Page 12 of Coral Prince Conundrum (Runaway Prince Hotel #1)

CHAPTER TEN

Daryl

Dad parks his ride—some sports vehicle that looks shiny and guzzles gas—in the used car lot, and I dart out of there. I walk up to the salesman, greet him, and take the keys.

“There now, isn’t this better?” Dad puts his hands in his blazer pockets and bounces on his toes. “A modest car becoming of a member of the Tishman’s Fishery empire.”

I bite back a grimace. I’m trying to muster up gratitude that Dad used the food-truck-destruction insurance payout to help me with the down payment of this new car. But right now, I just want to get out of his sight and back to Renversé Plaza where I belong.

“Thanks,” I murmur. I hop in the car and start it. It feels amazing to drive something that doesn’t require me to climb stairs to get in. Before I can get away, Dad pokes his head into the open window.

“So, when are you going to start working at the company? There’s a position in sales with your name on it.”

I huff and grip the steering wheel. “I don’t want to sell tuna, Dad. I just needed your help so I can continue to drive to work and school.”

“Daryl, you don’t need to go to school anymore, and you certainly don’t need to sling coffee for tips. You have me!”

I shake my head and avoid his gaze. “Thanks, but no thanks. As always, I’m not interested in fishery life.”

He frowns. “Son, you’re so bright. You could be the next big CEO, make all the money you need, and become a successful paragon in the Black community, like me. Don’t you want a legacy?”

“I don’t…want that legacy. I have my own things going on.”

“Like what, brewing cappuccinos?” He smirks.

I focus on breathing calmly. His anti-environment business practices are about to launch a war, but sure, I’m the loser.

“Something like that,” I mutter. I shift into drive, and he has the wisdom to let go of the window.

“I’ll talk to you later, Dad.” With that, I take off while, like always, I try to compartmentalize my dad’s disappointment in me.

Walking into work never felt so good. I stand near the counter and gaze around at Café Magnifique.

People of different colors—literally, I think I spot one purple dude, but I could be wrong—are congregating, drinking coffee.

Between the hotel and the café, Renversé Plaza is starting to feel more like home than my crappy apartment.

It’s pathetic that I’d rather be at work than near my dad, but I feel content in these four walls.

So much of that is because of the handsome dude who works at the hotel pool.

I spot Seero in a corner booth, and my pulse picks up.

He’s so sexy, running his hands through his dark hair.

I don’t know if it’s a prince thing, or if all Corali men are that fine.

We’ve hooked up two other times in the past four days—just frotting, but I genuinely love having his dick thrust next to mine.

Simply seeing him gets my pulse racing and my mouth grinning.

“What are you doing here?” Justice’s voice pulls my attention forward. He gives me a confused frown, and I step up to the register. “It’s your day off.”

“Can’t a dude order a cup of joe?”

Justice can read me like a pamphlet, and his eyes dart to the corner. “Oh, right. A coffee date with your boyfriend,” he says in a deadpan tone.

I scoff. “He’s not my boyfriend.” The word sounds foreign on my lips. A subtle hope creeps up my spine, so I lean forward. “Why, did he say something?” I whisper.

Justice rolls his eyes. “Give me a break. The way you two have been canoodling and studying fish environments has been Valentine’s-Day-card levels of sappy.” He smirks, then leans forward over the counter. “Hey, Seero!” he hollers.

When I turn to my left, the man in question looks up and waves. When his eyes meet mine, he smiles even brighter.

“Look at the way he beams at you,” Justice mutters. I slap my friend’s shoulder, and we both turn back around. “So, what will you have?”

“Pistachio latte with oat milk,” I reply.

“Hot and large?”

“You know it. How much do I owe you?”

“Oh, please, you work here.” He waves his hand. “Go spend time with your handsome boy toy.” He saunters off, but not before muttering, “At least one of us has a love life that makes sense.”

I snigger and shake my head. I really ought to ask my best friend about what’s going on with that rugged guy he likes. After a beat, I walk to the corner to greet the secret prince. He grins and says, “Good day. How was the car shopping?”

“Ugh, annoying,” I reply. I sit closer to him than necessary. His presence on my shoulder and thigh feels soothing, and he doesn’t back away. Seero Dagat doesn’t seem to want to be away from me either, and I don’t know what to make of it.

“I apologize. Since I caused that damage, I can buy you a new car,” he says.

I chuckle. “It’s not that. The car actually works fine. My dad is just…” I shake my head. “I’d rather focus on our mission to save the planet.”

Seero perks up and plays with the papers before him. He took my advice and printed out our slide deck. “I think we have enough information. But I just need to memorize it and present it in a meaningful way.”

He bites his lip as he scrutinizes the papers. I bump my shoulder with his. “I’m sure you will.”

“But what if I cannot?” he asks. He shoots me a sad look inches from my face. I’m so tempted to kiss him, but I don’t know how public he wants to make us. What even is the ‘us’ between us? “What if I am not convincing?”

“Don’t think like that, Seero.”

“But you are much more knowledgeable and well-versed than I. If only you could be the one to present to the court.”

I would love to travel with you . I frown and take his hand. His warm skin in the palm of my hand warms my soul. “We’ll keep working on it. How about tonight, we order in some dinner, and you continue practicing in your room?”

“What about your schooling?”

I shrug. “I withdrew from the summer class. I’ve been too busy. It was extra credits anyway, and I’ll keep the photos and data I’ve worked on for the fall semester.”

His brow furrows. “You withdrew…for me?”

“No.” I lean forward. “We’re trying to save all of humankind, remember?” I whisper. He nods, and I continue, “I can take classes later, but this can’t wait. This project is important. You, Your Highness, are important.”

We share a slight laugh. “Not as important as you.” His words make my smile fall.

This gorgeous, exotic man keeps saying such romantic words, as if our fling doesn’t have an end date.

Even if he had real feelings, I can’t just fly with him to a different country.

His life is so much bigger than mine, being the heir to a kingdom.

Still, no one has made me feel alive like this runaway prince.

“Ahem.” We both look up to see Justice holding a cup. “Your pistachio latte.”

“Thanks, man.” I turn to Seero. “Can I take that drink to go?”

Justice pushes forward a paper cup. “No surprises here.” He gives us both a cocky, insightful look as I take the drink. My best friend can be such a know-it-all.

Our presentation practice session goes well after dinner and into the late evening.

Seero memorizes as many facts as possible; however, the heart just isn’t there.

I know that he wants to convince his court to make peace, but the words don’t sound organic.

Still, we repeat and repeat all the slides.

“I’m wondering if it’s because English is your second language?” I ask, sitting on the bed.

“No, that is not it.” He sits next to me.

In his gray sweatpants and black shirt, he’s majestic.

Meanwhile, I wore my neatest red shirt over a tank top and my tightest black jeans, hoping for some more sexy times tonight.

“English is taught at a young age to everyone in the Coral Kingdom, alongside Corali.”

“Really?” I cross my legs and smile. “How did such an isolationist country learn that? Internet?”

He snickers. “Yes, but many of our ancestors swam to other nations covertly and bartered their knowledge in exchange for fish. To learn about colonizers, we had to learn their language.”

I slowly nod. “Wow, your life is so fascinating. My world is so boring in comparison.”

“There is nothing boring about you, my dear barista friend. You are the most noble, knowledgeable man I’ve ever met.”

His words send a chill up my spine. My smile falls, and he grins with desire.

In that moment, a calm silence washes over us.

Without words, we both know what’s going to happen next.

In this late-night hour, in a tiny hotel room, Seero gradually leans forward and kisses me.

His lips are soft, and he smells amazing.

The slow motions of his tongue are divine, like a prayer on my lips.

When his hand touches my cheek, it’s electrifying.

I fortunately had the forethought to brush my teeth and clean out my ass in the last two hours, just in case of this exact scenario.

Now it’s time to take what I want. When we break apart after the languid making out, I take a deep breath in and out.

I stroke his cheek and whisper, “I…I want something from you.”

“Anything,” he replies, bringing his forehead to mine.

“Seero, I want to go all the way.”

“What way?” he asks.

I smile. “Fuck me.”

He jolts back. It dawns on me that he might not understand what that means. I know he has the internet, but maybe he doesn’t know about anal sex? “Are you sure?”

I nod. “Yes, please,” I reply.

“But I did not bring any safe sex supplies.”

I sheepishly grin and pat my pocket. “I have some.”

“And you are…prepared?” He looks me up and down.

“Yes. My ass is ready.” I raise up my hands. “But only if you want to! I know we’ve been fooling around, and I don’t know how far you want to?—”

He grabs my shirt and pulls me in, putting his mouth on mine again. The kiss is scorching and forceful, and I know he’s completely on board. When he pulls off, he smiles. “I am only a fool because I want that, too, Daryl Tishman.”

The next five minutes are a blur of removing clothes, shutting off the lights, and getting the bed just right. While I finger myself with the lube, he strokes himself and suits up with latex. Next, we giggle and kiss on the mattress as we fondle each other’s nipples.

I still cannot believe the prince of a freaking magical water nation is so into me.

When his body crowds mine, I lift up my hips, propping them under a pillow.

I spread my legs and lean up to kiss him.

When I cling to his neck and caress his cheek, he nearly growls as he lines himself up.

The hunger on his face is undeniable. One moment, I’m taking in his masculine scent, the next…

“Oh… oooh ,” I say in a breathy tone. I shut my eyes and allow him to breach me.

“Is that alright?” he says breathlessly.

He feels amazing inside me. “Yes…yes,” I reply through gritted teeth.

He moves forward, pushing his pulsing length an inch further into me, and I let out a long sigh. “You want me to stop?”

“No.” I look into his precious eyes and handsome face. Sweat drips from his brow. He is the sexiest person I’ve ever had the pleasure of kissing. “Don’t stop, Your Highness. Fuck me like you mean it.”

He grins, and I know it’s on. He hoists my ankles up and goes at it, pushing forward all the way. My cock gets harder as he touches that perfect spot deep inside. He pulls out, and then pushes back in.

This prince is using my body as his own personal pleasure device, and I couldn’t be more willing.

He thrusts in and out, grunting like a beast in heat.

My hardness bobs while he works my ass. We both gasp and moan.

After two minutes, we take a moment to switch positions so I’m on my knees, and he gets back on it.

While he reaches below and strokes me, I try to push back as much as I can.

He continues to drive into me as the bed shakes.

He grasps my hips and even gives me the occasional spank on my ass.

“Fuck!” I reply. I land on my elbows and he fucks into me harder, faster.

“You want me to stop, Daryl?” he says as he catches his breath.

“No. Fuck me, Seero.”

“Yes,” he hisses. He tightens his grip on my hips and thrusts in and out. My balls tingle, and I continue to get harder. When I reach down and stroke myself with one hand, he sighs. “So…hot…”

“You’re amazing, Seero. Feels so good,” I say through a moan.

“You like this?”

“Ooh, I like it so much,” I murmur with my face against the sheets. I don’t remember the last time I let go and had so much fun during sex. The feeling of him inside me compounds his sexy swearing; all of it has me barreling towards the end in record time.

“I’m…almost…” he says through grunts. He slaps my hip, and it’s so primal and dirty, I love it.

“Yes, let it out, Seero,” I say as he slams into me.

With that, he fucks me even faster. After a minute, his breathing quickens, and he mutters words I can’t understand. Then, he’s out of me, and I can hear the rubber snap off.

The sound of him jerking off is unmistakable. I flip over just in time to see him shoot. His orgasm rains on me as his arm moves in a blur. He marks me, his burning seed on my groin and abs. There has never been a hotter moment in my life.

I can’t take the sight of this big, strong Coral Prince jerking off on me. It’s all too much. My cock burns, and I need to take hold of it. With a mixture of my precum and his semen, I stroke myself off with abandon. Clamping my eyes shut, I orgasm ten seconds later, groaning all the way.

When my soul is done leaving my body, I lie there for a minute, basking in the best sex of my life.

When I open my eyes, Seero is casually cleaning us both off with a cloth.

I giggle when he reaches my ticklish groin, but I try not to squirm too much.

I’m lying boneless, and I want to tell him I’ll leave soon, but I have no strength to say anything.

Instead, he ditches the washcloth and crawls into bed with me.

Seero wraps his arms around me, and I barely register the fact that we’re spooning.

This is the first time we’re cuddling after having sex, and it feels heavenly.

“Goodnight, Daryl Tishman,” he whispers through a yawn.

“Goodnight, my Coral Prince,” I reply quietly.

I thought all of this was just a way to relieve the stresses of impending political unrest. But with his arms draped around mine, I’m afraid I’ve crossed a line. I’m starting to catch real feelings for the one person I shouldn’t, the prince of a faraway kingdom.

His breathing slows down, and I listen to his heartbeat. My last thought before I drift into dreamland: if the ocean armies destroyed the world tomorrow, I would still die a happy man in Seero’s arms.