by Zoey Oliver
“Call me a hopeless romantic,” he says, leaning toward me. “The music was lovely, you looked stunning that night, just as you do now, and I got swept away in it all. With you in my arms, I forgot all my manners. Please forgive me.”
I look at him for a long moment. He’s no Henry. He’s not nearly as charming, or as handsome, or as interesting. But he’s trying, at least. Which is more than I can say for myself. I’ve barely been going through the motions of being courted, much less really giving any of the men a shot at impressing me. I owe it to my family to give my suitors a chance, and Finley seems like he might have some promise yet.
“You know what we should do?” I say, smoothing out my napkin against my lap, settling in to enjoy our dinner.
“What’s that?”
“Let’s start over, shall we?” I suggest with an amicable smile. “Just wipe the slate clean.”
He beams at me. “That would be wonderful. I’d really like a chance to get to know you, Lady Strathmore.”
“Please, call me Abi. And I’m happy to tell you anything you’d like to know. All you have to do is ask.” Hint, hint.
Finley smiles at me and nods. “I do tend to rattle on about myself when I’m nervous, I’m sorry for that.”
“Apology accepted.”
“That’s very gracious of you. Now, if you’ll do me the honor, please tell me about yourself. Why did you choose to attend Umberland University?”
Taking a deep breath, I put a smile on my face. I’d rather be tangled in the sheets with Henry than at this table with Finley, but the night has finally taken a pleasant turn, and I might as well make the most of it.
I need to stop daydreaming about Henry and focus on the task at hand. He’s been the most amazing distraction from this dreadful situation, but fear I’m sliding too far into fantasy land. Every moment with him is a blissful escape from reality. He’s irresistible — gorgeous and talented in ways that make my knees weak and oh, God, the way he looks at me, it takes my breath away. But none of it is getting me any closer to ensuring my family’s future.
All too soon, I’ll be making a decision about who I’m going to marry. And unless I want to draw names from a hat, I need to take this seriously, for everyone’s sake. No matter how much I run from my fate, it’s going to catch up with me.
Chapter Fourteen
HENRY
“What the hell, Henry?”
I’m leaning against the hood of Finley’s car. He’s such an insufferable show off that he drove his fucking custom-made Italian race car to the clubhouse, rather than taking one of the chauffeured estate cars like every other guest would have. I’m sure he thought it would impress Abi and buy him a few minutes alone with her. Fuck him and his obnoxious car. I hope my ass is leaving a big fat dent.
I let Finley get closer before speaking. When he’s about five feet away and can clearly see my dead-serious expression, I lean forward. “I want you to stay the fuck away from Abigail.”
He snorts. “Like I give a shit about what you want. Get the fuck off my car.”
I stay seated and stare at him, my gaze unwavering. “I’m not joking.”
When Pierre, my security chief, informed me that Finley had made dinner reservations at the clubhouse for himself and Abi, I asked him to keep an eye on things and let me know when their dinner was almost over so I can make sure Finley doesn’t get another second alone with her. It’s hard to tell what sort of unspeakable things he’s planned to do to Abi tonight. Not a goddamn thing is happening though, not as long as I’m breathing.
The manager of the clubhouse has been instructed to keep Abi occupied inside with idle chatter for a few minutes once she emerges from the ladies’ room. Meanwhile, I’m having a little chat with Finley outside. It can go nicely, or I can smash his face in, whichever he’d prefer — I don’t give a shit at this point.
“Toss off, Henry. She asked me out.”
I don’t move an inch. “I don’t know what you did to make that happen, but don’t flatter yourself. It’s certainly not because she likes you.”
“Whatever you need to tell yourself. I know you’ve got a little thing for her. Everyone knows, it’s written all over your face.”
I keep staring. “Does that get under your skin?”
“You think I care about your stupid little crush? It means nothing. It’s pathetic, actually. I’ve got news for you — her parents and advisors? They approved me as her suitor. Not you.”
“Only because they haven’t figured out yet what a snake in the grass you are. Just give it time.”
“What are you going to do? Go run and tattle on me?”
I shrug. “They might be interested to hear what I have to say.”
“As if anyone will believe what you say, Prince Playboy. Your reputation is in the gutter.”
“That’s exactly why they’d believe me. Who would know better about the little underworld you live in?”
Finley clenches his jaw. “You don’t know anything.”
“The women you’ve paid off to not bring charges? Yeah, I know about them. And your partnership with Johnston in that drug ring you two were running at Cathridge? I know about that, too. Shall I go on?”
He scoffs, but his eyes widen, and it takes him a moment to speak. “Good luck proving any of that.”
I stare at him, so tempted to mention the growing pile of evidence accumulating in my office safe and the secret investigative ministry I’ve convened, but I won’t. As much as I want to rub it in his face, I’d be a fool to give him a chance to spin more lies and cover his tracks before the ministry has finished their inquiry into his heinous crimes.
“I don’t have to prove it,” I say instead. “No one cares about proof, Finley. How do I know? Look at the headlines about me — judge, jury, and executioner, right there in the tabloids.”
He sneers at me with a satisfied smile. “You’ve gotten what you deserve.”
I shrug. “Maybe. But I would never stoop to your level, Finley. You’re a whole fucking different breed, aren’t you? I don’t force myself on women, you fucking slime. You’re the real danger around here, yet I’m the one branded the troublemaker. But hey, as the Crown Prince of Scandal, the most notorious royal in all of Ostwyn — that’ll give my words some credence, don’t you think?”
“You wouldn’t,” he snarls.
“No? What do I have to lose, exactly? As you said, my reputation’s already fucked. And even if it wasn’t, I’d set myself on fire to keep Abigail out of your reach.”
“You say one word to Abi or her parents, and I’ll demolish you.”
Within a split second I’ve leapt off the car, and my right hand is around Finley’s throat, squeezing so hard I’m almost lifting him off the ground. My fingers are digging into his skin, the tendons in his neck straining under my hands.
“Don’t you ever fucking threaten me, you piece of shit.”
He makes gagging sounds, and his face turns red, but I hold tight for a few more moments and let him squirm, his hands clawing at my fingers desperately, before I finally let him go. He trips over his own feet and almost falls but finds his balance at the last minute and leans over, gasping for air.
“You’ll pay for that, Henry,” he rasps.
“It’s time for you to leave.”
He straightens up, his face still flushed and deep red marks on his throat. He tugs his suit, smoothing the lapels flat, and glances at the entrance of the clubhouse then back at me. “No, I’m waiting on Abi.”
I step toward him, and he flinches, stumbling backward a few paces. “She can make her way back to the palace without your help. You think for one Goddamn minute I’m letting her get back in that car with you? Get the fuck out of here Finley, you’re done.”
He hesitates, his eyes shifting between me and his silver coupe. I shake my head in disgust but turn and walk ten feet out into the parking lot, away from him, away from his car. When I turn back around, he’s still standing on the damn walkway.
/> “Oh, for fuck’s sake. I’m all the way over here, asshole. Just get in your car and leave.” I wave a hand at his car and wait expectantly.
He scampers over to the driver’s side, eyes trained on me the entire time.
“This isn’t finished,” he yells over the roof of his car. “I know how to make you pay, Henry.” Then he hurriedly climbs in and slams the door shut.
A second later, he revs the engine to life and peels out. I watch him drive up the hill and turn right onto Estate Drive — heading away from the palace. No doubt going to join his frat buddies at a bar somewhere and spin lies about me.
Just as his tail lights disappear out of sight, I hear the heavy doors of the clubhouse thud shut and look over to see Abi standing on the walkway, staring at me.
“Henry?”
I walk up to meet her. “Wow, you look amazing.”
She’s wearing a stunning red dress with a flared skirt in a retro style, like one of those flirty swing dresses from the 50s. It highlights all her curves in a way that just makes me want to rip it off her and kiss her from head to toe. My mouth is actually watering as I soak in every little detail of her, as if she’s a piece of cherry candy wrapped in shiny cellophane, and I’m dying for a taste of something sweet.
Abi tucks a strand of hair behind her right ear and blushes modestly. “Thanks.”
She looks way too good for Finley — too good for me, too, if I’m honest. But that shy smile, it makes my heart skip a beat. I’m living for that smile these days.
“Where is Finley?” Abi looks past me to the parking lot and frowns. “His car is gone.”
“Oh, he had to leave.” I give her a reassuring smile. “But I’ll make sure you get back safely. I’ll call for a car right now.” I pull my phone out of my pocket, but she puts her hand on mine.
“Don’t. It’s a lovely evening, why don’t we walk?”
The doors of the clubhouse burst open, and half a dozen people spill out onto the walkway, laughing and talking loudly. When they see me, they immediately get quiet and walk by us single file with their heads down. I automatically square my shoulders and straighten my spine, just as my predecessors have done for a millennia, as I modestly accept the respect of my subjects.
“Your Grace,” the first gentleman says, looking up briefly to nod at me.
I nod back. “Did you enjoy dinner?”
A blonde-haired woman gives a small curtsy as she walks by. “Yes, we did, Your Highness, thank you.”
They proceed out to the parking lot, and I turn back to Abi.
“I’m sorry, you were saying…?”
“Let’s walk back to the palace,” she says with a smile.
“I have a better idea.”
“Oh?”
Car doors open and shut behind me, and I look over my shoulder, watching as two cars pull out of the parking lot. All clear. I step closer to Abi and rub a finger against the smooth red fabric hugging her stomach.
I lean into her and whisper, “You look so delicious right now, all I can think about is lifting that dress up.”
She bites her lip and looks up at me. “And doing what?”
“Kissing every inch of those sexy legs.”
Abi nestles closer to me, her breasts brushing my chest, the full skirt of her dress pressed against my legs. “And then what?”
“Licking your sweet pussy until you come on my face.”
A shiver runs through her, and she smiles wickedly, leaning into me harder. “Let’s get somewhere, fast,” she whispers, a naughty gleam in her eyes.
Chapter Fifteen
ABIGAIL
“I know a place, just over this hill. Let’s go,” Henry says, nodding to the knoll rising steeply on the other side of the parking.
We start walking quickly across the parking lot, into the grassy hillside beyond. When we reach the soft grass, I pause for a second to slip off my heels and grasp them by the straps in one hand while Henry takes my other hand in his. We walk up the incline, leaning into it, our feet slipping now and then against the steep bank. Henry holds my hand tight, ensuring that I don’t fall, and finally we reach the crest of the hill.
At the top, I glance around. To our right, in the distance, is the palace, aglow with dozens of lights from the windows and exterior sconces. In front of us, several hundred feet away, is the silhouette of a large building and beyond it, a faint shimmer of rippling light — the boathouse and the lake.
“What do you think?” Henry asks.
I give him a sly look. “I think… you need to get me naked as soon as possible.”
“Well, stop standing here talking to me and start moving that fine ass toward the dock, my Lady.” He slaps me playfully on the rear, and I squeal.
Just then, a large raindrop splatters me on the nose, and another lands in my eyelashes.
Henry looks up at the sky. “We have about three seconds before we’re soaked.”
“First one to the lake gets to call the shots!” I yell. I don’t wait for his response. I take off running down the slope as fast as my legs will carry me, the hem of my dress kicking up in the breeze, my shoes bouncing wildly by the straps in my hand.
It’s only seconds before Henry passes me, shooting toward the water’s edge like a missile, his powerful legs no match for my own. But a moment later, he slows down, turns, and jogs back.
“I don’t care who calls the shots,” he says with a wink, grabbing my hand. “As long as we’re together. Come on!”
The rain is pouring down on us now, and we’re flying down the hill hand in hand, Henry leading the way, my bare feet digging into the wet grass. We pass the boathouse on the left and head straight to the dock.
“What are we doing?” I ask loudly when we finally stop on the large wooden platform, straining my voice to be heard over the roar of rain. “The boathouse is right there, it’ll be warm and dry.”
He grabs my face and kisses me, his lips firm and urgent against mine. I start to sink into his embrace, but he pulls back, looking into my eyes as the rain beats down on us.
“I want to be alone with you. Really, truly alone. Just us.”
He crouches at the edge of the dock, quickly untying a large rope. He unties a second rope and throws it onto the deck of a small boat. “This one isn’t fancy,” he yells over his shoulder, “it’s just a small weekender, but it’s reliable.”
Henry reaches his hand out and steadies me as I hop onto the boat. He’s right behind me and already has the engine going by the time I stumble to a seat.
He grabs a life jacket from a bin under one of the seats and hands it to me. “Put this on and then hang on, okay? These seats are slippery when it’s raining.”
I nod solemnly and slip the lifejacket on quickly, buckling it and tightening the straps before wrapping my hands around the metal railing next to my seat.
He puts the boat into gear, backing slowly away from the dock. Drops of water are hammering against my face, but I can’t take my eyes off of Henry. He’s standing behind the wheel as steady as a statue, expertly navigating us into open water, an intensity on his face that I haven’t seen before.
Soon, we’re clear of the harbor and zipping across the water. I cling to the railing as my hair twists into a whirlwind behind me. Once we’re going fast enough, the glass partition begins diverting the sting of the rain away from my face and I laugh with the full delight of my inner child, set free here on the lake tonight as I savor the thrill of being whisked away by Henry.
It’s just him and me.
And I want to soak in every moment of it
I briefly wonder where Henry’s supposed to be right now instead of out on the lake with me, if his security team is currently searching the palace grounds in a frenzy, and if Emily is waiting up for me to return from my dinner with Finley. But as we race across the water I let all those thoughts go and throw my head back, filling my lungs with the fresh, humid night air, all my worries growing distant, left behind.
After severa
l minutes, Henry pulls back on the throttle, and the boat slows, bobbing slightly as the wake catches up with us. I glance over my shoulder, but I can’t see anything other than choppy water behind us. The mist of the rain has hidden the palace from view.
Henry drops down to cruising speed as he guides the boat through a narrow channel.
“Watch your head!” he yells.
The bank on either side is so close, the tree limbs have formed a tunnel of sorts. I duck to avoid overhanging branches that scrape against the glass partition, and a moment later, we slip through the channel, emerging into a small cove.
“Very few people ever come here,” Henry says. “This is the only boat that can get through that channel.”
When we reach the center of the cove, he presses the button to release the anchor and cuts the engine. I unbuckle my life jacket and lay it at my feet.
“Now,” he says, “I believe the rule was, whoever made it to the dock first gets to call the shots, yes?”
“Hey, you said it didn’t matter!”
He shrugs, a wicked gleam in his eyes. “What can I say, I play dirty.”
“No fair!” I protest, hands on my hips.
My indignation doesn’t faze him. In one move, he steps forward and lifts me up, one hand under my back, the other under my knees.
I throw my arms around his neck and clutch him tightly. “You better not be about to throw me in the water, Henry!”
“Oh, I’m going to get you wet all right,” he growls, carrying me into the small cabin under the deck.
Once we’re out of the rain, Henry strips both our damp clothes off and kisses me from head to toe, taking his time. Even though it’s late and the sound of the rain beating against the boat is soothing, I’m far too wound up to feel sleepy.
He rolls over on his back and pulls me to him, lifting me onto his lap, where his hard, swollen erection awaits. Instinctively, I stiffen, squeezing my thighs together to keep myself upright, and put my hands out, pushing against his chest.
