Page 43 of Princessa
Once inside, I nearly gasped. It was heaven meets regal paradise.
“I kinda figured you’d take a liking to it.” Grayson squeezed my hand, leading me on a swift tour. “This cottage was built for and served as a diplomat guest house long ago. As relationships with other nations improved over the years, there was less need to entertain and house ambassadors and such.” He placed Diamond’s carrier down onto the hardwood floor, careful not to wake her, then continued with the tour. “So, my mother—always the dreamer—had it renovated to look like a home she’d always pictured herself living in when she was younger. Growing up regal, she dreamed of living the life of a normal girl in a normal home—white with a picket fence.”
A soft smile, the kind you couldn’t fight, crept onto my face, slow and easy.
“Whenever she disagreed with my father or had a tough day, mother would come here to chill, as if to escape to a life less regal and demanding.” We walked into the gourmet-style kitchen. “She’d actually prepare her own meal in here to unwind and prove to herself she was just an average kind of a woman, sans privilege, crown, and duty.”
I looked around at the room, its six-burner stove, massive granite counter space, state-of-the-art appliances, and swooned. Growing up in a ritzy hotel, I dreamed of living in a home like this. A place where no one waited on me, no luxury two-thousand square foot suite. Just four walls of house—home sweet home. “It’s funny how society doesn’t envision royals, celebrities—or a hotel heiress for that matter—dreaming of a life void of privilege and duty.”
He turned to face me, tongue sliding across his lips, pressing his forehead against mine. “I dream of it all the time.”
The kiss, an ambrosial concoction of sweet, delicate, and flawless, came out of nowhere, completely unwarranted. But that’s what happened whenever the two of us were alone—sparks became fireworks, igniting any room we were in.
Grayson’s strong arms bracketed my waist, pulling me into him, as his steps led me backward, until I landed ass-against-kitchen-island. Instinctively, I hopped up and onto the counter, legs wrapped around his waist, hands threading his gorgeous-even-when-messy hair.
We were breathless, our tongues dancing to the echoed beats of our hearts.
God, how I adored kissing him, touching him,feelinghim.
His arousal, thick and needy—maybe even a little angry, since I’d deprived it from getting acquainted withmy maiden goddess—caused a wave of heat that traveled down my belly right to my sex.
Girl, you’d better hurry up and decide when and if you’re gonna let him pop that cherry. This kissing shit is getting old and tired.
Ugh. The return of Salty Santana.
Unable to control myself from coming undone right then and there—my mind on what more than just a kiss would do to me—I let out a moan that could wake the dead.
Only, it woke Diamond.Meeeoow.
Lips parting, Grayson and I laughed, both probably feeling like a couple of parents interrupted by their child.
“We should get the diva out of her carrier, fed and settled, then I’ll give you a complete tour without another…detour.” He nipped my bottom lip and I shivered, my avidity forallof him growing stronger.
Grayson showed me more parts of the dreamy house, Diamond in my arms, until we came to a bedroom with a garden view, queen-sized bed, and a cove that had a small cat bed, litter box, and a bowl of food and water. “This is where you and Diamond can retreat to during our stay. The staff set up a cozy spot for her and your clothes have been unpacked and put away. As I mentioned, you’ll be waited on hand and foot while you’re here.”
The room was spacious and appealing, but lacked the masculine qualities I imagined his room to have. “Where’s your bedroom?”
“Oh”—he rubbed his jaw—“my room is just down this hall and around the corner.” He gestured down the wide hallway. “I’ll show you where it is, right before we head out to dinner in a few hours.”
“So, we won’t be sharing a room, be sleeping in the same bed?” My heart died a little.
“Bella, look what happened between us a few minutes ago in the kitchen. I could barely contain myself against your body propped up on the counter. You, in my bedroom, would be a battle lost the moment you walked in.” He tilted my chin up until my eyes met his. “I need to give you space and time to decide when and if you’d like us to take the next plunge. Whenever you say the word, believe me, I’m all in.”
I loved and hated the gentleman qualities in him just as much as I loved and hated the way I ached for him. So, I reacted cold, like anyone who feels defeated. “Great. See you before dinner.”
