re beautiful. Especially out of that stuffy suit.”

“I’m serious. It was one thing to love you from a distance, this is different.”

“I wouldn’t say I’ve ever been distant. We’ve always been together. Inseparable, really.”

Her lips twisted. “Have you ever been this close?”

“I plan to always stay this close.” I cupped her ass in my hands. God, she had an incredible ass.

She sighed lightly. Her breasts rose on my chest. “I want the answer to be simple, Cor.”

“And it is.”

“How can you be so glib about it? This is a career I have created. A reputation that has been built by respect and hard work. And that’s just me. What about you? Can you imagine?”

“Imagine what?”

“What people would say about you. The optics for a prince seeing his royal manager would be irreparable. Not even I could come up with a spin for that.”

I laughed. “I think you could, if you had to.” I stopped. “I’m not worried about what people would say about me. I let public opinion ruin one relationship. You think I’d let that happen again? I’d never subject you to that.”

“There is no way out of this. You need to realize it and stop acting as if we have a chance. Last night was beautiful. I’ll never forget it. But I can’t resign.”

“Just when I think you have maxed out on principle, you surprise me by taking it up a notch.” I gripped her waist as I flipped her on her back.

She gasped.

“Listen to what I have to say.”

She nodded. Her breath was ragged.

“I want you, Elena DuBois. I want you in my bed every night. I want you in my arms every morning. We could sneak around and hide what we have from the rest of the palace. But that’s not why I spent fifty days in that damn rehab center. I’m not going to hide you like an addiction. I’m not ashamed. I want you on my arm, not as my advisor but as the woman I love. You deserve the respect of this palace and the respect of this country. I can’t give that to you if you stay my royal manager. And I don’t want you to have anything less. Do you understand?”

She looked at me. “Maybe.”

“You can’t stay under my command. We won’t work like that. The only way is to take this chance. You need to step down. And I need to step up. I won’t have anyone whispering about you, that you’re in my bed because I demanded it. That you’re paid to be here. Don’t you see that?”

“When you say it like that, I do. I actually do.”

“Good.” I kissed her throat, pressing my lips into her skin. “Then I’ll have your resignation after I’m done fucking you?”

“Yes,” she whispered. “But only if I can choose your next manager.”

“You can.” I grinned. “I told you I could convince you.”

“Just know, she’s going to be dreadfully boring and ugly. And old,” she added.

I laughed. “Fine by me.”

“Did you say you love me?” she asked.

Hadn’t I always loved her? Hadn’t I always needed her? “Yes. I did.”

“Say it again,” she whispered.

“I love you.”

“And this is real? All of it is real?”

I pushed her legs wide, gliding a hand to her pussy. I had been rough and possessive with her all night. I knew she was sore, but she was wet. I was already hard again, ready to be inside her. To love her differently. With a new purpose. A different message from my body that would end all her doubts.

“I think you’re going to need to clear my morning schedule, Miss DuBois.”

“The ambassador expects breakfast,” she explained. “I can’t.”

I separated her folds with a wide V of my fingers and she panted, bucking her hips for contact. But I wouldn’t give it to her.

I blew a long breath over her nipple. “Then he’s just going to have to wait.” I winked.