THE PRINCE AND THE SINGLE MOM

STORY EXCERPT

High above the Jones house, on clouds that only the most faith-filled eye could see, two cherubic elderly sisters stopped their knitting, closed their eyes, and inhaled deeply.

“Did you feel that, sister?”

“I did. I surely did.”

“Oh, doesn’t it feel wonderful? It’s been so long since I’ve felt this much magic humming through my blood.”

“Oh my, it’s enough to make you blush, isn’t it? And so unexpected, too!”

“Quickly, Gwendolyn, the books!”

Each used a knitting needle as a magic wand, conjuring books to float in the air before them.

“Oh my,” Eugenia, the eldest of the pair, said as she perused her book. “I was going to say how nice it was to have someone over the age of five believe in us. She certainly is over five, isn’t she? Ah, well. Beggars can’t be choosers, I suppose.” She looked over to where her sister was using her knitting needle to flip through page after page in her book. “So, Gwendolyn, any handsome princes available?”

“Ahh, not exactly,” Gwendolyn replied. She stopped turning pages and read. “This could be promising. But honestly, sister, I have no idea whatsoever how to accomplish this in these modern times. Pumpkins and mice aside, it is a different world these days.”

“It is. Yes, it is indeed.” Eugenia vanished her own book, so she could turn her attention back to the one Gwendolyn floated over to her. “But not to worry. While you’ve been taking your weekly aerobics class, I’ve been watching television. And I know exactly what to do! Well, look at this.” She smiled. “Do you know, we have much more magic than we need for just one happy-ever-after. And this is not only promising, it’s perfect. Look, one of them is already there. ”

“I was thinking that very same thing myself. Oh, Eugenia, it feels good to be needed again!”

“Yes, it does, doesn’t it? Now, we must not waste time. That poor woman isn’t getting any younger, you know.”

In a cloud of sparkles and rose petals, the two sisters, fairy godmothers both, vanished into thin air.

And so our tale begins. Once upon a time…

* * * *

There she stood, waiting for him.

Philip took a moment to simply look at her. She wasn’t the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.

But he craved her above all others.

He knew she hadn’t heard him drive in, for he’d come the back way. But she sensed his presence now. Slowly, she turned to face him.

He’d been wrong. She was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. Saying nothing, he went to her. His gaze locked with hers, and he took her hands and brought them to his lips. “I am so very glad you’re here.”

“I want to be here. With you. But…”

“Shhh. You don’t have to tell me you’re nervous. I can feel you trembling. If you’ve changed your mind, tell me now. I’ll understand. I may go and bang my head against a tree, but I will understand.”

Her laughter wasn’t as full as it might have been, but she did laugh. “I haven’t changed my mind. I’d decided that this time, I would be the seducer. Only, I’ve just realized I don’t know how.”

“Poor Kate,” he said softly, placing her hands on his shoulders, freeing his own hands to wander to her hips. He squeezed, gently, and urged her closer. He wondered if she knew how much she’d just revealed to him? Yes, she had given birth, but in many ways she remained virginal. And therefore deserving of every bit of care and tenderness he could give her.

“I’ve never known this urgency before. I looked up, only a few short days ago, and saw you for the first time. Something almost magical happened at that moment. Oh yes, I know you don’t believe in magic. But I do.”

“Philip, I don’t need flowery words.”

She lacked belief in far more than magic and knights in shining armor. She didn’t believe in her own appeal, and she didn’t trust his words. He couldn't blame her. She'd believed once and paid for it.

 He changed his mind. If the bastard who hurt her so badly ever did show up in Boisdemer, beheading wasn’t out of the question after all.

He put away the sparking rage that burned in him on her behalf. It had no place here. She faced him with such a troubled expression, he bent to place a gentle kiss on her furrowed brow.

“Mon cherie, I know. Perhaps I need the flowery words.” He knew the thoughts in her head. She wanted to keep things simple. She thought this would be an uncomplicated vacation fling. He didn’t doubt that her heart held far more for him than she wanted to admit. He didn’t need to hear her tell him right now. He was a patient man. At least when it came to getting her to see the sweet light of reason.

But he’d run out of patience waiting to have her.

Moving quickly, he scooped her into his arms, laughing when she screamed and threw her arms around his neck as if to save herself from being dropped.

She wasn’t heavy, and it wasn’t very far to his bedroom.

The sound of the door slamming still reverberated in the room when he stopped before the bed and slowly lowered her feet to the floor. There was light enough left in the day that he didn’t bother with the bedside lamp. Instead, he ran his hands through her hair, cupped her head, and drew her into his kiss.

He had already become addicted to the taste of her, the hot sultry flavor he knew his body could never live without again. Slowly, ever so slowly, he explored her mouth. Her hands grabbed his wrists and held on even as her tongue met and danced with his. Sensuous, erotic, the wet glide ignited tiny sparks in his blood. Her arms moved up to twine around his neck, and he complied with her unspoken request for more. His hands smoothed down her back to her bottom and pulled her closer.

He knew the strength left her knees as he continued tasting her. Not sure of his own strength, he weaned his lips from hers to sit on the edge of the bed then gently pulled her to stand between his legs.

Without speaking, he tugged her T-shirt out of her shorts. The flesh of her belly was warm and soft and smooth. Loving the touch of her under his hands, he caressed her. Then stripped the shirt from her completely.

She gasped, and he couldn’t help but smile. “I’m trying so damn hard to be gentle, cherie. But I want you so bloody badly.”

“You don’t have to be gentle. It’s not like this is my first time.”

He knew differently. He took a moment to admire the plain cotton bra that supported and concealed her pretty breasts. He found the simple garment more alluring than the finest lace. But it had to go. Reaching behind her, he released the catch in one smooth move.

Her naked breasts captivated him, prettily plump with delectable pink nipples. Unable to resist, he opened his mouth and drew one in. It pebbled and elongated, inviting him to have more. He was lost.

“Philip!”

Her fingers combed through his hair, holding him close. Her moans told him how much she liked his actions. His hands shaped her bottom then, in one fluid move, stripped the shorts and panties down her legs. Not willing to give her a moment to think, he slipped to his knees and set his mouth on her.

THE PRINCESS AND THE BODYGUARD

STORY EXCERPT

Eugenia and Gwendolyn, fairy godmothers both, sat comfortably on a cloud and looked down on the scene below. This evening, the private dining room at the Villa D’Or, an exclusive resort on the coast of the Mediterranean, hosted the royal family of Boisdemer and several members of the family Jones from Canada. At one end of the long table, His Majesty Alexandre Michel Philippe Artur de la Croix presided over the meal with a proud smile. At the other end of the table, Hannah Jones, mother of the newly betrothed Catharine, wore an expression that appeared equally content.

“My, my,” Eugenia sighed, shaking her head slowly. “Do you see that, sister?”

“I do. I certainly do. She peeks at him when she thinks no one is looking. He believes himself so clever to be watching her, unobserved. And everybody else is trying to figure out how to get Hannah and Alex together again.”

“They’re not the only ones,” Eugenia muttered. “Never have I met a more stubborn woman.”

“Well, now, sister, that isn’t exactly true. If you recall, there was that one in England…”

“Quite right. How could I have forgotten that one?”

“Wishful thinking?”

Eugenia laughed and then turned her attention back to the people below. “So lonely, both of them. So very much alike. Neither can forgive themselves for the mistakes they’ve made.”

“You’re looking at the younger ones now.”

“I am.” Eugenia sighed heavily. “It’s a good thing Catharine and Philip’s wedding will take place so soon.”

“Yes, I agree. That will be an enormous infusion of power for us.”

“It will.” Eugenia turned and smiled at her sister. “I have a feeling that before our work here is done, we’re going to need all the help we can get.”

* * * *

He’d wanted to make it last longer. Not only that, but he’d taken her for the first time standing up and against a bloody wall.

The sharp pain of her hands tangling in his hair, hard, got his attention.

“If you apologize for fucking me, mon Dieu, Peter, I will not be responsible for my actions.”

The venom in her voice brought a smile to his face. He really did like her fire.

“Cool your jets, Red.”

“Red?”

“Yeah.” He took a moment to comb his fingers through her long hair, pulling it back from her fine-boned face so he could stare right into her gorgeous eyes. “There’s no way in hell I’m going to apologize for this.” He thrust his hips one time more for emphasis, very aware that his cock was still semi-hard. “I cursed because that was my only condom and our fucking didn’t last nearly long enough.”

“Oh, all right then. Well, that doesn’t matter. We can do it again. Slower this time.” She relaxed her grip in his hair and rested her head on his shoulder.

“It does matter, because I’m not nearly done with you.”

“Good. Do you remember which bedroom is mine?”

“Pay attention here, Red. I don’t have any more rubbers. Fucking without one is like riding a motorcycle without a helmet. Not safe at all. Of course, we can go oral.” That did it. Forget semi-hard. “I want to taste you, and I want your mouth on my cock. But I don’t trust myself not to nail you again.”

“Nail? I certainly felt nailed a few moments ago against this wall. But you do not have to worry, mon cher. I have a box of condoms. In my bedroom.”

“You do?”

“I do. And in my bedroom at home, too. I told you I have been waiting for you.”

She had a box of condoms in her room. Suddenly, the afternoon seemed brighter. He stepped away from the wall, but didn’t think to put her down. She didn’t weigh very much. Taking the stairs one at a time, he held her securely, smiling because her relaxed pose told him she trusted him not to drop her.

Her bedroom was the last one on the right. He dumped her on the bed, enjoying the view when she landed with her legs spread. Her panties would have to go, as would the rest of her clothing. But first things first.

Pulling his cell phone out of his pocket, he called Edward to let him know where they were and that they might be gone the rest of the day. Tossing the phone onto the bedside table, he opened the drawer.

“I’m impressed. Super-sized.”

“I believe that refers to the number in the box, not the size of your penis. Though I must say it felt a lot bigger than it’s looking right now.”

“Give it a minute.”

He left her only long enough to clean himself up. Then he came back, and simply looked at her for a long moment. Eyes closed, she had such a contented expression on her face. He knew she wasn’t sleeping.

“Pretty proud of yourself, aren’t you?”

She opened her eyes, and her smile turned lazy. “Not proud, no, but very,very happy.”

“Well, guess what?” He slowly began to unbutton his shirt. “You’re about to get a whole hell of a lot happier.”

“Oh, good.”

A PRINCE FOR SOPHIE

STORY EXCERPT

“Music and laughter make such a lovely symphony, don’t they, Eugenia?”

Eugenia smiled over at her sister, whose comment echoed exactly her own thoughts. They were floating, unseen, in the corner of the music room. The family had gathered for an impromptu celebration in honor of the just announced engagement of Princess Rachel of Boisdemer to Peter Jones. Michael, Rachel’s oldest brother, had chosen a selection of light rock music to play on the sound system while Alex had ordered champagne.

“Indeed they do. I must say, I’m feeling better than I have in a long, long time.”

“It’s because that nice young Peter Jones said he believed in us, and we didn’t even have to suggest it to him.”

Eugenia narrowed her eyes as she observed Alex and Hannah, who both pretended not to be ignoring each other.

“Well, Gwendolyn, two down and two to go, though I must say if our plan doesn’t work with those older ones I don’t know what we’ll do! Perhaps this is why we usually provide our services only for the young.”

“Oh, piffle.”

Gwendolyn’s uncharacteristic response startled her sister.

“Piffle?” Eugenia asked, sounding out the word carefully.

“Yes, piffle. These two are more deserving of our help than most of those coquettes and do-nothings we aided in the past.” Then she sighed. “Although they are proving to be quite a challenge.”

“They are indeed.” Eugenia then focused her attention on the king’s eldest daughter, Sophie. Her bearing was regal, her long black hair fashioned in an elegant chignon. Even as a child, Eugenia remembered fondly, Princess Sophie had been dainty and lady-like, always the proper princess. And those traits had only grown over the years. Her Highness never left her suite without being perfectly turned out. She was the epitome of a well-bred gentlewoman. Before her elder brother had married, she’d proven herself a talented chatelaine in managing the royal household, too.

“She deserves to be a Queen,” Eugenia said aloud.

“Hannah?”

“Well yes, of course Hannah. But I was thinking of Sophie. It’s just too bad that there are no Crown Princes available.”

“But Eugenia, you know that’s not so! As a matter of fact, one is arriving in a few days. He’s one of Philip’s groomsmen.”

“Him? Oh, no, he’ll never do for our Sophie. No, never.”

“But Eugenia,” Gwendolyn opened her hands and a book appeared. “Look, see? It’s even written down, right here in the Book!”

Eugenia scowled as she gave the Book only a passing glance. “To use your word, Gwendolyn, piffle. That one certainly doesn’t deserve to even be in the same room as our Sophie. Why, the very idea!”

“I rather like him, myself. He’s a good boy.”

“A good boy? That one is a rake-hell and a wastrel, if ever I saw one.”

Eugenia turned her attention back to the party. Seeing the two betrothed couples so obviously in love lifted her spirits. Sparing another glance at the older couple, she returned to contemplating Sophie.  She folded her arms, her resolve strong. Her Sophie would be a Queen. It would just take a little creativity. Everything would turn out to be a happily-ever-after for everyone, if it took every ounce of magic she possessed.

* * * *

“I don’t remember Queen Liana that well, little one, but I do remember thinking that she seemed...untouchable.”

Sophie understood that Stephan was again trying to take their relationship to a more personal level. She couldn’t give him the kind of commitment a normal woman might, but in conversation, at least, she could give him intimacy.

“She was. She never hugged me. She never saw the need, and although I never tried, I always sensed that if I had ever thrown my arms around her, she would have recoiled.”

“Some people show their love in different ways, Sophie. It doesn’t mean they don’t feel the emotion.”

“That’s what Hannah said.” Thinking about her new stepmother lifted her spirits, and she turned to Stephan. “Now there’s a lady who invites hugs.”

“So do you.”

Before she could disabuse him of that notion, his arms were around her, pulling her flush against him. It was easy to slide her hands up his chest to slink around his neck.

“It’s not me, it’s you.” When Stephan held her, she felt safe, cherished and connected. He stirred her senses and heated her blood until she felt like she was melting inside. Until him, these were feelings she’d never experienced, so she knew the source of them had to be him.

There was no reason to resist the temptation that washed through her, so she didn’t. Rising up on her toes, she kissed him.

The firestorm ignited again, and Sophie let it take her. With tongue and lips and teeth she set out to consume him completely. His groans, and the clutching and caressing of his hands fuelled her need. Leaving his lips, she sampled the flavor of his neck and chest. Pleased, she noticed that his nipples peaked just like hers did when suckled. The reaction spurred her on. Nuzzling his chest, the light dusting of hair there caressed like the finest velvet. His taste was different here than in his kiss. Salty and rich, she discovered a flavor she’d been missing all her life. She wanted more. She wanted every scrap of him she could have.

Easing to her knees, she fumbled at the opening of his pants, unbuttoning and then unzipping them with trembling fingers. And when his penis sprang free, she captured it in her hand. Instinct guided her as she used her tongue in a long, questing lick. Then she opened her mouth and took him in.

His cock was hard, yet the skin was soft and smooth and tasted good. And hot, it was so hot. As she moved her mouth on him, sliding him in and out, she played her tongue along his length, sucking lightly.

“My God!”

His epithet told her he liked her mouth on him. Nothing was more important in that moment but that she please him. He’d given her so much more than she’d ever thought to know. When she was with him like this, when she was kissing him, touching him, when he had his hands flexing in her hair or reaching down her back to pull the shirt she wore off her, she felt free. Free and alive and powerful in a way she would have sworn was beyond her reach.

“Enough!”

Oh, his hands were strong as he whipped his shirt off her. She felt his trembling as he urged her onto her back on the floor, followed her down and loomed over her.

“No one has ever made me lose control as you have done. You drive me out of my mind with pleasure. Now, it is my turn.”

When he slipped down her body, she had no idea what he was about to do. Then he hooked his hands under her knees, lifted and spread her legs, and settled between them with his head nearly even with her mons.

The first touch of his tongue on her soft folds was electrifying. A cry escaped her lips, her hips jerked toward him.