Feisty Princess Read online

  She lifts her eyebrows. “Oh? Well, I’m still glad she’s doing it. I don’t want you to have any issues with Daddy’s company. I knew it meant a lot that it would be in your hands when he was no longer here. And on that note—” Diem pushes herself up from the couch. “I’d better get going so you two can get ready.”

  “Ready?” I asked confused as to what she’s referring to.

  “For the King Corporation Education Gala, of course. It’s the company’s biggest event of the year, and they will expect Alexander to make an appearance with his new bride. If you ask me, it’s the perfect time to convince the board that you’re a happy couple.”

  “You’re right,” Alexander says as he stands. “I hadn’t told Margo because I didn’t think it would be a good idea to have her there, but it might be best to confront the board head-on before the rumors get to them. Here.” He begins to hand Jimmy back to Diem, but she shakes her head. “Come on. What am I supposed to do with him?”

  Diem smiles and begins to backpedal out of the room. “He’s your dog. You’ll figure it out. Good luck, you two.”

  Once she leaves the room, Alexander turns to me. “The gala begins at eight. I know it doesn’t leave you much time to get ready, but there are new gowns in your closet that will fit the occasion. I had Aggie pick up a few for you just in case I needed you to accompany me to the gala. Choose whichever one you like.”

  As much as I want to argue and tell him that I’m not going, I know that in order to uphold my end of the deal, I need to play my part. A wife would be happy to attend something like this on husband’s arm, so I’ll have to force myself to smile.

  I push up from the chaise. “I’ll be ready.”

  Alexander nods. “Thank you.” As if on cue, Jimmy barks. “I can’t believe she got me a dog. She knows how busy I am.”

  I smile as I lean in and pet the dog. “I think it’s sweet that she cares enough about you to worry about you being lonely.”

  Alexander’s gaze locks on mine the moment I glance up at his face. He opens his mouth to say something as his eyes search my face, and this weird tension floats between us. I’m not sure what he was about to say to me, but whatever it is, he’s holding back.

  I’m curious as to what it might’ve been, but I don’t ask. Instead, I step around him and head toward my room. “I’ll meet you in the foyer?”

  “Seven thirty sharp,” he calls over his shoulder.

  As I head to my room, it hits me that living in this apartment with Alexander King hasn’t been anything like I expected. Everything from his relationship with Aggie and Darby to his willingness to give in to his sister has all surprised me. Maybe there is some truth to what Yamada was saying about Alexander having a heart because I’m pretty sure I just caught a glimpse of it back there.

  Alexander

  STANDING IN THE FOYER OF my apartment, I glance down at my watch. What in the hell takes a woman so damn long to get ready?

  Jimmy paws at my leg, begging for my attention. I bend down and scratch the soft fur behind his right ear. “I can’t play right now, buddy. You be good for Aggie while I’m gone.”

  Diem’s right. I have a hard time resisting this dog no matter how hard I try.

  A sigh escapes me as I stand upright and check my watch again. I hate being late; it’s a pet peeve of mine. I always have to be early. I’m tempted to go to Margo’s room to tell her to hurry her sweet ass up, but before I can decide, she appears at the top of the staircase.

  My breath catches at the very sight of her in her black gown. She pauses for a brief second, and our eyes meet just before she descends the staircase. It’s like watching a scene from a movie with her moving in slow motion, as she gets closer and closer to me. She’s pulled her dark hair back, and the style accentuates her gorgeous face. She’s even more stunning than any time I’ve ever seen her before. It’s truly like staring at a piece of art, but I don’t think Diem could even create something so perfect. I can’t pull my eyes away.

  I stand there with my mouth hanging open, and it’s hard for me to even find the appropriate words to say to her as she halts directly in front of me.

  Margo glances down at her outfit and runs her hand over her stomach as if to smooth out the fabric that’s already lying perfectly in place. “It doesn’t fit exactly right, but I think it can work for a few hours.”

  I bite my bottom lip. “You’re stunning, Margo.”

  Her hypnotic blue eyes flit up to meet mine, and my heart flutters in my chest. “Thank you. That’s the first real compliment you’ve ever given me.”

  I tilt my head. “I don’t believe that’s true. I distinctly remember telling you that you had great tits.”

  She bends down to pet Jimmy on the top of his head before flicking her eyes back in my direction. “Why do you always do that?”

  “Do what?” I ask, completely perplexed as to what she’s referring to.

  “Get crude with me every time we have a conversation. Every time you say something sweet to me, I almost start believing you aren’t a complete asshole, but you always ruin the moment with that mouth of yours. It wouldn’t kill you to be nice every once in a while.”

  Her words stun me for a moment. I didn’t mean to insult her, and having her in a pissy mood before we leave for this event isn’t ideal. God knows I don’t need her bitching me out in front of the very people who need to believe we’re in a real relationship.

  “You’re right, Margo. I’ll work on that,” I tell her. “I promise to tone things down a bit.”

  “Thank you,” she replies. “It will be nice not to be sexually harassed by you every time we have a conversation.”

  “I’m not saying it’ll never happen again. I mean, have you seen you? I can’t help thinking about your body and sex when I see you. You’re sexy as hell,” I admit.

  Redness creeps up into her cheeks, and it’s the first time anything I’ve ever said to her has caused that reaction. At that very moment, I realize the way to win Margo Buchanan over is with flattery. My habitual filthy talk had turned her on and helped me find my way into that sweet pussy of hers, but it never made her blush. It was like it pissed her off, but she was so turned on that she allowed me to fuck her even against her better judgment. But telling her how amazing I think she looks and meaning it affects her.

  “Ready?” she prompts.

  I shake my head. My palms begin to sweat as I reach into the pocket of my dress slacks. The velvet box in my hand suddenly feels like it weighs a ton as I hold it out to her. “I got you something.”

  Her eyes widen. “Alexander . . .”

  “It’s just a replacement for the one I gave you in Vegas. If we are going to pull this off, then we need to pull out all the stops and make our relationship believable. If you were really my wife, the ring on your finger would be large enough for the entire world to see. I would want everyone to know that you were mine. Clearly, our options in Vegas were limited when we went ring shopping in the middle of the night.”

  I open the black velvet lid, revealing the fifteen-carat diamond ring that I bought her from Jacob and Co.

  Margo gasps as her hand flies to cover her mouth. “Oh, my God. Alexander! I cannot accept that.”

  I pull it out of the box and hold it out to her. “Consider it a thank-you gift for helping me. It’s yours to keep, and you may do as you please with it once we’re through with this whole marriage thing.”

  I wait with bated breath for her answer. She stares down at it, and for a moment it almost feels like I’m actually proposing to her. “What do you say, Margo? Will you be my fake wife?”

  “Yes,” her answer comes out barely above a whisper and relief floods through me.

  I would’ve felt like a complete jackass for getting a replacement ring if she would’ve ended up saying no.

  She swallows hard as she takes the ring from me. “It’s the most gorgeous thing I’ve ever seen.”

  “Allow me.” I snap the box closed and stuff it back into
my pocket before taking the ring and sliding it onto Margo’s ring finger. I stare down at her hand, memorized by the way it sparkles. It actually looks even better than I expected on her.

  “It’s perfect,” she says. “I love it. Thank you, Alexander.”

  I turn and then extend my right elbow to her. “Come on, Mrs. King. It’s time to break every woman’s heart in Manhattan.”

  She shakes her head as she loops her arm through mine. “You are so damn full of yourself.”

  I shrug while wearing a lopsided grin. “It’s not being conceited when it’s the truth. You know as well as I do that most of the women in this city dream about taming me. They’ll be jealous as hell once they see for themselves that you’ve hooked me.”

  “So you think I’m about to walk into a pissed off beehive because you’re off the market?”

  I nod. “I hope you’re prepared to use that witty tongue of yours to ward off all the questions you’re about to be bombarded with. I need you to defend our relationship to anyone who questions it. It’s vital that you’re in on this charade with me one hundred percent.”

  She pats my forearm with her other hand as if to soothe me. “Don’t worry. We’ve got this.”

  I stare down at her and smile. “Shall we?”

  With that, we say our goodbyes to Jimmy and head toward the front door. I take a deep breath and mentally prepare myself for what I’m sure is about to be a very interesting evening.

  Margo

  IT’S A QUICK RIDE TO the gala or at least it felt that way. Alexander and I spent the time going over scenarios of what we would say to members of the board once we ran into them at the event. If there’s one thing I can say about Alexander King, it’s that he likes to be thorough.

  We’re sitting in the back of the limo, waiting for our turn to be dropped off at the entrance, when Alexander turns to me. “Perhaps we should go over some rules of engagement while we’re in there.”

  I turn my head to face him. “Such as?”

  Alexander presses the button on his door and effectively rolls up the privacy wall, separating us from the driver.

  “Kissing for one,” he says coolly. “It will be expected of us once we get in there. People are going to want to see some level of affection displayed toward one another.”

  “I’m pretty sure we’ll be able to handle some simple pecks on the cheek. Seriously, Alexander, you’re overthinking this. People will buy that we’re together.”

  “How can you be so sure?” he asks. “Maybe we better practice a couple of kisses just to make sure we’re on the same page. I don’t feel like getting smacked in the middle of a party if I do something to offend you. I need to know what your limits are.”

  I level my stare on him. “You’re really asking me to kiss you right now?”

  He licks his lips and then beckons me with the crook of his finger. “Come here.”

  As ridiculous as this idea seems, he might just have a point based on our history. When we touch, crazy things happen. Setting boundaries between us is a good idea.

  I sigh and then slide over toward him. Alexander’s eyes trail down my body, taking a moment to stare at my chest. This low-cut Prada dress accentuates my breasts nicely, so I can’t fault him for his lingering gaze.

  He tilts his head and then places his hand on the bare skin of my thigh. “Will doing this get me smacked?”

  My heart thunders inside my chest. The heat from the contact of his skin on mine is sending my body into overdrive.

  “No,” I tell him with a breathy tone. “But if you go any higher than that, it might.”

  “Noted.” He arches one eyebrow. “How about this?” He moves his hand from my thigh and then cups my cheek. The pad of his thumb swirls around my skin before it dips lower to brush the corner of my mouth.

  My mouth drifts open, and I close my eyes as he traces my lower lip with his thumb. An ache between my legs builds. It’s crazy how my body reacts so quickly with one simple touch from this man.

  I don’t even realize he’s leaning into me until I feel his warm breath on my face. “You don’t know how badly I want to kiss you right now.”

  “What’s stopping you?” I ask, needing more of his skin on mine in that moment.

  He leans his forehead against mine. “Don’t tease me like that, Margo.”

  “Who’s teasing?” My hand snakes up his chest until it finds the exposed flesh on his neck. “I want you to kiss me.”

  He cups my face. “What are you doing to me? Why can’t I resist you?”

  I bite my lip as I gaze into his eyes. “I’ve asked myself the same thing about a million times. I’m supposed to hate you, but I can’t stop wanting you.”

  That was easier to admit to him that I ever thought it would be.

  Alexander sucks a rush of air in through his nose and his chest heaves. He doesn’t move away from me, only stretches his hand out and hits the intercom button, simply instructing, “Drive.”

  “Where to, sir?” the driver asks.

  “I don’t give a fuck where. Drive until I tell you to stop,” he orders.

  The words no sooner leave his mouth than both of his hands are cradling my head, holding me in place while he crushes his lips to mine. His tongue swipes against my lips, begging for entrance while the trim whiskers on his face poke me. I moan as I open my mouth and welcome him inside.

  This is wrong, but I can’t find a reason within me to stop. It feels too good—too right.

  His hand slides down my neck and then sweeps across my collarbone before pushing the straps of my dress off my shoulders. “I want you, Margo. Tell me that you want me, too.”

  His admission causes my blood to pump a little faster through my veins, and his need to hear my confirmation has every inch of me on fire. This man has a way of turning me on like no other, and he’s damn near impossible to resist.

  I grip the collar of his crisp white tuxedo shirt and stare into his eyes as I straddle his lap. The bottom hem of my dress rides up my thighs as I press myself against the hard erection in his pants. “I need you, Alexander.”

  Those simple words are all the permission that he needs. Alexander attacks my lips with his once again, while his hands work frantically to get me out of this dress. The need to have him inside me to stop my building ache is intense. I lift my bottom a bit to gain access to his belt. When that’s out of the way, I make quick work of unzipping his pants and reaching inside his underwear. He lifts his hips, allowing me to shove the fabric down. I take his cock into my hand. The skin of his shaft is silky as I stroke his considerable length.

  Alexander watches me carefully under his long lashes as he reaches between my legs and strokes my clit through the material of my underwear. “These panties are soaked. I love that you get that way for me. Tell me, Margo. When you pleasure yourself, do you think of me?”

  My chest heaves as Alexander pushes my panties to the side and slides his finger against my most sensitive flesh. If he keeps this up, I might explode.

  “Oh, God.” I throw my head back and allow his naughty words to ring through my mind as I enjoy his touch.

  “Do you think of this, Margo? Do you long for it? Do you touch yourself and wish it was me?”

  I bite my bottom lip while I curl my fingers around his cock. I can’t concentrate on anything but my own pleasure and the way he’s making me feel. He has me so turned on I can’t see straight.

  “I’ve missed this.” He leans in and licks the soft skin just below my ear. “When I don’t have you, I’m dreaming of fucking you, tasting your lips, and hearing you scream my name while you come all over my tongue.”

  Fire pools in the pit of my belly. I lean in and kiss him before moaning into his mouth. “Alexander . . .”

  “Tell me, Margo. Do you want me inside you?” he murmurs.

  “Yesss,” I hiss.

  He moves his hand, leaving my underwear pushed to the side and then pulls me back on top of him. The warmth of his cock against my clit fe
els so damn good. I rock against him a few times, coating him with my desire and allowing our skin to slide together with ease.

  Alexander goes to work, trying to undo the zipper in the back of my dress. He curses when it sticks halfway down and then tugs roughly on the dress, losing all patience with taking his time in getting me naked.

  The distinct sound of the fabric ripping causes my head to snap up. “My dress!”

  Panic shoots through me, knowing I won’t be able to go into the gala like this.

  Alexander threads his fingers through my hair and locks me into place. The tip of his nose traces my jawline, breathing me in as he continues his deliciously slow torture of teasing me.

  “I’ll buy you a fucking new one. Don’t you dare stop,” he growls in my ear.

  I do exactly as he commands and continue rocking my hips. He shoves the torn fabric down, allowing it to pool around my hips. His patience with my underwear seems to be gone too because he reaches under my dress and rips them away from my body.

  The index finger of his right hand dips into the cup of my bra. It twirls around my nipple before moving on to the next. He bites his lip as he pushes the cups of my strapless bra down, fully exposing my breasts. His tongue darts out and licks the taut pink flesh before he sucks the entire thing into his mouth.

  Every nerve in my body comes to life, and I thread my fingers into his thick, dark hair. I rock against him, needing to feel him inside me. “I’m so ready.”

  Alexander grips my hips, steadying me against him. “I want to feel you, Margo. I want to come inside you this time.”

  My mind drifts back to the time when we had sex against the door in Vegas and how amazing that felt. That also reminds me this is the second dress he’s ruined during sex. He’s technically my husband and I’m on birth control, so I don’t see the harm in it just this once.

  I nod as I play with a strand of his hair that’s poking out in the back. “Okay.”

  He leans in and presses his lips to mine as he shifts his hips and his cock presses against my entrance. A quick thrust of his hips and he slips his dick inside me all the way up to the base.