“Mari, the things that I gifted Ella with for graduation were things that will give you both comforts. You can keep in touch with each other more easily, and she will have a phone for emergencies.”
“I know, and you are right. I do thank you for being so generous and thoughtful. But Ki, you have to stop with all the extreme gifts. It makes me very uncomfortable, and it only points out how different our lifestyles are.”
Mari took a deep breath, determined to make Ki understand how she felt. “You asked me earlier on the phone what was wrong. As I was walking out the door, I grabbed my bag,” holding up her worn brown fake leather bag with one shoulder strap frayed and the stitching pulled out from around the outer pocket for Ki to see. “I saw the vast difference between my bag and your dress. I couldn’t help thinking about the type of woman that should be wearing this dress and the type of woman that you should have sent it to.”
She pointed to her dress. “This is not me and I am only setting myself up for a lot of hurt if I forget it. Ki, you make me want to forget and that scares me.”
Her hands gripped her napkin, she willed herself to continue, “I’m a waitress at a bar, but dressed like this, I feel like a princess. You make me feel things that a girl like me has no business feeling. I can never be the woman you need in your life.”
Concerned at the anxiety and fear he saw in her eyes, Ki was angry that she couldn’t see the woman he saw when he looked at her and talked to her. There could not be a more perfect woman for him than Mari. How could he make her see that she belonged with him, in his life, by his side, to one day rule his country?
Ki smiled to himself. If she only knew that he had plans to make her feel like a princess every day and in a most authentic way. He decided that it was best to move the conversation back on safe ground and give her time to adjust to the changes that would be occurring in her life.
“Can you do this? Can a lovely young woman simply have dinner with a man totally smitten by her? Later, you can decide if you want to stay the night or if Ethan flies you back home. The choice is yours. The choice will always be yours. I will never make you do anything that is not your wish. Now, shall I order for you or do you want to see a menu?” He smiled, thankful he didn’t see panic in her eyes anymore.
“Please, order for me.” Mari was grateful that Ki understood what she was trying to say even with the pitiful job she did explaining it. She let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding. “I am not saying that I am staying with you tonight, but Ki, if you put me back on that helicopter, we are going to have words. Promise me that you will never make me do that again.”
Confused by her demands, Ki took note to find out what happened on the helicopter. If Ethan stepped out of line, he was history.
Dinner was the most spectacular event Mari had ever experienced. And, she did consider it an event. Each course was presented to them with flourish and fanfare with each course having its own wine pairing. Mari was enthralled with each plate and bowl presented to them and kept up a constant chatter. Ki was happy to see her fear and doubts from earlier replaced with happiness. Dessert was divine, which caused Ki to shift in his seat again. He wished he was the one to put the satisfied look on her face instead of chocolate on her spoon. Meeting her innocent but cunning eyes, Ki was not sure she didn’t realize exactly what she was doing to him.
“Mari, would you like a final cup of coffee?” Ki didn’t want the night to end. He was anxious to hear her decision. Would she put them out of their misery tonight or would he be returning to his suite alone?
“Sure, that would be nice.” Without a waiter in sight, Mari made her way to the coffee service and returned to the table refilling Ki’s cup.
“Mari, what are you doing?” The smile on her face quickly faded. Ki stood and took the coffee pot from her hand and then helped her back to her seat.
Mari could feel the flush moving over her face. How could she have embarrassed Ki like that? “Oh, I shouldn’t have done that.” With a smile that didn’t quite make it to her eyes, “You know what they say. I guess you can’t take the waitress out of the girl.”
“Mari, look at me.” Slowly, Mari moved her eyes to meet his.
“Ki, yesterday I was the one refilling empty cups. That’s my job.” She refused to look away from his eyes, “What am I doing here? I don’t belong here.”
A spark of anger flashed across Ki’s eyes quickly masked by calm. “Mari, you are here because you accepted an invitation to dine with someone that finds you fascinating. Why can’t you see the strong and amazing person I see when I look into your eyes?”
Staring into his eyes, Mari could almost believe.
Their meal at its end, Chef Maurice stopped by their dining room. Walking past Ki’s bodyguards, he bowed, “Your Highness I do hope your meal was to your liking. May I say what an honor it is to have the Crown Prince of Tanistan, Kiliad SuMartra, in our restaurant tonight?”
Ki cut his eyes to Mari and grimaced. She was still trying to process what Chef Maurice said. Ki decided to quickly take action and nodded to his bodyguard to call for the limo. “Yes, thank you Maurice. Miss Roe and I enjoyed it immensely. If you will excuse us, we must be on our way.”
Glancing at Mari, Ki was not pleased with the shock in her eyes. Her mouth was opening and closing like a fish gasping for water. Ki quickly stood, took her hand, and steered her out of the restaurant before she had time to react, or detonate. At the moment, he was not sure which.
Once they were in the limo pulling away from the curb, Ki chanced a look at her. It was not good. She was not saying a word, just looking straight ahead. Taking her cold hand in his, he felt her tremble, “Honey, talk to me please.”
Finally wrapping her head around a word, “Wh… wh… what he said.” Mari squeezed her eyes shut and swallowed, “Prince….” Taking a deep breath and knowing she was not going to like the answer to her question, “You’re a prince?”
Finally looking him directly in the eyes, she knew the truth without him having to say a word. A bubble erupted in her chest, followed by another. Then a chuckle, or two, or three slipped out. Mari placed her hand over her mouth trying unsuccessfully to hold it in.
It must have been all the drinks she had at dinner because she couldn’t seem to stop laughing. Snickering behind her hand, after all she was in the presence of royalty, that thought brought on full out laughter.
She laughed until tears rolled down her face. Finally, she looked over at Ki and his look of helpless bewilderment set off another round of deep belly laughs, complete with a snort or two which only embarrassed Mari and made her laugh even harder and louder.
Panting, she tried to catch her breath. The absolute ridiculousness of the situation had Mari rocking back and forth holding her stomach as tears streamed down her face. Whether from laughing or from the feeling of loss, she really wasn’t sure. A waitress and a prince! She had been mooning over a prince! She quieted as she realized that what she felt for Ki could never go any further. Those thoughts sobered her faster than a bucket of cold water. There was no place in his life for her. She had to let him go.
Ki gently grabbed her and placed her on his lap, tucking her head under his chin, slowly he rubbed her back, until she finally regained control. “Stop it. I can hear you thinking, and I can promise you that whatever you are thinking is not correct.” With a final hiccup, she placed her hand over his chest, feeling his heartbeat, wanting to take as many memories with her as she could. Mari would always remember the steady beat of his heart, the musky scent of him that she had come to love, and the way she felt protected and safe in his arms. These were the things that she would remember for the rest of her life.
Finally, realizing where she was and who she was sitting on, Mari tried to move back to her seat. Ki refused to release her. “Mari, you’re not going anywhere.” He didn’t like seeing that hopeless look in her eyes.
All the sorrow she felt came out in her voice as she asked, “Why didn’t you tell
me?”
Not sure what to tell her, he decided that nothing but the truth would do, “The day we met, I knew you were someone that would be important to me.” He rubbed his thumb over her bottom lip to keep her from biting it.
“When I left you standing in the parking lot and drove away, it felt like I was leaving a piece of myself behind.” Looking into her eyes, he saw tears gather, ready to fall.
“We had only just met, had only shared one kiss, yet I knew I could not see my life without you in it.” He took her hands in his and pressed kisses over her knuckles.
“Our conversation was so easy and real. You got to know me for who I really am. I liked being just Ki with you. I never meant to deceive you.”
He looked deep into her eyes, “Will you give me a chance to show you we can make this work?”
“Ki, I… I…”
“Shhh, give us tonight, just for tonight, to simply be a woman and a man. Tomorrow we will talk about the rest.”
Chapter Ten
There in his arms, Mari knew that at least for tonight, her decision had been made. Never would she love anyone the way she loved Ki. For tonight, she would be with the man she loved. She would make a lifetime of memories in the one night they would have together, and she would remember it as the magical night when she was a princess in love with her prince. For that was all it could ever be.
Lifting her from the limo, Ki carried her through the lobby into the elevator with his bodyguards following along. They used their key card to access the top floor. His guards stopped at the door, opened it, and swept the rooms inside. After giving the all clear, they took up stations on either side of his door. Still cradling her in his arms, he entered the room, gently touching her feet to the floor.
Mari looked up into in his eyes. She felt desire deep within her. Every coherent thought left her brain. An elemental hunger took possession of her body, pulling her closer and closer until she was wrapped in his arms. Pressing her cheek against his chest, feeling his rapid heartbeat, Mari knew that Ki was feeling it, too. She inhaled the unique scent of him, filling her lungs, determined to remember it always.
“Mari, look at me.” Slowly she moved her eyes from his chest to once again look into the depths of his hypnotic blue eyes which put her even more under his spell. “You must tell me that you want this.”
Unable to form the words, Mari slowly moved her hand to touch his cheek in response. “You understand that once I have you, you are mine.” Hearing his words and yet seeing the vulnerability in his eyes, Mari answered in the only way she could, “I am yours.” Yes, for tonight she would be his. She would always belong to him, But he was not hers to keep. Tonight would be theirs, and she would take those memories with her. No one could take those away from her.
Fire appeared in his eyes as he pushed her against the wall, taking her lips in a crushing blow to her senses. His tongue caressed her lips, demanding entry. His hand moved from her waist to the underside of her breast causing her to tremble with desire. As his fingers moved to explore the taut bud, she gasped giving him access to her mouth. His tongue explored, moving in and out.
“Please Ki, I need…!” What exactly she needed, she did not understand, but the feelings he was creating with his mouth and his hands were causing a heat to build in her center like nothing she had ever experienced before. He slipped the diamond straps of her dress from each shoulder and sent it cascading into a puddle on the floor.
He didn’t say a word as he stepped back and looked his fill at her delicious body as she stood proud and tall before him. His eyes darkened to a stormy blue as he took in her red satin and lace bra that uncovered more than it covered. Her breasts full, mounded over the lace with the top of her dusty pink areolas showing through.
His eyes moved down to her curve of her waist and her slightly rounded stomach. His eyes stopped on her belly button, and he had a flashback of the first time he had seen that luscious button. Lower still, his eyes moved to the small bit of lace that covered her mound. He could not wait any longer to have her. His eyes moved up her body, stopping on her pebbled nipples straining against the red lace. Further up his eyes moved until he connected with her hunger filled eyes. He moved slowly towards her, stalking her, giving her plenty of time to adjust to what was going to happen between them.
“You are beautiful.” He stared into her eyes as he pushed the red bra out of his way and took a hardened nipple between his lips, he kissed and suckled on first one and then the other until she whimpered. He felt her begin to shiver with need.
“Come Mari mine, I will show you what you need. What we both need.” He carried her to the bed and gently laid her in the middle, removing her bra and then her panties in one swift move. He gazed at her body bared to him, “You take my breath away.”
Removing his clothes, he joined her on the bed, never breaking eye contact. His hands continued their magic on her breasts, as his lips devoured hers until she was one mass of need. His mouth left her lips and kissed a path to her breasts, sucking and laving until she was whimpering deep in her throat. His hand moved to pinch and roll her other nipple sending her hips off the bed.
“Ki, please, please!” Slowly his hand moved lower and caressed her sensitive inner thigh, first on one leg and then moved to the other, never touching her where she most desired. Her hips again rose from the bed seeking the heat from his fingers. He stroked the curls between her legs and they opened wider for him to tease and explore.
Dipping one finger into her, he found her wet and ready for him. He moved between her legs and halted at her entrance. “Mari, I am sorry for the pain I will cause you.”
“Ki, please. I need you. I need you now!” Slowly, he entered her.
“Mari, you must stay still. I will be as gentle as I can.” Looking into his face, Mari could see how much it cost Ki to give her time to adjust. Beads of perspiration appeared on his forehead. He looked up, and their eyes met just as he pushed home and branded her as his. Mari felt a slight pinch, but any pain she may have felt was quickly replaced with a flood of desire. Mari could see the look of possession that appeared in his eyes. “You are mine.”
“Yes, Ki. I am yours. There will be no other.” Her eyes misted over with emotion as the moment was frozen in time.
He waited until he felt her relax and then began to move slowly, building her desire and need back to a fever pitch. He felt her muscles tighten around him and begin to quiver, and he knew that she was near the edge. His hand reached between them and teased a moan of frustration from her lips. “Let go, Mari mine. Come for me my love.”
Mari felt her world spinning around her as she flew through the air, burst into millions of shiny sparks, and then began to descend back to earth, back into Ki’s arms as she felt his seed erupt inside of her.
She smiled, laying there underneath the man she loved in the afterglow of their lovemaking remembering every touch and every feeling. Their breathing labored, and a fine sweat covered their bodies. A single tear tracked down her cheek, and she turned her face into the pillow. She refused to bring any sadness into the remaining time she had with Ki.
“Mari, did I hurt you?” Ki asked with concern in his voice as he tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear.
“Oh no, the way you filled me took away any hurt,” she ran her hands over his powerful shoulders and continued her exploration with her hands. She felt him shiver under her palms, “Ki?”
“Yes, Mari mine.”
“When can we do it again?”
Much later, Mari woke, feeling safe and warm wrapped in Ki’s arms. Memories flooded her mind of their incredible night together. Never had she felt so cherished and loved. Her cheeks blushed from memories of the many times they had reached for each other during the night and the many ways Ki had loved her. Mari would never take another shower without remembering the taste of Ki.
Seeing Ki’s head nestled into the pillow beside her brought tears to her eyes. The reality of the situation weighed her down. M
ari knew that she must be strong and let him go. Ki was not going to like it, but once time had passed, he would realize that she was right. He deserved someone in his life that would assist him in his future reign. She would only be a liability to him.
She gently slipped out from under his arms and made her way into the bathroom, collecting her clothes as she went. Dressing as quickly and quietly as she could, she made her way back to the foot of the bed. It was still dark outside, the time on the bedside clock showed only a little after four in the morning. Sitting on the bench at the end of the bed, her decision was made. Mari took a few minutes to get herself together before saying a silent goodbye to the only man she would ever love.
Ki looked so peaceful as he slept. His dark hair was messy and standing on end. His long dark lashes highlighted the bronze of his skin with a hint of stubble on his cheeks and neck. The sheet was down past his waist and showed his muscles and the hardness she felt during their lovemaking. Taking it all in, she seared the memories of him into her brain.
Mari knew what she must do, and with one last look, she whispered, “Goodbye my love.” Mari gently picked up her bag, and with tears in her eyes, walked out of the door. Closing the door as quietly as possible, she shut her eyes and rested her forehead on it for just a moment. Taking a deep breath, she turned and noticed Ki’s two guards looking at her. Not stopping to talk or answer any questions, Mari hoped that they would only stop someone going into the Prince’s rooms, not coming out of them.
She turned to the left from the hotel and began to walk, not really caring where. The tears that fell from her eyes didn’t even register. She just needed time to think, to come to terms with losing the love of her life. She had to re-invent herself when her mom died, she could do it again. She needed time to go through the process of grieving for her loss, but then she would learn to accept what had to be.
She would eventually move on with her life, but there would never be another man for her. Ki could never be replaced. She knew without a doubt that no other man could make her feel the things that Ki had because no other man would be Ki.
Sweet Surrender: Mari & Ki (A Royal Vow Novel Book 1) Page 6
