Page 38 of All Hale the Queen

Chapter 14

Ophelia

Dinner was delicious and incredibly romantic. Antonio took me to a local seafood restaurant where he’d reserved a candlelit table near the floor-to-ceiling windows so we could watch the snow fall.

It’s finally started to stick to the ground, covering everything in a layer of white, which we’re able to enjoy since we’re now sitting on the balcony outside his master bedroom. Antonio lit the three lava-rock heaters, and we’re sipping the warm mulled wine he stopped and picked up from a local shop on the way home. I’m in cozy flannel pajamas while he’s in gray plaid sleep pants and no shirt.

I have no idea how he’s not freezing, but maybe it’s because he’s using me as a blanket. As soon as we got out here, he sat on the beautiful carved bench and pulled me onto his lap before covering me with a soft tartan blanket.

We’re silent as we watch the snow drift down in large, lazy flakes, but there’s a tension simmering beneath the surface. Finally, I look away from the gorgeous scene to the equally gorgeous man. He absolutely takes my breath away every time Ilook at him. There’s a rugged masculinity surrounding him, but deep beneath all that is a softness he reserves for me.

“Is everything okay?” I ask, trying to hide the nervousness in my voice.

His green eyes meet mine, and my stomach clenches. He looks so serious.

“I wanted to talk to you about something, Ophelia, and I guess I just don’t know how to start.”

A lump forms in my throat, swelling until I think I might choke. “Just tell me,” I whisper.

The tiny smile that crests his full lips eases the knot inside me a little. “It’s nothing bad, love. At least I don’t think it is.” He drains the rest of his wine and sets it on the small timber side table before taking mine and setting it aside too. Then he rests his big, rough hand on my cheek. “These past three months with you have been the best of my life.”

I place my hand on top of his and lean into his touch. “For me too.”

“And I’ve… developed feelings for you. When I’m with you, I can’t stop smiling. And when I’m not with you, I can’t stop wishing I were.” He pauses and gives himself a quick nod, as if to affirm his next words in his head. “I’m in love with you, darlin’. Madly in love. Never in my life have I felt this kind of attraction, and I’m not just talking about physical attraction. I think my soul is drawn to yours in a way I never expected.”

I’m mesmerized by the green flame in his eyes and by his beautiful words.

“Antonio,” I croak out as a sense of rightness bubbles inside me like champagne has been infused into my veins, “I’m in love with you too.”

His face transforms from nervous and apprehensive to absolute glee. Small crinkles form at the corners of his eyes, and I think his smile lines might be my favorite part of his face.

“You do?” he asks incredulously, and I laugh.

“Of course I do. What’s not to love?”

He leans his forehead against mine and inhales. “I was so fecking nervous, love.”

I nuzzle our noses together. “I could tell.”

We kiss, the first one after our love declarations, and it’s everything it should be, soft and tender, though I feel him hardening beneath my butt.

“Should we go inside and take care of that?” I ask against his lips, wiggling a little in his lap.

He stands immediately with me cradled against his large body, and I let out a little squeal of delight.

“Absolutely, love.”

***

Antonio brings me to two orgasms with his mouth before crawling up my body and swiping at his beard. “I like tasting the woman I love,” he announces, settling on top of me and resting on his forearms.

“I could tell,” I say, trying to sound wry, but I only sound breathless as the last remnants of the climax flitter away. “How do you feel about making love to her now?”

He notches his thick cock against my entrance and shifts his hips a little until the tip enters me. “Wild horses couldn’t hold me back from making love to my woman.”

I really like themy womanpart. My legs wind around his waist, and I dig my bare heels into his backside, urging him on. He slides into me with aching slowness, and his eyes never leave mine.

“I love you, Antonio,” I whisper as he bottoms out.