Hope three chapters make up for the delay. Love Ellie
Keira woke to sunlight streaming through the room. She blinked slowly, memories of the night before flooding back from Alexei's proposal on the terrace, and the multiple times they'd made love, her body was sore in all the right places.Stretching, she reached across the bed only to find cool sheets where Alexei should have been. A note rested on his pillow, his handwriting recognizable."My Love,You needed your sleep. Please don't rush this morning. I have some business to attend to. See you when I return to the palace.Love you, Lex"Keira flopped back on the bed, smiling at the simple message. “Love you.” Such small words, but they do so much and meant a lot to her.She grabbed her phone from the nightstand where it had been charging overnight and checked the time… nearly ten in the morning. She'd slept far later than usual.Her smile faded as she noticed a flood of notifications. Several messages from Blair and Sutton asking her in so many words if she was ok. Keira frowned, puzz
Once they reached her door Alexei took her in his arms, the heat of his mouth against hers making her forget where they were. His hands framed her face, thumbs stroking her cheeks as he pressed her against the doorframe. The kiss deepened, his tongue teasing hers as she melted against him, fingers clutching his lapels."I'll be back in less than thirty minutes," he murmured against her lips, voice rough with promise."Hurry," she whispers, her fingers trailing down his chest before moving to his erection as she trailed her fingers along his hard pants-covered length.His eyes darken with desire. "If you fall asleep, I will wake you up don't worry."One last bruising kiss and he's gone, striding down the corridor. Keira watches him until he disappears around the corner, her heart hammering against her ribs.Inside her suite, she immediately kicks off her shoes before she reaches behind to unzip her gown, letting it pool at her feet in a shimmer of blue silk. Picking it up she drapes it
"You may, Your Highness," she replied, placing her hand in his.As he led her onto the dance floor, all eyes followed their movement.The next song began, and Keira found herself swept across the floor in Alexei's arms. She was so grateful for Alexei guiding her through the steps with gentle pressure at her waist. He made her look good.She'd never considered herself much of a dancer, but with him leading, she felt almost elegant and not so helpless."You're getting better," he murmured."Liar. But I appreciate the lie just another thing I'll have to improve on." She followed his lead through a turn. "Everyone's watching us.""Let them watch." His hand tightened on her waist."Where did you learn to dance like this?" she asked."Royal education includes all the proper social graces." His eyes sparkled with mischief. "Though I must admit, I paid more attention to dancing lessons than history. My instructor was considerably more attractive."Keira laughed. "Of course she was." He hadn't
Keira nodded, taking a deep breath. She could do this. She'd faced down kidnappers, hostile royal cousins, and interrogation by a king. A dinner party shouldn't be that much harder. As the doors opened to the corridor, Alexei and Niko were waiting.Keira almost whistled but, remembering the stylists behind them, stopped herself in time. Alexei saw the movement of her mouth though and grinned.Both princes wore perfectly tailored black dinner jackets with military decorations, but Keira's eyes were immediately drawn to Alexei. The formal attire made him look devastatingly handsome.His gaze swept over her from head to toe, lingering on the sapphire pendant at her throat before meeting her eyes. The heat in his expression made her stomach flutter with anticipation. She remembered the last time she had worn it—when he had made love to her. That memory sent heat flooding her veins, reminding her of her sexual frustration, which he still hadn't dealt with."You look incredible," Alexei sai
At 2:55 pm later that day, there was a knock at Keira's door. She'd spent most of the afternoon in a state of sexual frustration that Alexei had deliberately left her in. She'd thought he would have come to see her after their encounter at breakfast, but he hadn't, making it worse.Every time she closed her eyes, she could feel his fingers against her, the way he'd brought her so close to the edge before pulling away. The bastard knew exactly what he was doing to her. Now she would be humming all evening, and she was not happy about that."Miss Warner?" Elena called from the hallway. "Are you ready to get prepared for this evening?"Keira opened the door to find Elena waiting. "Time to transform me into princess material?"Elena picked up Keira's dress and shoes that she would need tonight."Something like that," Elena smiled. "Come, we'll go to the preparation room.""Why don't they just come to my bedroom?" Keira asked as they walked down the corridor."The stylists are not part of
Maria shot to her feet, her chair scraping against the floor. "You don't know what you're talking about!""Don't I?" Keira remained seated, her voice deadly calm. "Then explain to me why you've been circling Alexei like a vulture since I arrived. Why every conversation we've had has been you trying to undermine me and my worth."Maria's hands clenched at her sides. "You think you can just waltz in here and take what should be mine? I've been preparing for this role my entire life!""There it is," Keira said with satisfaction. "Finally, some honesty. You think Alexei belongs to you.""I would be perfect for him!" Maria's voice rose, all royal composure gone in a blink of an eye. "I understand this world, I know what's expected. I could help him rule—""But he doesn't want you," Keira interrupted, rising slowly to her feet. Alexei still didn't say anything proving Keira right.Maria's face went white, then flushed crimson. "He would if you hadn't—""If I hadn't what? Existed? Sorry, Mar