Page 44 of Royally Rivalled

The walls closed in deeper around me. I struggled to breathe. I felt ill—fearing I might die. Trapped here, alone with this man who showed no respect for me, and in this awful place I did not know, I was alone. How? I wanted to call Alexandra and cry. I wanted to sob alone in the shower. To my surprise, Parker scooted towards me.

He spoke softly and calmly. “We're going to be out of here. I promise we won't die.”

“Yes, well, good. Because I'd like to not perish as the stupid, hopeless virgin I am!”

The words left me mortified.Why did I keep saying it?I hated that he got under my skin.

“Why does that bother you?” Parker pulled back. “Are you saying you cannot believe I’ve ever fucked anyone? Is this your way of being cruel?”

“Is it so bad to be a virgin? Or do you just thinkit’s easy for everyone? And that you’re superior, Your Grace?” My words were laced with anger.

He figured it out. “You're... a virgin? Oh, shit!”

“Fuck you!” I hopped up and proceeded to pry at the door. I was getting out!

“Don't do that. It might make it worse,” Parker said.

Faced with dying of mortification or a mechanical failure, I’d take the latter means to the end. I continued to push, grunting but made little progress.

Parker came behind me, pulling me back. He held my arms. “Calm down, Astrid. Please. I don't want to get stuck here longer—for your sake.”

He wasn't going to make fun of me?

“Go on, tell me how lousy I am then!”

“What? Why?”

“I just said?—”

Parker's posture relaxed, but he held onto my arms. It was aggressive, but it still showed some degree of ownership. And yet, I liked it.

“Look, I am surprised, is all. You're... very pretty. I just assumed?—”

“Don’t assume!”

I protested, fighting against him to turn back to the doors.

He pulled me back around, calm but firm. “No. Astrid, you will not fuck with the doors. Stop trying that! Look at me.”

I refused, defiantly staring at the floor.

He let one hand go and pulled my chin up towards him. I glowered.

“Astrid, what you said isn't true.”

“Oh, I cannot be a virgin? You think?—”

“No. Stop! We will not die here. You're panicking. I know we will be okay. As for the virgin thing... it's a surprise, but notbad.”

I wanted to sob. “It's mortifying!”

“Nah. Some guys might even find it hot. And you’re right, I do fancy you. I keep tripping over myself, unable to tell you what I feel. The truth is you scare the shit out of me. And… I find you very, very hot.”

I stared at him in disbelief. If he was being cruel now, it was over. I’d kill him with my bare hands.

“Do you? You aren’t taking the piss?”

Parker's gaze tightened on my face, confused. He held onto my hand still, tighter now.

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