Page 117 of Scarred Crown

Thoughts of Alex and Julia, in any context, are poison.

“What are you doing?” Julia asks. “We’ve already had sex on both of those.”

I chuckle and observe my handiwork. Sitting opposite each other and not touching is probably the safest bet. “I’m considering a sex ban.”

“Absolutely not.” Julia sets down her glass and comes over to run her hands underneath my T-shirt and up my back.

I frame her face and brush my lips against hers, the briefest taste, and I realize my mistake. Even that small contact is enough gasoline for the fire that rages between us. She deepens the kiss, and my shirt goes over my head before I can think to protest. I’m hard and ready in an instant.

It would be so easy to keep stoking this fire.

“You really want to spend our time together talking,” she murmurs against my lips.

“We must talk today about important things.” I lift her shirt and unsnap her bra. This can’t happen. I’ve got to get myself under control. A sex ban. We need a sex ban.

She kisses me again, her tongue dancing with mine. Her hair streams over her shoulders in silky waves and brushes against my hands cradling her back. Her partially naked body is her rebuttal. She doesn’t need words.

“We need to speak soon about important things.” I drag the zipper of her skirt down. Talk first, and then have more sex. That’s the order this should be happening in. My brain knows this, but my dick is first chair in this debate.

“Hmm,” Jules agrees, and she trails kisses across my chest. Such a strong cross-examination. Who could resist?

“We should.” I swallow when her fingertips skim along the edge of my jeans. How is it possible after having sex so many ways and so many times for the simplest touch to skyrocket my desire? I want to throw her onto the bed, sink into her, and drive us both to the brink of insanity. “We should talk at some point about important things,” I mutter.

“How about now?” Her voice is breathy.

Somehow she’s undone my pants without me realizing it, and she’s got my dick in her hand. She strokes from the base to the tip in a leisurely manner with just the right firmness.

Just like that, any thought of debate is over. There’s no fucking way we’re talking right now. It’s not a sex ban, it’s a discussion ban.

“Not now,” I manage to get out. Her skirt and panties drop to the floor with a little push from me.

“Are you sure?” She steps out.

I sweep her into my arms, and she laughs as I cart her to the bed, tossing her into the middle. She raises herself on her elbows to watch me discard the rest of my clothes. I crawl up her body.

“We’ll talk over dinner.” I circle her clit with my thumb, and she clutches my bicep, a low moan slipping out between her lips. “The only words I want to hear right now are you taking the lord’s name in vain. Or my name. I’m okay with my name too.” With a kiss, I increase the pressure of my hand the way she likes, and then I get my wish.

“Oh, God,” she breathes, arching her back. “Please, Nick.”

I slip inside of her, and coherent conversation vanishes.

###

We’re in bathrobes, which is dangerously easy access for round two, but we’re on opposite sides of the food cart delivered about ten minutes ago. My willpower where she’s concerned is in the red zone.

“What did you do before you took on the secretary job? I know you were in California.” I cut into the chicken breast stuffed with brie and cranberry. Julia has excellent taste. “We should have this at our wedding.” I motion to the plate.

“We really should.” She takes a bite and closes her eyes, savoring the taste. “So good.” Once she’s wiped her mouth with the napkin, she shifts deeper into the armchair. “I worked for a tech company in their global outreach division. It wasn’t anything like I thought it would be, so when Mom called and said she wanted to retire, I figured I could take the job temporarily.”

“And almost three years later,” I say.

“I know.” She groans. “I like the work well enough, I guess. But I always saw myself doing something more impactful. Well.” She gives me a small smile. “You know.”

I let the silence sit between us for a few minutes while I gather my courage. “When Alex becomes king, do you want to work for him?”

“I don’t think I can,” Julia says. “For so many reasons.” She picks up an asparagus stalk and takes a bite. “The two of you don’t get along. Alex has never quite gotten the memo it’s not going to happen between us. I’d like to work with you more on things we care about.”

“Yeah?” The idea sends a wash of warmth across my chest.