THAYER     “So?” Lud asked. His eyes sparkled with anticipation. “Don’t stick your nose in my business.” He shook in the front seat. I wanted to hit him in the head. He thought it was funny. In my entire life, I had never encountered been turned down by a woman. I was the one who was used to turn offers down.  Even if Kennedy knew who I really was, I might still be getting the same answer. She wasn’t ready to give up her job. I shouldn’t be surprised. “It wasn’t so bad. She’s in love with you, but you left with so many unanswered questions.” Ash looked over his shoulder. “I hope you’re right.” “I know when a woman has feelings or not. She wouldn’t have acted the way she did if she didn’t have feelings for you. She was confused and undecided. You have to give her time. She’ll come around.”  “And that precious time you didn’t have,” Lud sang. “Shut the fuck up, Ludovic.” Ash gla

THAYER     I was pacing back and forth, and every now and then, I watched through the window for the car to arrive. I rechecked the time. “For God’s sake. Just sit the fu— down.” Lud growled, glaring at me. “I swear I’m gonna drug you to sleep if you ask me one more time what took them so long. Just sit down, Your Highness. You’re giving me a severe headache. I can’t focus on keeping you safe if I have more dizziness than you.” “Really? This is how you show your support?” I glared back. They looked at each other before they barked out laughing. Ash shook his head in amusement. “Do you think it’s funny? I don’t know the driver you hired to pick up Kennedy. For all I know, he already kidnapped her.” “You’re irrational, Your Highness. Please, relax a little.” He checked the time on his watch. “They should be here in a few minutes.” “You’ve been saying the same thing for thirty minutes now. Yet, I

KENNEDY     A long growl escaped his throat. “Are you sure?” “Please? I want you to mark me, fuck me, bite me, claim me. Whatever it pleases you.”  His eyes darkened even more to my plea. His nose flared. His jaw ticked before he clamped his mouth into me, kissing me with lust, passion, and raw. Our tongues dueled.  I wrapped my legs around his waist as I guided his huge hard cock into my wet entrance. He was so tense, his veins protruding on his neck. His muscles were taut. “Fuck!”  My breathing held. God, he was so huge, stretching me. I was so wet, but it still hurt. It burned. But it felt it belonged to be there inside me. “God.” He groaned against my ear, his breaths tickling me. Then he granted my wish—he fucked me.  Hard. He thrust and thrust and thrust without mercy.  My breasts jiggled up and down.  My back scraped against the soft

KENNEDY     The invitation had arrived earlier.  My shock was an understatement.  I stared at the white with the golden intricate square paper as if my sight was playing tricks with me. My name was written on it, though. I just got my first invitation to the Royal Charity Ball in Burkhese.  Thayer must have connections with the royal family, or he was an active philanthropist. When Thayer said earlier he had someone to prepare me for a party, he was right, but not on that someone, because I had a masseuse, a manicurist, someone for my hair, another for my makeup. Arina was also with me.  And my dark blue floor-length vintage-inspired gown with beaded bodice, floral details along the hem just arrived. By a single glance at this creation, it was from a known designer. In my opinion, it felt like I was attending a MET Gala—it was gorgeous, but I didn’t know if I was the right person to wear it

KENNEDY  I didn’t what to expect when Thayer—or should I call him Prince Thayer, the Duke of Assland when he told me that I was the only one that matters to him, that he was still the same person I met days ago. I just trusted him. I felt something stronger than how he made me feel in bed. Or maybe I was too delirious with the surge of my own libido that I wouldn’t care so much if, in the end, if this thing, or whatever we shared would come to an end.I was hurt—mostly my ego. I sighed in defeat. Fine. My feelings. I trusted him. We slept together without protection, and the sex was mind-blowing. But he lied to me and kept the most crucial part of his life. He was a freaking Prince. And that bitch. God, I wanted to pull my hair off my head. How could I be stupid? So damn stupid. There was a so-called Google and social media. Or maybe, I was scared of something I would find out, and I wasn’t ready to