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CHAPTER 197
Xavier's flirtatious manner sent shivers down her spine, and she found herself drawn closer to him, craving his attention.
Raven was still in awe about the whole matter. She had expected him to ask her how their little sightseeing went but instead, it looked like a King trying to woo a lady.
Not that she could complain much. She liked it. And getting his attention this way was more than she could have asked for.
Especially since it seemed he was opening himself to better possibilities.
They paused near a blooming rosebush, its petals delicate and vibrant against the backdrop of the lush garden.
Xavier reached out, gently plucking a single rose and offering it to Raven.
"For the most captivating woman in my kingdom," he murmured, his eyes locked onto hers.
Her breath caught in her throat as she accepted the rose, her fingers brushing against his in a fleeting touch.
The scent of the flower enveloped her senses, mingling with the intoxicating allure of the king.
She took her time savouring the moment before finally looking up at him again.
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Her voice trembled slightly with emotion while playing the part in his game. "I'm honoured by your kind words and gesture."
He smiled softly and brushed back some loose strands from her face.
Their connection was undeniable, a dance of intrigue and desire that wove between them.
The palace seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them, locked in a world of their own.
Raven felt a strange sense of belonging when she stood beside King Xavier; she belonged there just as much as he did.
It wasn't until then she realized how lonely she had been without anyone who truly understood or cared about what she wanted.
She had always thought of herself differently because she didn't want anything materialistic but now, standing next to him made it clear how wrong she had been about herself.
She was not alone anymore.
She would never be alone again, and not as some property of her father, but now she was special to someone else too—something that no one could take away from her ever again.
"You are very welcome," Xavier replied smoothly, his gaze lingering on Raven's lips for a brief second longer than necessary.
As the sun began its descent, casting a warm glow over the gardens, Raven and Xavier continued their stroll, lost in conversation and stolen glances.
The palace walls held secrets, but at that moment, the magnetic pull between them held them captive.
The world around them seemed to blur as they ventured deeper into the labyrinth of the garden.
Their destinies intertwined, leaving both Raven and Xavier breathless with anticipation of where this journey might lead them and the promise of what could be, the unspoken question of whether they were willing to take the leap into the unknown.
And by that, it wasn't just two couples hoping to be married and remain with each other all their lives.
No.
This time, it was the flirting of a king to swoon his precious beauty and have a go at ravishing her lips and body.
Leaning close, Xavier intertwined their fingers, leaving Raven distracted by how his touch sent shivers down her spine.
His eyes burned like fire through her soul. She couldn't help but feel drawn towards him as if he had cast some sort of spell upon her.
His presence filled every inch of space surrounding him as he drew closer still until she felt as though she would melt right there under his intense stare.
And just when she thought she could not take it, he wrapped his other hand around her waist, pulling her body to his in an embrace that left no room for doubt or hesitation in either one of them.
Raven gasped softly, feeling the heat from his skin seep into hers, making her tingle in places that should never be touched or even acknowledged in polite company.
Yet, all she could think of was the sight of his perfect lips, one she did not mind getting drunk with - an entrance into the cave of his mouth.
She wanted more than anything else at that moment; a taste of something forbidden and sinful - something only a king and a queen can share together without fearing retribution and punishment.
She knew then and there what she needed to do to make sure this moment will last forever and ever and ever…
But Xavier had other thoughts. While a long-term goal was good, he wanted her now.
His lips came crashing on hers and Raven's heart skipped several beats as his tongue slipped inside her mouth, tasting her as if it were the first time they had met.
He kissed her with such passion, as if it were the most important thing in his life, while his hands roamed over her body as if it were his own personal playground.
He made it clear how much he desired her by kissing her deeply before finally breaking away with a soft sigh of satisfaction.
"I want you," he murmured against her ear.
"Then take me."
Her voice trembled slightly but she didn't care about any of that anymore because she had found someone who understood her perfectly: alone but not lonely.
Their tongue danced in their mouth, sighs and breaths as their bodies pressed tightly to each other.
The air between them crackled like electricity, their hearts beating as one, their souls entwined.
Raven felt like the world around them faded into nothingness as she lost herself in Xavier's embrace. She felt like there was no one else around except for the two of them.
Their feet moved with Xavier pushing her back gently against the wall, under the shadows of the walkway, giving them the needed privacy to ravish their bodies.
The kiss deepened further, his hand moving down her body until his fingers brushed across her breast through her dress and she moaned softly at his touch.