by MA Horst
By
Copyright © 2017 by Author Michelle Horst.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, email to: [email protected]
Publisher’s Note: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination. Locales and public names are sometimes used for atmospheric purposes. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, or to businesses, companies, events, institutions, or locales is completely coincidental.
Editor: The Word Wench Editing Services
Promoter: Give Me Books
Acknowledgements
I thank my God for miracles, dragonflies and butterflies.
Ronald and Sheldon, thank you for your support.
Kristine, my #crazytwinsie and super-amazing PA, I’d be lost without you. Thank you for never giving up on me <2
My Beta readers, Kristine, Kelly, Morgan and Becca – Thank you for being the Godparents of my paper baby.
To my book bestie and Editor, Karen, thank you for always being there for me.
Give Me Books Promotions, thank you for taking care of the promotional side of things.
A special thank you to every blogger and reader who took the time to take part in the cover reveal and release day.
Love ya all tons ;)
Poppy
Lily
Rose
Magnolia
Jasmine
Cherry
Reed
Storm, the eldest son of a heartless businessman, is forced to choose a bride. His father wants grandchildren to secure the future of Royal Industries, and he wants them now.
Forced to choose from a specific list of women that’s been promised to the Royal family, Storm holds a masquerade ball and invites the six women.
Poppy has lived a sheltered life. She has been homeschooled by her overprotective mother. Attending the masquerade ball is an exciting experience for her until she lands in the arms of Storm Royal. Electricity crackles around them.
Poppy’s delicate new love is shattered when she finds out why Storm really wants to marry her. She’s only a means to an end, another piece of property.
Can Storm win Poppy’s trust while trying to keep his fiery desire for her under control?
This is one force of nature Poppy didn’t see coming.
Warning:
This is an over the top, insta-love, hot as hell fairytale with a twist of kinkiness.
Each book in The Force of Nature series is a standalone & about a different couple.
~ Poppy ~
Feeling deflated, I stare at my reflection in the mirror. Earlier this evening I was so excited to attend the masquerade ball. Mother got me a shimmering, royal blue gown with burnt-orange silk woven into the bodice, and I couldn’t wait to wear it. Hell, the fact that I even got to wear make-up was exciting. My mask is made of the same shimmering royal blue as the gown is, with a burnt-orange silk edging. I felt beautiful when I was finally dressed and ready to attend my first ever party.
Mother said the Royals are the most influential family in our city, and that we should be honored being invited to attend one of their parties. Apparently, one of the Royals is getting engaged tonight.
When we arrived, I was surprised to see all my cousins here as well. I don’t see them often enough.
But that’s where my excitement ended. Now I understand why Mother doesn’t like people. Most of the other guests I’ve met and interacted with tonight, besides my cousins, are arrogant and rude. I didn’t know the world was like this, and if I’m honest with myself, I’d rather go home. I felt so pretty until the first woman sneered at me with disgust. She scolded me for not wearing my mask. I was so excited that I kept forgetting to hold it to my face. She made me feel like something the cat had dragged in.
I wash my hands for the second time, trying to buy more time before I have to go out there again.
I sigh and then leave the restroom with a heavy heart. I stand outside the door for a moment when my eyes land on the stairs that lead up to the first floor of the mansion. Maybe I can hide up there until it’s time for us to leave.
I sneak up the stairs, making sure no one sees me, and slowly walk down the hallway. Most of the doors are locked, but I finally find one that opens to a lounge. To my left side, there are huge sliding doors and the balcony calls to me. I slip inside and walk out onto the balcony, closing my eyes in delight as the cool night air fans my face.
When I open my eyes, I take in the wide expanse of the gardens and all the people talking and laughing, clearly enjoying themselves.
I so badly wanted to fit into their world. For the longest time, I’ve dreamt about living a life of a social butterfly, of being one of them. Now, I’m repulsed by the mere idea of mingling with them.
I look down at my dress and wish I could turn back time. Back to the moment before we left home when I had stars in my eyes, hope in my heart, and butterflies in my tummy.
I hear the door click behind me and turn around. A man walks over to a table and pours himself a drink that’s gold in color. He rips the mask from his face and tosses it to the side. His movements seem angry as he takes a sip from his drink. Suddenly, he throws the glass against the fireplace where it shatters to pieces.
With wide eyes and a racing heart, I stare at him, thinking that I should duck down before he sees me.
He takes a deep breath, looks up, and our eyes meet. He has grey eyes - the color of the sky just before the sun rises.
He starts to walk toward me, and when he reaches the sliding doors, I realize how big he is. This man is huge. He can easily crush me without even breaking a sweat.
“I wondered where you disappeared to,” he says. His voice is deep and warm, like the sun spilling over the valleys behind our house. “You’re even more breathtaking up close,” he whispers. The tone of his voice makes my insides quiver.
“Huh?” I grunt. It’s very unladylike of me, and if Mother were here, she’d slap me upside the head.
“I thought you had left,” he says, taking another step closer to me.
When I finally find my voice, I whisper, “I didn’t.”
“For which I’m thankful.” He comes to stand next to me and his eyes wander over the people beneath us. A frown forms on his forehead and it makes him look daunting and powerful.
I think it’s time for me to leave. Maybe I can convince Mother to leave the party early before the engagement announcement is made.
I only get to take two steps when he takes hold of my arm, stopping me dead in my tracks.
“No, you don’t get to run from me,” he says, moving to stand in front of me. I take a step backwards but end up pressed against the wall. “I’ve lost you once tonight. I have no intention of losing you a second time.”
Is he feeling ill? I reach up and place the back of my fingers against his forehead, trying to feel if he’s hot, but instead a spark sizzles up my arm.
He takes my hand and brings it to his mouth, pressing a tender kiss to the tips of my fingers, and it causes a wild fluttering to erupt in my tummy.
“What are you doing?” he asks, and I feel his hot breath fan over my fingers. It makes tingles race though my body, and my heart starts to thump faster with an unfamiliar excitement I’ve never felt before.
“I think you’re hot,” I say. Once the word
s have left my mouth, I realize how improper they sound.
A devilish smile creeps over his face making him look like a predator that’s found his next meal.
“No, I don’t mean hot like that. I mean hot like you may have a fever,” I quickly explain while my cheeks go up in flames from embarrassment.
“Why would you think that?” he asks, all the while still holding my hand.
“Uhm, well, because of what you said about losing me. I think you either have a fever, or you’ve got the wrong person.”
A smile pulls at his mouth, making him look dangerously handsome. He really is a beautiful man and it’s a pity that he’s a part of the crowd here tonight.
“I have the right woman,” he says, as he takes a step forward, leaving only an inch of air between us. I’ve never been this close to a man before and it makes my heart skip a beat before it starts to pound wildly against my ribs.
He lets go of my hand, trailing his fingers in a light caress up my arm, until he reaches my shoulder. His eyes never leave mine and it makes the moment crackle with an intimate intensity. If Mother saw me now, she would have a heart attack after all she’s done to keep me innocent for my wedding day.
“I … I have to go,” I whisper, but I can’t make my feet move. My body wants his touch, making me feel vulnerable and feminine.
“No, you don’t,” he whispers back while tilting his head to the side.
“My mother will wonder what has become of me,” I say unconvincingly. For some odd reason, I want to stay here with him.
Feeling the heat surge from his huge muscled body is making my insides quiver with a delicious need. Is this what flirting feels like?
He leans in a little more until his breath fans over my lips. I turn my face slightly away, too shy to even look at him now. His breaths whisper over my jaw and it makes me swallow hard with nervous anticipation.
“No, she won’t,” he says. His lips brush over my way too sensitive skin - from my jaw, down the length of my neck, to the dip that meets my collarbone. A wave of heat and desire crashes over me, weakening my knees and letting a burst of air race over my parted lips.
I should slap him for being so forward with me, but instead, my head falls to the side, exposing all of my neck to him.
“This … this isn’t proper,” I argue lamely, not really wanting him to stop.
Electricity crackles around us, creating a delicious web of anticipation and hunger.
He pulls slightly away and his eyes find mine again. My cheeks warm under his sharp gaze, and I pray that he won’t be able to see my shameless craving for more of his touch.
“I … I don’t even know your name,” I whisper in my defense. I don’t really want him to stop. These new feelings are amazing and I want to explore them.
It’s like a fairytale coming to life. All my life I’ve dreamt of being swept off my feet by the man of my dreams, yet none of my fantasies compare to what this man is making me feel right now.
~ Storm ~
“How rude of me,” I say as I take her hand and bring it to my mouth. I can’t stop touching her. I press a soft kiss to the back of her hand and take a deep breath of the flowery scent that clings to her. “Storm Royal.”
I let my hand trail up her bare arm, to her shoulder, until slipping it behind her neck. I can’t help myself. Everything about this woman calls to me. Her soft skin, her sweet scent – it’s all enough to soften the hardest of men.
Father gave me six women to choose from. All of them belong to the Flower family that has been indebted to the Royal family since Grandfather gave them money to save their business. It’s sad, really, because they ended up losing the business anyway. The Flower family was once just as wealthy as us, but, whereas time has only strengthened us, it has worn them down.
Father wants grandchildren to secure the Royal legacy. I’m the oldest, thus it’s my duty to marry first. I was starting to lose hope as each of the Flower women were introduced to me. They are all beautiful, but none of them has that special something that calls to me.
Then, I saw her moving hesitantly through the crowd. She stood out, not because of her beauty, but because she was shining like a star amongst fake diamonds. Her mask was forgotten between her slender fingers, as excitement lit her face.
For a few minutes, I lost sight of her and my mood turned fowl in an instant, thinking that she might have left without me getting to meet her.
I rushed to my private lounge, wanting the night to be over. My mind raced, forming plans to find out who the beauty I’d seen was, and how I could make her my wife. And then there she was, a vision standing on my balcony.
There’s just one problem - it’s expected of me to marry a Flower woman.
The beauty’s eyes widen when she hears my last name. I’ve never been one to abuse my power, but today I will do anything to make this woman mine. I pity the person who tries to stand in my way.
“You’re a Royal?” she asks, looking slightly scared. I don’t like that look at all. To some, I might be a cut-throat businessman, but to her, I want to be a man that will do anything for his woman.
“Is that a problem?” I ask carefully, not wanting to scare this gorgeous angel.
She shakes her head, suddenly looking very nervous.
“What is your name?” I ask, watching her carefully. I don’t want to do anything that will cause her to run from me.
“My name is Poppy, Sir,” she whispers, dropping her eyes to the floor.
I don’t like it at all. I want to see the brilliant blue of her eyes. I take hold of her chin and nudge her face up until her eyes meet mine.
Then, her name strikes a chord in my memory, and a smile starts to form on my face.
“Poppy, do you have a last name?”
My heart beats wildly as I wait for her to tell me her full name.
“It’s Flower, Sir. Poppy Flower,” she whispers.
Excitement and pure happiness flood me and I can’t hold myself back any longer. I lower my head, and when our lips touch, it feels like I’ve finally found my way home after years of drifting in a barren wasteland.
She gasps, her hands sliding over my chest, and her fingers grabbing at my shirt. Everything about her fits me perfectly. I let my tongue slip into the heaven that’s her mouth, and her body melts against mine. At first, she tentatively returns the kiss, but then she starts to match the wild strokes of my tongue, making my cock grow rock hard with want for this woman in my arms.
When she gasps for air, I pull away slightly. Her eyes are dark with want. The flames of her desire are turning my own into a scorching inferno.
“You’re a Flower?” I ask hoarsely. She nods quickly. Her tongue peeks out, licking her bottom lip, almost making me crazy with need.
“I’m going to make you mine, Poppy,” I say with absolute certainty. This woman is mine, and soon everyone in Jewel City will know it.
“You are?” she asks. Her fingers are still clutching at my shirt as if it’s the only thing that’s keeping her standing.
“I’m going to make you mine in every possible way. By the end of the night, there will be no doubt in your mind who you belong to.”
“I’ve never done this before, Mr. Royal,” she says and starts to pull her hands away from me. “You should know that I don’t just go around kissing men. Mother will have a heart attack if she knows what we’ve been up to.” She bites her bottom lip nervously.
“You’re innocent.” It’s more a statement than a question. When a blush colors her cheeks, I know that she’s my untouched flower. Our eyes dance seductively as I say, “I’m glad you’re pure, Poppy. I would’ve hated killing some poor idiot for daring to touch what’s mine.”
I lower my head again and take her mouth like a starving man. Emotions flood me, tender feelings I’ve never felt before. I feel like a protective lion that will tear anything apart that dares to come close to my woman. This delicate flower is mine.
I pick her up and carry her over
to one of the couches. I sit down with her on my lap and continue to feast on her mouth, needing to brand her so that the whole world will know that she belongs to Storm Royal.
~ Poppy ~
Even as I sit on his lap, I’m forced to look up at him. He is tall and muscular, exactly as I’ve imagined all the heroes to look like from the fairytales I’ve read.
I can’t believe this is happening - that such an attractive and powerful man is interested in me, even if it’s for just one night. I’ve always dreamt of this moment, never actually believing that it would come true.
Growing up under Mother’s overprotective wing, I’ve never experienced much in life. I’ve only ever read of going to a dance with the man of your dreams, being swept off your feet by a handsome stranger, or falling in love at first sight. Those things only happen on paper – until tonight.