Page 36 of Prince She Shouldn't Crave
Lena chewed on her lower lip, a look of uncertainty there. He wanted to kiss it away. ‘How would it even work? I can’t just stroll up to your apartments. People would get suspicious.’
‘I have a way. Trust me. No one will know. Your reputation will be safe.’
‘Don’t keep me waiting.’
He smiled. She was going to agree? His heart pumped hard and fast. His desire once again roaring to life with a need like he’d never experienced before. Luckily, he’d texted his staff the night before, arranging a later start than usual. He could make love to her again before she had to go back to her room. Go back to pretending, till the next time at least.
‘If I promise we won’t be found out, will you agree?’
‘Yes,’ she said with a little smile. ‘Yes, I will.’
He wanted to grab her, kiss her senseless, but he also liked the game they played. The fun. The banter. All part of the seduction.
‘So,’ he said, intent on changing the subject so they wouldn’t have to waste any more time. ‘His Royal Hotness?’
‘You forget. Hashtag His Royal Hotness. Hashtag thirst-trap,’ she replied.
‘Do you think I’m hot?’
As the sun began to hint over the horizon, a pretty blush crept up her chest. Higher. Her ears turning a soft shade of pink.
‘If the hashtag fits.’ A teasing smile crept onto her face. ‘There was another one. Bend it like Gabriel. What does that mean?’
‘It’s a football term. I can show you what it means later, but do you know what I’d like to do now?’
‘No, Your Hotness—I mean, Highness.’
He loved the irreverence in her tone.
‘I’d like to bend you over the bed. Make love to you till you scream as the sun rises.’
Lena squealed, giggling as he wrestled her into delicious submission. Covering her with his body.
‘Let me show you just how hot I am,’ he growled into her ear as she relaxed underneath him. Arms curling round his neck. Threading into his hair as Lena smiled at him.
‘I look forward to you living up to the promise of your online reputation.’
CHAPTER EIGHT
Lena sat inher room, her heart beating as fast and light as a butterfly’s wing. It had been a few days since they’d returned from Lauritania. Apart from during their workdays, she hadn’t seen anything of Gabriel after hours, as he’d had meetings and dinners, making it impossible. Yet he’d promised her there was a way and, today, she’d received a text from him:
Wait for me in your room tonight. Seven thirty. Wear flat shoes. Don’t eat.
So here she was, waiting as he’d asked. She wanted to get up, pace—impatient, nervous, excited all at the same time. How were they going to do this? She’d asked for one night because that was all she’d expected. Losing her virginity and moving on. Yet the hunger. It was a compulsion impossible to ignore. Beyond mere desire, a need. She’d never expected to experience this with a man, even more, aprince. What would it be like to have someone actually fall in love with her? To marry? Gabe. Someone so far above her…
No. That wasn’t what their agreement was. As for his status, she’d come to think of them as equals. He was funny, self-deprecating, with a wry sense of humour. He didn’t seem to take himself too seriously, even though there were serious parts to his role. She felt privileged to see this side of him. The side she wanted to show to the world: the man, not the prince. But Lenahad no idea how he thought they could do this secretly. Though Gabe hadpromised, and she believed him. It was an intoxicating thing, to be able to simply believe in someone. That they’d have your interests at heart, as well as their own…
Lena checked the time on her phone. Seven twenty-eight. It heightened the anticipation that she had no ideawhatshe was waiting for. She amused herself with a fantasy that he’d rappel down the walls and sneak in her window, or wear some disguise to turn up at her door, all the while realising those imaginings were fanciful and ridiculous.
The time ticked over. Seven thirty. She stood and walked to the window. The sun had dipped below the horizon now, the lights twinkling in the city below them.
‘Lena.’
A male voice. She squeaked, unable to help herself, whipping around, and there he was, standing in her room.
Gabe.
She wanted to run to him, fling her arms about his neck, but that wasn’t the kind of relationship they had…some teenage fantasy. This was all grown up. Lena held herself back and, instead, admired him. He wasn’t in a suit tonight. Dressed more casually, in tan trousers, an open-necked shirt, no jacket, no tie. His hair still slightly damp, roughly dried. So handsome, it took her breath away.
