“You ready to go?” he asked, seeming amused.
“Yes.” I blinked. “Oh my gosh, I don’t know what’s wrong with me today.”
He smiled as if it were no big deal at all as he led me outside. We were flanked by security—both his and mine—and in that instant, I realized that there was no such thing as a normal date. Not for us. I had only been on a few of them, and they’d all been within the palace walls, so I personally wouldn’t count them as dates. Truth be told, I was the youngest twenty-something-year-old ever. Most people my age had lived, really lived. I’d only done as much as my parents allowed…which wasn’t much. I’d gone to an all-girls boarding school, an all-girls college, and when I got home, my father was dying, which shaved two more years off my life. I wouldn’t complain about it though. Not ever. I was a princess and had everything I could ever possibly want, but I didn’t have freedom. I didn’t have the love of a man. I’d had one boyfriend who was also a virgin when we met, so all of the experiences I’d had with the opposite sex were with someone who was exactly as lost as I was.
“What car are we taking?” I asked, eyeing the three vehicles in front of my villa.
One was my black Range Rover with its heavily tinted windows that Amir rented upon our arrival, another was a white Range Rover I assumed was Ben’s, and the third was a shiny Corvette that I also assumed was his. It made my heart skip a beat just thinking about climbing inside.
“We’ll take the Corvette.” He nodded at our security. “They’ll follow behind us.”
“Okay.” I exhaled shakily and ducked into the car as he opened my door for me. When he sat in the driver’s seat, I added, “I hope you’re a safe driver.”
“Oh, didn’t they tell you? I’ve been pulled over at least ten times for reckless driving.” He flashed that smile of his when my eyes widened. “Relax, Princess, I wouldn’t put you in peril. I do like my head sitting atop my shoulders.” He winked and revved the engine, the car roaring to life. I wasn’t sure if the pattering of my heart was from his wink, his smile, or this car, but I liked it.
The event was at a location ten blocks away. During the drive, Ben asked me questions about the happenings in my life (literally nothing at the moment), what I planned to do now that my brother was king (continue to serve the Crown and make more appearances on its behalf), and what I would do if I wasn’t a princess (I had absolutely no idea because no one had ever asked me that question). Needless to say, the entire conversation centered around me, and I had no idea how to put the spotlight on him. Finally, when I finished explaining that I had no idea what I would do if I wasn’t a princess, I turned to him.
“What would you be doing if you didn’t play football?”
“I’d probably be dead. Or in jail.” He said it with such ease that it took me a moment to wrap my head around the statement.
“Why?”
“A lot of the guys I grew up with are either dead or in jail.” He shrugged a shoulder. “I’d have to assume I’d be one of them.”
“That’s…intense.” I frowned. “What are they in jail for?”
“Drugs. Mostly. A couple are in for homicide.”
“Which would you be in for?”
“I’m not sure.”
“You’re not sure whether or not you would have killed someone by now?” I all but squeaked.
“Things happen, Princess. The real world isn’t black and white.”
“I know it’s not.” My frown deepened. “But still. Murder is murder.”
“With all due respect, a lot of people consider your father a murderer,” he said. “Do you know what the difference is between your father and one of my friends?”
“No, but I’m sure you’re about to tell me.”
“The crown on his head.”
“Right.” I looked out the window and thought about that.
Of course, I didn’t consider my father a murderer, but there was no use denying the things he’d done when he was alive. Even if I tried to blind myself to his sins, I couldn’t hide from the truth—the families affected, the news articles that brought it all to light, etcetera. I wished I could say that I was disturbed by all of it. In a sense, I was. But I was also incredibly embarrassed because he was supposed to be a servant to his subjects, a leader, someone people could go to for help. Instead, they found a person unwilling to yield for the sake of his own traditions. It didn’t matter. My father was dead, and my brother Elias wasn’t like that. And more importantly, his new wife would never let him become that way. The car slowed and came to a stop in front of the museum where the event was being held.
“Hey, I didn’t mean anything by that. I’m just trying to make you see things from another perspective,” Ben said.
“I get it. I…thank you.” I smiled.
He searched my eyes for a long moment before nodding and getting out of the car to come around and open the door for me. The cameras were on us the second we stepped into view. His hand was around mine, leading me forward, and I focused on that instead of the attention.
Chapter Five
Ben
She was unbelievably nervous, which was something I’d never expected. I’d seen her at galas, at parties, at her mother’s Sunday dinners, which were like entering a world summit, with global leaders and famous actors in attendance. She’d never been nervous at those events. It fueled the mystery of Pilar, which wasn’t necessarily a good thing since it meant I wanted to see her again. And like David had pointed out to me, sex between us could not happen, and all roads led to sex. I didn’t believe that men and women who were attracted to each other could just stay friends, and I couldn’t afford to complicate things with the princess. I wanted her for one night, that was it. No strings. Was it a possibility? I wasn’t sure, but I’d find out tonight as soon as I got her to loosen up a little.
I let go of her hand when we reached the red carpet they’d rolled out, and she stepped forward to have her photo taken in front of the signs with the logo of my foundation. This would be great press, having her standing in front of those. It would be in all of the tabloids tomorrow morning, which was what I wanted. Not for me, but for what the foundation stood for. I watched Pilar as she smiled, then made a more serious, sexy face and turned to show off the back of her dress. She was a complete natural in front of the camera. All of her previously displayed nerves seemed to vanish when the lights from the flashes hit her. It was baffling. I snapped out of it when David appeared in my line of sight.
“You should step in and have your photo taken with her,” he said.
“Yeah.” I nodded once and walked over to her.
I’d been staring at her for as long as the photographers had, enthralled by her beauty and poise. I needed to stop idolizing her, thinking of her as some unattainable object. She was a woman, and she was right in front of me. The fact that I knew she had such a huge crush on me was flattering, but now that she was right in front of me, without her brothers or mother or anyone else to stand between us, I wasn’t sure what I expected. Perhaps because my conquests had always come easily, I figured she would’ve flung herself at me already. But she hadn’t. Not really, anyway. I didn’t count her drunken advances the other night because it would have been unfair to do so. I hadn’t told her how she’d slowly stripped down for me and begged me to fuck her. I didn’t tell her how difficult it was for me to say no and walk out of there. No. Scratch that. It hadn’t been difficult for me to say no because she was out of her mind. If she’d been sober, walking away would have damn near killed me. And now here she was, all innocent again, with that underlying sexiness that I couldn’t seem to not be attracted to.
I walked over and wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her to me slightly as the press continued snapping photos of us.
“When did you two meet?” one of the photographers asked. I continued smiling. I wasn’t going to give them anything, but Pilar spoke.
“We’re old friends,” she said. “We both happened to be in town, and I
couldn’t pass up the opportunity to support this wonderful organization that Benjamin has created.”
“Were you familiar with the Drake Foundation before tonight?”
“I knew as much as you did.” She winked. “But I know Ben, and when he called me to tell me how the foundation benefits underprivileged children, I knew I wanted to be a part of the unveiling.”
“Are you here on behalf of the Crown?” another asked.
“Aren’t I always?” Pilar laughed. “But I’m also here because I want to be.”
“Are you a couple?” another asked.
I felt Pilar stiffen.
“We’ll see you inside,” I said, smiling. “Thank you for being here.”
I led her away from the photographers. She sighed heavily the second we were out of view. I opened my mouth to say something, but we were interrupted by a man with a silver mohawk and a huge smile directed at Pilar. I kept my hand on her lower back as he introduced himself, first to her and then to me. Bryan Silver.
“Bryan Silver,” I repeated. “Fitting. With the hair and all.”
“Thanks, mate. I just got it done. My band, Silver Fox, is touring, and I thought it would be a nice touch.”
“Silver Fox.” I smiled in recognition. His band would be performing here tonight. They were donating any money made to the foundation. I shook his hand again. “Thank you so much for doing this for us.”
“Thank you for inviting us. We’re massive fans,” he said. “Massive fans.”
“Have you heard them play before?” Pilar asked me.
“I can’t say that I have, but I look forward to it.”
“They’re really great. Good choice, Benjamin.” She smiled, the genuine one, and I felt myself grinning back at her.
“Well, I have to finish setting up. I just wanted to introduce myself.” Bryan walked away with a slight wave and a wink at Pilar.
I wondered if they’d dated or if he was trying to date her. As far as I knew, not many people had succeeded in taking her out, which was why I’d opted for this event. I knew taking her on a regular date, away from all of the cameras, would have been more ideal, but I also wasn’t ready for her to turn me down the way she’d done to so many others.
When I saw her the other night, dancing on tables and drinking her weight in alcohol, she’d opened up and told me how she was supposed to make appearances on behalf of the Crown. In that moment, I thought, well isn’t this an opportunity? I called my original date and canceled, something I’d have to deal with later. I didn’t have any crazy ex-girlfriends, but Kayla wasn’t an ex-girlfriend. She was a constant booty call, and she was a little crazy, which was why she remained a booty call and never made it to girlfriend status. And even though I made it clear that going with me to the gala did not mean we were back on in any way, once I canceled on her, I knew Kayla didn’t feel that way. It made me even more glad that I’d canceled. It was important to keep a clear line between friendship and something more.
“This is really nice,” Pilar said after a moment. I blinked and watched her as she looked at the photographs on the walls.
“It is. Children took these photos,” I said.
“What?” Her brows rose as she turned back to look at the rest. “I’m impressed.”
The point of this particular exhibition was to raise money to provide art equipment to underprivileged children. The focus of the Drake Foundation was the kids, but I figured I’d break the events up into parts. This one was about the art, the next would be centered around sports. It was incredible how many children around the world played baseball with a tree branch and a rolled-up sock.
“Where are the kids located? All around the world?” She looked at me briefly before moving on to the next photograph.
“Yes, but the goal is to focus on certain areas at a time. Otherwise, it will get too hectic.” I nodded at the next image, a dusty-gray cloud. It looked like just that, a dusty, gray haze, but the reality behind the image was horrifying. “That was taken by a seven-year-old boy in Syria. In the midst of the war. With bombs dropping all around him.”
“Oh my God.” Pilar gasped, bringing her hand to her mouth. “That’s terrible.”
“It is, but that’s how life is for some people in the world. This serves as a good way to show that.”
“It’s so sad though.” When she turned to me, she looked like she was on the verge of tears. I fought the urge to pull her into my arms. “What happened to the boy?”
“He made it.” My smile felt tight. “His parents didn’t. His baby sister didn’t.”
“So sad.” She shook her head, turning back to the next photograph.
It was more of the same. Pain disguised as art. Agony wore a lot of masks, but when it was disguised as art, it actually moved people.
“Why Syria?” Pilar turned to me again.
“My brother was a photojournalist. One of his assignments was in Syria during the war. He wasn’t welcome there, but he continued to do his job. Despite the treatment, he made friends with some residents, told me great stories about them, about the suffering and sacrifice.” I paused, swallowing. I hated talking about this, but she’d asked, and I owed her an explanation.
“My parents didn’t approve of this.” I signaled toward the photographs. “They said I could have shown the suffering that goes on anywhere in the world. They’re bitter about my brother’s experience there, but it felt right. We don’t get to choose who suffers and who doesn’t.”
She swallowed visibly and looked at another photograph. “Where are your parents now?”
“Tel Aviv.”
“Oh.” She raised an eyebrow. “I’ve never been.”
“It’s beautiful.”
“Is that where you’re from? I thought you were from London.”
“My father’s from London, my mother is from Tel Aviv. I was raised between both places, but my heart was always in Tel Aviv.”
“I want to hear more about your family.” She smiled up at me.
I chuckled, hoping she’d drop it. A lot was missing from most of my personal stories, and I’d opened up to few people about them. It hadn’t bothered my past girlfriends. Kayla was one of the only ones who knew about my parents, and that was only because we’d been hooking up for so many years. Somewhere along the way, the lines had blurred, right before I scrubbed them clean and made it so they’d never blur again. Kayla was what the WAGs, the wives and girlfriends of footballers, called a hardcore groupie. When the lines started blurring, it took a sit-down with a few of the spouses for me to realize that she wasn’t the woman for me. She’d been sleeping with more than a few of the players on my team behind my back. I probably wouldn’t have cared about that as much, had a lot of them not been married. I didn’t consider myself above anyone, but their wives were kind, respectful, and much too giving to deserve that kind of treatment. And because I was the one who’d brought Kayla into the mix, I felt guilty. I’d ended things with Kayla, but still kept a casual friendship with her out of habit. Despite being wronged by her, it was difficult for me to completely turn my back on someone I’d known for most of my life.
“I’ll tell you about them another time.”
“And your brother.” Her eyes were filled with questions, but she didn’t ask them. It was either because she sensed that I didn’t want to speak about any of it, or because she knew it wasn’t the place.
She simply smiled again and continued looking at photographs. I wondered how many opinions and questions she kept to herself. I’d seen her in front of her family enough times to know that most of what she did in public was entirely for their benefit. I wished she’d drop the pretense around me. She would. Soon, she would. I just had to prove to her that she could. Though the fact that I wanted to do that at all was a problem in itself.
Chapter Six
Pilar
Everyone loved him. I knew that, obviously, but being out with Ben really made me realize that I was merely one of his many admirers. It was somethin
g I should’ve been used to. It was similar to whenever I went somewhere with Aramis or Elias. Everyone flocked to them—women, men, kids. I was always kind of just there for… I wasn’t even sure anymore. At least Ben made me feel like I was with him. At his side, not just an accessory he walked around with. He checked in with me, smiled at me from across the room. He winked at me. All things that made me feel as if I couldn’t breathe. It was one thing to see him from across the way at one of my mother’s Sunday dinners. It was completely different having him here, doing these things purposely. Ben had made it clear that he wanted me. It was crazy, but there was no denying it. He hadn’t said it outright, but I knew it just the same. Only I wasn’t sure what would happen or how to take things to the next level. Or if he’d even be interested in that. It wasn’t like he was the first man to make me feel like he wanted me, but most of them ran for the hills before anything could happen. Most of them were terrified of my family and the scrutiny that came with being seen with a princess.
Everything I knew about Ben told me he was very careful about how he was perceived. Bad boy, fun and easygoing, charming, sexy, those were all adjectives he was familiar and comfortable with. There was a reason for that. Mine were shy, pliant, kind, funny, smart. We all had a role to play, and mine was to make sure people were comfortable.
I’d just finished saying goodbye to someone when Ben walked over to me and put his hand on the small of my back.
“You have a real gift.” He started to usher me out of the room and into the hall that led back to the entrance. “If you weren’t a princess, you could be an actress.”
“Wouldn’t that be a dream?” I laughed, turning my head to look at him. As I did, I caught a glimpse of our reflection in the mirror beside us. We stopped walking and stood there. He dropped his hand from my back. “That’s what I pretend I am when I’m in front of the cameras. An old Hollywood actress. Like Grace Kelly.”
The Naughty Princess: A Sexy Royals Novella Page 3