Page 12 of Cross Me

“I’m here, X.” She kissed me swiftly to prove it, drawing me from the shadows and back to her. “Take me. Take what you need.”

With those words, she released me from the caution holding me back. I thrust into her, giving in to the raw emotions I’d held at bay. She turned her face to my shoulder, sinking her teeth into its flesh to stifle her cries. I couldn’t tell if the muffled sounds were from pain or pleasure. Later, I would make sure she was okay. I would check that I hadn’t hurt her. Now, I would take what she had given me. I would take everything.

“Say it,” I groaned as the pressure built in my groin. I needed to hear those words. The words that had set me free once.

I came violently as she followed my command, her own pleasure tightening around my cock. The words spilled from her lips, soaked in a moan, and shackled me to her. They built a new prison which we’d never escape.

“I love you.”

CHAPTER FIVE

ALEXANDER

The test results showed what we already knew: Clara was pregnant. They also confirmed she was further along than we thought. Once the baby was born, I was going to have to institute monthly pregnancy tests. This was the second surprise baby we’d been blessed with, and, in the future, I wanted to worship for every second of her pregnancy. I’d already lost out on three months. She had enough to worry about without keeping track of her cycle.

Clara looked near the point of collapse as I led her inside the palace an hour later. The day’s events had caught up with us rapidly. As soon as we reached our private quarters, I lifted her into my arms. She curled into me, her eyes drooping even as she tried to stay awake. When we reached our bedroom, she jolted fully awake.

“Elizabeth.” The one word explanation was enough. I wanted my wife to rest, but we both needed to see our daughter.

Turning, I took the few steps to the nursery and placed Clara carefully on her feet. She swayed a little, but caught herself on the door. Elizabeth had only recently moved full-time to her own bedroom, a transition we’d found difficult. With a new baby coming and a tired mum-to-be, it had been a necessity. I wondered if that new arrangement would last.

We entered quietly, afraid to disturb a nap. The curtains were drawn, filtering the fading afternoon light. It fell across the room, not casting shadows, but rather making the delicate furniture and creamy fabrics glow. In the middle of the ethereal space, a tea party was taking place.

Penny, the part-time nanny, scrambled to her feet, abandoning the tea party she was having with Elizabeth. Her red hair was pulled back in a tight knot, revealing that her fair skin was red and splotchy.

“You’re back! No one would tell me anything,” Penny kept her voice low as she glanced over her shoulder repeatedly to check on her charge.

“Did she hear anything?” Clara had a frantic edge to her, even after our life-affirming interlude. She had soothed me, but I’d failed to give her the same comfort.

“No. I’ve kept her busy all day.”

I didn’t bother reminding my wife Elizabeth was too young to understand even if she did hear.

Elizabeth toddled over and Clara scooped her up, showering her with kisses. Then she paused to examine her fingers and toes like she had discovered a tiny miracle. Elizabeth clung to her mother. I guessed it would be a long time before our daughter went on any public outings. If only her mother could be so easily ruled.

Clara wasn’t a child and I couldn’t keep her here, but watching her with our daughter made me realize that, as much as I didn’t want to hurt them, I would do anything to keep them safe—even if they hated me for it.

A call buzzed in my pocket. “Excuse me.” I silenced it and took a step towards the hall. “When I come back, you’re both taking a nap.”

My mobile had been ringing for the last few hours. I hadn’t bothered to answer it since I’d found Clara. She had been more important, but I couldn’t ignore the outside world forever, especially since the outside world kept intruding in our private lives.

I was relieved to discover it was Edward. I hoped it was a coincidence that he was calling, but I had little hope that even honeymoon bliss could keep news of this magnitude quiet.

“I’ve been calling you for hours!”

So much for letting him have his honeymoon. I decided to bypass the whole update and give him the highlights. “Everything’s fine. She’s fine.”

I nearly told him the baby was too before I remembered that he didn’t know about that yet.

“She’s fine?” His voice peaked on the final word like I’d lost my mind. In all fairness, I probably had.

I pinched the bridge of my nose. I supposed I deserved my own lecture after starting in on Clara. “Hang on, how did you find out?”

In my head, I said a hopeless prayer that Norris or a security team member had called him.

“It’s all over the news.” He was shouting now and I suspected it had nothing to do with trying to be heard from the Seychelles.

I’d dropped the ball once again. I should have called him before he’d heard it that way. It seemed my inability to protect my family was matched only by my miscommunication with them. “The news is probably exaggerating.”