Page 20 of Claimed by the Bastard Prince
“Torture a confession out of a criminal?” He brushed her hair over her shoulder, gathering it into his hand and then releasing it to fall in waves of gold down her back.
“Yes, that.” She gulped and stared at her hands.
“Not often. A few times a year. It’s becoming less and less, as the plots against my father seem to be dying out. He’s well-liked in Ismallia. Most suspects start singing the moment an officer threatens to bring them to me as I’ve developed a certain reputation.” He continued stroking her hair. “I could’ve allowed an officer of the Royal Guard to arrest you and question you, Cora, but I would have felt as if I were abandoning you. I knew I would frighten you, but I couldn’t stand the thought of handing you over to one of the officers. They would have scared you and threatened you, and then I would’ve had no choice but to pummel them to within an inch of their life.”
“I’m glad you don’t have to leave now.” Finally, she met his gaze.
“Me too.” He grasped her hand and squeezed. “Why don’t you get dressed, and I’ll take you to all the touristy places you had planned to visit after the wedding?”
She laughed. “How did you know about that?”
“It’s your first time in my country. I know you’re probably dying to see the giant UFO in the center of Ta-Kona, the clear waters of the Horona Bay, and the endless tulip fields in the north.”
Her expression brightened, her blue eyes sparkling as the tension left her body. “That sounds wonderful. But you must tell me. Is the UFO real? Some of the American tabloids claim it’s real, that the Ismallian Air Force shot it down and put it on display as a war prize and to deter aliens from invading.”
He rose with her in his arms and kissed her forehead. “I wish I could tell you it was real, but alas, it was a publicity stunt, one of my half-brother’s ideas, to increase tourism in our country. Prince Tarius commissioned its creation in secret and it was installed in the center of Ta-Kona in the middle of the night, with no identifying plaque to name it as a work of art or a war prize. It’s also installed in such a way that it appears it crash landed, so there are those who think it hurtled to the earth in the middle of the night. Some residents claim to have heard the noise and have appeared on television to speak about it. The speculation soon began, and the palace has never made an official comment on the UFO’s authenticity.”
“What a genius idea,” she said, laughing.
“It was a genius idea. The tourism industry in Ismallia increased tenfold in the first year. Our economy was fragile a few years ago and on the brink of a recession, but Prince Tarius’ stunt turned it around.” He pressed his hardening cock against her. “I suggest you get dressed now, or we’ll never make it outside my quarters.”
She flushed and scampered to find her dress and flip flops. He tossed his robe on a chair and set about putting his jeans and tee-shirt back on, not once taking his eyes off the beauty that was Cora. She wasn’t only gorgeous on the outside, but on the inside as well. Her gentle spirit was breathtaking and had him captivated. She’d forgiven him for arresting her and had been far more understanding than he deserved for his treatment of her in the dungeon. While she was uncomfortable about his line of work, she hadn’t rejected him because of it. Her entire face had lit up at the prospect of spending more time in his company.
“Do you think we could have lunch at that restaurant that overlooks Horona Bay?” she asked hopefully as she straightened her dress. “In addition to places to visit, I made a list of places to eat while I’m here. Their website boasts they have the best deep-dish pizza and tiramisu in the world.”
“I’ll call ahead and get us a table with the best view, if you promise me one thing.” He strode to her, cupped her face, and peered into her inquisitive gaze.
“What’s that?”
“You’ll stay with me for the rest of your time in Ismallia. I’ll have the servants fetch the rest of your things, including your other suitcase. However, I might have to confiscate all your panties.” He reached one hand down to squeeze her ass. “I like knowing you’re bare underneath your dresses, and all I have to do is flip your skirt up and take you.”
She gave him a playful push. “It’s a deal, but no flipping up my skirt in public.”
“You drive a hard bargain.”
Chapter 9
Cora sat in her window seat, her heart lodged painfully in her throat. The plane would be taking off soon, and she would return to her life in America. A life that didn’t include a sexy royal bastard.
She shouldn’t be thinking about him. She shouldn’t be thinking about jumping out of her seat and trying to exit the plane, but she couldn’t help it. He’d bid her goodbye before she walked through security. He was probably already back in the palace.
“Come visit me soon, my little sunflower,” he had said. “I will arrange for your travels when you’re ready, even fly you in on a private plane.”
She’d melted on the spot and promised she would try, but in reality, a return visit to Ismallia wasn’t in her near future. If she pinched pennies, she could save enough for a stay during the fall, but, even so, that felt like a lifetime away. She was touched that he’d offered to arrange for her travels, but she couldn’t accept his money. What if she allowed him to fly her in on a private plane and their relationship didn’t work out after all? It would be weird. Too weird. In addition to her pride complicating matters, she didn’t want to feel forced into a relationship.
She glanced around, wondering why the plane hadn’t moved from the gate yet. All the passengers had taken their seats, and the flight attendants had already given their safety spiel. At least, despite the flight being mostly full, she had lucked out and ended up with an entire row of seats to herself. If someone sat next to her and tried to make small talk, she would’ve been annoyed.
Closing her eyes, she replayed her final night with Akeen. He’d taught her how to properly suck his cock, calling her agood girlafter she swallowed every last drop of his seed. Then he’d taken her from behind again. Twice. He’d ordered her to spread her legs wide apart and show him every little fold and crevice of her pussy, then he’d feasted on her until she came repeatedly while his tongue lapped at her clit.
He’d also looked at her with reverence, as if she was the most precious thing in the world to him. God, it made her heart hurt thinking about it, but their last night together had been magical.
Her stomach flipped as worries intruded into her thoughts. What if he never called her? What if he never emailed her or contacted her again in any way? She would be positively heartbroken. Sure, she had his private information, but what if she contacted him only to receive no reply?
Stop it, Cora. He’s totally into you.
He’d made lovey eyes at her while she stuffed her face with tiramisu, he’d given her at least five times the number of orgasms as she’d given him, and he’d spent every possible moment of the last four days at her side. It was silly to entertain thoughts of himnotbeing into her, she told herself with a sense of finality before she resumed the replay of Akeen’s sexual prowess on their last night together.
But a disruption in the front of the plane soon interrupted her naughty musings. From all the commotion, it sounded like a passenger was arriving at the last minute. Weird. She’d thought the door had already been sealed.
