But the one thing it did change was my desire to be in a different country than the one Will was in.
I ignored my suitcase and walked into the huge marble bathroom. A large, claw foot bathtub stood in the corner, calling my name. I turned on the faucet, letting the hot water steam up the room. An antique cabinet stood nearby, the top stacked with various creams and lotions and other colorful concoctions. I poured a thick, green liquid, that I hoped were bubbles, into the water.
I watched as the tub filled, the bubbles piling up vigorously around the rim of the tub.
Slowly, I slipped down into the soothing water, my skin stinging from the heat. Will’s face, Will’s hands, Will’s lips…my head was spinning with thoughts of him, and I knew I’d never be able to regain my senses until I gave in to the thoughts. My hands trailed up, caressing my shoulders, my breasts, my stomach, running over the places where I could still feel Will’s hands on me. My fingers slipped down between my legs, my lips still swollen from desire. Slowly, I ran my fingers over my clit, electric shocks of pleasure shooting through my body. I moaned, my back arching, my body aching to feel Will inside me again.
I wasn’t fooling myself, even if last night had been amazing. Even if it had been everything I’d imagined and more. Even if, deep down, I wanted to spend the rest of my life obeying Will’s every command that he whispered in my ear.
None of those things mattered. In the light of day, what mattered was reality. And the reality that we were dealing with was a million miles away from the passion we’d shared last night.
But right now? I could pretend, just for a few moments before whatever awful thing was on the agenda for the day. I gave in, sinking into the water, my fingers firm and purposeful as I brought myself to the delicious edge again.
I was almost there, lost in my thoughts, my head leaning back on the tub’s edge, my hand furiously working to find the relief that I desperately needed. I imagined the look on Will’s face as he slid inside of me, the way my body seemed to take over, clenching on to him, refusing to let go until he came with me, his cock swelling inside of me until I —
“Julia!”
I froze. Mortified. Begging once again to that elusive guardian angel that I was somehow imagining things and that I didn’t really hear Vicky call my name, silently begging that very angel that when I opened my eyes, the Queen of fucking Sweden wouldn’t be standing there in the bathroom with me.
Slowly, I opened my eyes. My guardian angel had failed me, once again.
Indeed, the Queen of Sweden, Her Majesty, Queen Victoria, Vicky, my soon-to-be Stepmother, towered over the tub that I was lying in. Not just lying in. Practically rubbing my vagina raw in, thinking about her son’s princely treasures.
I’d never been more thankful for the existence of bubbles in my life.
“V-Vicky,” I stuttered, crossing my arms over my chest and sinking down further into the water. She looked like something out of a dream as the hot steam floated between us.
I prayed once again that she was, but when she grabbed a towel and threw it at me, her face set in what was quickly becoming a familiar rage, I knew for sure that guardian angels didn’t exist. Those deserting bitches, I thought.
“We need to talk,” Vicky commanded, before turning and walking out the door.
I sighed.
It’s time to leave, I thought. If Will wants me, he can follow me. I didn’t deserve this anger from the Queen.
I exited the bathroom wearing a thick, white terry cloth robe with a huge gold monogram on the back. I wished more than ever that I was back at home, in my own apartment, in my own country. In my own cheap, threadbare bathrobe.
“I’ve done some digging on you, Julia,” she started right in. Digging, I thought. Lovely.
I sat down on the couch, my head filled with images of Will kissing me as we sat there last night in front of the fire. I pushed them away and looked at Vicky expectantly.
“You and Wilhelm reportedly had quite a fling,” she said.
“We dated, yes,” I replied. I was done keeping secrets. I’d tell her anything she wanted, at this point, if she’d just stop looking at me like that.
“According to my resources, you were very involved. Very intimate.”
I blushed. Was all of this really necessary?
“Which is apparent, by the tape that was released,” she said, her words clipped and short. She strode around the room, picking up various trinkets and looking at them as she spoke. I watched her silently from the couch, speechless and embarrassed.
“Tell me something, Julia,” she said. “What did you do about the baby?”
I gasped, shocked that she knew about the baby. Or the not-baby, rather.
“How did you know about that?” I asked.
“I have my sources, darling,” she replied. “I am the Queen, after all.”
I see where Will gets his arrogance, I thought. Was it the curse of the Royal Family to be so damned confident?
“So, won’t you tell me? I can’t find any record of an abortion…or an adoption. Was it all a lie? A trap?”
“A trap!?” I exclaimed. “Of course not!”
“Don’t act so shocked. You wouldn’t be the first girl who thought she could get something out of Will.” She paused, and my mouth dropped in shock. “Well? I’m waiting. You owe me an explanation, Julia.”
I shook my head slowly. “I-I was never pregnant. It was a false positive…”
“Oh,” she replied. “Well, thank God for that,” she said quickly.
Something snapped inside of me. I was so over it. So over her accusing me of doing things I hadn’t done. Accusing me of lying, or trying to trap Will. I would never have done such a thing.
I stood up slowly and faced her.
“Vicky, I know you’re the Queen. And I understand you’re marrying my father. I even understand you have a country to represent and protect,” I said, my voice rising higher with each word. My heart pounded in my chest. “But no matter who you are, or how things appear to you, you have no right to accuse me of stealing, of lying, or attempting to trap your son.”
Her eyes widened in shock as I finished. My voice threatened to crack, and I swallowed hard.
“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a plane to catch,” I said, turning and walking into the closet, leaving her alone in the bedroom. When I was out of site, I leaned heavily against the wall, biting my lip and holding my breath until I heard her leave.
I crumpled to the ground in tears.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
WILL
To avoid having to explain to any prying eyes why I was leaving Jewel’s room in the morning, I left her sleeping and snuck back to my own bed, falling into a deep, peaceful sleep that was filled with sensual dreams of her.
The pleasure of reliving the incredible sex we’d just had played out in my head while I slept, and I lost myself in them.
Jewels, on top of me, riding me, leaning down to kiss me passionately, her full breasts bouncing up and down. Jewel’s mouth engulfing my cock, her tongue sliding up and down my shaft wickedly. Her soft skin sliding along mine, my hands caressing every inch of her. I pulled her back up, sliding back into her soft, warm center. She smiled down at me, her lust filled green eyes shining with satisfaction. She leaned down, shifting her weight, licking my face with her long tongue over and over.
“Jewels, Jewels…” I murmured, thrusting into her. She licked my cheeks, my eyes, over and over, lapping her long tongue —
“Your Royal Highness!”
I woke with a start to Bertolf’s voice. Willy was on top of me trying to lick me awake.
“The Dog was licking you, sir,” Bertolf stated.
“Oh, yeah, um…” I said, pushing Willy off of me. “Right.”
“Good morning, My Lord.”
“Good morning, Bertolf,” I mumbled. “What time is it?”
“It’s eight a.m., My Lord. You have a breakfast scheduled, and then a meeting with the head of
a charity, and —,”
“— clear my schedule. I don’t want to do any of that.”
“Very well.”
“Have any other disasters of epic proportion occurred yet today?”
“No, sir. Not yet, at least,” Bertolf replied with a wink. Every now and then, when we were alone, he made an attempt at humor.
I crawled out of bed, my cock shrinking when the cold air hit it.
“Fire, Bertolf. Make a fire, it’s fucking freezing today,” I said. Bertolf nodded and began putting wood in the fireplace. I walked over to my balcony and looked out the doors over at Jewel’s room. Her curtains were still closed, and the thought of her lying naked in bed where I’d left her, her warm sweet body snuggled under the covers, made my cock swell in spite of the cold.
Bertolf looked at me standing buck naked by the windows and offered some advice.
“Perhaps if you put on a robe, My Lord…”
“Whatever. Hurry up with the fire,” I said, walking into the bathroom. I left the door open, which I knew drove Bertolf crazy. Making Bertolf lose his cool used to be one of my favorite things to do. After all these years together, he was used to me, though, and there wasn’t much I could do that would shake his calm exterior.
I walked back out and warmed myself by the quickly growing fire.
“Thank you,” I said, “that’s better.”
“My pleasure, My Lord,” he replied. He walked into my closet as I sat by the fire and brought me my robe. “Your robe, sir?”
“You have a problem with my schlong, Bertolf?”
“Of course not, sir. But your…schlong…seems to have a problem with the cold,” he said, gesturing to my shriveled, cold cock.
“Very funny, Bertolf,” I said, taking the robe from him and putting it on.
“Thank you, sir,” he replied with a smile.
“Bertolf,” I said, leaning back into my chair and closing my eyes. “How in the hell did everything get so fucked up?”
“Actually, sir, I have a theory about that.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
JEWELS
After Vicky left, I dressed quickly and called my father. I had no idea how to handle this, to handle her and the growing hatred that she seemed to have for me. I hadn’t told my father about the crown being found with my necklace, because I didn’t want him to think that I’d actually been the one to take the crown.
But it was time he knew everything, if Vicky hadn’t told him already.
“Good morning, Jewels,” he answered.
“Hi, Dad,” I replied. My voice sounded just like I felt.
“What’s going on?”
“We need to talk. Everything’s gone wrong, Dad. Have you talked to Vicky?”
“Not today,” he replied. “I did talk to her yesterday, though. She told me about what was found in your safe.”
“It’s not my safe, Dad. It’s a secret safe, in my room. I had no idea it was there. I didn’t put those things in there!” My voice cracked, threatening to spill over into tears. I was beyond frustrated.
“Calm down, sweetie. Nobody thinks you stole anything.”
“That’s not true, Dad! Vicky does! Vicky hates me!”
“No, she doesn’t,” he replied. “She told me she thought you were absolutely delightful and she’s excited to have you as a member of the family.”
“Right. Before all this drama began, maybe. Before she figured out that Will and I had a relationship in college. Before she became convinced I stole her most precious crown.”
“I think you’re over-exaggerating, Jewels. Vicky’s convinced the police will do their job and get to the bottom of this. If it helps, I’ll talk to her.”
“Okay, I guess it couldn’t hurt,” I murmured. “I really have no idea what to do.”
“Darling, if you’re uncomfortable there, I can always get you another hotel room. You don’t have to stay there. I never predicted things at the palace would get so…spirited.”
The thought of staying at the hotel was appealing, but just as I was about to agree, Will’s face flashed in my mind. Last night had been absolutely magical, and I loved being close to Will. In fact, I was hoping for a repeat tonight.
“No, Dad. I don’t want to rock the boat any more. I’ll stay here,” I said.
“Okay, darling. Let me know if you change your mind.”
“Thank you, Dad.”
“Don’t worry. This will all work out, Jewels. I guarantee it will.”
“I hope you’re right…” I said, my voice trailing off.
“I’ve got a meeting in ten minutes, love. Is there anything else I can do for you?”
“No. Thank you for talking to me.”
“Of course, darling. Call me anytime you need me.”
The phone clicked in my ear, and I threw myself back on the bed. I was starving, but after that visit from Vicky, the last thing I wanted to do was see her again. I picked up the phone and asked one of the staff to bring breakfast to my room.
Why leave if I didn’t have to? Why subject myself to embarrassing accusations? Everyone was probably whispering behind my back anyway.
CHAPTER THIRTY
WILL
Bertolf slowed the limo to a crawl in front of the mansion. It rolled to a stop in front of the huge heavy wooden front doors and he got out to open my door.
“Shall I wait for you, My Lord?”
“Yes, Bertolf. Please do.” I walked up the steps and lifted the heavy lion’s head knocker and dropped it. Within seconds, the door opened and Jasper, Seraphina’s butler, opened the door.
“Your Royal Highness!” he exclaimed. “What a surprise!”
“Hello, Jasper. Nice to see you. Is Seraphina available?”
“Yes, sir. Come in, please. I’ll let her know you’re here.”
“Thank you, Jasper,” I said, as she disappeared, leaving me standing alone in Seraphina’s house. A spiraling grand staircase led to the second floor, ending at a large landing at the top that was home to a huge portrait of Seraphina. I looked up at the painting of her and smiled.
She’d been so excited to have that commissioned by one of the most famous painters in Sweden several years back. I’d teased her mercilessly about it, much to her dismay.
Her clipped footsteps sounded behind me and I turned, giving her a huge, charming smile and embracing her warmly. Stiffly, she hugged me back.
I smiled down at her as I pulled away.
“Seraphina, darling, it’s so good to see you,” I said. Her eyes narrowed slightly, but she smiled back.
“You too, Will, why are you here?” she asked.
“Is there somewhere we can talk? Privately?” I asked.
“Of course. Let’s go into the library,” she replied, turning and leading the way. I’d spent a lot of time here over the years, and not much had changed. We walked into the library and she shut the door behind us.
“New draperies?” I asked.
“What?” she asked. “Oh, yes. A few years ago.”
“It’s been a while…” I murmured, walking around slowly.
“Yes, it has,” she replied quietly as she sat on a sofa, watching me.
I circled the room, and then joined her on the couch, taking her hands. She looked at me suspiciously, but let me hold them.
“Sera, it was really great to see you at the party the other night,” I began.
She laughed and shook her head.
“You hardly knew I was there, Will,” she said, pulling her hands away.
“That’s not true, darling,” I said, taking her hand back. “You know how those balls are. So many people insisting on a moment with you. It’s never-ending and quite boring.”
“You looked quite entertained, actually,” she said.
“Entertained?” I asked. “Quite the contrary.”
“Will, why are you here?” she asked.
“Yes, excellent question!” I said, staring deeply into her eyes. “I want us to get back together, Sera.
Will you give me another chance?”
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
JEWELS
I hadn’t heard from Will all morning. After finishing my breakfast, I stayed in bed reading, still hesitant to leave my room at all. The last thing I wanted to do was see Vicky again.
I was hoping my father could talk some sense into her. That he could somehow convince her that I wasn’t a thief. She seemed so convinced that I was the cause of all the trouble, and I hated it.
Maybe I shouldn’t have talked to her the way I did. Maybe I shouldn’t have stood up to her like that. She was the fucking Queen, after all. But did that give her the right to talk to me like that?
It was becoming harder and harder to see what my father saw in her, now that I’d seen this side of her. She was ruthless. Selfish. Extremely protective of her treasures, apparently. Maybe if I was the Queen, I’d be the same way. But who knows? I would never be a queen.
The thought of someday being a princess was completely absurd, though. Princess Jewels. What a joke. I have to admit though, that when I was seeing Will long ago, I’d played around with the idea secretly.
Of course, I’d never have told Will that and I’m glad I never did, considering how everything turned out. Just like I’d never told him I loved him. Even though I was pretty sure that was what it was.
But then he’d left. A coward’s departure that had ripped my heart and any fantasies that I harbored into pieces. He seemed so different now.
Perhaps that’s what the years do to us, though. We grow up, mature, become stronger, more responsible people who don’t shy away from commitment and love.
Is that who Will was now? He was definitely more of a man now. More masculine, more settled in his skin, even more confident, but in a little bit quieter way, as if he wasn’t as obsessed with trying to prove himself as he used to be.
He’d hurt me so much in the past, and despite my best efforts, my heart was opening up and letting him in again. My body was begging for him again.
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