Jessica turned in the passenger seat of Ballasare’s car to study his profile as he drove. It was the first time they’d gone anywhere alone in the week since he’d asked her to stay. He’d said he had something important to tell her.
She had something to tell him as well.
From her new wardrobe to the staff that now followed her around to make sure her every wish was granted, Jessica felt like she’d stepped into a fairy tale. Diamonds draped her neck, gold adorned her wrists. None of it mattered to her. Her prince had been attentive and charming all week and she’d allowed herself the pleasure of imagining he could be hers.
My prince. That sounds as crazy as all of this feels good.
Just as he’d promised, he’d shown her his island. From historical sites to castles new and old, picnics overlooking the ocean, and dinners so fancy she hadn’t used half of the cutlery provided. Hand in hand they explored his country, and each day was more magical than the last. She learned about him, not only through their conversations but also from the rotating chaperones who accompanied them.
His mother was sweet and timid. With some coaxing, she shared stories from Ballasare’s childhood. Jessica particularly enjoyed hearing how at age four he’d decided growing up to be Superman was preferred over becoming king. His young mind had compared his father’s reign over the island to a superhero’s ability to fly and the choice had been clear to him. To his mother’s chagrin, it had been difficult to convince her son that such a switch was not possible.
His two brothers, Niccolino and Robert, were irreverent and hilarious. Midweek, they accompanied Ballasare and Jessica to the factory where the island’s ore was refined. Afterward, they all had lunch with the workers, an event that changed Jessica’s view of them. They were respected by the people of Rubare Virgina, but they didn’t hold themselves above them. They sat beside them, knew their names, and addressed their concerns.
Each night Ballasare walked her back to her room and gave her a kiss that was harder and harder to end. There was always someone, though, who showed up to make sure it did. The sexual attraction that had been instant between them was now a constant companion, pulsing beneath their restrained touches.
She no longer wanted to run from him, but to him. She’d never known such hunger before. It was equal parts frustrating and exhilarating.
She spoke to her parents daily, and they knew she was considering a relationship with Ballasare. They had switched from cheering her on to win money to dating a prince with disconcerting ease. Her mother had wanted to know about Ballasare’s personality and how he treated her. Her father had asked for a direct phone number to the king and said the conversation between them had gone well. He refused to say more on the subject and Ballasare had merely echoed what her father had said.
A week together. A week of allowing herself to live a lie.
It felt wrong, but she knew the life she would return to without him. She didn’t want to be alone again. For the first time in her life she had someone, and he was everything she’d yearned for and more.
Yes, he still said things that were so arrogant she was tempted to slap him, but she’d also discovered he had the ability to laugh at himself if those indiscretions were brought to his attention the right way.
His cards for example. She rolled her eyes skyward just thinking about them. During a moment when their chaperone of the day was out of earshot, she’d asked him what tests he’d planned for her but hadn’t given her. He’d proudly pulled out a deck of cards.
Each card had been white with a purple inkblot on it. When he’d held the first one up, he’d looked so proud of himself that she’d barely held back her laughter. “What do you see when you look at this card?” he’d asked.
The inkblot was clearly an outline of woman going down on a man. Ballasare’s expression had been serious, and it was obvious he thought the test was genius. Jessica had done her best to keep a straight face and said, “It looks like a woman castrating a man.”
Ballasare had made a face and showed her another card. This time it was an inkblot that was an unsubtle representation of a man entering a woman from behind. “What exactly were you hoping to learn from this test?” she’d asked.
“Just say what you see.”
How she hadn’t lost her composure then was a mystery to her, but she’d maintained her composure. “Oh, wait, I do see something. That’s a goat with some sick bastard doing something horrible to it.”
“No,” Ballasare had said and turned the card to look at it. “Is that really what you see?”
She’d given in to a fit of laughter then. It only took a moment for him to join her as he realized she was teasing him. He’d placed the cards to the side and drawn her into his embrace.
“Do you know the penalty for mocking a royal?”
“Is it having to look at the rest of the cards?” she joked.
Between quick kisses, he’d growled, “Just for that, I’m keeping them. Since they are difficult for you to decipher, I’ll demonstrate each one of them, again and again until they no longer confuse you.” The bulge of his cock had validated the sincerity of his offer, but there was laughter in his eyes.
She didn’t doubt that sex with him would be amazing. The man was everything: kind, observant, strong, sensual, and drop-dead delicious. The way he held her, kissed her, touched her . . . she knew he’d use every skill to ensure it was good for both of them. He will make sure it is amazing for me.
Any fear she’d once had of him hurting her had been replaced with the dread of knowing she would lose him.
But he’s mine—for now.
“I’d like that,” she’d whispered.
The deep answering kiss he’d given her had been quickly interrupted by one of his uncles who had joked, “How soon is the wedding? You may want to move the date up.”
Jessica had laughed along with Ballasare even though her insides had twisted painfully at the mention of a wedding that would never happen.
We’re finally alone. There won’t be a better time to tell him. I need to do it.
He turned, caught her watching him, and took her hand in his before looking back at the card. She clung to his hand. He won’t look at me that way once he knows.
Will he hate me for not telling him right away?
Will he be hurt or angry?
Can I blame him for being either?
Yes, the practice is outdated and wrong, but he didn’t hide it from me. He told me the kind of woman he can marry. I stayed and let myself fall in love with a man I can’t have; that’s my fault.
And if I hurt him by doing it—it’s something I’ll always regret.
A week of spending time with Jessica had removed any doubt in Ballasare that she was the one for him. His family adored her, his people accepted her, and the more he was with her, the more he wanted to be with her. He didn’t resent how the traditions of his people had kept him from consummating how he felt about her, because the wait, which was sweet torture, would make their wedding night that much more amazing.
Rather than rushing into bed with her, he had gotten to know other sides of her. Their personalities meshed well. She not only made him laugh, but she asked him questions that pushed him to have a position on topics he hadn’t previously put much thought into. Were any of the women in the royal family allowed to work in the family’s business? Were they allowed to study abroad? Would any of that change when he became king?
When his father had asked him what he saw in her, Ballasare hadn’t known where to start or end the list. She was everything he’d hoped to find and more. When a man was planning a lifetime with a woman, he had to look beyond the present heat of lust and determine if there was enough to sustain such a union. The friendship developing between them made him certain he and Jessica could make it.
She was intelligent, kind, funny, and able to get along with everyone he introduced her to. Having read about her difficulties with connecting with people in the past, he’d assumed that would still be true. It wasn’t, though. She’d told him she’d conquered her insecurities and she had. It showed every time she shook the hand of a stranger and found ways to connect with them. He’d imagined her as a delicate flower that would blossom only with his tutelage, but the truth was she was already resilient and beautiful in her own right. Watching her win over the hearts of his people with her warm smile and quiet confidence made him proud of her and proud to have her at his side.
Although there was some risk involved in sneaking off to be alone with her, what he wanted to say to her would not be done in front of the watchful eyes of his family. A man only asked a woman once, and he wanted it to be perfect. For that reason, he’d took her to a place special to him and where he knew no one would disturb them. He parked his car outside the ruins of the castle and assured himself that he had enough self-control to do this right.
Jessica Quincy had not just won the competition, she’d done something he hadn’t thought possible, she’d won his heart.
It was time to ask her to stay for good. Time to ask her to be mine.