by Alexis Angel
I’m immediately held back by a hulking beast of a dude. “Sorry, bud, you can’t just come waltzing in here.”
“Why the fuck not?” I sneer.
“This is a private invite club. VIPs only,” he says, pushing my chest to restrain me from going any further.
All my frustration comes to a head and I get right in his face. “Do you fucking know who I am?” I yell. “I’m the fucking Prince of St. Albans. I’m as VIP as it gets.”
He scrutinizes me for a minute, then seems to somehow decide I’m telling the truth because he just shrugs and lets me past.
Instantly, I’m swarmed by scantily clad strippers, all dying to get a piece of me.
They stroke my cheeks, my shoulders, rub their tits all over me. Anything to get my attention. But I have one sole purpose.
“Have you seen a girl with big tits and brown hair?”
They all giggle and moan as they keep rubbing their bodies on me, but they don’t answer my question.
“Oh, for fuck’s sake, will somebody please tell me if they’ve seen her? I’m losing my mind here!”
A tall, deeply tanned girl standing across the room narrows her eyes in my direction, studying me, then turns and makes her way over slowly. Something about her catches my eye. Maybe the way she’s looking at me like she might know something.
She waves the other strippers away with a mere gesture, then juts her hip out and purses her lips. “You look familiar.”
Of course I look fucking familiar. I’m a goddamn crown prince. “Look, I just need to know if anyone has seen a girl with brown hair and big tits. I’ve been looking all over for her. She got fired from her last club, and I’ve gone to twenty places trying to find her.”
Her eyes take on a calculating gleam. “I’m Stacie. I think I can help you.”
“Thank fuck. Where is she?”
She shakes her head, a smile playing at her lip. “It’s going to cost you.”
I grab my money clip and wave it in her face. “Keep talking.”
Stacie laughs. “No. I want you to pay me for a dance.”
Is she serious?
“Not gonna happen.”
She arches a brow. “I’m the most in-demand dancer here.” Then she shrugs and starts to turn away. “Your loss.”
I grab her by the elbow and spin her back around. “Look, I really need to find her. I’ll give you the money for the dance, but I don’t want the dance. Not from anyone but Sapphire.”
She smiles a real smile this time. “I’m impressed. You must really like her. And just so you know, the girl you’re talking about? Her name is Ella.”
Ella. I smile as the knowledge of her real name sinks in. Somehow, it’s fitting.
Pulling out a $20 bill, I give it to her. “How can I find her?”
“She’s not here. She’s off chasing some prince or some shit like that.”
I’m staggered. “She what?”
“Yeah, she met some prince of St. Albania or something like that and took off to his kingdom, hoping to find him. She flew out yesterday.”
16
Ella
The plane lands in St. Albans, and I bounce in my seat, anxious to get off the plane. That was a long ass flight.
I don’t have much in the way of luggage since I took the first flight I could find out of New York, so I bypass baggage claim and go straight to the taxi stand. So far everything in the airport is just like in America. They even speak English here, even though they have the same stilted accents that Derek has.
A combination of nerves and excitement flutters in my stomach as I climb into the cab and give the driver the name of my hotel. I can’t believe I’m doing this. It’s so crazy and impulsive. What if he doesn’t want to see me?
I look down in horror and realize I’m biting my fingernail. I can’t have ragged nails when I find him. How embarrassing. I may need to get a manicure before I begin my search.
Folding my hands in my lap, I look out the window, wanting to take in all of Derek’s homeland. Surprisingly, everything looks just like New York, but better. It’s super modern with tall, sleek buildings, lots of glitzy stores and restaurants, and I even see a few strip clubs.
At least I know I can find a job here if things don’t work out with Derek, though I immediately push that thought away. That just can’t be possible. I have to focus on that night we had together and remember that connection we had. After all, he came back to the club to ask about me. He was trying to find me, desperately, according to Misti.
I smile, thinking about how romantic that is. He came back for me when he realized something wasn’t right. That means there’s definitely something there between us.
The cab goes over a tall bridge, crossing a river that sparkles and shines in the sunlight, looking picture perfect. Then we’re winding through the busy streets, passing official government buildings and huge skyscrapers. Off in the distance on a little island, I see the palace.
Wow. It’s breathtaking. I’m shocked all over again that Derek is actually a prince. He lives there. It’s too crazy. I wonder what it looks like inside.
The cab driver weaves in and out of traffic at a terrifying clip, jerking me around in the backseat. Finally pulling up to my hotel, he waits for me to pay the fare, then takes off as soon as I’m out of the door. I shake my head. It’s amazing how, except for the palace, this place is almost just like Manhattan.
Making my way inside the sliding glass doors of the hotel, the ornate lobby takes my breath away, the glittering chandeliers and marble floors making me smile. At least I’ll be in luxury.
At the check-in desk, I ask for a room with a balcony overlooking the city and ask questions about St. Albans while I wait for the woman to finish checking me in.
“First time here?” she asks.
“Yes. What are some of the places I just have to see?”
Her fingers click away furiously at the keyboard. “The palace, definitely. I’d also recommend taking a ferry down the river. The view of St. Albans is great from the water.”
“What about the royal family?” I ask, trying to sound casual. “Are they around?”
She looks at me strangely. “Well, they live in the palace, naturally. They make public appearances occasionally. Why? Are you interested in the prince?” Her eyes narrow suspiciously, like it’s her job to protect Derek from crazy stalkers.
I want to roll my eyes and tell her I’m not just interested in the prince, I’m his fucking soul mate, and his cock was buried so deep in my pussy last weekend that I simply know it’s true, but I keep that to myself. Something tells me it won’t go over well.
Instead, I say, “I’m just unfamiliar with royal customs. I don’t really know anything about St. Albans.”
She nods, handing me my key card. “Well, St. Albans is one of the oldest island nations in the world, and has been under the same monarchy for fifteen hundred years. All the same bloodline.” She says this very proudly. “We are independent, but one of the richest countries in the world, thanks to our wonderful king.”
I make a humming noise. “You said something about a prince, though.”
“Yes. The Crown Prince Derek is next in line for the throne. If he’ll ever settle down and marry.” She smiles and blinks. “You’re in room eighteen-eighty-four. Is there anything else I can do for you?”
I shake my head and turn away, heading for the elevators, thinking about what she just said the entire way up to my room. So, Derek has to get married before he can take the throne. It’s hard to reconcile the man I was with at the club with my idea of a ruler of this little nation.
A laugh bubbles up. But I can definitely see why he hasn’t settled down and married yet. The man just screams wild and untamed party boy. Naughty and bad and oh-so-dirty. I feel a shiver race through my body remembering just how naughty and dirty Derek is.
Inserting my key card in the door, I go in and look around the opulent room. So maybe I went a bit overboard, but a girl’s entitl
ed to a little luxury, right? I cross to the double doors leading to the balcony and go outside, leaning on the railing and looking out over the kingdom of St. Albans.
Derek is out there somewhere. My soul mate. I just know he is.
Is he thinking of me? Is he sad? Does he miss me as much as I miss him?
The sun is starting to set, and the sky is alight with a rainbow of colors. A perfect backdrop for finding true love. Turning to go back in, I start formulating my game plan.
It’s time to go find my prince.
17
Derek
My private jet lands in St. Albans, and I’m about to come unglued, the urgency of finding Ella at the forefront of my mind.
I can’t believe she came all this way to look for me. That must mean that everything I feel for her, she feels too. She’s just as desperate to find me. It’s one more thing that cements it for me. We’re meant to be. It’s like fate or something. I stick my hand in my pocket, fingering her thong. It’s become a habit that makes me feel close to her.
Striding toward my waiting limo, I know I have to find her as soon as possible. But how am I supposed to do that? There has to be a way.
As soon as I slide onto the soft leather seat, I find my personal secretary, Travers, waiting for me.
He looks down at me through his bifocals. “Your Highness, I must say I was surprised to find out you were coming home. I was under the impression that you were trying to escape your royal duties.”
I laugh and clap him on the knee. “Good to see you too, Travers. You’ve got it all wrong, my man. It wasn’t the duty that bothered me, it was the stipulation.”
“Meaning marriage.”
I point at him with my forefingers cocked. “Bingo.”
His eyebrows knit together. “Has something changed?”
A smile breaks across my face. “Has it ever.” I lean back in the seat and sigh, thinking about Ella.
“Highness, I don’t think I’ve ever seen that expression on your face before.”
I cut my eyes at him. “Because it’s never been there before, Travers.” I lean forward, my arms resting on my knees. “But I’ve found her. The girl I want to marry.”
He looks at me like his eyes are about to bug out of his head. “Marriage?” he stutters. “I don’t understand. You didn’t want any of the ladies at court.”
“Fuck no.” I shiver with the memory of them all, especially Melissa. “But I met someone. And I’m going to marry her … if I can find her.” I slump back in the seat, frowning.
“Sorry, Highness, you’re going to have to explain.”
I sigh. “I found a girl, fell in love almost instantly, though I didn’t realize at first that’s what I was feeling. I think she feels the same way because when I went to find her, she was gone; she came here to St. Albans to find me.” I give Travers more details, but still the short version of what happened, leaving out the details about our encounter in the strip club and the thong she left for me.
Travers looks stunned. Adjusting his glasses, he leans back against the seat as we get closer to the bridge leading to the palace. “I have to say, Highness, I’m impressed. I honestly didn’t know if this day would ever come.”
I chuckle. “Neither did I, Travers. Neither did I. But she’s something special. Just wait until you meet her.”
“She must be to have tamed someone like you.” Travers is nothing if not honest. “So, how do you plan on finding her?”
I scratch at my jaw. “That's the problem, isn’t it? She’s somewhere out here in the kingdom,” I spread my arms wide, “but I haven’t the faintest clue where to start looking.”
Travers goes silent for a long while, not speaking again until we climb from the limo at the palace. “Are you going to tell your father?”
I grimace. “I suppose he would love to hear it.”
Travers makes a sound in his throat that sounds like he’s not so sure. “He is highly disappointed that you haven’t chosen someone from the Court of St. Albans.”
I snort. “Not going to happen. You should know that.”
“I know that, but convincing him that you should be allowed to marry someone outside the Court, from another country, no less, might be a problem.”
Shaking my head, I give him a hard look. “I’m not wavering on this. He wants me to marry and rule the kingdom? Done. But it’s on my terms. And if I’m going to marry, it’s going to be Ella.”
I almost want to laugh at the words coming out of my mouth. A week ago, I definitely would've laughed in the face of anyone who suggested I’d ever say that. But Ella… I finger that thong again, so eager to see her again that I’m ready to hop on my motorcycle and start looking right now.
Travers nods. “If a woman has affected you like this, she has to be the one. I’ll speak to your father on your behalf.”
“That’s great, Travers, but first I need to find her.”
“About that,” he says. “I was thinking on the ride over, and I may have a solution. What if we have a ball?”
I squint at him in confusion. “A ball?”
“Yes,” he says, growing more excited. “A Royal Ball, where every eligible maiden in the kingdom attends. From all stations, high and low. We get the word out, make sure your Ella has plenty of chances to hear about it. Then on the night of the ball, you will greet them one by one. If your lady is there, you’ll know.”
Yes. It’s perfect. I’ll know her instantly. There’s no way I could ever forget that face, those eyes.
“Travers, you’re a genius. That’s a fabulous idea.” I grin, getting excited, feeling more hopeful than I have so far. I know I’ll find her now.
“Yes,” I say, “let’s do it. Let’s have a ball!”
18
Ella
The flurry of activity going on in my hotel is mimicked everywhere across the kingdom. Everywhere I go, all anyone is talking about is the Royal Ball.
My first couple of days in St. Albans amounts to a bunch of frustration and worry. I think I might never find Derek. Then suddenly, announcements are trending everywhere. Every social media site posts of nothing else. The Crown Prince of St. Albans has returned and is hosting a Royal Ball to choose a wife. Every single lady in the kingdom is invited.
It’s unheard of, everyone says. Unprecedented. And completely shocking that the kingdom’s playboy prince is settling down to marry.
At first, I don’t know what to think. Have I been wrong all this time about Derek? Or does this mean something more? Is this his way of seeking me out in St. Albans? I have to hope so.
Walking down the streets, I see all kinds of young ladies, what seems to be all of them in the entire kingdom, preparing for the ball. Salons are full of girls getting their hair done and buying push-up bras in hopes of their assets grabbing the prince’s attention. That one makes me laugh. I already have exactly what Derek is looking for. He showed me just how much he loves my tits, and I certainly don’t need a push-up bra to get his attention on them.
There are even waxing parties going on, every girl certain they’ll be the one he picks, wanting to be bare and smooth for when they get to fuck the prince. Sorry, ladies, I want to shout, the only one getting a piece of him will be me!
The day of the ball, I take a break from my own preparations to grab a drink at the hotel bar. My blonde hair is already in fancy curls, makeup applied by an elite makeup artist. I wonder what Derek will think of my blonde hair. He’s only seen me in that brown wig.
How will he react when he sees me? I sip on my wine and imagine what it will be like. Will he sweep me up in his arms, carry me off into his palace and fuck me all night long? God, I hope so.
Will we dance the night away? Hopefully my kind of dancing, if so. The thought makes me need to press my thighs together to relieve the pressure building. I know one thing. There will be plenty of orgasms tonight.
Suddenly, I’m hit with a terrifying thought.
What if he doesn’t recognize me? Surely he
will. He’s my soul mate. He has to know me on sight. Right?
A hundred different scenarios play out in my head as I drink my wine, lost in a perfect daydream of my happily ever after with my prince.
“You must be dreaming about the ball tonight.” A girl nudges me with her shoulder, pulling me from my fantasies, a smirk on her face.
She’s all dressed up, too. Her and hundreds of other girls around the kingdom.
“Yes, I am,” I say with a naughty grin, thinking this girl has no idea.
“Well,” she huffs. “Don’t even bother.”
I frown. What the fuck? “Why not?”
“I mean, of course everyone’s going to go. How could you miss a chance to go to a real royal ball at the palace? But let’s be real here.” She cocks an eyebrow at me, her gaze telling me just how much of a chance she thinks I have with Derek.
I want to stand up and set the bitch straight, but she just keeps right on talking.
“Here’s the thing. Yeah, they’re having a ball, and yeah, they say the prince is picking a woman to marry. But I don’t buy it. I think it’s all just publicity. They’ve already picked out who he’s going to marry way ahead of time.”
I think about that for a second. Could that be true?
“But really,” she keeps right on going, “in what universe would a royal family that’s had a dynasty for more than fifteen hundred years ever agree to let the prince marry a commoner like any of us?” She gestures around at her group of friends and I, apparently lumping me into the commoner category.
She wouldn’t be wrong, but I don’t like the way she’s so matter-of-fact about it. It reminds me of what the lady in the hotel lobby said about this old royal family that the kingdom prides themselves on. What if this girl here is right? What if they won’t allow Derek to marry outside of their elite society? Where does that leave me?