Wrong Prince, Right Lover

by Glover, Christine

  Chapter 5

  Santiago sealed the last royal decree, then gave the file to Delmar Chavez. “Read everything before you make your final decision,” he said to the stubborn aristocrat sitting across from him. “And be prepared to sign the contract I’ve arranged for Justin Thorpe.”

  Delmar arched a brow. “The council hasn’t approved the deal yet,” she said.

  “They’ll change their minds now that I’m in charge.” He locked his gaze on hers. “I expect the paperwork I requested before noon.”

  “You’re extremely sure of your powers of persuasion.” Delmar looked at Ilsa who sat in the chair next to her. “However, the bottom line is all that matters to me. Have you completed your feasibility research into Pinnacle’s finances and how they intend to bring more technical jobs to Valdoria?”

  “Yes,” Ilsa said. “We’ll go over them after I discuss my findings with Santiago. Later this morning.”

  “I look forward to hearing from you,” Delmar said, then stood. “Until this afternoon, Your Highness.” She quickly exited the office.

  “Are you sure you want to give the council an opportunity to say no?” Ilsa asked. “You could invoke your monarchy’s rule of order to push them off their old-fashioned stance.”

  He could. But he wouldn’t. “Not an option I want to consider.” He pushed back from the desk and stood, restless. He’d never enjoyed being confined by four walls and though he relished his role in reshaping his country’s economic future, he needed to find a way to burn off his energy. “The only way things are going to change in this country is if we change first. I want Valdoria to become more egalitarian, cooperative, and progressive.”

  “Change doesn’t happen overnight.” She got out of her chair, moved to his side of the desk. “People resist because they’re afraid.”

  “Facts will eliminate their fear. Tell me everything you’ve discovered about Pinnacle Industries.”

  Sunlight danced over her perfect chignon. While their sexy getting-to-know-each-others’ bodies had continued with gusto through the weekend, revealing Ilsa’s wild side, Monday morning had brought back the Princess of Prim.

  Not that he minded. He preferred keeping her other, naughty side a secret between them.

  “I’ve read through their dossier and financials for the last four years,” Ilsa said. “They’ve got a solid reputation and their corporate expansions are calculated risks with very little margin for error. You’ve chosen an excellent company to pitch to the council.”

  He registered the admiration in her voice, the approval and his breath temporarily bottled in his chest. Her business acumen along with her sexy side made a lethal combination. Once she saw the man beneath the monarch and her lover, he believed she’d truly be his. For now, he’d concentrate on the task at hand, but later? He’d find a way to show her how much she made him crazy with desire.

  “Justin Thorpe is on the cutting edge of technology and software development,” he said. “Delmar had to vote in favor or we’ll lose Pinnacle.”

  She smoothed her hands down her pencil skirt. “I’ll persuade her,” she said. “Once she’s on board, I hope the opportunity to have a brighter economic future will put an end to the volatility brewing beneath the surface in our countries’ governments.”

  His stomach knotted. Would they ever be free of the war threatening them and impeding her ability to see him as a man? “I’m counting on it. After I’m crowned and you’re officially Valdoria’s Queen, we’ll be a formidable team,” he said, raking his fingers through his hair.

  Her pupils dilated and her nostrils flared slightly. “That and including me on the economic task force with my uncle, should provide the building blocks toward creating the stability our countries need.” She stood, walked over to him and placed her hand on his shoulder. “But in the meantime, we’re fighting an uphill battle against the traditional holdouts. I doubt they’ll budge on the progressive direction you want to take Valdoria if we don’t answer the questions surrounding Javier’s death.”

  And would he ever be rid of his brother’s ghost? Still, her voice was soft, steady. Reassuring him. His muscles relaxed and the knot in his belly loosened, but Santiago had no doubt he’d have to fight, to claw his way out from under his brother’s shadow. “There’s nothing I can do to accelerate the investigation,” he said. “But we can’t wait for the coroner’s results to close the deal. I won’t lose this opportunity—I’m going to the council now. Convince them to vote for this change even if it takes me all day.” He might drag the entire council and country into this century without their full respect, but he didn’t need their approval. Hell. He’d lived without it so long, he’d learned to move on with only his own approval.

  Until Ilsa.

  She’d been a stunning partner in the bedroom. And she’d become a welcome support in an otherwise hostile environment. Time would take care of making her a true lover, partner and wife in the future.

  Ilsa moved to stand in front of him, blocking the view of the castle’s private beach and the turquoise Mediterranean waters lapping the sandy shoreline. “You don’t want to charge in that chamber without a solid plan,” she said.

  “I have a solid plan.”

  She caressed his cheek. “You do,” Ilsa said. “But they don’t understand your vision. I do.”

  They’d gone over his original prospectus for enticing Pinnacle to Valdoria the day before. She’d tweaked a few of the details, shown him other ways to sweeten the deal.

  “You got a better idea than strong-arming them into agreeing?”

  “You said you wanted to change how we rule this country. That it begins with us,” she said. “I know how to crack those old codgers… especially Delmar Chavez. I’ll give them a reason to say yes today.”

  “In addition to preventing Valdoria’s slide into economic ruin?”

  “They want to preserve the old ways. Let them. I’ll loop in the cost-benefit return on our original investment for future development along with giving them a prospectus that demonstrates how their current investments in tourism and agriculture will grow.” She took his hands in hers. “They’ll get numbers that’ll show them how much profit they’ll gain by voting yes.

  “Money does talk,” he said, warming to the idea of his sexy, smart wife blowing the council members’ minds with her proposed presentation.

  “Yes, it does.” She brushed her lips against his. “And I know how to make the dollar signs sing on paper.”

  Heat rushed into his groin, making his pants extremely uncomfortable. Damn. He’d never get anything accomplished if all he could think about was sex whenever she gave him the smallest whisper of desire. He cleared his throat. “You need any additional data before you start?” he asked, determined to hold his uncontrollable appetite for her at bay. For now.

  He'd let her take charge of the negotiations. Unlike him, she moved slowly, methodically. Didn’t charge in. But when she did move, she had the savvy to outwit even the cagiest objector. Maybe even the savvy to outwit him too.

  “No. Just give me a few hours to develop a proposal they can’t resist,” she said, then released him. “I’ll need an office of my own though.”

  “I like having you here.”

  Ilsa looked down below his waist line, then shot him a sultry glance. “You’re insatiable.” She laughed. “But you’ll have to wait until after I finish crunching the numbers before we act on the part of you that really wants me to stay.”

  The restless energy he’d been tackling surged, making his ears roar, and his groin tightened. He didn’t want to let her go. Not yet. “Ilsa.” He closed the scant distance between them. “You’ll get an office, but right now you’re getting another sexy date.”

  Her lips formed a perfect O. “Santiago,” she said with a hint of warning in her voice. “We can’t. There’s no time and…” She shot the closed doors, then looked back at him. “What if someone interrupts us?”

  “Is that a maybe I hear?” He slid his han
d around her slim waist, bringing her into his chest. “Or can I persuade you to enjoy a little time out with me?” He kissed her neck and her pulse point in the hollow at the base fluttered wildly.

  This need. This fierce passion flaring between them had only been heightened by the fact that they had done virtually everything they could do together but go all the way.

  Her arousal scented the air, but her eyes were wide, still darting between him and the doors opposite his desk. “Santiago. I… well… but here?” she asked.

  “So that’s a yes?”

  She shot the doors another glance. “Yes, but I refuse to give up my virginity in your office.”

  “Oh, you won’t.” He turned her around until she faced the windows overlooking the sea and the whitecaps forming in the distance. “I just want to play with you before you start the report.” He traced his fingers down the front of her blouse, slowly undoing her buttons one by one.

  Her breath hitched, and she wiggled her ass against his groin. “I’m still worried someone will catch us.”

  “That’s what makes this so fun.” He cupped her breasts and tweaked the lace-covered nipples, rolling them between his fingers. “And exciting.”

  She moaned and thrust her head back on his shoulder, exposing her long neck to his mouth. “Maybe we should… go…,” Ilsa arched her back and pressed her breasts into his hands, “to the royal bed chambers.”

  “Not yet.” He wanted to take her now. But he loved the tension building between them, the growing heat, the constant awareness. “I don’t want to waste a minute. Not when we have so much to accomplish today.” He unsnapped her bra’s front closure and played with her exposed nipples. Dios. He loved how responsive they were to his touch.

  Her moans grew louder, and he covered her mouth with one hand. “The other part that’s exciting about having sex in public places is keeping very quiet even though you want to scream,” he whispered in her delicate ear. “Think you can manage to be quiet when you come for me?”

  He loved making her come and showing her everything he knew about how to be an amazing sexual partner. He could respect her mind. Lust after her body… and one day he hoped he’d possess her heart.

  * * *

  Santiago’s hot breath in Ilsa’s ear sent a flare of heat through her and into her core, making her wet. “Yes,” she said against his palm, then flicked her tongue across it.

  He groaned and edged her toward his desk. “Excellent,” he said, then moved his hand back to her breast. He tweaked her nipples, teasing her relentlessly.

  “Santiago,” she gasped, biting back her desire to scream, knowing he was testing her will to remain silent. “You’re making it extremely difficult to remain quiet.” But the thrilling sensation of avoiding being caught charged along her nerves and zipped into her pussy, making it wet.

  “You like it.” Santiago slid one hand down the length of her body and skimmed it beneath her skirt’s hem while bending her over the desk. “Admit it.” He pushed the fabric up to expose her bottom to the cool air.

  He caressed her ass, avoiding her aching sex. “You’re a tease, Santiago.” She shifted her hips against his hands.

  “No. I’m just admiring your amazing ass.” He drew down her panties. “I love the thigh-highs too.”

  Her clit pulsed, desire whipped through her. “What can I say? I love sexy lingerie.” And so did her husband.

  “You should know by now that you don’t need sexy clothes to turn me on.” He gave her butt a playful slap, the stinging sensation traveled into her clit, and her sex clenched. “Your body does it beautifully.” He leaned over her, and she could feel his cock’s length through his slacks.

  “I can tell.”

  “Sí.” He kneaded her butt cheeks and then slid one finger between her folds. “You’re so fucking wet.” He swirled her juice over her clit, flicking it and then drove another finger into her.

  She swallowed her cry and raised her hips, giving him greater access. His command over her body—over her—only made her bolder. With Santiago, she didn’t have to be a perfect princess performing her royal duties. No. With him she could be a woman, sexy and wild and free.

  And she loved being free with him.

  “Preciosa, I want you,” he said.

  “Then take me.”

  “No. Not here. But the next time I bend you over my desk, I will.” Then he proceeded to tell her exactly how in very graphic detail.

  The dirty, naughty words made her sex pulse and her nipples grew tauter. Close. She was so close to coming. Writhing, she moved her body in tandem with his plunging fingers.

  He straightened, and she heard him unzip his pants. Her legs trembled and need shot straight into her core. Was he changing his mind? Did she care? No. She wanted him with her entire being. She’d take him anywhere after their sensual weekend, with all his love lessons driving her need even higher.

  Ilsa gazed at him over her shoulder. His eyes were black as night, lust and desire darkening them. Another wave spiraled from her clit and she licked her lips. “Do it,” she said.

  “Not quite.” He held his cock and nudged it between her folds. “But soon.”

  His cock pulsed beneath her, and her clit throbbed against the length. He moved it between her legs and she instinctively tightened them around the hard length. His rock-hard cock glided against her pussy, abrading her swollen bud, and everything in her tightened, coiled low.

  She moved in tandem with him. “More. I want more.”

  “Just a little.” His cock head nudged into her pussy ever so slightly, then withdrew before penetrating her completely.

  The need coiling low tightened. “Tease,” she gasped.

  “You love it.” He clasped her hips and thrust his cock between her legs “Your pussy’s soaking wet.”

  “I do…” she whimpered.

  He glided a hand over her pussy and played with her clit, circling the pulsing bud and flicking it while driving his cock between her legs harder. “You’re close…,” he said hoarsely. “I’m going to come all over your ass when you do.”

  Her clit tightened, coiled and pulsed. Aching waves of pleasure radiated from her core… the need spiraled, whipped through her and sent her over the edge, blinding her with its intensity. She cried his name, no longer caring who heard her and his release exploded out of him and over her bottom, the hot juice spreading on her skin while he held her close.

  Panting, he brought her to a standing position. “Stay here.” He pressed a feather-light kiss on her neck. “I’ll get something to clean us up.”

  Her lungs still couldn’t take in a full breath and her legs trembled with the tiny aftershocks of her orgasm. She nodded while snapping her bra back into position.

  She’d finished buttoning her blouse when he returned with a washcloth and gently cleaned her bottom, kissing her neck as he moved the damp cloth over her skin, then tugging her panties back in place.

  Her heartbeat slowed, and a weightlessness seemed to lift her from the floor. His tenderness threatened to unravel her resolve to hold him at bay emotionally. He made her feel cherished, adored with his simple acts, created a shared intimacy she’d never known with another. They had a chance for more… so much more than what either of them had expected. But still, she couldn’t be sure. Not after only a few days together. “I’ll pull together the report and run it by you later this afternoon—three o’clock good?” she asked as she wiggled her skirt down, then made a cursory swipe at the wrinkles in the linen.

  “Perfect.”

  His intercom buzzed. “Your Highness, the royal secret service’s chief is here,” his personal assistant said.

  “I’ll let him in,” Santiago said. “Stay. Chief Fernandez might have news from the medical examiner about what happened to Javier.”

  Her pulse thumped hard in her throat, making it hard to swallow. If Javier hadn’t died, she’d be with him now. Not Santiago. Would Javier have grown to want her as much as Santiago did? She shook th
e thought from her brain. Nothing good ever came from spending time calculating what-if scenarios. Not with Javier. And not with Santiago too. “You might want to get rid of the washcloth and,” she pointed to the desktop where everything on it had been shoved aside earlier, “I’ll straighten this mess out.” And she’d get a firm grip on reality again.

  Santiago pressed the intercom button. “Tell Fernandez to hold on for a few minutes,” he said to his personal assistant.

  He made his way to the bathroom while Ilsa quickly stacked his paperwork and put everything back in place. Within moments, the royal secret service’s chief stood opposite them. Lines bracketed his thin-lipped mouth and furrowed grooves into his high forehead.

  “Your Highnesses,” he said after giving them a quick bow. “Thank you for meeting me on such short notice.”

  Ilsa’s heart pounded against her sternum. Whatever news he had to share wasn’t good. She crossed her arms, girding herself for the information. “What did the coroner find out?” she asked.

  The secret service chief pressed his lips together and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Cause of death was respiratory failure due to bronchospasm and thick secretions in the airways by a chemical nerve agent,” he said. “Sarin caused weakness in the respiratory muscles, and the instant paralysis that caused him to lose consciousness. Someone close to Javier exposed him to a large dose right him right before he fell down the stairs. The fall didn’t kill him. Most likely, he was dead before he hit the first step.”

  Santiago punched one hand with the other. “Someone on the royal council murdered my brother,” Santiago said after inhaling a loud breath. “Any suspects?”

  “Everyone is, including you,” Fernandez said matter-of-factly.

  She pressed her palm against her chest. “My husband wasn’t with Javier when he fell,” she said. “There’s no way he could have administered the agent.”