CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Braden
I walked into my room past midnight after a lot of planning. The party was set for both the bride and groom and I knew that it was going to be great. I stretched as I looked around, wondering what Freya was doing. I went into the man cave to see it empty and looked at Callin’s door for a moment. Deciding to leave him alone, I chose to go to bed. I’d see her tomorrow. I wanted to be able to walk away and not care, but I was in too deep. I needed to be inside of her and feel her skin against mine. Women flirted endlessly with me tonight; beautiful ones. I didn’t want any of them.
I dressed down to boxers and went to sit on the balcony, overlooking the city. I’d slept with staff before. Not as much as Callin by a long shot, but it was nothing before. It was sex that ended when it ended. Mom was angry with us when she found out, but I didn’t think too much about it.
Freya was more. She was worth fighting for although Mom would not agree with that idea.
I went inside and decided to go to sleep. All of this could be handled later, and I’d make a point of seeing her the following night. I needed to sleep even if I wanted her in my arms to do so.
I woke up late the next morning, turning to see that the sun was high in the sky. I got up to shower and dress for the day, knowing that I was taking Mom into town. I tapped on Callin’s door on the way downstairs, hearing him grumble on the other side of the door. “Can I come on?” I called out as he told me to go ahead. I walked into the room that mirrored mine, seeing him in bed half-asleep. “What kicked your ass last night? You came home early.”
“Freya,” he replied as I raised an eyebrow. “I spent the night in her room.” He held his hand up as I started to ask what was wrong with him. “Leave me alone. I got up before she needed to work. Everything is fine.”
Deep down, I was jealous. I pushed it away and ran a hand through my damp hair. “Want to go into town with me and Mom?”
“Is she in a good mood?” He asked as I chuckled.
“She is currently hoping that we’ll meet the right women at the party this weekend. It’s going to be a star-studded occasion in her eyes.” Callin rolled his eyes.
“We know them all and have for years. Been there, done that. I don’t want to spend the rest of my life with it.” Callin was known for sleeping with women in our large group of acquaintances and breaking hearts. I doubted that anyone would fuck him now given his reputation.
“I agree but she can have her hopes. If it keeps her going, fine by me. We’re going to the attorney to change some stuff since Dad’s getting better and getting lunch.” Dad was moving back into their room within the week and making a strong recovery. Mom would be in a good mood, anyway.
“Let me shower. I’ll meet you both downstairs.” He told me as I nodded and left his room. I glanced up the stairs where Freya probably was, tempted to go see her for a minute while I waited. It was too risky. Mom was in there with her discussing clothes a lot these days. I’d go after she was done working. I walked to the first floor and grabbed water from the fridge, sitting outside while I waited for Callin. I’d been skipping my runs lately staying up late with Freya and being tired. I looked down at my still flat stomach and reminded myself that I was not going to be twenty-four forever. Sex was a great form of exercise, but I needed to mix it up.
I heard the door and glanced over to see Mom approaching me. She was dressed in dark slacks and a light pink silk blouse with her hair expertly braided. I wondered if she ever regretted ending up with two boys instead of a daughter. They’d tried, but it just didn’t happen. I knew that she had friendships with some of the girls working for her, including Freya. That must be why. “Morning, Mom.” I kissed her cheek, and she looked around.
“Is your brother coming?” Her voice was low, and I gazed curiously at her.
“He’s headed down soon. It’ll be nice to spend time together.” I told her as she nodded with a smile. “Even better when Dad can come. I think everyone wants to see him out in public now that news broke that he’s better.”
“I cannot wait. This has been such a trying time.” She was strong in the presence of others, but I knew she cried when she was alone. Mom was raised in royalty and knew how to be the perfect queen. She was raised around it the same as my brother and me, but we were more on the wild side. We both turned as the door opened and Callin strolled out dressed like I was in slacks and a button up shirt. He smiled and kissed Mom’s cheek, greeting her with a grin.
The three of us saw the lawyer to change some paperwork and then took Mom to a bistro for lunch. There was a lot of people and press wanting to talk to us and we politely told them that Dad was headed towards recovery. We said that he was looking forward to seeing everyone as soon as he regained some strength, making our way inside as staff waved everyone away. We had a private room here where we could just eat.
Mom brought up the Summer Ball, and I looked at my brother. We both knew where this was going but my mind stopped when she mentioned Freya. “She’s such a sweet girl. Her talent with clothes is the best I’ve ever seen. She’s making me a beautiful dress for the occasion. I may never want to shop again.”
“I’m glad you found someone you like. Think you’ll keep her around?” Callin asked as I held my breath.
“I’d like to.” She looked at us sharply. “I haven’t seen you around her. You’re behaving yourself.” Sighing, she sipped her water. “I suppose if I did want one of you with someone that wasn’t in our world, it would be a woman like her. She’s a hard worker that loves her family and will make a great wife and mother. Maybe I should try to set her up with someone that suits her.”
I reached for my water as I started choking. Mom reached out and touched me with a worried look on her face.
“Are you okay?” She asked as I nodded.
“Wrong pipe.” Callin leaned forward as I recovered from my shock.
“Mom, calm down. You don’t need to match the whole world up. She’s going to live here for a while, so she’ll meet someone when she’s ready. Let’s worry about Dad and the upcoming summer. We might be able to go to the beach house this year.” I shot him a thankful look for the distraction that made her forget all about Freya. We headed home when we were done eating and Mom went to see Dad while I walked upstairs.
“Holy shit. I almost heard that she’d approve of Freya. Did you?” Callin asked me in a low voice as we went into the man cave.
“Almost. Freya isn’t one of us and besides that would force her to choose. Do you think Freya wants to do that? It’s a bad position to be in.” I told him, not saying how difficult it would be for me.
“I don’t think times are modern enough for the princes to share a woman. Pity. I like her.” He walked over for a beer, bringing us each one.
“Me, too.” I muttered as he gazed at me. “She’s different, Callin. I never realized how vapid the girls we have been hanging out with our entire lives were.”
“What can we do?” He asked as I sipped my beer.
“I don’t know. I can’t stay away from her but it’s not like we have women to hurt by being with her.” I reasoned as he nodded. “It has to fade at some point, right? Everything has before.”
“More than likely.” We watched a game for a while until I realized that Freya was done working. I excused myself and Callin gave me a knowing look as I stood. I made my way out of the room and glanced around before going to the third floor. It was going on seven and I tapped on Freya’s door, waiting for her to answer. There was nothing, but silence and I stood impatiently, waiting for her to answer. Where was she? I tapped again and there was no answer, but I heard footsteps approaching. I darted to the stairs and waited until they stopped, unlocking a door nearby, I grinned, knowing that it was Freya. When the door closed, I moved back in front of it, knocking softly. Freya opened it, looking out curiously at me before I pushed my way into her room. “Hi,” I greeted her, turning her to press a kiss to her lips while I trapped her against the door with my big body.
Freya slipped her arms around my neck, returning the kiss. When I pulled away to take a breath, she gazed into my eyes. “What was that for?”
“I missed these lips,” I replied, kissing her again. “Were you out?”
“I go to the courtyard after work sometimes now to eat. It’s a great way to unwind and I enjoy the fresh air.” She replied as I slipped my hand into hers and pulled her to the bed.
“I heard that you’ve been keeping busy,” I told her as she nodded. “Mom likes you. She speaks highly of you.”
“That’s nice,” Freya blushed as she snuggled close to me. “She wouldn’t if she knew that you were here with me.”
“I almost thought today that she wouldn’t mind. Maybe it’s wishful thinking or something.” I stroked her long hair, hanging over her shoulders.
“I’m a commoner. Isn’t that the term?” Freya asked as I nodded uncomfortably. “Your lives are about power and business, not just feelings. I couldn’t imagine that.”
“I can’t either most days.” I looked around her room in the dim light, feeling at home here. “My parents were arranged from when they were kids. They’re lucky because they care for each other, but I would never want my kid to do that.”
“I think you’re a bit on the romantic side, Braden.” Freya teased me before pressing a kiss to my jaw.
“Maybe I am.” I claimed her lips with mine as she moaned softly. I tilted my head to deepen it, feeling her respond eagerly. The idea that my brother was in this bed with her just last night flashed through my mind, and I waited for it to bother me. It didn’t. We were close to begin with and Freya was amazing. She had enough in her heart and body for both of us.
I pushed her down on the mattress slowly, kissing her breathless. She groaned and arched against my hard cock in my pants, mewing against my mouth. I moved down to her jaw and neck as she struggled with my shirt, pulling it off. I made quick work of removing her gray dress and opened her bra, moving my mouth over her needy nipples “You’re gorgeous, Freya. You’re one of the best people I’ve met in my life.” I returned to her skin, sucking a nipple between my teeth.
“That’s because I’m letting you have your way with me,” she murmured as I laughed and shook my head. I made her come with just my mouth on her nipples before scooting down her body to taste her. Freya never disappointed me, and she was wet with heat. I flicked my tongue over her folds, focusing on her clit as she rocked back. “Braden.” Her voice was soft as I sucked her into my mouth, getting all her honey that I could. I’d never bore of this taste. I teased her to another orgasm, sucking in her sweet juices as she gripped my hair. “Oh, God. You feel so damn good.”
“I want to be inside of you,” I told her, reaching for the drawer with the condoms in it.
“Wait, Braden. I’m protected and obviously safe. Are you?” She asked as I stared at her.
“Of course. I stay on top of that and I’ve never had sex without a condom.” I knew that in my position that an unplanned pregnancy would not do. “What are you saying?”
“I trust you. I made this choice with Callin and I want to feel it with you as well.” A streak of envy raced through me at the idea of him being the first to feel her as well as the first to go bare. “I want all of you inside of me.” I knew that I should say no with the risks involved. She wouldn’t lie about the protection but there was always that chance. If she got pregnant like this, it could be my baby or Callin’s. That would rock this kingdom in a way that had never happened before.
I stiffened at the idea of feeling only her heat. “Baby, are you sure?”
“Are you?” Freya asked me as I breathed in. I nodded and kicked my pants off before settling against her entrance. I pushed in, groaning at the feel of her gripping me. I would never wear anything with her again. Fuck the risks.
We rocked together slowly, both caught up in the sensation of it. I told I needed to go harder, and she wrapped her legs around me, telling me to fuck her harder. I did, driving myself in deep as she clung to me. We came together, and I felt her wash over me just before shooting deep into her pussy. Freya moaned as she stilled, taking all of me as her legs tightened around me. I moved from her, dropping to my side as I held her against me.
“I love fucking you,” I told her as she grasped my hand over her stomach.
“Stay with me. I need your arms around me,” she told me as I nodded. I set my alarm for two hours before she had to be at work since nobody would probably be up. I locked her door and returned to bed, cuddling her against me as we made out like teenagers. We made love again, and I took her on her knees, thrusting deep inside of her. Freya buried her face into her pillows to keep from screaming my name as I came inside of her again. I stayed there, keeping our come together as she breathed in deeply. I dropped beside her again as she sighed happily, kissing her hair. I didn’t spend the night with girls. I slept with them and left or kicked them out. Freya felt too good as she closed her eyes, falling asleep in my arms.
I shut off the alarm and kissed her gently before rising from the bed. I checked to make sure that she set her own alarm last night and I walked out quietly, locking her door. The castle was silent, and I walked downstairs to my room, slipping inside with a quick glance around. I felt alone again and stripped for bed, deciding to sleep a little longer and go for a run.