Free To Bed a King by Carol Lynne Page B

away, unable to play the game any longer.
    “Let me up, you piece of shit,” he panted, pushing at Ghazi’s muscular chest.
    Evidently, Ghazi didn’t get the memo of Raven’s impending breakdown because he chuckled and continued fucking.
    Raven felt it coming, and, like a tidal wave landing on the shore, the despair swallowed him whole. “Stop!” he screamed on a sob as the tears began to fall from his eyes.
    Ghazi finally got the hint and stopped, pulling out almost immediately. Raven curled in on himself and rolled to his side, burying his face in a pillow. He hated looking and feeling weak, especially in front of someone else. Pride had got him through the rough times throughout his life, so where was the strength when he really needed it?
    “Shhh,” Ghazi said, wrapping himself around Raven. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”
    Raven shook his head but refused to pull it out of its hiding place in the pillow.
    “I know I went too far. I’ve kept too much bottled up lately, and it just seemed to explode out of my mouth. I didn’t mean half of what I said. You’re not a whore.”
    “But I am,” Raven uncovered his mouth enough to say. “I’ve always used my body to get people’s attention. It was the only way.”
    “I don’t believe that for a second. Have you ever actually given people the chance to get to know you? You’re funny, you’re smart. There are plenty of things to love about you besides your body.”
    “Except for my adoptive family, no one’s ever taken the time.” He glanced up from his pillow. He knew it was childish of him, but he needed to hear more. “Do you?”
    “Do I what?” Ghazi asked, kissing the side of Raven’s head.
    “Do you love those things about me?”
    Ghazi pulled Raven closer to him and rubbed Raven’s nude hip. “Of course I do.
    Although I could do without the challenging stubborn streak.”
    Raven grinned. “Funny you say that now. A few minutes ago you seemed to be enjoying my challenging, stubborn self.”
    “Yes, well, I lost my head there for a bit. I’m sorry.”

    TO BED A KING
    Carol Lynne
    57

    “Don’t be. I liked the sex, but next time, hold the commentary, especially if it’s something that’ll rip at old wounds.” Raven subtly dried his eyes. “Sorry about that, by the way. I guess you kinda hit a nerve.”
    “I was angry.”
    “Yeah, I got that part.” Raven threaded his fingers through Ghazi’s. “I’d watch your back even if you weren’t paying for me.”
    Ghazi chuckled. “Nice to know.” He turned Raven over until they were face to face. “I didn’t order Nalu back to the palace.”
    “I know. I could tell by the expression on your face when I told you.” Raven reached between them and started to play with Ghazi’s softened cock. He wondered where the condom had gone, but figured they’d find it sooner or later. “I need you to talk to Nalu though. He’s really confused.”
    Ghazi’s hand moved behind Raven to travel up and down the crack of his ass. “Why do you suppose someone would tell him that? I mean, what motive could someone have to get Nalu back here?”
    Raven shook his head and pushed back against Ghazi’s fingers, impaling himself.
    “Maybe it’s not about getting Nalu here. What if it’s about getting our attention away from Sanctuary?”
    Ghazi leant over Raven and grabbed another condom from the bedside table. “It doesn’t make sense to me. We’ve got to get Nalu to talk. I want to know who’s feeding him these lies.”
    Opening his legs wide, Raven accepted Ghazi’s weight as it settled on top of him. He could count on the fingers of one hand the number of times he’d fucked in the missionary position, but for some reason the idea didn’t bother him like it usually did. “I’ll take care of it,” Raven assured Ghazi as his ass was filled with thick cock.
    Raven clasped his hands behind Ghazi’s neck and pulled him down for a deep kiss.
    “Do you think we can manage to finish this