Page 25 of Powerful Prince
I grabbed his sides that were all hard muscle. My knees knocked. This couldn’t be wrong. Every cell in my body ached to be his, but I needed my brain to work. “I’m more concerned that you and I will never …”
My voice trailed off. His lips were close to mine as he asked, “Never what?”
Honesty was my best policy. I met his gaze and ignored the twinges of desire in me. I forced my lips that were open for a kiss to speak. The words were slow but sure, “Get your father to agree that my blog and influencer lifestyle is palace approved.”
The heat in my skin grew with every syllable I’d just said. Plus my heart raced. This wasn’t good. Now I listened to my own breathing.
He held me tighter and then his lips met mine.
Damn, I needed this. My body erupted like a firework, with sweet sparks landing all over me. Once the kiss ended, he said, “No matter what happens Nicole, I promise to be good to you. You’re more than I deserve.”
I swallowed and sucked in my lips that still had his taste on it. Then I smiled. “Then hurry back so we can get the doctor’s note and be done with this.”
He kissed me again and steam rushed in my veins, lighting me up like a Christmas tree. He let me go and backed away as he said, “I will. And I promise that, afterwards, we’ll get out of the castle so I can show you around.”
“I’d like that,” I said as he flipped on the light in his room. I’d give him space to clean himself up. I had work to do anyhow, like writing that blog.
I had to ensure I didn’t mention anything about his family or private life.
The charms of a princewould be a good title.
This was a business deal. But he waved as he headed toward his en suite bathroom. “Me, too.”
I plopped on my bed and opened my laptop. For now, I worked. I couldn’t hide from my computer. It was my life, and sharing my innermost thoughts and dreams and hopes through my words and pictures had always fulfilled me. At least, until now.
Chapter 8
Ryder
My heart thundered and it wasn’t because freedom beckoned. Everything about today was barbaric and awful.
Nicole was dressed in a loose-fitting shirt and baggy skirt that went past her knees, though it was asymmetrical and showed off how sexy her lower calves were. She was sweet, and if she went through with a stupid test, for my freedom, then I was a bastard and a jerk.
Someone knocked on the door and Nicole patted me on the back as she went to answer it, making the air smell like her lavender and oranges as she passed.
When she opened the door, a woman with a white jacket and short curly hair, wearing a stethoscope around her neck, came in.
Adrenaline rushed in my veins. I never should have asked her to do this. It was like I’d asked her to be assaulted.
Nicole walked over to her bed and waited while the medical team set up a bed with stirrups, as if she’d been expecting them.
This needed to end. I couldn’t let her go through with this. Sweat was forming on my forehead as the technicians finished setting up a medical exam room in the middle of her bedroom.
Nicole came and stood beside me, cool as a spring breeze, and said, “Just hold my hand.”
My shoulders were too tight. I needed to stop this. So I told the doctor and her team, “Give us a moment.”
The two techs and the doctor immediately stopped what they were doing and said, “Yes, your highness.”
Nicole cocked her head but didn’t say anything. I made sure the door was closed, while she crossed her arms and stared at me. “What’s going on?”
“I’m mad.” I reached for her hands so she’d understand. “I don’t want this to happen.”
She waved me off like my concerns weren’t important. “Look, I just don’t want to be alone. If one of my sisters were here, I’d have her with me. But you’re the only one here I know or trust at all. Let’s just get this done.”
Every muscle in my body contracted. That was exactly why this was wrong. I widened my stance. “We can call it off and run away together.”
She shook her head, then shrugged and opened the window to let fresh air in as she said, “I … that’s not our deal. So let’s stay focused and let the doctors in now.”
