Page 16 of Pandora's Pleasure

“Six months ago?”

“I’m hardly ever here.”

“Did you frame it?”

“No.”

Then who?His mother? Someone wanting to make it look like he cared, perhaps.

“You’re very pretty.” He shoved off the doorframe and walked into the room. “I should have told you that before. I think you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met.”

A neat trick, trying to soften me up before he took me. “You’re not bad yourself.”

He looked amused and then suppressed a smile. “That look on my face in the photo is what it feels like to pluck out a debutante.”

“You’re not offended that our meeting was pre-arranged?”

“The illusion of control.” He folded his arms across his chest.

“After we’re married, I still want to work.”

Surprise flashed over his face. “Your job is having the populace fawn over you. Your job is to be my wife.”

“I have so much more to offer.”

“Can’t see it, myself.”

“You can’t bring yourself to say something decent, can you?”

“Have you considered saying something decent to me?”

I lifted my chin. “You’ll never be President.”

“That’s the kindest thing you’ve said so far.” He looked like he meant it, too.

“Where am I sleeping?”

“Shall I show you?”

“I want to sleep with you.”

He hesitated as though not expecting my comment. “If we’re in the same bed we won’t be sleeping.”

“Fucking then.”

“Careful, Pandora.”

“You should consider yourself lucky to have a woman like me offer you her virginity.”

“Your Royal Highness, are you on the pill?”

“No,” I said.

He watched my reaction and then turned on his heel and walked away.

My legs went weak and I slumped on the edge of the bed, full of regret for ruining the night even more.

Wewere never going to work.