Knightqueen (Oronis Knights #3)

But her beauty was more than her fine features and starlight hair. It was her goodness, her kindness, and her sense of fairness.

He released a breath. He was just a lowly guard, and she was the queen. She was beautiful, smart, and kind. He was none of those things.

Then he heard her gasp and cry out.

Without thinking, Sten spun and charged through the bushes at high speed.

He found her standing waist-deep in the water, and splashed in, clothes and all, then grabbed her.

“What’s wrong?” Blood was pounding through his veins as he looked for danger.

“Um…”

He looked down. Her face was fresh and clean, with droplets clinging to her long eyelashes. Her hair looked shades darker when it was damp, and it clung to her head and shoulders.

“Carys?”

“It was a fish. It touched my foot. It didn’t hurt me.”

It took him a second. “A fish? You’re not in danger?”

Her lips twitched. “No.”

That’s when he realized the full curves of her breasts were pressed to his chest. And she was naked.

He knew he should let her go, but his arms wouldn’t obey. She was warm and wet, with the right amount of gentle curves. She was tall and slim, toned from training, but there was no doubting she was a woman. His gaze dropped to her lips.

He heard her breathing hitch. “Sten?”

His muscles tensed and he quickly took a step back.

His boot hit something slippery, and he swayed. They both grabbed at each other.

And one of Sten’s palms closed around her breast.

He froze. He couldn’t move, couldn’t think.

Her lips parted, then she pushed into his hand. His fingers flexed and his cock lengthened, pushing against his trousers. Her eyes widened, and he knew she felt it.

Before he could stop himself, he stroked the curve of her breast. A small, husky sound escaped her lips and her nipple beaded.

“Sten,” she breathed, color filling her cheeks.

It snapped him out of the moment.

He released her and staggered backward. Desire rode him hard, making his movements jerky.

“Call me if you need me,” he said stiffly.

He tried not to look at her, or her breasts, flat belly, and long legs. But he couldn’t help getting that one glimpse of those pink nipples, both hard nubs.

As he stomped out of the water, he tried to will his cock under control. But desire was hot and scorching his veins.

Out of sight, he pressed his back to a tree.

“She’s your queen. You’re stuck on a dangerous planet, fighting for survival.” He pressed his palm to his cock and groaned.

It took him a while, but he slowly battled the desire down. He dragged in some ragged breaths and managed to get a lock on his feelings. He shoved them down deep, then released a hard breath.