LukeUnlike last time, I didn’t leave Qatar without speaking to Mother or the council. At least they wouldn’t think I was doing anything rash. If they thought I was running away with Sophia to marry her, all hell would break loose.I spoke with Mother first, informing her that she would be rid of Sophia for a few days while I attended to Maddox and the business. I hadn’t heard from my friend for some time, and I wanted to see him again. To Mother, it probably appeared like I didn’t trust him, but she could think what she wanted. I had a life outside of the palace, and she didn’t. She would never understand.“Feel free to come back here alone,” Mother said before walking away from me.She always liked to have the last word, and in an effort to not leave in a shitty mood, I allowed it.I contacted Qadeem and informed him of my trip. The council had a small hand in the oil business, and in the years I’d run it, they had no issues. Going back there would only improve relations with our cl

SophiaThe feel of Luke’s lips against my skin set it ablaze. A numb, light feeling took residence in my brain as Luke dragged his lips over me. He peppered my jawline with kisses, and each press of his lips caused another electrical pulse to zip through me. My chest ached with the pounding of my heart.I was sure he felt my throbbing pulse under his kisses.My hands moved of their own accord, unbuckling his belt and popping the button of his pants. His rock-hard cock sprang up as I shimmied his briefs down. Grabbing him, he sucked in a breath. I stroked his length, needing him to feel what I felt at that exact moment.He captured my lips again and sucked hard on my lower lip, dragging his teeth across it.Opening my eyes, I caught the flash of desire in his. Locking gazes, I slowed my hand and forced him to watch me touch him.The hairs on my arms stood up as a wave of tingles washed over my skin. In his eyes was my future. I wanted to show him how much I appreciated his love and how

LukeComing out of a dream-filled sleep, I opened my eyes. It was still dark in the room, courtesy of the blackout curtains I’d closed at some point in the night. A sliver of light peeked through, and I knew it was at least morning.Turning over, I checked the clock on the side table, and it was nearly seven in the morning.Sophia stirred and rolled over to face me. Her eyes were still heavy from sleep. “What time is it?”“Time for me to go,” I said, holding back a groan. I didn’t want to leave her, but coming to see Maddox and how the business faired in my absence was the main goal of the trip.“No,” she moaned, barely opening her eyes. She reached for me, and I pulled her close and kissed her. She melted into me, and I had to extricate myself from her before we had a redo of the night before. I planned on fucking her again later, but I would never leave if I didn’t do it now.“I’ll be back as soon as possible.”“Okay,” she conceded and snuggled into the pillow.“What are you doing t

SophiaLuke left the hotel room around seven-thirty, but I couldn’t force myself out of bed until nearly eleven. I felt like I was judging a competition for who could make the softest bed. Out of all the hotels we’d stayed at and the palace, this one was the best. It didn’t help that I was sore as hell, and the mere idea of moving made me groan in protest.I wasn’t sure how long we would be staying in England, but I wanted to make the best of it. I called room service for breakfast and took a long shower. By the time I came out, my breakfast was already in the sitting area of the room.My skin crawled thinking that someone was in the room while I was naked in the bathroom, but I quickly got over it when the amazing smell of bacon filled my nose.Flipping on the television, I ended up on BBC News while I ate my breakfast. Sitting back on the plush couch, I kicked my feet up and enjoyed the momentary solace. While I wished Luke was with me, I hadn’t had much time alone since he scooped

LukeSophia had texted me almost an hour ago, telling me she was on her way back to the hotel. I timed it perfectly as I walked through the lobby doors and saw her walking toward the elevators. I took a moment to admire her from a distance. I still couldn’t believe I was marrying that woman.The swish of her hips caught more than just my attention. A group of Asian men in business suits stared at her as if she were their next meal.I cleared my throat. “Sophia!” I called across the lobby.Several people—Sophia included—turned my way. A broad smile stretched across her lips.After seeing me, the businessmen quickly returned to their conversation while staring at their shoes. I smirked.Sophia strode over to me and stood on her toes to kiss me. “I think you just gave everyone a heart attack.”“There are other people here?” I asked innocently.She smirked. “You think you’re so cute, don’t you?”“I do.”She shivered in my arms, and I wasn’t sure if it was from the weather or what I’d said