Royally Endowed (Royally #3), by Emma Chase
Publish Date: August 15, 2017
Publisher: self-published
Format: e-ARC, provided by the author and InkslingerPR
Genre: adult contemporary romance
To Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Rating: 5 STARS
(Synopsis) Logan St. James is a smoldering, sexy beast. Sure, he can be a little broody at times—but Ellie Hammond’s willing to overlook that. Because, have you seen him??
Sexy. As. Hell.
And Ellie’s perky enough for both of them.
For years, she’s had a crush on the intense, gorgeous royal security guard—but she doesn’t think he ever saw her, not really.
To Logan, Ellie was just part of the job—a relative of the royal family he’d sworn to protect. Now, at 22 years old and fresh out of college, she’s determined to put aside her X-rated dreams of pat-downs and pillow talk, and find a real life happily ever after.
The Queen of Wessco encourages Ellie to follow in her sister’s footsteps and settle down with a prince of her own. Or a duke, a marquis…a viscount would also do nicely.
But in the pursuit of a fairy tale ending, Ellie learns that the sweetest crushes can be the hardest to let go.
***Logan St. James grew up on the wrong side of the tracks, in a family on the wrong side of the law. But these days, he covers his tattoos and scars with a respectable suit. He’s handsome, loyal, brave, skilled with his hands and…other body parts.
Any woman would be proud to call him hers.
But there’s only one woman he wants.
For years he’s watched over her, protected her, held her hair back when she was sick, taught her how to throw a punch, and spot a liar.
He dreams of her. Would lay down his life for her.
But beautiful Ellie Hammond’s off-limits.
Everybody knows the bodyguard rules: Never lose focus, never let them out of your sight, and never, ever fall in love.
Everyone knows I'm a total sucker for royal books. They are my jam. So, of course - OF COURSE - this entire series has been nothing but heart eyes and swoony sighs for me. In book 1, Prince Nicholas fell in love with a New York diner girl. In book 2, Prince Henry fell for the quiet, awkward girl. And present through all of it was royal guard Logan St. James. He's in sort of a "always a bridesmaid, never the bride" type of situation. He's witnessed his charges find the loves of their lives, and because of his job and having to remain detached and preferably unattached, Logan has never thought he could find his.
Then there's sweet, girlie Ellie, sister to the aforementioned NY diner girl. She has loved Logan from afar ever since he was assigned to guard her as well when she was only 17. For five long years, she's carried this torch for him with almost no hope of having her affections returned. Talk about dedication to the cause. Logan has been a singular presence in her life for some of the most momentous occasions - high school and college graduation, the marriage of her sister, her boyfriends and hook-ups and everything in between.
Royally Endowed is truly the story of Logan and Ellie. It backs up the timeline to near the beginning of the events that unfolded in Royally Screwed (book 1). Ellie was only 17 then, so of course a relationship with Logan who is in his early 20s would've been a little inappropriate. But, it was so important to begin at the beginning, so I'm so happy that Emma Chase took the time to take us back so we could see how this relationship evolved.
And it absolutely evolved. Certainly there was physical attraction from the beginning, but what Ellie and Logan build over five years of being together - even as bodyguard and charge - goes so far beyond lust or objectification. They learn each others' secrets, help each other through tough times, and celebrate each others' victories. Every time we jump ahead a few months or a few years, we're taken to a point in their relationship that seemed significant as their attraction grew for each other. Until finally we find ourselves at present day when Ellie returns to Wessco for the summer.
Ellie is now in her early 20s and Logan just can't keep his hands to himself anymore. And thank freaking goodness for that. As you can imagine, the sexual tension ramps up and up and up until you are practically DYING for them to just kiss already. But, it's against Logan's moral code and could endanger his job - one that he truly loves - if he gives in. It's a big deal. And it makes that moment when they finally throw caution to the wind so much more amazing.
A lot happens in Royally Endowed. Like, A LOT. We witness major events in the lives of all three couples in the Royally series. And each event is incredible in its own right. The epilogue puts the perfect final touches on this series that has held me captive from the very beginning. This series will go down as one of my all-time favorites.
Ellie
But then the mood shifts, as if the air becomes thicker, weighted, more . . . sultry.
Because slowly, Logan sinks down to one knee in front of me—looking in my eyes the whole time. In this position, I could touch his shoulders, comb my fingers through his thick, dark hair. He’s the perfect height for me to bend down and kiss his mouth—the perfect height for him to kiss me back . . . in a lot of places.
My breath hitches. And I wonder he feels it too.
There’s a sound of tearing Velcro, and Logan takes something off his ankle—a holster, with a small silver knife, about three inches long.
“Keep this on you all the time,” he says seriously. “Just in case. If you wear a skirt, the strap will fit around your thigh.”
And I almost laugh. Most girls get a ring from a guy on his knees. I get a murder weapon. But still, it makes me feel safe . . . watched over. Like I’m something precious that deserves to be protected.
I take the knife from him, testing the surprisingly solid, heavy weight of it in my hand. I press my index finger to the tip.
Logan grabs my wrist tightly. “Careful. It’s sharp.”
There’s a small, painless nick, a tiny bead of blood, so I put my finger in my mouth, sucking.
And Logan’s watching me again.
Watching my mouth.
His chest seems to rise just a little faster, and his throat ripples when he swallows. He bends his head, curves his strong back, and then I feel his hands on my ankle, securing the strap. His touch is warm and self-assured. It’s the way he always moves—confident and experienced. Logan knows his body and he knows how to use it, in every way possible.
I almost moan. The sound is in the back of my throat, but I keep it trapped. I never knew the ankle was an erogenous zone, but it sure as hell is now. A hot pulse of pleasure streaks from Logan’s fingers on my bare skin, up my thigh, between my legs.
And I throb there, growing swollen and heavy as he keeps his hands on me.
Can he tell? Does he know? He’s so aware of everything, always so attuned, I wonder if he can sense my arousal . . . feel it in the air that clings between us.
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