“Will you please stop staring at me?” she finally asked without turning around.
“How do you know I’m staring at you?” he asked, genuine curiosity in his voice.
Finished with the sandwiches, she turned around. “I just know you were, okay,” she said. “Eat this and then back to bed with you.”
“Only if you’ll come with me,” he teased, flashing her another smile. “That bed is definitely big enough for two.”
Darby sighed and pushed her sandwich away; it was time to set Colin straight. That kiss had been a mistake, especially now that she knew who he was. She wasn’t sure why she believed him, but deep down, she knew that he was telling the truth, and that scared her. She’d heard stories about Prince Colin, his drinking and partying, his disdain for anyone other than himself, and worst of all, the way he treated women.
Even in a society that was as open about sex as Ballentine, he was known as a user, a man who made big promises but never came through. She wasn’t about to be another one of his conquests, one of the women he talked about so freely in the bars and restaurants around town. Prince or not, she wasn’t going to sleep with him, kiss him, or run her hands over his muscular chest.
Wanting to curse out loud at the direction of her thoughts, she said, “I think it’s time we had a little talk.”
“Well, talking isn’t my favorite part, but if you insist, I suppose we could make small talk for a while,” Colin said, that same grin on his face.
Darby wanted to slap the smile off his face. “Look, I don’t know what you think that kiss meant earlier, but it didn’t mean anything. I’m not going to have sex with you,” she said, deciding to be as blunt as possible. “I don’t sleep with men I don’t know, and even if you are the prince, I don’t know you.”
Colin shrugged. “Well, then I guess we’ll just have to get to know each other,” he said, then looked her right in the eyes. “Because I promise you one thing, Darby: I’m going to make love to you.”
A thrill so powerful it took her breath away and made her slightly dizzy bolted through her, followed by a tingling deep inside that the look in his eyes only made more intense. Breaking eye contact and shakily getting to her feet, her body humming with desire, she quickly dumped her sandwich in the trash and put her plate in the sink.
Wishing she could stop herself, she looked over at him again, then wished she hadn’t. “I have some work to do, and you seem to be feeling much better,” she said, then fled the room before she threw herself into his arms.
She stood on the porch, leaning again the railing, sucking in huge gulps of air, her body still pulsing deep inside, images she would have rather not envisioned running through her head. The Fae in her urged her to go back inside and let Colin’s words become the truth, but the other side of her knew that it would be mistake. Something had already sprung to life between them, and even if for Colin it was only a distraction, she felt herself falling for him like she’d never fallen for anyone before.
Knowing that she would only be feeding a fire that was already burning too hot, she stepped off the porch and headed for the dying shed. Work would take her mind off the man sitting at her kitchen table and the strange effect he had on her. By tomorrow, his wounds should be fully healed, and even if she had to give him the money herself, she’d see that he was on his way to wherever it was he belonged.
Her life had been just fine until he showed up; she kept her head down, worked at the store, and ran the farm. If she got lonely occasionally, she had friends to help ease the pain and cheer her up. A romance was the last thing she needed right now, and definitely not with a man who didn’t belong in her world. Better to end it before it began than end up hurt.
First thing tomorrow, she’d send him on his way; it was the only intelligent thing to do. Letting him stay would be playing with fire, and she wasn’t planning on getting burned, not by a man who wouldn’t remember her in a month from now. Reminding herself of all the things she’d heard about Prince Colin, she promised herself to keep her distance until he left. It was the only sane thing to do, the only way to keep her heart and dignity intact.
Chapter Eight
***Colin***
Colin finished his sandwich, smiling the entire time, feeling more like his old self. There was nothing he liked more than pursuing a difficult female, and Darby was clearly going to be a challenge, but he was confident that in the end, he’d have the prize he sought. He ignored the little voice inside his head warning him that he might get more than he bargained for if he did win that prize and got up from the table.
It was strange being in the house alone, no servants, no family bugging him, and he decided that spending a few days here might not be all that bad. Then it occurred to him that up here, his parents wouldn’t know where he was, and an evil smile spread across his face. By now, their spies would have reported that he’d disappeared, and they might be getting worried; a few more days should seal the deal, and they’d welcome him home with open arms.
Even more pleased with the circumstances he found himself in, he wandered back to his bedroom, a huge yawn reminding him he was still recovering. Climbing back into bed, he grabbed the remote and turned on the television, but it wasn’t long before his eyelids began to droop, and he tumbled into a dreamless, healing sleep.
When he woke a few hours later, he could hear someone in the kitchen and soon, the smell of food began to fill the room, making his stomach growl. Pulling himself up so he was leaning against the headboard, he channel surfed, waiting for his dinner, thinking he’d never been so hungry in his entire life.
By the time Darby came into the room, his stomach was cramped with hunger, and his good mood had soured. “I thought you were never going to bring my dinner,” he groused without even greeting her. “What did you do, eat first?”
Darby was clearly shocked by his words but tried to hide it. “Well, good evening to you too,” she said, setting the tray on the table by the bed. “You were asleep when I got home. How are you feeling?”
“I feel like I’m starving to death,” he said, annoyed by her chipper mood. “Is this how you always treat guests?”
Darby was losing her patience, but he didn’t care; he was hungry, and she still hadn’t given him his food. “You mean cooking over a hot stove for an hour so you’d have something hot to eat isn’t the right way to treat a guest?” she asked, a bit too sweetly.
“It’s not going to be hot unless you give it to me,” he said, looking over at the tray.
She looked over at the tray too. “I just assumed that since you’re a grown man, you could manage by yourself,” she said, then got up and headed for door. Before she left, she turned back to him. “I’ll be back for your dirty dishes later, that is, unless you can manage to get out of bed yourself and bring them to the kitchen.”
The sound of the door slamming made him jump, and for a second, he could only stare at it in shock and anger, but then the smell of his dinner wafted over to him, and all he could think about was food. Grabbing the tray, he settled it on his lap then pulled off the cloth covering the food but scowled when he saw what was on the tray.
Disappointed, he picked up his spoon and poked it into the bowl of stew that was supposed to be his dinner. He’d been lying there for what felt like hours thinking about all the wonderful things he could have been eating at the castle, and now all he had was a bowl of vegetables and broth. The temptation to throw the bowl across the room was so strong, he had his hands around the bowl before he stopped himself.
The sound of the slamming door and Darby’s last words to him popped into his mind at the last moment, and he stopped himself. He had a distinct feeling that she wouldn’t appreciate him throwing food across the room, so he picked up the spoon, resigned to his peasant dinner, and scooped up a little bite. Bracing himself for something horrible, he put the spoon in his mouth, and almost instantly, it was filled with the most wonderful flavor.
He’d eaten almost half the bowl when
he noticed the golden-brown rolls on a plate with several bright yellow pats of butter sitting next to it. Grabbing it, he broke it in half, held it up to his nose, and inhaled the yeasty scent, then stuffed it in his mouth. The bread was crusty on the outside but soft in the center, and it melted in his mouth as he chewed, making him sigh with pleasure.
When every last scrap of food was gone, he licked the last of the butter off his fingers and set the tray aside. As simple as the food had been, it was the best meal he’d ever eaten, and any trace of anger or frustration he’d been feeling had vanished. A strange feeling began to creep through him, and for a minute, he wasn’t sure what it was; then it hit him.
He felt guilty for treating Darby the way he had, and as the harsh words he’d used echoed over and over in his head, he realized that he had to apologize. It wasn’t something he did very often or meant when he said it, but this time was different. A bit surprised by his feelings, he got out of bed and grabbed the tray.
***Darby***
Darby sat curled in a chair in front of the fire, her half-eaten dinner on the table next to her, still marveling at how different Colin had been that night. At first, she’d thought that he was joking, but it had become clear pretty fast that Colin was having a tantrum. She’d never seen a grown Fae act that way, and it had taken her a second to realize that for Colin, it wasn’t all that unusual.
But it also hadn’t taken her very long to decide that he wasn’t going to treat her that way; she wasn’t his servant and wouldn’t behave that way. Slamming the door on her way out had felt good, and she wished she could go back and slam it again just to make sure he understood.
His dirty dishes could just sit there until morning, she decided. Seeing him again tonight would just remind her of the disappointment she felt when reality hit her. Even though she’d told herself over and over that she didn’t want anything to do with Colin, a little part of her had been imagining them sharing dinner, talking, and laughing. And if she were brutally honest with herself, a part of her hoped for more flirting, and even another kiss.
But she’d seen the real Colin tonight and hadn’t liked what she’d seen. For the briefest time, she’d let her physical desires override her common sense, let the promise of pleasure cloud her vision. Now more than ever, she knew that the man had to go, had to be removed from her life before her vision clouded again, and she did something she’d be sorry for later.
Feeling on more even ground, she was just about to get up and take her dishes to the kitchen when she heard Colin’s bedroom door open. The sound of rattling dishes was punctuated by a couple of cuss words, then she heard the door close again. For a second, she wondered if he’d just put his tray out in the hallway, but then she heard footsteps.
From her perch on the chair, she just caught a glimpse of him carrying his tray into the kitchen and cursed the way her heart leaped in her chest. She wanted, no, she needed to dislike Colin, but he was making it difficult again. When he reappeared from the kitchen and poked his head into the room, her palms got sweaty, and her heart started pounding in her chest.
She had the strangest sense that something important was about to happen, and the butterflies in her stomach seemed to agree. “I’m sorry I acted like such an ass earlier. I have no excuse for my behavior,” he said.
When she didn’t answer because her heart was doing flip-flops in her chest, he went on. “If it makes any difference, it was one of the best meals I’ve ever eaten, better than anything I’ve had at the castle.”
Darby wanted to stay mad, but his words struck her somewhere deep inside, and a little part of her was happy that she’d brought him pleasure. “That’s because most of what you just ate was either grown right here on the farm or somewhere close,” she said, trying to keep her composure. “I’m glad you enjoyed it.”
Colin looked a little confused. “Isn’t this the same food I always eat?” he asked.
She had to suppress a sigh. “No, all the food you eat at the castle is brought in from outside Ballentine,” she said. “It costs twice as much, but somewhere along the line, the royals decided that they couldn’t eat the same food as the common people. You didn’t know?”
“No,” he said, a look of embarrassment on his face. “I never really thought about where my food came from.”
“Maybe you should,” she said. “And while we’re on the subject, I’d be happy to lend you some money so you can find someplace to stay and pay for your meals until you can go home.”
“Lend me money...” Colin said, still looking confused. “I thought...couldn’t I just stay here?”
Darby opened her mouth to refuse, but he looked so innocent and lost at the thought of leaving that she felt herself weakening. “I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to stay here. You’re the prince; you should be staying someplace better than an old farmhouse,” she said.
Colin looked around him. “I like it here. It’s quiet, and the food is incredible,” he said.
“What about the king and queen? I’m sure they’re looking for you by now,” she said. “I don’t want to get in the middle of anything that’s going to bring the guards up here. I can’t afford it.”
“It would serve them right if they were worried,” Colin said. “But I’m sure your friend Eli has already told the entire town that I’m here.”
“Eli knows better. He’d never do anything to attract attention like that,” Darby said, but a little part of her was worried that he might. “But that’s even more reason for you to go back into town tomorrow. I’m sure now that you’re cleaned up, someone will believe that you’re the prince, and I’ll give you some money if that will help.”
“It could be dangerous for me in town,” Colin said, coming into the room and sitting down across from her.
The sight of his naked chest took her breath away, and she felt her brain beginning to get cloudy again. Trying to think logically, she offered, “Your parents wouldn’t put you in any danger; you’re supposed to take over the throne someday.”
A look of sadness spread across his face. “They told me they’re going to pass the crown onto my brother right before they kicked me out of the castle,” he said.
Despite her best efforts, Darby felt herself weaken further. “I guess a few days wouldn’t hurt,” she finally said. “But then you have to move on; your parents will start looking for you eventually.”
The smile that spread across Colin’s face did nothing to calm the desire racing through her, and it was at that moment she knew that she’d made a mistake. But he was on his feet and out of the room before she could say she’d changed her mind, leaving her sitting there wondering what she’d just agreed to.
Chapter Nine
***Colin***
Colin walked back to his room, a huge smile on his face. He should have felt bad about how he’d played Darby, but he’d gotten her to agree to let him stay, and that’s what mattered. Now he’d have a few days of rest and relaxation, not to mention terrific food before he had to face his parents and the mess he’d made of his life. He’d never really considered the possibility that his brother might be given the crown, but when he’d said it out loud just now, it hit him that it might actually happen.
Disappearing from Ballentine might just be the leverage he needed to get himself back in his parent’s good graces. No matter what he’d told Darby, he was sure that they hadn’t totally abandoned him, that somewhere their spies were looking for him. After a few days, they’d be more than happy to welcome him back, past transgressions or not, and life could get back to normal.
Until then, he’d be happy to while away the time, lounging around watching television and plotting how he was going to get Darby into his bed. He’d never met a woman quite like her, and he was anxious to see if the passion between them was as promising as it felt. There was a fire inside her that he wanted to ignite, to see just how hot she could burn, and if he got singed in the process, all the better.
Pulling back the covers on the be
d, he started to get in, delicious images of he and Darby together floating through his mind. But then he saw that the bed was filled with crumbs from his dinner and scrunched up his nose in disgust. He’d have to remember to tell Darby in the morning that he liked clean sheets every day, he thought, brushing the crumbs out.
Satisfied that the bed was as clean as he could get it, he slipped off the pajama pants and climbed in. Making himself comfortable, he flipped through the channels until he found a movie he liked, then settled in for a night of mindless entertainment: his favorite kind. But he soon found himself looking around the room and realized that he was going to need a few things to make himself comfortable.
Clothes would be a good start, he thought, wishing he had a pen and paper to make a list for Darby. Noticing the desk in the corner, he got back out of bed and searched its drawers until he had what he needed, then spent a few minutes jotting down what he wanted. Folding it in half, he set it on the desk, then got back in bed and settled down for the night.
Thanks to his long nap that afternoon, he didn’t fall asleep until well past midnight, so when Darby knocked on his door at six the next morning, he growled and pulled the pillow over his head. She knocked several more times, then shouted, “Breakfast is in ten minutes. If you want to eat, I’d suggest you get out of bed soon.”
“I like to eat breakfast in bed,” he called from under the pillow.
“That’s not going to happen around here, so if you want to eat, you’d better get out of bed,” she said, then he heard her footsteps going down the hallway.
He considered skipping breakfast—it was practically the middle of the night—but then the smell of bacon and coffee began to fill the room, and his stomach began to growl loudly. Climbing out of bed, he put the pajama pants back on, although he did briefly consider going to breakfast naked, but discarded the idea.
The Fae Prince: (Fae of Ballantine) Page 5