The Alpha King’s Last Regret

39

Pearl Gem

I jerked up from the bed and rushed to Kade King, wondering what sort of nightmare could dare interrupt His Majesty’s sleep. I approached the sofa where he lay, peering down to see that he was already awake, though unmoving. It was as though he was trying to regain control of his body, grounding himself back to reality.

“Your Majesty?”

Riven’s voice came softly from behind the door, making me turn gently.

“Your Majesty, are you okay?” He asked again.

Silence followed. I turned back to Kade to see him swallowing hard. He sat up slowly, burying his face in his palms. After a long pause, he finally spoke.

“I’m good,” He muttered.

Riven’s footsteps lingered for a moment longer before fading down the hallway. He really cares for Kade King. I wondered if he ever even sleeps.

I let out a small sigh and lowered myself at Kade’s feet, unsure what to do. Should I touch him? Or just sit quietly, offering silent comfort? After a moment of hesitation, I chose the first.

Gently, I placed a hand on his thigh. I felt him stiffen beneath my touch. Slowly, he turned his head to me, and in his eyes I saw something raw. Desperation, grief, pain. Beads of sweat clung to his forehead.

“I can’t remember the last time I had a good night’s sleep,” He whispered. “It’s… haunting me. I’m fed up.”

His voice was hoarse, broken. The weight of it shattered something inside me. I had expected to be the one who caused him pain, not some dream. No one had the right to break Kade King except me. That was my right.

I gently caressed his thigh and murmured,

“You should come sleep in the bed.”

He met my gaze for a moment, then shook his head.

“I will be clingy,” He admitted. “I won’t be able to help myself. I will touch you… in places you might not want me to.”

His warning sent a strange heat surging through me. I swallowed hard, aware of how my body reacted to his words.

I stood up and moved back to the bed, whispering under my breath as I climbed in and turned my back to him,

“Who said I don’t want to be touched by you?”

Silence.

It hurt more than I expected. His refusal, his restraint. I lay still, almost foolishly close to tears, until I felt it. A shift. Then soft footsteps.

The bed dipped slightly behind me as His Majesty joined me. His body pressed close to mine, and I stiffened. This was the first time I had ever shared a bed with a man I felt this kind of desire for. I’d slept beside Bright, beside Royce, but never like this. Never with this fire curling in my belly.

Kade King had warned me. I’d assumed he’d just hold me. But then, his hand moved from behind me, sliding over my side until it cupped my breast. He gave it a soft squeeze, and I gasped. An ache bloomed between my thighs. My breath hitched as he pulled me closer, my back flush against his body and I felt it. His length. Hard. Eager. Pressed against me.

“Pearl?” His voice was low, controlled.

“Yes?” I answered, my throat dry.

“I want to take your dress off.”

I stiffened again, heartbeat wild.

“I’m not going to make love to you,” He murmured. “I just want to feel your bare breasts. I promise, you will feel good.”

I turned to face him slowly. His eyes were clouded with hunger, but patient. Kind, even.

I sat up carefully, and he reached for my zipper, drawing it down with deliberate slowness. I slipped my dress over my head, careful to hide my worn underwear. My bra was still somewhat decent, but I still felt bare, exposed, in front of him.

I struggled with the hook behind me until his fingers brushed my back, helping me. The touch sent tremors through my chest.

When the bra fell away, silence followed. He stared at me, no shame in his gaze. I saw him swallow, and suddenly I panicked.

Did he not like them?

But then, his eyes lifted to mine, and he reached out, trailing a single finger across my n****e. My skin tingled at the contact.

“You have beautiful breasts,” He said softly. “Has any man ever touched you like this before?”

His voice was quiet, but there was something fierce behind it. Jealousy. Possessiveness.

I swallowed and shook my head.

“No.”

Seemingly satisfied, he pulled me down into his arms, my back against him once more. His hand cupped my right breast again, giving it a gentle squeeze. I bit back a moan as he began to toy with my n****e.

“Go to sleep,” He whispered into my ear.

I obeyed, even as heat pulsed through my body, my heart pounding. His hand moved from my breast to my stomach, then back again, slow and sure, like I was his to hold, to touch, to claim.

And in some twisted, aching, beautiful way… I was.