PRINCE CHARMING: A Stepbrother Secret Baby Romance(34)
“There is my son,” Lamont said, and Quincy shook his head to try and clear it before anything embarrassing happened. “Where have you been?”
“Taking care of a situation and checking on Olivia,” he said. “She’s not feeling well. I think a bit of an island bug.”
“Hmm, well that’s too bad. Edric was looking for her earlier, as Gigi and several other ladies have been looking for you,” he commented pointedly and turned his son around to face the room. Several women stared longingly at him, and he cursed, wishing he had followed Olivia to her room instead. “You should mingle. The hour is growing late, but they do not look ready to turn in yet.”
“You, dear father, are enjoying this too much.”
Lamont patted his son on the back with a mad grin. “I want you to find a wife before too long. Your wedding needs to take place this year.”
Quincy turned wide-eyed. “What? When were you going to tell me that?”
“Now. Go, mingle, find a woman you can marry.” Lamont nudged him forward.
Quincy’s father walked away, leaving him to fend for himself as Gigi charged across the ball room, looking more like a predator stalking its prey than a lady of the court. She reached him and dropped into a curtsy, tipping forward enough so her breasts threatened to fall out of her dress.
“Prince Quincy, I was worried I had missed my chance to dance with you again.”
“I am sorry to have kept you waiting,” he murmured, trying to maintain his princely civility. “Shall I oblige you with one now?”
She reached for his arm and, trying to think happy thoughts of Olivia naked beside him, Quincy managed to keep a smile on his face as he led her to the middle of the floor that quickly cleared for them to dance. He didn’t want all eyes on him, but there was nothing for it. He would grin and bear it and maybe later, sneak a visit with Olivia before he turned in for the night.
They twirled around the floor, but Quincy’s lips stayed curled as he felt Olivia’s body wrapped around him. It was hard to forget the past hour or so with her, seeing her standing on the rocks in that dress before she fell in. When he turned to find her standing naked in the moonlight. How they moved together when joined, as if they were meant to be. He’d had his share of women, but none of them had struck him as she had, right to the gut, and made him feel so incredible.
Not meaning to, thoughts of Olivia set the blood rushing lower than he wanted, and with Gigi pressed so close against him, she felt every bit of his growing arousal. Unfortunately for him, he didn’t even realize it until she glanced up at him with narrowed eyes and a seductive little smile.
“Why, Prince Quincy, I wasn’t aware you found me so attractive,” she whispered quietly. She pressed herself full length against him, and her boobs pushed up. If she had been any taller, they’d be in his face.
Quincy frowned. “Oh, my apologies, Lady Gigi. I don’t know what’s come over me.” Damn it! Stop thinking about Olivia, he thought as he tried to silence his sudden arousal. “Truly, I don’t know what’s gotten into me.”
“There’s no need to apologize.” Their dance ended, and she trailed her fingers up his neck and into his hair. “We could always disappear for a little while, and I could see to your…sudden princely needs. There is no shame in it, and I will let you know that I am not a virgin,” she said, whispering the last few words as close to his ear as she could.
That was more information than he needed, and Quincy coughed, trying to clear his throat as he fought against the urge to laugh hysterically. Never did he think his night would start out so badly, wind up being great, and then go back to being… He wasn’t sure what. There was no way in hell he was going to take Gigi away to some dark corner and have his way with her. No way in hell. That was one can of worms he wasn’t about to open.
He bowed his head and took a step back. “I am sorry, but I fear there are other women I must dance with tonight. A prince must remember his manners.”
Gigi glared. “Not always. You and I have a connection, and we both know your father favors me.”
“Does he now?” Quincy asked as he stared her down. “Well, thankfully, he is not me.”
“No, but sooner or later, you will have to choose me,” she said. “I am the only choice. So go, dance with the others.” She swayed her hips as she walked by him. “But in the end, it’s me you will end up with. Good evening, my dear Prince Quincy.”
He watched her walk into the crowd as his anger built and his face warmed. It was true King Lamont had been pushing him towards Gigi. She was the daughter of the wealthiest family on the isle and her parents were important members of the parliament, but it was her attitude he didn’t think he’d be able to stomach. If King Lamont made his decision for Quincy, Gigi would be his betrothed before the summer ended.
All he could do was hope something drastic prevented that from happening.
Chapter 11
Olivia rolled over the next morning, relishing the way her body felt—sore but just as relaxed as if she and Quincy had gone at it again. If she could wake up like that every morning, it’d be pretty damn good. Though she wore herself out the night before, she was up early enough that Allete did not come in to wake her.
The air was fresh though humid, and she woke with the need to paint. She hopped out of bed, still wearing Quincy’s clothes, and grabbed her paints and brushes. She hummed while she pulled her messy hair back into a ponytail, changed into some old painting jeans and a tank, and stepped out onto the balcony to set up her easel. Maybe today she would get something accomplished for her portfolio and feel a little better about where she stood.