Princess Pilar is tired of playing by the rules. Sheβs sick of the spotlight and being seen as the uptight goody-too-shoes the media has cast her to be. Sheβs especially tired of the fact that her brothers are allowed to run off and do whatever they want while she sits inside watching the world pass her by. Thatβs why she decides that while her older brothers are off on their usual summer holidays, sheβs going to quietly pack her things and travel to the one place her parents have always forbidden her to step foot on β Ibiza.
As the star of the French premiere fΓΊtball league, Benjamin Drake has it all β the money, the cars, the clothing contracts, and any woman he wants. Problem is, the only woman Ben has ever wanted badly enough to stop partying is Princess Pilar, the one he can never, ever have. Despite his fame and achievements, in Pilarβs world, sheβll always be royalty and heβll always be a kid from the wrong side of the tracks who got lucky. Heβd never be accepted. He knows that. Yet, when he spots Pilar partying at the same club as him, all bets are off. Heβs determined to get her in his bed, even if itβs just for one night.
From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Claire Contreras comes THE NAUGHTY PRINCESS, a new story in her Sexy Royals series, out now!
Everyone loved him. I knew that, obviously, but being out with Ben really made me realize that I was merely one of his many admirers. It was something I shouldβve been used to. It was similar to whenever I went somewhere with Aramis or Elias. Everyone flocked to themβwomen, men, kids. I was always kind of just there forβ¦ I wasnβt even sure anymore. At least Ben made me feel like I was with him. At his side, not just an accessory he walked around with. He checked in with me, smiled at me from across the room. He winked at me. All things that made me feel as if I couldnβt breathe. It was one thing to see him from across the way at one of my motherβs Sunday dinners. It was completely different having him here, doing these things purposely. Ben had made it clear that he wanted me. It was crazy, but there was no denying it. He hadnβt said it outright, but I knew it just the same. Only I wasnβt sure what would happen or how to take things to the next level. Or if heβd even be interested in that. It wasnβt like he was the first man to make me feel like he wanted me, but most of them ran for the hills before anything could happen. Most of them were terrified of my family and the scrutiny that came with being seen with a princess.
Everything I knew about Ben told me he was very careful about how he was perceived. Bad boy, fun and easygoing, charming, sexy, those were all adjectives he was familiar and comfortable with. There was a reason for that. Mine were shy, pliant, kind, funny, smart. We all had a role to play, and mine was to make sure people were comfortable.
Iβd just finished saying goodbye to someone when Ben walked over to me and put his hand on the small of my back.
βYou have a real gift.β He started to usher me out of the room and into the hall that led back to the entrance. βIf you werenβt a princess, you could be an actress.β
βWouldnβt that be a dream?β I laughed, turning my head to look at him. As I did, I caught a glimpse of our reflection in the mirror beside us. We stopped walking and stood there. He dropped his hand from my back. βThatβs what I pretend I am when Iβm in front of the cameras. An old Hollywood actress. Like Grace Kelly.β
βMuch more beautiful than Grace Kelly.β He grabbed my hand and lifted it to his lips, kissing the back of my knuckles. Time seemed to slow a bit. I felt myself blush.
βNobody is more beautiful than Grace Kelly.β
He looked at me through the mirror, my hand still in his. He turned me so my back was against his chest and lowered his head, speaking into my ear.
βYou are.β His eyes were on mine, shades of green and brown muddled together to create the perfect hazel. βThe most beautiful.β
βYou donβt have to humor me,β I whispered, my chest expanding.
He wasnβt even touching me, not really, just holding my hand. Yet it felt like I was completely bare to him.
βIβm not humoring you, Princess. I think about you often. Naked. In my bed. In the shower. Beneath me. On top of me.β He lowered his voice, still looking into my eyes, though they were blurring and I could barely keep them open. βBut Iβve been told to stay away. To keep my hands to myself. And I should.β
That made me turn swiftly, my steps faltering as I looked up at him. βYou shouldnβt. Please donβt.β
βYou donβt know what youβre asking.β His voice was hoarse, as if my plea were the ultimate test of his resolve.
βI never ask for anything.β I pressed myself closer, my breasts against his chest. βBut Iβm asking for this.β
He brought his face nearer and pressed his lips against mine. In that moment, when everything and everyone around us disappeared, I truly knew what it felt like to be free.
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