Virgin to Conquer Page 4

  She opened her eyes to see what had happened. Maybe it was on a timer. But instead of seeing an empty room she found Robert standing next to the tub, his eyes dilated as he gazed down at her. For a moment Isabella was frozen as his gaze drifted from her head all the way to her feet and back again.

  But her shock evaporated much too late as she sat up straight and pulled her knees to her chest, trying to give herself as much privacy as she possibly could while this so-called prince invaded her personal space once again.

  “What are you doing in here?” she demanded.

  “It’s my suite,” he informed her. “I was thinking about taking a shower, but you’ve made the tub look so much more appealing.”

  “What do you mean your suite? I thought this was where I was staying,” she said.

  He smiled at her again, but unlike earlier there wasn’t mirth in his expression. Instead, he seemed . . . hungry. And she had no doubt he considered her the main course. Just as quickly as that look played across his face, it dropped, and he looked away before turning and walking to a bench in the corner of the room.

  Once he sat she realized he couldn’t see inside the tub any longer. It still didn’t make her feel any better about having him in the room while she was naked and vulnerable. But she also realized she wasn’t afraid. She knew she should be, but she wasn’t. Still, she clutched her knees closely and waited to see what he wanted now.

  “We will share this suite. The staff knows we’ve come together,” Robert answered her just when she thought he wasn’t going to.

  “I don’t want to share a room with you,” she told him. “Put me in the servants quarters. I don’t need a lot of space.”

  She studied his face as he turned to look at her again, determination clear in his expression. She didn’t know what that meant.

  “No.” He didn’t add to the short statement, but he didn’t need to. He was using a voice she was sure he always used when he expected to get his way.

  Frustrated with him in her space again, and for his lack of empathy for her situation, Isabella decided to ignore him. She reached for the soap on the side of the tub and took her time bathing, glancing at him from the corner of her eye every once in a while to notice his intense gaze as he sat stiffly on the bench. He might not be able to see inside the tub, but she was sure he knew exactly what she was doing.

  She dipped her head back next and wet her hair before washing it with the luxurious shampoo and conditioner. She might not need much in life, but a good shampoo made her absolutely giddy.

  When her hair was rinsed she sat up, and, much to her dismay, she found Robert at the side of the tub again, his eyes intense. She was tired of cowering to this prince. He might be royalty in this part of the world, but he was just a man as well. She didn’t bow to anyone in life, and she wasn’t about to start now.

  She refused to cover herself this time as she glared up at him. It did help that the tub was now filled with a thin layer of bubbles that concealed her vulnerable body to his gaze. She didn’t know why it mattered as he’d clearly seen all of her already. But just because he’d taken advantage of her being in the tub didn’t mean she wanted to keep allowing him views he wasn’t entitled to.

  “Why don’t we quit fighting and take advantage of this situation?” Robert asked as he knelt, his face now level with hers. She was frozen where she was, utterly captivated by his intense gaze. “We’re both here. It may have begun as a mistake, but I believe everything happens for a reason,” he finished as he reached out and ran his finger over her collarbone, making a shudder rip through her body.

  Confusion swirled inside her as she felt heat stir in her stomach and run down between her thighs. She pressed them together as she continued looking at this man she should be furious with, but only felt bewilderment about.

  “I will continue to disobey you,” she assured him, but the breathlessness to her voice betrayed the arousal she was feeling.

  Slowly a grin spread on his lips as he cupped his hand around her cheek and swept his thumb across her lips in a way that had her stomach clenching. She should rip herself away from him, but she couldn’t find the will to do that.

  Without much effort, Robert’s fingers moved to her neck, and he tugged her to him and connected their lips before she had any chance of telling him no. Somewhere in the back of her mind she knew she should protest his actions, rip her mouth from his, and tell him to leave her.

  But his tongue swept across her lower lip before slipping inside her mouth, and Isabella forgot how to breathe, let alone had the ability to resist this sweet temptation. His thumb caressed her shoulder as his fingers twitched against her neck. His lips were warm and sure as he moved them along hers, his tongue lazy and intoxicating as he learned the contours of her mouth.

  He didn’t hesitate as he continued his kiss, his fingers tightening on her neck, a low rumble escaping his throat and traveling through her. Heat infused her body in a consuming way, and her head swam at the sensation flowing through her. Her nipples hardened, and her stomach quivered. Between her thighs she felt pressure pulsing in a way she’d never experienced before. And all of this was happening from a single kiss that held her more captive than anything else he’d done so far.

  Robert’s hand began to gravitate to her neck and only when the tops of his fingers brushed against the mounds of her breasts did Isabella realize what she was allowing. With reluctance she pulled back from Robert, surprised and slightly disappointed when he allowed her retreat.

  There was fire burning in his eyes when he opened them, his face still too close to her. She imagined her look was the same as his. Her body was tingling all over, and he’d only kissed her. She could imagine how she would feel if he had continued tracing her body with the hand he’d been moving downward.

  “I’ll let you finish,” he told her in a gruff voice.

  Isabella didn’t say a word as he shakily stood. She did however notice the large bulge in his pants. That should horrify her, but instead she was fascinated by it. Her gaze lingered too long as he stood before her. When she realized what she was doing, she jerked her gaze up and met his burning eyes.

  “Say the word, and we can both be happy right now,” he promised her.

  Isabella was shocked at how much she wanted to say yes to this man. Part of her journey was to explore her sexuality. But it couldn’t be with this man . . . could it? No. Of course it couldn’t. He’d taken her against her will. She couldn’t fall under his spell and give him what he so obviously wanted.

  She looked away from him and prayed he wouldn’t press the issue. She wasn’t sure she’d be able to fight him if he pulled her into his arms, if he truly tried to seduce her. She had a feeling he wouldn’t have to put too much effort into the act. That said a heck of a lot more about her than it did him.

  Robert left her room, and Isabella couldn’t climb from the tub for a long while. She feared her shaky legs wouldn’t hold her. By the time she did, she was exhausted. She found nightclothes, and though it was early and her stomach was rumbling, the appeal to the large bed was too great to dismiss. She climbed beneath the soft covers and allowed her head to sink into the pillow.

  She had no idea when Robert would return again, but she was somehow unafraid as she closed her eyes and fell into a deep sleep.

  Chapter Six

  The helicopter touched down in the early morning light and Robert let out a sigh as he rolled his eyes. The royal seal stood out on the side of the luxurious aircraft, and he had no doubt he’d been busted. Thankfully, his cousin Chris had given him a fifteen-minute warning. He’d have hated to get caught with his pants down.

  That thought made him scowl as he felt an ache in his groin. Robert wasn’t used to women pushing him away — he was used to the opposite, in fact. On the rare occasion they didn’t actually know who he was, he still had no problem getting any woman he pleased. It appeared
as if his track record was being broken when it came to one Isabella Shell. Damn, the woman was frustrating . . . and intriguing.

  The propellers of the helicopter stopped spinning, and Robert decided to stay right where he was. He wasn’t giving his father the pleasure of rushing out to meet him. His thirtieth birthday was quickly approaching, and the ancient tradition of having to marry and live a life of servitude to his country still stood. He felt there was no need for him to stay in line with his oldest brother, who was set to rule the country, and his middle brother, who was waiting in the wings in case Ballasare couldn’t rule for some reason. Robert should be free. But his father was a traditional man with too many expectations.

  When King Heinrich Demande stepped from the chopper it seemed as if the very air sizzled with power. It was odd, even though Robert did love his father and also resented him for his commands, he truly did respect the man and the power he wielded in a loyal and loving way. His people were faithful to him because he earned their respect. And there was something about the man that instantly made a person in the wrong shift on their feet and want to apologize.

  Robert’s spine stiffened as he had these thoughts. This wasn’t only his king, it was his father. And Robert wasn’t a child anymore, though he had zero doubt he was about to get a mental spanking.

  When Ballasare and Nicolino stepped from the chopper behind their father, Robert felt his muscles tense even further. It appeared as if this was a family intervention. As he looked past his father and met the eyes of Nic who smirked at him, Robert felt his blood pump through his veins. This family mediation stuff wasn’t nearly as fun when he was on the receiving end.

  “Announcing his Royal Highness, King Heinrich of Rubare Virgina,” Theo, the very loyal and true royal advisor, said in far too loud a voice for this early morning hour.

  “I think I know who YRH is,” Robert said as he winked at Theo who gave him a scowl for his joke. The advisor never found it amusing for Robert to shorten Your Royal Highness, or use nicknames when it came to the king or the princes. It was disrespectful in his opinion. People honestly needed to loosen up.

  “I’m not here for jokes, Robert,” Heinrich said.

  “If your lip gets any stiffer I’m going to be able to set a drink on it, Sir,” Robert told him.

  Heinrich did something Robert hadn’t once in his life heard, and the sound was enough to stop the next words that had been about to slip off his tongue. His father let out a very short, but very powerful, growl as he scowled at his son.

  Robert looked up and saw the shock on his brothers’ faces and knew his own expression mirrored theirs. He looked over at Theo, who tried to keep his expression impassive, but the loyal servant appeared as if he might faint. Such a sound didn’t come from the king — not ever.

  “Wow, something wrong?” Robert finally asked after the initial shock wore off.

  “I am one of the most powerful men in the world, and yet I’m surrounded by idiots who are supposed to be my strongest allies,” Heinrich said with a sigh. “Let us at least try to be civilized and go inside.”

  The statement wasn’t a question. The king moved forward, knowing his sons would obediently follow. For once Robert would love to defy the man and walk in the opposite direction. Yes, he’d pulled a lot of crap while growing up, but when his father was acting as king, Robert knew to obey. He didn’t say a word to his brothers as he stepped to their side and walked behind their dad.

  The servants of the castle smiled with joy before they bowed as the king passed them. No he wasn’t king of Rubare Collina, but it was their neighboring land and a king was to be revered. Each country might have their own customs and might even fault each other on how they chose to rule or run their countries, but at the end of the day, they were family, and they were loyal.

  As soon as the staff had received notice that King Heinrich was coming, they had gone into panic mode to assure there was a proper place set up for him. They all stepped into a private chamber that was the size of a large house. Food and drink were set up and several servants were at the ready to give the king whatever he’d like.

  “Leave us,” King Heinrich said. Though the staff obviously didn’t want to leave the king on his own to serve himself, they wouldn’t dream of arguing. The only person other than family who stayed was Theo, and with a single word, he’d also exit the room. But he had proven his loyalty long ago, and there truly wasn’t a need for him to go. If anything he’d be valuable to Heinrich in scolding Robert as well.

  No one ever sat down before the king did, but Robert suddenly felt weary so he moved over to a grouping of chairs and dropped down in a very unroyal fashion.

  “Have you lost sight of who you are?” Heinrich asked as he moved over to his son, deciding to remain standing. It was a position of power for sure.

  “I know exactly who I am,” Robert assured his father.

  “Then why is it so difficult for you to accept your responsibilities and be an example to your people?” Heinrich pushed.

  “You have Ballasare and Nic for that,” Robert pointed out.

  “And I have you,” Heinrich said.

  “Doesn’t every family need to have at least one black sheep?” Robert asked.

  “Enough!” Robert felt himself tense at his father’s outburst. It was rare the king felt the need to shout, and when he did it was as powerful as a lion’s roar.

  “Maybe we need to stop the formalities and get right to the situation at hand,” Ballasare said. “Why did you kidnap a woman?” he asked as he stepped to their father’s side.

  Robert shrugged his shoulders as he looked from his father to his brothers. Nic winked at him without anyone else knowing as he was a few paces back from the group. Robert knew better than to smile at him.

  “A shrug won’t cut it,” Heinrich said. Robert caught the look of disapproval on Theo’s face.

  “We don’t act as our cousins do and take women against their will,” Ballasare pointed out.

  Robert scoffed before smiling at his brother. “Didn’t you refuse to let Jessica leave when she wanted to?” he asked with a raised eyebrow. “I think that would be considered kidnapping.”

  Ballasare stiffened. “That was a different circumstance. She’d been there for me and then wanted to run. I was showing her other options,” he explained as if he were being perfectly reasonable.

  “Well, I lost a bet, and I don’t welch on them,” Robert said as if that was explanation enough.

  “I’ve had the woman vetted. She is highly qualified to be your bride,” Heinrich said as if it were a done deal.

  Robert again shifted as he let his father’s words sink in. He’d had the same thought that he might have to marry the woman to keep from creating a scandal, but now that his father was saying it, the situation really ticked him off.

  “I haven’t done anything that would require I protect her honor,” Robert said.

  He heard a short chuckle escape Nic before his brother cut the sound off. Yeah, he was losing his swagger if he’d had her all night and hadn’t managed to bed her yet. His brothers were really enjoying that fact.

  “You’ve compromised her in our family’s land. Your birthday is in thirty days, and she is suitable. You will marry her,” King Heinrich commanded. That wasn’t the voice of his father at all — that was an order from his king.

  Robert’s head cocked to the side as he gazed at Heinrich. Nic gave him a shrug of the shoulders, and Ballasare seemed deep in thought. What frightened Robert was his lack of will to fight this issue. He didn’t know this woman, had barely spent time with her, and yet, he wasn’t opposed to obeying his father’s command.

  Was it because he did truly feel a sense of loyalty to his country and honor, or was it that he wanted to bed the woman so badly he was willing to put a diamond on her finger in order to do it? Maybe he needed to quit drinking so much because obviou
sly he was frying his brain.

  “Theo,” Heinrich said, and the man stepped forward, pulling a beautiful velvet box from his pocket. He presented it to the king and Heinrich drew closer, opening the box.

  “It’s from the royal vault. It was my great-great-grandmother’s,” Heinrich said with a rare bit of emotion in his voice. A stunning five-carat, square diamond sparkled as it sat on black velvet.

  “Then it should be passed down to family,” Robert told his father, in no way wanting to take that ring.

  “Isabella will be family. She will provide me heirs,” he said before a slight smile lifted his lips. “My grandchildren.”

  Robert was so shocked by this touch of emotion he didn’t even feel a need to argue. Heinrich took the opportunity to place the diamond in Robert’s hand before he stepped back.

  “Do the right thing and keep our country strong, and our relationship civil with Rubare Collina,” Heinrich said.

  “But our cousins kidnapped their brides. Why would they protest me doing it for fun?” Robert asked. “Chris was in on the entire thing.” He didn’t want to sell his cousin out, but he was being guilted into marrying someone, and he had to fight against that.

  “That custom has been overruled now so for you to visit this land and go against their king shows a complete lack of respect. If it was done out of love, that can be forgiven,” Heinrich said.

  “I’m not in love with her,” Robert told his father, his words finishing off on a high-pitched squeal he wasn’t proud of.

  “Of course not,” Heinrich said. “But that comes later.”

  Robert’s eyes met Ballasare’s as he looked for understanding in his oldest sibling’s expression. He didn’t see it. He turned to Nic, who again shrugged.

  “I’d love to tell you he’s full of it,” Nic said. “But now that I have Diana, I’m a changed man. I’m in love with her and my country. I didn’t want to cave in either, but I’m truly happy I did. I’ve never been so happy.”