Powerful Prince (Steel Series Book 5)

by Victoria Pinder

  I changed into my dress. And it fit like it was designed for me. I twisted back and forth to check myself out, but then I quickly returned to my room and saw Ryder. He rocked a blue suit that was clearly royal, with gold fleurs-de-lis sewn into his sleeves. His brother had the same outfit, but Ryder made it sexy and my lips watered.

  Damn. I blinked as he glanced approvingly at me, but Emily came over and took my hands. “Stop these heated looks right now. The two of you are making me nauseous. Though I am looking forward to the day you give birth, Nicole. If my brother couldn’t handle that test earlier, well, he’s going to be a mess in the delivery room.”

  I joined her and we walked in front of the men as I said, “I suppose he will be.”

  I glanced behind me a few times. Ryder followed like he didn’t want to lose sight of me. We made it to the dining room. Then we passed it and headed to the next room.

  It was a white office with a blue chair and to the side I saw a throne.

  My entire body froze, but then Ryder came to stand beside me. He put his arm around me briefly as he said, “Here comes father. He’ll inform us of official guests now, so we all must behave like royals tonight for dinner.”

  This must be his father’s office, then. I took Ryder’s arm, though I couldn’t feel him as intensely through my white gloves.

  The door opened and the older version of Ryder and his brother stepped inside. The room went silent. He stared at us and said, “Good, you’re all here.”

  “Yes, Father,” Harry said.

  If Ryder weren’t so close, I’d tremble more, but his nearness helped me stay focused and hyper aware.

  “Tonight, we’ll be joined by the prime minister, his wife, the ambassadors of Japan, India, Australia and America, and their wives.”

  Ryder saluted like he was in the army. “We’ll be ready, Father.”

  A moment later his father turned and stepped out. All three of them relaxed, though Ryder slipped his arm around me, “He must have included the Americans for you.”

  I laughed. I hadn’t meant to, but adrenaline coursed through me and I wasn’t sure if it was nerves because of Ryder or because of all this royal stuff. I coughed to stop myself. “I’ll let them know I wasn’t kidnapped so they can call off the military.”

  He shook his head, and we followed his brother and sister out the door. We must be going to a different dining room, I thought, but I didn’t care. My skin jolted from being in Ryder’s arms, even though he said, “I love that you believe they’d come for you like that.”

  I shrugged. “To be honest, I’ve never thought about politics or the military or anything like that, beyond the hazy horizon of my life. I normally spend my days creating my own reality.”

  Harry called back to him. “Seriously, Ryder, maybe Father knows you better than you believe.”

  Interesting. Did Ryder not think his father knew him?

  “It was likely Gio. Or, most probably, I just got lucky here with Nicole.”

  “Ryder’s always been the lucky one,” Emily added.

  Maybe it was fate. In my meditations, I’d hoped for a soul mate and to fall in love with a good man. Ryder seemed to get me a little, and I enjoyed spending time with him. Anything was possible, right?

  He hugged me closer and said, “I’m glad we were wrong about each other when we first met.”

  A zap rushed through me and I gazed into his mesmerizing eyes. I swallowed and said, “Me, too.”

  Emily called over her shoulder to us, “Tell us how you two misunderstood each other, at dinner.”

  I had five sisters. Emily was easy to get to know and not stuck up, even though she was a real-life princess. Perhaps it had something to do with the diet of sandwiches in her life, but I didn’t mention it. As we walked into a dining hall with a long table that could easily seat fifty guests, and that held three centerpieces, I held my breath. Only in old movies had I ever seen anything like this, but I tried to breathe normally.

  “Right, Nicole, let’s go and get our seats. Before everyone gets here, we need to discuss the wedding, so we have some say before my father takes over.”

  He showed me to my seat and held my chair for me to scoot in. Once I did, he took the seat beside me.

  “Yes, let’s talk about it. But please don’t forget that one of my sisters arrives on Friday. If we’re having a fast wedding, I’d like her here.”

  “Of course,” he said and moved closer to me.

  Thankfully, I had him. It was so easy to fall into pretending that Ryder and I had met the old-fashioned way, and this wasn’t all a contract. And I kept wondering, what if we were destined to be together, and we were a real couple? I wanted to believe that more than anything else.

  Chapter 10

  Ryder

  Nicole and I spent most of the dinner together, without much interference from my father. He spoke to his guests and my brother, Harry.

  With Nicole, though, it was like I had someone close who might care a little about me, so being ignored as usual was a good thing.

  The food tasted better to me as I watched her enjoy it. And in between courses we talked about everything from solar power to pop music. Then dessert was served, multekrem, a mix of cloudberries, whipped cream and sugar.

  Nicole’s pretty brown eyes lighted up as she tasted it, so I knew she must like it. As she finished her first bite, I said, “The sooner we get to retire, the better. That’s all I really want.”

  My father, King Sven, suddenly folded his hands and his blue eyes bore into me as he said, “Son, you and your fiancée can take your time with planning your wedding.”

  “No.” I stiffened. “We both want to move on quickly.”

  Nicole took my hand and then said to my father, “I want my sister, Stephanie, here.”

  He motioned with his hand. “We can fly your whole family in.”

  Her lips curved in a smile and she nodded. “I don’t know what they are doing, but thank you. I will ask them.”

  I curved my fingers around hers more tightly and asked, “Does this satisfy you, Father?”

  My father, always on the edge of his seat, ready to impose his royal authority, started, “I was hoping we could plan more of a proper royal wedding.”

  The tic in my jaw returned. I couldn’t hide it.

  My sister jumped into the conversation and said, “Dad, they’re in love. They want to be with each other. You must remember what it was like when you married Mom.”

  He turned his attention to Emily and the tension in my body eased a little as he said, “Your mother and I were… different.”

  Harry shrugged, always at ease with his life here. “Ryder and Nicole are arranged, by you, in a way.”

  My father turned his gaze toward me and my skin jumped to attention until he said, “I suppose, though I assumed he’d ignore me. I will allow for a wedding this Saturday, as long as Emily and Harry here also pitch in.”

  Once again, my life involved the others.

  This was another reason to retire and not live here anymore.

  Emily jumped in first as she said, “Happy to help.”

  “Yes, sire,” my brother said.

  Without discussing more with either of us, my father tapped the table and said, “Then it’s settled.”

  “Now we just need you to approve the petition I sent over.”

  “I have my team reading the demands now.”

  I couldn’t quite breathe, but tension left me a little as I pivoted and asked, “Did you enjoy your dinner, Nicole?”

  “It was excellent.” She put her fork down, as she was done with her dessert, and patted her belly. “To be honest, I don’t eat a lot of lamb at home, and I never really eat desserts.”

  The others ignored us again and my body had a pins and needles feeling. The only bright spot in the evening was sitting next to me. She gave off a sense of calm. I asked her, “What would you be eating on a typical evening?”

  She pressed her lips together as she thought ab
out her answer, and then said, “It’s Thursday, so I’d be eating sushi and then I’d be off to my yoga class.”

  The air near her sparkled. My lips opened, wanting to taste her next. However, my ears buzzed as the Japanese ambassador said, “Next time I’ll send my sushi chef to the castle so the new princess might experience real Japanese sushi.”

  “That sounds yummy,” she said, as I motioned for the porter to refill our wine glasses. “Truthfully, I know the caliente sauce on my favorite dish is probably not authentic.”

  My father added, “So very American to mix up all the offerings.”

  Then he turned to the American ambassador and asked, “How will your country’s media react when my son’s wedding to an American bride is announced?”

  I drank a little of my wine and Nicole nursed hers beside me. The ambassador assured him it would all be properly restrained and dignified, but Nicole put her glass down and added, “We’re always fascinated with royal weddings, to be honest. I’m sure many will get up early to watch the day’s festivities.”

  Once we muscled through this ceremony, Nicole and I would both have what we wanted. We could do this. I was sure of it. I was about to ask to be dismissed, but then my father said, “So, before my new daughter-in-law puts the announcement online, let’s ensure our media here gets the story first.”

  He spoke to his aide, who stood nearby. The man disappeared, then returned a few minutes later and nodded to my father. The king stood and looked expectantly at me.

  Pressure pushed against my skin still, but I slid my chair back and waited for Nicole to stand as I said, “We’re right behind you, Father.”

  She joined me and linked arms like she was my wife already as she asked, “Where are we going?”

  I wanted to hold her close, but I knew it was best to keep things formal, and not touch her too much, other than our arms. I said, “He’s just announced a press conference.”

  Her eyes widened but we stayed in step behind my father. “Now? He hasn’t agreed yet that my blog is fine.”

  “Hopefully, this means he’s planning to say yes.”

  We reached the briefing room and I stopped on my usual mark as my father went over to talk to his press secretary. Journalists with microphones and cameras, summoned to the announcement, were beginning to fill up the room.

  I wiped the side of Nicole’s mouth that had a bit of cream on it and then straightened my sleeves as I said, “We have a media team that will handle any questions. So we’ll smile for the cameras and get out of here.”

  “Okay.” She checked her teeth in a nearby mirror and then made sure her white gloves were high.

  After all of this was over, I hoped we could be alone.

  I needed Nicole and the relief that only she could offer. If she wasn’t into it, then I’d find a solution, but a rush went through me. Now that she had passed the test, we could be together.

  Waiting time was done, and I had the sense she’d say yes to the plan.

  The press secretary waved us in. My father was gone, but the secretary read the official statement announcing our wedding: “His Royal Majesty, King Sven of Norden, is delighted to announce the engagement of his son, Prince Ryder Kristoff, to Miss Nicole Steel, of America. You will now have an opportunity to photograph the happy couple.”

  Cameras snapped in our faces. “Are you happy, Miss Steel?”

  She pressed her hand on my heart and leaned on me more as she said, “Yes. Ryder is everything I ever wanted in a guy.”

  I glanced at her and my lips tingled. If only we were alone. I swallowed and didn’t break this moment.

  A shrieking voice then asked, “Has he taken your virginity yet?”

  I stepped back and held her tighter. I noticed her blushing, so I held up my hand and said, “Enough questions. Thank you all for your time.”

  But another reporter put her microphone up and asked, “Prince Ryder, what was it about Miss Steel that stole your heart?”

  It was time to go, but I said quickly, “She … she gets me. In a way no other woman ever has.”

  We made it to the curtain. Another reporter called out, “What was the first time—”

  “Goodbye,” I interrupted and led her backstage.

  Once we were back in the waiting room, she blew out air and bumped into my side. “I wasn’t prepared for that question.”

  I led her through the passages on the path back to our shared tower and said, “Let’s retire to our rooms. Starting tomorrow, our lives will be wedding fever.”

  “Yes, that’s a good idea,” she said, but she stopped a few times to gaze at huge portraits of my ancestors that hung over the stairwells. Then she asked why there were red carpets on some floors and blue on others. I told her the blue was my father’s choice, because it was the state color, but I’d chosen bright red carpets for my wing, because I wanted a streak of my own world.

  Nicole’s room was decorated in state blue because I’d never imagined actually sharing the space with a wife.

  As we made it to her door, I said, “We can share a room now, if you want. I want you more and more all the time. And I was so angry about that doctor invading your personal space.”

  “I saw.” She opened the door and giggled. “You were traumatized.”

  I followed her in and closed the door behind me. “I … I’d have been humiliated if someone did that to my ass, which is my only cavity that opens.”

  She traced my backside and squeezed my rear as she said, “Funny. I have wanted to see your butt, though, without clothes, ever since we met.”

  Nicole and I were free now. I walked her backward to the bed. “We can do whatever you want.”

  She laughed. “I’ve read these articles on tantric …”

  Her legs pressed against the mattress and I removed my uniform jacket as I said, “I won’t stop until I know you’re completely pleasured, Nicole.”

  She kicked off her shoes and shrank an inch as she asked, “Promise?”

  I tugged the restraining tie off my neck and leaned closer to kiss her. “I swear it.”

  Her eyes fluttered but her lips opened and said, “Well, I can put my leg above my neck, if you need me to.”

  I wrapped my arms around her neck and asked, “How are you still a virgin?”

  She hugged me as she said, “I was waiting for you.”

  “Sweet lies, but I almost believe you.” I said and then finally claimed her kiss.

  She was better than the fruity dessert or the wine. Her lips made me believe everything might be okay.

  The kiss ended and she helped me with my shirt buttons as she said, “Good, because it’s true. I wanted to wait for the best, and now you’re going to show me I was right about you.”

  The fact that she gave me orders was adorable. I shrugged out of my sleeves and said, “I’m not the best man in the world, sweetheart, but I can make you scream.”

  Her fingers ran lightly over my cheek and her lips met mine.

  Tonight was ours. And I was a man of my word. Nicole deserved to know pleasure and I’d not have my own until I ensured she was fully satisfied.

  She was mine now, forever.

  Chapter 11

  Nicole

  Breakfast served in our room meant I stayed in Ryder’s arms, like we had no worries, as the sun rose.

  Being naked near him didn’t faze me. My skin zapped from his touch and I arched my back still, like I was preparing for more of him inside me.

  All my core exercises had made last night more pleasurable as I reacted to his slightest touch.

  However, as morning waned, we dragged ourselves out of bed and took a shower, together.

  I was in a state of bliss, but the moment I dressed the world began to normalize.

  “You look beautiful today,” he said.

  The fuzziness of our evening sharpened fast in my vision, even if I didn’t want it to. I ignored the snap of reality and twirled in my white-and-blue-trimmed day dress and white sandals. “The pala
ce tailors are amazing. I don’t know how they figured out my size so perfectly.”

  He checked that his stiff white shirt was buttoned, kissed my forehead, and said, “I’m sure designers are donating clothes for you to showcase.”

  Even better. I had no issue snapping photos as a thank-you for the gifts. I’d have to look into it, but for now I said, “The donations here are better than the ones I got at home.”

  He tugged on a black jacket with the blue and gold crest sewn into his sleeves as he said, “You’re to be the newest American princess.”

  My lips pressed together. I studied him as I asked, “That’s what they are calling me?”

  “The nicer papers,” he said and wrapped his arms around my waist. I swallowed and closed my eyes. His scent of the forest and ocean calmed me still.

  “I have to go oversee the church for our wedding,” he said.

  I met his gaze. “Need me to come?”

  “No, Emily is coming for you,” he said and then quickly kissed me. My knees melted, but as he brushed the hair out of my face he said, “It seems she likes you.”

  I let him go and checked my face in the mirror. I never wore much makeup, but I did need to take a picture with the proper light. Once I was sure I looked okay, I said, “I’ve always had sisters, but having one is new for her. Will I see you later?”

  He nodded and said, “We’ll have lunch together.”

  I handed him my phone with the camera opened, and stood by the open window in his room that showed the sea in the distance. Once I posed, he snapped a few pictures.

  I kissed him on his cheek and said, “See you soon, then.”

  However, when I turned to go, he caught my wrist. My heart skipped and adrenaline rushed through me. Then his lips met mine and that kiss rocked me.

  As I sashayed away, I bounced a little with every step.

  I’d never been this happy.

  Guards directed me to a room and, when I entered, I saw Ryder’s blonde sister in conversation with a group of women. I said, “Emily.”