by Katie Dowe
“You may go, my dear, I will call you if anything.” She nodded and without looking at him she left the room.
“What have you done to her?” Amelia demanded as soon as Debbie had left the room.
“Why do you think I did anything?” he demanded back.
“Because you have wanted me to get rid of her ever since she got here.”
“I have not done anything.”
“Fix whatever it is. I cannot afford to lose her,” Amelia told her son in an inflexible tone.
“Mother-”
“Now, Alexander.”
He found her with her head bowed down in front of her iPad, a frown on her forehead. “I hope Mother is not working you too hard.”
Her head snapped up and she looked at him warily.
“Whatever it is, Alexander, I do not have the time,” she told him coolly, ignoring the thudding of her heart.
“I came in here to apologize.”
“Do you know how to?” she asked him, her tapered eyebrows raised.
He opened his mouth to snap at her and then closed it. He was not going to allow her to get under his skin. “I do.” He nodded at her regally and for a moment she saw his royal bearing. “I apologize for letting you get beneath my skin and ending up kissing you even though I-” He broke off and sighed as he came into the room and closed the door behind him. “I want to do it again.” His voice had softened as he came closer to her desk and Debbie felt her skin prickling.
“Prince Alexander Costa, I have work to do.”
“Now you use my title?” His tone was amused as he came around to the side of her desk. He put his hands on either side of her chair and turned her face him, effectively trapping her. “Really?”
“What are you doing?” Her throat was dry as he bent to her.
“Doing what I have been thinking of the entire weekend.” He bent his head and took her lips with his! Debbie knew she should push him away and order him out of her office but she could not because she had dissolved! He hauled her up against him and brought her closer to him, his mouth moving over hers with an intensity that had her shivering against him! Alexander tried to stop the control from slipping away from him but he was having a hard time of it. His fingers slipped into the neat chignon she had come with this morning scattering pins as he dug his fingers into her thick tresses. Debbie held onto his jacket tightly as she felt herself falling deeper and deeper until she could no longer feel the bones in her body.
Somehow she found the strength to push him away when her intercom sounded. They stood there staring at each other, their breathing shallow as they stared at each other. She turned away and pressed the button. “Yes?”
“The people are here for the meeting, Debbie,” one of the receptionists told her.
“I will be right there.” She turned back to him. “Please leave.”
He hesitated and looked at her. The thick strands were falling down around her face and her lips were swollen from his hungry attack. She looked sexy as hell and he wanted her!
“Okay,” he murmured, but he hauled her into his arms and kissed her thoroughly before he left. It took several minutes of composing herself before she could be able to leave her office.
*****
Alexander prowled the length of his elegantly furnished office restlessly. He was supposed to be going into a meeting with the board but he was not in a state of mind to do so. He had a painful hard on which seemed to be his state from over the weekend. Christ, he had never been so turned on by a woman before! What the hell was going on with him? He reached for his phone and called a number. “Will you be free later tonight?”
The woman purred in delight. “Of course, darling. I have been trying to get you for the past two weeks!”
“I will be there later,” he said abruptly and hung up the phone.
His intercom sounded. “You have a call from Europe, Mr. Costa,” the receptionist said respectfully.
His heartbeat quickened and for a moment he forgot about her. “Put it through.”
“Alexander, my dear,” the achingly familiar voice of his father’s sister sounded in his ear.
“Aunt Alexandra,” he murmured, taking his seat weakly. “We have not heard a word from you in years.”
“I know. I had to be in hiding. Your uncle and his team of revels are wreaking their havoc, but we are forming a loyal group to take back our country.”
“Where is he?” he asked anxiously.
“You know I cannot reveal that over the phone. Just hang in there, darling, it will soon be over.”
Chapter 4
Debbie was enchanted and even though she tried to pretend that she was not awed she could not help the look on her face. She had done the best she could with the thick tresses of her hair by brushing it ruthlessly and pinning it on top of her head with a few tendrils curling down her cheeks. Her makeup was minimal because she was not much into heavy makeup anyway. Somehow now the dress made her feel as if she was naked and every time she moved it sent shivers up and down her spine! The material was sensuous if there was any such thing! She looked around the room at the women in their glittering jewelry and designer gowns and felt satisfied that at least she could measure up. She looked over as Amelia wearing a velvet rose gown beckoned to her. She made her way through the throng of people, smiling as the men looked at her admiringly and shaking her head as one asked her for a dance, and went over to the woman.
“My dear, you look stunning!” Amelia said, looking at her in admiration.
“So she does,” said a beautiful African American woman whom she recognized as the wife of the international heir to the clothing line, Lorenzo Romano. “It as if it was made for you.”
“Debbie, this is-”
“Monique Romano!” Debbie said in a hushed voice. “I have seen you often in the papers and admire your individual style and the way you wear your clothes.”
“Thank you,” the woman said with a smile. “My husband is somewhere around the place.” She looked around the room and her expression softened as she picked out the darkly handsome man in the dark blue designer suit chatting with several other men. He looked up and their eyes met and something passed between them.
“This is Leesa Wellington, Kadine Taylor, and Kelly Takahashi.”
“You are the one with the super smart triplets,” Debbie said in wonder.
“I am,” Kadine said with a laugh. “Nice to meet you. Amelia has been telling us what a wonder you are.”
“Thanks, but I think she should save the praises until I am actually there for a year,” Debbie said dryly as she looked at the beautifully composed women before her. “The modeling world lost two of the best,” she added, looking from Kelly to Leesa. The older woman must be in her late fifties but she looked so young that it was unbelievable!
“Thank you, darling. We love you for that.”
Alexander watched her from the other side of the room, his expression brooding. He had seen her when she came into the room and had glowered at the look the men had been giving her. What the hell was she wearing? She looked positively naked! He felt like going right over there and pulling her out of the room and ripping the dress from her. He grabbed a flute of champagne and downed it in one gulp. He had never wanted to come especially when his mother had told him that she would be there! He had gone over to Rhonda that night and had left because his mind was not into it and the minute he started kissing her he had seen Debbie in front of him! He was moody and angry and wanted to lash out at someone! He needed her! He beckoned to the waiter again and took another glass. Hopefully, he would get drunk enough to get her out of his mind!
*****
Debbie had fun! She had never met a bunch of rich and powerful people who she felt so comfortable with! She had caught a glimpse of Alexander, but she had deliberately ignored him. She had no intention of losing her job over a roll in the hay no matter how she felt and how he turned her on. She had learned her lesson the very hard way! She was dancing with one
of the men and laughing at something he said when he cut in. “I think it is my turn,” he said without preamble to the hapless man.
Debbie opened her mouth to say something, but the man whose name was Lucas nodded and released her hastily. Debbie stood stiffly in the circle of his arms and almost walked away from him but he held onto her as if he knew her intentions. “You don’t want to make a scene,” he said, bending his mouth to her ear.
“I don’t have a problem doing so,” she told him coolly. She looked up at him. Even in her very high heels, she only came to his shoulders. “I have seen a number of women looking longingly at you, why aren’t you with one of them?”
“Jealous?” he taunted as he swung her expertly around the dance floor.
“Far from it. My taste runs to mature men and not princes who think that everything should be handed to them on a silver platter,” she said loftily.
His arms tightened around her waist causing her to wince. “You go too far.” His deep voice was deceptively soft but caused a shiver to run up her spine. “No one talks to me like that.”
“In case you have not realized it, we are in the states and not the small European country where your word is law.” She could not seem to stop herself! She was always outspoken but was never rude! Her only excuse was that he rubbed her the wrong way.
Alexander felt the simmering rage warring with the intense desire and for a moment he thought about shucking protocol and his restraint through the window and devouring her lips with his!
His head bent towards hers and Debbie felt the thundering of her heart. She pushed at him and eased back in panic. “Alexander-”
“I want you,” he hissed as he looked down at her mouth. “I usually get what I want, Debbie. It would be in your best interest not to test me.” He pulled her up against him and she gasped as she felt the heaviness of his erection against her thin dress. For a moment, they stopped and stared at each other not aware of the people floating around them, only the intensity of the air surrounding them! Someone jostled them and apologized and he let her go, walking swiftly away from her. Debbie took a deep breath and found her way weakly to a corner of the room. The enjoyment of the evening had disappeared for her.
*****
“Oh, go on, Amelia I will be fine. I will just stay here and finish up the report and leave it on your desk,” Debbie reassured her.
“You are a treasure,” the woman said, almost kissing her. It was almost the end of October and they were busy trying to get the software approved to be out on the market for Christmas. It had been two weeks since the function and Alexander had been avoiding her. Good, she thought even though she felt her heart racing at the thought of him. She had gone home that night and had been unable to sleep, twisting and turning and visualizing his lips on hers.
“You have several functions to attend to for the coming weeks and I will filter the ones you absolutely need to go to. Your trip to New York has been finalized and also the party at the beginning of November to be held at the manor.”
“You badly deserve a raise.”
“I do,” Debbie said with a laugh.
“Don’t work too late,” she said, and with a wave of her hand she was gone.
Debbie looked at the pile of things on her desk for a moment and then dove in. She had been working way past six for several weeks now to catch up on some matters that needed to be dealt with.
She had been working for half an hour before she decided to partake of the meal that had been sent up to her earlier. She had told the chef that if she continued to eat like this she was certainly going to get fat.
Alexander had no idea that there was anyone else in the office. He had decided to work late to finish up something for the meeting first thing tomorrow. And he had been restless and moody. He had been avoiding Debbie because she was getting under his skin!
He was walking past her office when he saw a light on in there. He hesitated a moment and then went to see if she had left it on. He stopped abruptly as he came to the doorway and saw her lounging in the sofa with her stocking feet curled beneath her and a glass of wine in her hand. She did not notice him as she was making some jottings on her iPad.
“What are still doing here?”
She jumped a little and almost spilled the wine on the device. “You almost scared the crap out of me!” she accused him.
He almost smiled at her irreverent words. “Still working?” he asked, coming into the room.
“Yes.” She placed the half-finished glass onto a side table and got to her feet. “I am surprised to see you here. No dates tonight?” she asked with her brows raised. She had worn a red pin striped suit to work along with a pink inside blouse but had taken off the jacket not aware that the sheer blouse highlighted her full breasts encased in nude colored bra.
“Not for the past few weeks.” His tone had changed and sent a prickle of awareness up and down her spine.
“Okay, see you then. I have to finish up here.”
“Trying to get rid of me?” His soft tone was amused as he came closer to her.
“Look, Alexander-”
“It’s Prince Alexander, remember?” He had trapped her between the desk and his body making it impossible for her to move.
“Prince Alexander, I have work to do.” She stressed on the title.
“You have been taunting me ever since I met you.” His hand lifted and he tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear and his fingers lingered against her cheek. “I have tried staying away but that does not make any sense because I still think about you.” His fingers drifted down to her coral colored lips. “I have been asking myself what is it about you that drive me crazy?”
“Alex-”
“Shut up,” he told her mildly, and without warning he bent his head and took her lips with his! Debbie thought about resisting. She told herself that it was not right for her to be kissing the boss’ son in her office. Any minute the security guard might come up to do his check and they would be caught in a compromising position! But her body had a will of its own and she found herself reaching up to curl her fingers into the soft cashmere sweater he was wearing as he brought her closer to him. It had been heading in this very direction for a long time, ever since he had kissed her the first time and something had to give! His lips left hers and drifted to her cheek and then to the base of her neck, stopping for a moment at the hollow there, his tongue teasing the soft skin. His fingers were busy as he opened the buttons of her blouse to reveal the swell of flesh encased in the soft lace. He stared down at her flawless skin for a moment before easing the material away. All commonsense had gone out of her head by now as she trembled at his touch on her flesh. His head bent and his tongue took a nipple inside his mouth. Debbie cried out at the shock of it, her body arching towards him. Before she knew what he was doing he lifted her into his arms and went swiftly to close and lock the door before taking her over to the sofa she had been sitting on before. He bent before her and took off her blouse and then her bra still without saying anything. Debbie was past words but could only feel the intensity of the emotions running through her hapless body. She needed this! There were going to be consequences later, but oh God, she needed this! He looked at her for a moment and then bent his dark head to take the nipple he had been feasting on into his mouth again. Debbie gripped his soft dark hair and held on tight, her body vibrating with need. It felt gloriously and wonderfully right and she did not want it to stop! He lifted his head and she almost moaned her disappointment but he was only taking off his clothes. Her eyes riveted on the play of muscles on his chest and the smattering of dark hair there. Then her gaze was captured by his erection and a gasp escaped her lips. He was going to hurt her! No doubt about that but she did not care one bit.
He finished undressing her and came over her, his penis barely touching her mound. He reached between them and held it between his palm, pulling up the foreskin to reveal the tip of it. She stared at it dazedly and felt the saliva pool inside her mouth. He
bent over her and slowly eased it inside her, his eyes holding hers as he went in deeper an inch at a time. He closed his eyes and a groan escaped him as she closed around him tightly. He was not in fully, far from it but he felt the grip of desire like he had never felt before racing madly through his taut body! Debbie arched her body and lifting her legs she put them around his trim waist. With a groan, he pushed further into her capturing the tortured moan with his lips. He felt the drunken punch hit him in the stomach and as he lifted her hips to meet his fevered thrust, he felt himself spinning out of control!
Ever since he was fifteen he had not spared himself from women who constantly threw themselves at him. He had garnered quite a bit of experience and had always been told how well endowed he was and how skilful a lover he was. But this time it was different. There was no showing off his ability as a lover, no wanting to prove himself to a woman. This time it was pleasure, pure and undiluted pleasure that threatened to tear him inside out! He wanted more and more and he did not want to stop. He wanted to give as well as take from her and then he wanted to give her everything! His heart was thundering inside his chest and his body was on fire. His mouth tasted and devoured and could not stop. This was what he had been longing and waiting for and he was not going back!
Debbie dug her fingers into his taut muscled shoulders as she met his thrusts, her nipples highly sensitive from his mouth on them earlier rubbing against the hairs on his chest. It was an unbelievable sensation of him inside her and she revelled in it. She did not want him to stop, not now, it was too much, too gloriously beautiful, and she had never had an experience like this before.
He lifted his head finally, his dark eyes hooded, his body shuddering as he looked down at her. Her lips were parted and swollen, her hair was spread out on the cushions in the sofa and she looked unbelievably beautiful and sexy. “Let go,” he rasped. “I cannot hold back anymore.” With a groan, he bent and took the flesh of the top of her breast between his teeth pulling it in and causing her to let out a long hoarse cry, her body jerking towards his, her fingers digging painfully into his shoulders as the powerful orgasm tore through her! He lifted his head and groaned, pushing deep into her as his own release came along with hers. He felt weak as he thrust into her over and over again, his body molding itself to hers. Debbie buried her face into his chest as the wave left her weak and spent. He gathered her closer to him and they rode the storm together, their bodies trembling!
