He exhales sharply. “Okay.”
“She was in a bad situation. I fixed it for now and for the future.”
His gaze is direct. “You’re setting yourself up for disappointment.”
“I won’t be disappointed. All I need is to see her take her place as queen.”
“You want her. It’s so obvious.”
I won’t deny it, but I also refuse to ruin her chance to be who she’s meant to be. She’s meant to soar, and she can’t do that with me on Villroy.
I stand. “I want the casino and now I have it.”
Chapter Ten
Polly
It’s late Friday afternoon, and I’m back at the palace on Villroy. I went to visit Anna first thing and she’s doing great. The doctor thinks it’ll be another week or two before the baby is born. She’s hoping for more time than that because the day spa’s grand opening is in two weeks. Now I’m back in my room, gazing at the sea, unusually relaxed and happy. Soon I can get out from under the weight of Peter’s threats, and as a side benefit, I get to be part of a business I’m very much interested in. Maybe I can hold off on the need for a husband a little longer, buy myself a little time somehow. I haven’t got it all figured out yet, but the cloud has lifted, and I’m thinking more clearly now that I’ve shared my awful secret with Oscar.
I even have a little bit of freedom. Marge is keeping to her room so she doesn’t spread germs, and Vaughn determined that the danger to me here is low, with the palace guards, so he’s backed off completely. Of course, if I were to step outside the palace walls, I’d have Vaughn and a chaperone immediately attached to me, but I’m happy to remain here.
There’s a knock at the door.
“Come in,” I call.
The door opens to my maid, Lina, who drops into a deep curtsy. “Your Highness, Queen Anna would like you to join the family for dinner in the formal dining room in an hour. Drinks are in the salon, if you’d like one.”
“Thank you.”
“Ma’am, may I speak to you of a private matter?”
“Of course!”
She shuts the door behind her and approaches me. “Ma’am, I thank you again for including me on your trip.”
I smile. She already thanked me on the flight back and while helping me unpack. “You were a fantastic travel companion.”
She fishes in her pocket and pulls out some cash. “I don’t feel right taking your money. I’ve gained far more than I could ever repay on this trip, and you needn’t worry that I would ever breathe a word about our time there.”
I put my hands behind my back so she can’t hand me the money. “No, we had a deal. That’s yours to keep. Maybe spend it on some sexy lingerie for Louis.”
She blushes. “I never would’ve gotten to know him if we hadn’t been outside the palace. He has his work, and I have mine. We rarely crossed paths before, but now—” she beams “—I’m in love.”
My throat tightens. She looks so happy. “That’s wonderful.”
She nods. “It is. He intends to marry me as soon as he can save enough for a cottage on the island.”
A cottage. I have a palace, yet somehow she seems the more fortunate.
I give her arm a squeeze. “Then you must use the money toward your wedding gown. It will be my wedding gift to you both.”
“Thank you, ma’am! Bless you.”
I wave that away. “It’s nothing. Enjoy.”
She bobs another curtsy and takes her leave.
My shoulders droop, my chest hollow. There’s no sense in longing for what I can’t have. I’m not a free woman who can marry for love. I was born into royalty, and I should not wish it any different.
I blow out a breath and square my shoulders. I’ll go to the salon and see who’s around for a drink. I’m not in my veil, but I’ve returned to my usual modest wardrobe, knowing Marge would instantly become suspicious if I wore some of my more revealing clothes from Monte Carlo. I’m in a white blouse with a lavender skirt and beige flats. It’s fine, just boring. I have the strangest urge to toss my entire wardrobe in the sea and start fresh.
When I get to the salon, it’s just Adrian sitting on the burgundy leather sofa, looking at his phone. A small espresso cup is on the table in front of him.
“Hello,” I say, fighting for a casual tone. I felt his eyes on me on the flight back and feared he wasn’t happy about Oscar bringing me on as a partner.
“Hello,” he says, standing as I approach. “Would you like a drink?”
I glance around. There’s no servants here. “Are you preparing it?”
“I can call for whatever you want. Or I could pour you some scotch or brandy.”
“I’m good for now, thanks.”
He gestures for me to take a seat on the sofa. I do, crossing my legs and folding my hands in my lap.
He sits next to me. “So I hear you’re on board with the casino.”
Heat creeps up my neck. I hope Oscar didn’t reveal too much of the circumstances around his gesture for me. “It was generous of Oscar, and I’m very glad to be part of it.”
He studies me intently. “That vineyard was just sitting unused anyway.”
My gaze snaps to his. “Vineyard?” Oscar went to check on his vineyard.
His lips press together. “He didn’t tell you?”
“He just said he cashed in. I asked him if it was ancestral land and he said no.”
“It wasn’t ancestral. He bought it with money he earned playing pro football and intended to build a house there, ultimately, for his family. It was the last thing he had from his football-playing days and had a great deal of sentimental value. Football is something he shared with our father.” He watches me closely. “That’s how much he wanted you to be part of the team.”
Football is gone forever for him. Lina told me Oscar was forced to retire due to an injury. I’m gutted. I hadn’t known that football was his special thing with his deceased father. My God. He gave up the last thing he had from what must have been a golden time in his life for me. I swallow hard, my heart pounding in my ears. It was heroic of him, incredibly so, and I can’t believe what he’s sacrificed for me. And he asked for nothing in return. It’s the most selfless, amazing thing anyone has ever done for me. I don’t know how I can ever repay him.
My voice comes out choked, my eyes stinging with unshed tears. “Why would he do that?”
He cocks his head. “Why do you think he would do that?”
I stare straight ahead. “I don’t know,” I whisper, but part of me does. He kept me safe from Peter and Charles, preserved my birthright, and made me part of a business venture that would help my family down the line. Why would any man make such a heroic gesture? He must care for me. But he said he wanted me to take my rightful place as queen, which is a future that doesn’t include him. What does this mean? What do I do?
Just then the door bursts open, the laughing chatter of Anna and Alice breaking the tension of the moment.
“I’m sure you’ll figure it out,” Adrian says under his breath.
I just sit there, stunned by the realization I may have something I never thought I’d have—a real connection with a wonderful man—and I don’t have a clue what to do about it.
Gabriel, Lucas, and Oscar step inside the room a moment later. My gaze locks on Oscar smiling and joking with Lucas, even Gabriel is smiling slightly at his brothers’ ribbing.
Oscar is my very own hero.
I’m on my feet before I even realize what I’m doing, crossing the room to him. Anna calls to me, but it’s a distant sound, all of me focused on this incredible man with his overly good looks that match an overly good heart. He’s gorgeous inside and out, and I’m blown away.
I stop in front of him, my heart thundering in my chest. “Oscar.”
He stops smiling and pulls me aside, away from the others. “What’s wrong?”
“You did something for me, something so incredible I can hardly believe it. You sold your legacy, the land meant f
or your future.”
He looks over my shoulder and glares. “He wasn’t supposed to tell you.”
“I’m so humbled, so grateful.”
“You already thanked me,” he mutters. “It was nothing.”
“It was not nothing! No one has ever done something so amazing for me in my life.”
He gives my hair a tug. “Yeah, well, you’re pretty sheltered.”
“Do not make light of your heroic gesture! I will treasure it forever.”
He leans down to my ear. “So now you be the heroine and become the best queen that Beaumont has ever seen.” He guides me back toward the group with a firm hand on my lower back.
“I will do it in your honor,” I vow, unable to take my gaze off him.
“Oh, we’re speaking French?” Anna asks. “Bonjour, ma famille!”
I blink. I wasn’t aware Oscar and I were speaking French. Did I revert to my native language because I was extremely emotional, or did he, knowing it would reach me better?
Anna chatters on in French, murdering the language. Gabriel and Lucas wince. Alice just looks confused.
Oscar meets my eyes, giving me a rueful smile as he continues in English, “I knew you would hear me best that way.”
My eyes get hot. This man. He gets me. I want to throw my arms around him and hug him tight, but I can’t. Not in front of everyone. Besides, royal protocol forbids it; my kingdom forbids it.
For the first time in my life, I’ve met a man tempting enough to risk a kingdom.
And I want to dive into temptation.
~ ~ ~
My pulse leaps with every small sound as I sneak my way through the palace to Oscar’s room in the west wing. It’s the middle of the night, and I waited until I was sure everyone was asleep. No, he didn’t invite me. Anna told me which room was his when I asked. She hopes for a match. Oscar’s bloodlines are royal, but he’s not advantageous to my kingdom, and he’s tied here to the casino. I know better than to hope for a future, but I have now. I found passion and a depth of feeling I never thought to experience. I can’t let this slip through my fingers.
I knock on his door, hoping it doesn’t alert anyone to my presence.
“Oscar,” I whisper.
I knock again. I should’ve asked for his number so I could text and call him. I wasn’t sure if he’d let me in, though, which is why I just showed up. He kept his distance from me at dinner and afterward in the parlor, making sure we were never alone together. And every time our gazes locked, the intensity stole my breath.
The door finally opens to a bare-chested Oscar, and my mouth goes dry. His chest is broad with a light dusting of dark hair, chiseled with muscle from pecs to abs, his hips narrow in loose gray pajama bottoms. My fingers tingle with the need to touch.
He keeps the door only halfway open. “How did you find me?”
“I asked Anna which room was yours. Invite me in.” He told me to invite him in back at the hotel, and it worked then, so…
His gaze searches my features.
“Is it wrong?” I whisper.
He pulls me in and quietly shuts and locks the door behind me. My heart hammers against my rib cage. I wait, desperately hoping he’ll touch me.
“Don’t ask me if it’s wrong,” he says in a husky voice and then pulls me into his arms.
I throw my arms around his neck and kiss him. He cups the back of my neck with one warm hand, his other hand sliding down my back, the heat seeping through the silk of my robe. I’m in heaven. Nothing could be better than this passionate kiss. His hand slides lower, cupping my ass and pressing me against him. Heat pools between my legs. Yes. More. My hips rock of their own accord as his mouth claims mine.
He shifts, kissing a hot trail along my jaw, nuzzling into my neck. His hands slip inside my robe, sliding up my ribs before cupping my breasts, his thumbs grazing my nipples. I moan, my knees weak, raw desire overwhelming me.
“I never thought it could be like this,” I say, breathless.
He meets my eyes with a heated gaze before pressing his lips to mine in a tender kiss that nearly undoes me. My limbs are heavy, my fingers clinging to his shoulders. He unties my robe, pushing it off my shoulders, and dips his head, kissing a fiery trail down the column of my throat to the top of my breast. He stops to slide the straps of my silk nightgown off my shoulders, giving the fabric a tug, letting it fall to my waist.
“Pol.” His voice is hoarse. “So sexy.” He cups my breast, and then he kisses it. Hot, openmouthed kisses, drawing ever closer to my nipple, which tightens into a hard bud. His mouth closes over it, and he sucks hard.
“Oh!” My fingers tangle in his thick hair as he continues suckling, shocking me with the intense pleasure. “Don’t stop.” I can feel it building within me, an intense pressure, a needy throbbing.
His fingers pinch and roll my other nipple, and I moan loudly, slapping a hand over my mouth. He switches sides, suckling my other breast, and my breath comes in short pants. There’s a pulse between my legs that I’ve never felt before; one stroke and I swear I’ll go over.
He lifts his head, grazing a kiss along my jaw before whispering in my ear, “I want to make you feel good.”
“Yes. You are already. I want that too.”
He lifts my gown off, his gaze eating me up before he drops to his knees, pressing a kiss through my damp white panties. My breath stutters out at the intimate touch. He hooks his thumbs on the sides of my panties, pulling them down and off before rising to his feet. I kick off my slippers and reach for the waistband of his sleep pants, but he pushes my hands away.
“Just you,” he says before taking my hand and leading me to his bed.
“Why?”
“Because I want to stay your hero, not the reason you miss out on your place in your kingdom.” He pulls the covers out of the way and climbs into bed, propping a pillow up against the headboard and sitting with his back resting against it. “C’mere.” He pats the mattress, spreading his legs to make space for me.
I crawl over, kneeling between his legs, and kiss him. His mouth is hungry on mine, the intensity skyrocketing as his hands roam all over me.
He tears his mouth away, breathing hard. “Turn around. Sit between my legs.”
I’m confused, but I do as he asked. The heat of his chest sears my back. Skin on skin like I’ve longed for. It’s decadent.
His arms wrap around my waist from behind. “Tell me how much you’ve done with your past boyfriends.”
I shut my eyes tight, embarrassed.
His breath puffs out over my ear. “No boyfriends, okay. I probably shouldn’t have brought you naked into my bed so soon.”
I turn my head so he can see the truth in my eyes. “I want to be here.”
“Am I the first man you’ve kissed?”
“No, I’ve kissed three men, but there was no passion, not like with you, and I was never tempted for more. I’m untouched from the neck down.”
He grimaces. “Pol, maybe—”
“No.” I face forward and settle back into his arms, snuggling up against him. Oh wow. Something hard is poking my hip. He grunts and shifts my hips forward a little. “Do what you want,” I announce. “I’m sure I’ll like it too.”
His words run hot over my ear. “Have you ever had an orgasm?”
“Yes. Just by myself.”
“We’ll start there.”
I’m about to say, “Great start, and then we’ll keep going,” but his big hands slide up my inner thighs, and I can’t find my voice. He spreads my legs wide, lifting them to rest over his.
His voice rumbles by my ear. “Just relax against me. You’ll like it more if you let go. Look down and watch my fingers work their magic.”
I glance down at myself, exposed. The lights are on. I stare straight ahead. “Are you watching?”
“Absolutely.”
I glance down. Oh God. One long finger gives me an electric stroke, and I jolt.
“Shh, relax.” He pulls my head back ag
ainst his chest. “Do you know what I mean about letting go?” His hands slide up to caress my breasts, rolling and tugging on my nipples, a direct throbbing line to my sex. My back arches. His fingers clamp hard on my nipples, shocking me with the sharp pleasure. He releases his hold, his hand cupping me between the legs, pressing against me. I want to rock against his hand, but I can’t move.
“Pol,” he prompts.
He seems to need an answer, so I manage, “Letting go means I climax.”
“No. It means you give me control. Just completely relax in my arms. You surrender your body to me.”
“And you’ll take good care of it?”
He chuckles and then bites my earlobe, giving it a tug. “Yes. I promise to take good care of you.”
“Okay,” I say softly. “I trust you, Oscar.”
He cups my jaw, turning me toward him, and kisses me. “Thank you. That’s a gift for me.”
I smile. “Oh. I was wanting to give you something.”
His thumb grazes my lower lip before he turns me back to relax in his arms. And I do. His warm hand delves between my legs, his fingers tracing slow teasing circles. My breath stutters out. It’s completely different to have another person touching me. I don’t know what he’s going to do, can’t anticipate it. I close my eyes, letting the pleasure wash over me, melting against him.
“Yes, beautiful,” he whispers.
A smile tugs at my lips at his praise. I’ve heard so little praise in my life. I want to please him, and he wants to please me. Perfection. I float in a haze of pleasure, surrounded by his warmth and sexy scent. The slide from slow pleasure to hard intensity is so gradual I hardly notice it until I’m suddenly near the heart-pounding edge of release, my hips arching up.
He pulls back, teasing again in soft strokes and slow circles, driving me out of my mind.
My fingers grip the sheet.
“Surrender,” he commands, lifting my hands from the sheet. “Otherwise we start all over.”
Oh my God. The man is evil. I’m so close.
He nips the side of my neck, and I gasp. His hands roam all over my body, everywhere but where I need him most. I grab his hand, wanting to shove it back where it belongs, but then I realize that’s not a surrender. Instead I kiss his palm and relax against him.
Royal Player (The Rourkes, Book 5) Page 11