Royally His: A Royal Romance

by Thorne, Gigi

  Shit.

  Why now? Why is he here? And why do we always run into each other?

  “Well, well, well, what do we have here?” he mumbles with a lopsided grin.

  “Oh, brother …” I roll my eyes as I turn around and grab a random piece of cloth just so I can take my eyes off him and hide my embarrassment.

  “You mean prince?” he muses, placing his hand on the fabric I’m touching. “But if you prefer brother, I can get used to that.”

  “Okay …?” I say, making a weird face before trying to grasp something else and turn around again.

  Except he keeps following my every move, copying what I’m doing as if he’s making fun of me.

  “Why are you here again?” I ask, narrowing my eyes at him.

  “Oh, I just happen to like going to the market.”

  “While pretending not to be a prince?”

  He shrugs. “Maybe.” His handsome smile follows, and it’s hard not to smile back.

  Goddamn him and his charms.

  “I just don’t like being followed.”

  “Right,” I reply, trying to cut things off, but he won’t let up.

  “Plus, staying at the palace is boring.”

  “Oh, do tell,” I say with a pinch of snark. I hope he won’t throw me in jail. Probably not, but I shouldn’t push my luck.

  “Hey, it’s not easy, you know. Being a prince.”

  Of course. Here we go.

  “Really? Because girls aren’t waiting in line for you? Because you have so much money and so little to spend it on?”

  “No, that’s not the point,” he says, frowning. “And I don’t have girls lining up for me.”

  “Sure about that? I just saw you whispering to another one back there,” I say, gawking at the stall where I saw him.

  “That lady was being harassed by the stall owner because she stole some jewelry,” he says with a sudden serious face. “All I did was give the man his necklace back and give her some money so she could buy food with it.”

  “Food?” I bite my lip. “But—”

  “Not everyone here has enough to get by,” he says. “I just wanted to help. So I told her she could come to the palace and ask for Mrs. Adallah so she wouldn’t have to resort to crime to pay for her food. That’s all.”

  Wow.

  That … just blew me away.

  I’m momentarily fazed. I don’t know what to do or what to say other than stare. I feel like an idiot. I misjudged him, and now I feel bad for doing it. Damn.

  “Oh … that’s really nice of you,” I reply, licking my lips, wishing I had something better to say.

  He shrugs and scratches the back of his neck. “It’s what we’re supposed to do.”

  I nod and continue picking up fabrics, trying not to make this any more uncomfortable than it already is. Maybe he really is a nice guy, deep down.

  “So what are you doing?” he asks after a while.

  “Buying fabric for the designs.”

  “Ooh, nice! See anything good yet?” He casually strolls behind me, not letting me out of his sight.

  “I’m trying,” I reply, hinting that I need to get to work.

  “What about this?” He holds up a blue one with white lines on it, which would look horrible with what I have in mind.

  I laugh. “God, no.”

  “Or this?” He holds up another one, this time a pure red one with tiny stars on it.

  He clearly enjoys picking the worst ones just to see my reaction. That or he’s really clueless about style. Either way, I’m not sure what he’s going for or why he’s even here.

  I stop in my tracks, and say, “Look, I appreciate that you’re trying to help me, but—”

  He’s suddenly right in front of me, waving a thin white fabric in front of my eyes that has bold black lines on it. “This one then.”

  I lower the fabric so I can look into his eyes. But I’m not prepared for the effect they have on me because it reminds me of when we kissed … and how we fucked almost immediately after that. Heat bubbles to the surface of my skin.

  “What do you think?” he asks, raising a brow in such an arrogant way that I can’t even look away.

  I smirk as I touch the fabric. It’s actually not even that bad. “You want this?”

  He licks his lips. “Oh, yes …”

  A shiver runs up and down my spine.

  Why do I get the sense he’s not talking about the fabric?

  He lowers it farther, and says, “There’s more that I want, but it wouldn’t be appropriate to ask.”

  I’m completely stunned. Flabbergasted. My whole face turns red.

  I immediately turn around and grab something else, something I don’t need, a ribbon, but anything is good right now because it means I can use it as an escape.

  “This will go perfect with that,” I mutter, snatching the fabric away from him and then walking away to another shelf.

  I don’t know what it is about him that makes me so panicky. Maybe it’s his looks, his gazes, or maybe it’s the fact that he’s a prince and I’m just a random girl from America trying to make her business work.

  And this guy … he’s jeopardizing it all, and for what?

  “Where are you going?” he asks.

  “Grabbing the things I need and then leaving.”

  “But we were just having fun.”

  I stop in my tracks right as he turns the corner toward me again. “I’m not here to play games.”

  “Who says I’m playing games? I’m dead serious,” he says, approaching me.

  He’s got me cornered between two shelves now. Shit.

  “I just want to talk.”

  “Why? What’s so important?” I ask.

  His tone is so smooth, it’s hard not to completely hone in on his lips. “Well, for starters, I wanna know why you’re doing your very best to avoid me.”

  I rub my lips together, trying to form a reply, but I have no clue what to say. I don’t want to admit that I feel something when I’m around him—whatever it is that I’m feeling—because it just can’t happen.

  “I’m not,” I lie.

  “Yeah, you are,” he says, coming even closer. He cocks his head and places a hand on the shelf just beside me. “Are you afraid of me?”

  “Me? Afraid?” I snort. “Why would I be afraid?” Could my voice sound any more fake? I doubt it.

  “Because of what I could do to you …” he says, his voice sultry. Almost addictive to listen to. Especially when he leans in to whisper, “And your body.”

  I hold my breath as I feel his breath near my ear.

  “I know you want me to. I saw you looking.” His lips almost touch my neck. I can’t breathe. “You wish you had been in that bath with me.”

  I push him back, and say, “Stop being such a player.”

  “Player?” He frowns, confused.

  “I’m not falling for your tricks again, dude,” I say, placing a finger on his chest. “I’m not that easy.” At least, not a second time.

  “I didn’t say you were,” he replies. “But I’m not giving up either.”

  “Why? You have plenty of other girls you can seduce. They’d all die for a chance to date the prince. Go ask them,” I say with a sigh, folding my arms. “I’m sure they’re dying to be with a prince.”

  “You keep saying that, but it’s not true.” He shakes his head. “They only want me because I’m a prince. I don’t want them. My father forces me to spend time with women, mostly the rich ones, but they’re boring. I don’t want any of that.” He grabs my hand. “I’d rather spend time with you.”

  I don’t know what to say or what to do. I’m frozen in place. And as he leans in again, I don’t back away even though his lips are so close to mine I can almost taste them.

  Suddenly, a blinding flash of light goes off in front of me.

  I blink a couple of times and block my face with my hands.

  There’s someone behind Amir.

  Another flash.
<
br />   “Fuck,” Amir hisses.

  By the time I realize what’s going on, Amir is already dragging me out of the store. “Run!”

  8

  Amir

  Fuck. I didn’t think they’d find me, but apparently, they did. Fucking paparazzi. Always following me around. Guess I’ll need to find a different outfit to disguise my identity because this one obviously didn’t work.

  I drag her through the alleys, going as fast as possible to escape the photographer. I’m not sure he was alone, and I really don’t want to make a scene right now. Especially when she’s with me. And I’m sure they already caught a glimpse of something I didn’t want anyone to see.

  Fuck.

  I pull her along while she keeps asking questions. “Who was that? What’s happening? Where are we going? What about my fabrics?”

  “You can get them later,” I growl. “We have to hide.”

  We enter an alley and weave through some tiny streets until I finally reach the only place I know we can hide without anyone calling the media. A small home in the middle of the city tucked between two gigantic apartment buildings. I knock on the door but go inside immediately, not waiting for someone to open it.

  I already know I’m welcome anyway.

  “Sorry for the sudden visit,” I say as Saida gives me a surprising look. “Can we hide out here for a few?”

  “Amir! It’s been so long since I last saw you,” she says, smiling. “Of course, you can. C’mon in.” She beckons me to follow her to the back into the yard where I always played as a child. Oh, the memories of me and Faiz throwing mud at each other, playing catch, and falling into the pond. Those were good times.

  Saida places her hand on my back and guides us outside. “Do you want something to drink?”

  “Sure,” I say. “But don’t go through the trouble of making something fancy. We won’t stay long.” I don’t want to bother her more than I already have.

  “Oh, nonsense,” she says, waving it off as if it’s no big deal. “Stay as long as you like.”

  Her warmth brings a smile to my face. Time flies by so quickly.

  She goes back inside and into the kitchen while Miss Maya keeps tugging my arm.

  “Where are we?”

  I smile. “An old friend’s home. He’s … no longer here, but his mom and I know each other well. I supported her when things were rough.”

  “Ahh … Is he …?” she mumbles, afraid to finish her question.

  “He passed away,” I answer as I grab two foldable chairs and place them side by side in front of the plastic table.

  “I’m sorry for your loss,” she replies, sucking on her bottom lip. “You two must’ve been close.”

  “Yeah. I used to come here a lot when I was little. Faiz and I were best buds. I hung out here whenever I was trying to hide from the paparazzi.”

  “Not much has changed then,” she muses.

  I love the smile that follows. It makes her shine.

  “Sorry about what happened back there in that shop,” I say, clearing my throat. “I didn’t mean to yank you away from there, but if we didn’t—”

  “They’d try to take more photos, and your face would be in the tabloids,” she interjects. “Got it.”

  “And yours,” I add. “I didn’t want to do that to you.”

  “Ah …” She nods, sitting down in the chair. “So that happens often?”

  “Comes with being a prince, I guess,” I say, sitting down too. “I do hate it, though.”

  “I can imagine. Do they ever leave you alone?”

  “No. Why do you think I wear this when I go out?” I pat my clothes and smile at her, which makes her laugh.

  “Maybe we should find you a better disguise next time. That fabric with the tiny stars on it would do the trick.” She snorts. “Not that I can design anything right now.”

  “Right. The fabrics,” I say, biting my lip as I look her directly in the eye. “I’ll get it done.”

  “What?”

  “The fabrics. Don’t worry about it.” I hold up my hand when she tries to open her mouth, saying, “Don’t say no. Just let me fix it. I promise I will.”

  She leans back in the chair, and says, “All right. If you say so.” She doesn’t seem at ease, though.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I was hired by Mrs. Adallah. If she finds out what happened today—”

  “She won’t,” I interrupt. “I promise your job is safe. I won’t let her fire you over something like this. It’s my fault, so I’ll take the blame.”

  She nods a few times. “So is she okay with us busting in here?” she asks.

  I laugh. “Yeah, she’s used to it. This is still my go-to spot to hide from the press. They never discovered it.”

  “Aha … smart.” She winks and smiles back, and her gaze drifts off to the pond in front of us. “So what now?”

  As my eyes gloss over her body and follow her gaze toward the water, a devious grin spreads on my face. “How about a swim?”

  “A swim?” She snorts. “You’re joking, right?”

  “No, c’mon,” I say, grabbing her hand and pulling her out of the chair.

  “But I don’t have a swimsuit,” she sputters.

  “Who cares? Saida has towels. We can dry off after,” I reply.

  She tries to fight me, but I drag her closer and closer to the edge.

  “But I don’t—”

  “Stop making excuses and let’s just have fun,” I say, laughing as she digs her heels in the sand.

  Too late, though, because I can just about manage to push her into the water. A splash follows her loud squeal, and I jump in after her.

  The cold water immediately wakes me up. God, I love this so much. I used to do this all the time with Faiz when I was still young. It’s been years, and I honestly miss this. But I have to say, her being here with me makes up for it big time.

  “My clothes!” she screams, making me laugh. “Everything is wet!”

  “Everything?” I joke, raising a brow.

  The glare she gives me is priceless. I don’t know why, but I just love getting under her skin. The fire that blazes in her eyes is inextinguishable, and it sets a hunger ablaze inside me I didn’t even know existed.

  “You know what I mean,” she says, folding her arms. “Are you having fun yet?”

  “Oh, yes,” I say, smirking like a motherfucker.

  “Glad one of us is,” she says. She frowns, but it won’t stop the smile she’s so desperately trying to hide from appearing on her face.

  Suddenly, she splashes me with water. I blow out a big breath, rubbing my face while she’s laughing hysterically. I love the sound of that.

  Still, I can’t help but throw some water right back at her, covering her too.

  Now that we’re on even ground, the fight only intensifies, and we both do our utmost best to get each other even wetter. But she’s fierce and won’t back down, and I’m gasping for air, begging for mercy.

  “I give in!” I say. “I yield!”

  She laughs and splashes the water onto my face a final time. “That’s for throwing me in.”

  “I deserved that,” I say. However, only now do I notice just how close together we are in the pond. And just how sexy she looks with wet clothes sticking to her body, accentuating all her curves.

  Instinct makes me wade toward her. I can’t help myself. I want to push her buttons. I want to see her explode. And I want to touch her … in every spot she keeps to herself.

  I want it all.

  9

  Maya

  One minute, we’re dunking each other in the water, and the next, he’s so close I can almost whisk the droplets from his skin. The water droplets roll down his face and chest, exposing the thick muscles underneath his thin shirt. Just looking at him makes me gulp with need.

  I don’t even know what I’m feeling right now except that I find it hard to resist touching him.

  Apparently, I’m not the only one.
>
  Before I’ve realized it, his hands have already snaked around my waist to the small of my back, pulling me close. I suck in a breath as his sultry eyes settle on mine with an intense gaze, one that could melt panties in the blink of an eye.

  I can’t look away, no matter how hard I try. Can’t stop my body from gravitating toward him, despite my brain telling me no.

  He’s a prince. He’s way out of my league. We’re from two different worlds. This couldn’t ever—

  Right then, his mouth crashes into mine.

  Every thought, every worry instantly disappears.

  Sparks run all the way through my body, filling me with a desire I didn’t know I had. And I kiss him back.

  His lips taste like sweetness and sin wrapped in a heavenly package. Everything I shouldn’t crave, and everything I need at the same time.

  He sucks on my bottom lip, and my mouth draws open as he forces his tongue inside, claiming my mouth as though it already belongs to him. I’m powerless to stop it. Defenseless against the onslaught of emotions and lust coursing through my veins.

  Only when I hear someone giggle behind us do I come back to reality.

  My eyes flash open only to find the lady who owns the house hiding her smile behind her hand. She caught us.

  “I see you’ve already found a way to cool down,” she says, sniggering.

  My cheeks start to glow, but Amir doesn’t even seem to notice she’s interrupted us. All he can focus on is me.

  However, a sudden sharp pain makes me shriek. I look around me.

  The lady almost drops the two drinks she was carrying as she puts them on the table.

  “What’s wrong?” Amir asks, clutching my arms.

  “My leg!” I squeal, trying to run past him while simultaneously kicking everywhere. “I think something just bit me!”

  That’s when I see it slither past us through the pond.

  A snake.

  10

  Amir

  I apologize to Mrs. Saida and immediately take Maya to the hospital. The poor woman only just managed to put some blankets around her before I lifted her off. We don’t have any time to lose right now. This could be serious. Dangerous. Deadly.