Princess's Temptation Read online

  "Nice? Did you forget that Prince and I were just down the hall from you. He sounded like he was a lot more than nice. What were you two getting up to in there? I heard all that banging around."

  I flushed deeply. It wasn't that I didn't want to dish. I wasn't so prudish that I couldn't tell my best friend that Gabe, hands down, gave me the best sex of my life. It was more along the lines of I'd never felt like that before. I'd also never had a one-night stand before. Given all the security protocols, it was hardly worth it to go through all of that for just one night with someone. But considering I was basically in royal Switzerland right now, that little details had given me the bit of freedom I didn’t ordinarily have.

  The problem was I liked him. And because I had no experience with one-night stands, to me last night felt like it meant something, which was silly because it didn't. "Don't go getting attached to him, Elena. He's not staying."

  Elena laughed. "That's my girl. I never thought you were the type, but I love this journey for you."

  I shook my head. "No, not like that. He doesn’t know."

  Elena's brows shot up. "What? You didn't tell him?"

  "No. And I didn't tell him my last name. He just knows my name is Alix."

  "Has the man never picked up a tabloid in his life?"

  "I guess not. And let's face it. I'm not you. For the most part, I manage to keep my face out of anything interesting."

  "That is very true. You are not me. You are much more boring."

  "Hey!"

  "I'm sorry, darling, but you are. Which is why we're friends now, and I'm going to be spicing up your life."

  Which was why my mother had been so horrified when I'd said I'd meet a new friend. Elena Kyriakos. She was constantly called the slutty heiress in the tabloids, and I'd still called her my friend. "No, I like him, which is the problem. I like him too much. Obviously, I'm not keeping him. Besides, where can this possibly go?"

  "Wait, what do you mean by ‘obviously, you're not keeping him’? Honey, last night I heard you gasping his name. I heard you moaning his name. I heard you screaming his name. And I'm pretty sure that was you on the upper decks this morning, moaning and whimpering again. You don't think I didn't see you in the water earlier, when he dunked below and you were on the edge of the lower deck?”

  I covered my face. "Oh my God, it's like you're keeping sex track of me."

  "Hey, honey, since I made it my personal mission to be your fun guide, I like to know when I can tick things off. You have had sex in the water; you have had sex outdoors; you have had knock-down, drag-out, and make-some-furniture-break sex. I am very proud of you."

  "Well, I'm glad I'm living up to your standards." I saluted her and she laughed.

  "Why can't you keep him? He's that valiant, noble type, and you obviously like him."

  "What do you know about my type?” I haven't dated anyone since we've been hanging out."

  She rolled her eyes. "Honey, look, I know what the world says about me. That I'm flighty, and silly, and I go through men like Kleenex. Most of those assholes are jealous. Look, sometimes you can be uptight. A hundred percent that's a fact. But despite your own uptight rules for yourself, you’ve never judged me. You never demanded I be anyone I'm not supposed to be. You have your own moral code. You're determined. You're driven. You want to help people. And that's the kind of man you want. You also need someone who's not afraid of you, or your name, or who you can be. The last one, what was his name? God, Trevor, I think it was? He was a dick."

  I frowned. "I didn't know you when I was dating Trevor.”

  "No, you didn't. But what you don't know is that I know Trevor. We run in the same circles. I used to party with him when I was in London all the time. First of all, he's a cokehead, so good on you for getting rid of him."

  I sighed. "Yeah, his constant need to party was one of the reasons we broke up."

  "Yeah, but he looks like he could be good on paper. Right family, right connections, but like so many rich boys, just broken and useless. Incapable of standing on his own two feet. I once watched him have a temper tantrum because we were out somewhere, and he actually had to pay. Can you imagine? Instead of slapping down his black card and fighting for the honor of paying for the entire thing, he was horrified about it. I mean, if you didn't have money, just say so, darling."

  I snorted a laugh. "Oh my God, I love you."

  “I know. “ she said matter-of-factly. “But Gabe, I mean… Look, I don't necessarily think that he is rolling it in, but I also think that he wouldn't give a flying fuck if he knew who you were. He put you on the back of his motorcycle and chased down an SUV he thought had kidnapped your friend. And correct me if I'm wrong, but he was completely unarmed unless we're talking about the gun in his trousers." She winked at me and nudged my shoulder.

  I couldn't help but laugh. "Oh my God, Elena."

  She giggled and forced me to scoot over on my chaise. "The kind of guy that does that is the kind of guy you keep. He didn't even know you, but he was desperate to help you find your friend. Can I get one of him? Matter of fact, if you don't want him, do you think he'd be interested in joining me and Prince?"

  My eyes went wide. "Would Prince be interested in that?"

  "Do you know how much double penetration porn Prince watches? Honestly."

  I coughed a laugh. "Well, okay. So glad to know about his porn preferences. That was information I absolutely needed."

  Elena laughed. "What is the point of judgment? Besides, since you know exactly how big his gun is, I will never know the joy of his gun. Besties before testes."

  I choked as I laughed. "Oh my God, did you just say besties—"

  "Yup, I sure did. You deserve some happiness. I didn't know you before all the bullshit went down with your brother and your family. And I know that you just want to go home. But while you're here, make the best of it. You can't put your entire life on hold while you wait for your family to wake up and see that you are unhappy. You grab your share of happiness while you can. You deserve it."

  She took my hand and squeezed it. "Now, please, in lurid detail, tell me everything about the size." She held up her hands about six inches apart, and I shook my head. And then she went up another two inches. I shook my head again. Her jaw dropped. "Oh my God, how big was it?"

  I laughed. "I'm not telling."

  "Oh, come on. Prince is working with six. See, now you know. So now you have to tell me."

  I laughed. "I'm just saying it's bigger than your hands."

  Her eyes went comically wide, and then she shook her head. "Some girls have all the luck."

  Chapter Nine

  Gabe

  Alix had been quiet. Not distant, just contemplative. It was frustrating because I didn't know her well enough to know exactly what she needed when she was in this kind of mood. All I wanted to do was keep touching her. So I did. Because whenever I did, she leaned in and sighed.

  All the tension that had gathered at the base of her neck eased out when I made physical contact. Whenever I touched her, I could physically see her uncoil. It was interesting to watch. It was like she was always holding herself so tightly, afraid to let go. But all I wanted to do was scream, 'Let go with me.' But who was I kidding? I barely knew the girl. She still hadn't told me her last name.

  You haven't asked.

  No, because I was trying to keep it casual. But I was deathly terrified of letting her go because I could see it in her eyes; this was temporary.

  On the top deck, we could hear more of the party participants laughing, and drinking, and singing. I just held her hand and we walked.

  Off in the distance, we could see the city of Barcelona lit up for the early evening. Alix had taken several photos, and I'd managed to get one selfie with her. Little did she know, I'd be holding on to that one for a while.

  You are such a sap. You've only known her for forty-eight hours. You cannot be this into her already. This is how you got in trouble with the last one.

  All of those thoughts, every single one of them, were true. Because yes, this was, in fact, how I had gotten in trouble the last time. It hadn't been this quick, but all I'd seen from Gigi had been good things. All I'd wanted to see. There had been a million red flags, and I'd ignored them all. For months. I was so into her I would have dismissed anything she'd done. Yeah, that had bitten me in the ass for sure.

  "You're quiet,” I said.

  "Yeah, sorry. I'm just thinking."

  "About?"

  "Well, first off, where did you learn that thing with your tongue?"

  Caught completely off guard, I guffawed. "Jesus Christ, woman."

  "No, inquiring minds want to know. I'm just really curious because that was some otherworldly shit."

  I tugged her close and wrapped my arms around her, dropping my head to the nook between her neck and shoulder. I inhaled deeply. "Woman, you're not supposed to ask those questions."

  "Honestly, I want to know. Is there like a university that you've gone to for that? Because I feel like many of my friends would want to send their boyfriends."

  I laughed again. "That's called listening. I wait for you to figure out what you like. When you tell me right there, I know not to move two inches to the left or right. And I do know what a clit is. I always try to pay attention to see how you like it. Whether you like a firm stroke, which you do. Whether you want to be teased, which you say you don't, but you do. So it's just me basically paying attention."

  "Well, I do like how you pay attention."

  "I'm paying attention to a lot more than what your body is telling me. I can see that you're trying to figure out how to say something. And I encourage you to just say it. I'm not sensitive."

  "I don't think you're sensitive, Gabe. Well, I mean, I do, because when you talk to me about your family and your mom, and your brother and your father, you get this look on your face. You love them very much. I know that I don't know you that well. I mean, I know you physically, but I can already see that when you care, you play it fair. It's just... I'm worried that I'm already in too deep with you, and it's only been two days. And that is concerning to me."

  "Don't be concerned. I like you. You're smart. You think fast. You are incredibly loyal. And brave."

  "You don't know I'm brave."

  I laughed and slid my hands down her arms until I slid one hand around hers and tugged her to keep walking. "Excuse me, I watched you climb on the back of a total stranger as you were chasing after a presumed-armed gunman, who had taken your friend. You didn't think about it. You just chased them down. And then you climbed on the back of my bike to continue chasing them down. All while one-handed typing and leaving voice texts for people. And did I mention you were doing it in fuck-me heels as well? If that's not the bravest shit I've ever seen, I don't know what is."

  She wrinkled her nose. "That was ill-advised. Sometimes I can be so focused on the goal that I don't pay attention to the dangers."

  I shook my head. "Someone has told you that. Because the woman I see is full of drive and flare and determination, and that is fucking sexy. You should know that."

  She tucked her head. "Where have you been hiding all this time?"

  "London. But I'm here now, and look, no pressure, but I want to see you again."

  She licked her bottom lip and slid her gaze off over my body, leaving a trail of heat behind her. Yeah, I knew she wanted me, but why was she hesitating? "I like you, Gabe. Probably too much. It's just not a good idea. My life's a little complicated."

  Motherfucker. She was married or had someone.

  And I knew that I should care. Except I didn't. Because if she was happy, there was no way in hell she would have been so surprised about exactly where I was willing to put my tongue, fingers, and dick, nor would she have been so open with me. From what I'd seen of her, she had a kind of core to her. Not judgmental of others. Only judgmental for herself. She wasn't a cheater. So, what was so damn complicated?

  I didn't have time to guess. "Look, I'm not going to pressure you. I want to see you again. I'm just going to put it out there. Will you give it a thought? You tell me if you want to see me. The offer is open. I'll even do you one better. Hand me your phone."

  She frowned. "Why do you want my phone?"

  "I'm just going to put my phone number in yours. I'm not even going to call or text myself. I'm just going to give it to you. And when you're ready, you can call me."

  She stopped and eyed me up and down. "Confident that I'm going to call, aren't you?"

  I shrugged. I was fairly certain but not a hundred percent. "I know the vibe I'm getting. All I want to do is consume you. I feel like you belong to me. But I get complications, and maybe now isn't the right time for you. But sooner or later, you and I are happening. I'm just trying to give you a little control over when that is."

  She laughed then, and the throatiness of it made my dick hard. "Jesus Christ, why is all that confidence so goddamn sexy?"

  "Well, mostly because I'm stating a fact. And second, because you know when I say things, I mean them. Like, you're going to come five times. Was I lying?"

  That flush crept up her skin, adding pink and red undertones to her now honey-brown skin. "You're cocky."

  "Yes, I am. But you like it. So, what do you say we go back to the room?"

  She turned to face me. Her hand slid up my chest, leaving trails of electrical sparks over my skin. "Where the hell did I find you?"

  I grinned down at her. "You know, at the club, waiting for you to show up."

  "Yeah, let's go back to the room."

  I handed her back her phone with my details on it. All I had was my phone number and my address in Barcelona. I'd be spending most of my time at work, but anytime I was off rotation, I would love to have her with me. I wondered how she would feel about me protecting some pampered princess. Something told me she wouldn't even be fussed. There was something so self-contained about her, so assured. The way she moved in her skin like she knew what she wanted. And that didn't waiver. She couldn't be deterred or pushed off course. It made me want to hold on tight to her and never let go.

  Make this one count, because you might not get another chance.

  Chapter Ten

  Alix

  In the morning, I woke up before Gabe. And I watched as the sunlight played on his hair.

  You could have him. You could have all of this. Love. A life. One that doesn't involve sitting around being stuck.

  But I knew what I wanted. I wanted to go home. I didn't belong here. I had never belonged in Spain. And if I was being honest, I had never belonged anywhere. But at least in the Winston Isles, those were my people. It felt like I should be there because I wasn't constantly looking over my shoulder, waiting for someone to notice that I was the outsider.

  Yes, you are.

  Fine, I had always felt I was one of those people who was destined to be unhappy. Destined to constantly search for the right fit.

  But the thing about most people like that was they always felt like they didn't actually know what their dreams were or what they wanted. I knew my dreams. They just were completely unattainable. In moments like this, when I was watching Gabe sleep, when I was completely relaxed and I dared to dream, I wished for things like Gabe. I wished for things that gave me purpose. I wished for a career in the home that I loved, doing things that girls like me didn't ordinarily get to do.

  Things are changing. You could have it, if you want it.

  Even I knew better than that.

  I leaned over and brushed my lips over Gabe’s. He startled awake immediately. His arms wrapped around me and pulled me into him. "Where are you going?"

  "We've docked. Everyone is still asleep, but I'm going to get a cab and get out of here."

  "Well, let me come with you. I'll take you home."

  I shook my head. "Gabe, come on, that'll only make it harder. You and I, this last forty-eight hours on the boat, it’s been a wild adventure, but I think that's it, you know?"

  He frowned at that. "Right. I can wait."

  I had to laugh at that. "You're so certain I will give in."

  His shrug was carefree as he punched the pillow and propped it up under him again, while his other arm stayed wrapped around me. "I'm not particularly fatalistic. When people like us have this kind of energy and pull, we'll get back to each other. You'll see."

  "How can you just say, you'll see?"

  "Don't worry about it. You’re going home, and I wish you'd let me take you. But I can see it in your eyes. You're determined. You've made your decision. At least your decision for now."

  "Gabe, I wish I could. The last two days with you, I felt more alive than I have in, huh, maybe ever. And it is wholly terrifying. Uniquely dangerous. I’ve never felt like this in my entire life."

  "Well, then keep feeling.”

  "I'm terrified. You should be too."

  He shook his head. "I'm not. And I just have to be patient."

  "You're also infuriating."

  I don't know why but my eyes started to mist, and he sat up immediately. "Hey! No, no, no, don't cry."

  I shook my head. "Oh my God, I am so embarrassed."

  "Why, because you expressed emotion?"

  "I just wish things were different. But this can't be different. I want to explore this with you. I do. I just— I know how these things go. But thank you for the best two days of my life."

  He was quiet then and nodded as his thumb traced over the tear that had rolled down my cheek. "Don't cry. I have a feeling I will see you again. And I want to. I want to see where this goes. Like I said, we're not done. You have my number."

  I tried to laugh. He didn't understand that he would never hear from me again. Or maybe one day he would see a tabloid and then he would get it. But today wasn't that day. Today was the day where I had to leave and walk away from the fantasy life. But I would be grateful for it.