Tempting the Crown (The Crown 1)

“Seven-seven-seven,” she whispered. She didn’t make eye contact. “But Sapphire is the other one they gave me.”

“Your real name,” I corrected her.

“I thought we weren’t supposed to do that.”

I reached for a bottle of water in the bar and grabbed a second one for her. I twisted the lid from the top and put it in her hands.

“Do you know who I am?” I asked blankly.

She nodded. “I was told you’re one of the royals.” She took a sip.

“One of the royals?” I scoffed. “I must be losing my reputation around here.” I turned to face her squarely. “I’m the royal.”

She fidgeted with the bottle cap. “I know. I was just trying not to make a big deal about it. Maybe I’m not supposed to acknowledge you’re the king of Galona. I-I’m not sure.”

“At least you know my title. You know I have certain exemptions. One of those specifically deals with the name clause. What’s your name?”

“Molly. Molly Washington.”

I chuckled. “It doesn’t get any more American than that.”

Her long lashes lowered a second time. The gesture did something to me. I raised her chin until she lifted her eyes to mine. Her gaze cut right through me. I knew now why they called her Sapphire.

“Tell me. Are you scared of me Molly Washington?”

She shook her head. “No.”

“And why not?” My hand circled over the creaminess of her skin, my fingers pressing into the softness of the back of her neck.

Her chest rose, sending her breasts forward. God, they were unbelievable. Ripe and soft. My eyes trailed upward again, making heated eye contact.

We drove farther up the hillside. The lights of Freychon blanketed the ground below us.

The shield between our seat and Georgan gave me absolute privacy. My mouth grew hungry for her. Her eyes darted back and forth.

“Because you’re the king,” she whispered. “You’re not scary.”

I pressed my lips in a straight line. “And tonight? Why did you sign up for something like this? The Titan?”

I ran my fingertips to the top of her spine, making my own road map to her shoulder. The back of my fingers slid along her arm.

“My friend thought it was an urban legend,” she explained. “And when we were approached it seemed like something we couldn’t turn down.”

“And do you still feel that way?” I asked. “Like you can’t turn it down?”

“I signed the contract.”

“That’s not what I asked.” My voice was cool and dark. “Do you want to be here, Molly Washington?”

We turned into the back of the compound. The palace gates folded open.

I looked at her more patiently than I ever had. As if I was a lion waiting for the gazelle to walk gingerly into the clearing. Was this girl willing to walk into the moonlight and expose herself to my hunger?

“It’s one night. Your night. To be with the king. It won’t happen again. The Titan does not seek return tallies. So you must decide here and now what you want.” I saw her hesitation. “Georgan will drive you home. Or you can walk inside the palace with me.” I pointed to the top floor where a row of lights illuminated a set of windows. “See that block of rooms?”

“Yes.” Her eyes followed my index finger.

“Those are the king’s rooms. My rooms.”