Good. Anger was easier to redirect than indifference.
An usher led them to seats in an overflow section. He turned and saw that Westerly had entered the theater himself, still watching them from near the doorway. Although the seating was insulting, Magnus cared more about what it said about Westerly than appearances.
What a prick.
This is how you treat your sister?
Finn, I said I would bring you Water Bear Man. Does he have to be alive?
Chapter Four
Prior to that evening, Rachelle would have described her love life as perfectly average. Not bad. Not anything to brag about.
Yet here I am sitting next to a prince.
Right next to him.
A drop-dead-gorgeous hunk of a prince.
If I shifted my arm just a little, we’d be touching. But I don’t want to give him the wrong impression. Sitting with him at the premiere is probably no big deal, but that’s as far as this can go. I’m here for Eric, not some X-rated royal romp.
Hey, I need to remember that one to tell Alisha. She’d get a kick out of it.
Although she felt a little guilty about not watching the movie, her mind was racing with questions about the man next to her. One was persistent enough that she whispered, “Magnus?”
He bent his face toward hers. “Yes?”
For just a second, she forgot what she’d wanted to say and fantasized about how he might kiss. Would his touch be tender? Or forceful? He wouldn’t be a sloppy kisser. No, a man like him would have polished his technique.
Or, even in bed, would he consider himself so important that he wouldn’t bother to take the needs of his partner into consideration? The second man she’d slept with had been like that. Nothing more disappointing than a man who thought his orgasm was the only one that mattered.
Which kind of lover was Magnus?
He bent closer. “You were about to ask me a question.”
“I was,” she answered automatically, unable to tear her eyes from him long enough to collect her thoughts.
He smiled. “Ask me anything.”
I can’t. I can’t ask you what I’m thinking. But—oh yes. “What did you want to speak to Eric about? It sounded important.”
His smile faded somewhat. “It is. Very important, but it’s not something you need to concern yourself with. I’ll make it happen.”
There was a determination in his voice that wasn’t a surprise, but then there was something else. Whatever he wanted to ask Eric about mattered to him on a personal level. “Is that a nice way of saying I should mind my own business?”
He brought a hand to her face and gently ran his thumb over her bottom lip. “I’m not that nice.”
She shivered, because he was serious. “And you’re proud of that?”
He lowered his hand. “No, but I am the man I have to be. I was born with certain responsibilities that must supersede pride or regret. Both are luxuries I cannot afford.”
His words reminded her of something Eric had said about paying for his fame with his privacy and dignity. Perhaps her mother had been right about some things. Wealth and power didn’t necessarily make people happier. “I should warn you that, although Eric doesn’t talk about his family in public, he is far from alone. If whatever you’re looking for from him isn’t to his benefit, you would be bringing the wrath of some very powerful people to your door.”
“Is that a threat?” he asked in a low growl.
Even though she told it not to, her body warmed and tingled at the hint of danger in his tone. Why? I don’t even like scary movies. I’m all about the happily ever after, feel-good stories. This is not good. “No, but I love my brother, and I thought you should be aware I would never let anyone hurt him.”
A smile returned to the prince’s face. “You’ll be relieved to hear that what I want from your brother would not be detrimental to him. In fact, it would be good for him.”
On impulse, Rachelle touched his arm. “Tell me. I might even be able to help.”
Magnus looked away. For a long time he seemed lost in the action on the screen. Without turning back to face her, he said, “There’s a little boy in a hospital in Pavailler, Vandorra’s capital city. His name is Finn, and he’s waiting for a heart transplant. He idolizes Water Bear Man. I promised him your brother would visit him at the children’s hospital. I’m not leaving London without your brother.”
Rachelle’s hand tightened on his arm. I swear to God, if he’s lying, I will castrate him, because that is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard. “Have you spoken to his publicist?”
“Yes. He said your brother doesn’t do public appearances.”
“Does Eric know the circumstances?”
“I doubt it. So far he has refused my attempts to speak with him.”
I know that feeling.
“So, that’s why you’re here? To ask him in person?”
“Yes.”
Don’t ask. Don’t ask. You don’t want to know. “Is that also why you’re sitting with me?”
He met her gaze again. “I sought you out because I want you—in my bed tonight, if you agree. And every night after that until whatever this is between us burns itself out.”
That’s a little offensive.
He continued, “But that doesn’t mean I won’t use how your brother feels about us to force his hand.”
And dark. “You’re admitting that you’d use me to get Eric to do something.”
“I don’t need to lie or manipulate to get into a woman’s bed. I want you. I want to taste every inch of you. I want to hear you calling out my name, begging me not to stop and then crying out in ecstasy when I don’t. I can separate that from my reason for being here. You’ll end up in my bed soon enough. Yes is already in your eyes. But I promised a little boy that your brother would visit him, and I’ll do whatever it takes to make that happen.”
Feeling like a swimmer who’d just been knocked off her feet by a crashing wave, Rachelle sputtered, “There is no yes in my eyes. And there’s no room in my bed for you and that gigantic ego of yours.”
A corner of his mouth twitched as if her comment amused him. “You can come home with me tonight or make me wait. I’ll enjoy it either way. There’s something to be said for postponing pleasure. I don’t mind if you’ve been with other men, but I’d also enjoy if you’re actually a twenty-nine-year-old virgin. So take your time, but know that you will be mine.”
Rachelle turned back to face the screen. Oh my God. He heard me talking to Alisha.
I should be outraged.
Or scared.
Or anything but imagining how tonight would end if I said yes. See, I just pictured him naked again. That’s not good.
She shivered from a hunger unlike anything she’d felt before. Code-red men are dangerous.
Deliciously dangerous.
But still a bad idea.
If the gasps and sputtering sounds the woman next to him made were any indication, Magnus had shocked her. Good. He didn’t like his women too jaded.
Another man might have withheld the truth about why he was there. Only the weak hid behind lies. What Rachelle thought of his reason for being there or what her brother felt about doing appearances would not change the outcome. She will be mine. Success in life didn’t come from asking oneself if something was possible, but rather determining how far a person was willing to go to make it happen.
Unfortunately for Westerly, Magnus had royal immunity in most countries and a reputation for not being afraid to test the boundaries of it. Magnus would give Westerly one more chance to agree before he coerced him. Every man should be allowed an opportunity to do things the easy way.