Chapter 133 133. Silk Ties
"Yes!" I screamed, the sound tearing from my throat with a joy so pure it felt electric. "Yes, a thousand times, yes!"
I threw my arms around his neck, the force of my movement sending us both tumbling back onto the damp sand. Lucien's laughter was a beautiful, jagged sound against my ear as he crushed me to him. He rolled us over until he was hovering above me, his charcoal doublet ruined by salt and silt, but his eyes-God, his eyes were more brilliant than the ring. He slid the band onto my finger, a heavy, perfect weight that anchored me to him forever.
"I have you," he murmured, his forehead resting against mine. "Finally, officially, you're mine."
He hauled me up into his arms, spinning me around while my wet black skirts flailed like the wings of a raven. I was laughing so hard I didn't notice we weren't alone until a rhythmic clapping broke through the sound of the crashing waves.
"Bravo! About damn time, Hayes!"
I froze, peering over Lucien's shoulder. Standing a few yards away, looking like they had stepped out of a high-end travel magazine, were Maya and Rafael. Maya was in a breezy lemon-yellow sundress, her camera swinging from her neck, while Rafael looked uncharacteristically casual in linen shorts and a button-down.
"What the hell?" Lucien barked, though his grin remained. He set me down. "Rafael? What are you doing in Vienna? I left the keys to the kingdom in your hands."
Rafael scratched the back of his head, looking intensely sheepish.
"Well, you see... the kingdom was quiet. And Maya mentioned seeing the sunset at this specific beach..."
"We didn't think you two were 'vacation together' serious yet," I teased, leaning into Lucien. "Is there something you're not telling us, Maya?"
Maya smirked, tucked a stray hair behind her ear, and shrugged.
"We're testing the waters depth. Literally. But seriously, Lucien, a 16th-century doublet on a public beach? You're lucky the local constabulary didn't arrest you for crimes against fashion."
"It was a ticket mix-up," Lucien defended, though he looked at Rafael with narrow, suspicious eyes. "And you didn't tell me you were leaving the country. I could have had a crisis."
"And you didn't tell me you were proposing!" Rafael countered, pointing at the ring on my finger. "I had to find out by stumbling upon a dark prince in the sand."
Lucien laughed, the tension bleeding out of him.
"I've been rehearsing that speech in the mirror for three days, Raf. If you'd interrupted my flow, I'd have fired you on the spot."
We spent an hour with them, the four of us a bizarre sight-two people in ruined royalty costumes and two in beachwear-sharing a bottle of wine Maya had grabbed from a nearby kiosk. It was light and easy, but as the stars began to poke through the indigo sky, Lucien's hand tightened on mine.
"As much as I love my Executive Assistant's company," he said, glancing at Rafael, "it's my fiancée's birthday. And we have a suite to return to."
\--Lucien's POV--
Maya and Rafael wandered off to their own hotel with promises to meet for breakfast while I carried Camila back to our villa. She kept kissing my neck, my jaw, anywhere she could reach, legs wrapped tightly around me.
Inside, I kicked the door shut and pressed her against it, mouths crashing together. She tasted like salt and cider and everything I'd ever wanted.
I carried her to the bedroom, set her on her feet.
The air was heavy with the scent of lilies and the lingering heat of the day. I didn't turn on the lights; the moon silvering the edges of the room was far more intimate.
When she turned, the look in her eyes told me everything I needed to know.
"Turn for me."
Carefully, I unhooked each clasp of her gown, pressing kisses to each inch of skin I exposed. Her breathing grew heavier with each hook I released.
"Lucien..."
"Patience, mi amor."
When the corset finally fell away, I slid the heavy fabric of her gown down her hips, letting it pool at her feet. She stepped out of it, standing before me in nothing but a black lace thong.
Damn, she was beautiful.
"You're gonna be the death of me. Every damn day."
"I plan to make it last," I felt her grin follow her words. I let her stand alone for a few seconds, and returned with a blindfold.
"Close your eyes." I slid the silk over her eyes, tying it securely at the back of her head. Her hands came up, reaching for me, but I caught her wrists.
"Not yet," I said. "Sit on the edge of the bed."
From this angle, her face was perfectly level with my crotch. My cock was already straining against my zipper, and I watched as she seemed to sense it-her head tilting slightly, leaning forward.
Then she nudged her face against my bulge, a seeking movement that made my breath catch.
"Fuck," I muttered, my hand coming to the back of her head. "You want this, Fiera?"
"Yes," she breathed against the fabric of my pants.
I guided her head forward, pressing her face more firmly against my erection. She nuzzled into it, her lips parting slightly, and I felt the wet heat of her breath through my pants.
"Open your mouth," I commanded.
She did, and I pressed harder, letting her feel the full length of me through the fabric. Her tongue darted out, licking at my zipper, and I groaned.
"You're so desperate for it, aren't you?" My voice roughened. "Can't even wait for me to undress."
"Please," she whimpered.
"Please what?"
"Please let me taste you."
God, I wanted nothing more than to free my cock and feel her hot mouth around me. But not yet. Not tonight. Tonight was about her. I pulled back, and she made a sound of protest.
"Lie on your back. Arms above your head."
She obeyed, and I watched as she settled onto the bed, her body spread out for me. I could see the wet spot on her thong, could smell her arousal in the air. Such an obedient little girl.
I started to undress, unbuttoning my shirt slowly while I watched her. She shifted restlessly, her thighs rubbing together. Then her hand drifted down her stomach.
"Don't," I warned. She froze, but her hand didn't move back up. "Camila."
"I want your cock right now... I can't wait... I'm aching to be filled..."
"I know what you need." I shucked off my pants and grabbed the restraints. "But you don't get to touch yourself. That's my job."
I climbed onto the bed and took her wrists, securing them to the headboard. She tested the restraints, pulling slightly, and I could see her pulse jumping in her throat.
"Color?" I asked.
"So fucking green."
"Good girl."
I settled between her thighs, hooking my fingers in her thong and dragging it down her legs. The scent of her arousal hit me fully now, and my cock throbbed in response.
But I forced myself to go slow.
I started at her ankles, pressing kisses up her calves, her inner thighs. She was already trembling, her hips, her chest. When I finally reached her center, I breathed hot air over her wet folds, and she gasped.
"Lucien... fuck... please..."
"Tell me what you want."
"Your mouth. Please. Fuck me with your tongue."
I licked a single stripe through her folds, and she cried out. So wet, so ready, and I groaned against her skin at the sweetness of her juices.
My tongue worked, circling her clit, dipping into her entrance. Her thighs tried to close around my head, but I held them open, pinning her down.
"Stay still," I commanded. "Let me eat this pretty pussy the way I want."
She whimpered, her back arching off the bed. I could feel her getting close, her muscles tensing, her breathing becoming ragged.
Then I pulled back.
"No!" she protested. "Baby, please, I was so close-"
"I know." I left her there to grab the vibrator. "But you're going to come on this instead." The low hum filled the room as I turned it on. I pressed it against her clit, and she bucked violently.
"Oh baby..."
"That's it, Fiera. Let me hear you."
I alternated between her clit and her entrance, building her up until she was writhing. When I finally pushed the vibrator inside her while using my thumb on her clit, she screamed.
Her whole body convulsed as she came. I didn't give her a moment to catch up. Instead, I increased the speed against her clit.
"Lucien, I can't... don't stop... it's too much..."
"You can take it," I slid two fingers inside her heat. "Give me another one."