Corrupted by the Prince (A is for Alpha Book 5) (11 page)

She’d found the pictures of the two of them that had

created such a big scandal. The woman had been engaged to Kostas’s brother when Kostas slept with her.

He hadn’t denied the allegations when Eva had asked. But now she had wonder if he had feelings for her.

Kostas.

Was she wrong in addressing him by his name? He’d never corrected her, and during their night together he’d told her to call him Kostas, but back home maybe she should be referring to him with more respect.

It was a reminder that he wasn’t just some guy she’d met at the beach; he was a king.

When they arrived back at the castle, the surreality of it all began to sink in. Being a Fairchild, she was accustomed to a certain lifestyle and a good amount of luxury. This, however, was beyond familiarity. Private jets. Castles. A king who wanted to marry her.

But did he really? Or was it only because she was carrying his child?

She pressed her palm to her belly, knowing the child they’d created was only just starting to form.

She was going to be a mother no matter what. But did she really want to give up her life in America?

The potential to become the queen of a small country was probably the most surreal part of it all. It made her knees a little weak just thinking about it. The magnitude and responsibility of such a position was not lost on her.

“What did you think?” Kostas interrupted her thoughts as they walked through the corridors of the castle.

She tried to compose her thoughts back to less troubling things. “Mykorini is beautiful. This castle is simply breathtaking. And your people seem loyal, friendly, and sincere.”

“You like it here.” It wasn’t a question.

“I do.” But she wished she didn’t like it so much. It made it harder to resent being pressured to return home with him.

“Good.”

“Kostas! There you are.”

Eva turned to see an older woman striding down the hall. She’d done her homework and sought out pictures of Kostas’s family, and this was clearly his mother.

And, it seemed, the only other person who didn’t call him
Your Majesty
.

“I have been waiting for an introduction to the mother of my grandchild.”

Kostas sighed softly. “Mama, I had hoped to give her a chance to settle in first. Evelynn, let me introduce you to my mother, the Queen Dowager.”

His mother reached out to squeeze Eva’s hands and kiss each of her cheeks. “Please, call me Christiana. We are going to be family soon.”

Eva smiled warmly. “A pleasure to meet you, Christiana. Thank you for inviting me to your home.”

“But you will stay, of course. This is your home now.”

“Mama—”

“She is perfect, Kostas.”

His mother switched to Greek and the rest of the fast-paced conversation was lost on Eva.

When there was a pause, she said quickly, “I haven’t actually made any decisions about my future. I’m taking some time to think.”

“The media has already linked you to my son.” Christiana smiled, her eyes gentle but firm. “There is already speculation that he is the father of your child, and that you will be married and become the queen shortly after Kostas’s coronation.”

“Let them speculate.” Panic and irritation mixed. She wasn’t used to being the controversy. She left that to her sisters. Glancing at Kostas, she asked, “When is your coronation?”

“This Sunday.” He paused, but then gave her a searching glance. “I will not lie, I am hoping we will be engaged by then, Eva.”

Which meant she had five days to make a decision that would only impact the rest of her life.

Even though they slept in separate rooms, Eva rarely left Kostas’s side during the next few days.

She accompanied him to various lunches, appearances, and even sat in on a meeting with an international leader.

She began to see an entirely different side of Kostas. She saw a natural leader who was still uncertain of his own ability. She watched a man who loved and interacted wonderfully with babies and children of all ages. He was humble, sincere, and unwavering in the support of his people.

Then there was the way he treated her. With gentleness and concern. Always enquiring about her health and how she was feeling with the baby.

The royal physician had been brought in to examine her on her second day in Mykorini. She was in exceptional health, and all was progressing smoothly with the pregnancy.

The media had gone mad speculating about their relationship, Eva’s pregnancy, and whether or not Kostas was the father. Kostas didn’t address it, and his staff was clearly trained not to do so either.

Eva found herself missing Kostas in the few moments she wasn’t by his side. He made her laugh. He made her want him to touch her again. And while she could see in his eyes that he wanted to, he made no move to rush her. The most he did was hold her hand, embrace her, or kiss her forehead.

It left her in a constant state of need and confusion. She wanted so much more. She’d connected so deeply with him on an emotional level, that she wanted that physical connection again.

It was after a dinner event on Friday, where they’d snuck glances at each other throughout, that he came to her room.

Eva had been standing on the balcony, thinking about how beautiful the city was with the Mediterranean sparkling in the moonlight behind it. She’d traveled around the world, but nothing compared to Mykorini, and she knew it would be all too easy to live here.

The door opened and she turned to see Kostas crossing the expansive bedroom toward her.

Just the sight of him had her pulse quickening. He’d changed out of his dark suit into something more casual. With jeans and a button-up white shirt covering his broad chest, he was beyond sexy. He looking like a model in a high-end designer ad, not like the king of a small country.

Her mouth went dry and heat-filled desire coursed through her.

“Kostas…”

There was no reason for him to be here. He’d told her she had the rest of the evening free. But the smoldering heat in his eyes said otherwise.

“I told myself to leave you alone,” he said hoarsely. “That you’re overwhelmed. That you’re probably tired and sick from the pregnancy, but I can’t stay away.”

Her heart rose into her throat. “I’m glad you didn’t.”

He threaded his fingers into her hair and tilted her head up. “Tell me to leave and I will.”

“Not a chance.” No matter what she decided to do with the future, she needed him in the present.

“This is what kept me sane.” He pressed a kiss to her lips. “This kept me from going mad with grief over losing my father and brother. Remembering you and the night we had together.”

Oh god, what he must’ve gone through. What he still must be going through.

“Make love to me, Kostas. Let me help you forget at least for a little while.”

His lips crushed down on hers and it was clear they were done talking. The ground disappeared as she was lifted into his arms.

She wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him back fervently.

He laid her on the bed, not breaking the kiss as he unbuttoned her shirt. She reached up to help undress him, but her trembling fingers were nowhere near as skilled.

Soon enough they were both naked and lying with legs intertwined as they touched each other.

“I missed you.” He kissed her neck while cupping her breast, using his thumb to stroke her nipple.

Eva’s hips arched off the bed as pleasure raced through her.

“I missed you too.”

“I’m sorry I left you the way I did.” He kissed lower, to the swell of her breast.

“I understand why you did.”

“Even still, it was inexcusable. I should’ve woken you.”

His lips closed over her nipple, and she was done trying to talk about it.

She delved her fingers into his hair, clutching him to her as he suckled her. He tormented each breast before moving lower again, kissing each inch of skin on his way down.

When she realized his destination, she tensed and tried to close her thighs.

“Let me,
glykia mou
. We will both love it.”

With his bold caress over the damp flesh between her legs, she was lost. Her body became boneless and she parted to his touch. To his exploring mouth.

The first soft kiss he pressed at the heart of her had her crying out in stunned pleasure.

The second had her clutching at his dark strands of hair and begging for more.

He murmured his pleasure and granted her wish, teasing and tormenting her with his mouth and bringing her to the very edge of ecstasy.

A flick of his tongue over her sensitive bud launched her over that cliff.

“Kostas!” Sobbing and trembling, she dragged him upward. “Please, now. I can’t wait a minute more.”

Her husky words, combined with the tears on her cheeks, sent a stab of pure masculine pride through Kostas. And possessiveness.

Mine
.

She belonged to him. Even if she weren’t carrying his child, he knew now that he couldn’t let her go. He had no desire to marry anyone else.

He paused at her stomach and kissed the pale flesh that was still flat. His throat grew tight with emotion as he thought about their child that was beginning to form.

He kissed her belly, softly this time, and traced his fingers over the smooth flesh.

Eva let loose a ragged breath and he knew it had nothing to do with passion this time. They both were thinking about the baby.

Startled at how choked up he was becoming, he moved to position himself between her thighs.

“I missed you. Missed this,” he said, and then thrust deep.

Her body, slick and warm, welcomed him. Just being inside her again nearly took his breath away. He stilled for a moment, allowing himself to absorb the moment. To focus and feel where they were joined.

It felt perfect. Like coming home. Like what he’d been searching for every time he’d slept with a woman before Eva had come along.

The idea that he’d been her first still blew his mind.

Where the idea of bedding a virgin had been more of a turnoff before, the realization that she’d only been with him made his primitive core come to life. It was an empowering and sexy discovery.

He began to move inside her. Slowly at first, sinking deep and then sliding back out. He held her gaze, watching to make sure he wasn’t hurting her. But her swollen lips were parted, and her pupils were dilated with pleasure.

She met each thrust, clinging to him with nails that dug little crescents into his upper back.

He moved harder now, taking her with a need and ferocity that would claim her physically and mentally.

The pleasure inside him swelled, tightening every muscle in his body. He sat on that edge of release, burying himself deep inside her while trying to bury the words that hovered on his lips.

They escaped in a raspy, “I love you.”

His mind went dark as the climax ripped through him. He emptied himself inside her, gasping and shaking, before his arms gave out and he let the weight of his body fall on top of her.

She didn’t protest, but clung to him, kissing his forehead and stroking his shoulders.

Knowing he must be hurting her, he eased off her and pulled her into his arms. She moved willingly and pressed her cheek to his chest.

With her snuggled in his arms, he experienced the first sense of peace and contentment since the news of his father and brother’s death.

“Do you think our baby will have my freckles?” she asked, her voice drowsy with content.

Surprised and amused by her question, he murmured, “I hope so.”

“I can’t decide if I want him to or not. I burn so easily in the sun.” She kissed his chest. “What was it that you said a moment ago?”

“What do you mean?”

“While we were making love. It was in Greek.”

He’d said
I love you
. And it seemed he’d said it in his native language. He should just tell her now, but in English.

Fear, unfamiliar and uncomfortable, swept through him. He opened his mouth to translate what he’d said. What came out was, “I don’t remember.”

“Mmmm.” She kissed his chest. “It doesn’t matter.”

But it did, and he knew how much the words would’ve meant to her. Only he wondered if she’d believe them, or think he was just saying what he thought she wanted to hear. What if she didn’t love him?

She yawned and cuddled closer. A few minutes later her breathing shifted to the pattern of someone who’d fallen asleep.

Tomorrow he would try to tell her. Whether she believe him or not, whether she loved him, she had the right to know.

“Kostas!”

He opened his eyes, disorientated and groggy. Eva lifted her head from his chest and blinked the sleep from her eyes.

“Is that your mom at the door?”

“Kostas, I must speak to you urgently.” She yelled in Greek, but the anger in her words meant Eva would pick up on her mood.

“One moment, Mama.”

He climbed out of bed and pulled on his pants, then quickly donned his shirt.

When he finally opened the door, his mother stood tight-lipped on the other side. Her eyes held a glimmer of anger and dismay.

She thrust a local paper at him. “Could it be true?”

Unease stabbed through him. He swallowed it and glanced down at the front page.

A picture of a smug-looking Saina sat below the large headline.

“I’m also pregnant with the King’s child!”

Bile rose in his throat and every muscle in his body went rigid.

“What’s going on?”

He hadn’t heard Eva approach, and tried to crumple the paper, but she’d already seen it.

“Oh god.” She stumbled back from him, clutching her robe closed. Her eyes, wide with pain and accusation, met his. “
Is
it true?”

“
No
.” He vowed fiercely, but a part of him hesitated. “I used protection.”

Eva gave a little despondent cry. “So did we.”