Page 7 of Royally Tempted
4
VANDER
“Fuck.” I grind out, glaring at the woman in front of me. “Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.”
Just my luck that the one woman who I thought was a gift from the universe turns out to be the woman my brother plans to marry.
My family might own this hotel as well as many others, but it’s our significant business holdings in South America and France that got the attention of the King of Abu Daher. Upon learning that our development arm had just purchased a large parcel of land in Al Zainad, land adjacent to disputed territory between those two countries, the King reached out to my father. Once my brother, Andre, heard that the king was looking for a friendly alliance through marriage to his sister, he was set on having a princess bride. I was shocked, as none of us were looking to settle down, and Andre especially, as he seems to be with a different woman every time I see him. Andre is charming, the life of every party, and a royal title with a very, very large income will elevate his status which seems to be all he cares about these days. My father made it clear he expected one of us to step up and make this happen, but even he seemed surprised when Andre volunteered.
Addy – Her Royal Highness, Adara Katerina – I should say, sits quietly in front of me, her hands folded in her lap as if we’re at a formal dinner. The wild, passionate woman who came alive under my hands is gone. In her place is this pretty doll, her expression carefully blank, her cheeks pale. My brother will never adore her the way she deserves. I swallow thickly as I remember the charming blush that rose from her chest as she pressed herself against my cock.
Is this some kind of game to her?
“Is this what a princess does for fun? Pretend to be someone they’re not and sneak away with strangers?” My words are sharp spikes as I ignore the truth I know in my heart. Her response to me was unpracticed. The slow, tentative strokes of her tongue, her innocent surprise when she felt my cock graze her core.
I crouch down, noticing the sheen in her eyes and I hang my head. She looks away, composing herself before rising.
“If you could take me back to my floor now, such would be appreciated.” Her voice is cool, passionless.
Nodding, I rise, reaching for her hand before I stop myself. I can’t touch her. Royal protocol aside, something about her calls to me, like my body recognizes her, and if I lay hands on her again, I’m afraid I’ll do something monumentally stupid like wrap my arms around her and bury my face in her hair.
She’s not meant for me. Her innocent kisses will be for my womanizing brother if our negotiations are successful. The thought makes my stomach churn. Then, remorse pummels my chest, an ache as sharp as if someone had punched me.
I should have recognized her, I suppose, but aside from a few formal photographs as a child with her family, and even fewer photos from events she’s attended over the years, there isn’t much out there about the princess. At least nothing reliable.
The photos I have seen certainly look nothing like the woman before me. In those photos, she looks stiff and untouchable. I’ve only seen her in some sort of evening gown or ceremonial garb, instead of this soft-looking sundress that hugs her body and makes my fingers itch to flip it up, part her legs and taste her here among the sunshine and flowers.
My cock twitches miserably. If she marries my brother, I’ll spend the rest of my life remembering the sweet weight of her in my arms and the scent of her arousal.
“Come with me,” I say, stepping aside to let her walk past me.
She moves like a dream, her hips swaying, and each step makes that luscious ass jiggle, just a little under the silky fabric of her dress. I focus on the back of her head, directing her out of the garden and back to the access door.
Reaching around her, I hold my phone to the keypad, my entire body stiffening when she leans back into me. I close my eyes and give into the urge to touch her one last time, lightly sweeping my hand over her hair. When I open my eyes, she’s looking up at me, her expression unveiled and vulnerable and my heart cracks. Dipping my head, I touch my lips to hers, just a whisper of a kiss.
“Good-bye Addy.”
