Tempting the Crown (The Crown 1)

“No. But you could at least grant my audience when I ask for it.”

“When do I deny your audience, Isabel?”

“I didn’t want to go to Sangreaux. You know that. Instead of meeting with me, you sealed the itinerary and I was on a plane.”

He closed his eyes. “Let’s continue this in my office.”

He led her across the room and into his private study. I watched until the door was closed. I sat on the sofa with my vodka, waiting for one of them to emerge. I could hear them argue from where I sat. It was back and forth. Neither one letting it get out of hand, but there was no doubt it was heated.

A few minutes later, I heard Isabel’s heels click across the floor. I turned to watch her.

“Good night, Molly. It was a pleasure to meet you.” She tapped the elevator button.

“Good night.” I rose from the sofa.

The door opened and the princess disappeared in a blur of glittery white.

“Bon soir, Molly.”

His voice gave me chills.

I had enough time to prepare to come out swinging. Ample opportunity to perfect the lines I should have said. It could have been eloquent and fiery.

“W-what?”

“I see you already have a drink. I need a bourbon.” He walked toward me, but turned for the bar.

I didn’t know what it would feel like to see him again.

It was like whiplash, snapping between annoyance and giddiness that he was here. Then there was the guilt mixed with irritation that I was ok with any of this. I woke up disappointed he hadn’t contacted me and then was insulted by how he had.

“Do you know your goons removed me from my work and brought me here?” I challenged. “Do you have any idea what that cost me today?”

Damon’s back was to me. He poured his bourbon.

“I wanted to see you.”

“That’s it? That’s all you have to say? I’ve been here for hours. Basically a prisoner.”

His

dark eyes landed on me. “Are you accusing me of locking you in my tower?” His smirk was irritating, but sexy at the same time.

This wasn’t some kind of game. And I wasn’t the Rapunzel type.

“I don’t understand why you think this is funny.”

He crossed the room, kicking back the dark drink. My chest tightened. The smile had dropped from his lips. He looked like a tiger tracking his prey. My heart beat, wondering when he would pounce.

“I’m not laughing, Molly. Far from it.”

With his final step, he reached me and I froze. His piercing stare burned my chest. I was paralyzed with a bizarre combination of need and anger. I remembered what it was like to be touched by him. To be under him. To be pinned against his hard body. It took everything I had to control my breathing. The memories flooded me, but I was suddenly defiant. I didn’t want Damon to know what kind of power he had over my body. My reaction to him was undeniable despite how much I suppressed my natural instincts.

“Well, neither am I. Do you have any idea what I went through? I was embarrassed in front of everyone. I looked like a criminal. There’s no telling what they think. And then I was left up here with no information on why I was dragged away. There wasn’t a message. A note. Nothing.” I tried my best to muster a hard glare, but I could tell I was crumbling. He was too close to me. The air was tinged with heat and want. It was impossible to fend off the inevitable.

“And then I sat. And I waited. And I-I don’t think it’s fair how you treated me. Is this what it means to be a citizen here? You just order people around? People have no rights?”

He exhaled. His eyes closed. When they opened the lust in them stole my breath.