by Debra Kayn
Not able to carry the burden, Celina fell against Drake's chest and cried. It hurt worse now that she'd shared her deepest fear with someone. Being in America gave her no way to escape from her thoughts and the fact the prince sent her away.
"Get that idea out of your head. From what I understand, Prince Joqua sent you here as a gift to you. He wanted you to have the freedom you deserve."
Celina wanted to believe him. She repeated those words in her head until they burned into her heart and wouldn't let go. If she believed otherwise, she'd curl up and die.
She sniffed and pulled out of Drake's arms.
"Now, why don't you go wash your face? I believe Mrs. Stevenson has clothes picked out and ready for you to wear on our outing."
The smile breaking through her depression surprised her. She nodded at Drake and ran down the hall. Another smile came to her at the laughter following her down the hall. She liked to make Drake laugh.
***
Leading the way, Drake guided Celina down the wooden steps and out onto the boat dock. The scorching sun beat down on Celina, and she reminded herself to thank Mrs. Stevenson for suggesting she wear short pants. She looked down at her legs and grinned at the sight of her knees peeking out of the bottom of the shorts. If Papa knew, he might have her beheaded, and it pleased her to know she rebelled against the prince's rules.
"Here we go. Welcome to Lady Nat." Drake swept his arm to show off the yacht.
A large boat similar in size to the one the prince owned sat in the water. She climbed up the ladder to get to the top deck. She'd always loved the sway of the waves and the smell of the salt off the ocean. Being near the sea once again, she imagined she'd never left Antaka.
No stranger to pushing off and setting a course, Celina worked at untying the ropes and joined Drake at the helm without having him ask. Drake revved the engine, and the boat moved away from the shore. Celina caught the wink he sent her way. She sucked in her bottom lip and bit down. Having him around was a lot like having Danika beside her, except Drake had her body buzzing with brand new sensations.
She moved behind him and climbed to the yacht's higher deck, where sat in a seat, as Drake guided the boat farther out into the water. She sat and observed him driving the boat; he fascinated her like no other. Drake stripped off his shirt and repositioned his sunglasses. She studied the differences in their bodies.
His rib cage swelled much larger than hers and lacked the valleys and peaks. She involuntarily licked her lips. Corded muscles played along his back, and he used his arms to steer the boat, strong and in control.
Charles had stressed to her how men and women freely joined in the same activities in America, and women participated along with men without worry of punishment. Then going shirtless with Drake on the boat would also be okay.
Lounging around the pool with the other women back home was an every day event. If Drake insisted she could do all the things she did back home, then she must be able to relax out here on the yacht too.
The heat from the sun hit her bare arms and warmed her skin. She glanced at her own skin, pale and white compared to Drake's sun-bronzed skin. Her sisters always teased her about being sick and pasty. If she bathed in the sun with Drake, she'd surprise her sisters on her return, no longer resembling a ghost.
Celina folded her shirt and laid it beside her. Her shorts still covered her from the waist down to her knees, and without a second thought, she removed them, along with the rest of her clothes. The breeze coming off the water blew across her sensitive nipples and hardened them. She stretched out her legs and arms and let her head fall back on the seat. There. She would darken in no time.
The boat engine cut off, and the splash from the waves against the bow of the yacht left Drake's ears humming. The sunshine and wind provided a perfect day to be out on the water, and he hoped Celina would enjoy the relaxing day. He'd like her to forget about her family for a few hours and smile again. Besides, he didn't want to spend all his vacation time walking on eggshells, trying to coax the sadness out of Celina.
The princess said she enjoyed fishing, and although it wasn't his favorite pastime, he owed her something after upsetting her. He wanted to see the light back in her eyes.
With tackle box and fishing poles in hand, Drake took the steps two at a time to join Celina on deck. Catching sight of her, he came to an abrupt stop. The handle of the tackle box almost slipped from his hand. Holy Mother of God.
Naked and perfectly posed on the seat of the boat, Celina could have gotten a job as a Playboy Bunny. Her natural beauty clutched him around the middle and squeezed.
Her untreated hair flowed around her, wild and free, a natural glow brightened her cheeks, and her exotic demeanor captivated him. Hell, any woman would want to scratch her eyes out if they compared themselves to Celina. She might as well have walked out of one of his dreams.
His body approved, betraying the control he promised himself he would have today. Should he mention that other women didn't sit around completely nude, or let her go on thinking that this situation was completely normal and just enjoy the view?
Drake cleared his throat.
Celina lifted her head up, shielded her eyes with her hand, and eyed the fishing equipment in his hands. She squealed and sat up.
"We are going to fish?"
Drake shrugged and sat down beside her. Celina reached for one of the poles and threaded the line through the rungs like a pro. She held the pole between her legs, and Drake set about baiting the hook. His hands trembled, and he poked his finger, drawing a speck of blood. It hurt like a son of a bitch, but he didn't say anything in front of her.
With her fishing pole all set up and baited, Celina walked to the edge of the boat and cast the line into the water with ease. Obviously comfortable in the art of fishing, she set out to catch a fish.
Her long blonde hair billowed out behind her. She spread her legs farther apart to balance the motion of the boat. She had no idea what a wonderful picture she presented.
Behind his sunglasses, Drake freely examined Celina's lush body. He'd dated many women in his lifetime, but not one of them compared to the innocent charm she possessed.
"Are you not going to fish?" She gazed over her shoulder at him.
Drake set his pole to the side and joined her at the railing. He stood next to her, so close that his elbow touched her arm.
"Can I ask you something?"
Celina nodded. She held the fishing pole above the water.
"How is it that yesterday you were embarrassed wearing a modest dress and couldn't stand to have me touch your arm, yet today you are standing here in the suit you were born in and it doesn't bother you a bit?"
The tip of her pole went down, and Celina caught her lower lip between her teeth. She cocked her head, and he wondered if she chose not to answer him. He deserved no explanation, even though he wanted one.
"After the talk with Charles this morning, I believed him. He said I could act the same way I do when I'm around my brothers. Plus, you said I could do all the things my sisters and I are allowed to do in Antaka around men and women here in America."
"Yeah, but..." Drake shrugged.
"Am I wrong?"
"No. No. However, you are naked. Do you run around naked when you are with your brothers or sisters?" Maybe now she would understand.
"My brothers?" She laughed. "No. But, my sisters and I often lounge around naked in our area of the house. They have their studies to practice, and it has to be done while nude. I join them when I'm done with my own classes." She looked out over the water. "Even my papa's wives are nude when in the women's area of the palace. It's what Antakian women do."
She pulled back on her fishing pole, monitoring the line for any movement. Drake drew in a deep breath and gazed out to the surface of the water. He'd never accompanied his father on a trip to Antaka, and now wished he had.
"Let me get this straight. Your sisters have studies requiring them to be nude?" He chuckled. "God, wh
at I wouldn't give to go to their school."
"Yes." Her eyes narrowed. "The girls have to learn the art of Kama Sutra, and it takes a lot of practice. Much more practice than the subjects I've learned with the boys, and joining my sisters as they practice will only benefit me later." Celina tilted her head. "Do you not believe me?"
"You know about Kama Sutra?" Drake's voice cracked.
"Of course. All Antakian women excel at the art. They train from puberty, until...well, forever. They must if they want to keep their husband happy."
"Oh, I bet Antaka has some very happy men." He scratched his chest. The thought of a woman in today's times training to please a man both appalled and fascinated him.
The fishing pole jerked. Celina's arms stretched out, and she tried to gain control of the line.
"Look, Drake!"
Celina leaned over the railing. The waves rose out of the ocean as if to prevent her from today's catch. She used all her strength, but the tip of her fishing pole wouldn't budge. Drake stood there still thinking about what she'd told him about the way she'd lived.
"Help me. My arms are not strong enough."
He reached for the pole, but Celina shook her head. "Not the pole. I want to do this myself. Grab my waist so I don't get pulled overboard."
Drake stood behind her. She glanced over her shoulder.
"Hurry, Drake, before he gets away."
He circled his arms around her waist, and pulled the groove of her butt against the very part of him that wanted her most.
"Hold me tight, Drake. This fish fights and doesn't want me to catch it."
The strength of the fight yanked her over the railing. Her feet left the deck, and her upper body bent over the top of the rail. He lowered his gaze. The sight of her ass bent over in front of him almost undid him.
"I see it, Drake. See? Right there." Celina pointed to the writhing shadow in the ocean's murky depths.
"Yeah, I see it, babe. Nice and slow, that's it. You're doing really well." His gaze never left her butt. He held her tight against him, the center of her heat pressed against him.
"I'm going to fling it on the deck. Watch, Drake."
"I'm watching." He stared at the sight of her wedged in front of him.
The fish landed with a plop beside him, and Celina laid her pole down and scrambled after the fish.
"Oh, oh." She fell to her hands and knees on the deck and tried to catch the wiggling fish. Her scrumptious ass teased him, tormented him. He shoved his hands in the pockets of his shorts to hide the proof he didn't do his job and watch her land the catch.
"I got it! Look, Drake, I caught a fish." She sat on the deck holding the flailing fish to her chest. She beamed up at him, and he tried to smile back. He just hoped she didn't comment on how silly he looked, standing there with a happier-than-hell grin.
"You sure did."
"What kind of fish do you think it is?" She held the fish up in front of her face and studied it from all angles.
"A very lucky fish."
She laughed. "Or unlucky. I guess it depends on whose view."
Drake cleaned the fish and stored it in the refrigerator below deck, and Celina dived overboard to wash off the fish scales covering her body. By the time he finished, she'd clambered up the ladder.
He stood out on the deck and observed the porpoises swimming farther out in the water. He tried to make sense of everything. Why was Celina staying in his home? Why did she torment him?
Celina laid her hand on his arm. He flinched. Caught up in his own thoughts, he hadn't realized she came to join him at the railing.
"I can go swimming in the sea, yes?"
"Yeah, no problem." He tilted his head and studied her.
"Why are you frowning? I have displeased you?"
Drake turned his head, and his breath whooshed out of his mouth. He needed to find out more.
"What did you study in school?"
Celina raised her brows. "Literature, language, mathematics. But I never attended history or economics. Those classes were centered on my brothers as part of the royal family."
"What exactly were your sisters being taught during this time?"
Celina's mouth hardened and she turned her head away from Drake.
"They are taught home living, until they reach twelve years old, and then they only study Kama Sutra, home economics, and etiquette until they get married."
Drake crossed his arms over his chest, deep in thought, while Celina moved over, sat down, and folded her legs beneath her.
"I don't understand. Why did your father have you studying with the boys instead of your sisters?"
Celina turned toward the ocean. He perceived something in her eyes, and perhaps with enough information, he might figure out what made her tick.
The waves slapped against the boat, and Drake sat down beside Celina.
"Papa does not find me worthy as an Antakian woman. Looking back, I don't think Papa wanted me." Her voice lost its valor and ended in a whisper. "I don't want to admit it, but since he forced me to leave what else should I believe?"
"That can't be true. He sent you here to better your life."
Celina shook her head. Her half-dry hair covered her body from his view. "Papa sent me away because I'm like my mother. He cannot stand to have me around. Damn my papa...."
Drake stroked her cheek, and she closed her eyes. He scooted over and gathered her in his arms. He told himself it was only to comfort her, but his body didn't know the difference between comfort and holding a very sexy woman.
"I don't understand why my papa treats me this way. I'm just as good as my sisters, and I can hold my tongue and be as quiet as a mouse. Much better than my sister, Nari. She's going to make a horrible wife." She sniffed. "I want to go back to Antaka. I'm an honorable Antakian woman, and in time, Papa will have to see this."
Drake held her face in his hands. His chest tightened. He searched her eyes, intent on confirming his suspicious. He'd only just met her, and he wanted more. Did she? Yes, there it is in her eyes.
"I want you to stay here. You will love learning about life in America. I'll help you. Okay?"
Celina's mouth opened, and her tongue came out to wet her bottom lip, her lips so close he wanted to taste the moistness her tongue left behind. Drake leaned in but stopped short of kissing her. What the hell am I doing?
Chapter Six
Drake moved away from her and hunted for the bag she brought from home. He hat to put distance between them—before he did something he'd regret.
"As much as I have enjoyed gazing upon your lovely body today, you, my princess, are starting to get sunburned." He handed her a sweatshirt and a pair of sweatpants. "Here you go. It shouldn't be too hot to wear while we are out on the water."
Celina caught the clothes to her chest and stood up. "But—"
"What?" Drake moved back, out of reach.
Celina stepped forward. "That look on your face. You do want to kiss me, yes?" she asked.
Drake shuffled backward, threw his head back and laughed.
"Celina, I would love to kiss you, but if I did we wouldn't stop there. It wouldn't be fair to you." Or me.
Celina scurried over to stand by Drake again. "It would be fair, Drake. I want the kiss." She stood on her toes and lowered her voice. "Despite what you think, I know what to do."
"You do?" His breath came out on a shaky laugh, and he wanted to kick himself for even questioning her. She had no idea what she was walking into with him.
"I know how to do lots of things." She held on to his arms. "I know over two hundred positions to make you climax stronger than if you have sex with an untrained American woman. I can do it for you." She leaned into him. "I'm rather good with the lessons."
Drake captured her lips with his own, and pulled her body tight against him. A groan came through Drake's mouth and vibrated on Celina's lips. He urged her to open her mouth and take everything he offered her in one kiss. Without thinking, he lifted one of her legs and wrap
ped it around his thigh. He was aware of her petite size and soft curves against his bigger body. Her heartbeat pulsed against his chest as he deepened the kiss.
He hadn't meant to do this. He'd wanted to show her how in over her head she was with him...that this was a game she couldn't win.
Drake drew her up closer, so he could feel the soft warm imprint of her breasts against him, her thighs pressed against his. He traced her soft mouth with his lips, and finally with the tip of his tongue. She moaned and broke away from the kiss.
In the space of a few seconds, their passion had grown unmanageable. He had her pressed up against the sudden hardness of his body, and as she came to the realization of his need to have her, he pulled her back before she had time to think about what they were doing.
Drake sucked her bottom lip between his. Celina gasped. The little minx moved her body in a rhythm he recognized. He moaned and decided if he didn't stop now, he'd hate himself later.
Drake straightened up and set Celina back on her feet. He ran his hands through his hair.
"Can we do that again?" She reached her arms out for him.
"God, no. No!" Drake turned and leaned heavily on the wooden railing.
Drake faced out to the water. How did this get so out of control?
"Fine. I would like to go back to Charles' home now, please."
Drake turned, and without a word to Celina, headed to the helm of the boat. After putting on the sweatshirt, she stared at Drake. She didn't understand why he acted so mean. He'd wanted to kiss her, she could tell.
Though swallowed up in a sweatshirt too large on her, Celina shivered. The temperature was much cooler now as the sun lowered in the sky. She let the ends of her sleeves fall over her hands and wrapped her arms around her middle. How could she be so stupid? Her papa recognized the problem with her and sent her away. She lacked what it took to keep a man. Maybe she didn't have the skills to seduce any man.
Even American men—the root of all evil, with their manipulation of innocent women— turned down her womanly charms. What might cause this disgrace? The only thing different about her compared to her sisters was the fact they were raised with their mothers. Maybe growing up without a mother's love and teachings ruined her for love.
