Inheriting a SECRET (Corrigan & Co. Book 7) (12 page)

“No more touching,
Cat. I need you to come while I’m inside of you.”

“I will. I promise. I
just need this now.”

“You need me now,”
I tell her, gently swatting her fingers away and holding her hands
above her head with one of mine. “That’s my pussy, and I want all
of your orgasms tonight. All of them. They’re mine.”

I move my fingers to
where she had hers and start to play. Her tits are right in front of
my face, begging for my mouth. Who am I to deny them? I suck the
closest one into my mouth and swirl my tongue over her nipple. She’s
already close when I slide two fingers back inside of her while
keeping my thumb on her clit. I bite down gently on her nipple, and
feel my fingers get even wetter.

“Brayden…oh my God.
Please don’t stop. Oh God, don’t stop.”

I keep my teeth around
her nipple as I answer her. “Not stopping until you’re
screaming.”

She nearly flies off
the bed a moment later. My name is included with all of the cuss
words that come out of her mouth as she writhes beneath me. I release
her nipple and kiss my way up to her neck. I can’t resist nibbling
a little; although, I want to do a lot more.

“I want to mark you
so bad, but Audrey and my mother would kill me.”

“You’ve already
marked me.”

I lean back to look at
her as she turns red and tries to move away from me. “Where are you
trying to go?”

“Anywhere. That was
super corny.”

“You’ve marked me
too, so I guess we’re just corny together.”

“Why do you have to
be a prince?”

I don’t have an
answer for her, so I just lean down and kiss her. Soon kissing turns
to caressing, and I’m reaching blindly for her nightstand drawer. I
feel around, but there’s nothing there.

“Shit. Are we really
out of condoms?”

“Yeah, I think so. I
didn’t think I needed to stock up after our last night together.”

I hang my head and try
to bring my body back under control. “Are there any in the couch?”

“No. We used those,
too. But you know, we don’t need one.”

I snap my head up. “We
don’t?”

“Not as long as
you’re clean. All of us in the Society get an injection of a
contraceptive Audrey created. And we’re tested regularly, even if
we think we don’t need to be.”

“I’m clean. I
don’t…you know…go without normally.”

“Then we’re good.”

“We’re better than
good,” I tell her as I slide inside of her.

If I thought being
inside of her before was amazing, well having nothing between us is
even better. I’m not sure I can give her up, even though I have to.
I’ll make the most of the time we have until I’m forced to say
goodbye. To both her, and any chance I have of living a happy life,
because that’s going to leave right along with her.

Darcy

I wake up wrapped in
Brayden’s arms. I honestly never thought I’d have this again, and
while I know it’s only temporary, I’m still basking in the glow
of happiness. And love. Brayden said he loves me. I knew it already,
but we both had an unspoken agreement to not say the words out loud.
He broke it first, but I felt no hesitation in saying the words back
to him. I
do
love
him, and yet I know that it’s not enough. Love can’t conquer all,
and it won’t conquer the secrets between us. It may save us from
total destruction, but I’m not even sure of that anymore.

For now, I’m just
going to enjoy the sexy man in my bed. I snuggle in closer to him
placing little kisses on his neck until he starts to wake up. “Again,
Cat? I swear you’re insatiable.”

“Are you
complaining?”

“Hell, no.”

“Shower?”

“You’re okay with
the bandage?”

“Yep.”

“Then let’s go get
wet.”

“I’m already wet.”

“You’re going to
kill me, you know that, right?”

If only he knew how
hard I’m working to actually keep him alive. “Never, Crown. I’ll
protect you to my death.”

“I’ll do the same
for you. I swear it.”

I kiss him hard, and
then let him carry me into the shower. We spend way more time than
necessary in there, but we do end up getting clean—after we get
very
dirty. I send
him away to get dressed, because I know if he stays any longer, we’ll
never make it to the celebration.

Since today is casual,
I’m allowed to wear something a little more fun. It’s still a
dress, but it’s comfortable and artsy, with splashes, stripes, and
dots of color. I’m wearing bright orange flats with it, and no
jewelry other than my engagement ring. I’m really looking forward
to playing games and riding rides with Brayden now that we’re back
to be real for the moment.

I’m the last one to
walk into the dining room again, but what happens next is very
different from last night. Brayden practically jumps out of his chair
to greet me with a kiss. I smile at him as he takes my hand and leads
me to the seat next to his. There’s already a plate of my favorite
things waiting for me.

“You made me a
plate?”

“I did.”

“Thanks.”

“Hi Darcy.”

I turn to look at
Reina, and smile sheepishly. I didn’t even notice that they were
here, and she knows it. Matt and Aiden are smiling at me, too, but
Nate’s got his eyes on Brayden. If looks could kill, my fiancé
would be dead.

“Hi, Rei.”

“Introduce me to him,
Darce,” Nate says with a sneer.

“Brayden already
introduced himself to us,” Jade reminds him, rolling her eyes.

“She’s my best
friend, Angel. I want her to introduce me to the guy she’s sleeping
with.”

“Holy shit. That’s
Nate Anderson,” Brayden whispers from next to me. “I didn’t
really pay attention when I came in since I was making your plate.”

I lean in to him. “I’d
say his bark is worse than his bite, but it’s not.”

“That’s what I’m
afraid of. He’s really your best friend?”

“Yep.”

“He’s getting out
of his chair. Please introduce me, or whatever.”

I almost laugh out
loud, but I manage to rein it in enough to shoot Nate a glare. “Nate,
this is my fiancé, Brayden. Bray, this is my best friend, Nate.
Happy now?”

“No.”

“Sit down,
Neanderthal. Darcy can take care of herself, and if she can’t,
she’ll let you know and you can kick his ass,” Jade tells him.

“I’d fight him
first,” Noah says.

“Please try, little
boy.”

“Enough, Nate.”

He looks at me in
shock, but shuts up. I’ve got too many other things to worry about
without playing referee in a pissing match between him and Noah. And
Brayden’s completely off limits.

“Wow. This is way
more entertaining than our usual gigs,” Kace says, trying to ease
the tension in the room while lying through his teeth. I want to run
over and kiss him, but I know Stella will take care of that for me.

I dig into my
breakfast, sharing kisses with Brayden every few bites. Audrey leaves
our final schedule on the table between us, but doesn’t say
anything. I think she’s afraid to break the spell we’re under at
the moment, because having a couple who’s obviously into each other
is something she can’t make happen. Well, maybe she could with one
of her secret potions, but the real thing is always better.

“What are you going
to do while I’m playing polo?”

“Watch you play polo.
Duh.”

“You won’t be
bored?”

“If you weren’t
playing, then yeah, I’d be hella bored. But I get to see you up
there being all sexy and manly.”

“I have a chance to
actually win at this game.”

“There’s that,
too.”

“Are you excited for
the ball tonight?”

“No.”

“You don’t want to
waltz in my arms before all of the American guests?”

“One percenters
aren’t really my thing. I mean, I love Matt and Reina as well as my
bosses in the Society, but I could care less about anyone else with
money.”

“Did you steal from
any of the attendees?”

“I haven’t seen a
list.”

“So it’s possible?”

I chuckle at his
curiosity, but answer him honestly. “Yes.”

“That’s the first
time you’ve admitted to me that you’re a thief.”

“Ex-thief.”

“Semantics.”

I put down my fork and
look at him. “You’ve never told me you loved me before.”

“So you trust me
now?”

“With the things I
can.”

“I’m guessing my
family’s jewels are something you still feel you can’t.”

“It’s not that I
‘feel’ I can’t. I
really
can’t.”

“If you could, would
you?”

“In a heartbeat,
Crown. I promise you that.”

“What if we weren’t
together?” he asks, and I know he’s thinking about after he’s
king, when it will be impossible for us to be anything more than
lovers.

“The moment I’m
able to give them to you, I will. Even when you’re married to some
beautiful princess. You have my word.”

“I gave my word to my
father that I’d have the jewels before I was crowned. I don’t
want to break that promise, but everything is set in motion.”

“I’m sorry. Truly,
I am.”

“I believe you. I
never wanted to break a promise, but I believe that just by you
giving me your word that I’ll one day have them, I’m not exactly
breaking the one I made. Does that make sense?”

“Yes. And I promise
you that they are going to be yours, and no one else’s. Ever.”

He nods, and my heart
feels a little lighter. “When I’m king…” he begins, but I
place my fingers over his mouth.

“We’ll deal with
that when it happens. We promised to live in the now, remember?”

“Yes, my love. I
remember.”

“I’m really sorry
to interrupt, but it’s time,” Audrey tells us. “Do you want to
touch up your make-up, Darce?”

“No,” Brayden says
before I can answer. “She looks perfect. Beautiful. I didn’t tell
you that yet, but you look beautiful.”

I take him in with his
summer pants, and button down shirt rolled up to his elbows, and
smile back at him, thinking about all the swooning that’s going to
happen when he walks outside. “You look
almost
perfect yourself.”

“Almost?”

I nod, and then reach
up to muss his dark blonde tresses a little. “There. Now you’re
ready. I hope they have some medical personnel on hand for all of the
fainting women.”

“We have an entire
tent. Between Brayden and the Storyside boys, plus Zack, I’m
thinking they’ll stay pretty busy today,” Audrey tells us. “Let’s
go.”

Brayden takes my hand,
and we walk together to the French doors. We nod at the guards there
and step forward as they’re opened. I’m supposed to be behind
Brayden, but he holds me next to him, and I love him even more in
that moment. The crowd starts yelling, and I see that some of the
kids have even made signs for us, complete with hearts and rainbows.
We stop at the top of the patio stairs and kiss. The shouts get even
louder, and we both laugh a little before breaking apart to join the
crowd.

Everyone starts asking
us to do things with them at once. Brayden assures them that we’re
going on all the rides and trying all of the food. The crowd follows
us to the bumper cars, the roller coaster, the Ferris wheel, and
every other ride as we try them all. We’re both starving when we’re
done, so we pile up on the food. Brayden has a blanket brought out
for us, and we sit down on the grass, right in the middle of everyone
else enjoying the picnic.

It may be a big deal
celebration, but it’s also sweet and romantic as we feed each other
junk food while kissing frequently. Most people smile at us, and a
few teenage girls wander over at one point to sit with us. I try to
get up, intending to leave Brayden to his adoring fans, but he grabs
my hand and holds it like his life depends on it. I hold back my
laugh, especially when some of the teenage boys come over to talk to
me. Their girlfriends obviously weren’t expecting that, and quickly
pull them away, leaving us alone again.

Brayden leads me over
to the carnival games, and actually wins some. I’ll admit that I
jump up and down and clap my hands when he wins me a stuffed sloth,
and then a stuffed iguana. I’m offered the chance to trade them
both in for something bigger, but I refuse. I love my little guys.
And the big guy who won them for me.

“Thanks for my
prizes,” I tell him as we walk towards the polo field. He has to go
get changed in the locker room with his team, and I’m going to
visit his horse. Since I’ve been around the polo ponies, I’ve
come to appreciate why Jade loves her pony from Nate so much. They’re
such beautiful animals, and I love it when Striker nuzzles my hand
looking for a treat.

“I cheated, you
know.”

“I
do
know.” I saw the carnies knock over a few bottles, and
“accidentally” pop some balloons. “It’s the thought that
counts.”

“One day, I’ll
actually win something for you, for real.”

“I don’t need you
to win. It’s enough that you try. I know that sounds all zen and
shit, but I mean it. You put yourself out there for me, and that
tells me a lot.”

“I need to go inside
before I drag you somewhere to have my way with you.”

“Go on,” I tell
him, giving him a small kiss.

I wander over to where
the horses are waiting for their riders, and immediately spot
Striker. He’s all black and was imported from Argentina. I move
through the other horses until I’m standing in front of him. I pet
him as he looks for treats. “I don’t have anything for you now,
sweetie. After you do your work, I’ll give you some sugar.”

“Romancing a horse
now, Darce?” Nate asks. Coming up behind me.

“Jealous? I mean, we
all know Jade loves Cherub more than you. You worried about losing me
to a horse, too.”