27. Willa
Chapter twenty-seven
Willa
A loud banging sound awakens me the next morning, which is quickly followed by a low snarl from the naked man lying beside me in bed.
Sitting up, I jostle Nick's shoulder. "Nick!" I hiss frantically, "Wake up! You fell asleep in my bed last night."
The banging noises commence again.
I cannot believe Nick fell asleep and stayed in my room all night. We've been so careful to hide our feelings for one another these past few days. If anyone catches him sneaking out of my room wearing his rumpled clothing from yesterday, we won't be able to deny what's happening between us.
Jumping out of bed, I throw the covers over Nick to hide his sleeping form as best I can and hurriedly thread my arms through the sleeves of my robe.
As I wrap the robe around my body, I crack open my bedroom door to find Jasper standing in the hallway with a dubious expression upon his handsome face.
He's dressed in workout attire, dripping with sweat, and holding a half-eaten apple in one hand. When he sees my pink cheeks and sexed-up hair, his expression changes instantly. He looks pleased as punch, like he's been let in on a secret.
"Thought it might be of interest to you that the household staff is in a tizzy.
I heard them talking when I came back from my run.
" He takes a huge bite of his crunchy apple, swiping his mouth with the back of his hand before he continues.
"The queen is arriving this morning for an unscheduled visit, and the prince has disappeared.
Apparently, he didn't sleep in his bed last night and no one knows where he is. "
"Shit," I mutter at the same time that Nick bellows, "Bollocks!" from inside my room.
Jasper's smile grows. "Like I said, just thought you'd find that tidbit of palace gossip interesting. I'm going to go shower now. See you later, Willa."
Closing the door, I lean against it and face Nick with trepidation. He's thrown off the covers and is sitting up in bed now.
"Nick, what are we going to do? Jasper won't tell anyone, but everyone is bound to find out. Especially since they know you didn’t spend the night in your room!"
"Don't worry, darling. I'll take care of it."
"How?" I ask incredulously.
"Times like these are when I really miss Johann," he mumbles as he pushes his tousled hair from his forehead. "Honestly, I'm not sure, but I'll figure something out. It's my problem to fix, not yours."
He stands from the bed and quickly tugs on his clothes from last night, like he's irritated. I know Nick’s irritation isn't aimed at me, but I can't help but absorb his negative energy. I stand off to the side, biting my lip as anxiety and fear uncurl in my gut.
What if the press gets wind of our affair?
What if people assume I'm just another one of the playboy prince's many conquests ?
What if I gain the reputation of being a royal slut?
My clammy hands tighten into fists, my fingernails leaving half-moon indents on my palms. My breath starts to sound raspy.
Recognizing the signs, I close my eyes. I inhale slowly and deeply through my nose and then slowly exhale out my mouth, as I attempt to stave off the panic that is threatening to pull me under.
Nick, wearing only his pants, flies to my side. Fumbling in his pocket, he extracts a small candy and quickly unwraps it before pressing it into my mouth. The sharp, sour tang hits my tongue, instantly puckering my lips.
"Come. Sit." He ushers me to an upholstered armchair and kneels between my legs. Nick takes my hand, unfurling my fist, and places it upon his bare chest. "Breathe with me, my darling. That's right. Slow and steady, love," he orders softly.
Under his careful, calm guidance, I feel the fear ebbing. Leaning forward, I bury my head in the crook of his neck as my breathing slows. A few minutes later, I inquire quietly, "Why the candy?"
"It's a sensory technique. The sour candy provides a distraction from your anxiety." He kisses my temple. "Did it help?"
I nod. Swinging my head up, I open my eyes. The look on Nick's face nearly knocks me over. His eyes, usually twinkling, are filled with concern, and the relief that washes over him when he sees that I'm okay is powerful.
Then he smiles his special smile, the one that I've never seen him give anyone but me, and I feel his affection for me down to the very marrow of my bones.
The depth and seriousness of Nick's feelings for me are written all over his face for me to see.
It's time that I stop fighting the feelings swirling between us. His feelings are stronger than my fear.
The tongues are wagging today. The palace occupants, both guests and staff, are busy speculating about the prince's mysterious disappearance. I spend the morning playing dumb whenever anyone broaches the topic.
And I've turned avoiding eye contact with Jasper into an Olympic sport because he's basking in my discomfort. But other than a few well-timed smirks, Jasper doesn't say a word.
Around midday, Fiona shares that she overheard two maids gossiping.
They said Nick claimed he'd woken up early to meditate in the gardens before beginning his day.
However, the maids doubted his story because his bed was made, which is something he's never done before.
(I can't help but roll my eyes when I hear that part of the story.) The maids suspect, instead, that Nick went out to the neighborhood pub last night and had a one-night stand with a local woman.
I hum and nod at appropriate times when Fiona relays the story with excitement.
God, I hope the interest in Nick's whereabouts dies down soon. After resuming our sexual relationship last night, my body is already craving Nick’s again.
I feel like how I imagine an addict feels.
All I can think about is Nick—when I'll get to see him, touch him, and be with him.
I want him in my bed tonight, but that seems unlikely given the current attention his sex life is garnering.
So, when I enter the castle library to enjoy my afternoon tea in privacy, I'm pleasantly surprised to find Nick waiting for me .
"There you are. Finally," he mutters, quietly locking the door behind me.
I preen under his attentive gaze, knowing that he's been waiting for me.
My lips twitching, I ask, "How was your one-night stand with a local girl?"
"Not with a local girl. Though she definitely was the best I've ever had," he remarks with a lurid grin.
Like a hunter stalking his prey, Nick inches closer and closer to me.
With every step he takes, my heartrate accelerates in anticipation.
"So good, in fact, that I hope it won't be a one-time thing. "
I retreat, making a game of eluding him as he approaches me.
Navigating the bookshelves lining the room, I dart behind the leather sofa that sits in front of the stone fireplace.
We circle around the furniture playing an arousing game of cat-and-mouse.
Our chase ignites a rush within me, making me come alive.
"Willa, when I finally catch you, are you going to make me punish you?" Nick's voice sounds like sandpaper, raspy and rough, and reminds me of how his stubble felt against my thighs last night.
He creeps forward. One step, two steps, and then I spring backward, rushing to the antique desk in the corner of the room, circling it as he stalks me.
"Yes sir," I purr, eliciting a guttural groan from Nick. The pulse between my legs is beating rapidly and I squeeze my thighs together.
"What kind of punishment seems fitting for teasing me like you are, my darling?" he inquires as I jump from behind the desk and push the desk chair into his path with a giggle.
My heart thuds in my chest. Breathily, I respond, "Whatever you see fit, Your Royal Highness."
I catch the way he swallows roughly, his Adam's apple bobbing in his throat, whenever I address him deferentially. Nick thrives on control, and I thrive on giving Nick control of my body when I seek out pleasure from him.
My face feels hot and there's an undeniable slickness forming between my legs.
Feigning right, I dart to the left. Just as I spin to move out of Nick's reach, his arm shoots out, looping around my waist. He pulls me against him, my back to his front, as I struggle.
My chest heaves as he walks us to the desk.
Then he bends me face down over the edge of the desk, the smooth wood feeling cool against my heated cheek.
I wiggle as he raises my skirt, baring my ass to him.
Before I realize what is happening, he spanks me, a light pop followed by a harder one.
The erotic sound of his hand meeting my flesh rings out in the quiet room.
I gasp at the pain and then moan in desire.
No one has ever spanked me before, but I want Nick to do it again.
He delivers, each strike warming my skin as blood rushes to the surface.
Every second or third slap is followed by a gentle caress.
My moan grows longer and louder as my wetness seeps down my thighs.
When he believes my punishment is sufficient, Nick releases his hold on me and roughly instructs me to get on my knees.
Eagerly, I sink to the floor, trailing my hands down his body until they rest on his muscular thighs.
I look up at him through my lashes. His lust-filled eyes meet mine as he cradles my cheek in his palm.
The very hand that spanked me now comforts me. It's an addictive and alluring contrast.
"Unbutton your blouse. I want to see your tits," he commands. "Now unbutton my trousers and take out my cock, Willa. "
I shiver as I follow Nick's instructions. The coldness of his tone is counterbalanced by the heat in his eyes. Again, he provides me with the contrast of sensations I crave from him.