“Where is he?”

Jasmina nearly growled as she paced behind the curtain. A huge press crowd was waiting outside, and it was minutes before they were scheduled to make an appearance together. Her gold-flecked gown was swirling around her as she strode from one end of the room to the other.

Jenson walked in then, dressed in yet another tailor-made suit, his hair perfectly styled. She caught a whiff of his cologne, and Jasmina’s body reacted to it traitorously, which only served to enrage her further.

“You’re late!” she hissed.

Jenson glanced at his watch.

“Actually, I’m two minutes early.”

“Because no prep work is necessary for a press conference? You have a lot to learn about royal life, Black.”

“Oh, it’s just Black now is it? I don’t even get a respectful Mister? My goodness, you must certainly be a stickler for time.”

“Your Highness, you’ve just been announced.”

Glaring at Jenson, Jasmina turned toward the stage and fixed her features into a neutral expression before stepping out before a sea of camera flashes. Voices rang out as members of the press began to ask questions all at once, and Jasmina held her hand out to quiet them. The room went silent almost instantly.

“My good citizens, I’m happy to meet with you today, as I have some very important news to share. Following the death of my father, I have taken on the role of leader of this nation, and I hope to do you proud. While I was away, I met a man that I soon hope to call my husband. I would like to introduce you all to Jenson Black.”

She glanced behind the curtain, where Jenson was gently nudged out onto the stage. He waved to the crowd, his smile bright as camera flashes bounced off his teeth. He wrapped an arm around Jasmina’s waist, still waving.

The crowd erupted, questions shooting at them so loud Jasmina could hardly hear herself think.

“Please, I know this is a lot to take in. Just know that I will be taking the proper steps to have an El Jayiah wedding, and the details of this development will soon be revealed. I would never do anything to harm El Jayiah or its people, so you must know that any decision I make, I keep you all in my mind and in my heart. That will be all for today, thank you.”

She reached for Jenson’s hand and forced a smile as she pulled him off the stage, her smile fading instantly as the curtain passed behind her. She released his hand and continued walking, intent on making her exit. She was stopped when her hand was grabbed, and she turned to see Jenson there, his eyes clouded.

“What you said out there, about doing anything for your country…you really meant that, didn’t you?”

She met his gaze head-on, wondering why he would even bother to ask.

“You’re here, aren’t you?” she asked.

There was something in his stare—was it doubt? Whatever it was, it was quickly masked by his façade of arrogance as he released her and stepped back.

“I suppose we’ll be moving forward on the wedding planning then, shall we?”

“We will begin making the necessary arrangements in a few days’ time, yes. As it is customary for you to have a say in these things, I will have a schedule sent to you so you can plan accordingly. Good day, Mr. Black.”

“Ah, well at least I get my Mister back. You’re forgetting something, though.”

Jasmina turned, her hands on her hips as she waited impatiently for him to continue.

“You said we have to share dinner on the terrace so everyone can see how in love we are. I take it that date hasn’t been cancelled.”

Jasmina cursed inwardly. She never forgot an obligation, but she had been so flustered having to go in front of her people to break the news that she had completely forgotten that she was obligated to spend at least another two hours with the man.

“He’s right, Your Highness.”

Asha appeared behind her, and Jasmina was grateful for her presence. She would have to be more careful how she spoke to Jenson, even in private. With her lie to the council still in place, she couldn’t risk losing their trust.

“Thank you, Asha. We will head to the terrace now.”

“Yes, thank you, Asha. You are a gem, as always.”

Jasmina’s gaze darted to Jenson. He sounded as though he was giving a genuine compliment, and a flush of annoyance coursed through her as she realized that Asha was blushing.

“Stop flirting with my staff,” she grumbled.

“Flirting? I’m simply giving this delightful woman a compliment. Someday someone needs to teach you how to not scowl.”

“Someday someone has to teach you how to be a decent human being.”

“Who says I’m not? After all, we did meet at a charity ball.”

“You are the worst.”

“You’re still marrying me.”

“Not by choice!” she hissed, turning back away from him and heading in the direction of the veranda.

After several steps, she felt his palm slide against hers, and it took everything in her not to tear her hand away.

“Appearances, my dear. Appearances,” he whispered against her ear.

His breath was warm and it ticked her skin. Jasmina gripped his hand so tight she hoped she could break it. As they approached the entryway to the veranda, she stopped.

“What gives? Shouldn’t we get out there?” Jenson asked.

“I’m simply bracing myself for the façade I have to put on.”

“Don’t forget to smile, nice and big,” he said, reaching for the door and pressing it open.

When they stepped outside, a massive crowd of people who had already gotten the news stood below, waving and calling up to the couple. Jenson pulled Jasmina close and waved to them again, his smile firmly in place. Jasmina did her best to not look extremely uncomfortable.

“Come on, let’s give them what they really want,” he said.

Without warning, he tilted her to the side, dipping her before he crashed his lips against hers. The crowd went wild, and so did Jasmina’s heart. Her mind reminded her that Jenson was a cad who apparently loved working a crowd into a frenzy. He thought of no one but himself.

When he finished kissing her, he lifted her back up, still beaming. Jasmina did her best to look demurely pleased before giving her people a small wave and sitting at the table. Jenson sat across from her, pouring two flutes of bubbling champagne.

“Well this is fun,” he said, taking a sip and waving to the crowd.

“Desperate for approval much?” she asked.

His eyes darkened for a millisecond, and Jasmina realized she might have hit a nerve. Interesting.

“You should be enjoying this,” Jenson murmured. “It’s not every day a monarch enjoys the love and approval of their people. I’ve seen that your own approval ratings are quite high already. That bit you did connecting farmers to businesses in the south was a great move.”

She stared at him, dumbfounded.

“Are you complimenting my leadership?”

“I might be. You’re clearly very passionate about running this country well. Sometimes I wish we had someone like you in charge back home. We might actually get some things done.”

Unsure how to respond, Jasmina took a sip of champagne, the bubbles tickling her tongue and warming her chest as she swallowed. She realized then that they would have to make conversation for at least an hour before she could make an excuse to leave.

“Your men have made quick work of getting the operation up and running,” she said.

Jenson nodded.

“Of course. I have an expectation for excellence, and I made a big investment with this purchase. In order for it to be worth it, we need lithium, and I don’t want to wait to get our profit margins back up.”

“Out of curiosity, what do you think about when you’re not thinking about money?”

He leaned in, his grin wolf-like.

“Beautiful women. My future wife, in particular.”

Jasmina’s cheeks heated, and she tried to fight back the blush.

“What’s our deal with that, anyway?” he asked.

“With what?”

“Sex.”

Jasmina swallowed.

“I don’t think I understand you.”

“Oh, come now. I’m sure you’ve got some sort of stipulation around this topic. Might as well discuss it now, in front of an enormous crowd of your beloved subjects.”

“Or we could discuss it never.”

“So you’re saying sex is off the table.”

“I’m saying it’s something we don’t need to discuss at a table, yes. If you really want to know, I have done my absolute best not to think about it at all.”

“Well I haven’t. In fact, it’s something I’ve thought about a lot since meeting you.”

Jasmina shifted uncomfortably in her chair, remembering that she was being watched. She fixed a serene expression on her face as she gazed at Jenson with fake adoration.

“I wouldn’t sleep with you if you were the last man on earth,” she said, her tone syrupy sweet.

Jenson laughed.

“You put on a good show for the crowd. Keep it up, you’re really winning them over.”

He grabbed a piece of bread and slathered it with butter. Jasmina noticed he did that at every meal. He clearly had a ravenous appetite. For food, and apparently…other things.

“I’m a very generous lover,” he said, returning to the uncomfortable subject at hand.

Jasmina scoffed.

“I sincerely doubt that. From what I can tell you are the most selfish, self-centered man in the entire world. That doesn’t bode well for the bedroom.”

“You think you know everything about me from the few interactions we’ve had?” he asked, his voice serious.

“I think I’ve got you pretty well measured, yes. Your actions up to this point have been atrocious, and the thought of sharing a bed with you makes my skin crawl.”

“Well I’ll admit that’s the first time I’ve ever been told that. Still, I’m not worried. By the time we’re married you’ll be begging me to share your bed.”

“Never,” she breathed, still grinning.

If the crowd didn’t know any better, they could only assume that the couple was sharing a pleasant conversation about the weather.

Jenson’s stare was still predatory and filled with a hunger she had never seen before. Part of her was frightened by it. The other part, much to her dismay, was deeply intrigued. She couldn’t deny that she’d had a dream or two starring Jenson, and had woken up in a sweat by the end of it.

Could she last the rest of her life without making love to a man? Would she have to give into her body’s desires at some point if it meant being touched by another for just a moment?

Their food arrived, and Jasmina managed to change the course of the conversation toward more general things, though Jenson managed to sneak in salacious comments every chance he got. He was toying with her, playing with her emotions.

She would not let him defeat her resolve. She would never!

* * *