Knightqueen (Oronis Knights #3)

And her skin was chilled. He shifted his arms around her. By the stars, she felt nice. Soft. Feminine.

She nuzzled her cheek against his chest, and he closed his eyes. Moments later, he sensed when she fell asleep.

I will keep you safe. I will get you off this planet. He vowed it.

She shifted again, her thigh sliding over his.

His cock hardened.

Sten mentally cursed himself, staring up at the rocky ceiling above. She was over ten years younger than him. She was his queen, and he was nothing. He was the simple son of a farmer. He was her guard, and it was his duty to keep her safe.

Jaw tight, he forced himself to find some control. But he still held her tight.

CHAPTER THREE

Mmm. It was nice to wake up warm and cozy.

It felt like so long since she’d felt like that.

Then Carys felt a hand on her bottom, squeezing gently. Her eyes snapped open.

She’d never had that experience before.

She’d never shared her bed with anyone.

Oh, stars. She blinked. She was sprawled over Sten, and he had one brawny arm wrapped around her. If he woke and found out he was cupping her ass possessively, he’d be horrified.

Her pulse fluttered, sensation moving through her belly. This felt so good. She’d wanted this so much. To be close to his big, scarred body. His solid, secure strength.

Sten was her rock.

He was the foundation she could always trust.

She let her gaze run over his face. She liked watching him sleep. He didn’t look any softer or more relaxed, and she could take in his strong jaw and nose without him knowing. And the scars on the left side of his cheek.

Her chest squeezed. She’d been terrified when the vicious alien nelok had attacked. But he’d fought it off as it had tried desperately to get to her, and rip her to shreds.

They’d been ambushed on a ride outside of Aravena, the capital city of Oron. Sten had fought the nelok and found a cave for them to take shelter in. He’d kept fighting the creature off, even after it had clawed him badly. He’d eventually killed it with his bare hands.

Afterward, when they’d returned to the castle, he’d held her when she sobbed for her murdered parents.

She itched to reach out and touch his short brown hair. Most Oronis had white-blonde or black hair, and were tall and lean. But not Sten. He was big and brawny, with brown hair. He looked more like their allies, the Eon warriors.

Losing the battle, she reached out and gently touched his hair. In his sleep, he sighed and pulled her closer. The warmth of his body soaked into hers, lighting up several places inside her.

Carys closed her eyes. He was her knightguard. She was just a job to him.

She eased away and slipped off the hammock, savoring the final feel of his fingers on her skin.

As soon as she moved, he woke instantly.

“Are you all right, my queen?” His voice sounded like gravel.

She smiled. “I’m fine.”

“Good.” He sat up, then glared as the hammock rocked beneath him.

She hid her smile.