Rich Man’s Toy: A Dark Royal Romance Read online

She touched my shoulder gently, her fingers barely brushing my skin.

  “I know,” she said. “It’s natural. But you’re going to have the time of your life. And who knows... You might meet a handsome stranger who’s going to change everything around.”

  Once again, my mother’s warning about strangers rang in my ears, but this time, I chose to ignore it, instead giving Harlow a small smile and a nod.

  “Alright,” I said. “I’ll try it on, and if you think it looks good...”

  “It will,” she said with certainty. “I absolutely know it will. Change into it, pretty please?”

  I stripped in front of her. It had never been a big deal - we’d changed a thousand times together before when we were dancing. But now it felt different, since it had been a while since we’d seen one another in such a vulnerable state.

  I felt her eyes on me as she helped me put on the dress, and I felt more exposed than ever. But it wasn’t a bad feeling, not at all. I felt more confident than ever.

  “You look...” Harlow breathed, staring at me and taking a step back. “Breathtaking. Honestly. It’s amazing.”

  I wanted to see for myself, so I glanced at my reflection in the mirror, and what I saw took my breath.

  The tulle looked sweet - appropriate for my age, but the cut and the crystals added a sex appeal I hadn’t ever had before. I felt like a queen. My nipples were barely visible through the fabric, but the pink, puckered skin was still there, and if you looked long enough, you could see how turned on I was. The dress was more modest on the bottom, hiding my ass and pussy from vision. It was stunning - just stunning.

  “I love it,” I told her honestly. “I can’t wait to wear it tonight. You promise people won’t think it’s strange?”

  “No, she giggled. I promise they won’t.”

  I took a deep breath and gave her a little grin before saying, “Okay, then. In that case, shall we join the party?”

  She linked arms with me and giggled, pulling me downstairs while my heart kicked into high gear. The fun was just getting started.

  Olivier

  Boredom had become an everyday occurrence.

  The money, the parties, the obligations - I was bored of it all.

  But a party thrown by a business associate of the court meant something new, something fresh and fun. I had heard of Rueben Thorn’s exquisite tastes and has seen his woman dance on her very last performance. I was curious to see what they had prepared for the night at their home - the night celebrating a mysterious woman named Amber Jonathan.

  I had decided to go to the event by myself, since I was just in the States for a quick stop before I returned home to my duties. If I was being honest with myself, I was running from my obligations - running from my mother waiting back at home with a plan to change everything for good.

  As the crown prince, I was well-fucking-aware of the expectations placed on me the day I was born.

  One day, I would be king, as my mother insisted on telling me, and I was going to have to find a wife sooner rather than later.

  I had a feeling my mother was running out of patience, and I knew the moment was coming when she would demand I settled down.

  I ignored the siren call of my little black notebook, saving the contact information of every girl I knew in town, and put on my best suit and a splash of my signature cologne. My hair was cut shorter than usual, so the curls hadn’t had the chance to form, but I preferred the new cropped dark blonde look.

  I knew I looked good, but I promised myself I wouldn’t fool around with anybody at the party. It was time to get serious. I didn’t have time for flings anymore.

  My thirty-second birthday was approaching, and as my mother told me time and time again, she’d had me at only twenty-three. I was overdue an heir, and seriously overdue a wife. And if I didn’t get on top of that soon enough, she would - as she’d threatened plenty of times before.

  I made it to the party fashionably late and was impressed by the beautiful job the planner had done with the house.

  Peacocks strolled the gardens outside, with perfectly placed lights illuminating the house. Inside, the lights were dimmed, creating a heady, almost erotic atmosphere. A small stage was filled with musicians, and the whole room felt like something out of a different time. I fucking loved it.

  I walked around the room, easily joining conversations once people recognized me. Being a prince had its advantages.

  Finally, I ran into the man of the hour - Rueben Thorn, looking dangerous and suave in a designer suit and wearing a restrained smile.

  “Your Highness,” he greeted me, and I laughed out loud.

  “I had hoped we were past those formalities by now, friend,” I said in response.

  “Doesn’t hurt to tease,” he winked at me. “So. Enjoying the little get-together?”

  I glanced around the expensively decorated ballroom, nothing about it little.

  “It’s incredible,” I told him honestly. “You will have to give me the contact of the planner.”

  “That would be my beautiful Rose,” he winked at me. “And I don’t particularly like to lend her out.”

  “I believe you,” I said. “She’s a stunning woman.”

  “Seen anyone else you enjoyed?” Thorn asked, getting straight to the point. “There are a lot of beautiful women here tonight.”

  Of course, he was right, and as I looked through the small groups of people chatting away, I caught more than one pair of eyes belonging to a stunning woman.

  “I’m supposed to be on my best behavior," I told him.

  “Might be difficult tonight,” Thorn said, grinning widely. “Why don’t you join me at my table? We’re just about to get started with the special program.”

  “Special program?” I repeated, raising my brows at the promise of something exciting and new. “Well, don’t mind if I do.”

  I buttoned my suit jacket and followed him to the biggest table in front of the stage just as the musicians left. I greeted man after successful man, woman after beautiful woman, dripping with diamonds to rival our crown jewels.

  Alas, none of them kept my attention for longer than a couple of seconds, even when their eyes lingered on mine, their thick lashes fluttering in my presence just like they always did.

  I was fucking bored alright.

  I sat down next to Thorn, and he ordered a bottle of wine for us from the sommelier - one that suited my tastes perfectly. I rewarded him with a smile and tasted the wine before him, nodding my approval before sipping the delicious blood red liquid, warmed to the perfect temperature.

  “So, about this special program,” I said with a wicked grin. “What makes you think I might be interested?”

  “Well,” Thorn smiled back. “The party is in honor of my Rose’s best friend, Amber Jonathan.”

  I nodded, having recognized the name from the invitation.

  “And where is the woman of the hour?” I asked curiously. “I would love to meet her.”

  “That’s the surprise,” Thorn winked, motioning to the stage. “And I do believe we’re just getting started...”

  The lights dimmed even more, and the conversations hushed down as we all turned our attention to the stage. It was dark, but a figure emerged on, being practically pushed onto the stage. She stumbled, and the glint of the crystals on her dress caught my eye, making my cock jerk in my pants as she straightened herself.

  A single spotlight came on, shining brightly on the woman standing on the stage. And she was fucking breathtaking.

  Thick red hair shimmered under the light while hazel eyes looked up fearfully, finding mine at the table. I drank in her pale skin, peppered with adorable freckles. The way her body filled out under the dress, a fucking stunning hourglass figure that filled my mind with wondrous possibilities. She was a goddamn stunner.

  “Who is she?” I whispered at Thorn.

  “Amber,” he replied, and I gave him a surprised glance to which he returned an all-knowing smile. “Knew you’d li
ke her. She’s looking pretty irresistible tonight.”

  “I’ll say,” I muttered, turning my attention back to the stage.

  She was still there, like a deer in the headlights, her eyes desperately latching onto mine, as if she was trying to find someone to hold her up. Somehow, the act was incredible submissive, her need to find someone to reassure her sexy as hell.

  I gave her a barely-there nod and she relaxed visibly, her whole body shifting so it faced time.

  She was a fucking vision in that see-through dress, her nipples pebbled and hard under the mesh fabric. They were pink. Fucking pink. I would bet her tight little cunt was pink as well.

  “Is she...” I muttered at Thorn without taking my eyes off the little vision in white. “Is she available?”

  “She is,” he replied with the ease of a man who knew he held the control in his hands. “For a price.”

  “What’s the price?” I growled.

  “You can bid on her,” he said. “It will start in a couple of minutes. Just for tonight. One night, and with her permission, you can do anything she wants.”

  “Does she belong to someone?” I growled out as Amber raised her fearful gaze to mine. “Is she collared?”

  Everyone in that fucking ballroom was staring at her. If the answer was no now, it wouldn’t be after that night. And I wanted dibs.

  “Not yet,” Thorn told me, and we exchanged a quick glance.

  It seemed as if both of us knew things were going to change very soon.

  Just then, the spotlight went out, and my perfect woman disappeared from the stage. I faced Thorn with a pained expression, making him laugh out loud.

  “That bad?” he grinned at me, and I had to stifle the growl trying to force its way from my lips.

  It was his house. I had to play by his rules. Be Mr. Nice Guy.

  But not once I got my hands on her.

  I leaned forward and whispered an amount into his ear. He nodded and made a note of it with the staff.

  I wondered whether the flame-haired beauty was aware her time was being auctioned off. I’d reached pretty heavily in my pockets to spend the night with her - an outrageous price. I just hoped I hadn’t underestimated her beauty, because I needed to fucking win.

  Moments later, Rose joined us at the table, and I admired how beautiful she looked as she leaned down to kiss her partner.

  “Harlow Granger, as beautiful as ever,” I told her with a grin, and she smiled politely before taking her seat.

  “Prince Olivier,” she replied. “I hope you’re enjoying the party?”

  “Immensely,” I winked at her. “At first, I thought I was just enjoying your ability to plan a get-together, but unfortunately now that I’ve seen your best friend... I might be more in awe of her than your impressive planning skills.”

  She laughed and clinked glasses with me. I noticed she was drinking orange juice, but didn’t mention it, though a knowing spark entered my eyes, and she seemed to have noticed, smiling wide in response.

  “To love, lust and passion,” I told her, and she laughed again.

  “To love,” she responded.

  “To Amber,” Thorn cut in, clinking glasses with us and smiling at me.

  There was no smile in his grin - this was a man certain about his love and the feelings his woman returned, and I respected that.

  Soon enough, my eyes wondered again, trying to find the beauty that had taken my breath moments ago.

  “Are you looking for Amber?” Harlow cut in innocently. “I could take you to meet her, if you’d like?”

  “I would like nothing more,” I told her honestly, emptying my glass and offering her my arm before turning my attention to Thorn. “You don’t mind, do you?”

  “Not at all,” he replied. “And we’ll let you know if your bid won.”

  I led Harlow away, stopping every once in a while, so she could chat with her guests. She was in her element, looking absolutely stunning in that midnight blue dress, the inkiness of the color a sharp contrast to her pale skin.

  Even though I had a stunning woman on my arm, there was a different beauty on my mind, and I came to a halt once I spotted her talking to two men, all leering at her sweet, sensual body under the tulle.

  I had to resist the urge to kill them all, and Harlow seemed to notice.

  “Don’t worry,” she whispered. “That’s just Kain and Ryker Marino. They both have partners.”

  I relaxed as she led me closer.

  Amber tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, laughing easily when she noticed us approaching. She turned around to face her friend, but her eyes lingered on me instead, scared and filled with need.

  “Hello,” I said in a husky growl, and she smiled sweetly in response. “I must say, I quite enjoyed watching you on stage.”

  “You were amazing!” Harlow gushed, and the two friends embraced. “Everyone was watching you.”

  “I still can’t believe you convinced me to do that,” Amber added, her eyes darting to mine.

  “You’ll thank me later,” Harlow grinned. “Now, I’d like to introduce you to someone... You haven’t met Prince Olivier Bellamy yet, have you?”

  “N-No,” she stuttered, curtsying before me. “Your Highness.”

  “No need for formalities,” I told her easily. “Tonight, I’m just Olivier. Not a prince.”

  “If you say so,” she replied with a sweet smile. “Though I must say, meeting a royal is ever so exciting.”

  “I hear that a lot,” I grinned in response. “I hope you don’t change your mind as you get to know me better.”

  “I don’t think she will.”

  The man behind her, Ryker, came forward and offered me a winning smile, shaking hands with me. The other man smirked at his forwardness, and I noticed a small resemblance between them, wondering whether they were related.

  “And you must be Ryker Marino?” I asked. “You do business with Thorn?”

  “Occasionally,” he replied. “Although I’m just here with Kain today. And Ophelia - she must be around somewhere.”

  “I think she’s talking to Lili,” Kain replied. “Somewhere around here.”

  The two men were intimidating - both tall, dark and handsome, but with features that spoke of pain and deeply rooted trouble and hatred for somebody. I wondered what their story was.

  “We’ll leave you to it,” Kain said, motioning for his friend to follow him. “Enjoy your evening.”

  “And you,” I replied politely before turning my full attention to Rose and Amber. “Ladies... Any idea when we’re hearing back about that bidding war? I’m sure I have a few competitors, but I’m eager to know if I’ve won.”

  My eyes bore into Amber’s, and she paled, turning her attention to her friend.

  “What bidding war?”

  My mouth opened in a surprised O-shape as Harlow turned to face Amber.

  “A little something we threw together in your honor,” she said sweetly. “For a night with you, we had people betting.”

  “That’s why you made me go up on stage?” Amber groaned, covering her eyes with her little hands. “Harlow, this is so weird...”

  “It’s not weird at all,” I replied smoothly. “And I do hope I made the winning bid.”

  She locked her eyes with mine, staring deep into my soul. I could tell she was pleased that I’d bet on her, but she didn’t want to admit it.

  “I think they’re actually just about to announce the results,” Harlow purred sweetly, motioning to Thorn who was speaking to a member of the staff. “Why don’t we see who won?”

  “Yes,” I growled, my eyes firmly fixed on Amber’s. “Why don’t we?”

  She blushed so deeply it made my fucking cock twitch.

  Amber

  My heart pounded as Thorn closed the distance between us.

  “Congratulations,” he said with a big grin, turning his attention to Prince Olivier. “Looks like your bid won.”

  The man smiled, giving me a long loo
k before shaking Thorn’s hand.

  “I’m happy to hear that,” he said. “Did I have some serious competition?”

  “Very serious,” Thorn replied, discreetly motioning to a man behind him.

  He was staring at us, his expression thunderous and his eyes finding mine. He was devilishly handsome, but looked more dangerous than kind, and it scared me.

  “What about you, Amber?” Thorn asked me. “Are you happy with the outcome?”

  “I...” I started, looking into Olivier’s eyes. “I don’t think you should’ve put me up for auction without asking my permission.

  “My dear,” Thorn laughed. “I don’t ask for permission. You should know that about me by now. Now, if you’ll excuse me...”

  He wrapped his arm around Harlow’s waist.

  “We’ll see you a little later,” he winked at me. “Try to enjoy your evening, Amber. And likewise for you, Olivier. I promise she’s not always acting so offended.”

  They left, and suddenly it was just the two of us. Even though the room was filled with people, I felt like Olivier and I were alone, his eyes boring into mine.

  “Well, I’m glad I finally got you alone.”

  His voice was firm and deep, the words coming out in something that reminded me of a primal growl.

  “Me... too,” I managed to get out.

  He circled me. I could feel the eyes of the other guests on us as he looked me over as if I were his property.

  “How much did you bet?”

  The words were out before I could stop myself, and Olivier laughed at me.

  “How much do you think?” he asked.

  “I don’t know,” I muttered. “Five thousand?”

  “You really think I’m that cheap?” he growled. “You’re worth more than that, ma chérie.”

  “So, tell me,” I whispered, and his eyes darkened.

  “I paid two million,” he replied, and the color drained from my cheeks.

  “How much did...” I looked back at the other man who was still staring at us. “How much did he pay?”

  “A million and a half,” Olivier laughed out loud. “He must be fucking pissed right now.”