Tempting the Crown (The Crown 1)

“What interview?”

She finished her espresso. She was practically buzzing from caffeine and excitement. “Haven’t you ever had one of those fantasies where you thought if you could just meet Harry Chadsworth or run into Michael Stone even if it was only one night, you’d do it? You’d hook up? You’d dance? You’d do whatever he wanted, right?”

I laughed. “They are Hollywood actors and I doubt they are in Freychon right now. Besides isn’t Harry engaged?” I was clueless about pop culture at this point. I only had time for my dissertation.

“Forget Harry. He’s just an example. But I heard about The Titan. It’s where that can happen.”

“Where what can happen?” I eyed her.

“Where you can have your famous fantasy.”

“That’s absurd. They are fantasies for a reason. They aren’t obtainable.”

She shook her head. “No. There’s a club. It’s here. It’s in Freychon. And for one night we get one of those fantasies.”

“What are you saying?”

She leaned across the table. “I’m saying if you want to fuck the prince or the guy on the cover of GQ, tonight is your chance.”

“No way.” I continued to shake my head, not believing a word she said.

“It’s one night. No strings attached. The ultimate fantasy. This is life-changing, Molly.”

I folded my arms. “It’s insane.”

She looked over her shoulder, but the suited man was long gone by now. “He chose us. We might not pass the interview. But if we don’t go, we won’t know.”

“Why would I even consider something like this?”

“Come on, it’s been on my Galona bucket list ever since I heard about it. I just didn’t know if it was real. You have to do it with me. Think of the memory this night will give you. For the rest of your life you’ll be able to say you slept with a billionaire. And you got every fantasy you ever wanted. They have the money to make it happen. You’ll never see him again. He’ll never see you. Just a night of off the charts sex with an A-list celebrity. Doesn’t that interest you just a little bit?” She pinched her fingers together.

“No one would ever know?”

She shook her head. “Nope.”

I twisted my lips together. “And we might not even make it through the interview process?”

“Right. I’m sure it’s intense. But we have no way of knowing if we don’t at least try.”

She held up the card. “Come on. You need a night to let loose. One night to leave the post-its and note cards and have fun with a hot guy.”

I sighed. It sounded more luxurious than a bubble bath. It also seemed impossible. There was no way I’d make it through the interview.

“Fine. But I’m just going to check the place out. And make sure you haven’t been duped into some scam.”

Brooklyn squealed. “Yes! This is going to be amazing.”

That was this morning.

It seemed like days had passed since I made the decision to walk to The Titan.

“I will not ask again.” The king’s voice was clipped.

His fingers lingered on my skin, exploring with possessive pressure.

There was something predatory in his stare. An iciness in his tone that made me shiver. But I wasn’t afraid. I was drawn to him when I should have been cautious. I was attracted to his high cheek bones and dark eyes when I should have been questioning my judgement. I was falling for the heat in his fingertips when I should have been pushing his hands away.

My eyes locked on his. “I want my fantasy,” I answered.