bChapter /bb226 /b

The invitation sent a thrill through her. Amelia let her hands explore the contours of his torsob, /btracing the definition of his muscles, learning the feel of his skin beneath her touch. When her fingers brushed across bhis /bnipple, he inhaled sharply, his own hands tightening on her waist.

Bolder now, she leaned forward to press her lips to his corbone, tasting the salt of his skin. His response was immediate, a low groan as his head tilted back, giving her better ess.

“Your turn,” he murmured after a moment, his hands finding the straps of her nightgown. He paused, seeking permission with his eyes.

Amelia nodded, and he slowly slid both straps down her arms. The nightgown slid down her body before it pooled at her feet, leaving her in nothing but simplece panties.

Niko’s sharp intake of breath was gratifying. His eyes traveled over her body with unmistakable appreciation. “You are even more beautiful than I imagined,” he said hoarsely.

She should have felt exposed, vulnerable, but instead, she felt powerful under his heated gaze. “You’ve imagined this?” she asked.

“Of course,” he admitted. “Though reality far exceeds any fantasy.”

His honesty touched her deeply. “Show me,” she whispered.

His hands cradled her face as he kissed her again, slower this time, deeper. Then they were moving, his mouth tracing a path down her throat to the curve of her breast. When his lips closed around her nipple, Amelia gasped, her fingers threading through his hair to hold him closer.

Niko took his time,vishing attention on her breasts until she was trembling, soft sounds escaping her throat. His hands skimmed down her sides, over her hips, drawing her against him so she could feel his arousal through the thin silk of his pajamas.

“Bed,” she managed, tugging him toward it.

He followed willingly, pausing only to shed his own remaining clothing before joining her on the mattress. Amelia’s eyes widened slightly at the sight of him fully naked, all lean muscle and evident desire… How?

“We’ll go slowly,” he promised, seeming to read her momentary hesitation.

He kept his word, taking his time as he explored her body with hands and mouth, building her pleasure gradually. When his fingers slipped beneath thece of her panties, finding her already wet for him, he ran his fingers through her folds before removing his hand from her panties.

“May I?” he asked, hooking his fingers in the waistband.

At her nod, he drew them down her legs, leaving herpletely bare before him. For a moment, he simply looked at her, reverence clear in his expression.

“So pretty,” he murmured, before lowering his head to press a kiss to the inside of her thigh.

Amelia’s breath caught as he moved higher, his intentions clear. When his mouth found bher /bbcenter/bb, /bbher /bbback /barched off the bed, a startled cry escaping her lips. Niko’s hands held her hips steady bas /bbhe /bbtasted /bbher/bb, /bbhis /btongue working her until she clutched at the sheets.

The pleasure built rapidly, coiling tighter with each skilled stroke of his tongue. Just when she bthought /bbshe /bcouldn’t bear anymore, he slid a finger inside her, curling it to hit a spot that made her see stars.

“Niko,” she gasped, her release washing over her in waves as he continued his gentle ministrations, bdrawing /bout her pleasure until she copsed back against the pillows, breathless and trembling.

He moved up her body, dropping kisses along the way until he reached her mouth. The btaste /bof herself bon /bhis lips was oddly intimate, intensifying the connection she felt building between them.

“Is it always like that?” she asked.

“Not for everyone, but it’s just the beginning,” he promised, settling beside her. His hand tracedzy patterns on her stomach, gradually moving lower again. “If you’re ready for more.”

“I am,” she said, finding her courage again. “But first…”

Amelia surprised them both by pushing him onto his back, straddling his thighs. His hands came to rest on her hips, his eyes dark with desire as he looked up at her.

“Show me what you like,” she said, her hands resting uncertainly on his chest.

“Touch me,” he encouraged. “However feels right.”

She explored his body with curious fingers, learning what made his breath catch, what drew those deep groans from his throat. When her hand finally wrapped around his length, his reaction was instant, his head pressing back into the pillows, a curse escaping his lips.

“Like this?” she asked, stroking experimentally.

“Just like that,” he managed, his hands tightening on her hips. “But if you continue, this will be over far too quickly.”

Before she could respond, he had flipped their positions, caging her beneath him. His expression was intense, focused. “Are you sure about this, Amelia? We can stop here.”

“I don’t want to stop,” she said, reaching up to touch his face. “I want this. I want you.”

He leaned down to kiss her deeply, then reached for the nightstand drawer. “We could use protection,” he exined. “Unless you’d prefer not to?”

The question was loaded with meaning; protection meant no immediate chance for the heir everyone expected. But it also meant choice, freedom from that pressure for tonight at least.

“Yes,” she said. “Protection. For now.” Even if it was only for a month or so.

Something like relief flickered across his face as he retrieved a condom, quickly sheathing himself. Then he was positioning himself between her thighs, the blunt head of his length pressing against her entrance.

“Tell me if it’s too much,” he murmured, slowly pushing forward.

Amelia gasped at the stretch, the fullness unlike anything she’d experienced. Niko bpaused/bb, /bbgiving /bher body time to adjustb, /bbhis /beyes never leaving her face.

“Okay?b” /bhe asked, tension evident in every line of his body.

She nodded, pulling him down for a kiss. “More,” she whispered against his lips.

He began to move, setting a gentle rhythm that gradually built in intensity as her body weed him bmore /bfully. The initial difort faded, reced by waves of pleasure that built with each thrust.

Niko’s control was evident in the way he held back, his movements measured despite the fire in his eyes. bOne /bhand slipped between them, finding the sensitive bundle of nerves that sent sparks shooting through her veins.

“Niko,” she gasped, her hips rising to meet his. “Please.”

“Let go,” he urged, his voice strained.

Thebination of his touch and his words pushed her over the edge. Amelia cried out as her second release crashed through her, more intense than the first. Niko followed momentster, his rhythm faltering as he buried his face against her neck, a deep groan rumbling through his chest.

For several heartbeats, they remained joined, breathing heavily, sweat cooling on their skin. Then Niko carefully withdrew, pressing a tender kiss to her forehead before leaving the bed briefly to dispose of the condom.

When he returned, he gathered her against his chest, pulling the covers over them both. Amelia nestled into his warmth, a surprising contentment washing over her.

“Are you alright?” he asked softly, his fingers tracing idle patterns on her shoulder.

“More than alright,” she assured him, tilting her face up to his.

“Yes,” he agreed, understanding her unfinished thought. “You are very responsive to the slight touch.”

Afortable silence settled between them, as Amelia’s eyelids grew heavy.

“Stay,” Niko murmured against her hair when she stirred slightly. “Stay here tonight.”

The request was simple… but a choice to begin their marriage sharing one bed rather than retreating to separate spaces.

“I’d like that,” she replied, settling morefortably against him.

As sleep began to im her, Amelia’sst conscious thought before drifting off was that maybe, just maybe, her grandfather had been right after all. Perhaps this arranged marriage could bring her happiness she’d never dared to imagine.

Amelia woke to unfamiliar warmth and the steady rhythm of another’s breathing. For a disorienting moment,

she couldn’t ce where she was then memory flooded back. The wedding. Their conversation. What bhad /bfollowed.

Niko.

She opened her eyes to find herself still nestled against his chest, his arm curved protectively around her. Morning light filtered through the heavy curtains, casting the room in a soft glow. She allowed herself a moment to study him in sleep, his features rxed, younger somehow without the weight of royal responsibility etching his brow.

As if sensing her gaze, his eyes fluttered open, finding hers immediately. Something warm and unfamiliar bloomed in her chest at the soft smile that curved his lips.

“Good morning,” he murmured, voice rough with sleep.

“Good morning,” she replied, suddenly shy despite their intimacy the night before.

His arm tightened around her. “Did you sleep well?”

“Better than I expected,” she admitted. “You?”

“Very good,” he said, his honesty catching her off guard. His free hand came up to brush a strand of hair from her face, the gesture tender in its simplicity. “No regrets?”

“None,” she said firmly, wanting to erase the flicker of uncertainty she’d glimpsed in his eyes. “Last night was… perfect.”

Relief washed over his features. “I’m d.”

For a moment, they simply looked at each other, something unspoken passing between them. Then Niko nced at the clock on his nightstand and sighed.

“What time do we need to be anywhere?” Amelia asked, reading his expression.

“We’re expected to join my father for breakfast.”

Amelia felt heat rise to her cheeks. “Your father expects to have breakfast with us the morning after our wedding night?”

Niko chuckled at her expression. “He wants to see us before we take off for our honeymoon. But we don’t have to. I can make our excuses.”

She considered this. “No, we should go. I don’t want to start my life as Princess upsetting the king on my first day.”

“Are you sure? I wouldn’t mind.”

Amelia nodded, finding certainty in her decision. “I’m sure. But… perhaps we have time for a shower first?”

Something wicked gleamed in Niko’s eyes. “Definitely.” He leaned in, pressing a lingering kiss to her lips. “Together?”

“I’d like that,” she said, her body already responding to the promise in his voice.

As Niko led her toward his spacious bathroom, Amelia reflected on how much had changed iin /iijust /iitwenty- /ifour hours. Yesterday morning, she’d woke as Amelia Wilson, facing marriage ito /ia near–istranger/i. iToday/i, ishe /iwas Princess Amelia of Wystovia, and while there was still much to learn about her husband, she no longer felt like she was marrying a stranger.