Page 26 of The Prince (Spy Girl 1)
Although part of me wishes he wouldn't. I'm torn between my own desire and what I deem to be good for my mission.
I move onto the Prince's lap. He smiles and wraps his arms around me and continues talking. I'm thinking that he doesn't usually talk much to the girls he sleeps with. It helps that conversation flows easily between us.
"Before we go, I have to meet with the Saudi Prince again. He says his country is still concerned about our shipping lanes allowing him passage to Europe."
"Why?" I ask, running my hands gently through his hair. I need to get his take on it all. I also wonder what the Saudis have heard that has made them nervous. "Is he a friend?"
Lorenzo squints, an imperceptible twitch that tells me no--regardless of what comes out of his mouth next.
"He feels our military is lacking, but we have controlled the Strait for over four hundred years," he says, suddenly holding up his hand and studying it. "My hand is gold."
"I'll take all the glitter, so I will sparkle tonight." I laugh, taking his hands and rubbing them down the front of me. "I can see why the Prince is worried, though, things have changed in the world."
He glances at the clock letting me know that bath time is over, so we swim over to where the towels are.
"Yes, terrorism is an unfortunate side effect--"
"I've never really understood that," I say, wrapping a fluffy towel around me. He does the same, and we sit on a bench and continue to talk.
"Terrorism? Extremism?"
"Yeah. I mean look through a history book. People have been killing each other for centuries in the name of religion, and I don't get it. Nearly every religion teaches peace. Man's ability to twist whatever gospel they believe--is where we get into trouble. People laugh at pageant contestants who say they want world peace, but isn't that what we should all want?"
"All you need is love? Do you believe that?"
"If we truly loved our fellow man, yeah, I do. Have you ever heard of the Terra Project?"
"No. Wait, yes. Clarice was speaking of it the other night. But I don't know what it is all about."
I give him an overview.
"Interesting concept, but I don't think it could work. You still need currency to barter. And a government to back the currency. Plus, I like things the way they are."
To prove his point, his phone dings on the table next to me. I pick it up and hand it to him, noticing the text that says: My kitty misses you and is followed by a photo--of which you can assume is not her cat.
I laugh, goofily. Who the hell in the basement of Black X ever thought I had a chance in hell of capturing the Prince's attention when cooter pics are sent to him daily?
"Friend or acquaintance?" I ask.
He tilts his head, considering. "Acquaintance, who wants to be a friend."
"More like a princess. I bet that sucks, though, sometimes--having women throw themselves at you."
He tries not to smile. It's clear he doesn't agree. He loves this shit. "Isn't it every man's fantasy?" he asks, taking another sip of champagne.
"I suppose, but what if it's like anything you gorge on? Eventually, you lose your taste for it--or worse, grow to hate it. It would really be a shame if you lost the taste for kitty."
He blows champagne out of his mouth, laughing. "You are funny." He caresses my hair. "Would you like to be the one I gorge on?"
I back away. "I'd rather gorge on love, because that's the one thing you never get sick of."
"Hopeless romantic?"
"Maybe."
"Yet, your first night in town you went home with a guy from the casino."
"How would you know that?"
"He talks. Says you're wild."
"He was so drunk, he passed out before any wildness could take place," I lie. In reality, I may have shot him with a tranquilizer dart and drug him to bed.
"You spent the night. When he woke up, you were naked."
"No, I was wearing exactly what I'm wearing now--albeit, a larger version. Basically, I was wearing what one would to the beach in your lovely country."
"You were in an evening gown at the casino."
"Which was entirely hand beaded. I would have ruined the dress had I slept in it."
"So, he lied?"
"Well, I may have led him to believe we'd had a good night."
"Why?"
"Before I realized he was shit-faced, he was sweet to me."
"How so?"
"I was at the bar and someone made a nasty comment about my dress. He told the guy to shut the fuck up. It was chivalrous, and I appreciate that in a man."
"Sounds like you need a prince."
"Oh, for gosh sake, give it a rest. You're a prince. I get it. If I succumb to his royal sexual wishes, maybe I could live a fairytale. No thanks."
"No thanks?" He's taken aback.
I lean toward him, my towel purposely slipping a little in the front. "Lorenzo, if all I wanted to do was screw you, I would have already."
"You were straddling me in the mermaid bath," he counters. "And you said you care about me in front of my mother."
"I'm not saying I'm not attracted to you, but when you drop all the prince shit and be yourself, I really like you. You're funny. Smart. Interesting to talk to. I enjoy your company."
For this I get a grin. "I enjoy your company, too. I've had a lovely day and am looking forward to a wonderful evening." He glances at his phone. "I'm supposed to be there in ten minutes."
"Then, I'll have to join you later. I'm afraid it'll take longer than that for me to get ready. Hair and makeup isn't due for another twenty minutes."
"I took the liberty of acquiring the dress from the fashion show for you to wear to the Queen's Ball."
"So I'd sleep with you?"
He grins and pulls me closer. "Huntley, if all I wanted to do was screw you, I would have already."
I swallow hard as my body heats up again. He says it like a threat as he holds a robe out for me. I slide off the wet bottoms, gently rub the plush towel across my skin to dry it, and then drop it to the floor--allowing him a full shot of me naked--before slipping into the robe.
As he grabs the belt and securely cinches it around my waist, he sighs heavily, acting as if the belt is the only thing keeping us apart.
He strips out of his euro-Speedo, eyes me--he's got a nice semi going on--and wraps a towel around his waist, shielding it from my view.
And I know without a doubt I'm going to have to sleep with him soon.
X X X
He goes to his meeting while I get ready. Along with my dress for tonight, there is a box adorned with an elaborately embroidered silk. Inside is a credit card to allow me entry--and probably to prevent people from crashing--along with a scroll declaring the party details. It's quite luxe, and I've never seen an invitation like it.
After my hair and makeup is complete, I dress and then go into the billiards room and play darts to pass the time.
"Remind me to never play with you," Lorenzo says, entering the room and eyeing my score, which consists of five bullseyes and one just outside ring. "You're a ringer."
"No, I never lie about my dart throwing abilities," I tease.
"You look gorgeous. That is quite the dress."
"You don't think it's too scandalous?"
"I love a good scandal," he says, pulling me into his arms and kissing my neck.
The party is ridiculous. The yacht is worth at least three hundred million dollars and is decked out in more of the embroidered silk from the invitations. The guests are all A-list, with royalty, celebrities, drivers, and more beautiful people and designer clothing than I have ever seen in one place. The security is tight, and I find myself relaxing and just enjoying the atmosphere and my date, who holds my hand and adorably introduces me to everyone he knows.
I haven't seen Ari since we arrived, but he did send me a text earlier. It was just a heart, meaning that Gallagher is one of the good guys.
I'm returning from a quick trip to the ladies r
oom when I run smack dab into the British spy. The hallway is narrow, and he makes it feel tighter by placing his hand above the wall near my shoulder and leaning toward me.
"I saw you on the Royal Yacht in your bikini today. The French Barbie twins on the neighboring boat were jealous."
"Because I was alone with the Prince?"
"Mostly because of how you looked in your bikini."
I give pause. Is my idol flirting with me?
Well, I can flirt back. "How old are you?"
He leans closer. "Old enough to know better. I shouldn't be sending gifts to someone so young, but I couldn't resist."
"It was nice of you." I bat my eyelashes at him, causing him to swallow hard.
As in I just made the great Intrepid react, sexually. My instructor in hand-to-hand combat told me being a girl was one of my greatest weapons, because I would be underestimated by my adversaries.
"I have to be honest with you," he says. "I bought it because--"
"You want me to introduce you to the twins?"
"Will they be at your party?"
"No."
"I'd still like to come."
"Why?"
He leans closer again. "Isn't it obvious?"
I slide under his arm and back away. "Actually, it's not."
"Fine. I'd like to meet the Prince."
