The glass slipper, p.11
The Glass Slipper, page 11
“I’m also Danislova’s ambassador to the United Nations,” he said.
Well, shit. Definitely not the sort of person who should end up half-naked on a book cover. “And that’s why you can’t be the face of Joe Stark.”
“It wouldn’t be seemly.”
“Oh man, I’m sorry.” She slid her arms around his neck and hugged him. The implications finally sank in. She’d fallen for a prince. Even more drastic, for an ambassador. Princes could act do pretty much whatever they wanted, as far as she knew. Ambassadors had duties, protocols to follow. They held swank parties for dignitaries and their wives. They needed the right sort of woman, not a kid from Wichita who wrote bodice rippers and grabbed strange men off the street to pose for book covers. They’d never discussed marriage, and for good reason. She was definitely not ambassador’s wife material. So where was this relationship headed?
“And there’s worse, I’m afraid,” he said.
She pulled back. “Worse?”
“Even though it’s the middle of the night in Danislova, my father woke my brother up to call me,” he said. “My father was too angry to speak to me himself.”
She winced. “That bad?”
“My father has a cousin he despises. The man’s a constant thorn in his side. Vaclav.” Kurt said the name like a curse. “Seems Vaclav is a Joe Stark fan. He bought the book, and found me on the cover.”
“And he called your father in the middle of the night?”
“To gloat.” He rested his hands on her shoulders. “You have to understand. My father is very traditional. Old school. This is not how my family behaves.”
“Will he disown you?”
He laughed. “Nothing that simple.”
“Then, what?”
“I’ve been ordered home. To explain myself.”
“Ouch.”
“Casey, I want to ask you a huge favor.”
A favor for Kurt. What wouldn’t she do for him? She’d gotten him into this, and she’d have to do whatever she could to get him out of it. “Of course. Anything.”
“Go to Danislova with me.” He paused for a moment. “I want you to meet my family.”
Her breath caught. He felt that seriously about her? “But your father will be angry with me about the book cover.”
“Once he meets you, he’ll understand what happened. Work your charm on him.”
She had to laugh. “Right, my charm.”
“Besides, my brothers want to meet you.”
“Brothers, plural?” she said.
“I told my older brother about you,” he said. “It appears he shared the information.”
So, he’d been talking to his brother about their relationship. His brother, the prince of Danislova. “Do you really want me to come?”
“Honestly, I could use the moral support.”
“I owe you that. I got you into this mess.”
“Good.” He put his hands on her hips and shook them gently. “I’ll call you a cab. You’ll need to pack.”
“We’ll go tomorrow?”
“If we don’t want my father to descend on New York in an even fouler mood than he is now.”
Thank heaven her passport was still valid after that trip to Bermuda. She was going to Danislova in the company of its prince. “What about you?”
“I have a dozen things I have to take care of.” He sighed. “And I was looking forward to another night in your bed.”
Her skin heated. “Me, too.”
“My father will put us in separate rooms in the palace, but I’ll find you.” He pulled her close and kissed her. Nothing rough or forceful. The caress worked the way his always did. Gentle at first, but building in intensity, and within seconds, he’d spun a web of desire around her. He groaned as he pushed her away. “Save my place, all right?”
“You got it.”
“Now, let me call that cab.”
Chapter Seven
After spending much of the night writing memos and sending e-mails with instructions on how he’d handle his work at the UN while away, Kurt would have to make the flight to Danislova on little sleep. He’d have to confront his father without all his wits about him, but it couldn’t be helped. Still, every bone in his body told him he’d decided correctly to ask Casey to go with him. He’d need her by his side.
As they walked across the tarmac to the jet with his family’s crest on the side, he smiled inwardly at her attempt to make herself look businesslike. Low-heeled shoes, wool slacks with a sharp crease, blazer and silky blouse with small ties at her throat did nothing to tame the wildness of her curls nor hide her plush figure. She’d obviously tried to tie her hair back, but much of it had escaped to tempt his fingers. She was simply adorable, as always. And when she preceded him up the stairs to the plane, he got a view of the upside-down valentine that was her arse.
Maybe fatigue made him horny. Or maybe he needed nothing more than her presence to become erect. They’d missed their “date” from the night before, after all. And the story his brother had told of how he and Felice had passed their time during their first flight on the family jet didn’t help matters.
When they reached the interior of the plane, she looked around much the same way she had on first entered his apartment. Awe.
“All for us?”
“We use the jet for official business,” he said. “It can’t be too small.”
The copilot appeared. “Your luggage has been stowed below, Your Highness. Do you require anything else?”
“We’re ready to leave.”
“As soon as we get clearance from the tower, then.” The man went to the cockpit, where the pilot waited for them. Soon, the jet’s engines roared to life. He guided Casey to a pair of seats, and they buckled themselves in for the ride.
A few feet away stood the couch Dev and Felice had used as a bed. It would tease Kurt all the way to Danislova. Unless, of course, he made good use of it.
“How long will the flight take?” Casey asked.
“Nearly nine hours. We’ll refuel in France.” All the time staring at that couch. They’d likely end up sitting on it at some point. They’d be more comfortable there than in these seats.
“Do you think your father hates me?” she asked.
“He’ll make a great noise at first, but he doesn’t hate anyone.”
The jet started its taxi toward a runway. If she had second thoughts about coming with him, they’d just been pre-empted by reality. In nine hours, they’d land in his homeland, where he could introduce her to all its beauty.
After building up speed, the jet lifted off, and Casey’s hand slipped under his. He squeezed her fingers. “Nervous flyer?”
“A little.”
He had a cure for that. He could work her nerves in the opposite direction from fear. In fact, he knew the place on her body with the most sensitive nerve endings in all of womankind. Just the idea had him swelling even further in his pants. Damn that couch.
“Will there be media types all over when we land?” she asked.
“Maybe some. I'm not the charismatic figure my brother is.”
She lifted a brow. “Because he's heir to the throne?”
“I'm just not very interesting, I'm afraid.”
“What a strange thing to say,” she said. “You were fascinating when I thought you made cheese.”
“You find goatherds interesting?”
“They're pretty rare in New York, as you might have noticed.”
“Oh, Casey, what you do for my ego.” He slipped his arm around her shoulders. Given the shape of the seat backs, it wasn't the most comfortable position but it got him closer to her. Marginally. The couch still beckoned.
“Does the press know you sing?” she asked.
“That's strictly private. Family and friends only.”
She turned in her seat so she could look him in the face. “But you sang in the cafe. You auditioned at Masters. Were you really going to appear there if they gave you a gig?”
“Absolutely.” The contradiction jumped out at him, although he hadn't paid it any attention at the time. He would have performed at that club if given the chance.
“Why?” She stared at him openly, as if he'd said something nonsensical. “Someone from the UN might have come in. Someone might have recognized you.”
“A risk I'd have to take. I promised you you'd hear me sing.”
“You're a prince, and you'd do that for me?” She rested back against the seat and stared straight ahead of her. “I'm still not used to this prince stuff.”
She obviously didn't realize how much she'd captured his attention and his imagination. How very much he admired her. He could show her in the most personal way possible, but they'd need privacy for that, and there were two pilots on the other side of the cockpit door. Oh hell. Dev had managed. So could he.
“I want to check something with the crew,” he said. “Will you be all right for a minute?”
“Sure. I'm not that nervous about flying.”
“Good.” He unbuckled his seatbelt and went to the cockpit door. After knocking he opened it and stuck his head inside.
“Do either of you need something back here?” he asked.
“I'm good,” the pilot said and glance at the co-pilot.
“Same here,” the copilot answered.
“Say for the next half hour?” Dev had simply ordered the crew not to disturb him. Kurt could do that, but they'd have to know there was only one reason he'd ask not to be disturbed. It felt too obvious.
The corner of the pilot's mouth curved up. He'd clearly recognized the question for what it was...a plea to be left the hell alone for half an hour.
“I plan to spend the next half hour right here with my eyes glued to the instruments,” the pilot said.
The copilot coughed softly. “And I'm going to sit here and make sure he does.”
“Thank you.” Kurt closed the door and let out the breath he'd been holding. His brother wouldn't be the only VonRamsberg to make good and full use of the couch.
In fact, he ought to do something wild on that particular piece of furniture. Something Dev might not have thought of. What was the point of throwing caution to the winds without getting creative about it?
By the time he got back to his seat, his cock, which had never grown completely soft, was well on its way to full erection.
He must have been smiling when he sat down next to Casey because she gave him a curious look out of the corners of her eyes.
“Must have been a pleasant conversation,” she said.
“Of course, they're genial souls.”
“How nice for everyone.”
“The pilot said we can move around the cabin now.”
She crossed her arms over her chest. “Uh-huh.”
“I thought we might be more comfortable over there.” He nodded toward the couch.
“Just how comfortable were you thinking about getting?” she said.
“Remember the first night in your apartment on the couch?”
Her eyes widened. “Oh, that comfortable.”
He leaned closer, putting his lips to her ear. “I'd like to get very, very comfortable with you.”
“The crew won't interrupt us?”
“They're...busy.”
“In that case, why waste a good opportunity?”
“My thoughts exactly.” He unbuckled her seatbelt and offered his hand to help her up. She didn't need help, of course, but the gesture settled her small fingers inside his. She gave him a sweet smile as they walked the few steps to the couch. She somehow managed sexy and innocent simultaneously. The contradiction kept him slightly off balance and humbled by her trust. A lethal combination and one that could capture his heart, if she hadn't already done that.
Once there, he cast a single glance at the door to the cockpit. No sign of movement there. They were totally alone, so he pulled her against him for a kiss.
She melted against him the way she always did, fitting her body to his as if they'd been created for each other. As their lips began the dance that would take them both to heaven, her softness pressed into him—her breasts against his chest and her belly against his swelling erection.
All the while, her hands roved over his back. Across his shoulder blades and down the furrow over his spine. She kneaded the muscle there, curling her fingers into the wool of his jacket. If he'd been naked, she might have left a few scratches. She was obviously as excited about this in-air coupling as he was.
Taking her face between his hands, he broke off the kiss. The sight that greeted him made his heart swell. Her lips were swollen and moist, and her eyes had the droopy look that came with sexual arousal. He probably appeared the same, but he'd need to keep his wits about him for a few more minutes.
“You're going to have to wear these clothes off the plane and to the palace,” he said. “We need to keep them neat.”
“Neat,” she repeated, as if she'd never heard the word.
“Especially your panties.”
“No one's going to look at my panties, are they?”
“No, but I plan to make you very wet, and I don't want you to be uncomfortable.”
“You're so thoughtful.”
She had that right. He was full of thoughts about eating her sweet pussy and then plunging his cock between the swollen lips. “Naked. Now.”
While she removed her jacket and dropped it to the floor, he knelt in front of her and helped her out of her shoes. Her knee-high stockings went next, and then he reached to the zipper of her slacks.
When he exposed her plush thighs, he had to stop for a nibble against each inner expanse of flesh. Giggling, she swatted at his shoulder.
“Pervert,” she said.
“The most depraved. You bring it out of me.”
Just for the hell of it, he slid a finger between her legs and over her mound. When he hit the right spot, she shivered, and a tiny gasp escaped her throat. Sure enough, she'd already dampened the crotch of her panties. He'd better get them off now before she soaked them through.
After pulling her panties and slacks down around her ankles, he helped her to step out of them. He probably ought to get up and fold the pants to keep the crease in them, but he now found his face in almost direct contact with her sex. Neatness could wait.
Pulling her toward him, he buried his nose in the hairs covering her sex. He inhaled deeply, savoring her scent of soap and musk.
“Hey, you're not going to do that on an airplane, are you?” she asked.
Instead of answering with words, he parted the petals of her sex and made a long swipe over her from back to front.
“Ohgod. You are.” Her hand settled on his head. Good thing. She'd need all her strength to maintain her balance while he feasted on her.
When he slid a finger into her, her muscles tightened around it the same way they'd grip his cock when he could finally take her. Already throbbing, he could make love to her now and bring them both to orgasm, but how much sweeter to hear her song with his tongue in her pussy. Dev probably hadn't done that.
Now distended, her clitoris was easy to find, and he circled it with his tongue while her breathing grew shallow and rapid. Soon her chest would flush, promising her orgasm. He wouldn't witness that...this time...but he could savor the way her muscles gripped his finger as he probed her. Soon, she'd have something much larger to fill her.
He continued toying with her hot button, flicking his tongue over it and then lapping at it. As he'd predicted, she'd become slick, and his finger made wet sounds as it entered her and retreated. Nothing in the universe was more erotic than a highly aroused woman, and Casey gave of herself so freely. He could spend a lifetime giving her pleasure and never grow bored. She showed him something different every time, such as the way she now swallowed her moans so that the others wouldn't hear the evidence of her rising need.
Her legs wobbled, and he removed his hand from her pussy so he could grasp her hips to support her. They couldn't have her falling just as her orgasm hit, now could they? Still licking her bud, he held her against his face as her stifled cries rose in pitch. She was coming, and he sucked on her clitoris to make it as powerful as possible. She went absolutely rigid for several seconds and then crumbled. He caught her, guiding her to the floor. When he probed with his finger again, the walls of her sex fluttered with the aftermath of her orgasm. She'd managed to remain quiet, but she'd most certainly climaxed.
When he stretched out beside her, she snuggled against his chest. “I don't know how you can say you're not very interesting.”
“We dull types have to work harder.”
“Oh my freaking God,” she said. “I can't believe I came that hard with two strangers on the other side of a door.”
“And we're not through yet.”
“You're not even undressed.”
She still wore her blouse and bra, but they'd make quick work of those. He unfastened the tie and started in on her buttons.
She stopped his fingers. “They really won’t come back here, will they?”
“Not a chance, if they like their jobs, and our country pays them very well.” When she released his hands, he continued with her blouse. The bra closed in front, and in a flash, he had her totally naked. Now it was her turn to undress him. He helped, of course, and soon they had him stripped down to his shorts. The outline of his erection showed through the fabric, and she reached inside to close her fist around his cock. She knew her way around it now…all the ways he most liked to be touched and the strokes that most turned him on. In a moment, she had him gritting his teeth in a fight for control. She hadn’t had her last orgasm of the flight yet, and he needed to maintain some staying power.
“You know what I think we ought to do?” she said.
“All I know is I like that wicked gleam in your eye.”
She bit her lip—a sure sign she’d thought up something naughty. “I think you ought to take me right here. Doggie style.”
Which meant he’d get a full view of her arse as he thrust into her. He could cover her buttocks with his hands as he watched his cock sink into her heat. “I think that’s a fabulous idea.”
