The Controversial Princess (The Smoke & Mirrors Duology #1)(14)

“When you provoke my cock into something resembling stone, Your Highness,” he breathes, “you most definitely need to justify yourself.”

I recoil at his continued frankness. “Your inability to control …” I fade off, glancing at his groin. He’s still hard, and I nibble the inside of my cheek, undeniably delighted. “Your inability to control yourself is not my concern.”

He laughs and rearranges himself. “You’re mistaken, ma’am.”

“I am?” I tilt my head, interested. “I seem to recall you mentioning something about not telling a royal when they are wrong.”

“I’ve changed my mind. You’re wrong.” His scowl is not playful. It’s serious, and I know I should be wary of it. I am wary. Very wary. Which is why I back up. Just two steps, not that it gains me space for long. Josh Jameson soon closes the extended distance I’ve put between us. “You’re scared.”

“Of what?” I laugh.

He, however, does not laugh. “Me.”

“I assure you, I am not scared of you.” I glance away and silently curse myself for it.

“Liar.”

“That’s absurd. Why ever would I fear you?”

“Because I whipped that fine ass of yours, and you, Your Highness, fuckin’ loved it. You loved me owning you in that maze, you loved me ruling you, and you hate that you loved it. That’s the problem here.”

My jaw tightens. “You’re wrong.” I can see that my refusal to concede is increasing his aggravation. It’s delightful to witness this renowned sex symbol look rejection in the eye. It pushes my revived fortitude to new heights, because, right now, I have the power. It’s familiar ground to me, and I am once again thriving, regardless of the miniscule detail that he is one hundred percent right. “You are keeping me from my birthday celebrations, Mr. Jameson. Would you mind?” I step forward, and his scowl deepens. More thrills lick my skin.

“Yes, I would mind.” He remains blocking my path to the door. “I’m not moving until you admit it.”

“Oh,” I laugh. “Have I injured your ego?”

His face screws up. “Fuck me, you’re infuriating.”

I smile, sly and seductively, feeling power trickling through my veins. “So I’m told. What are you going to do, spank me again?” I pass him, feeling like myself once more, until he seizes my wrist and yanks me to a stop. I keep my eyes on my escape, my arm heating under his touch, and my bottom tingling as a reminder of who really does have the power here.

“Whether I spank you again depends on whether you continue with the insubordination. You’re being a very naughty girl, Your Highness.” He slowly turns challenging eyes down to me and burns a hole in my profile with the concentration of his stare.

“I’m always a naughty girl.” I meet his eyes briefly before dropping my gaze to his lips. “Defiant, some might say. Untamable and unruly. No man has, or ever will, succeed in controlling me.”

“Then the wrong men have tried. I don’t fail.” He drops my wrist and moves away. “You’ll submit to me eventually. Until then, Your Highness, game on.” Josh takes the door and swings it open, sweeping his arm out in gesture for me to lead the way.

“There will be no game,” I mutter, my vocal cords tight from the constant swallows of restraint.

“There already is.” He follows me out of the washroom and falls into stride beside me, buttoning up his suit jacket. “And, for the record, I’m currently winning.”

“Losing is the new winning? How very modern of you.” He’s right. There is a game, and I need to find the will not to enjoy playing, because I know beyond question that I cannot win.

I break out in a sweat when Haydon’s father, David, appears as we make our way through the grand foyer of the palace toward the rear grounds. “Ah, Mr. Sampson,” I chime, high and nervous. “Have you met Mr. Jameson?”

“I don’t believe I have.” David offers Josh his hand. “Nice to make your acquaintance, Mr. Jameson.”

“Likewise,” Josh replies, his accent heavy. And thrilling.

“I was just showing Mr. Jameson the gallery of Lockharts,” I explain to David when he gives Josh a dubious look.

“In the library?” Haydon’s father looks a little confused as he drops Jameson’s hand. “But that’s on the other side of the palace.”

“We detoured,” I explain. “Mr. Jameson hasn’t had the privilege of a guided tour before now.”

“I’m sure one of the household staff would have been happy to give Mr. Jameson a tour, save you missing out on your celebrations and guests.” By guests, he means his son, Haydon.

“More personal.” I smile tightly.

David matches my smile. “I guess there’s nothing like a royal tour led by a royal.”

“I particularly enjoyed the maze.” Josh smiles, and I choke a little.

“Oh, the maze. Her Royal Highness and my son used to romp in there for hours when they were children.” David heads toward the washrooms, leaving me with a rare agape mouth.

“Romp?” Josh asks, turning his penetrating, twinkling eyes onto me.

“You particularly enjoyed the maze?”