The Prince marriage to the Gold Digger

chapter 18. fear of unknown

She would have been amused at his statement if the touch of his mouth on her skin hadn't sent ripples of pleasure dancing through her veins. She was glad that he liked her gown. It was provocative;

she knew it and had worn it deliberately, in the manner of a moth flirting with the flame that will singe its wings. It was lovely gown, made of chiffon in alternating panels of sea green and emerald, swirling about her slim body like waves, and the bodice was strapless, held up only by the delicate

shirring above her breasts. William was right, one tug would have the thing off, but then, she hadn't planned on being alone with him in his bedroom.

She saw his head bend down again and she turned her mouth away just in time. "William , stop it! You have guests; you can't just disappear into the bed

room and stay there!"

"Yes, I can," he said, capturing her chin with one strong hand and turning her mouth up to his. Before she could reply again he had opened his mouth over

hers, his warm breath filling her. His tongue probed,

teasing her into response, and after a moment she Forgot her protests, going up on tiptoe to strain

against his hard body and offer him completely the Sweetness of her mouth. Without hesitation he took it, his kisses becoming wilder and deeper as he

hungrily tasted her. He groaned into her mouth and his hand began to slide up her ribs, It wasn't untill his strong fingers cupped one soft breast that she realized his intentions and once again cold fear put out the fires of her own desire.She shuddered and began trying to twist out of his embrace, his arm tightened

painfully about her and he arched her slim body against him, his mouth ravaging.

Ursula stiffened and cried out hoarsely, "No, please!"

He swore in Greek and pulled her back into his arms as she tried to get away from him, but instead of forcing his caresses on her, he merely held ber

tightly to him for a moment and she felt the thunderous pounding of his heart against her.

"I won't force you," he finally said as he pressed kisses onto her temple. "You've had some bad experiences, and I can understand your fear. But I want you to understand, Ursula , that when you come to me, I won't leave you unsatisfied. You can trust me, daring."

Weakly she shook her head. "No, you don't understand, she muttered. "William, I..... She started to tell him that she had never made love, that it was fear of the unknown that made ber shrink

from him, but he laid a finger against her lips.

"I don't want to know," he growled "I don't want to hear of another man's hands on you. I thought could bear it, but I can't. I'm too jealous; I never

want to hear you talk about another man."

Ursula shook ber head. "Oh, William , don't be so foolish! Let me tell you...."

"No," he snapped, gripping her shoulders and shaking her violently.

Growing angry, Ursula jerked away fromn him and threw her head back.

" All right", she rejoined tartly. "If you want to be such an ostrich, by all means go bury your head, It doesn't matter to me what you do!"

He glared at her for a moment, then his tense broad shoulders relaxed and his lips twitched with barely suppressed laughter. "It matters," he informed her mockingly."You Just haven't admitted it

to yourself yet. I can see that I'll have to destroy your stubbornness as I'll destroy your fear, and in the same way. A few nights of lovemaking will turn

you into a sweet, docile little kitten instead of a spitting wildcat."

Ursula stepped around him to the door, her tawny head high. As she opened the door, she turned and said coolly, "You're not only a fool, William, you're

an arrogant fool."

His soft laughter followed her as she returned to the gathering, and she caught the knowing glances of

several people. Diana looked furious, then turned her back in a huff. Sighing, Ursula wondered if William included Diana in many of his entertainments. She hoped not, but had the feeling that her hopes would be disappointed.

From that evening on, William completely took over her life. Almost every evening he took her to some small party or meeting, or out to dine in the

poshest, most exclusive restaurants. She hardly had any free time to spend with Sallie, but that practical

young woman was delighted that her friend was going out more and that no other vicious items about her had appeared in the press. Amanda Waring

often mentioned Ursula's name in tandem with William , and even hinted that the prolonged presence of the Greek in London was due entirely to the

charms of Mrs. Stanton, but she made no mention of the Black Widow or of Ursula's reputation.

Even Charles was delighted that William

had taken over, Ursula often thought broodingly, She felt as if a trusted friend had deserted her, thrown her into the lion's den. Didn't Charles really stand what William wanted of her? Surely he did; men were men, after all. Yet more and more it seemed that Charles deferred to William in decisions

concerning her assets, and even though she knew that William was nothing short of a financial genius,she still resented his intrusion into her life.

She was bitterly disappointed but not really surprised when, shortly after William takeover of her affairs, Charles gave her Some papers to sign and

told her they concerned minor matters only. She had trusted him implicitly before, but now some instinct

made her read carefully through the papers while

Charles fidgeted. Most of the papers did concern matters of little importance, but included in the middle of the stack was the document selling her shares in Con Tech to William for a ridiculously high

price and not the market price she'd insisted On.

Calmly she pulled the paper out and put it aside.

"I Won't sign this," she told Charles quietly.

He didn't have to ask what it was. He gave her a wry Smile. "I was hoping you wouldn't notice, he admitted. "Ursula, don't try to fight him. He wants

you to have the money; take it."

"I won't be bought," she told him, raising her head to give him a level look. "And that's what he's trying to do, buy me. Surely you have no illusions about his intent'?

Charles studied the tips of his impeccable shoes.

"I have no illusions at all," he murmured.

that may or may not be a sad thing, Unvarnished reality has little to recommend it. However, being the

realist I am, I know that you haven't a prayer of besting Hilton in this. Sign the papers, my dear, and don't wake sleeping tigers,"

"He's not sleeping, she mocked "He s only lying in wait.Then she shook her head decidedly "No, won't sign the papers. I'd rather not sell the stock at

all than let him think he's got me all bought and paid for-or I'Il sell to a third party. At market price those shares will be snapped up in a minute."

"And so will you," Charles waned. "He doesn't want those stocks in anyone else's hands."

"Then he'll have to pay me market price." She smiled, her green eyes taking on a glint of satisfaction. Just once, she thought, she had the upper hand

on William. Why hadn't she thought of threatening.to sell the shares to a third party before now?

Charles left with the paper unsigned and Ursula knew that he would inform William immediately.

She had an engagement with William that night to attend a dinner with several of his business associates, and she toyed with the idea of simply leaving

town and standing him up rather than argue with him, but that would be childish ánd would only postpone the inevitable. She reluctantly showered

and dressed, choosing with care a gown that didn't reveal too much of her; she knew that she could trust William thin veneer of civilization only so far. Yet

the modest gown was provocative in its own way, the stark severity of the black cloth against her pale gold

skin a perfect contrast. Staring at her reflection in the mirror, she thought with wry bitterness of the.............Black Widow tag and wondered if anyone else would think of it.