Powerful Prince (Steel Series Book 5)

by Victoria Pinder

  He slipped back into the chair beside me with a glass of wine and said “Let’s get you a glass so you might sleep a bit. We’ll be battling jetlag tomorrow.”

  I didn’t argue. I took the glass, sipped, and once I finished, I put it to the side and said, “Let’s get this in writing.”

  He sipped his own wine, but his gaze narrowed as he asked, “Get what in writing?”

  I raised my eyebrows. I guess he couldn’t read minds to know what I’d been thinking. I explained, “My list of demands.”

  He scratched his head. “For what?”

  My heart thundered. What if I was crazy? I mean, I might be, but until now I hadn’t cared what anyone close to me thought. Yet he could be … mine. My skin buzzed and I ignored the heat in my face when I said, “If I say yes to marrying you.”

  He jumped up and ran over to a table and grabbed paper and a pen. He quickly returned to his seat and snapped the pen as he said, “I thought I’d have to convince you by showing you my castle, letting you taste the food, charming you with the views and my people.”

  I glanced up and wished my heart wasn’t racing this bad. “I probably should have let you do all that. It sounds nice.”

  He handed me the pen so I could write my demands down for him as he asked, “So why the sudden agreement?”

  I put the pen down and folded my hands in front of me as I met his gaze. “The truth?”

  He nodded his head. “That’s always preferable, and you said it was your motto.”

  “It is.” I pushed my hair behind my ears and tried to appear calm, though my feet bounced. I swallowed and then admitted the real reason I was considering his offer. “You said we all have our price, and I’ve been thinking about mine ever since you said you wanted to marry me.”

  He motioned for me to go on. “What is it?”

  I took his hand and told him my personal truth. “I … You’ve been clear that you and your family like a private life. And I don’t know what that’s like.”

  “What do you mean?”

  Damn, he burned through me with those glances and my heart thundered. The memory of his kisses made me wonder what joining together might be like, our cosmic energy combined. But I licked my lips and tried to ignore those thoughts. “I mean, sometimes I’d like to disconnect from my constant updating.”

  He put the pen back in my hand. “You can just stop.”

  Access to social media.

  Ability to write my book.

  Unfettered continuation of my blog.

  “No,” I said. I put the pen down again and nodded like I was done. “Then my life stops. And I don’t know what working a day job is like, or even how to earn money any other way.”

  He didn’t take the paper, and instead sat back. “Do you want a day job?”

  “No.” I massaged my temples and flipped my hair behind me as I ignored my racing heart. “I love writing my blogs and teaching my philosophies, and those would have to be in the contract. I need to continue with the social media and promoting.”

  He leaned forward and cupped my hand. “Fair enough, but then why marry me?”

  Neither of us were in love, but his life sounded like every fairy tale I’d ever read, really. Attraction and fidelity were all I needed.

  “Because a princess could disconnect for days and weeks, and no one would lose interest when I tuned back in. I enjoy being an influencer online—just not all the time.”

  He grinned. “You can talk to my sister about that one. She’s always being chased by the press, hoping to catch her doing something bad.”

  His sister, Emily, and his older brother, Harry, were often discussed in lifestyle and fashion mags. Ryder offered a chance to be the Modern Life Princess, where I could use that media attention to help with my goal of portraying a brighter future. I nodded, turned my hand up, and squeezed his. “Last night I read about you and your family, too.”

  His eyebrow quirked. “And?”

  Sky diving, bungee jumping, mountain climbing, cross-continent bicycle tour as a teenager were just the tip of the iceberg. I pushed my list of demands toward him. “You are quite the daredevil.”

  He picked up the paper and stared at it as he said, “It’s the only time I get to be totally alone, as no one else can follow.”

  Maybe we did have something in common, then. I swallowed and took a deep breath. Then I said, “Well, if you think you can get your father to agree to my demands about social media and my blog and lifestyle, you have yourself a deal, Ryder.”

  His lips spread and showed off his million-dollar grin. “You mean I have myself a wife.”

  I laughed and stared at the curved ceiling of the plane. “Crazy, right?”

  He lifted our hands and kissed the back of mine. “And no regrets? You were so adamant about wanting happily-ever-after and waiting for love when you said no.”

  My entire body trembled from his touch. I was left with tingles coursing through me, so I squeezed his hand. “I think I get a little bit of that, as sharing part of my soul online does offer me great rewards. And I get you.”

  He folded my list of demands and put them in his pocket as he said, “I thought I was supposed to meet you as some sort of spiritual teacher when Gio set up the meeting.”

  Our knees knocked now, but I laughed and said, “After what I’ve read, you might be beyond help.”

  He playfully pressed his shoulder into mine and sparks rushed through my veins as he asked, “Why is that?”

  My own lips curved in a grin and I knew my gaze glimmered as I soaked in his handsome, muscular body. But I jokingly pushed him off. “You told the Dalai Lama that he was too uptight.”

  He traced his finger over my skin, leaving a sweet singe in its path. “Oh, he knew I was joking. The press doesn’t pick up on sarcasm.”

  No. Many people don’t, which was why I stopped using sarcasm to hide behind and taught myself to be vulnerable and honest to the world. I tilted my head and hoped this decision I’d come to was the best thing for both of us. I said, “I understand. Other people draw their own conclusions about us, and sometimes it hurts. Like being called a hypocrite.”

  “Why, though?” He refilled my wine glass then added, “By the way, it’s good to see you aren’t as vacuous as I thought you might be.”

  “You thought I was vacuous?”

  He shrugged and clinked glasses with me. “You do call yourself an influencer, so I thought … maybe you were a little silly and shallow. I’m glad I was wrong about that.”

  My skin was alive and jumping for him. Soon I’d be his and he’d be mine. We’d bind our souls with ceremony and physically. I forced my body to stop tensing, though it was sweet agony. I sipped my wine and said, “See? It’s okay to be wrong and admit that.”

  His gaze narrowed. “You’re stalling.”

  “Partly.” I sipped some more wine. My head was starting to get woozy. But I said, “I think being called a hypocrite because I was a virgin hurt because I’d never once claimed I’d had sex.”

  “Can I turn off the light?” he asked quietly. I put my hands under my head and nodded. He pressed the light switch, and as he settled beside me, he said, “Don’t let people you don’t know get to you.”

  Then, like magic fairies, his staff appeared and placed blankets and pillows for us.

  I settled beside him and once I was sure we were alone, I said, “They normally don’t. It was just a sore spot.”

  He reached out and held my hand as he said, “The press will find more sore spots when you’re formally declared a princess.”

  My eyes fluttered closed as a scene from a movie where the royals all danced at the end played like a montage in my mind. I giggled, but said, “But I’ll get to turn it off.”

  He scooted his pillow closer and my eyes fluttered opened, though he only said, “True.”

  My lips knew he’d kiss me. The anticipation was there, and I ached for it, but I pressed my hand on his chest and said, “One more question, since we’r
e being this open.”

  He cupped my side and I didn’t mind at all as he asked, “What’s that?”

  Now I stilled. The question burned through me, but I had to ask, “What happened with Darla?”

  He let me go and faced the ceiling. “Nothing.”

  I propped myself up. This was important. I patted his chest. “I’d like to hear the whole thing, in your words.”

  He got up and grabbed himself a glass of water. Once he’d finished, he returned to me and said, “Okay. I ditched Gio.”

  This time I scooted up in my seat and crossed my legs. “And?”

  His shoulders seemed tensed. Was he embarrassed? Hard to decide with the lights off. But he said, “And I went to a strip club because he’d not want to go in there looking for me. I drank quite a bit, and Darla listened to me and offered to marry me for a short time so I could be kicked out of my family.”

  I knew before I met him that he had a reputation for reckless behavior with women. I leaned my head back on my pillow and said, “Keep going.”

  He turned toward me and traced my legs through the fabric of my pants. “We went to a wedding chapel when her shift ended. Gio showed up just as we sealed the deal.”

  This was recent history. I had to be prepared for the possibility that whatever happened between us could end at the same speed.

  My head whispered that I’d make a fortune off being dumped.

  My heart said to stop thinking. I pressed my lips together and simply said, “Busted, then.”

  “Or saved.” He motioned for us to recline our seats. I scooted mine back and when he joined me, he said, “He erased my mistake, tucked me into bed, alone, and you walked into my room the next morning.”

  My lips were still tight, but I met his gaze and was almost lost in the search for the truth in those blue eyes. I’d see them forever, if our deal was genuine. I swallowed and asked, “So that’s it? Did you have sex with her?”

  “No.” He reached over to me and lowered his head so our foreheads touched. “I saw her naked, but so did everyone in the club. I didn’t touch her. And now wish I’d never been that stupid.”

  I’d had a lot of wrong assumptions about him since we met. I cupped his cheek and silently vowed to do better, as I wanted our deal to work. I snuggled closer and asked, “You do?”

  “I don’t want you to ever be jealous,” he said and kissed my forehead. “You’ll be the only one for the rest of our days, and I’ll put that in writing.”

  Just like that. I was trading my hope for love and happily-ever-after, forever, for what I wanted and needed now: peace, and to join with the sexiest man I’d ever met or would meet. I closed my eyes and said, “Then we have ourselves a deal.”

  I half expected he’d do something more. I was intensely aware of him, but he closed his eyes and I soon heard his steady breathing and knew he rested.

  I settled into my chair, and as I drifted off, I hoped this was the start of a new life. Maybe it was crazy to say yes as fast as I had, but I’d never get this kind of offer again. And I’d never been this magnetically attracted to anyone before. So, hopefully, this deal was good enough.

  Chapter 6

  Ryder

  The air smelled like lavender and maybe a splash of orange. I immediately opened my eyes and saw that Nicole’s eyes were still closed and her brown hair billowed around her white pillow.

  The scent was probably her special blend of essential oils, and it was unique. Most women I met clung to roses in a perfume.

  I sat up and stretched, making sure I didn’t wake her. She seemed peaceful and she’d need that energy today.

  My father, His Majesty King Sven of Norden, wasn’t the most welcoming person. Though he’d probably welcome his choice of bride for me.

  One never knew, though. Father was always formal with me, and our conversations usually ended up in an argument. At least for the past few years.

  For now, I quickly brushed my teeth and splashed water on my face. As I exited the small bathroom, I saw she’d sat up and was stretching.

  Her face was still sweetly innocent, though. I leaned against the wall beside her and said, “We’re home.”

  She held out her hand like I was to take it, so I helped her stand as she said, “I can’t wait to see.”

  Then she headed into the bathroom I’d exited, and I went and grabbed us two coffees. She came out and glanced out the port window where a small crowd was gathered beside our limo and red carpet. A velvet rope was strung alongside the carpet to keep them back and let us pass freely. I didn’t blink, as security would handle the details. I passed her the coffee and asked, “Are you ready?”

  She tried to smooth her loose black pants and said, “I don’t think I’m dressed for a ceremony.”

  “Relax.” I finished my cup and put it down. She glanced into her coffee and then sipped it. I waited till she was done and said, “Just walk to the limo and wave.”

  She finished her coffee like she needed the caffeine in the morning—despite how her blog mentioned alternatives. I held that thought back as she didn’t need to know how much I’d read about her, yet. She put the cup down and shook her head. “I should have packed a change of clothes …”

  My butler/babysitter came up behind me. I turned around and saw he was carrying a pink dress that would go to her knees. She hugged him and ignored me when she said, “Gio, thank you.”

  He actually blushed, and the spots of red on his cheek were funny. I clapped him on the back but he backed away stiffly. “Glad to be of service, my lady.”

  She took the dress to the bathroom to change. I crooked my finger at him to return and poured a second cup of coffee for myself as I asked, “Will you get a lady’s maid to help you out when I marry Nicole?”

  His gray and white eyebrows went up slightly as he asked, “Am I invited to ‘retire’ to the North Castle with you, sire? You’ve been vocal about wanting to get rid of me for years.”

  I winked and said with a slight grin, “You haven’t forgiven me for my college comment, still?”

  His stiff upper lip that he’d used to scold me back into place countless times since childhood returned immediately. He straightened his perfectly ironed pants. “You’ve not actually been this close to getting the opportunity, sire.”

  From horse riding to swimming lessons, it hadn’t been my parents with me as a boy. I held my coffee and said, “Gio, you’re like the parent I wasn’t born to.”

  The bathroom door opened and I gulped my coffee as I waited to see her again. The air had a spark to it.

  Gio slipped away from me, though as he left, he said, “I’ll remind you of this conversation later.”

  I didn’t glance at him. At that second, I saw her slender bare calf emerge. Then, she appeared in a dress that looked like it was tailor-made for her. Her delight and her sweet disposition radiated throughout the entire plane. I came closer, like she was the flame I needed in my life, and I pressed on my heart. “You look lovely, Nicole.”

  She chuckled, checked her dress line, and glanced out the small window. The crowd outside had grown. She said, “At least when my picture is snapped, I won’t look like I slept in my clothes.”

  The doors opened for us to leave, but I grabbed her before she disappeared and quickly said, “You look kissable.”

  My lips met hers, now that I knew she wasn’t still tipsy from the wine, and she curled her arms around my neck.

  The steam that washed through me was enough.

  Nicole tasted sweeter than the chocolate-covered strawberries I normally had after my morning coffee. She fixed my collar as the kiss ended and her face had a cute blush when she said, “Whoever snapped that photo is about to get a major pay raise.”

  She was a chosen-for-me bride, who was insisting on a contract to safeguard her business, and I knew I shouldn’t let her into my soul. We’d never be in love, but hopefully we’d become friends. I walked beside her down the stairs, and once we reached the bottom, I hugged her waist
and said, “Come, let them all get paid then.”

  She turned and I half expected her to stop me, but she didn’t. I claimed her lips for a second scorching kiss.

  She even made my toes wiggle, but no one would notice in my black loafers. As the kiss ended, she tugged my hand and said, “Get in the car, Ryder.”

  Journalists hastily captured with their cameras our familiarity and her lack of ring.

  No one knew she’d be my bride yet. They just knew I was bringing a woman to meet the king—not that I’d ever done that before. She slipped into the limo and, once I followed, Gio closed the door on us. I scooted closer to her as I said, “I like how my name rolls off your tongue.”

  She trembled but held me close.

  For the few minutes of the ride, she watched the trees that lined the road and countryside.

  Then we had a view of the white palace and her jaw dropped.

  I didn’t say a word, but she crossed her legs and couldn’t look away from the towers.

  We drove past the black gates and I saw the livery of my entire family was here. For breakfast.

  Good and bad. But before I said anything, she tapped me and said, “Things are about to get serious.”

  Smart. I stepped out of the car and took her hand to help her out. As we headed up the few steps to the door that a butler would open, I leaned closer to her and whispered, “My siblings will probably tease me a bit. Don’t mind them, though.”

  The doors swung open but she held her hand for me to take again. I took it as she said, “I get it. I have five sisters.”

  My one sister was enough trouble. I could not imagine that many women in my life. I guided her through the wood-paneled waiting room and asked, “Are you close?”

  “Yes.” She bounced on her feet but her palm in mine was steady as she said, “To be honest, I’m excited that I’ll get to see more of Stephanie. I’ve missed her since she moved to London.”

  Family was always good to see, even mine. I led her to the main room, lit with crystal chandeliers, and her eyes widened. Doors led off this room through the house, and I continued toward the display of pastoral Renaissance paintings that lined one wall. The doors along this wall led to the private residences.