Royal Heir (Westerly Billionaire #3)(47)

Rachelle smiled in relief. “I hadn’t thought of a photographer. That makes sense.”

Magnus placed his hand on her lower back and guided her out of the hotel and to a waiting car. “Now tell me, what’s your issue with orphans?”





Chapter Seventeen

After the way the day had started, Rachelle hadn’t expected to enjoy a moment of it, but as Magnus whisked her away in a sports car, excitement surged again. When he wasn’t being insufferable and arrogant, being with him was a heady experience. Everything else faded away when he looked at her. When he took her hand in his and rested it beneath his on his thigh as he drove, she could barely concentrate on anything else.

To cover her nervousness, she talked. She explained in detail that her desire to decline the invitation from his father had nothing to do with the cause and everything to do with not liking to be forced to do something.

“I understand that feeling well,” he’d said.

“Of course, I’ll end up going to the reception anyway. I can’t say no.”

“Unfortunately, that has not been my experience with you,” Magnus said with dry humor.

A laugh burst from Rachelle. “I’m here, aren’t I?”

He brought her hand to his lips. “Yes, you are.”

Her heart did a funny flip. He hadn’t said where they were going. Erotic sex-dungeon fantasies warred with more mundane possibilities. Although she enjoyed reading about wild escapades, she tried to imagine what her reaction would be if he actually brought her to one. I’d probably faint. Or let out a nervous fart. You never read about those happening.

She studied the strong profile of the man beside her and wondered if the women he normally dated were so sophisticated they didn’t even worry about such things. “Where are we going?” she asked.

He glanced at her, then back at the road. “You shouldn’t get into any car without knowing. I could be taking you anywhere.”

She went to pull her hand free, but he held it firmly. “That’s not funny.”

“It’s not meant to be. You need to be more careful, Rachelle.”

This time she did tug her hand free. “I am careful.”

“Are you? Who knows you’re with me today?”

“Reggie. Why are you doing this? I just started to relax, and you’re making me nervous again.”

“My goal is not to scare you, but to prepare you, because your life is about to change.”

What? “Take me back to the hotel. Never mind about lunch.”

“Your things are no longer at the hotel.”

Rachelle turned more toward him. “You knew that wasn’t what I wanted, and you did it anyway?”

“Yes,” he said without a hint of regret.

“I’m done. Take me back right now.”

“I will not. I will, however, offer you a choice. If you wish to be deposited where your grandmother is staying, I will drive you there and inform her why you require the royal guards I have assigned to you.”

“I’m not limited by whatever choices you come up with. I’m an adult woman. Drive me back to the hotel now.” See, that’s why I don’t think I’d like the sex dungeon. In theory, giving a man control sounds sexy—until you see how he reacts to having a little power.

“Your second option is my own preference. I have a business meeting in eastern Vandorra. You see some of my country, then stay at my family’s riverfront home in Domovia. It is a historic, rural town. You could sleep in or go shopping and meet me in the afternoon.”

“No.”

He smiled. “Do not worry. There are plenty of bedrooms at my family’s home. You will be allowed to choose one of your own—unless you decide to share mine.”

Rachelle folded her arms across her chest. “I don’t think you’re reading my mood correctly. I’m imagining strangling you, not having sex.”

He roared in laughter. “You are a delight.”

“And you’re delusional.”

He pulled the car over to the side of the road and unclipped his seat belt. “Am I?”

Her breath caught in her throat. The desire in his eyes seared through whatever resistance she had. He wasn’t an overbearing prince who had just offended her by brushing off her demands. She wasn’t an independent woman driven to correct him.

As they sat there, their breathing becoming more and more shallow, each fighting the same battle. Reason and resolve crumbled in the face of their desire.

“Come here,” he commanded.

She clutched her seat belt and glanced around. There was an SUV pulled over a hundred feet before them, and another about the same distance behind them. “No.”

He traced her cheek with the back of his fingers. “They are trained to look away.”

She slapped his hand away. “That’s disgusting.”

He chuckled. “Honestly, I forgot they were there. I can tell them to pull back farther.”

“That’s not necessary, because nothing is going to happen.”

He leaned closer. “So none of this?”

She sat frozen, wanting his touch more than she wanted to refuse him. When his mouth descended upon hers, it did so with gentle expertise. His hands dug into her hair, but his kiss remained an almost tender invitation that was impossible to resist. She closed her eyes and parted her lips for his. He groaned with pleasure.