A Bitter Twist

Chapter 3

-Josie

I feel a tickle on the back of my neck. Liam's morning stubble. And there’s an erection poking my behind insistently that makes my body heat up with desire. But judging by the way his breathing sounds, he's still asleep. I'm not sure how we end up this way every morning. We always start out with him on his back and I'm draped over him. But we wake up with me on my stomach and him spooning me. And his arm and leg are wrapped around me. I'm tucked tightly underneath him. It's nice. Like a warm cocoon. Tonight is our engagement dinner party. Nobles will be arriving later today. Bertrand and Madeleine are engaged, but out of 'respect' for Liam and I, they are not announcing the news until after our wedding. Only a handful of us know. I’ve moved past my initial devastation and into begrudging acceptance. If I'm being honest, I think getting married to Madeleine is going to be punishment enough. If planning this tour with her is any indication of how she really is..well she’s also a special kind of awful. And not the fun kind. Maxwell seems to be the most upset about that particular development. And I’m not sure why. I haven’t had the guts to say anything to Liam. If he knows that I have feelings for someone else, well.. He hasn’t really said anything either. Looking back on his jealousy though, I should have seen it. It’s like an infected wound. You know it’s there hiding under the bandage, but it’s too gross to look at and neither of us were brave enough to try. We’ve had a lot of honest open conversations, including one about the real reason I came here. But this is the one neither of us seems to be ready to have. I feel lips pressing gentle kisses along the column of my neck. I moan and twist onto my back. I wrap my legs around his hips and in a swift motion he enters me. Then he kisses me deeply. My finger nails dig into his back as my feet lock around his waist. He rocks his hips slowly and it lights up all the nerve endings in me. Our morning sex is always slow and romantic. Like we can't ever get close enough. It seems like every inch of me is touching him in some way. Our lips, our chests, our arms wrapped tightly around each other. We move our hips in a well practiced harmony. He moves in a steady rhythm and I feel my climax hit. And shortly after, his cock jerks inside of me and fills me with his release. Never once breaking our kiss. It's sweet and loving. The adventurous sex happens at night, usually after a drink or two. I like it both ways. He collapses on me. "Sorry. I didn't mean to smother you."

I wrap my arms around him tightly. "I don't mind being smooshed. It's kinda nice." He nods but takes some weight off me. We don't have the explosive chemistry that Bertrand and I seem to have, but he's skillful enough that it doesn't matter. The more I think about things between Liam and I, the more I realize that Gisele was right. He is better for me. He treats me better. He’s always believed in me. He listens when I talk and remembers the things I tell him. He’s always thinking of me and how to make me comfortable even if it sacrifices his own. More importantly he’s never picked anyone or anything over me. He’s never abandoned me. He’s never made me cry. And I don’t have to fight for half hearted scraps of approval. He lavishes praise on me. And not just about my looks. No, he always tells me how clever he thinks I am. He once complimented the way I pack my suitcase. Or the way I always beat him at chess. And any game really.

He looks at me for a long time. "How are you feeling about today?"

Part of me wants to tease him, but he looks so earnest that I can't. "I'm ready. I'm pretty excited, but I'd be just as happy to skip to the finish line already."

He chuckles. "Oh, yeah? You know what? Me too. I already wrote my vows."

I smirk. "You sir, are the king of lame…. And you chose your queen well because I've also already written mine." And it's true. I knew he'd be the type to write his own tear-jerking vows. So I wrote them the day after we got engaged. They're completely sappy.

He laughs. "My little dancing queen from Queens. Soon she'll also be the Queen of Cordonia."

I smile. "That's a heck of a long title. 'All Hail Josie Avery.." I stop and think for a second. "Or would it be Rys?"

Liam smiles indulgently at me. "That's entirely up to you."

I clear my throat and announce like the herald does. "All hail Her Majesty, the dancing queen from Queens, Josephine Rys, Queen of Cordonia!"

Liam laughs. "Not bad."

I nod. "Has a nice ring to it. Poor Drake. He won't know what to call me then."

Liam laughs. "He’ll figure something out.”

“Do you have a lot of meetings before the dinner party?” I ask.

He smiles. “No. My schedule is completely clear for today.”

I smile brightly. “How about we pencil in a really long steamy shower?”

“Mmm. I think I can arrange something.” He says then he throws the covers off and gets up. He picks me up. I laugh and wrap my legs around his waist and my arm around his neck. He starts walking to the bathroom. We locked in a playful kiss when there's a knock on the door and Madeleine barges in.

I squeal at the unexpected intrusion and because I’m very naked I cling much tighter to Liam. “What the fuck? Madeleine, you can’t come in unless we say enter.”

She looks at us coldly. “You two are animals. It’s time to start getting ready. Today is the big day. Nothing can go wrong.” She does realize it’s my big day not hers, right?

Liam glares at her while trying to shield her from seeing all our goods. He’s got one hand on my ass and the other covering his dick. Yeah, that’s mine and she doesn’t get to see it. “Please leave.” Madeleine huffs and walks out. I slide down to the floor and eye the closing door.

I glare at her back. “The nerve of that woman. She could have just called me.”

Liam raises his brow. “Are you still in the mood for that shower?”

I sniff. “Yes. She doesn’t get to ruin our morning.”

He nods. “I was hoping you’d say that.” He throws me over his shoulder fireman style and carries me into the bathroom. I laugh and squeal as he marches into the bathroom. I won’t lie to do like it when he manhandles me. It’s quite the turn on. He turns on the water, adjusts the temperature. We step in and begin washing. He washes me from head to toe. And my body feels like it's on fire by the time he finishes his soapy explorations. I return that favor and towards the end I give him a short teasing soapy handy. But I don’t let him get off. He pushes me over into a bent position. I brace my hands on the shower walls and he pushes into me from behind. Then he does something unexpected. He lifts one of my legs to the side but straight up his chest. Into a split of sorts. It twists me sideways. I’ve never done this before and it’s a little intriguing. “Is this alright?” I know he can feel my pussy clenching around him.

I nod. “Fuck yeah it is.” He laughs. He slams into me relentlessly and water splashes off around us. He holds that leg with one hand while his other works my clit. By the time my orgasm hits me, my legs are completely noodlefied. He sets my leg down and pins my arms behind my back and threads his hands through the crooks of my elbows to my waist. Then he lifts me up. I hook my feet behind his thighs. He slides me up and down his cock until I’m screaming. Something about being at his mercy is so sexy. There’s something a little bad about it and it feels a little forceful and completely out of my control. But I know I could say stop and he would right this second. I move my knees closer together and I hear Liam groan behind me. “Harder and faster.” I say when I feel my climax getting really close. He slams me down so hard and fast it sends me right over the edge. Liam comes not long after I do. I slide down and lean my forehead against the shower wall. He braces his weight on a forearm and his other hand is around my waist on my stomach holding some of my weight. Which is a good thing my legs are wobbly and not wanting to hold me upright. He breathes heavily in my ear. I think about what we just did and laugh. “We really are animals. But I wouldn’t change a thing.”

He nods breathlessly. “Me either.”

After some long wet kisses and more shower sex we stumble out of the bathroom about an hour or two later. I start the long laborious task of doing my hair and makeup. Liam doesn't really have much to get ready so he sits and watches me and talks to me the whole time. About trade deals and politics. And our thoughts seem to be fairly close on both subjects. I put a small side braid in my hair at my temple and hold it with a diamond barrett. I curl my hair and leave it down in long waves. Then I decide to do an old Hollywood glam look for my makeup. My dress is a dark blue lace floor length gown. It’s long sleeved and seemingly modest. It has a slit that goes up to my hip bone. Good thing this party is indoors. I step out fully dressed. "Feast your eyes on this masterpiece!"

Liam laughs. "You look amazing." I shift my stance slightly showing how high the slit goes on this dress. His gaze heats up and his hand slides up my exposed leg.

I pull away out of reach and make a tsk sound. "You can get handsy later. Madeleine will murder me if we show up late and disheveled." I’m also not wearing underwear, that's gonna be a fun surprise for later. I’ve used a little double stick tape to hold the edges of the slit in place so I don’t accidentally flash the kitty to the court.

Liam laughs and looks at his phone when it dings. "Hana made it. Drake is bringing her now they'll be here soon."

I nod. "Excellent. I wish her parents would have let her come back sooner. Planning this whole shebang would have been more fun with her here."

Liam nods. "Yes. Save you from Bertrand and Madeleine's overbearing natures."

I nod and sniff. "She called us animals but I've walked in on them making out multiple times when we're supposed to be meeting. We were at least in our bedroom." I don’t say it, but I’m fairly certain it’s intentional. He knows when and where they were meeting me. He does it on purpose. Madeleine for her part seems to be an unwitting accomplice. She apologized for their display later when it was just us. I don’t get the why. I did what he wanted. I won and got engaged to Liam. And I’m throwing them a bone, having the kick-off party here and paying for everything. They get to show off their estate and have the glory of knowing their candidate was chosen. Ever since his little display with Madeleine, I’ve been freezing him out. I don’t talk to him anymore about anything other than the tour. And I never spend alone time with him. If I find myself alone with him, I coldly refuse to acknowledge him or just leave. I’ve been fairly lucky in that regard, Gisele has been acting as a buffer between us. It took a while, but Michael finally figured out my feelings and he’s decidedly team Liam. Because and I quote, ‘Bert is a total douche canoe.’

Liam laughs. "Sounds nightmare inducing. My poor baby." He rubs my back soothingly.

I sniff. "It was horrifying. And my eyes will never be the same." My alarm vibrates. "Time to get this party started!"

We go downstairs to greet the guests as they arrive. We go and stand in between our two families. Gisele leans in and whispers. “You look magnificent, darling.”

I smile. “You’ll recognize this as one of your gifts to me.” I gesture at the dress. She smiles and nods.

We greet all the guests as they enter the ballroom. Hana and Drake greet us at the same time. “I’m so glad you’re back, Hana.” I say and hug her.

She nods. “It was a little weird being home. But I learned a new hot chocolate recipe. You’ll have to try it sometime.”

I nod. “I’d love to.”

Drake nods. “I’m here and wearing a suit. You happy now?”

I smile brightly. “You look handsome in that suit. Gisele knows her stuff.”

Hana runs her hand down his arm and looks at him warmly. “Yes, she does.”

Drake’s face flushes and he grumbles something before clapping Liam on the shoulder and walking off. Next Penelope and Kiara greet us. Then Madeleine and her mother, Adelaide. And unlike her daughter Adelaide is delightful. She’s definitely got a Stiffler’s mom vibe. And apparently she’s really, really into Maxwell. I wonder if there’s any young male nobles who she hasn’t played the Mrs. Robinson role for.. When there’s a break in the guests we’re supposed to be greeting, I lean in and whisper. “I’m not wearing any panties.”

Liam’s face flushes. “You’re going to be the death of me.”

I smile. “What a fun way to go, right?”

-Bertrand

I watch Josephine come down the stairs on King Liam’s arm. And she looks unbelievably stunning. She greets all the guests with a charming bright smile. I’m so entranced that I don’t even notice the woman who sidles up next to me. “She looks beyond lovely tonight, doesn’t she?”

I turn to Gisele. “Indeed. You must be really proud.”

She raises her brow. “I’m not proud of her because of who she’s marrying or because she wears a dress well. I’m proud because she hasn’t looked at you once tonight.” My heart squeezes painfully. “That hurts doesn’t it. You wanted this and this is what you’ll get. She’s let the idea of you go. It’s past time for you to do the same.”

I watch her smile and touch the King’s arm. That little touch while seemingly innocent is very intimate. The loving look she’s wearing so openly is like a knife to the chest and for once that look is genuine and not about making me jealous. “You’re right.” The relationship with Madeleine didn’t make her want me more. It made her appreciate Liam’s love more, while killing her feelings for me.. I tried playing her game and lost.

She nods. “You’re not good enough for her. And she’d never get past the fact that you didn’t choose her.” I press my lips together and clench my jaw. I turn to walk away. Gisele grabs my arm and leans in and quietly says. “If you ever make her cry again, your irresponsible brother will be the new Duke Ramsford because they’ll never find your body. Do I make myself clear?”

I nod stiffly. “Crystal.”

She walks away to join her daughter. I have no doubts she’d follow through on that particular threat. They’ve got a mob family mentality. Very Godfather like. I walk away to get a drink. I throw back a few drinks. I feel a hand clap on my shoulder. “Helluva party, Bertrand.”

I turn to see Leo. The former Crown Prince. He orders a drink at the bar. “Hello, Leo. Thank you, but this is mostly due to Countess Madeleine and Lady Josephine. I didn’t think you were coming on the tour with us.”

Leo nods. “Yeah. I’m not. Josie is a ballbuster and completely terrifying. She called me and said if I didn’t show up for a handful of these events, well lets just say she colorfully threatened my ability to procreate and leave it at that.” He looks over at her on his brother’s arm. “He’s either the luckiest bastard on this planet or the unluckiest. I can’t quite decide which right now. She looks smoking hot tonight though.”

I smirk. “I’d go with lucky. It’s best to stay on her good side.”

He laughs and nods. “Touche.” He takes a drink. I order another drink. If I thought watching her get engaged was hard, this damned tour is going to be brutal.

And suddenly we hear a giggle and a masculine voice. “Come on. Can’t we just sneak out for a quick..breather. You know, five minutes. No one will miss us, I swear.” My stomach turns sour and I take a drink even though it doesn’t seem to be helping.

I hear Josephine say. “Please. You can’t..breathe that fast. Besides, dinner is starting in less than twenty minutes. You can wait until the end of the party. I have faith in you.”

Liam sighs. “Such a tease.”

Josephine laughs. “The anticipation is what makes it fun.”

They come around the bar and I can see him pinching her rear. I work my jaw and throw back the rest of my drink. Leo laughs, “Yep, definitely lucky.”

Josephine swats his hand away and turns to greet us. “Leo, Duke Ramsford. Lovely to see you both.”

Liam nods. “How are you enjoying the party so far?”

I nod. “It turned out well. So far.”

Leo nods. “It’s great. It’s good to see you so happy, brother.”

Josephine smiles. “Well, I can’t take all the credit for that..just most.”

Liam pokes her side. “Drake would say that your arrogance is showing again.”

Josephine gets a wicked look on her face. “Kogda my doberemsya do nashey komnaty segodnya vecherom, ya budu skakat' na tvoyem chlene vsyu noch'.” She gives him a saucy wink and then she saunters off. Leaving all three of us looking at her departure with confusion.

Liam looks at Leo and I. “Anyone know Russian?”

I shake my head. “I do not.”

"I don't know any Russian, but I know what she was saying and you, sir, are a lucky dog." Leo says.

Liam's face colors slightly. "What was she saying?"

Leo laughs. "Oh something filthy for sure. From what we heard earlier, it sounds like she's going to be DTF after the party and no sooner."

Liam smiles fondly in her direction. "She's a terrible tease. Always making me wait."

Leo laughs. "I'm sure she's worth the wait."

"Definitely." Liam says. He turns to the bartender and orders a drink. "So what did she threaten you with to get your presence?"

Leo shrugs. "She tried guilt first and when that didn't work she threatened the boys." He indicates his groin area.

Liam snorts. "She's vicious, man. But I'm really glad you're here."

Leo nods. "I won't be here for the whole tour. Just a few events that Josie thought would be important to you."

I feel like an outsider standing here listening to them. Liam smiles. "So thoughtful of her. I appreciate it."

I edge away from them. I turn and run into Madeleine. "You've been a little scarce tonight."

I smile. "I was merely catching up with Leo."

Her gaze finds him with Liam. "I'm surprised he showed up. Getting him to come to the events for our tour was like pulling teeth."

I shrug. "Josephine threatened his manhood."

She raises an eyebrow. "Crude. But I suppose it worked. Perhaps, I should have tried something of the sort.”

I smirk. “I think you’re forgetting one thing. You need to make it seem as though you’re willing to follow through with a threat and he would’ve known you weren’t. You needed heirs. She doesn’t need his manhood. She’s got Liam’s.”

Madeleine sighs. “True. I'm quite surprised our King isn't glued to her side. They seem to always be attached at the hip or pelvis as it were."

I look at her. "What do you mean?"

"Every time I turn around they're all over each other. And this morning I went to inform Josie that it was time to get ready and they're naked and kissing in the middle of the room at nine in the morning." She says, sounding completely annoyed.

It’s like a punch in the gut really. “The nerve.”

She smiles and nods. “There’s a time and place for such things.”

I nod.

-Drake

We’re sitting down to have dinner and I’m seated between Josie’s brother Michael and Hana. Josie’s brother is the happy go lucky gregarious sort. It’s a strange juxtaposition to her foul mouthed bad attitude. He’s got movie star good looks and all the women at court seem to fawn over him. He leans in. “I thought Jojo was exaggerating about that Penelope girl. But that’s twenty minutes of my life that I’ll never get back. Who on earth likes poodles that much?”

I smirk at him. “Yeah..she’s certainly different.”

Michael nods. “I like dogs. But not that much. I had a K-9 named Bruno when I was a uniform in vice. Jo hated that dog. She said he smelled and always kicked her off my couch. She bought him a nice bed but he wouldn’t use it so she did.”

I laugh. I can just picture Avery sleeping on the dog’s bed.. “She hates animals doesn’t she.”

Michael snorts. “No. She has no use for them. She does like fish though. We used to go to the aquarium a lot as kids. She could name every fish there. And their latin names. She was like a marine life encyclopedia.”

My eyebrows go up. “Really?”

Michael nods. “Yeah. Smart kid. She spoke fluent French by the time she was ten. And you know she’s fluent in like six or seven languages.”

I roll my eyes. “Such an overachiever.”

He smiles and nods. “Jojo is way smarter than she ever lets on.”

“Can I ask why you call her Jojo?” I ask.

He nods. “Josephine Jolene Vanderbuilt. Jojo Vanderbuilt. I think her birth parents always called her Jojo. Everyone called her that. She got into Juilliard and decided the nickname was too childish and decided to change it to Josie. But she’ll always be Jojo to me.” I nod.

I see Hana pushing her food around not really eating. I lean in and ask. “Is something wrong?”

She shakes her head. “No.” I follow her gaze to Madeleine and Bertrand. I raise a brow. Her face flushes. “It’s just that before I left Madeleine and I.. And I thought when I came back that we’d..and now..”

My eyebrows go up. I rub my chest absentmindedly. I knew I never had a chance with Hana, so this isn’t really a surprise, but it still bothers me. “Well, it’s probably just a political match. If you wait it out she’d probably be open to an arrangement.”

She nods sadly. “It was my first..time. It was foolish to hope for more than that, I suppose.”

Michael leans around me to look at Hana. “Plenty of fish in the sea, you know.” He winks at her. “I’m available for the night if you’re interested.”

I glare at him. Hana’s face flushes. “Oh, well that’s a nice offer..”

I grind my teeth. “She’s not interested.”

Hana’s gaze snaps to me and I realize far too late that I just put my foot in it. “You don’t speak for me.”

My face gets a little hot and I say. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”

She nods and turns to her food and ignores me the rest of the night.

-Josie

Have you ever had your own game blow up in your face? Well that’s me right now. Doing my best not to squirm in my seat during this never ending dinner. I am ridiculously turned on. Turns out teasing Liam backfired and teased me as well. And I’m having trouble focusing on the conversations I’m supposed to be participating in. I should have taken him up on the quickie before dinner. He looks a little too calm and unaffected for my liking. I start rubbing his thigh. Oh I know I’m playing with fire, but I like the burns. I move my hand upward. He shifts in his seat and leans in to whisper. “If that hand goes any higher, I’ll carry you out of here and spank that ass of yours until it's beet red and you won’t be able to sit for a week.”

I squirm in my seat and move my hand lower. “Can we do that anyway?”

His gaze heats up. “You are such a tease tonight.”

I smile. “As soon as this dinner is over we are so out of here.”

About an agonizing hour later the dessert course is almost finished and I’m ready to call it a night. Liam and I make small talk with other nobles and discreetly head towards the stairs to our room. When we get out of sight he lifts me by the hips and throws me over his shoulder and runs to our room. We get in our room and lock the door. Neither of us waste any time. He pushes my dress up over my hips. I begin hurriedly undoing his pants. He lifts me up and I sink down onto his length. He pins me against the door. I grip the top of the door frame as he pushes my knees up spread on both sides of my chest. My ankles rest on his shoulders and he starts thrusting. His thrusts pound my back into the door loudly. He grips my thighs tightly holding my weight up. He groans as he thrust. “Josie, please tell me you’re close. I can’t last much longer.”

I nod. “Yeah. I’m close.” I reach down and begin rubbing my clit fast. I feel myself tighten around him as I reach my climax. He moans and climaxes right after I do.

He leans his forehead against mine. “What did you say earlier?”

I smirk. “I said ‘When we get to our room tonight, I'm going to ride your cock all night.’”

He laughs. “I’m going to have to learn Russian.” I laugh. He untangles himself from me carefully. One wrong move and I could fall to the floor. I’m folded up and held up in a precarious way. Once both my feet are planted on the ground his demeanor changes. From jovial to commanding. “Take the dress off, Lady Josephine.”

I sense the new game we’re playing. “Yes, Your Majesty.” I remove my dress and wait for my next order.

He leans in and whispers. “You’re going to need a safe word.”

Well fuck me. “Apple.”

His hand caresses my behind. “Are you going to obey your king tonight, Lady Josephine? Or do I need to punish you?”

“I’ll obey you, Your Majesty.” I say meekly.

He nods. “Good girl. Go to the bed and bend over. Plant your hands on the edge.” I do as he says. And I feel his hand crack down on my ass. It hurts like hell. But it also feels good. I jump and squeal. But I don’t use the word. He gently rubs over where he struck me. “Did that hurt, Lady Josephine.”

I chew my lip and hoarsely say. “Yes, my king.”

Several slaps later my ass is burning and I have tears running down my face. But I don’t use the word. “Do you know how to serve your king, Lady Josephine?”

I whisper. “Any way he wants, my king.”

He nods. “On your hands and knees. Eyes on the floor.” I comply with his orders. “Do you want me, Lady Josephine?”

“Yes, my king.” I say.

I hear him move about the room and it sounds like he gets on the bed. And I stay still until he gives me my next directive. My knees are starting to hurt a little from the hard floor. But I wait. Finally he says. “Lady Josephine?”

“Yes, Your Majesty?” I say.

“Come service your king.” He says.

I get up and walk over to him. “How would you like me to service you, my king?”

“I want you to ride your king’s cock.” He says. I start to climb onto him. “Not like that, Lady Josephine. Face the other direction.”

I turn and do as he says. “I apologize, my king. I should have asked for clarification.”

He says. “You’re forgiven.” I slide down his cock facing away from him. His hands grip my hips and ass painfully and he begins moving me against him. The pace is fast and dizzying. It feels so good. I almost forget that I’m supposed to wait for my orders. “Are you getting close, Lady Josephine?”

“Yes, my king.”

“Come for your king.” He orders. And I do. I come so hard. He releases when I do. We’re both catching our breath. I feel his hand rake over my backside gently. “I didn’t hit you too hard, did I?”

I shake my head. “It should be fine by tomorrow morning.”

He nods. “I almost broke character when I saw your tears.”

I smile. “I’m glad you didn’t. That was fun.” I climb off him and crawl up into his arms and fall asleep.