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Then she registered his expression. “What’s wrong?”

  “I have some bad news.”

  Gemma wrung the water from her hair, and placed her hands on her hips. Despite the horrible news he was about to reveal, just looking at her tight and toned form made him lustful.

  “I found the leak,” he announced.

  “That’s good news.”

  He shook his head. “Not when I tell you who.”

  Chapter THREE

  Flynn

  He inhaled Alanna’s coconut perfume as he rubbed her shoulders in the living room.

  The staff called this room the private parlor, reserved for the royal family to relax and unwind. Looked like a regular living room to Flynn, although much more ornate.

  He particularly loved the sofa Alanna sat on now. They had christened those cushions during the first week she’d returned home. Nearly a year ago.

  “You need a break.”

  She hummed her approval as he continued to massage her skin. Beautiful, tanned, perfect skin.

  Her powder blue suit jacket lay on the back of the gold-scroll chaise, next to his. Tension planted in Alanna’s shoulders like a permanent vacation, and it took extra force to get the knots out from between her shoulder blades.

  She winced.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “It’s a good pain. Get that sucker out.”

  He placed a gentle kiss on her neck, lingering a moment to steal a glimpse of her cleavage. Those delectable breasts responded so well to his touch.

  Flynn continued to rub slow circles on her neck. “At least you know they aren’t broken up after all. One less fire for you to put out.”

  She shook her head on a sigh. “Only to be replaced by another fire. We have a leak in the palace.”

  He moved down her arms, squeezing her toned muscles. “One he’ll take care of.”

  “That’s not the point. Someone under this roof is giving private information to the media. That’s absolutely my problem.”

  “He didn’t tell you who?”

  “He refused. Said he and Gemma would take care of it.”

  “You trust him to do that, don’t you?”

  Alanna huffed. “Of course, but now I’m looking around at every staff member, wondering if it’s them. Who do I have to keep my mouth shut around? In my own home.”

  “It’s probably not what you think.” Flynn let his hands roll to her wrists, and then back up, watching the goosebumps rise along her arms. “How long until your next meeting?”

  She glanced at the ornate silver clock on the mantel. “Twenty minutes.”

  “More than enough time,” he muttered into the crook of her neck. With a soft kiss, his hands slid from her shoulders down to her breasts, gently squeezing.

  Her nipples hardened against her thin bra and blouse.

  She laid her head back on the edge of the couch, a seductive smile spreading across her face. “You didn’t get enough this morning?”

  “I’ll never get enough of you. What do you think I was thinking about during that press conference?”

  Alanna giggled, and unbuttoned the top two buttons on her blouse.

  Giving him plenty of room to slip his hands inside, and caress her naked breasts. So soft, it made his dick strain against his zipper.

  When he lightly pinched those beautiful pink peaks, she moaned in delight. Pushing her chest higher, and rubbing his hands harder against her.

  Flynn suckled her earlobe, barely able to keep himself restrained enough to let her enjoy this first.

  She shifted on the couch, and lay on her back, her cheeks flushed and her lips begging to be kissed.

  He didn’t need another invitation. He climbed over the back of the couch, and lay on top of her, fusing their mouths together.

  She tasted exactly the way she smelled, sweet and irresistible.

  Alanna shared her prim and proper royal beauty with the world, but behind closed doors, this wild sex-kitten queen was all his. “We might just have enough time to get two out of you.”

  With a ravenous growl, she grabbed his dick and squeezed. “No better stress relief than this right here.”

  Chapter FOUR

  Gemma

  “No way. I don’t believe it.” Gemma glared at André. She wasn’t mad at him, just at the circumstances.

  “He was the only one to whom we gave that rumor. And you were the one who told him. It has to be him.”

  Anger furled low in her gut, and she wanted to punch something. Hard.

  The old Gemma would’ve slugged someone first, kicked second, and asked questions after.

  But that was old Gemma.

  New Gemma controlled her temper. She took several deep, calming breaths.

  Think it through.

  “So, if it was Rico, there has to be a reason. He would never betray me…not knowingly. Gossip is not in his repertoire.”

  “I agree. Either someone paid him off for it, or he let something slip without intending.”

  She shook her head. “He wouldn’t accept money. Not for gossip between you and I. He has no patience for that. Which means someone coaxed it out of him.”

  Her prince nodded, and crossed his arms. His biceps bulged through his shirt, and his bronze skin gleamed in the sunlight.

  Her weakness for tanned men had probably contributed to the nearly instant attraction to André the first time she’d laid eyes on him last year. He’d been insufferable back then, and had pissed her off just as much as he turned her on. Nowadays, she was grateful they spent most of their time having hot and dirty sex—making love—instead of fighting.

  “We’ll figure this out,” she sighed. “And find the best way to talk to him…after I take a shower and screw you sideways.”

  “Is that your solution for everything? Angry sex?”

  “Why are you complaining?”

  “Never said I was.”

  Gemma never made it to the shower. The second she’d peeled off her sports bikini and stared into André’s dark, ravenous gape, she jumped on him. Literally.

  His long hours the last few months helping rebuild the marina with Flynn and the main hospital had increased his strength and physique. He caught her with ease, and smothered her mouth.

  She bit his tongue and devoured the exotic spice she craved.

  The royal staff had worked overtime controlling the gossip on their near-constant public displays of affection.

  It was impossible to keep her hands—and her lips—off their beloved prince. The man was an expert, and just as insatiable.

  He drove her wild.

  André carried her into their bedroom, not bothering to close the patio door and their mouths never disengaged. He set her on the cushioned recamier at the foot of the bed. Then smothered her body with his.

  She yanked on his shirt, pulling it over his head, and tossing the now drenched fabric to the ground. A tight grasp on his crotch revealed his already stiff dick screaming to get out.

  He growled in to her throat when she squeezed him, and wrapped her legs around his ass.

  No foreplay with this round.

  She wanted fast, hard, and angry.

  André stripped his shorts off, and plunged inside her.

  They both gasped out a moan, each needing that sweet release…to combat the tension, the frustration, the sheer inane that came with royal life.

  He thrust forward, and her whole being hummed with arousal.

  Gemma circled her hips and pushed upward, squeezing his ass to deepen his penetration.

  The amber flakes in his mocha eyes intensified, and all reflection in his irises vanished. He’d gone primal…animalistic.

  Her favorite.

  With a duck of his head, he pulled her beaded nipple between his lips, nibbling, suckling, and swirling until she nearly cried out.

  Who cared if someone heard them?

  No one was anywhere close by, except Stefano. He knew to give them privacy.

  Gemma gripped the back of the recamier, a
nd lifted her hips, taking his slickened cock deeper. The intense heat spread through her torso, and into her face. Her hands started to tingle.

  “Mi amor, I’m close…”

  “I’m right there…don’t stop…”

  He grinned. “Or what?” He lifted off her, and stood up, the brilliant sunlight glowing around his naked physique. His cock glistened with her sex, fully erect and brushing just under his naval.

  “What the hell are you doing?” she panted.

  “Making you angry.”

  “I’m already angry.”

  “Good. You’re wilder when you’re pissed.”

  She lunged from the sofa, and tackled him to the ground.

  By the smile on his face, it was exactly what he wanted.

  “You just needed an excuse to have me on top.”

  André squeezed her breasts, and pinched the nipples in exquisite torture. “Admit it. You like it better this way.”

  “No.” She smirked. Slipping her hand between their bodies, she grabbed his dick and slid him back inside her. “I like it better like this.”

  Slow, deliberate strokes—like riding a horse in a valley—made his eyes roll back, wiping that smile off his face. Like watching him submerse in a warm bath of ecstasy. He clenched her hips, his nails digging in, guiding her up and down.

  “If you’re trying to edge me,” Gemma muttered over his tanned, muscular chest. “I can be just as cruel. I’ll bring you right up to that moment where you want to explode…and stop.”

  She stopped.

  He opened his eyes.

  She stared. Waited for his frustration to rise.

  “You’re forgetting something.”

  “What’s that?” she asked.

  André rolled her, the plush carpet warm against her back. Then he stood, and yanked her up with him. Only to push her against the wall, and shove her legs apart with his hand. “I have more patience than you.” He slipped inside her once again.

  The angle hit her clit in just the right way, and she dug her nails into his shoulder.

  He circled his hips, twisting the inner pleasure coil tighter.

  The delectable heat escalated higher.

  She curled her leg around his thigh, and scraped her other hand through his dark, wavy hair. Each thrust rubbed along her oh-so-sensitive nub, making her limbs twitch.

  Over his shoulder, the lake shimmered with the sunlight bouncing across the surface. The breeze blew stronger, making the ripples spread in closer bands, turbulent and foreboding.

  A storm was coming in. The fresh rain smell mingled with André’s cologne and delicious sweat. Just in time for the clouds to roll in, along with a low rumble of thunder. Gemma bit her lip, and arched her back, the energy filling the room. Charging her desire.

  “You’re like the storm,” she panted. “Threatening, electrifying, consuming…impossible to avoid.”

  He smothered her mouth, slipping in his tongue like a conquering knight.

  Yep, consuming.

  “You’re the storm, Gemma. Soaking me to bone.”

  André increased the tempo, slamming into her hips harder.

  Her inner coil vibrated, so close to springing loose. Her pants turned to moans, climbing higher in pitch.

  A flash of lightning lit up the room, and the hair on her arms stood up. A loud clap followed, near-deafening that shook the house.

  André plunged once more, and the coil released. Didn’t just spring loose, but outright exploded. Her climax shattered her, her body coming undone.

  “Dios mio, Gemma…” His hips jerked. His long moan blended with the rumble of thunder as his eyes rolled back again.

  She clung to him, while he spasmed and lunged into her until his legs weakened.

  They both slid to the floor, tangled in each other’s limbs.

  The hair on his arms stood up amid the sweat glistening on his skin.

  Just like hers.

  If she could breathe, she would’ve licked it off.

  His chest rose and fell as he fought to catch his own breath. “I love fucking you.”

  “Damn right, you do.” Gemma swallowed his exotic taste that lingered in her mouth. “After we’re married, you still have to screw me like that.”

  He grinned. “Does that mean you’re ready to set a date?”

  She chuckled. “What’s your rush?”

  André rolled, half his body draped over hers, and lazily kissed her. “I’m possessive. Don’t you know that already?”

  “You’re more incorrigible than possessive.”

  “I like to think of it more as audacious.”

  She bit his lip. “Enough with the grammar lesson.” Another crack of thunder rolled across the sky. “Shouldn’t you call you sister?”

  “In a bit. I want another round of you.”

  Chapter FIVE

  Alanna

  “Shall we have another round?” She motioned to the butler for more champagne.

  The man carried a tray to the grouping, Flynn and Marcus both taking one, along with the three other investors from the Solanian National Bank.

  Although the bubbly concoction wasn’t Flynn’s favorite, she knew he was beyond excited for this next venture.

  Protocol dictated champagne, but she had a case of his favorite beer waiting when the bankers were gone.

  “To the next generation of sailors, born and bred on Solanian soil.” Alanna held her glass high.

  The others followed suit, and took a sip.

  Marcus downed his glass.

  “We’re thrilled to be a part of this new charity,” one of the bankers exclaimed, his pale face split by a toothy grin. “There are more than a dozen sponsors signed up, with more than enough funds to run the program for the next year. From what Mr. Flynn has explained, there’s already a list of one hundred children and teens ready to start. All without any kind of advertising. We’ll get a marketing agency on this first thing, and have the first commercials running by the end of the month.”

  “You should get footage of the program in action, and use that for the advertisements.” Alanna beamed at Flynn and Marcus. “Don’t try to sell the public on this program. Show them the program, and how happy the kids are. That’ll be more than enough to sell itself.”

  “Agreed.”

  The men finished their champagne, said their goodbye’s, bowed to the queen on their way out. Leaving Alanna, Flynn and Marcus alone.

  The Thai man sighed and stood. “I told you I’d stay long enough to help you get this thing off the ground. And I’ve done just that.”

  “With a hefty bonus for sacrificing a year of your career for that.” Flynn stood as well.

  “When do you leave?” Alanna asked.

  “I report for duty next Friday, to help the yacht get cleaned up and ready for the trip. But we don’t leave for a few more days after.”

  She stood, and smoothed out her pants. “We’ll miss you around here. You’ve been a tremendous help, not just with this program.”

  The man had helped save her and Flynn’s lives the year before, when they’d been on the run from the cartel.

  “I’ve enjoyed my time here, Your Majesty.” He winked.

  She grinned.

  The man hadn’t known she was royalty when they’d first met, and it still felt surreal being called by the royal title. At least from him. Marcus was a friend.

  “You must come back for the wedding,” she insisted.

  “I need you as my best man.” Flynn shoved his hands in his pockets, his request genuine.

  Marcus was one of his few close friends. He had such a hard time making friends, social norms so awkward for him since childhood. Her fiancé was acclimating very well. Still, Flynn would miss his friend very much.

  “I wouldn’t skip that party for the world.” The man slapped him on the back. “How can my future boss deny the Queen of Solana?”

  “If he gives you any trouble for the time off, please let me know. I’ll compensate him.”

/>   “When is the blessed event?”

  “We’re still working that out,” she replied. “Since André and Gemma were engaged before us, they need to have their wedding first. But we’ll let you know.”

  Flynn put out his hand, his smile almost sad.

  Marcus shook it. Then with a final bow to Alanna, he left.

  The room turned silent.

  Flynn stood in the same spot, staring at the door. His smile now gone.

  She caressed his arm. “Are you all right?”

  He nodded, without looking at her.

  “He’ll be back before we know it.”

  “I know. That’s not what I was thinking about.”

  The sofa absorbed his weight as he returned to his seat. He patted the cushion beside him, and she complied, draping her feet across his lap.

  “I need to visit my parents,” he said.

  Alanna tilted her head. “Didn’t you already tell them about the engagement?”

  “Of course, months ago. They knew this was coming. But I haven’t been back to Brisbane since before I met you. My mother told me the visit at Christmas here was too short. I owe them a trip.”

  She nodded. She’d loved meeting his parents for the first time this past December, and they’d spent four days with the royal family and touring the island. During which, his divorced parents had rekindled their long-lost love. Something for which Alanna was grateful. Flynn had never had his parents together for more than an hour his entire life.

  “Are they enjoying their second round of married life?”

  Flynn shrugged. “I don’t know. Haven’t heard much from them lately. That’s why I want to go back.”

  She rubbed his shoulder. “Whatever you want to do, I’m all for. If you’d like, I can come with you.”

  He kissed her knuckles. “I’d love to have you with me. But I should go alone. Make sure my mother hasn’t ripped off Magnus’ head. Not very appropriate behavior around a queen.”

  Alanna chuckled. “You’ve seen some of the fights André and I have. Whatever they have in their repertoire can’t possibly thwart me.”

  “Until you see them use me in the middle of their arguments. Their power struggles were legendary.”