Gripping her hips, he lifted them, locked eyes with her, and said, “I’m not losing you again.” Lowering his body over hers, he nipped her neck and thrust into her hard. When he was fully sheathed inside her, they stilled, as if they both needed a second to register how fucking amazing they felt joined. “Jesus, Alicia.”
Never in his life had he felt such a need to possess a woman. No, not just any woman. Alicia. Always Alicia. Only Alicia.
She wrapped her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck, wiggling experimentally. Growling, he slammed his mouth down on hers, slipping his tongue inside her mouth at the same time as he pulled out of her and drove back in. And he didn’t pause, or hesitate, or freeze this time. There was no stopping the wave of desire she’d brought out in him, and nothing would stop him from making her scream his name over and over again until she couldn’t imagine a life where he wasn’t buried deep inside her body like this. Because he already couldn’t.
I need you, Alicia. Don’t go.
She was embedded on his heart, like a tattoo or a scar, and no amount of surgery would remove her. He slapped the side of her ass and moved his hips faster. Harder. She stiffened beneath him, her breath rushing into his mouth as she came.
He didn’t stop, though.
Didn’t claim his release.
Not until she came at least one more time, damn it.
She dug her nails into his back, crying out as he plunged even deeper, hitting the spot guaranteed to send her soaring again. “Oh my—gah. Stop.” She smacked his arm the second the words left her mouth. “Don’t stop. Don’t you dare—” Her body stiffened again, arching at the back, and she left off on a strangled moan. “Leo.”
He kissed her again, lifted her hips, and thrust once, twice, bam. He came explosively, the whole world stopping as the pleasure took over his mind and body, blocking out the pain of the day. Letting out a soft groan, he collapsed on the bed beside her, pulling her into his arms. Her breathing was as ragged as his, and she rested a hand on his heart. They lay like that silently for a while.
And he never wanted to move.
He’d pay big money to know what she was thinking. He wanted this with her. He hadn’t been sure before, but he needed her in his life.
But there was so much…
Right now, he had to focus his priorities, but it was tough with her so…
Damn it. He didn’t know what to do.
“This doesn’t have to change anything,” she said softly. “I feel you tensing up, and a million thoughts are probably going through your head, and you said a lot of stuff, but that’s all it was. It was just pretty words, and amazing sex. That’s it.”
And just like that, he remembered why he swore not to take her earlier. Because he’d known if he did, she would immediately brush it off as a quick fuck, like that night at the nightclub. In his grief, he’d given her the excuse to do so on a silver platter. He’d known she wasn’t ready, and that she didn’t want to want him.
He’d had a game plan. He hadn’t played by those rules.
And now he’d pay the price.
“If you say so,” he managed to get out, trying his best to stay calm.
“I do.” She played with his chest hair. “I mean, it was wonderful, and you’ll always be…special…to me. But you’re a king now, and with that comes responsibilities, and I don’t fit…I’m not one of them, you know? Once this is over, I’ll go back to America, and you’ll stay here and marry Princess whatever her name was, and run your country, and that’s just how it’s going to be.”
“You’ve got it all figured out already, haven’t you?” he asked, his voice hard because the way she summed up what this night was to him without even asking him what he felt for her pissed him the hell off. “You know how it all ends?”
“Well, yeah.” She rose on her elbow and stared at him, all soft lips, ruffled blond curls, and guarded blue eyes. He’d give anything to understand what the hell it was that ran through her mind that made her say things like this. “We both know what this was.”
“Oh?” He flexed his jaw, staring at the red spot on her neck where he’d nipped her a little too hard. “And what, exactly, is that?”
“I was trying to make you feel better. To comfort you.” She avoided his eyes, tracing a path on the blue comforter. “When my father died, I needed that, too. Comfort. I wanted to do that for you, for old time’s sake.”
In other words…
Tonight meant nothing to her.
And neither did he.
Swallowing hard, he shut his eyes, his father’s disapproving frown floating in front of his eyes like a reminder of all the ways he’d failed. He could have been in Greece with his father, spending time with him, and making him happy by meeting all those princesses his father had spoken of. Maybe he could have helped in some way, and his father would still be alive. But he’d been too busy chasing after Alicia…
Who clearly didn’t want to be caught.
Not by him.
Meanwhile, he lost his father, and gained a throne, and he would be alone because the woman he finally admitted he loved didn’t love him back, and never would. If given time, maybe he would have given up anything to have her by his side. His country. His crown. Hell, his life. Maybe he could have loved her enough to lose it all.
But all he was to her was a good memory.
If it weren’t so hard to breathe, maybe he could laugh at the irony of it all.
“Shit,” he muttered, letting go of her and rolling over so his feet hit the floor. Resting his elbows on his thighs, he took a deep breath and dragged his hands down his face. “I’m a fucking idiot.”
She let out a small sound. “Leo, I didn’t mean—”
“Don’t backtrack now. I heard you, loud and clear. And for the first time, I’m actually listening. You’re not interested in getting to know me again, or in picking up where we left off, or in any of that. You don’t want me to kiss you, or touch you, or fuck you. You just want to go home, and put this whole mess behind you, like the first time we parted ways. You just want to go back to forgetting I exist.”
She gripped her knees tightly, squeezing the comforter she’d pulled over them. “I never—”
“So you can do that,” he cut in. “You can go.”
She sucked in a breath. “Seriously?”
“Absolutely.” He stepped into his pants. “Go home, Alicia.”
She sucked in a deep breath, and the bed shifted underneath her as she leaned closer to place a hand on his shoulder. “Leo—”
Whirling on her, he held his arms out, anger taking over and mercifully washing out the pain. And, yes, now wasn’t the best time to have this conversation, with his father’s death weighing heavily on his mind, but he was done with being the idiot who didn’t get the message when she so clearly told him she wanted nothing to do with him.
“I get it now. I understand why you won’t forgive me, or even attempt to forgive me. It’s not because you can’t, it’s because you don’t want to,” he said in a rush, the words flowing out of him without any hope of stopping. “I was a fool to think I could win your trust back, because you never trusted me in the first place. And I was even more of an idiot to think that what we have between us, what you make me feel, could maybe turn into love again, because you never loved me, either. Love, real love, isn’t like this. Love isn’t one sided, and it doesn’t just die off because you’re mad at the person you supposedly love. Love doesn’t fucking die.”
She swallowed hard, staring, not speaking.
He forced a laugh. “According to you, we just wanted to fuck each other because we have fond memories, and we did that, so I’m done trying for more. We’re done here.”
She swallowed hard, gripping her knees, which she’d folded in front of her. Still, she said nothing. Just stared blankly ahead, completely devoid of emotion.
Guess he had his answer.
He was right.
He tossed his shirt over his shoulde
r, and started for the door. Halfway there, he paused. “Looks like you can cross another item off your bucket list, after all. You broke my heart. Congratulations.”
With that, he bent down, grabbed his boots, and left her sitting there, naked, her jaw hanging open, in the room he’d personally picked out for her. She’d leave tomorrow, and she wouldn’t look back, because she didn’t love him, and never had. This time, when she left, he wouldn’t see her again. It was over.
It was all over.
Chapter Sixteen
The next morning, Alicia sat on the edge of the bed, dressed, but not even close to standing up to walk out the door that was just a few steps away. Instead, she sat there replaying the words Leo had said to her last night, trying to figure out which ones were truth and which were not—and what to do once she figured it out. If there was anything to do.
What happened? One minute they were in a big state of bliss. And then she’d tried to make him feel better and let him off the hook. He lost it. She’d never seen him so angry. At her.
Her mind just couldn’t fathom what was going on.
No matter how he felt about her, she’d done some digging this morning, and his own law stated he had to marry a princess. It was there on the internet, easily found via Google. And she wasn’t going to deny that there was a good bit of sadness when she saw those words written out plainly for her to see, because despite her hardened heart…
She’d wanted there to be a chance at a happy ending.
For that real-life fairy tale every girl secretly dreamed of.
But she wasn’t a princess, and he wasn’t free to choose her, even if he wanted to. Especially not now. Not when he was the king of a whole freaking country.
Someone knocked on the door, and she stood, her heart speeding because if someone was knocking, it was probably him. “Come in,” she called out nervously. The door opened, and she composed herself for the confrontation that would more than likely come. “Leo, I—” She broke off immediately, because it wasn’t Leo. It was a man she’d never seen before. “Oh. Sorry. I thought… Can I help you?”
The man shut the door behind him, holding on to the knob, his gaze falling on her empty luggage in the corner of the bedroom. “As you know, things have changed here. The king is dead, and Prince Leopold…it’s going to be a rough couple of months for him, to say the least.”
Leopold. That sounded so stuffy. So not like Leo. Not the real version of him, anyway. Not the one she knew. She wrapped her arms around herself, watching him closely, because she couldn’t quite figure out what he wanted from her. “Yes, I’d imagine so. My sympathies are with him. His father was a good man.”
“Yes. He was.” The man cleared his throat. “I’m Harry, by the way. Prince Leopold’s advisor.”
“Alicia Forkes,” she said slowly. “Nice to meet you, Harry.”
He bowed slightly, his upper lip stiff. “Indeed.”
When he fell silent, not speaking, she shifted on her feet uncomfortably, not liking the way he looked at her, as if she was beneath his notice. “Is there something I can help you with? Did Leo—Prince Leopold—send you here?”
“No.” He frowned. “Well, yes. He did.”
She frowned. “Okay?”
“I’m here to help you pack and to escort you to the car that’s waiting for you. He thanks you for your cooperation and invites you to visit in the future, though I’d rather you didn’t.”
He snapped his fingers, and three servants came in immediately, grabbing her luggage and opening drawers to pull her clothing out. “What are they doing?”
“Speeding along the process, of course,” Harry replied.
What a jerk.
“But…” Her heart twisted, not because of the man’s words, but because she was clearly being dismissed by Leo. They were actually packing her clothes for her. When he’d told her she was free to go, she hadn’t thought he meant he was going to kick her out. She’d thought he was giving her the choice he should have given her all along—and she’d been planning to stay, like he’d wanted. To apologize for her words the night before and see things through to the end. Even though she was well aware there was no happily ever after for them. The research on the internet had confirmed that.
Shaking her head, she said, “I thought—”
“He’s changed his mind,” he said simply, pressing a pompous hand to his stomach and inclining his head. “Though he wishes you to keep him informed of the outcome of…well, you know.”
She hugged herself, swallowing hard. “Yeah. Sure. I’ll let him know.”
“Excellent.” Harry smiled, but his eyes were cold. “He’ll be pleased with your cooperation, I’m sure.”
Yeah, I bet he will. “May I speak to him before I go? I just want to—”
“I’m sorry, but we don’t think that’s wise,” he said, his tone completely unapologetic as he cut her off again. “We think it’s best if you leave quietly.”
Stiffening, she lifted a brow, mimicking Leo. “We?”
“The prince’s…” He broke off, correcting himself. “The king’s team.”
She gripped her elbows hard. “And why is that?”
“There’s no doubt that he has old feelings for you, but with his royal lineage, we can’t afford to have you hanging around, clouding his judgment in his future affairs, and mucking up his search for an appropriate wife to join him as he begins his reign.” He held his hands out, palms up. “Now, more than ever, it is important his mind remain clear. He must keep his eyes focused on the future of Randovia.”
“And you’re afraid I’ll interfere with those things?”
“Possibly. He knows what he has to do for his country, and what his duties are. But if you’re here”—Harry shrugged—“those duties might go unattended, and we can’t afford to risk that for a girl who used to live in her car in New York City. I’m sure you understand our stance.”
Ah. And there it was. The truth. The hard, cold fact that a girl like her wasn’t good enough for the king—something she’d known all along, no matter how much she’d tried to ignore the big, giant, dirty elephant in the room every time they were together. “I want to speak with Leo before I go.”
“Absolutely not,” he said quickly, his eyes narrowing at her familiar use of his name. “King Leopold has no interest in seeing you again, hence my presence here instead of his, and you need to return to your life in Harlem, Ms. Forkes. To your job at Baker…who, if you must know, is quite happy with your work.”
She blinked. “What work?”
“You secured a contract with the royal guard.” He gave her a fake smile, watching her with hard, condescending eyes. “Congratulations. Your powers of…persuasion…were apparently very strong, because the king himself approved the contract just this morning, and ignored all competing offers from other companies.”
Over the past few days, they’d spoken of Baker, and all the things the company could do for him, but they hadn’t settled on a number, or a yes. And she certainly didn’t appreciate Harry insinuation that she’d been given the deal because she’d slept with Leo. “But—”
He held his hand up, giving her an annoyed look. “I’m not finished yet. The king also thanks you for staying and wants you to consider the Baker contract to be a token of his appreciation for all you’ve done for him.”
He…he…God.
Leo just dismissed her like last night’s leftovers, after literally paying her off, and she was just supposed to fall in line and leave like a good little girl, now that he’d had her one more time. She should have known it would end like this.
Silly her, for expecting a proper good-bye.
For expecting him not to break her heart again.
“You can tell him he can shove the contract up his—never mind.” She scowled at the offensive man in front of her. Behind her, the workers zipped up her suitcase, apparently having finished packing. “I don’t want it.”
“It’s already done. Your bosses have been info
rmed, and so have the competitors.” He opened the door, glancing over his shoulder to gesture someone forward. “And your time here is, too. Go back to Harlem, Ms. Forkes. It’s where people like you belong.”
“Wow. You’re a real asshole, Harry.” She fisted her hands at her sides. “I’m going, but no one speaks to me like that. Does Leo know you talk to his guests that way?”
The man flinched.
“If his advisors are like you, I worry about him and the future of his country.”
He had the nerve to roll his eyes at her.
Whatever.
Randovia wasn’t her problem…and neither was Leo.
Men came in and grabbed her bags, and she watched with wide eyes, heart pounding against her ribs, unable to believe that just like that, as quickly as she’d been brought here against her will…she was being forced out.
“Look at it this way. You might not be living in the lap of luxury in the palace anymore”—he smirked, chuckling under his breath—“but at least you’re not living in your car and showering in school locker rooms anymore.”
“Yeah. You’re absolutely right. But I’d rather be there, in my car, then stay in your company for another second.” She picked up her purse and slung it over her shoulder. Gripping the leather strap tight, she gave him a falsely sweet smile. “And no matter what happens when I leave here, one thing won’t ever change.”
“What might that be?” he asked, his tone bored.
“The fact that you’re an asshole.” She brushed past him, hitting him with her shoulder. “And always will be.”
“Better an asshole in a castle, than a street rat in fancy clothes.”
She kept walking, refusing to give him the satisfaction of a reply.
His soft laughter haunted her, even after she walked far enough away from him that she couldn’t hear it. Following her luggage down the stairs, she gripped the banister tightly, staring straight ahead and taking calming breaths because if she didn’t…
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