Seducing Mr. Jerk

1 Isadora’s POV I giggled when his tongue flicked my ear, “Stop, you know I am ticklish.” Cole grinned mischievously, his eyes sparkling with playful intent. "Can't help it, babe. You're just too tempting." I pushed him away gently, laughing as I tried to catch my breath. "If love was a crime, I'd be a hard criminal," Cole added with a smirk, his voice laced with humor. I laughed, placing my hands against my mouth as my cheeks reddened. "Good one. Good one." Cole leaned in, his hazel eyes filled with warmth. His dark hair fell in soft waves around his face, framing his chiseled features. He had a rugged charm that made my heart flutter every time I looked at him. As I reached out to remove a strand of hair from his face, I couldn't help but admire how handsome he was. His strong jawline, stubbled chin, and crooked smile were enough to make any girl weak in the knees. "Let's elope," I whispered, my voice barely above a whisper, it was just not a thought that went through my head, but it was something that I have been thinking about for quite some time. Cole's expression shifted, his brow furrowing in confusion. "What? You want to create a big scandal? What do you think the people would say?" "Why not? Life's too short to worry about what others think." He coughed, taken aback by my bold suggestion. "But what about our families? They'll be furious." I shrugged, he was speaking as if my family would care if I was dead or not. “Who cares? As long as we're together, that's all that matters." Cole sighed, running a hand through his hair. "You're impossible, you know that?" I grinned, knowing I had him right where I wanted him. "So, what do you say? Are you up for a little adventure?" "The entire news would be about how Princess Isadora Stormborn of Adontalia ran away with the town's merchant," he murmured against my lips. I laughed, my heart pounding with excitement. "f**k them then.” With a playful grin, I pushed him back onto the sofa, my hands fumbling to remove my jacket. "Take me on the sofa," I whispered breathlessly. Cole's grin widened. "I like how you think," he replied, his eyes dark with desire. But just as things were heating up, a phone rang, interrupting the moment. I groaned in frustration, but then I noticed it was my phone. "Ignore it," Cole suggested, leaning in to resume our kiss. But the ringing persisted, and I knew I couldn't ignore it any longer. With a reluctant sigh, I reached for my phone and answered it. "Hello?" I said, trying to keep the irritation out of my voice. My step-mother's stern voice came through the line. "Where are you? Don't you know your sister's wedding is soon? Get over here." He hung up before I could respond, leaving me feeling frustrated. His tone just had to remind me of how I hated going back home, how I hated my family. "About that elopement…" I began, I needed him to know I wasn't joking. But before I could finish, Cole cut in, "Tomorrow. Let's do it tomorrow, what more can we lose? The business is slow anyways.” Relief washed over me, and I couldn't help but smile. "Thank you.” ***** “You are late,” was the first thing my step-mother, Queen Lyra, said when I walked through the door of the castle. It's no surprise that her first words were that after not seeing me for a month. I curtsied, “It's good to see your majesty,” it was the best situation when she was upset, to show respect, never defiance, to be compassionate or else be sent to the governess to be flogged for disrespect. I wasn't ready to feel any pain, I had learned my lesson, the scars on my back are enough to prove how awful she could be to even the tiniest mistake. Her eyes ran down my body taking note of my sandals, worn out jeans and T-shirt. A scowl appeared on her face before she wrinkled her nose, “You really can't be less embarrassing now can you? How many times did I tell you to start dressing more of a princess rather than looking like a lost rat.” I cast my eyes down, bowing my head, “I apologize, your majesty, I had to go into town…” “You mean you had to go see that poor man that would bring nothing to the table,” Lyra scoffed, “your father would be so disappointed. But what can I say, a concubine daughter will always be a concubine daughter.” My heart clenched as I held back the tears that were about to flow because of the stigma my presence brought. I didn't want to cry so I kept my head bowed throughout, I did not want her to see how far her words had gotten to me. To see my weakness. “Anyways, help is needed at the ballroom, decorations need to be put up, at least make yourself usefu-” her words were cut short when a loud bang sounded. There were shouts and screams outside. My heart jumped as I tried to make sense of what was happening. Queen Lyra quickly moved towards the main hall where the sound had come from, I followed as well. There I saw my father, standing tall and regal as he looked outside. From the back door, three huge men walked into the room, tall and broad, glaring at my father. “What's…going one?” My father asked shifting backwards, as his guards took position. He was cowering, something I had never seen him do before. The maids were running helter skelter, I mean who wouldn't when three men with tattoos on their exposed arms, guns on their back walked into the hall where a wedding was about to be held. One of them walked around, then he went back to his comrades shaking his head. “Can you at least tell me what you are looking for?” “Hush old man.” One of them said, I was taken aback by their boldness. “How dare you-” “Seize the girl!” Another voice bellowed, and before I knew it two large hands had gripped my hand. “Let me go!” I struggled but it was useless, they were way stronger than I was, and their hold was so strong that it felt like my bone was about to crack “What's this nonsense?” Queen Lyra spoke, she now stood beside her husband, her eyes glaring at them. “Who sent you?” “The king of Meridian's bride had gone missing. She had left her bridal room she was placed in. She is nowhere to be found.” He announced glaring down at my father's “What…that's not possible…” my father stumbled backward, I could see that his plan to have great ties with the king of meridian was crashing before his eyes. Lavina, my step-sister, was supposed to marry the ruthless king of the north, King Cassian Ashwood, to create ties that would be able to protect our kingdom. She was placed under proper care for her wedding tomorrow, the king of Meridian had even sent guards for her protection so how had she disappeared? The castle windows were too high, she would break a neck if she used that as an escape route. “My men are still looking for her but if we do not find her, then your second daughter shall be the replacement.”