by Thorne, Gigi
We don’t know what kind of snake it was. It could’ve been anything. And if it’s venomous … I don’t even want to think about what could happen then. In this country, the chances are very high, which is why I’m rushing her to a cab right now.
Even though my clothes are still soaking wet, I get in too and give the driver some cash. I don’t care that he recognizes my face, and mumbles, “Your Hi-highness.”
“Just drive,” I say.
“Of course, Your Highness, sir!” he rambles, clearly flabbergasted that the prince just stepped into his cab. “Where to?” he asks.
“Hospital. As fast as you can.”
“Yes, My Prince,” he replies, immediately hitting the gas.
“I’ll give you more cash if you get us there safely and without alerting the press.”
“Got it.”
As we race to the hospital, I ask her, “Where’s the wound?”
She holds up her leg and points at the two marks.
I rip a piece off my clothing and wrap it around her leg. “Keep that on tight.”
She nods, beads of sweat trickling down her forehead as the blood seeps through the compress.
I’m feeling anxious too. My heart is pounding in my chest, and I keep glaring out the window, wondering how much longer it’s going to take. Every second is too long.
“Are we there yet?” I growl.
“Almost, Your Highness,” the cabby answers.
“Go faster,” I snap. I know I’m an asshole, but being nice isn’t on my top list of priorities right now, knowing what just happened. She could be in serious pain … or worse.
Snake bites are deadly, but I’m not about to let her die. Not on my watch.
I’ve been through that once. It won’t happen again.
When we finally get to the hospital, I immediately ask the ER for help. Showing them my passport is enough to speed things up. I know I’m not supposed to abuse my power as a prince, but I can’t let this girl wait in line. Not when we don’t know what bit her.
So they bring her to a private room and put her on the bed, immediately checking her over.
I sit in the chair next to her bed and wait until the doctors leave for a few blood tests. Meanwhile, she seems to have calmed down a lot. I haven’t, though.
“Doctors say it’s probably not venomous,” she says, smiling. “Otherwise I would’ve felt something by now.”
“We don’t know for sure until the test results are back,” I say, biting my nails.
She smiles and reaches for my hand. “It’s okay.”
“How are you so calm?” I ask. “You could …”
She shrugs. “I’m in good hands.” Both our eyes shift toward our hands, which are clasped together. I gently caress her with my fingers, wishing I could do more.
“You look worried,” she says.
I nod. “Snake bites … terrify me. It’s what killed Faiz.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. If I’d known, I wouldn’t have—”
“It’s okay,” I interrupt, smiling. I don’t want her to pity me. I want her to focus on her own health. It’s far more important to me.
“I can’t fix what happened to him. I can’t bring him back, but I can take care of you,” I say.
Her face turns strawberry red, and it’s the most beautiful thing I’ve seen in a long while. Everything fades when she’s around. This hospital. The fact that I’m a prince. Or that she’s not even from Dakai. None of it matters anymore.
All I know is that I want to be close to her. Now. Tomorrow. Any day is fine. As long as I get to be in her vicinity.
I know our time is limited, and that she’ll go back to her country someday, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy the time we have right now. And I intend to enjoy it to the fullest.
11
Maya
When the doctor comes back and brings the good news that it wasn’t a venomous snake and that it was just a bite, I breathe a sigh of relief. They bandage my leg, and I thank them thoroughly for their hard work.
Amir hasn’t left my side, and he’s even helped me get out of bed and into a wheelchair. I never expected him to be this worried about me. He’s really attentive to people’s needs. Even though he’s buttery smooth toward the nurses, chatting them up, he always follows up with a gentle touch to the arm and a compliment. It’s not just to charm his way into people’s hearts. I get the feeling he genuinely cares about the people. His people.
He’s a prince, after all, and one day Dakai will probably be his.
And what am I? A random girl from America. I’m totally out of place here … and totally out of line for kissing him.
What if the paparazzi find us again? Or worse … his father?
I don’t have to wait long to find out, though, because the staff are already on high alert, bouncing around the hospital as though there’s a medical emergency.
Except there isn’t.
The king has just arrived.
My jaw drops the moment I spot him and his entourage as they barge through the doors. Everyone stops their work and bows or greets him with great enthusiasm. People seem to honor him like some kind of god, or maybe they’re terrified, but I have no way of knowing. They probably wouldn’t ever tell a stranger what they really think. It could be dangerous.
But what’s even more dangerous is the fact they’re coming straight toward my room.
My eyes widen, and I clutch my wheelchair tight as if that will help me escape faster. Not that I’d ever get out of here without a reprimand or worse. They might even throw me in jail for what I did with the prince.
Oh God, I hope not.
Sweat rolls down my back as the bearded man approaches me, his stature and way of walking making me feel small and unimportant. Especially when he sets his gaze on me after glaring at Amir for just a second.
Amir suddenly places himself between me and his father, standing in front of me so I can’t even see him look.
“Amir,” his father barks. “What are you doing here?”
“Taking care of someone,” Amir says, folding his arms.
“Who? This girl?” His father casually leans sideways to peek at me, but Amir follows his movements, blocking me from his sight again.
“She got injured.”
“That is not your business to deal with,” his father replies. “Have you any idea what kind of ruckus you’ve caused?”
Amir seems taken aback. “I apologize, Father, but the paparazzi were following us, so I had to act quickly.”
“You brought this upon yourself the moment you stepped outside the palace wearing that … that,” he hisses, eyeing him like a hawk. “Whatever that is.”
“They’re just clothes,” Amir replies.
“Why do you lower yourself so much?” his father gripes. “You are a prince. It’s time you started acting like one.”
“But I’m a human too, and I need fun too,” Amir says, a bit defeated.
Without thinking about the consequences, I grasp his hand. I want him to know I’m here. He doesn’t have to take on his father alone. And from the way he briefly glances over his shoulder at me, I know he can tell my intentions are sincere.
His father doesn’t seem too pleased. “It’s all over the newspapers … you and that girl over there. What is she doing with you anyway? I should have her thrown in jail for how she’s made you behave.”
“Her name is Maya, and she’s not made me do anything. This was all my choice. Leave her out of it,” Amir growls. “And for your information, she was hired to design my clothes.”
“A commoner? You’re hanging out with a commoner?”
“She’s not a commoner. She’s American,” Amir replies.
The guards accompanying the king seem on edge. “So? That only gives me more reasons to put her on a plane and send her back to wherever she came from.”
Uh-oh. This is going downhill fast. Should I do something? But what?
“You can’t just do whatever you please. Yo
u’re a prince of the royal family. Our reputation is on the line. You have duties. Rules to follow.”
“I’m sorry, Your Highness,” I suddenly say, trying to push past Amir with my wheelchair. “It was not my intention to steal him away from the palace.”
“Don’t say a word, Maya,” Amir interrupts.
“Indeed,” his father says, snorting. “I didn’t ask you for your opinion, girl.”
“I am only here to fulfill my job, and that’s it. I won’t take up any more of your son’s time, I promise,” I continue.
Amir turns around and grabs my arms. “Stop. For both our sakes. Please.”
The way he says the word “please” almost has me on my knees.
If I wasn’t in this damn wheelchair.
Instead, I nod. I wish I could do more. He doesn’t deserve this.
Amir turns toward his father again. “It’s not her fault. I’m taking full responsibility.”
“About time,” his father says, turning around as he flicks his fingers. “Come. Time to go back to the palace where you belong.”
Amir follows behind him, glancing at me over his shoulder with a smile. But as he leaves with his father, I realize I might not see him again. Ever.
12
Maya
The wound in my leg healed within a day, so I’m back at work again. However, the lecture I got from Mrs. Adallah wasn’t so pretty. Apparently, the king had spoken to her, expressing his distrust of me. He almost fired me on the spot, but Mrs. Adallah put in a good word for me, so luckily, I got to keep my job.
But it’s not without caveats. I’m not supposed to talk to the prince anymore. At least, not unless it’s business related. So I can make his clothes and show them to him, but that’s it. I have to keep my mouth shut otherwise.
I guess I should be happy they’re not sending me home. This is a big opportunity, and I don’t want to ruin it. So I’ll keep my head down from now on and focus on my work. No matter how hot he is or how delicious his kisses are, I have to stop thinking about him.
Too bad the moment I step into my workshop, I’m greeted by a gigantic bouquet.
And a whole stack of fabrics.
What the …?
Confused, I place my bag on the table and smell the lovely flowers. Tucked within is a card with gold letters engraved onto it.
Please forgive me for stealing your time yesterday. I hope the fabrics and flowers please you.
Amir
Please you. I can’t stop reading those two words. And I can’t stop the dirty images from appearing in my mind along with it too.
Crap.
I shake my head. I really have to stop doing this. And he needs to stop being so charming.
I give the flowers some water and then go through all the fabrics he bought for me. They’re from that shop in the middle of town where we saw each other. He really did honor his promise.
Smiling, I pick up the ones I love the most and check them out. Bright purples, some with reds, a lot of white and black. Soft and velvety. Oh, yes … I can definitely work with these.
***
Days later
When I arrive at the palace, I go through the screening process and then go straight to Amir’s room. The guards have already been alerted because they immediately let me in his room. Not without a stern look, of course, but I ignore it.
The room’s empty. Well, except for all the luxurious furniture, lavish closets, carpets, drapery, and other things that belong to a prince.
But he’s not here. Is he coming later, or did he forget?
Not that it matters. If he’s not here, I can always show Mrs. Adallah the clothes I’ve created. Even though I’d much rather have him wear them first. I need to know if they fit. But maybe he’ll be here later.
I place the big bag I brought on his desk and start unpacking, keeping the clothes neatly folded so they don’t crinkle. I match the items and place them side by side, wondering what he’ll think.
“Beautiful.”
His sudden voice makes me squeal and jolt up and down. When I turn around, I immediately regret it. He’s right in front of me … and only wearing a pair of tight swim trunks.
I shut my eyes, my face turning completely red. “Amir!” I say.
“What?” He laughs. “It’s not like you haven’t already seen it all.”
“Jesus,” I huff. “Put some clothes on.”
“Gotcha,” he says, sniggering as he grasps them from the desk. “These will do just fine.”
I take a sneak peek when he’s turned his back toward me and watch him put on the clothes I designed. I can’t stop staring at the flexing of his muscles with every movement. He’s right. The clothes do look beautiful on him. Then again … anything would with that body.
When he turns around again, it’s hard not to drool.
“And? What do you think? Good?”
I nod. I don’t even know what to say. He’s gorgeous. And still totally a prince that I should not be thinking about in the way I am right now.
He smirks. “Love it. Exactly what I needed.”
I smile. “Glad you like it. And thank you for the fabrics.”
“No need to thank me,” he says. “I told you I’d get it done. I always keep my promise.”
He places his hand on my waist, pulling me close. “Did you like the flowers too?”
The seductive look in his eyes makes my head spin. “They were lovely. Thank you.”
I spin on my heels and focus on the clothes I placed on the desk, trying not to get distracted by his coarse hands finding their way underneath my shirt. I’m melting into a puddle, but I can’t allow this to happen. Not with everything that’s at stake.
“Amir, we—”
“Shh,” he interrupts, his hands snaking their way around my belly.
His lips press a gentle kiss on the back of my neck. “You don’t have to say a word.”
And that’s just it. I don’t even know what to say. All I know is that this could put us both in danger. I could lose my job, and he … well, his father could punish him, and I don’t even wanna think about what he’d do to us if he found out.
“Let’s continue where we left off …” he whispers into my ear.
He gently coaxes me backward, away from the desk. His lips on my skin make me lose all sense of reality. Until I open my eyes again and realize we’ve only had him put on just one of my designs. He hasn’t even touched the rest. This is what I came here for. What I was hired for. What if Mrs. Adallah comes in and sees us? It’d be the end of my time here. Or worse … my entire career.
“Wait,” I say, trying to pull away.
However, he holds me, refusing to let go. It makes me stumble backward into him, and he loses his footing too. I squeal as both of us fall, entangled together.
Not onto the floor … but right into his bath.
I sputter and splash as I come up for air, the lukewarm water waking up my senses.
“Amir!” I shout as he was the one who dragged me in with him.
He laughs out loud, shaking his head, which makes droplets of water fly everywhere. “It’s just water. Relax.”
“The clothes!” I say, pointing out that he’s still wearing them.
“A bit of water won’t ruin them, right?” he muses, approaching me again.
I sigh and then sink into the water. I guess it’s already too late now. We’re completely soaked.
“Sorry I dragged you in with me,” he says, cornering me against the edge of the tub. “But you were the one who shoved me.”
“I was trying to get away,” I reply, licking my lips when I see the drops of water roll down his shirt. God, I wish the water didn’t make it so clingy. I can see every inch of his muscles protruding through the fabric.
“Why? Afraid I’m going to kiss you again?” he murmurs, cocking his head.
He’s so close now, I could almost taste him. Almost. I swallow hard.
“Because I want to,” he whispers, inching cl
oser and closer until our lips are just a breath away. “Really … really badly.”
Before I know it, he’s already got his mouth locked onto mine.
Just like before in the pond, only this time I’m even more helpless to stop him. My mind goes on blank the moment his tongue parts my lips and claims mine. He circles around inside my mouth, taking me as if I always belonged to him.
He kisses me deep. Hard. In every way I always dreamed of being kissed.
And between each breath I take, he whispers sweet words that lay claim on my heart.
“You’re so damn beautiful,” he whispers. “Like the sun. I can’t stop wanting to be in your presence.”
He grasps my face with both hands, intensifying the kiss. It feels like I’m dreaming. Like I can’t breathe.
I’m kissing a prince. A real prince. This can’t be any more outrageous or scandalous, yet I can’t stop myself from kissing him back all the same.
One second is all I get to breathe, and I utter some words. “But we’re supposed to be fitting clothes—”
“We can do that later,” he murmurs against my lips.
His kisses grow more frantic with every passing second, and his hands find their way down my body, underneath my shirt. I’m overcome with a need I didn’t know I had, wanting to feel his hands all over my body. My nipples peak as he rips off my shirt and tears off my bra, throwing them both into the water as if they mean nothing.
“Fuck … do you know how long I’ve waited for this?” he groans, leaving sweet kisses everywhere.
I shake my head.
“Since day fucking one,” he growls. “Back in the club. I’ve wanted to ravish you again and again ever since. Claim you, kiss you, lick you … God, I want to do it all.”
With rough hands, he grabs my waist and pulls me out of the water, propping me on the edge of the tub where he buries his face in my breasts. He grabs them and sucks hard, providing both with equal pleasure. If I wasn’t already soaked, I just know my panties would be completely wet.