Stealing His Princess by Goode, Ella (classic novels txt) 📕

He lightly tugs the necklace, encouraging me to come closer to him so he can kiss me long and hard before releasing me. “Don’t forget we told Nour we’d call her tonight.” He gives me a nod before I slip out of his suite.

I take the elevator downstairs where I’m supposed to meet up with the girls. I’m not sure why I suddenly feel nervous, but I do. I’ve never done the stay out all night with a man thing, and I’m sure everyone will have questions. Maybe that’s why I suddenly feel on edge. I don’t want to share too much about Sov. I want to keep some of what we have between us private.

They spot me the second I step off the elevator. “What is happening here?” Their eyes travel over me up and down. “Did he dress you up?” Jewels asks. I don’t think she’s saying it to be mean. She has a smile on her face. It hits a deep insecurity inside of me. One I don’t want to touch about my own family.

“You look good.” Paullina wiggles her eyebrows. “That said, Karin needs to speak to you. Rubbing shoulders—”

“And other things.” Jewels jumps in with a laugh.

“—with a Prince.” Paulina clicks her tongue loudly. “It’s going to be good for us.” Both girls guide me back toward the elevator. Their words begin to soak in as we walk. For the first time in my life, I feel worry over being a Vieth Orphan.

Chapter Fifteen Sov

After two hours, I dispatch Zero to fetch Mackenzie for me. I do not like being made to wait because of numbers. She arrives carrying a bag and wearing joggers and an oversized T-shirt that makes her look waif-like. Irritation lingers inside of me.

“Come here.” I crook my finger from my position on the sofa. Zero quietly sees himself out. The new protocol is that I am to be left alone anytime Mackenzie is present. One of many changes I made while waiting for her. She does not like all the extra attention.

When she reaches me, I take her chin in my hand and tilt her head to the right and left, checking for signs of mistreatment or even fatigue. I relax some.

“Do I have ink on my face?” She scrunches her little nose. It’s adorable.

“No. You’re spotless.” I drop my hand. “But I think working too hard.” Am I pouting?

“I had some spreadsheets to check,” she acknowledges. “Here. These are the clothes from earlier.”

I make no move to take the bag. “You did not like them?”

“They were nice, but I’m more of a cotton girl than a silk one.” She plucks at her shirt and drops the bag at my feet.

“Then we will buy you all cotton garments.” I reach for the phone to give that order, but she places a hand on mine to stop me. I want her to wear things I’ve gotten her. I have no idea why, but the need is there.

“I’m good. I can afford my own clothes and everything.”

I sit back and draw a hand over my chin. “This is rather confusing. Every person likes gifts. Even Zero is known to crack a slight smile at one. These clothes are but a small gift.”

“For what though?”

“For being Mackenzie?” For being mine? I don’t say that last part, as much as I want to. I just got her back here. I don’t need to send her running. I don’t think that my self-control is going to last long.

She doesn’t have an immediate response to this. I can see the tension in her face and shoulders. Her work must be very taxing. She needs less responsibility, I think. An opportunity to turn her brain off and just experience pleasure. I want to give her that. Take everything off her shoulders. I pick up the snifter of cognac from the coffee table and gesture for her to take a seat beside me. “Open up.”

“What is it?” She sits down.

“Cognac. It’s sweet, like you.”

I tip the cup against her lips and let the amber liquid lap against her flesh. She opens enough to allow a small amount into her mouth. The smoothness takes her by surprise, and she takes another sip. I stroke her throat as she swallows. She shudders, some of it from the heady liquor and some from her own growing desire. I continue to pet her until the entire glass is empty. Her eyes are glassy and her skin flushed when I lean forward to sip at her mouth.

“My cognac has never tasted so good.”

She licks her lips, and lust shoots me in the gut. I untie the belt of my long royal robe. I need to feel her against me. Two hours was too long. It’s like I’m suddenly starved for attention. Something I didn’t want before her but now that I’ve gotten a taste I need it all.

She inhales sharply at the sight of my nude frame. I do not work out, but I am active. I spar and run with Zero for my own safety, and my body shows the evidence of that in my wide shoulders, tight abs, and narrow waist.

If I look good in a uniform, I know I look better out of it. Mackenzie’s devouring gaze re-affirms that.

“I think it is time for you to taste me, Mackenzie. Show some respect for your monarch.”

“Oh?” She looks like she might resist, but there is a flare in her eyes.

“Yes. It’s just what the doctor ordered.” I spread my legs and pat the empty space between them. “Come and present your mouth.” She hesitates, but I can see her nipples harden through the fabric of her clothes. “Give yourself to me. You know how I can make you feel.”

Her teeth sink into her bottom lip, but she climbs off the sofa and kneels between my legs.

“Best if your shirt is off.” I