NOLAN Yena took a step back, interrupting the rhythm of their slow dance, and looked around. They were at the center of the dance floor. The crowd had filled it up around them. “Okay,” she said slowly. Her voice was quiet under the sounds of the music and the lively party. Nolan pulled her close to him again. “Is this the best place to tell it to me?” she asked, sounding nervous. Nolan’s heart was racing. It was the first time in a while that he was hearing Kent’s voice, articulate and clear as a bell, loud in his mind. Saying, It’s almost too late! You fucking COWARD! Nolan felt like his chest might explode if he did not tell Yena he loved her, before the two of them left this spot on the dance floor. “Yes,” he said.His hands trembled slightly.Pressing his mouth to her ear, he told her, “I love you, Yena.”It was easier to get it out without looking into her eyes.She put her hand to his cheek, though, and
NOLAN The prince took the emerald green handkerchief out of the breast pocket of his jacket and folded it into a tight ball. He pressed it into Yena’s mouth, and she kept it there. Then he touched her again, softly. She moaned a little, though it was muted with her teeth clenched over the wad of silky fabric. Nolan shook his head and shushed her again. Her face moved into what would have been a smile, if she were not gagged. “You will be silent,” he said sternly into her ear. “And you will like it.” Her eyes rolled back a little and fluttered closed. She panted, breathing through her nose, and started to shiver. Nolan moved Yena’s panties to the side and slipped his middle finger inside of her, and curled all his other fingers into her skin. “Look at me,” he demanded, and Yena opened her eyes. “Now,” he said, pulsing his finger in and out of her. Carefully.Her shoulders flew back against the wall behind her, and he
Gina either didn’t notice me until I was right in front of her, blocking her path, or she was pretending like she didn’t. “Excuse me,” I said loudly when she tried to side-step me. Finally, she stopped in her tracks. “Oh, my!” Gina said when she finally met my eyes. “I’m so sorry, Yena, I didn’t recognize you.” I raised an eyebrow at her. It was a strangely informal way to greet me. Calling me by my first name. “We haven’t actually met,” I said. “Right, right,” Gina responded. “I just meant, you know, your face is everywhere in the news and such. I thought I’d recognize you when I saw you tonight, but you look so different, with all the makeup.” I had nothing to say to that. “Do you care to introduce yourself to me?” I said to her in the most royal way I could manage. “Oh,” Gina said breathily. “Sorry, it just seems like you know who I am already! I’m sure Nolan must have told you I was coming tonight.”
NOLAN Nolan’s eyes darted around the ballroom. There were so many important people here. And press reporters with cameras. Gina was baiting Yena. She had been telling the princess lies to rile her up. Trying to get Yena angry in public, to embarrass her. Nolan put his hand to Yena’s cheek. She did not flinch but gave him a sharp look that made him pull away. “Just take it from her,” Yena said. “She won’t leave you alone until you do.” Nolan nodded and turned to his ex. “Gina, I’ll take your gift and say thank you, but then I must ask you to please leave. You were not invited here. Neither my wife nor I appreciate your presence here.” Gina flashed him a smile. She held out the little box and Nolan took it. He was about to slip it into his pocket, but then Gina said, “Wait, will you just open it please?” “Fine,” Nolan said. He popped the lid off and saw that there was a watch inside. “It’s imported,” Gina told him. “F
YENA Watching Nolan hold Gina in his arms, even in this context. It made me feel like I’d been stabbed in the heart.Luckily other people rushed over to help, and Nolan passed her off to someone else for medical care.Nolan was inching away from Gina, not letting his eyes depart from her.At first the jealous wolf inside me was enraged. I wanted my husband to come rushing back to my side. I wanted him to leave that skinny bitch behind and not care what happened to her.But that was irrational. Nolan was still playing his part. Looking concerned about a person who’d suddenly fainted at his party.It had never really been fun for me to be in public gatherings with Nolan. He was so different when he switched into Prince mode. I didn’t like that side of him.It made me ache. Like I missed him, even though he was right there.It made me miss the version of Nolan that I knew in private. The one with glowing green eyes and a real smile. And, sometimes, my blood on his lips. Then I he
Nolan stepped out of the bedroom while tying his tie around his neck. His secretary was a little way down the hall, waiting for him and looking wildly embarrassed.Yena had told Nolan to go deal with whatever was waiting for him behind the door. Then she closed herself in the bathroom, saying she was going to take a bath.The prince’s secretary told him his mother was waiting to speak with him, and that it was quite urgent. Nolan made his way to her quickly.Luna gave Nolan a serious look when he entered the room. And asked, “Did you smooth things over with Yena?”Nolan looked at the floor. “I’m working on it.”“You should be on your way to the hospital now.”Nolan shook his head. “Do you really think that’s necessary?”“Yes. You need to look concerned about the girl’s welfare.”“I’m not sure there’s anything to be concerned about,” Nolan said, taking a seat and letting his head fall into his hands.“What do you mean?” His mother followed Nolan’s lead and quit pacing to sit dow
YENA I knew the purpose of our visit to the hospital was all about appearances. And that was a very important thing for Nolan and me right now. But I was being pushed too far.I paced around the waiting room until I couldn’t stand it any longer. It might have only been about a minute, but it felt like forever.I didn’t like thinking about Nolan and Gina being alone in a room together. Even if it was a hospital room.And then I realized I didn’t actually have to allow it. Whatever Gina wanted to talk to my husband about, she could tell him in front of me. But when I rounded the corner near Gina’s hospital room and heard their voices carrying out the open door, I paused. I didn’t mean to eavesdrop at first.But then I heard what they were saying, and at that point, there was no way I was walking into that room. Gina was telling Nolan that she loved him.That she always loved him, and that she only broke up with him because she was sick. “The bi
Nolan went to bed early with Yena. She was exhausted and fell asleep in his arms within a minute of lying her head down on the pillow. But the prince stayed awake all night. Holding her. And thinking. He promised Yena he would do whatever it took to make her happy. And he could try to protect her from Gina. From Adan. But Yena was not a woman who just needed someone to protect her. She was a woman with a dream, and more than anything, she needed someone to support her.Yena’s dream was so important to her. It was part of who she was. It was part of what Nolan loved about her. Her talent, vision, and drive. Maybe Nolan had been hoping that encouraging her to start a clothing line, start a business with him, would be a way to support her dream, while keeping her here with him. And yet… Yena still wanted something more. Something else. Nolan could not imagine that it was really just a semester abroad that she felt she needed.