Page 65 of A Royal Mistake

“Is it always like that?” she asked quietly, cheeks tinged with pink.

Henry froze. He’d suspected Pippa was a virgin. She’d implied as much when she said her bodyguards hadn’t given her a moment’s privacy. But surely she’d had an orgasm before, even if it was self-delivered? Was she asking about oral sex?

Only one way to find out, Arschloch.

“Oral sex?” He slipped her left foot into the bikini bottom and slid them up, straining to keep his voice neutral. “Or orgasms?”

“Both. Orgasms.” Pippa slapped her hands over her eyes. “God, this is so embarrassing.”

He reached up and pulled her hand from her eyes. “Hey, there’s nothing to be embarrassed about. That was your first orgasm?”

She nodded, cheeks flaming.

“I’m honored you would share the experience with me.” He stood and pulled her to her feet, brushing a kiss across her lips. “And to answer your question, yes, it’s always like that, although I think we can do even better next time.” He pointed to his forehead. “You know, when I’m not nursing a concussion.”

Her brows shot up. “Any better and you’ll kill me. You don’t want that on your conscience, now do you?”

No. No, he did not.

At least she hadn’t balked at the prospect of next time. Because there was no question there would be a next time. One taste of Pippa would never be enough. He’d been fooling himself to think otherwise, and now she knew it too.

16

Pippa bouncedon the balls of her feet, anticipation humming through her veins. It was a beautiful day. The scent of freshly cut grass hung in the air and the sun’s hot rays burned off what remained of the morning dew. It was the perfect day for outdoor games.

Not to mention another suitor elimination.

She couldn’t wait to see the guys’ faces when she told them the plan.

Her Majesty had killed the story about the pool party, keeping the water polo game—and Pippa’s teeny tiny bikini—under wraps. She had no idea what her mother had promised the stodgy old reporter, but whatever it was, it must’ve been valuable. Otherwise, the story would’ve been front page news and, with any luck, a few of the suitors would’ve been called home. The queen’s underhanded machinations had only driven home the fact that Pippa needed to elevate her game if she was going to come out on top.

And she planned to come out on top.

She might not have her mother’s experience with court manipulations, but she would not yield. Not when her trust fund and Stanley International were on the line. Besides, she had a lifetime of experience embarrassing her parents. And she hadn’t even been trying then.

Now though? She was giving maximum effort.

It hadn’t been easy to get Sarah onboard with her plan, but with a little cajoling, the protection agent had finally agreed to referee today’s game and act as timekeeper. Which was why Sarah stood at Pippa’s side, air horn in hand, looking like she was having second thoughts as an unusually large number of the palace staff meandered through the gardens, hoping to get a glimpse of today’s shenanigans.

Too late to turn back now.

Pippa heard the suitors before she saw them, their voices carrying loud and buoyant over the usual sounds of the garden, drowning out the fountains and birdsong. She spotted Prince Gabriel first, looking fresh and crisp in a collared shirt and chinos, the rest of the suitors close on his heels.

Why did they always defer to him? It wasn’t like he was the only prince in the group.

It was infuriating. And no doubt fed his ginormous ego.

The men filed into the garden, all dressed for afternoon tea.

What the hell?

The east lawn was used almost exclusively for lawn games, which she’d noted in her invitation. She hadn’t explicitly stated her intentions—she hadn’t wanted Their Majesties to catch wind of her latest plan—but she’d been clear enough that the guys should dress for comfort.

Pippa groaned. If this was their idea of comfort, it was going to be a long day.

At least it’ll make the eliminations easier.

Today there would be no interference from Their Majesties. She’d made sure of it, choosing a day when their royal duties would keep them otherwise occupied away from the palace. She had the gardens and the suitors all to herself.