Royally Mine: 22 All-New Bad Boy Romance Novellas

by Susan Stoker

  Maya’s phone pinged. The number was one she didn’t recognize, but the words told her immediately who it was. Did you get my donation? It’s from me and Frani. She also asked a few more friends to donate. Told you she was nice.

  She quickly replied: Thank you. I can’t even express my thanks. A million thanks.

  That was not enough to explain her feelings, but it would probably take pages and pages to do it justice, so she left it at that.

  I miss you.

  She didn’t hesitate. I miss you too.

  Bet you’re wishing you stayed in Syldavia. Your loss. Bitch.

  She rolled her eyes. Jesus! He was such a prick. But a sexy prick. She typed: Bet you’re wishing you were a regular citizen so you could come to my town and date me like a normal person, instead of offering to buy me a job. Bitch.

  I do wish that.

  If wishes were horses…

  What? I don’t know that phrase. Why would wishes be horses?

  …then beggars would ride. It’s dumb. An old-fashioned phrase.

  If wishes were horses, we’d have a hell of a lot more pony episodes of the kind Erik told you about. The additional amount of shit wouldn’t BEGIN to make up for the additional enhanced transportation opportunities, I promise you that.

  She laughed out loud and put her hand to her face, feeling it flush with excitement.

  He wrote again before she could respond. I’m sorry I tried to buy you a job.

  She answered with, I’m sorry I called you mean names.

  I still think you’d make a great pet.

  Fuck off. But then she added a smiley, so he wouldn’t really fuck off.

  Would rather do that with you.

  She quickly searched and found a horrible, funny gif of a horse shitting in a field and sent that over. He replied with a smile emoticon. But then he went silent, and she figured that was it.

  Later that day, on a whim, she googled Photography jobs Syldavia. To her surprise, she found one, with a starting salary that was more than generous. Experienced staff photographer needed: Six-month contract. International applicants acceptable. Must speak English. Priority will be given to those who also speak French, German, Syldavian.

  Before she could second-guess herself, she filled in the web-based application. She added a personal note, describing how much she loved taking pictures and how her international outlook could bring a new insight and vitality to their photos. How she only spoke English but was a fast learner.

  ***

  A month later, Maya was relaxing with Mags after hours at the Chicago Smiles office. It was just the two of them finishing up some paperwork. With all the donation money from Henri, Erik, Frani and the general public, there had been more assistance needed to organize several medical missions overseas, and start a new clinic in Malawi, and the two women had been putting in extra hours to help.

  “So guess what?” Maya took a sip of her Diet Pepsi. “I hired photography assistants, Mags. I am officially no longer a sole proprietorship but an LLC. I have employees.” She spun her swivel chair around, spotting the city street outside the window, then swiveled back to face Mags.

  “Maya! Yay!” Mags popped out of her chair and gave Maya a hug. “You go, girl. Wait, can I say that?”

  Maya wrinkled her nose. “No. It doesn’t work for you. Sorry.”

  “’Kay. Then, you are awesomesauce! Seriously. It’s about time.” Mags plopped back into her chair.

  “I guess.” Maya put down her soda. “It’s weird, because now my name is going to vouch for someone else’s quality. Two someone else’s. But they’re good! They’re good. It’s just… new.”

  “You’ll be a great boss.” Mags nodded. “But you should probably make them do pushups every morning just to show them that you’re not a wimpy doormat boss. And yell at them sometimes like a drill sergeant.”

  “And that’s why you are not yet a boss,” Maya observed, laughing.

  “I’m a boss at my job, though,” Mags protested. “I’m science. I convert things. Look. I took a drunk prince and turned him into two million bucks. Using your help, yes, but I’m, like, the project manager, so I get the cred.”

  “Whatever!” But Maya agreed—Mags did rock at her job. “Anyway, so I delegate them photo jobs and get a percentage of the pay. Passive income, baby. And I can focus on other projects and higher profile jobs. Grow the business.”

  “Will you grow the business in Syldavia?”

  “Mags, I showed you that application in a moment of weakness, and I’m embarrassed at how quickly they swiped left. It is not to be spoken of in public. Please.”

  “Well, I’m just curious.” Mags peered over Maya’s shoulder out the window. “There are other jobs there.”

  “I’m sure there are.” Maya picked up her soda, sipping her Pepsi.

  Mags seemed to like the topic. “Because if you did work there, you’d get to see Henri.”

  “Ha. Right. We’d have to be talking first, and we haven’t even texted since that day he and his sister almost gave Carrie a heart attack with that huge donation.”

  “What about working for Henri?”

  “Mags, I’m not going to work for Henri. I’m not going to see Henri again, probably, not in this lifetime.”

  “Are you totally sure about that?” Mags raised an eyebrow.

  “Why do you have to keep talking about him right now?” Maya’s voice rose in frustration.

  “No reason. Well, just the one reason. He’s sort of, you know, outside our office right now. Like, coming in.”

  “What?” Maya put down her Pepsi hard enough to make it spill over the top. She swiped her hand across her shirt. “Fuck! Is my hair okay? What is he doing here? Wait. He’s not here to see me, is he?”

  Mags made a face. “No, he’s here for a threesome with me and Carrie. Jesus, Maya. Of course he’s here for you, idiot.”

  “No.”

  “No, he’s not here for you, or no, you’re not an idiot?” Mags gave her a quick hug. “I take it back. You’re very smart. Go.”

  Maya whirled around to peer out the window. Henri was walking toward the door, guards trailing behind, black car idling in front of the street. She sucked in her breath. “Oh, God. Oh, God.”

  When he came in the front door, she stood up straight and smiled, even though her heart beat erratically. “Henri? What are you doing here?”

  He kept walking, right up to her, no hesitation at all, and when he took her into his arms, she melted into him, no fight, no pretense. She wrapped herself around him, squeezing, feeling his strong back and shoulders, smelling his exotic cologne, and instant arousal surged.

  “I couldn’t stay away from you,” he said, his voice low and harsh, tipping up her chin to look into her eyes. “Maya, I needed to see you.” His dark eyes gazed into hers and a smile flickered on his lips. “Texting you isn’t enough. Seeing your picture on this website…” he flicked his wrist around at the room, “not enough.” He ran his knuckles down her cheek. “Is it enough for you? Please, be honest with me.”

  She shook her head, and sudden tears rose in her eyes. “No. It’s not.”

  “Thank God.” He bent down and kissed her, softly at first, then with more pressure, holding her face with both hands, one on each cheek. The kiss grew passionate, but he broke away, his breathing rough. “I need to talk in private. Yes?”

  She nodded. “Mags, I need to take a break.”

  “You go, girl.” Mags gave her a thumbs up. “As long as you need.”

  ***

  Seated in the back of his tinted limo, the privacy window shut, she felt her heart beat faster. He took her hand in his.

  “I’m sorry.” His voice was low. “I never wanted to make you feel like a whore, or a kept woman. I don’t know how to date people who aren’t at least somewhat near my social status. I wasn’t trying to be a jerk.”

  She nodded. “I understand.”

  “I know I was pushy about asking you to move to Syldavia. It just
seemed…” he shrugged, “perfect. But I understand how it made you feel. I thought about what you said, about uprooting your life. So I have a new plan.” He cleared his throat.

  “A new plan?” She felt dizzy.

  “Yes.” He took his hand back and fidgeted with his cuff. “Do you… can I tell it to you?”

  “Please.”

  “Okay.” He took a deep breath, slapped his hands onto his thighs. “Okay.”

  But he didn’t speak.

  Maya thought his cheeks looked flushed. “Henri?” She touched his arm.

  He looked at her and took a deep breath. “So. I volunteered to be the liaison from Syldavia to the UN for the committee on global warming. That means I will be spending a lot of time in NYC for the next three months. It could be, one might say, my… home base. Like, as if I sort of uprooted myself and came here. For a time.” He cleared his throat. “So perhaps, if you think it’s a good idea, we could…” he stopped and swallowed. “We could… see each other.”

  “Like, what do you mean, see each other?” She could barely breathe. Did he mean…

  “See each other. Isn’t that the English phrase? You know, date. Date each other.”

  “Officially?” She was dumbfounded.

  He was definitely red. “Yes.”

  “Henri.” Her voice quivered.

  He grabbed her hands. “Please, Maya. Don’t say no before you hear me out. I don’t want to lose you. I know it’s strange, it’s against all odds. It won’t be easy to deal with my fame, and there will be paparazzi and intrusive reporters digging. It’s a lot to ask, and I understand that. But I want to spend time with you.”

  “I—”

  “Frani can easily handle all of the official royal business in Syldavia while I do this, because this is important for our country as well. And this way we can spend more time together. It’s not the same as being in the same city. But this way, we could see each other once a week at least, maybe twice a week. New York is much closer to Chicago than Syldavia. I could fly to Chicago. We could see where this goes. I’m tired of meaningless affairs that go nowhere. I really—like you.”

  She bit her lip. She needed to laugh and cry at once, and no sounds came out when she opened her mouth.

  His face was anxious. “Maya, please say something. Do you want this, also?”

  She sucked in air. Was this really happening?

  “Maya?” His face started to fall.

  “Yes.” Through her tears, a smile spread across her face. “Yes, I want that, too.”

  “Thank God!” He grabbed her into his arms. “I should spank you right now for making me die a little inside, waiting for your reply.”

  “I should spank you for waiting this long to come to get me,” she retorted.

  “Go ahead,” he smirked at her, turning to the side and raising one ass cheek. “Do your best.”

  “Henri! You’re such a jerk.” She slapped his ass as hard as she could, and he laughed. Then he grabbed her and pulled her onto his lap, straddling him, and slapped her ass once, then again. “Payback, Maya. You know there will be payback,” he whispered, quirking one eyebrow. “Do you want it now or later?”

  “Now,” she demanded. “Pay me back with your tongue in my pussy.”

  “No, that’s not how it works.” He slid a hand up her thigh. “It starts with my cock in your mouth. You need to earn the tongue. You know that.”

  “You’re insufferable,” she hissed, as he worked his way under her damp panties to stroke.

  “You’re like velvet down here,” he murmured. “I love how you feel. Soft, wet silk. And I know you taste fantastic. But I’m afraid that, as the prince, I’m the rule-maker here, and you’re going to need to obey me if you want to come, Maya.” He tsked at her, faking sympathy. “So I suggest you get on your knees.”

  “Right here in the car?”

  “Nobody can see. Except me. I’m going to enjoy watching this very much.” He leaned back and spread his legs. “Take me out, Maya.” He locked eyes with her and smiled, that delicious, dangerous smile that made her want to obey every command he gave. And although she knew she didn’t need to; he’d fuck her no matter what and love it, she sank to her knees in front of him. When she murmured, “Yes, your Royal Highness,” and licked her lips, the growl he gave, the way his body tensed, showed her who really had the control, anyway.

  She decided that limos were a good thing. All that room made it easy to do what she wanted, which was to unbutton his pants and lean forward to lick him. He shifted his hips to give better access, then thrust into her mouth.

  “Fuck,” he moaned, grabbing her hair. “That feels so good. Tu es si sexy quand tu ne fais pas de conasse.”

  “What was that?”

  “I said I love it when you’re nice to me.” He smirked at her.

  She rolled her eyes. “I am definitely taking French lessons first thing.”

  “Second thing,” he corrected. “You didn’t finish the first thing yet, Maya.” He grabbed her hair and pulled her face back to his body, but the movement was tender, and he checked her face for her approval.

  She smiled. “Oh, you want to finish?” She licked and flicked him with her tongue, then took him deep the way he liked, until he held her face motionless, adjusting.

  “Enough. Now you ride. Up.” He slapped her ass with his hand, not hard, but a dominant gesture.

  “You wait until it’s my turn to be in charge,” she whispered, but pulled down her panties under the skirt.

  “Spread those thighs,” he ordered. And take off the shirt.”

  It was awkward and hot to tug off her top, and she settled the skirt around her waist while she spread her legs across his lap. The clothing in the way made each movement more difficult and illicit.

  “I’ll take off my bra,” she whispered, but he stopped her with one hand.

  “No. Tug it under, like this.”

  He pulled the straps down her shoulders, then slid the fabric from above her breasts to cup underneath. “Like a little shelf. Now they’re displayed for my mouth and hands, yes? Mine.”

  “Henri!” She squealed as he leaned down and took one nipple into his mouth and sucked it taut, teasing with his tongue until she wriggled on his lap, then he did the other. He held her hands in his, twining his strong fingers with hers, keeping her arms at her sides, anchoring her to him with his strong grip.

  “Monte, chèrie. Ride me. You don’t need to wipe off, first, though. I’m clean.” He snorted.

  “Oh, stop! I already apologized for that remark. In a very explicit way, if I remember correctly.”

  He laughed, but then his face grew serious. “I really am clean, Maya, though.”

  “I’m clean too. And I’m on the pill.” She looked into his eyes. “Do you trust me?”

  He nodded. “You trust me?”

  “Yes.”

  He reached back and slapped her ass, hard, and whispered into her ear, “I’ll punish you later for that comment about having the girls take turns riding me. It was a very wicked comment, so you probably need a second punishment, just to be sure. But I’ll do it in private, because we need more room… and more time. A lot more time.” He gave her a wicked grin and bit her neck. “For now, you do the work. It’s your penance.”

  He grabbed both of her hands again and bit her nipple, and she cried out with a mixture of pain and pleasure. “Henri, God.”

  He bit the other one. “Now, you get on top of me, chèrie.”

  She lifted up and positioned herself over his cock. She was so wet that he moved in smoothly as she lowered herself down, inch by delicious inch, until he was fully seated inside her. She stayed motionless for a moment, enjoying the feel of his hot, pulsing length inside her, so deep, so tight.

  “Work, Maya,” he demanded. It would have been demeaning if it weren’t so hot; if the look in his eyes wasn’t so full of tender wonder as well as animal passion.

  “As you wish,” she whispered, rising up, then sinking down
. “Like this?”

  He let go of her hands to grab her hips. “Like this.” He tugged her closer and angled her so that her clit rubbed against his cock on the down stroke. “See? Yes. Like that. Good. Go faster, now.”

  She obeyed, and he kept his hands there, guiding her. She grabbed his upper shoulders to anchor herself, and cried out as the feeling started to surge. It was so fast, but she already needed to come. Judging by the look on his face, of wild need, he was right here with her.

  “Are you ready?” he asked, and when she nodded, he reached down to stroke her with one hand. “Then come right now, together, both of us together,” he ordered, and she let go and allowed the orgasm to explode and tear her apart in his arms. He came just a second later, and the feel of his hot release into her body made her orgasm furl even harder, and she cried out as he grabbed her hips and tugged, ferociously, to thrust into her deeper than ever.

  “God, that was amazing,” she breathed minutes later, resting on his chest. Nearly naked, bra and skirt twisted around her midriff, sticky between the thighs, she’d never been more comfortable.

  “Yes,” he said, and kissed her neck. “And I can’t wait to get you back to my room so we can do it again. And again.”

  “Okay, but let me get dressed first.” She giggled and looked for her panties. “Do you see my underwear?”

  He held up the thong and twirled it by the string. “You don’t get this back yet. I want you naked under that skirt. The thought of you wearing my scent, having my come decorating your sexy thighs, no panties in the way? That gets me so hot. No, you can have these later.”

  “But I need them! I need to clean up at least. Oh my God.” Her face flushed hot. “I’ll look and smell like I just had sex.”

  “That’s right. You’ll be marked as mine.” His gaze was triumphant and his eyes glittered with desire. “You absolutely will look and smell like you just had me all over you and in you. Leave that bra down and put your shirt over it. Tug the skirt back down, but no panties. And as soon as we get up to my room, I want you on all fours on my bed the minute we enter. Is that clear?”