To Dream of You: The Royal House of Atharia, Book 1 Read online

  Drew kissed her soundly as he moved to do as she asked. His fingers circled her aroused nubbin, paying homage to her sex before sliding farther into her heat. He wished he could shuck off his breeches, and make her his forever.

  But he could not. This would have to suffice.

  He teased her wet flesh, her juices coating his fingers, taunted, slid, and flicked her sex. If only they had more time, not just here and now, but always. He was sure he could make her fall in love with him, want to be with him forever. But with the boat arriving any day, his time was up. Soon she would be back in Atharia, and her life there would take precedence.

  Holly broke the kiss, arching her back and gasping as the first contractions about his fingers took hold. Drew fucked her with his hand, giving her what she wanted as his thumb thrummed against her nubbin. She moaned his name, and the sound rocked him to his core, scared him in equal parts.

  He had fallen for the writhing, loving woman beneath him, and he was powerless to stop it. That someone was trying to hurt her threatened to undo him completely. Never would he allow anything to injure her pure self.

  Drew wrung out every last ounce of her pleasure he could before she slumped onto the picnic blanket, her eyes cloudy with desire.

  "I never knew that being with a man could be like that," she said, staring at him with something akin to awe.

  He chuckled, rolling beside her and pulling her into the crook of his arm. "That is only the beginning, my darling."

  A small frown marred her brow, and he reached over, wiping it away. He understood her concern, her fear and pain, for he felt it as well. "When we part, Holly, I will survive, I promise. No matter how much it will hurt to leave you, I know that we can never be any more than we are now."

  Even so, Drew would do everything in his power to make that choice for Holly impossible to make. They were destined to be together. He'd washed up in her arms, for heaven's sake. If that was not fate, he did not know what was.

  He would marry the woman in his arms or die trying. Life without her would be misery, and now that he'd found happiness, he was loath to lose it.

  Chapter 16

  Holly stood at the stone wall in the gardens and watched as the ship Marco procured them made anchor in the cove off the Sotherton estate. A small vessel came ashore, and four men jumped from the boat. Drew shook hands with them all, seemingly introducing himself.

  They would leave tonight on high tide, much to Drew's father's protestations. Drew had made up the story that they were going to sail to the continent and enjoy the sights of Paris for several weeks. Although displeased at losing his son and new wife from under his roof, the duke did believe the trip would be an enjoyable time for them both.

  If only that were true. The idea of returning to Atharia, facing her uncle, and taking up her rightful place as queen left a hollow feeling inside of Holly. To do all those things would mean she would lose Drew.

  Her heart ached at the sight of him on the beach, the bottoms of his breeches getting wet as they loaded supplies and luggage into the small vessel on the shore. Marrying him in truth, of returning home as his wife had crossed her mind more than once these past days. Drew was from a powerful family. He may not be royal, but the alliance would be enough for her to make a stand against her uncle. What did it matter that all past crown princes and princesses of Atharia had only married into other royal circles? She did not have to do the same. If she did not, would it give her enough power to overthrow her uncle? Or would he use her choice against her?

  Holly did not need to think twice about the answer to her question. Her uncle would, of course, use it against her. Tell the court and her people that she had married beneath her bloodline, placed the country at risk by the demeaning union. Her uncle had never cared for the English, and he would gleefully state that the Atharia royal line would forever be tainted.

  No, she could not go against what her people expected of her. They needed a solid start to her rule, and a royal marriage would strengthen their homeland twofold. No matter how much she may wish Drew could bring such strength and connections, he did not.

  Life was unfair no matter what creed or station one held. There were always situations that were not to one's liking.

  Niccolo started making his way up the cove, heading toward her. "There are several more crates of food and water to be loaded, and then we shall be ready, Your Highness."

  "Thank you, Niccolo." She did not look at her guard, their relationship since their heated conversation had soured a little. There was a distinctive chill in the air whenever he spoke to her that she did not appreciate. Very much unlike Niccolo and her relationship before meeting Drew.

  "I must ask, Your Highness, if Lord Balhannah will be accompanying you to Atharia?"

  She did look at him then, noting the muscle at his temple flexing as he awaited her reply. "Yes, he is." Holly refused to give any reason as to why. It was not her guard's choice how she went on. All that anyone need know was that she had saved Lord Balhannah's life, and he was returning the favor. To see her settled back in Atharia as the queen she was born to be.

  "Very good, Your Highness. I shall make provisions for him in the vessel."

  "He shall have a room beside mine, Niccolo. He will know no one and is there to protect me. Ensure my directions are followed."

  Niccolo bowed, turning about and striding back toward the estate, his back straight as if a rod had been thrust up his spine.

  Holly shook her head, turning back toward the beach to find Drew staring up at her, watching her conversation with her guard. From here, she could see the concern etched on his handsome face, and her heart flipped a little at his care. He'd gone above and beyond to make her feel safe and secure. He'd held her close while they huddled in the pit not far from Lord Bainbridge's estate on the night of her uncle's raid. From that night to this day, he had never left her side, nor did he try to make conflict with her guard. Niccolo, however, was going beyond his authority and creating issues where there ought to be none.

  She would talk to her sisters when she returned home and decide who they would keep about them, who would remain in the palace to guard them. Niccolo, a man who had always had her back, always been loyal and supportive, was no longer so. Something was wrong, and it left her unsettled as to what.

  He would never assume to be with her romantically, no matter what Drew may think, so then why was he so displeased? Holly raised her hand toward Drew, and he waved back, a small smile playing about his mouth.

  The answer to her question contained a response that she did not want to face but would plan and prepare for in any case. She just hoped her greatest fear never eventuated and that she was wrong about Niccolo. That he was loyal to her and no one else.

  Two days later, they were sailing south on The Channel, England on one side and France the other. The day had been filled with meetings with Niccolo and Marco, ideas on where they would land and possibly allies they could count on once they reached Atharia. As agreed, they would sail to the north end of the island and anchor off Medici land. They were a powerful family and one who had made a public declaration against her uncle. Not to mention that her sister currently resided under their roof. They would be an ally, she was sure of it.

  Holly looked forward to seeing Alessa again. Once she knew her sibling was safe and well, she would go about getting Elena out of the palace. Then and only then would she strike out at her uncle and make him pay for all that he'd done against her and their family.

  She started toward her cabin, smiling at the sight of Drew trying to gain his sea legs. He was not the most stable of gentlemen she'd ever beheld on a ship, and his inability to stay upright had become a bit of amusement for the crew and for her.

  Holly knew she should not laugh at him, and of course, eventually, he would become steady, but it was a little amusing to see him stumble at the slightest rock of the ship.

  "Can I help you to your cabin, my lord?" she asked, coming up behind him and wrapping h
er arm about his back. The last two nights, they had not slept in the same room, and strangely she had endured two of the worst night’s sleep of her life. The bed was uncomfortable, the room did not smell right, and the mere fact she was alone in the dark without a man she trusted more than she ought considering she had not known him very long, left her discombobulated.

  "Please." He chuckled ruefully. "One would think I would be capable on a ship, but here you are, I am not. I am but a mortal man after all and one who does not have sea legs like yourself."

  "I have traveled by ship all my life. You too will gain your sea legs, my lord. You will have four weeks to grow them."

  He leaned close, his whisky-laced breath doing odd things to her senses. Her skin prickled in awareness, and she wanted to lean into him, make their closeness last forever. "I have missed you these past nights. Tell me you miss me too."

  She glanced at him sharply, having not expected him to be so bold, not here on a ship where anyone may overhear his words. "You tease, my lord."

  They made the stairs leading down toward the cabin, and Holly helped Drew down them before starting toward his room. "I'm not teasing at all, now answer the question, Your Highness, and prove me wrong."

  She shrugged, standing before him. "Of course I have missed you," she whispered, but it is what it is. A situation we both must endure."

  "Really?" He cocked one brow, reaching for a door handle at his right to steady himself. "Have you seen my rooms, Your Highness? They are very spacious and luxurious."

  Holly strode past Drew and swung his door wide, walking into his room that was the size of one of her maid's closets back in Atharia. One could not twirl a cat in such a space. She turned, watching as he closed the door, slumping against it. "I cannot stay here with you. You know I cannot."

  He ran a hand through his hair, leaving it on end. He looked disheveled and too handsome for his own wellbeing. Drew was a complication, a gift she had not thought to come across while in England. She'd traveled to the country to simply enjoy one of the ton's famous Seasons in London. She had not thought to meet a man who encompassed all she looked for in a husband and want him desperately.

  The idea of throwing herself at him in his cabin made her body ache with a need that frightened her. Would she always long for this man as she did right at this moment, or was it merely a passing fancy? An emotion that women could have with any man if they chose to?

  That she did not know, but what she did know was that she could not leave this room without one stolen kiss from his lips. She closed the space between them, kissed him hard, took what she wanted with no regrets and no thought of the consequences.

  Drew wrapped his arms about her back, pushing her up against the side of the cabin. Her bottom knocked against the small writing desk that the room housed, and without wavering, Drew hoisted her atop it, settling between her legs.

  Heat pooled at her core. Hot and wet and thrumming with need. She wanted him to touch her, make her find the pleasure he brought her only days ago.

  "Let me make you come. I promise that you'll remain a maid. Will you let me?" he asked, his eyes wild with a need that spiked her own.

  She nodded, wondering what other wicked things he knew.

  Drew pulled back, hoisting up her gown to pool at her waist. Cool air kissed her thighs and heat bloomed on her cheeks, expectation thrummed through her veins like a drum at the thought of what he would do to her. He pushed her legs wide, and she watched as he licked his lips at the sight of her mons.

  Holly swallowed, clasping the desk as he tore his gaze away to his breeches, wrenching open his front falls. His manhood sprung free, and she reminded herself he'd promised to keep her a maid. She took a calming breath, trusting him to hold his word.

  He took himself in hand, squeezing along his length, a small, pearly white bead of his desire settling on the top of his penis. Her core ached. For the first time in her life, she could understand why a woman desired a man to take her. To thrust that hard rod inside of her heat to soothe the unrelenting need pulsating there.

  "Trust me," he whispered, kissing her soundly as he wrenched her forward on the desk, placing her core hard up against his manhood. He thrust against her, running the velvet-enclosed steel along her slick heat. Holly gasped, wrapping her legs about his back, pushing herself against him. Wanting to feel the sensation of him. Needing him to bring her to the pleasure she craved.

  Her skin burned, her heart thumped fast in her chest. It wasn't enough. She wanted more. More of Drew and what he could give her. Her mind cautioned her, warned her against such a bold and reckless action. Holly reined in her desire, settling for what he could give her here and now, that would leave her a maid.

  "So sweet. I want you so much," he gasped against her lips.

  I want you too, Drew, more than you'll ever know. "You make me want things I cannot have."

  He threw her a wicked grin that sent her wits spiraling. "I want to make you moan my name every day. I want to kiss your sweet lips here," he said, the brush of his lips featherlight and not enough. "I want to kiss your lips here." He ground against her, teasing her to the point that she did not know how she would survive. It was too much and yet not enough. Never enough. "I want to lick you until you ride my face until you fuck me, take from me your pleasure, over and over again. I want to watch as you arch your back in climax. I want to watch you as I fuck you hard and fast. I want to do all these things to you."

  She kissed him deeply, scoring her nails down his back as her body came apart. Pleasure burst through her like a light. Her core convulsed to the point of pain, and still, he ground against her, wringing from her all that he could.

  Holly fought to breathe. To stop herself from shouting his name. He moaned against her lips, kissing away her gasps. Warm liquid spilled against her mons, over the thatch of curls between her legs. Drew shuddered against her, her name a chant repeated over and over again.

  They stayed like that for some time, joined together in pleasure, and not willing to let each other go. Holly doubted she would ever be ready to see Drew leave, to move on with his life back in London with a respectable English woman of his class.

  "Stay with me tonight," he begged, reaching beside him for a towel. He stepped back and wiped her sex, cleaning her up as best he could. She allowed him the liberty, enjoying his touch there. She was scandalous to allow him such freedoms with her body, but she could not help herself. At some point, she had grown to adore the man taking great pains in wiping her aroused flesh. She would not deny him anything.

  "You know that I cannot. The men on this ship are from my country, and I do not need them knowing of my attachment to you."

  He grinned, pulling her skirts back to settle about her ankles. "You have an attachment to me?" he teased, sliding one finger under her chin and raising her eyes to look at him.

  Holly saw no reason not to be honest. "You know that I do."

  "That is very welcome news, Your Highness, for I have an attachment toward you also, and one I'm loath to walk away from."

  Did Drew mean he would fight to stay by her side, even knowing there was no future between them? She could not allow him to do so. He must leave, return to England and have a full and happy life in his homeland. She would not let him stand by in Atharia and watch as she married another, gave her body to another man. She, too, could not do such a thing to her own heart. If she were to marry another, have a future without Drew, she did not need him in Atharia, tempting her away with every look, every stolen touch.

  She chuckled, making light of his comment. "And yet I must before someone catches me in your room." She slipped off the desk, leaning up for one more kiss. His mouth took hers, and she fought not to lose herself in his passion.

  It would be so very easy to fall so hard that one could never pick themselves up again.

  "Good night, my lord," she said, turning for the door.

  Drew leaned up against the wall, idly tying his front falls back up. "Good night, Ho
lly."

  She sighed, forcing her feet to move out of his room and away from the delectable sight he made, all rumpled, a little tipsy, his dark, hooded eyes promising more sin and seduction. An impossible man to deny oneself. However was she to survive the trip to Atharia with Drew tempting her at every turn? As she shut the door to her own room, she knew she could not.

  She'd already failed.

  Chapter 17

  Drew watched from afar as Holly and her two guards, blood brothers, Niccolo and Marco spoke at the bow of the ship, their frowns of worry etched on their faces making dread coil in his blood.

  They had been sailing toward Atharia for over three weeks now. Some of the best days of his life if he were honest. Holly stole into his cabin each night, their interludes becoming more and more erotic, longer and harder to resist. He was now in a constant state of arousal.

  They had laid out on the deck at night, watching the stars and trying to navigate via the constellations. They had played chess and cards, ate with the crew, and enjoyed dancing and singing on the nights the crew had brought out their musical talents.

  The time on the ship had passed in a blink, and soon they would have to face Holly's future and the man who strove to take it away from her and her siblings.

  From here, he could see the armed guards standing on the docks of one of Holly's kinsmen, the rich and powerful Medici family where her sister was supposedly taking refuge. The men looked like an army of three hundred, ready for battle. It did not bode well for their plan to stay at the estate.

  Holly dismissed her guards and turned, walking down the ship's bow toward where Drew waited for her. "We shall dock and hope they allow us the time to explain who we are. We cannot sail my royal standard, for we do not wish to alert my uncle if he has men watching the area. I have little doubt that he does so."

  “Do you believe it is safe to dock there? What if they attack?"

  "My men are preparing now. Marco has his own men who work for him. They are as well-trained as my own. Nothing shall happen to us, Drew."