by Hart, Lena
The Flower Queen
Lena Hart
The Queen Chronicles
Book I
A Sinful Short
Published by SM Publishing
The Flower Queen
Copyright © 2013 Lena Hart
Edited by Elizabeth Stock
Proofread by Shara Moon
Cover design by San Jean/SM Publishing
All cover art and design copyright © 2013 by SM Publishing.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.
The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s and publisher’s rights is appreciated.
All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.
The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for third-party Web sites or their content.
~DEDICATION~
To REason for planting the seed that sprouted this series…
THE FLOWER QUEEN
Lena Hart
The Queen of Clubs, known as the Flower Queen, is said to possess a sharp mind, a restless heart, and a fiery temper.
♣
Chapter One
“I love your body,” he whispered into her ear.
She laid languidly over him as he ran his rough hands down the smooth curves of her waist and hips. His thick shaft still nestled inside her, hot and hard. She rested her head on his muscled chest and brushed her fingers against his flat nipples. The steady throbbing of his heartbeat quickened against her ear as he grabbed her hand...
Gina Conners shook the memory away as the pilot announced their descent into Las Vegas. She couldn’t stop thinking about Gabe and their last night together. His own business travel had kept them apart these past few weeks and she had missed him every day since. She still did.
Gabriel Alexander. Her Gabe. Successful entrepreneur, charismatic lover…lying cheat.
Gina let out a soft sigh. No, he wasn’t hers. He had never been hers. Despite the fact that she had given her heart to him, he had just been her seducer, her heartbreaker.
For twenty-seven years she had managed to protect her heart, and now it lay crushed and broken in her chest.
Now she wished she had deleted the email she received yesterday. It had come from Gabe’s personal email address but when she’d opened it, a picture of him with a pretty brunette had filled the screen. Gina had stared at the photo for what seemed like hours. The message accompanying the photo had simply read in no uncertain terms: Stay away from my husband.
But Gina hadn’t deleted it nor had she responded. For some perverse reason, she had kept it to remind herself of her stupidity and his betrayal.
The last twenty-four hours had been a rollercoaster with her emotions alternating from hatred to longing to self-disgust. Wanting a man who would treat her heart so callously was beyond Gina’s comprehension and yet she still ached for him.
His constant calls and text messages didn’t help. She ignored them all, unable to muster the strength to rage against him for the eight months of lies and deceit. Instead, she raged at herself and her stupidity. She should have suspected something. He rarely spoke of his past or his work, a job that conveniently kept him traveling so she never really much time at his place.
The plane finally made its bumpy landing and before long, she was dragging her carry-on through the busy airport terminal.
But she couldn’t stop thinking about Gabe—or the photo.
God, she was an idiot. Even proof of his infidelity couldn’t keep her from longing for him. But the thought of his betrayal left a rancid feeling in the pit of her stomach. If she hadn’t forgotten to eat lunch, she would have been sick.
The sharp pain in her heart was foreign to her and it was all she could do to keep from crying out as unexpected tears suddenly blurred her vision.
Trying not to draw attention to herself, Gina walked calmly to the ladies room. She rushed past a cleaning woman and into an empty stall. The tears started to flow before she had the stall door locked.
“Miss?” the woman called out. “Are you all right?”
Gina tried to stifle her crying but failed miserably. “I’m fine,” she managed.
Eventually the woman left and the storm of tears passed. Finally alone, Gina left the protection of the stall. Red eyes and running mascara stared back at her from the wide mirror. She grabbed some tissue and dabbed at her face, careful not to smear any more of her make-up.
She needed to fix herself up and bury the hurt and anger deep inside. Right now, she couldn’t afford to fall apart. There was a job to do this week and she couldn’t let her personal crap interfere.
Once she made her way out of the airport and into the dry Nevada air, scorching heat greeted her. The sun beamed down, bright and hot, and to add to her misery, she didn’t have her shades.
Gina hated Las Vegas. Not only was it unbearably hot, but it exuded sin and scandal. But the opportunity to manage a major account like Royal Courts Resort & Casino was too good to pass up. The resort was a new account for Holstein & Levy, her PR firm, and she didn’t want the executives at her agency to regret promoting her. As the new publicist on the account, her clients had insisted she stay in their luxurious establishment and Gina was happy to oblige. She would just have to suck it up and endure hell for a week. And in this scorching summer heat, that’s exactly what it felt like. Hell.
The cab ride was shorter than she expected. When she arrived at Royal Courts, she was awestruck by the grand structure that loomed before her. Its majestic towers and tall pavilions reminded her of a palace. The resort’s emblem, an elegant gold crown, gleamed at the top of the building like a crest.
Inside was just as impressive. The marble floors gleamed against the striking gold and black-trimmed walls. The vibrant colors of the décor, an array of blues, greens, and reds, added to the resort’s splendor.
When she reached the reservation desk, she was greeted by polite and courteous staff. Once she received her key cards, Gina relinquished her single rollaway bag to the waiting attendant and followed him to her room. He continued with a scripted list of the resort’s amenities and she responded politely. Any other day, she wouldn’t have minded the chatter but her lack of sleep the night before was catching up with her and right now all she wanted to do was rest. And be alone with her thoughts.
The dull ache in her head returned and began to throb in her temples.
Once they reached her room, Gina tipped the man and all but shoved him out. Standing in the center of the large room, she wasn’t surprised at how immaculate it was. Royal Courts strived for luxury and it showed from the lavish, king size bed to the plush carpet. It was as if she had just left the outside world—and everyone in it—behind and was in her own private oasis.
Gina kicked off her shoes and slipped out of her skirt and blouse. Wearing only her pink silk bra and panties, she crawled into the cool, king size bed and melted into the mattress.
She would sleep off her headache, then check her emails and prep for her long day tomorrow. Gina wasn’t sure what the exact agenda was for the week. All she’d been told was that there would be a series of workshops and brainstorming sessions. She would have a week by herself to enjoy the resort�
��s many comforts—away from Gabe and his lies.
Her last thought before she drifted off to sleep was of Gabe and the way her body would melt against him after they’d made love.
****
On the top floor of the Royal Courts’ north tower, Gabe paced the large executive office. His mind was completely preoccupied but not with the discussion at hand. Instead, his thoughts were of Gina and the fact that she was ignoring his calls. It wasn’t like her not to return his messages. She was flying in today, and he had wanted to talk to her before she arrived at the resort and wondered at his presence here. He should have had this conversation with her months ago, but he hadn’t wanted to ruin things between them.
Gabe was vaguely aware of a pair of cool gray eyes following him from one side of the office to the other. He realized his business partner and close friend, Dave Carrone, had stopped talking.
“Do you want to tell me what—or who—has you off your game today?” Dave drawled, lounging behind his large mahogany desk.
Gabe stopped and shot his friend a hard glare, which usually intimidated people, but not Dave.
“I’m with you,” Gabe snapped, falling into the nearest seat. “Now what are we going to do about this security issue?”
“I just spent the last twenty minutes offering some solutions.” Dave blew out a loud breath. “Apparently I was talking to myself.”
Gabe scanned his brain for the remnants of their conversation and latched on to the last thing he remembered. “You really think hiring a new chief of security will solve the problem?”
Dave shrugged. “It’s worth a shot. And I’ve already hired him.”
Gabe cocked a brow. “And when were you planning to tell me this?”
Dave sighed again. “I did. Ten minutes ago.”
“How can you be sure we can trust this guy?” They had just spent the last six months cleaning house and couldn’t afford to bring in another crooked security chief to destroy what they’d worked so hard to build.
“Trust me,” Dave said coolly, “he’s been well vetted.”
Gabe would have to take Dave’s word for it. When it came to the resort, Dave took care of the inside and Gabe was responsible for bringing in business from the outside. They didn’t like the idea of betting it all, so instead of putting everything they had into their three-year-old enterprise, they invested in various business ventures. And that required Gabe to travel—a lot. Dave knew more of what was happening at the resort and since he trusted this new guy, Gabe would just have to trust his friend’s judgment that this guy was legit.
“Now it’s your turn to talk,” Dave said casually.
“There’s nothing to—”
“Is this about your new plaything in Boston?” Dave interrupted.
Dave laughed at his silence and Gabe wanted to punch the smug look from his friend’s face.
“She’s not my ‘plaything’,” Gabe growled. Gina was his future. But Gabe kept that thought to himself. He didn’t like his friend analyzing what he and Gina shared.
Not that Dave hadn’t suspected something. Ever since he’d met Gina, Gabe had been increasingly dividing his time between Vegas and Boston, and eventually he decided to rent out an apartment there. At first Gabe had brushed it off as a necessity, for comfort and convenience, but he knew the truth. And so did Dave.
“Okay, relax man,” Dave said, throwing his hands up in defeat. “I just haven’t seen you act like this over a chick. Not even with Meredith.”
Gabe tensed at the mention of his soon-to-be ex-wife. He didn’t want to think about the woman who’d made his life hell for the last three years. He had lost a lot of trust in women after Meredith. Then he’d met Gina and it was as if she’d been created for him.
But Gabe didn’t want to go there. And he needed this conversation to end. Now.
Dave wouldn’t comply.
“You had her put on the account so she could travel here at your whim. Now you’re acting like a man who’s lost his favorite toy.”
Before Gabe could let his friend know, in colorful terms, what he thought of his opinion, a short knock came at the door.
“Yeah,” Dave called out.
Dave’s new assistant, Judith Bell, walked into the room and handed Gabe a small, folded paper. “This message just came for you. It’s from the hotel manager.”
Gabe took the note from her and quickly scanned its contents. His heart began to pound. She’s here.
He thought about the email that he’d sent to Gina that morning. It had been his final attempt to get in touch with her. He had wanted to let her know that he was more than just the financial consultant he’d led her to believe. But now he regretted writing it. It would have been best to tell her everything in person.
“Thanks, Judith,” Gabe said, coming to his feet and stuffing the note in his pocket. When she left the office, Gabe turned back to his friend.
“I’m guessing your girlfriend’s here?” Dave asked.
Gabe’s eyes flared. “Are you keeping tabs on her now?”
Dave laughed. “No. Just the way you perked up was a dead giveaway.”
Gabe ignored him and started toward the door. “I’m outta here. We’ll talk later.”
“I hope you don’t mind that I had a welcome gift sent to her room,” Dave called after him.
Gabe stopped and frowned back at his friend, a notorious ladies’ man. “I do mind,” he growled. “Stay away from her.”
He left, slamming the door behind him. Dave’s loud laughter trailed after him.
Chapter Two
The incessant pounding on the door jolted Gina awake. A quick glance at the clock showed that she’d been asleep for only an hour. It felt like even less than that. She was groggy and disoriented and mentally kicked herself for not hanging the “Do Not Disturb” sign outside the door.
The pounding continued and Gina jumped out of the large bed. She rushed to the door, still disoriented. The cool air of the hotel room washed over her bare skin and she realized she was about to answer the door in her underwear. She stopped by the closet and grabbed the pale yellow robe hanging inside. As she belted the sash, the pounding grew louder.
“Coming!” she shouted. There had better be a fire.
Gina swung the door open. Her heart skipped then dropped. She was now fully awake but words escaped her as she tried to sort through her shock. What the hell was he doing here?
Gabe stepped inside, forcing her further back into the room, and shut the heavy door behind him. He appeared a bit disheveled, a shadow of a beard forming on his hard, square jaw. His dusky green eyes held a glint of frustration and…relief?
Despite her conflicting emotions, her body ached for him in a way that left no room for shame. Gina shook her head, disgusted with herself. Only a female dog in heat would react this way after the lies he’d fed her.
After long moment, she finally broke the strained silence. “Why are you here?”
He towered over her. “Why aren’t you returning my calls?”
Arrogance was one thing Gabe was never short of.
“I’m sorry,” she snapped. “I thought I made it quite obvious that I didn’t want to talk to you.”
Gabe clenched his jaw. “Look,” he began, running a hand through his dark, wavy hair, “if this is about my email, I’m sorry you had to find out like that. I should have told you in person but nothing has to change between us.”
A thousand thoughts crossed Gina’s mind but she couldn’t focus on any of them. She was too stunned. Did he expect to just keep his wife tucked away somewhere while he continued to see her?
Anger and hurt took control and before she could stop herself, she slapped him across the face. Her hand stung but he barely flinched.
“You disgust me,” she spat. “Get out.”
The surprised fury in his eyes should have alarmed her but she was beyond rational thought. “I said get out!” she shrieked, pushing and pounding on his chest.
He effortlessly gr
abbed her thrashing arms and gave her a hard shake. “What the hell’s the matter with you?” he shouted.
Gina tried to pull away from him but he held her fast. She jerked her arms wildly, kicking and clawing, trying to get him to release her.
She didn’t realize he’d lifted her until she went flying across the bed. He immediately landed on top of her, trapping her beneath him.
Intense fury overwhelmed her and she sucked in enough air to let out a shrill scream. He clamped his hand over her mouth. His angry face hovered only inches from hers.
“I don’t know what’s gotten into you, but you need to calm down. Now.”
Gina saw red. Calm down? How dare he! Rage coursed through her and with one violent jerk, she tried to throw him off her.
He barely budged.
Gina collapsed on the bed, losing the energy to continue fighting him. It was no contest. He was much larger and stronger. He frowned down at her and she glared up at him through unshed tears.
His heavy, muscular body covered her all over. She could feel the hard length of his erection pressing against her thigh and her breath hitched. Her body betrayed her as soft tingles began to course through her. She needed him, needed the mind-altering pleasure only he could give her.
He must have sensed her response because his eyelids lowered and his frown gave way to a stormy desire. He moved his hand from her mouth and trailed it down her neck. He shifted and ran his hand over her breast and with excruciating care, opened the robe. She inhaled sharply but said nothing, letting herself get swept away by pleasure.
Everything in her screamed that she should push him away and demand that he leave. But she wanted this, wanted him. The realization of her weakness for him filled her with resentment but still she couldn’t turn away.
He stared down at her, pushing aside one cup of her bra and exposing a full, brown breast and budded nipple. For a moment, she lost herself in the deep hunger of his dark green eyes. Then he lowered his head and brought his lips over hers, kissing her tenderly as he gently rubbed his thumb over her nipple. Sweet, sharp currents coursed through her. His lips moved delicately over hers until he broke contact and brought his warm mouth over her aching breast.