The Princess Trials

CHAPTER 6: FIRST NIGHT

DEZ’S POV

We drove the rest of the way in silence, both of us no doubt lost in thought over our conversation. When we finally pulled up to the high-end establishment, I checked into my suite and instructed Freezer to ensure I wouldn't be disturbed for the rest of the night.

After ordering a lavish spread of food and fine wine to the room, I took one look at the meal and decided a hot bath was a higher priority. I stripped off my travelling clothes and walked into the grand marble bathroom. Half an hour later, I stepped back out into the dimly lit bedroom entirely naked, drying my hair with a towel, when the distinct click of the front door caught my ear.

My head snapped toward the entryway. Through the gloom, I spotted a figure clad in a dark, heavy hood slipping inside.

Moving with lethal, supernatural speed, I crossed the room in half a second, pinning the intruder against the door and wrapping my hand tightly around their throat in a crushing chokehold.

A flash of utter shock and terror darted across their eyes before they realized what kind of position they were in. They immediately began to struggle against my grip, clawing uselessly at my wrist.

"Who are you, and what the hell are you doing in my room?" I demanded, my voice dropping into a dangerous, ice-cold register, my features hardening into a ruthless scowl.

"I can't... exactly speak... properly... with you choking me!" a breathless voice rasped out.

*A woman.*

I instantly eased my grip, lowering her slightly toward the floor, and used my free hand to yank the dark hood off her head.

The breath caught in my throat. I completely froze.

She was stunning. Long, silky hair the color of pure moonlight spilled across her shoulders, cascading down her back in a gorgeous, messy wave that made my fingers ache to run through it. Her eyes were massive, luminous baby-blues, glistening with a light sheen of tears—no doubt from my brutal chokehold. I released my grip on her neck even further, my thumb brushing against her jawline. My gaze drifted lower, taking in her full, plump, rose-pink lips. They looked impossibly soft. Highly kissable. I tried to look further down, but the heavy fabric of her cloak hid the rest of her body from view.

Looking back up to her face, I caught her gaze sweeping down my bare chest and torso, blatantly checking me out. A sudden, fierce wave of satisfaction washed over me, and I had to fight a triumphant smirk from spreading across my face. I realized, with a sudden shock, that I thoroughly enjoyed her looking at me like that. *What the hell is wrong with me?*

I shook my head sharply, trying to snap myself out of the spell she was casting. I forced my voice to remain stern, emotionless, and cold. "Who are you?"

She flinched at the harshness of my tone, and an immediate pang of regret pierced my chest.

"I... I..." she stammered, her voice trembling softly. "I am supposed to... uhm... be with you tonight. But... but it's completely fine if you don't want to. I'll just... take my leave now." She tried to turn back toward the door, taking a timid step away.

My hand moved instinctively, holding her firmly yet gently by the back of her neck to keep her from bolting. I turned her words over in my head. *Freezer.* That absolute bastard must have hired a companion for me tonight to prove a point.

I looked down at the ethereal woman standing before me. I would have to be an absolute i***t to turn down a night with someone like her.

A slow, charming smile replaced my scowl, and I let my hand slip away from her neck entirely. "My deepest apologies, my lady. I simply wasn't expecting company tonight. Please, forgive my terrible manners."

She looked thoroughly bewildered, bringing a dainty hand up to gently rub her throat. That was when I noticed it—a harsh, reddening handprint blooming across her pale skin.

I cursed softly under my breath, disgusted with myself for being so rough with her.

"Let me get something for that," I said softly, gesturing toward the mark on her neck. "Please, step inside."

She gave a small nod and stepped fully into the suite while I closed and locked the heavy door behind her. When I turned back around, I found her standing near the entrance, her wide blue eyes taking in the lavish surroundings of the room. I cleared my throat to get her attention.

Her gaze snapped back to me, slowly dragging down my chest, over my stomach, and trailing lower until it landed squarely on my groin—which was already rapidly hardening under her undivided attention.

Her eyes snapped back up, and a brilliant, deep scarlet blush erupted across her face, burning bright from the tips of her ears down to her collarbones. *f**k, she blushes so prettily.*

"Ah—my apologies. I just stepped out of the bath," I said, a light smirk tugging at my lips. "Let me grab a robe and some healing ointment."

I walked over to the wardrobe, pulled on a plush black robe, and grabbed a small glass jar of soothing salve from my travel bag. Returning to her, I found her still frozen on the exact same spot, looking like a delicate deer caught in headlights.

Taking her small, warm hand in mine, I gently led her toward the sitting area. The room was a massive penthouse suite, fully furnished with a parlor, plush velvet armchairs, and a grand fireplace.

I guided her to sit in one of the armchairs and uncapped the jar of ointment. She opened her mouth, about to speak, but I scooped a small dollop of the cool cream onto my fingers and softly applied it to the bruised skin of her neck.

She let out a tiny, involuntary shiver at the contact. The second my skin touched hers, a violent jolt of electricity skittered up my arm and shot straight through my entire body, making my breath hitch.

I smoothed the salve over her skin with feather-light strokes. Gradually, she melted into my touch, her head tilting back slightly. Her eyelids fluttered shut, her pupils dilating as she released a low, soft moan that sent a dangerous jolt of heat straight to my groin.

I let out a ragged groan of my own, forcing myself to speed up before I did something wildly inappropriate.

Finishing up, I wiped my hands and looked up at her, offering a warm smile. She opened her eyes, looking down at me, and for a long, breathless moment, we just stared at each other.

*f**k, she was gorgeous.*