EX-HUSBAND'S BOSS FOR VALENTINE

LOCKED

Royal:

As the party slowly ends, I start to feel funny. At first, I think I’m just exhausted, but then the feeling shifts—suddenly, I’m horny. The urge attacks my body just as Melania walks toward me.

She looks extra pretty in her dress, and all I can think about is what she would look like without it, sprawled across my bed.

Where the f**k does that come from?

“I feel weird,” she says, but I’m too focused on her lips. “We should go,” she adds, pressing a hand to her forehead.

I shake my head, trying to snap myself out of whatever the hell this is. Then she reaches for my hand, and a feeling rushes through me so fiercely that I have to fight the overwhelming urge to take her right here in front of my family.

Christ, Royal, get a hold of yourself.

“Sure, let’s go,” I reply, masking the internal meltdown I’m having—one that involves me obsessing over how it would feel to have her body pressed against mine, skin to skin.

I take her hand and lead her toward the front door, reminding myself that this is just for tonight. I don’t have to stay with her, and I can survive whatever spell her beauty is trying to cast on me.

Halfway to the door, Grandma appears in front of us, grinning widely.

“Leaving so soon?” she asks.

I sigh as we come to a halt.

“Melania isn’t feeling well, so I thought it’d be best to take her home. Besides, the event is over, and it’s mostly just family left.” I glance around. “And a few others.”

She waves her fingers dismissively. “Nonsense. You’re both staying the night.”

Before I can argue, she grabs Melania’s hand.

“I prepared a room for you, and you won’t be disturbed while you make great-grandbabies for me.”

I swallow hard, glancing at Melania, who looks just as shocked as I feel.

“Now, come,” Grandma says, and I hesitate, but my legs move anyway—because I need to sell this lie solidly.

A thousand thoughts race through my mind as I wonder how the hell I’m going to survive this. Sharing a room with Melania will kill me.

Grandma leads us upstairs to the second floor, down a secluded hall in the left wing. She slides a card into the lock, and the door opens to a large bedroom, finely decorated in shades of red.

Melania walks in first, and I follow. She takes in her surrounding, and I admit it’s beautiful, but the massive bed in the center is a problem. It’s too inviting. I can already picture her on it, and that thought alone is dangerous.

“Grandma, this is—” I barely finish my sentence before we hear the distinct click of the lock.

I rush to the door, grab the handle, and pull.

“We’re locked in?” Melania asks.

I turn to her with my hands on my waist, as she sighs and walks toward the bed.

There is a moment of silence between us. I don’t know why she isn’t saying anything, but on my end, I’m too focused on keeping myself in check—on preventing something that could change our lives for the worse.

“You know, it’s not so bad,” she finally says.

I flick my eyes at her.

“The bed is big enough,” she continues, “so we don’t have to—”

“You don’t understand,” I cut in, my voice harsher than I intend.

Regret hits instantly. This isn’t how I want her to see me. And when I watch her shrink back slightly, I drag a hand down my face, moving closer to her.

“I’m sorry for how I sounded,” I say.

“It’s okay,” she shrugs.

“I am really sorry.” I apologize again before the room falls silent again, leaving an awkward tension hanging in the air.

I walk toward the table, resting my back on it with my arms crossed over my chest.

Melania shifts on the bed, letting out a slow breath as she rubs her arms. Her dress clings to her curves in all the right places, and I can’t stop staring. She looks restless, like she’s trying to shake off whatever is crawling under her skin.

I roll my shoulders, trying to ignore the way my blood is heating, but it’s impossible when she’s right there, looking like sin itself. I decide to keep my distance by staying on the other side of the bed so I don’t see her all night. But the moment I move, she stands abruptly, and my eyes catch the way her thighs press together. My gaze drops lower before I can stop myself.

I swallow hard as I feel a twitch in my pants. Not today, Satan, I mutter.

Suddenly, she wobbles slightly, and I don’t think before stepping forward and gripping her waist to steady her. The second my hands touch her, I know I’ve f****d up.

Her breath hitches as her fingers grip my arms. Her body is warm, and suddenly, the space between us is nonexistent. I can’t decide if we are too close or not close enough. Her gaze flicks to my lips, and before I can fully process what’s happening, she tilts her head up, closing the distance.

As her warm lips come in contact with mine, the thread I’ve been hanging by snaps, and my hands grip her waist, pulling her body into mine as I hungrily take her lips. She grants me entrance, and our tongues meet as I fight for dominance. Her lips taste like champagne and something sweeter, causing me to lose control as I feel the swelling in my pants.

I groan, gripping her tighter as she presses against me, her hands sliding into my hair, tugging just enough to drive me insane. My fingers roam the curve of her hips, then lower, pulling her closer as I long to have her inch by inch.

She gasps when I lift her, and her legs wrap around my waist. With our lips glued together, I walk toward the bed without thinking. When her back hits the mattress, she arches slightly, and I trail my lips down her neck.

She shudders, her fingers digging into my shoulders. “Royal…”

Her moan does something to me, and without hesitation, I slide my hand into her dress, feeling the warmth of her core. Her hands move to my shirt, tugging impatiently, and I quickly take it off for her. As her hands brush against my chest, I lose every sense of reasoning…