Here’s an excerpt from Regally Binding. Liss desperately needs a shower before the royal party, but with an injured arm and her friend unable to visit for hours, her bodyguard, Bear, is the only one who can help her.
“Okay,” Bear said gruffly, shaking his head. “What do you need me to do?”
A zip of excitement filled her body. “I can undress by myself.” It would be difficult, but she’d do it to make the moment easier. “But I’ll need you to wash my hair and ensure I don’t slip when I get out. That’s all.”
“That’s all,” he repeated gruffly and nodded slowly.
“You can close your eyes as you do it. And remember that guy I sent a sexy picture to? He didn’t reply, so my body can’t be that good,” she reasoned for him. Bear pursed his lips. “For all you know, I have boils and blotches on my bum.”
“Don’t say bum,” he replied, easing her off his lap. Liss worried her lip as he fumbled with words. “And I’m sure it’s….” Bear sighed loudly. “It doesn’t matter. Just get undressed.” He cleared his throat. “I’ll get you a towel and help you into the shower with my eyes closed.”
“Cool, thank you,” Liss replied.
The situation was anything but cool.
Bear shuffled across the room and retrieved a towel. Even as she meandered to the bathroom, he wouldn't meet her eyes. She shivered as her damp T-shirt caught the air. She turned, and he shoved a towel at her, his gaze still firmly on the floor. “Shout when you need me. I’ll be on the other side of the door.”
“Okay.”
He remained in the bedroom as Liss stepped into the bathroom. She unsnapped her shorts and caught Bear’s eye in the mirror’s reflection. He sat motionless on the bed and did a double take when she accidentally made eye contact. Liss smirked when the phone that he was turning toppled out of his hand. Bear’s ears bloomed bright red as he dropped his head to the floor and turned to face the wall before remembering the phone. Liss giggled as she attempted to get her shorts down.
“Stop giggling. I didn’t realise I could see you in the mirror,” Bear grunted, but his voice was raspy and dry.
“Sorry,” she said, giggling again as she waggled her bum in a clumsy attempt at getting her shorts off without hurting her arm. As they touched the floor, she announced, “Shorts down. I’m getting there.”
“I don’t need you to commentate,” Bear grumbled. Liss rechecked the mirror. He was tapping his hand restlessly against his thigh. His trousers appeared tented.
“Focus,” she whispered, pulling at her T-shirt with her right hand. She winced as she attempted to lift the hem of the top up and over her head, but she couldn’t get the angle without twisting her injured wrist. Liss took a deep breath and pressed her lips together as she counted to five. She tried again, but the pain was so sharp every time she got close, it ripped through her body. Liss didn’t want to make it worse before the party. She tried again.
“Fuck,” she cried out.
“What happened?” Bear shouted.
“Nothing.”
“Princess,” Bear warned, “I’m coming in the bathroom unless you say otherwise.”
“Fine,” she snapped, still standing awkwardly. The pain was nothing compared to the arousal pulsating through her. Goose pimples rose on her skin at the sight of an awkward Bear pulling on the back of his neck, with his sleeves rolled up, revealing his forearms and a little of his tattoos. All she wore were knickers and a T-shirt. She’d removed her bra one-handed before her nap.
His eyes locked with hers as if looking anywhere else would be dangerous. He swallowed repeatedly and hunched his shoulders.
“I can’t take the rest of my clothes off without pain, and I want to rest my arm before tonight. I did my shorts,” she murmured. Her hands hung limply by her side.
“Great,” he replied, but his eyes didn’t leave hers.
“But I need you to remove my T-shirt.”
“Fuck. I mean, sure, okay,” Bear stuttered.
“Slowly. Not slow in a sexual way, but gentle. You know what I mean,” she said, fiddling with the hem.
“Yes, I know. I really fucking know. I’m going to close my eyes while I do this,” he grunted.
“But what if you touch my boobs or something else?”
He swallowed loudly, drawing her attention to his bobbing Adam’s apple.
“Good point.” He pulled on the back of his neck while keeping his gaze high. “I’ll squint.”
Liss licked her lips.
“Don’t lick your lips like that,” he grumbled.
“Sorry.” His eyes resembled little pillar boxes with a tiny bit of pupil showing. Her body burned with fire as she attempted to quell her desire.
She subconsciously rolled her hips as he reached for the hem of her T-shirt. “Fuck,” he grumbled.
“Can I help in any way?” she replied huskily.
“No.” Sweat beaded his brow, and she smiled at how her badass bodyguard was coming undone over the simple removal of a T-shirt. “But stop smiling, stop moving your hips, and stop that tongue doing anything that will get both of us into trouble. I’m being respectful.”
“What if I don’t want you to be?” she whispered louder than intended.
Bear huffed and grumbled as he lifted her T-shirt. As his hands and the hem reached her breasts, he swore under his breath and closed his eyes before squinting again. She sneaked a look at his crotch. Liss bit her lip at the prospect of pulling down his zipper and revelling in his length and thickness.
“No lip biting either.” He stepped a little closer to lift the T-shirt fully off her head, and her nipples, now slightly erect, threatened to brush against his chest. “Shit, Princess. This moment is going to kill me.”
He pulled the T-shirt over her face. The collar caught on her neck, and he stepped closer to unhook it. His chest pressed into her breasts, and his hand skimmed her hip as he held her against him to stop her from wobbling.
Liss held her breath. His body against hers caused little electric shock sensations. The heat from their skin-on-skin touch made the ache between her legs burn hotter. She was like a furnace as he pulled the top off her head. He didn’t move back. They locked eyes. He swallowed again.
“You should get in that shower.” His voice was hoarse. She’d have to shower with her knickers on. She couldn’t ask him to remove them. His erection pushed against her, and she wrapped her good arm around his neck. Her arousal climbed higher. His body set a fire inside her.
“I’m a mess and want to look pretty for the party.” Her voice was so quiet.
“You’re beautiful, so you won’t need long to get ready.” He gulped loudly. Liss licked her lips as the sparks under her skin went off like fireworks. “I want you so fucking much, Liss.”
