She became weightless and boneless, outside of reality, soaring in euphoria. The heat of him melted into her, and his scent, something fresh and manly seeped into her soul. His flavor, rich, exciting, heated her blood. Her heart pounded heavily in her chest, her nipples tightened, and she felt moisture dampen her panties.
Excitement raced through her as his hands set off a firestorm of sensations. Everywhere he caressed—her breasts, her thighs, low on her belly—became thrillingly alive. Her fingers flexed in his hair, and she arched into him, seeking more.
“Lift up, little one.”
Sophie hadn’t realized he’d opened her blouse. When he helped her to raise up off the ground a little, he slipped both it and her bra off her body.
“Oh, Sophie, you have such beautiful breasts.”
Embarrassment died before it could be born. The expression on his face as he looked at her was one of a man gazing at a truly captivating sight. His caress sent shivers through her body.
He took one nipple into his mouth. Sophie closed her eyes as a wave of bliss washed through her. Not quite an orgasm, the sensation settled on her nerve endings and filled her belly with liquid heat. Bowing her back, she offered him more of the flesh he was laving and suckling.
She felt his hand on the zipper of her slacks. In moments it was open, and she lifted her hips to help him rid her of it. He took her panties at the same time.
His mouth recaptured hers at the same instant his hand stroked her sex. Her body knew what to expect this time, and seemed eager for it. She watched, fascinated, as he yanked his shirt over his head, then quickly shed the rest of his clothes. Her breath caught.
“You’re the beautiful one.”
He fumbled with his pants and met her gaze. His slight blush delighted her. She’d only spoken the truth. His chest and arms bore corded muscles with a smattering of hair and had nothing of the pampered prince in their appearance. His penis stole her focus. Sophie gulped, for although she’d seen pictures she’d no idea it could be that big. The sight should have put her off. But gazing at his shaft just curled the heat in her belly and made her mouth water.
It only took him a moment to tear open a small packet he’d taken from his wallet and protect them both. She found the process…interesting.
Mistaking the reason for her rapt attention, he explained, “Since I was sixteen and was nearly brought to ruin by an older woman who ambushed me, I’ve always ensured I have protection on me, no matter where I am or who I’m with.”
It should have been a passion-cooling reminder that he’d done this sort of thing before. That didn’t seem to matter at the moment. That his explanation sounded like an apology put a smile on her face.
“I’m glad you had one. I didn’t think.”
Gathering her back into his arms, he dropped a quick, endearingly sweet kiss on the end of her nose. “I’ll always protect you, little one. You don’t have to think. Just feel.”
She wanted to respond to that arrogant command, but his mouth on hers and the sensation of his chest rubbing against her bare breasts short-circuited her brain. She had no choice. Her body shut down her mind and focused all its attention on the tactile thrills coming one after the other.
The heat of him caressing and kissing, stroking and soothing pulled a sob from deep within her. He nudged her legs apart, and then urged her to spread them wider as his hand did unbelievable things to her. He slid a finger inside her, then another. The excitement ebbed slightly as she felt once more a twinge of discomfort.
“You’re small, sweetheart. So incredibly small and tight. But so wet for me.”
The discomfort eased and her arousal spiked. Moving her hips in concert with the thrust of his fingers, she knew this time where the sensations were leading her. That moment when all her nerve endings had exploded in tingles and spasms had been the most thrilling moment of her life. She wondered if she would feel it again even as her body strove toward it.
Stephan kissed her, his tongue wild in its assault, and she opened to him, sensing that this was more than a kiss, that it was nearly a command to surrender. Opening herself completely to him, above and below, she gave him what he sought. His weight, pressing her into the soft grass became an anchor, and she rejoiced in it. The probing of his penis at the opening within her folds felt hot and hard and sent even more concentrated shivers throughout her body. Then he stroked his cock over her clit and she erupted in orgasm.
She curled herself around him and cried out as he thrust into her. The tearing of her hymen, a sharp stab of pain that was soon over, only added to her rapture.
She could do nothing but wrap her legs around him as he pumped into her, the power of her climax far greater than the blip she’d experienced earlier that day.
Sophie cried out, uncertain if she could contain all the sensations and emotions that were rushing through her. The thought flashed through her mind that she understood why this act was called
consummation
.
The fire of passion consumed her completely.
She’d expected to see a sign of it in the mirror.
Sophie studied her reflection, turning her head first one way and then the other. Today her entire world had changed, yet no sign of that change showed.
Virginity had never been a prized possession in her mind. It had simply been her state of being. She hadn’t, as she imagined some women did, guarded it diligently. She’d not, in fact, given much thought to the matter one way or another. Men had never seemed attracted to her. The point had seemed moot.
But now she had given her virginity to Stephan. And she didn’t know how she really felt about that.
The sex had been amazing. Orgasms felt even more liberating than riding a horse fast across an open meadow. A silly grin took over her face.
There, that’s a change
. Shaking her head, Sophie pulled on her bathing suit and then donned her robe. She’d just had a hot shower, but what she really wanted was a good, long swim in the pool.
She tried not to feel disappointed when no kiss thieves appeared as she made her way to the fitness center. Upon their return to the palace, Justin informed Stephan his mother was waiting for him.
With only two hours until dinner Sophie needed to do something routine to try and bring herself back to normal. Even if normal would be a façade. The last thing Stephan had said when they’d parted company was that he’d be knocking on her door later tonight.
As she felt her body begin to respond to the thought of that rascal and more sex, she quickened her pace. Hopefully the refreshing coolness of the indoor pool would restore her equilibrium and turn off her juices.
* * * *
The splash took Hannah unawares.
Floating on her back, her goal a bit of relaxation before dinner, she hadn’t heard anyone enter the poolroom. Pulling her feet down, she stood up and scanned the water’s surface. Sleek, wet black hair and a determined, driven breaststroke identified the swimmer. Hannah made her way over to the edge of the pool and just watched as Sophie cut through the water, lap upon lap. The young woman always reminded Hannah of an electric current—crackling, full of energy, and driven. Today she appeared even more wired than usual.
Finally that energy seemed to wind down. The princess threw herself onto her back, floating effortlessly. The illusion of relaxation was marred by the harsh sound of her breathing, which echoed in the cavernous room.
“Feel better?”
Hannah was proud of the progress she’d made reaching out to Sophie. Alex’s oldest daughter had struck her, on first meeting, as a reserved and regimented woman—cool, collected, and tightly wound. It was only as she began to get to know her that Hannah realized Sophie’s manner covered a shy personality and, she believed, a love-starved nature.
Alex had been brutally frank in discussing his late wife’s shortcomings as a parent. To give him credit, his purpose had been not to denigrate his children’s mother, but rather to help Hannah in understanding his children and his relationships with them.
The mother in Hannah longed to just gather Sophie into a fierce hug. The woman in her recognized the young princess wasn’t ready for such a display of affection.
“No, damn it.”
Hannah couldn’t help the laugh that erupted in response to Sophie’s frustrated declaration.
“Well if that kind of frenzied exercise didn’t help whatever is bothering you, there is only one thing left known to womankind that will. Chocolate.”
“I had sex today for the first time in my life.”
Hannah could see by the shocked look on Sophie’s face that she hadn’t planned to say that. Mothering, Hannah mused, could come at the strangest times and in the most unexpected ways.
Leaving her perch at the edge of the pool, she made her way closer to Sophie, then mimicked the young princess, floating on her back.
“Are you all right?”
“I think so. It was—”
Hannah looked over and could see her face had colored. “You don’t have to say anything more if you don’t want to.”
“No, I…I want to.”
“Then go for it. Oh, sorry, guess you already did.”
Sophie laughed and sank. Quickly breaking the surface, she spit water as she continued to chuckle. Hannah had to fight to keep a straight face. Tentatively reaching out to touch the younger woman’s shoulder, she said, “The first time for a woman can be scary—painful, a little messy. Unless the man is a considerate lover, and knows it’s your first time, there may not be much pleasure, either.”
“No. I mean yes, he was considerate. The experience was wonderful. More than I thought it would be. I had always believed that the rapture written about in books did not exist. I don’t know why I always assumed that sex would be a distasteful or unpleasant experience.”
Hannah had her suspicions on that score, but kept them to herself and let Sophie talk.
“I don’t even know why I wanted you to know. But I realize now that when I decided I wanted a swim, it was because I hoped you might be here.”
“I needed to relax before dinner this evening.”
“Not to pry, Hannah, but this afternoon it seemed as if you and papa were…friends again.”
Hannah couldn’t contain her smile. She’d told no one of her news because Alex wanted to announce it at dinner tonight. Under the circumstances, telling Alex’s oldest daughter felt like the right thing to do. Trading such personal confidences was a bridge built.
“You could say that. Your father wants to make the announcement at dinner, so look surprised. We’re going to be married.”
“Oh, Hannah, that’s fabulous! I am so happy—for both of you.”
“And if your interlude with Stephan was a good one, then I’m happy for you, too.”
“Interlude. That is a very good word for what we shared.”
“You never know. It doesn’t have to be just an interlude. It could turn out to be something much more.”
“Oh, it won’t. I won’t let it. No, I decided long ago that I was never going to marry.”
Hannah recalled that Sophie had said that once, when they were getting ready for a formal event. She’d assumed that the princess’ reticence was connected to ordinary virginal apprehension. Some women did suffer from that. Now, she dared to pry, just a little.
“You don’t want children someday? A family?”
“No.” There was a wistful tone to her response. Hannah was on the verge of probing further when Sophie’s look became distant. “I’m too much my mother’s daughter. Women like us just aren’t meant to be wives. Or mothers. I won’t make the same mistake she did.”
* * * *
“My God, Hannah. What did we do to that precious child, Liana and I?”
Alex had wondered, often, why Sophie had never seemed interested in dating. Like many, he’d presumed her formal bearing, her strict observance of protocol were indications that she resembled her mother in temperament, as well as looks. Though he had also always known that, unlike her mother, Sophie was capable of warmth, love, and compassion. She didn’t let those qualities show often. They were most evident when she was with family or the young orphans in her charge.
He felt Hannah’s arms come around him from behind and thanked God for her. Within her embrace, he felt stronger than he ever had. For the first time in more than a decade—no, he amended, for the first time
ever
he was not alone as a parent facing a crisis with a child.
“Don’t blame yourself, darling.”
“I notice you didn’t admonish me not to blame Liana, too.”
“I’m biting my tongue, here.”
Alex chuckled, then folded his arms over hers. “That was an unfair thing for me to say to you, love. Forgive me.”
“Someday, when you’re holding Sophie’s firstborn in your arms, I’ll tell you what I thought this afternoon as she was telling me her feelings on the subject of marriage.”
“That is a deal. So, how are we going to help our eldest daughter, my love?” He turned then, and caught the look in her eyes. He’d only expressed what was in his heart, but her expression said he’d given her a precious gift.
The flavor of her, when she stretched up and laid her mouth on his, went straight to his head and other places. He smiled because that had been such a silly and happy thought.
“Well, Your Majesty, if this were a couple hundred years ago, you could put out a call throughout your kingdom for brave knights in shining armor on dashing steeds to come and save the day.”
“And announce a tournament, the winner of which would be given my daughter’s hand in marriage?” How much easier this was with Hannah there to share the burden! He knew he could laugh at her suggestion, and the laughter made everything lighter.
“You know, that’s not a bad idea.”
“Hannah. As my youngest is fond of saying, it is no longer the dark ages. I cannot simply command my daughter to wed.”
“No, no, of course not. But what if…”
When she was silent for a few moments, he tilted her chin up with a finger and as her eyes met his asked, “My darling, are you planning to play matchmaker?”