Duke Charming | Craig

Twenty-Eight

As morning broke outside the curtained windows, I woke up to the blissful feeling of being held. Craig's arms circled me completely, anchoring me to this moment – and the bed, as though I would disappear if he let me go. But unlike the last time, I was staying. Neither of us will ever wake up alone again.

Twisting in his arms, I snuggle closer to him, pressing my breasts flush against his chest, his warmth flooding me like a tidepool. I zoned in on the soft feeling of our skins pressed together, his gentle and slow breathing, and then the sleepy smile of content tugging at his mouth corners as he, too, stirred awake.

Unable to resist the urge, I softly cupped his face, his beard tickling my palm, and leaned in to capture his lips in a perfect morning kiss. The little sigh I got from him in return made my heart flutter, feeling him pull me even closer than I considered possible.

Only when I pulled back an inch, did he open his eyes, their colour brighter than the rays of sun peeking through the curtains.

"Good morning," I whispered against his lips, smiling uncontrollably.

"Good mornin'," he returned the greeting and used that moment to study my face, his hand coming up to caress my cheek and trace each subtle line. My scalp tingled when his fingers slid into my hair, and I leaned my head into his hand, turning ever so slightly to kiss the centre of his palm. Craig sighed again, deeply, and said in disbelief, "I can't believe yer mine. This doesn't feel real."

"I can thing of ten different ways to prove how real this actually is." I wiggled my brows suggestively, my hips following suit.

"Minx." He laughed but didn't protest when I pushed him on his back.

Pinning both his wrists to the headboard, I swung my leg over him to straddle his waist, taking pride in how ready he was for me already. It seemed all I had to do was exist for his body to react to mine.

"What did you say?" I leaned down, brushing my lips against his and letting my teeth graze him. "Duke in the streets and beast in the sheets?"

"Aye, and tha' would make you my lover undercovers." His eyes devoured my body as I sat on top of him, memorizing every curve and swell to heart. "Or in a photobooth in a pub, whatever rocks yer boat, really."

"I hate boats, I rather you rock me instead."

Craig uttered a sound of surprise when I grinded down on him, letting him feel just how soaked I got in the short time we've been awake. Keeping his hands pinned, I leaned down to flick my tongue over the mark I left on his neck, heart leaping when his hips snapped upwards against me.

"Fuck..." He groaned when I lightly bit him again, sucking on his throat. "...I'm goin' to be so late for meetin' the other guests."

My heart jolted as my stomach dropped. "Oh, shit, the cake!"

I was off Craig before he could say 'whiskey', throwing off the covers to get out of bed and searched the room for the closet containing my clothes. But it wasn't my room, it was his. And my clothes were on the other side of the bloody castle.

Craig chuckled softly at my panic and rose from the bed. "Calm down, lass. Let me just throw somethin' on and I'll go grab yer things." Disappearing into his walk-in closet, he came out wearing a plaid robe that matched his hair and figure perfectly. It was like staring at a Christmas gift for me to unwrap. "There, now I'll be right back."

Indeed, it only took him five minutes to return with my suitcase and every piece of clothing I stored in the closet. In those five minutes, I quickly made the bed and opened the windows and curtains, breathing in the fresh morning air.