The Prince of New York (Book 4 of the Forbidden Series)

9

Nadia woke the next morning to find herself alone in Dane’s bed. The room was bright with sunshine, and she wondered what time it was. Climbing out of bed, she wrapped the blanket around her and slipped out of his room with her discarded gown in her hands. She walked down the hall to her room, and she hung up her gown. She would take it to the dry cleaners later that day along with Dane’s tux.

Tossing the blanket on the foot of the bed, she opened the closet door and stepped inside. Walking up to a drawer, she slid it open and took out a clean matching set of pink underwear. She dressed put on her undergarments and then went through her new wardrobe and selected a short black skirt and a long sleeves navy blue silk button up dress shirt.

She got dressed and sat down on the cushioned bench in the center of the closet she pulled on a pair of black pumps. Once dressed she ran a brush through her long hair and then she swept it up off her shoulders and pinned it into a neat and tidy bun. She looked herself in the full-length mirror mounted on the inside of the closet door. She looked very professional. Exactly the look she was going for. Goal achieved.

Nadia returned to Dane’s bedroom with the blanket she had taken with her. She quickly made up the bed and tidied up, then she went back to her room and checked the voicemail on her cell phone. According to the clock on her cell phone, it was afternoon. She wasn’t sure why Dane had allowed her to sleep in so late. She couldn’t believe how many messages were in her voicemail.

She wrote down all the numbers and names on her voicemail and then she returned all the calls taking time to go through the day planner so she could efficiently make appointments. Once her business was concluded, she went in search of Dane.

Nadia came around the corner into the living room. She found Dane seated at his piano feverishly composing. He’d play a few bars and then write something down. He seemed focused on his work, so she decided to leave him to it. Nadia went into the kitchen and whipped up lunch for them both. In her short time in his home, she had come to learn that Dane often neglected to eat.

She made a few sandwiches and then brought one to the piano placing it on top. Dane looked up from the white and black keys with the pencil braced between his teeth. Reaching up he took the pencil and placed it on the piano top then he smiled at her. “Thanks.” He said reaching for the food.

“How’s it coming along?” She asked leaning against the piano.

“Wonderfully.” He smiled at her. “I think I’m done.”

“Are you now?”

“Yes. I’m ready to put it to track.”

“So, I should call the label and schedule some studio time?” She asked wondering what came next.

“Yes, book it for two weeks from tomorrow.” He said as he ate his sandwich. “Then call Westwood Airport and have them prepared the family jet. I want to be wheels up by seven this evening. The number is in your phone.”

“You have a jet?”

“My family does yes.”

“And where am I to tell them you are going?” She asked.

“We are going to Rome.” He announced.

“We?”

“Yes, you and I results in we.” He smiled at her.

“On business?”

“No vacation.” He said finishing his food and handing her the now empty plate. “See once I start recording it will be all work and no play for months. So, I like to get away and enjoy myself right before I start recording. This time I want to go to Rome and I thought maybe I’d bring you along for company, unless you would rather not go. I’m sure I can find someone else eager to fill that spot next to me in the hotel bed.”

“No,” she said quickly, the idea that someone else would take her place was annoying, “I’d love to go.”

“Do you have a passport?” He asked standing up and gathering his papers.

“Yes.” Three years ago, she had gone to Mexico with her parents, and she was pretty sure her passport was still good

“Great, don’t forget to call ahead and see that the house is ready. I have some contact numbers in the phonebook in my desk. The staff will have to make up a room; I think one room should do just fine. Don’t you?” He asked with a mischievous, playful smile. Nadia blushed. She liked the idea of sharing a bed with Dane and seeing the sights. She’d always wanted to see Rome, and now she’d get the chance.

“For how long?”

“Let’s say a week.” A week in Rome with the Prince of New York. She could not wait.

***

When they reached the private airport, it was to find the family jet gassed and waiting with the flight staff eager to serve. The pilot and co-pilot greeted them both and shook hands with Dane before disappearing into the cockpit to prepare for takeoff. The airport baggage handlers stowed their luggage in the belly of the plane.

They walked up the stairs and into the plane. Nadia was so impressed the plane was very large. Inside there were some comfortable padded seats that could spin so one could face anyone else in and talk. There was a TV on the wall that separated the passenger section and the cockpit. There were small tables mounted to the floor on either side for meals and drinks, and a bar along the left side of the plane.

Near the back, there were two doors. One that went to the lavatory and another she wasn’t sure what it led too. Curious Nadia opened the mystery door and looked inside to find a double bed. “For overnight flights,” Dane told her as he stood next to the bar and fixed himself a drink.

“Of course.” She grinned and then came to sit down for takeoff. “What would you like?” He asked reaching for a second glass.

“Whatever you are having.” She said.

“Brandy it is.” He said pouring her a shot of the dark liquor over ice. Picking up both glasses he carried them to his seat. He placed hers on the small table between them. Nadia reached for the glass, and the pilot’s voice came over the intercom telling them they were seconds from takeoff. Nadia and Dane put on their seatbelts, and the plane started its way down the runway. Minutes later they were in the air, and the pilot’s voice came over the intercom once more telling them they could get up and move around if they so choose.

They both removed their seatbelts, and Nadia leaned over to look out the window at the white fluffy clouds as the sun went down in the distance. “So how long does it take to get to Rome?”

“We should be there in the morning.” He told her.

“So, I guess we will be making use of the bed then.”

Dane snickered as he lifted the glass to his lips. “We would have made use of the bed even if the flight were only an hour.” His playful tone held such promise. The very idea of going back into that room with Dane excited her.

Nadia smiled back at him and then reached for the remote on the chair next to her and turned on the TV. A little entertainment would be nice to pass the time. The plane didn’t have cable, but it had some movies programmed in it that she could watch. While Nadia watched some thriller movie, Dane sat in the chair across from hers reading a book he’d taken from a shelf against the back wall. There were a handful of books back there for those in flight to read to kill time.

Nadia glanced back at the bedroom door wondering what she would have to do to get him back there. Nadia looked back at Dane; she could not resist her naughty urges. “What are you reading?” She asked immediately commanding his full attention. Nadia’s fingers toyed with the buttons of her blouse.

“I-” The words just did not come out. His eyes were drawn to her hands as she unbuttoned the top button. Dane smiled and diverted his attention to the book in his hand trying to find his voice. It was kind of cute how flustered he seemed. “I like a good mystery.” He eventually said holding up the book. A crime drama she assumed by the title. He held it up in front of himself with that slick smile.

“I enjoy those trashy romance novels. You know the ones that get… graphic.” Nadia said slipping off her chair and walking around the small table so she could sit on his lap lacing her right arm around his shoulders and placing her left hand against his chest. The contact could have burned a hole through the fabric of his shirt.

“Is that a fact?” His voice took on a huskiness as he looked up at her.

“Oh yeah.” She said taking the book from his hands and tossing it on the table. “They can get the blood flowing.” Dane smiled his hand coming to rest on her thigh.

“Is that so?”

“What’s it takes to get your blood flowing?” Nadia teased rubbing her hand over the hardness between his legs. Dane moaned, and his head fell back against the seat. “Maybe you could cuff me?”

She heard him give a little chuckle as he looked back at her. “You are a bad girl.” He whispered with a wicked glint in his bright eyes.

“I can be.” Nadia smiled pulling on his shirt collar to bring Dane forward closer to her.

His arms closed around Nadia as their lips met. Like the first time, something exploded inside Nadia, and their simple kiss turned in to a ravenous heated frenzy of hormones. She could not wait to get him out of those clothes she practically climbed Dane. His hands moved down over her bottom hiking up her skirt.

In a second Nadia was off her feet as Dane rose from his seat and carried her to the back of the plane and soon she was on her back on the bed. Dane’s powerful body braced above hers. His mouth plundered hers while his long fingers stroked her through her cotton panties. Nadia grew moist beneath his touch.

She reached for the buttons of his shirt, and Dane quickly stopped her with a smug smile. “Easy baby girl I need this shirt.” He teased removing the buttons himself and shrugged out of the shirt. Nadia ran her hands over his broad shoulders and muscled arms, the wide span of his toned back and the washboard of his belly. She had seen topless men in movies and on TV but none like him Dane raised the bar to a whole new level. Nadia could not fathom why Eve had left him. When a man looked this good and could rock the earth between the sheets how could any woman say no? Of course, she supposed she did not know Dane all that well.

Dane unbuttoned her top and lowered his mouth to her breast. His talented tongue toyed with her n****e. He might have been a lot of women in the past, but Dane was proving beyond a shadow of a doubt that there was something to be said for experience. His hand slipped inside her panties and pushed his fingers deep inside her. With a strong, steady rhythm, Dane brought Nadia to a toe-curling climax.

In one fluent movement, Dane had her panties off and was reaching for his belt. Eager her fingers pulled down his zipper pushing down his trousers and shorts. She purred with approval at the sight of his throbbing girth. Everything about this man was hard and well proportioned. God’s gift to women, not that she would admit that aloud.

The mushroomed head glistened with the beads of his desire. Her hand closed tightly around the shaft and drew a sharp breath from Dane. Nadia smiled with self-satisfaction as she began to slowly stroke him long and firm. Before long Dane pushed her hand away and grabbed her knees, pulling Nadia’s bottom to the edge of the bed.

Dane entered Nadia quickly. Pinned to the bed and held in place Dane thrust with urgency sending wave after wave of sensation pulsing through her like the surf crashing against the shore.

Nadia placed her hand behind his neck pulling Dane closer claiming his lips beneath hers. His scent flooded her senses. A musty uniquely masculine scent that was like catnip, some sweet drug that messed with minds. Planting her free hand on the mattress behind her Nadia thrust her hips up off the bed to meet his downward plunge. That moment was pure euphoria as they both let out a satisfied groan. Orgasmic bliss washed over Nadia.

Suddenly Dane dropped Nadia on the bed and stepped back finding his release outside her body. He laid on the bed beside her each trying to catch their breaths. “That was great.” She said with a smile.

Dane just laughed looking a little thrilled by her forwardness and his lack of control. “Girl I don’t know what you do to me, but I am usually more controlled than that.”

“But isn’t it fun?”

“Oh, hell yeah. I don’t know what got into you, but I love this freaky side of you.” Nadia grinned rolling on top of Dane. His hands went to her waist as he sat up and kissed her. Sweet caresses and heated kisses led to heavy petting. They spent the duration of the evening locked in a heated embrace with nothing between them but the night.

***

Nadia hit the ground hard, landing in the damp filth next to the dumpster. She tried to crawl away her heart beating so hard against her chest. All she could think of was getting away. She felt her attacker grab her by the ankle and drag her back to him as he rolled her onto her back and climbed on top of her pinning her small body beneath his massive one.

She struggled to get free, but he was too strong as he held her down forcing the knife to her throat as he struggled to get her pants off with his other hand. Telling her, he’d cut her throat if she kept fighting. Nadia studied his face, every feature he had so she could describe him to the police if she survived this.

Nadia cried out for help screaming at the top of her lung praying someone, anyone, would hear her. Her cries for help echoed in the night, but no one came… no one ever came.

***

Sobbing woke Dane from his sleep. It took him a moment to wake up. He rolled over to look at Nadia as she thrashed in the bed next to him sobbing. Her eyes were closed. She was suffering night terrors again. He propped himself up and grabbed Nadia by the shoulder giving her a shake trying to wake her from whatever horror she was experiencing.

Nadia didn’t wake so he shook her harder and called her name hoping his voice might pull her out of her nightmare. Suddenly Nadia’s eyes opened, and she started to hit him as she cried out for help. Dane tried to fend her off pinning her arms down so she would stop hitting him. “Nadia, stop, it’s me. It’s Dane.” He said once he had her restrained. “You are safe.” He promised.

It took her a moment to calm down and realize where she was and that she was in no danger. Still worked up from whatever nightmare she had Nadia began to cry. She was relaxed now, so Dane released her and laid down next to Nadia drawing her into his arms trying to comfort her.

“It’s ok. You are safe. No one is going to hurt you.” He assured her as he held her tight and stroked her hair. It took a few minutes for him to soothe her but eventually, she stopped crying and curled in close to his body she fell asleep again in his arms. With the excitement over he too closed his eyes and went back to sleep.