“I am the Historian that was hired to conduct the research in his lineage. His sister Sophia Donati appointed me on his behalf.”
“You are a donna … a woman!”
“Has been since birth, yes. Ehm … why is that a problem?”
“He is expecting a man.”
He frowned down at her as if he expected her to morph into a male at any moment. He shook his head.
“Please wait here, Miss. I better go and prepare him first.”
Sienna gaped at the door that abruptly closed in her face. She chuckled and groaned at the same time. She was so excited when this opportunity came along. Now it seemed she was going to be saddled with a grumpy chauvinist! The door opened again and the butler waved her inside.
“Please follow me.”
She followed him through the massive and double volume entrance hall, entranced by the carvings on the ceiling and the massive cathedral like chandelier hanging from the roof.
“Miss! This way!”
The gruff and impatient command pulled her from her open mouthed admiration of the ceiling that had her freeze in the middle of the hall with her head thrown back.
“Oh, I’m sorry, but those carvings on the ceiling are absolutely magnificent. Who designed this place?”
“I’m sure I don’t know, Miss Thorne. However if you ask the King, I am sure he would be able to supply you with the information. Not that information such as this is pertinent to your research.”
Well, Mr. Butler, sir, put me in my place why don’t you. Sienna thought with amusement. The butler made it clear that she should concentrate on her purpose here and not waste the King’s time with small talk. She followed him down a long wide passage and they turned left into another wide passage where he halted in front of a closed door. He rapped on the door.
“Entrare.”
The abrupt instruction made her hair sizzle. Clearly the King was not as enthusiastic about her presence here as his sister was. The butler opened the double doors and ushered her inside.
“Miss Sienna Thorne, my King.”
She watched him leave and closed the doors behind him, before she turned to find the tall, muscled man standing in front of the windows with his back to her. The sun shone in through the window and only his silhouette was visible to her. He turned around and walked closer to her and stopped a few steps in front of her.
“Bloody hell!”
She could not prevent the curse from escaping her mouth. She stared in unbelievable horror at the man in front of her. It was her airport hottie … the man who gave her the most amazing climax the morning before … and the man that saw her in her naked glory! Worst of all, the man that believed she owed him!
His eyebrows rose at the expletive and she blushed. The same slow, sensual smile he had on his lips the day before, curled around his mouth and his eyes roamed slowly down her body and back up. They hesitated on her breasts that immediately shriveled into tight nubs that were clearly visible through her thin top.
“Bene, bene … Well, well, well. We meet again, Red and much sooner than I anticipated.”
She groaned. “Oh God, this can’t be happening.”
He chuckled and enjoyed the slight blush that colored her cheeks. His voice was seduction itself and she felt like turning around and running for the hills.
“Così, Red. Vedo che siete pronti per il secondo?”
“Non capi … capisco. Io … non pa … parlo Italiano.” He grinned at her stammered confession.
“Good to know. So, Red. I see you are ready for round two.”
He reverted back to the same flawless, accent free English he spoke the day before.
His hands closed around her shoulders and he pulled her tight against him. His head lowered and his lips closed over hers. His tongue immediately demanded entrance and refused any denial. He kissed her deeply and her submission to his passionate kiss was unquestionable. He mastered her mouth and made love to hers using his lips and tongue. Even though he only kissed her, the touch of his hot hard body against her from shoulder to knee scorched her. Heat sizzled down her stomach and settled low in her core.
Reality intruded and she pushed him away and stepped back. Or rather … she tried to. His hands on her shoulders refused to allow too much space between them. He stared at her through half closed eyelids, his lion like eyes glittering.
“Stop! You have to stop.”
“I am sure you realized yesterday already that I do not take orders very well, Red.”
“Please let me go.” She swallowed and tried to pull away again.
He allowed her to step away with a loud sigh and moved to go and sit behind his desk, waving her towards a chair in front of the desk.
“I suppose we’ll have to get business out of the way first.”
She sank into the chair and tried to get her raging libido under control. Damn the man … Prince … oh no … King of San Marino! How was she going to get this job done if he turned her insides to mush with just a look, the smallest touch?
How the devil can such a hottie be a damn King! How the devil can a King be so passionate and sensual!
Gabriel watched the emotions flash over her face and he grinned to himself. All of a sudden he did not mind agreeing to the Historian anymore. Who would have guessed that a Historian could be so sexy and sensual? He must remember to thank Sophia for talking him into this. He looked forward to the gratification the weeks she would be here, would offer him.
“I am waiting, miss Thorne, is it?”
“Yes. What am I supposed to call you? King, Prince, your majesty?”
Her voice sounded anything but respectful and he had a hard time not to chuckle or show his mirth. Little Miss Red simply needed to be put in her place.
“Let’s see … you are here in an official capacity, hired to do a job, so how about … my one and only master?”
Her whole body huffed up and his eyebrows rose.
“No? Hmm … how about … my sexy lover?”
She huffed up even more, if that was at all possible.
“Also not? This is becoming difficult. How about …”
“You know very well why I am here and what for! Yesterday … yesterday … dammit! I was still asleep! You should never have taken advantage of me!”
“Oh no, Red! You are not going to put that one on me! You invited me … as a matter of fact … you took me by the hand and pulled me on top of you.”
Her face flushed bright red because her memory painted the exact same picture. Oh Lord, he was never going to let this go!
He leaned forward with his elbows on the desk and captured her eyes. “Shall I remind you … your exact words were … C’me here, sexy.”
“I know what I said! Had I known who you were, I would never have … I would have …”
“You Red … seduced me, and you know it!”
“I … you …”
Do I then assume inviting men into your bed in such a manner is a usual occurrence for you?”
“No!”
“You better be honest with me Sienna. I value my privacy and I wouldn’t want my home invaded by all your sexual pursuers!”
“Don’t be ridiculous! I have ne …”
“Nor would I take kindly to you seducing any of my staff in a similar manner!”
She jumped up and slammed her fists in her sides. “That’s it! No amount of money or historical satisfaction is worth being so insulted! I decline the job, thank you very much, your MAJESTY! I will be gone from your precious PRIVATE Island before the end of the day!”
He had to bite the insides of his cheeks to prevent bursting into delighted laughter. Never has anyone reacted so heatedly and honestly towards him. He watched her spin around and stalk towards the door, which she threw open … or rather tried to throw open, only to nearly lose her footing when the heavy door pulled her forward and she nearly slammed into it. She literally growled and pulled the door open slowly and disappeared through it.
He pressed
the call button on his desk and awaited Benito’s appearance. While waiting he pulled the file with the signed agreement closer and quickly read through the terms and conditions which included a confidentiality agreement. His smile grew broader.
“You called, my King?”
“Benito, it seems I upset our little Historian somewhat and she huffed out with the intention of leaving the Island before the end of the day.
“She did and she does, my King?”
“Just so. Now, I simply cannot allow such a thing to happen, Benito. After all … I did agree to have this done … and to Sophia of all people.”
“Indeed you did, my King.”
“You will ensure no one on the Island is willing to escort her to the mainland, correct Benito?”
“Quite so, my King.”
“She must also be brought to me as soon as she tries to leave. I need to explain to little Miss Red the meaning of all the terms and conditions she signed.”
“It will be done, my King.”
Benito turned and went to do his King’s bidding. Gabriel would have been astounded to see a small delighted smile soften the strict butlers’ face.
Sienna has never been so angry. To indicate that she was a cheap hussy! She has never been so insulted! Just because he is a Prince or a supposed King gave him no right to insult her so!
The moment she arrived back at the cottage, she stormed up to her room. She grabbed the suitcase from the spare room and carried it to the main bedroom grumbling all the time about a conceited jackass King! She threw her clothes haphazardly in the suitcase and in the end had to sit on it to zip it closed.
She sat on the suitcase breathing heavily and sighed dejectedly. This would have been so exciting. She already started doing research and had tons of historical and ancestry information stored on her laptop. Her full time job as a historian at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC was a good one, but not very exciting and involved more managing the Department than research at this point. Therefore she took private jobs from time to time to do historical research and projects to earn extra money and experience.
The money for this job was more than she earned in a year and would have been enough to buy the loft she wanted to buy cash. She sighed again and lugged the suitcase and her duffel and computer bags downstairs and loaded them in the beach buggy. She was thrilled when the dock master of the island handed her the keys. She had the use of it whilst on the Island.
Within ten minutes she parked the buggy at the dock and went in search of the dock master, relieved to notice two boats docked, so she would be able to leave immediately. She walked into the dock masters office and smiled friendly at the portly Italian.
“Good morning, Mattia.”
“Buongiorno, signora.”
“Would it be possible for you to take me to the mainland, please?”
He frowned and cleared his throat and shuffled uncomfortably in his chair.
“Scusate, signora. No can do.”
“Please, I really have to leave.”
“Ehm … nostri Suvrano … King says non ammessi.” He shook his head sadly. “Scusate, signora.”
“What does non amm … ammessi mean?”
“No … dire no … ehm … no allow.” He nodded his head in affirmation of the meaning.
She stared at him with her mouth gaping open. She shook her head and pointed her finger in the direction of the castle visible on the hill.
“He … your King! He said no … it is not allowed!”
“Sì … sì signora!”
She stamped her foot in vexation. “How dare he! He could not keep me here against my will!”
“Suvrano says you come to him now.”
“He … says … what!”
He blanched at her growl and nodded energetically. He pointed to the phone on his desk.
“Sì. Benito says Suvrano comandare … ehm … command you come to him.”
“Your … your Suvrano can comandare all he wants! He can … he can … jump in the lake!”
Mattia nearly swallowed his tongue and fell from his chair he was so shocked at her angry retort.
“Signora! No talk so! Never! He is Suvrano! King!” He was extremely upset and agitated and she realized totally loyal to Gabriel Costa. For as long as he gave an instruction she was not to leave the island … she would be stuck here!
“I am sorry, Mattia. I am just a bit upset. I did not mean to sound disrespectful to your Suvrano.”
“Good. You go now … go to Suvrano.”
The buggy screeched to a stop in front of the castle and Gabriel smiled where he stood in his study looking down. She swung her legs over the side of the buggy. The wind caught her dress and it billowed up and bared her to his eyes from her waist down before she caught it and slammed it down against her legs.
He released his frozen breath slowly, his shaft rapidly rising in reaction to the quick peek of her gorgeous long legs and firm butt cheeks in a hardly there G-string. She swung towards Benito who appeared and started to unload her luggage amidst her loud protest. In his usual staunch manner he ignored her and indicated she must follow him. She stood staring after him for a minute, before she stalked towards the front door.
Gabriel smiled. Red was seemingly annoyed. He looked forward to their upcoming altercation.
Sienna glared at the staunch butler. Goodness gracious! Was there no one on this damn island that would listen to her?
“You are not hearing me! I am not staying in this castle!”
“Stop Signora! I hear you well enough.”
“Then give me my bags! If I am forced to stay here, I will stay in the cottage.”
“Scusate Signora. The cottage is no longer available to you.”
“What do you mean it is no longer available to me?”
“The King has decreed it so.”
“Decr … decreed it … who the devil talks like that! Decreed! My ass he has! Where is he? I want to see him immediately! He cannot do this! He has no right!”
“I don’t know about your … culo …er … ass … but he can do this and he has the right. He is our Suvrano and this is his Island. For as long as you are in his country, Signora, you are under his dominio … his rule.”
She gaped at him.
“Oh great! I am back in the thirteenth century!”
Benito had to bite his cheek not to laugh. It has been a long while since he has been so entertained. The spirit and energy of the young woman was just what his King needed. She was much more refreshing than the spoiled rich socialites that were constantly chasing and surrounding him.
“Do you need someone to unpack your bags, signora?”
“I am not unpacking my bags! I am leaving!”
“Very sorry, Miss Thorne, but that is not possible. King Gabriel has decided you will stay.”
“Then take me to him!”
“Again, I am sorry. He is unavailable for the balance of the day and he is very busy tomorrow. He said he will talk to you at breakfast in the morning.”
Benito turned around and walked out of the room. Sienna stared at the double doors he closed behind him and nearly swallowed her tongue when she heard the key turn in the lock. He locked her in! She stormed to the door and slammed against it with her fists.
“Open this door! You cannot do this!”
“Scusata Miss Thorne, My Suvrano decreed it so.”
Sienna cursed one blue streak and Benito winced on the other side of the door. Maybe his King was taking this a tad too far. Yet he could not help but smile when he heard her ‘jackass King’ and ‘decree his own damn ass,’ clearly through the closed door.
Chapter Three
Sienna rose early the next morning after a fitful night of no sleep. She rolled around most of the night nursing her indignation and anger at being ‘decreed’ to stay on the island and in the castle.
She took a quick shower and dressed in bootlegged Sissy boy jeans with a tight white princess style blouse in thin cotton. She a
dded sand colored pumps and a similar colored thin belt through the loops of the jeans. She used soft natural shaded make up and coral colored lipstick. She brushed her long hair and left it loose to fall down her back. She felt and looked cool and fresh. She glared at the closed door and narrowed her eyes.
Just then there was a hesitant knock on the door and she grunted. They locked the door and now knocked on it as if she had any way of opening the damn thing! Stubbornly pressing her lips tight, she remained in front of the dressing table and glared at the door. After the third knock she threw her hands in the air and looked at herself in the mirror, the frustrated amazement clear in her eyes.
“Really? He still hasn’t got the message?” She whispered at herself.
She picked up her brush to brush her hair again and waited for the door to be opened. This morning the dearly beloved King of San Marino had some explaining to do!
The next moment the door was flung open and the King burst through. He came to a halt in the middle of the room the moment his eyes found her sitting brushing her hair. Benito followed close on his heels.
“Madre de Dio! Why did you not answer the door, donna?”
Her eyebrows rose and she slowly put the brush back on the dressing table, lest she flung it at his head. He might just decree her to be beheaded for such an act!
“What would have been the purpose, dear King? I do not have the key to open it!”
Her voice rose and she nearly shouted by the end of the sentence.
“It seems Red is still miffed, Benito.”
“Quite so, my King.”
Her eyes narrowed indicating her annoyance at being made fun of. She stood up and walked towards him, her whole demeanor aggressive and angry. Benito winced and wondered if he should move in front of his King to protect him from the woman’s wrath.
Gabriel watched her moving closer through lowered lids, appreciating the slight sway of her hips in the tight jeans. He frowned and growled at her.
“I do not like you in pants, donna. Remove them and put on a dress.”
“And I suppose Benito will inform me you decreed it so?”
You Owe Me, Baby Page 2