Married to a Prince

by Calista King

  "You're beautiful. You make it stand out," he said.

  Andreas' hands were rested on Laila's shoulders, and he stood behind her smiling at her reflection in the windows. Then he leaned down and gave her a kiss on the back of her neck that sent tingles up and down Laila's spine. She shivered at his touch and Andreas let out a low chuckle as he straightened back up.

  "Don't go getting all cocky now," Laila said, trying to regain her composure. "I still don't know about accepting this."

  Andreas sat down and gave an exasperated sigh. "You must be the only woman I know that would refuse a gift of jewelry. Really Laila, I want you to have it. I got it for you. Let's just say it was a celebratory gift for your role in the Peter Travis film if it makes you feel any better."

  At the mention of the film role, Laila's face dropped. "Yeah about that..." she began.

  "What happened?" Andreas asked.

  "I didn't get the part."

  "How could that be? You were perfect for it!"

  Laila had to laugh at Andreas' indignation. He had never even seen her audition or act before and here he was getting all upset on her behalf. "I thought I was too, but the producers and casting director thought something different."

  "Well, they're idiots," he said. "But how are you feeling? I know you must be so disappointed."

  "I'm not gonna lie. I am disappointed I didn't get the part. It just seemed so perfect for me, you know? And the way the casting director was acting after my audition...well, I just assumed I nailed it."

  "Did they tell you why you didn't get the part?" Andreas asked.

  "They just said they offered the role to someone else. Some up and coming actress who's got a lot of buzz behind her name. I guess I was too much of a nobody for them to cast."

  Laila felt good to unburden her problems on Andreas. She hadn't really talked about her rejection to anyone, even well meaning friends like Corinne or her cousin Kendra. Somehow, it felt so easy and comfortable for her to open up to him. He just had that way about him that invited openness and honesty from her.

  "One day, they'll look back and regret not offering you the part," he said. "One day when you're a major movie star and they're the ones begging you to accept a role in their film."

  "Ha-ha! I have that fantasy in my head every time I get rejected for a part. But no one's groveling at my feet yet," Laila laughed.

  The smile quickly died on her lips as she realized the truth of her words. In all her years in the business, busting her ass from one audition to the next, she'd never gotten a break. There were minor successes with a small role here or there, but nothing really major that she could sink her teeth into.

  Maybe the whole acting thing wasn't for her? What if her big break never came and she was just wasting her time and her youth chasing an impossible dream. The thought sent her emotions spiraling down into the dumps. Andreas noticed her abrupt change in mood and cocked his head as he looked at her.

  "What's the matter? Why do you look sad all of a sudden?" he asked.

  "I was just thinking, maybe I should give up acting. I just don't know if it's for me," she confessed.

  "What do you mean? Isn't it your dream to be an actress?"

  "Yes, but at some point I've got to face reality, Andreas. I'm up to my neck in bills, barely surviving week to week on my paycheck. Meanwhile, I haven't gotten a call back for a part in years. I need to start thinking about my future."

  Laila had never really voiced those concerns out loud before. Somehow saying it made everything seem real. Her heart gave a little jolt of pain at the thought of giving up on her dream, something she had aspired to since she was a little girl, but the grown up in her told her to face reality. She couldn't go on the way she was, barely making it paycheck to paycheck. At some point she had to get a real job with some benefits and security.

  "Perhaps you shouldn't make any rash decisions just yet. I'm sure this latest rejection has left you distraught. Maybe you just need to take some time for yourself and step away from the situation for a bit?" Andreas suggested.

  "I don't know anymore. All this talk about acting has got me all depressed," Laila said.

  Andreas placed his hand over hers and gave her a sympathetic pat. "Things will get better. I promise," he said.

  "Thanks. Maybe you're right. I do need to step back and reassess my life," Laila said, trying to sound cheerful.

  "What are your plans this weekend? How about you let me take you out to cheer you up?" Andreas suggested.

  "I'm off this weekend. The only plans I had were to stay home and drown my sorrows in a big tub of ice cream and junk food," Laila joked.

  "So will you let me take you out?" he asked.

  "Sure, why not? What did you have in mind?" she asked.

  "That is going to be a surprise," he said, giving her a mischievous grin.

  Laila laughed at his enthusiasm and already she was feeling more optimistic about her future. She didn't know what it was about Andreas, but he seemed to be able to bring out the best in her and make her smile no matter the situation. They finished their drinks and were soon headed out of McMillan's.

  "So what do you want to do now?" Andreas asked.

  "How about we go back to my place and get some take out and watch a movie?" Laila suggested.

  Andreas grinned at her "Not another Peter Travis movie?"

  "Hell no!" Laila said and laughed out loud.

  They hailed a cab and headed back downtown to Laila's apartment.

  CHAPTER 11

  "Here we are again in my humble home," Laila said jokingly as she flipped on the lights.

  "I like your place. It's nice and cozy and reminds me of you," Andreas said following in behind her.

  "Yeah well, it could use about a thousand more square feet," she said. "There's no space in here."

  "I would invite you back to my hotel room to order room service and watch movies there, but somehow I didn't think you'd go for that."

  "You'd be right. I don't even want to think about what they'd say if they saw me walking in with you up to your room," Laila said.

  "It can't be that bad, can it? It's not like you're breaking the law."

  "The Standard has very high standards," Laila said laughing at her own joke. "They don't take it lightly when their employees go messing around with the guests. Makes it seem like some kind of brothel or something."

  Andreas laughed at her imitation of a British accent as she spoke the last words. "Brothel?" he asked.

  "Hey those are the rules," Laila said. "I'm not about to find out."

  Andreas settled on her futon and Laila walked into her kitchen and took out a menu for the Chinese restaurant just down the street from her apartment. She settled on the seat next to Andreas and flipped open the menu.

  "Hmm, I'm in the mood for some chicken lo mein and boneless spare ribs. What do you want?" she asked.

  Andreas glanced at the menu over her shoulder reading over the choices. "I'll have the chicken broccoli," he said.

  Laila made the phone call and placed her order. She then laid the menu on the coffee table in front of them and walked over to her movie collection under the TV.

  "Do you have any idea what you want to watch?" she asked over her shoulder.

  "Not really. Why don't you pick something?"

  Laila scrolled through some titles, tracing her fingers over the spine of the DVDs before stopping on one. She slipped it out and smiled as she looked at it.

  "This will be perfect," she said.

  "What is it?" Andreas asked.

  "It's The Godfather. The first one," she added.

  Andreas flashed her a look of surprise. "I didn't take you for Godfather fan," he said.

  "Have you seen it?" she asked.

  "No, not the first one. I saw the third one and I can't say I was impressed."

  Laila screwed up her face and looked at him like he was crazy. "What the hell? Are you being serious right now? Out of all the Godfather movies, you go and watch the th
ird one?"

  "It wasn't by choice. I was on a plane and that's what was showing," he said.

  Laila shook her head in pity and mumbled to herself under her breath. She slipped the DVD into the player and sat back down next to Andreas. He slipped his arm around her shoulder like it was the most natural thing in the world. She leaned into him and snuggled against his chest.

  "Al Pacino is so hot in the film," she said as the movie started.

  "Really? Al Pacino?"

  "Yes! What's not to love about a guy that can order a hit on all his rivals while sitting at his son's Christening. So fucking sexy."

  She could feel the rumble in his chest as he laughed. "Should I be worried? You seem especially bloodthirsty."

  "Just don't piss me off and you'll be fine," she said playfully.

  They lapsed into silence as the movie started. Laila had loved this movie ever since she saw it in one of her film classes in college. It surprised her because she was never one to like mob movies like Scarface or Goodfellas, like her friends all did. But something about the way Michael Corleone transformed from an innocent kid into the new ruthless Don Corleone stuck with her.

  At the moment, though, she was finding it hard to concentrate on the movie with Andreas so close to her. She could breath in his scent and feel the beating of his heart as his arm draped across her shoulder. His hand was tracing light circles on her arm and she found the movement distracting in a good way.

  Laila looked up at him to find him not watching the movie at all. He was staring down at her with an intensity in his eyes. In that moment she knew exactly what he was thinking.

  Tilting her head back she slowly parted her lips inviting him to kiss her. He took the hint and leaned down and placed a light kiss against her lips. Laila kissed him back with a hunger that surprised them both. She didn't know what took over her, only that she wanted something more. Andreas matched her intensity and soon the film on the screen was entirely forgotten. Their bodies intertwined, as her hands reached out and grabbed his hair in a tight grip pulling him closer.

  She moaned out loud as his teeth nipped at her full lips, and he darted his tongue in her mouth in an act of possession. He was positioned on top of her, settling his weight on his arms that were rested on either side of her head. Laila slipped her hands up between them running her fingers over his chest. She began unbuttoning his shirt, feeling her way down his bare chest, as the light coating of hair tickled her fingers.

  Andreas slipped his jacket and shirt off his shoulders and threw them to the floor. He was completely bare from the waist up, and Laila had to appreciate how sexy he was. She could feel his firm muscles when she laid against his chest, but to see it was something else. He was lean but had well defined muscles. His arms looked toned and strong, and a light dusting of dark brown hair covered his chest and tapered down towards his belly button. She noticed that his chest was a few shades lighter than his arms and face, which were covered in a golden tan.

  Her eyes traveled to the hardness that was straining against his pants. Laila licked her lips in anticipation. She could tell he was impressive, and she was curious to see it. Her hands reached out to touch him there, lightly tracing her fingers over his length. She heard Andreas suck in a gasp and moan.

  "I want you so badly right now," he choked out the words as if it were an effort for him to talk.

  He looked down at her with a wild look in his eyes, and Laila knew instinctively there was no coming back from this. Once she gave herself to him, she would be his, mind, body and soul. It terrified her and excited her at the same time. To put her heart in someone else's hands wasn't something she did lightly, and she marveled at how quickly it happened with Andreas.

  But fate had brought them together, so who was she to go against it. Still, there was that tiny little doubt in the back of her mind that warned her she might get hurt. At the moment, though, Andreas was kissing her as he pressed himself down against her, and that little voice got quieter and quieter.

  Andreas was slipping her shirt over her head and unclasping her bra with his other hand. Once he had freed her from her clothing, she could see the appreciation in his eyes as he looked at her. His eyes were dark pools of desire, and he licked his lips before dipping his head down and tasting her breast. His lips circled her puckered nipple as he swirled his tongue around, causing her to arch her back and moan out loud. Her hands were digging into his hair as she clung to him with an urgent need.

  Andreas' other hand was kneading her other breast, rolling the nipple between his fingers. "Oh God! Oh shit!" she said, writhing under him as he continued to lavish attention on her breasts. She could feel the smile form on his lips at her response, but she was too caught up in her own sensations to give it much thought. She just wanted more--more kisses, more caresses, more him.

  He had pulled her up to a sitting position so she was straddling him on the futon. His hands moved over her back, resting them on her butt as he squeezed and massage her there.

  "You have such a magnificent ass," he said, nibbling his way from her ear, down her neck and to her collar bone.

  Laila could feel his erection pressing between her legs. Her body was aching for him, and she wanted it as bad she'd ever wanted anything in her life. Her hands had reached down between them to stroke his length with her fingers, drawing out a long moan from him.

  She was just about to unbutton his pants when her doorbell rang. At first she didn't hear it, but it happened again and again. As if waking from a dream, Laila broke away from Andreas' lips and looked at her door in confusion. Who the hell is bothering me right now? she wondered. Then she remembered. The food.

  "Fuck!" she mumbled under her breath. Andreas looked like he had the same thought. He smiled at her ruefully and reached down to give her his shirt to slip over herself.

  "I don't think he's going to go away," he said, giving her a smile.

  "You're probably right."

  She got off his lap and buttoned the shirt and rolled up the sleeves as she answered the door. The Chinese delivery guy was standing there looking annoyed and impatient.

  "$23.75," he snapped, holding his hand out for the money.

  "You are so lucky I've got other things on my mind right now to deal with your attitude," Laila muttered under her breath. She dug through her purse handed the delivery guy $25 and took the bag of food.

  "Keep the tip," she said closing the door in his face.

  Laila was annoyed at the interruption and the rudeness of the delivery guy, but she realized it might have been a blessing in disguise. Now that she had some distance from him, Laila could stop and think about what she was about to do--what they were about to do. It was a huge step for her and she had to admit she was scared. She didn't think she could bear it if he was just using her. She had to find out what his feelings really were before things went any further.

  Laila walked back into the living room to find Andreas seated in the same position. He still looked sexy as hell and Laila just wanted to continue right where they left off, but she knew she had to be strong. She had to resist temptation. Laila placed the food on the coffee table and took a seat next to the futon. If she had to be strong, it was best she stay as far away as possible lest she give into her desires.

  Andreas looked confused at her sudden change in mood.

  "Listen, Andreas," Laila began. She fiddled with the hem of his shirt, not sure what she was trying to say or how to say it. He looked at her in polite interest, his arms stretched over the back of her futon, not even aware of how irresistible he looked.

  "What's going on here?" she finally blurted out.

  "Pardon?" he asked.

  "I mean between us," she said.

  "I'm sorry, I don't understand," he said, a frown forming on his brow.

  "Am I just a fling to you?" she asked.

  "What? No, how could you think that?"

  He seemed genuinely hurt by her question and Laila felt a stab of regret, but continued on. She had t
o find out where things stood between them before placing her heart in his hands.

  "I'm gonna be honest with you. I really like you, Andreas," she confessed. "I don't know where you see things between us, but I'm letting you know I'm not a one-night stand or a fling. If you don't feel the same...if you're just looking for a good time, then I don't think we should take it any further."

  There she had finally said it. Laila let out a deep breath and braced herself for his reaction.

  "I like you too, Laila," he said, scooting over on the futon so he could be closer to her. "I like you a lot. I'm not looking for a fling or anything like that. You're not like any woman I've ever met before. I don't know what's going to happen or where things will go, but I know you're very special to me and I hope you give me a chance to get to know you and be in your life."

  His words were like a balm to Laila. Her worries and concerns lifted off her shoulder and she'd never felt happier or more free. Somehow hearing Andreas say those words made everything seem real.

  "So where do we go from here?" she asked.

  He smiled ruefully at her as he ran his hands through his hair. "How about we finish the movie," he suggested. "We can take things slowly and get to know and trust each other first before anything else."

  "I'd like that," Laila said.

  She'd never met a guy like Andreas before. He was truly a gentleman, and she appreciated him all the more for it. She got up from her seat and moved over next to him on the futon. She gave him a light kiss on the cheek before turning to the food in front of them.

  "So, are you hungry?" she asked, raising an eyebrow at him suggestively.

  He laughed but his eyes were intense as he looked at her. "You have no idea."

  Laila felt a chill run up over her spine. It didn't help that he was still bare chested and looking like a male model lounged casually on her raggedy futon. She turned her attention back to the food, feeling the blush creep up her cheeks at his heated gaze. Laila handed him his chicken broccoli and a pair of chopsticks before digging out her lo mein. She sat back on the couch and gave him a smile before turning her attention back to the movie.