The Playful Prince

by Michelle M. Pillow

  Tori gasped as Quinn shot forward. She flinched, thinking he meant to strike. Instead, he grabbed her face and yanked her body to his. His lips found hers in a bruising kiss that both punished and rewarded. His fingers thrust back into her hair, giving her no choice of escape. She felt the tips of claws scraping dangerously close to her scalp, but they didn’t hurt her.

  Passion built within her at his display of strength. His hold had never been so dominating. He was always confident, but usually his touch was worshipping, not demanding. His head moved, slanting his mouth to hers, punishing her lips as he thrust his tongue deep inside her mouth.

  Heat curled in her stomach, rolling over her until she couldn’t think. Primal animal instinct overtook them as Tori moaned. Her hands reached to pull his tight body closer. The feel of his arousal burned into her. Her mouth moved, meeting his demands with some of her own.

  Before she realized what was happening, he had her pressed up against the hallway wall, trapped beneath his searching hands. His fingers were everywhere, her breasts, her thighs, her waist, her back. He broke his lips from hers trailing to her neck to place hot, sucking kisses over her throat. His tongue drew over her flesh, tasting her.

  “Ahh,” Tori gasped, clutching to him. The hard stone of the tile wall was unforgiving against her back, but not as much as the man before her. She heard a rip and felt her jumpsuit parting down the front. His claw snagged the material, opening it all the way to her thighs. The heat of his chest soaked into her breasts as he leaned into her, making her nipples incredibly hard.

  His hands left her, but she still couldn’t move because the full press of his length kept her pinned. She felt his weight shift. Quinn’s mouth found her earlobe and he bit passionately at it before rimming her ear with his tongue. When his weight shifted again, and his hands returned to push apart the torn pieces of her jumpsuit, she felt his thick arousal against her thigh.

  “Quinn,” she said breathlessly. Vaguely she was aware that they were in the hallway, where anyone could walk by.

  His answer was a throaty, dark, possessive growl. Fingers cupped her large breasts, massaging them in feverish circles, pinching the buds until they screamed for more. Next, his hands moved to her hips, jerking her up against the wall. He expertly angled himself between her thighs. She had no choice but to let her legs fall open. In one swift movement, he embedded himself deep, sliding in the cream of her body’s excitement.

  Quinn growled a foreign word, over and over, quiet and deep. The tone of it felt possessive. His eyes held hints of green within their blue depths.

  Tori couldn’t understand his words, as he spoke in his own growling language. She trembled violently. He began to move, slipping in and out of her, building a sweet ache deep within her core. His rhythm was fast and furious, ferociously claiming her like a wild beast.

  Suddenly, she climaxed so strongly that her teeth chattered, and all she could do was moan and pant insensibly. Her body clamped down on him, spasming so fiercely that he had no choice but to find his own release. It came to him with shaking force, racking their bodies together.

  His hands weakened, and he let her slide down to the floor. Their breaths mingled, coming harshly from their parted lips. Quinn’s forehead fell against hers. Her eyes lifted to his. He was so close she could feel every inch of him. The pupils in his eyes dilated.

  “You will obey my orders while we are gone,” Quinn whispered, repeating his earlier decree. “This is not negotiable.”

  Tori gasped. Quinn spun around on his heels, leaving her in the hall as he stormed into his home, slamming the door behind him.

  Tori stared for a long moment, wondering if what had just happened was meant to be a punishment. She didn’t feel punished at all. She’d felt his desire for her, taken out in the frustration of his body’s thrusts. Then, glancing down, she saw her naked body, exposed by the torn jumpsuit. Quickly, she pulled her lab coat together and took off down the hall for her suite.

  30

  Prince Falke was ready to leave the palace at dawn. Siren was called upon to awaken the scientists. Unfortunately for the stoic commander, and the roused scientists, Prince Reid didn’t stumble into the banquet hall until almost noon. Tori knew that Reid lived outside the palace, in the forest, near the Draig border, so it was unlikely Siren could give him the same wake-up call she’d given the others.

  Most of the morning, Quinn, Kirill, and Falke talked amongst themselves at one of the tables. Servants brought around drinks. The scientists formed their own group two tables away, going over paperwork and strategies for handling Lord Myrddin.

  Tori did her best not to look at the handsome Quinn. He hadn’t spoken to her since their encounter in the hall. He barely even acknowledged her. His dismissal hurt deeply, causing a small ache in her chest. She swallowed the pain and concentrated on work. Tori never expected their relationship to last forever, but neither was she ready for it to end. Thankfully, Vitto and Grant had the good sense not to ask her about it.

  Since her black jumpsuit was now torn, Tori wore the clothing of the Var. She pulled the laces tight at her hips, closing the material all the way. The pants molded to her like a second skin, but she was happy that her outer thighs didn’t peak through the side laces. The sleeveless shirt was perfect for the warmer weather. It hugged just as tightly around her breasts. Her sides were exposed, but she pretended not to care. The truth was, she felt damned sexy in the outfit and was disappointed Quinn hadn’t noticed.

  When Reid finally walked in, he merely winked at his brothers, giving them a sheepish grin. He was dark featured and moved with the steady grace of his people. Muscles formed his body, and he carried them proudly as if he expected women to swoon at his feet. Falke didn’t comment, just grunted as he rose to depart. They all followed suit, slinging backpacks over their shoulders as they prepared for the hike.

  As they neared the side gate to the palace, Quinn dropped back and fell into step next to Tori. She blinked, looking at him in surprise. He glanced at her, his blank face giving nothing away, as he said, “I’ve been assigned to your protection. Falke will look after Grant. Reid will look after Vitto.”

  Tori looked ahead and saw that each prince fell into stride with the other two men. They went straight into the forest, going to the shadowed marshes. Tightly, she stated, “We can take care of ourselves. We don’t need to be looked after like children.”

  The words were soft. For a long moment, Quinn acted as if he hadn’t heard her. She was about to repeat herself when he finally answered. “It is the king’s wish that it be so. We will not risk your lives while you remain under our protection. Resign yourself to it, Doctor Elliot, or we will be forced to turn back around.”

  Tori refused to answer. The idea of Quinn protecting her was oddly comforting, even though he didn’t appear too pleased with the task. She wasn’t trained for physical combat. However, a verbal debate was something she could win.

  They continued to walk in silence for a few hours. Falke set a rigid pace, but none complained. Tori was too preoccupied to notice. Quinn stayed close, but his eyes didn’t turn to her, he didn’t smile, and he didn’t talk. Ahead of them Reid laughed and joked good-naturedly with Grant and Vitto. Leading the group by himself was Falke.

  “When will we arrive?” Tori asked. It was very warm, and sweat had begun to bead on her flesh, making her clothes stick.

  “At this pace? Tomorrow.” Quinn finally looked down at her. He’d been doing his best to convince himself that he didn’t care for her, that he only wanted her as a lover, a diversion. He was afraid it wasn’t working.

  The silence was killing him, but he refused to end it. They came from different worlds. When the job was over, she’d be leaving him behind. Qurilixen was his home, and he wouldn’t be running out on it like his brother Jarek. It was his duty to stay, his destiny, and his choice. He was content in his life, or at least he had been until he’d met Doctor Tori Elliot.

  “So we camp?” she asked.
r />   Quinn glanced down at her. Sacred cats! She was beautiful in his native clothing. He’d been stunned when he saw her in the outfit. He wondered if she knew what effect the tightened laces had on her backside, pulling the material tight across her butt. He nearly groaned remembering it and had an insane urge to fall behind just to get another glimpse.

  “Yes,” he answered, a little too late.

  Damn, but he couldn’t concentrate around her. He knew he sounded harsh, but after spending the entire journey walking so close to her intoxicating scent, he was about to go mad with lust. The encounter in the palace hall only fueled his desire for her. He hadn’t meant to take her like that but, when she didn’t protest, he couldn’t stop himself. Afterward, alone in his home, he’d been confounded by his total lack of control.

  “Hey, Tori,” Vitto called. His smiling face turned around amidst the laughter. He waved at her to join them. “Tori, come here, you have to hear these stories.”

  Tori spared a brief glance at Quinn, before hiking forward to join the men. Grant was laughing so hard that tears formed in the corners of his eyes. Vitto grinned. Reid was chuckling, but a moment’s worry passed over his face as she joined them.

  “Ah, go ahead,” Grant said, still laughing. “Elliot here’s just like a man, aren’t you Elliot?”

  “Yes,” she drawled wryly, “just.”

  Reid’s gaze narrowed, as he blatantly checked her out. His eyes stopped a second too long on her breasts, and a smile of male appreciation crossed over his lips. When he looked back up at her, his eyes danced with amusement. His brow rose, and Tori had the distinct impression the look of masculine invitation was meant to aggravate Quinn more than entice her. In a low, flirtatious tone, he murmured, “She looks very much like a woman to me.”

  Tori blushed, knowing Prince Reid had spoken loud enough so Quinn could hear him. Hearing a noise, they all turned to see Quinn righting himself from the ground. He’d tripped. His eyes met Tori’s, and he wasn’t smiling.

  “Watch out for the path, brother,” Reid taunted. “It has a tendency to jump out at you.”

  Vitto and Grant snickered but hid their expression.

  “It’s not the path, brother,” Quinn returned. “It’s the back of your ugly head.”

  “I’ll have you know women find my head particularly attractive,” Reid returned, not at all insulted. Keeping a straight face, he added flippantly, “As well as the rest of me.”

  Tori couldn’t help it. She laughed outright at his conceit. Reid was so full of himself, and yet seemed not to take himself seriously at all. Quinn grumbled behind them. Reid’s smile only widened.

  “All right, my lady,” Reid said gallantly.

  “Back off Reid,” Falke called, his voice full of warning. “I don’t want to have to dunk you in the swamp.”

  “Ah, you stay out of it!” Reid answered good-naturedly. Tori blinked in confusion and finally concluded it must be a private joke between brothers. “This is between Doctor Elliot and me. I can’t help it if she’s attracted to me.”

  Tori’s mouth fell open at the audacity. In truth, she thought Reid was funny. He was handsome, but she could only think of the moody prince walking behind them. Reid turned to her and winked. To her amazement, she blushed again.

  “Stop flirting with Elliot and tell us another story,” Grant interjected.

  Tori stared straight ahead.

  “Oh, let me see,” Reid began, humming softly in thought. “When Falke was, oh, twenty-four or thereabouts, he was already in charge of the soldiers and, being his younger brothers, Jarek, Quinn, and I had to train under him. Well, we’d been at blades for about a week when Quinn decided it would be a good idea to skip practice. Now, understand that Falke was a real taskmaster and didn’t take kindly to us not showing up. When he told our father, which in hindsight he was duty bound to do, the king locked us in the dungeon for a week without food.”

  Tori grimaced. She didn’t have a high opinion of King Attor to begin with, but to hear he’d lock someone up for a week without food just for being young and obnoxious? It was a little extreme. How hard it must’ve been for them, growing up with such an emotionally distant man as a father. She’d been very lucky. Her parents were both good people who gave all their children lots of love and encouragement. Vitto and Grant didn’t seem all that affected by the fact, so she left it alone.

  “Naturally, we tried to escape,” Reid continued, chuckling. “Quinn, being the smallest, was, um, volunteered for the job and—”

  “It was your idea to skip,” Quinn stated from behind, his voice not as harsh as before. Reid sighed dramatically at being interrupted. “And, if I remember correctly, you two volunteered me by shoving me through the dungeon bars against my will.”

  “We’d thought you’d fit,” Reid answered, shrugging. “How were we to know you’d get stuck?”

  “I don’t know, logic?” Quinn returned, chuckling slightly. Tori glanced back at him, catching a glimpse of the easygoing man she’d first met. Her heart skipped to see the soft, kind expression on his face. What had happened to make him so serious lately?

  “Ah, logic is overrated,” Reid waved him back. “You were only there for three days so stop being a baby.”

  “You threw rocks at my ass the entire time,” Quinn returned. Vitto and Grant laughed. Tori’s mind was still stuck on the fact that they weren’t fed for a week.

  “We were bored.” Reid moved closer to Tori and said, “Just picture, Quinn’s scrawny little butt hanging out of the bars. You’d have thrown rocks at it too.”

  Tori chuckled, more at Reid’s facial expression than his story. Reid turned his attention forward as the path narrowed. He gallantly gestured Tori to go ahead of him.

  Quinn watched in irritation as Tori’s soft laughter rang through the forest. He wished it had been he who’d put the look on her beautiful face. He frowned at his brother. Reid’s head was tilted to the side, and it wasn’t hard to see that he was staring at Tori’s tight pants. Quinn took the opportunity to lay a hand on Reid’s shoulder, gripping it tightly.

  “Watch yourself, brother,” he warned, before backing away once more.

  31

  “I’ve seen your look before,” Reid said, coming to sit beside Quinn on the ground. He sighed, looking over the campsite. There was a small fire and a couple basic tents. The sky was softening to a light haze of green. The three scientists talked privately amongst themselves, debating over some paper they’d brought with them.

  Quinn glanced at Reid and sighed, not wanting to hear it. He knew where his brother was going with this. He loved Reid, but right now he was irritated with him.

  Reid had spent the entire day being his fabulously charming self, telling stories, drawing attention, something the man did naturally. Though serious about his work, he had a careless, fun air to him that drew women better than a magical love charm. And he had a predilection for bedding many women, occasionally at the same time, and didn’t care who knew it. That Reid didn’t understand the love of one woman didn’t surprise Quinn at all.

  “I’ve seen it on Kirill when he looks at Ulyssa.” There was a pause as Reid looked over at Tori. A slight frown crossed his features. “I don’t want to see you fall into the same trap. One brother life mated was bad enough, but two? It will look as if we don’t have the prowess to handle many women in our beds. Beyond that, you are my brother, and I worry. You can’t take life mating back once it’s done. Surely, you’d grow tired of bedding the same woman all the time.”

  “Who said anything about life mating? As soon as this whole mess is over, she’s gone. End of story. Leaving me to it.” Quinn reached down, flipping over a rock only to watch the black moss turn gray in the air. He’d never really stopped to contemplate the moss at all before Tori pointed it out. They’d grown up with it. Now he wondered if there was something to what she said about it slowly killing off his planet.

  “Just be careful, brother,” Reid put forth. “You must not allow yo
urself to become deluded by good sex. So what if she’s a tigress in bed? It doesn’t mean there isn’t someone better waiting to take her place. And if not better, at least different. You remember what our father said about variety? Without it, a man grows frustrated and bored. With frustration come mistakes in judgment. It’s all the more reason not to bind yourself to her.”

  “I’m not binding myself to anyone. Besides, don’t tell me what to do,” Quinn responded, a bit harshly. “I certainly don’t need you quoting our father to me. I know no one is saying it, but we all know this mess we’re in right now is his fault. Where was his infinite wisdom when he risked our people’s lives by bringing that damned weapon here? Sacred cats! If the people knew the whole truth, they’d probably revolt and kill us all. If you’re trying to make a point to me, you’d best not do it by using King Attor’s wisdom. Anyway, my personal life is none of your concern.”

  “What is happening to this family? First Kirill, now you? Do you honestly think the small reward of having only one woman beats the weakness to be gained by it?” Reid ran a frustrated hand through his hair. “Don’t get me wrong. I like our new queen just fine and I like Doctor Elliot. But, why not half mate them and take other wives? I don’t understand.”

  “You seemed to understand my attraction well enough when you were flirting with her,” Quinn grumbled.

  “I was testing her, proving a point. She’ll not be loyal to you. She’s a liability,” Reid answered. “I’m not blind. I see how she ignores you for those human males. You didn’t speak two words to each other on the hike today.”

  “I don’t want or need her to be tested.” Quinn’s eyes turned red with his anger. “Especially by you.”