Prince of Seduction Read online

  PRINCE OF SEDUCTION

  By

  Donna Grant

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  PRINCE OF SEDUCTION

  Copyright© 2013 Donna Grant

  Cover Artist: Croco Designs

  ISBN: 978-0988994706 (ebook)

  Edition, License Notes

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only at Smashwords.com. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  www.DonnaGrant.com

  Chapter One

  Southern Jamaica

  Present Day

  “Here’s your room, ma’am,” the bellhop said with a pleasant smile as he opened Marin’s door.

  She stepped inside and looked around the brightly painted room and tiled floor. The king size four-poster bed looked so good all she wanted to do was curl up on it and sleep. Instead, she followed the bellhop as he walked about the room telling her of the mini-fridge and the array of liquor at her disposal.

  But when he pulled back the curtains and opened the sliding glass door, Marin sighed as soon as the sea breeze smoothed over her skin. Before her eyes was the magnificent Caribbean Ocean in all its glory just a few feet from her room. The white sand glistened in the sunlight, and the palm trees swayed in the wind. The smell of salt was heavy, and the heat from the sun made her itch to settle in one of the hammocks strung between the palms and doze.

  She inhaled the sea deeply and instantly felt her muscles relax. Though she might not have wanted to come to Jamaica to get married, there was no doubt she’d been in serious need of some down time.

  “Does this meet with your approval?” the bellhop asked.

  Marin turned and smiled. “It most definitely does.”

  “If you need anything, my name is Paul,” he said and started for the door.

  She went to reach for her purse to tip him before she remembered she was staying at the Whitehouse, a new Sandals resort where all the taxes and tips were included in the stay.

  “By the way,” Paul said as he reached the door. “Your fiancé is two floors above you in the Honeymoon suite.”

  “Thank you.”

  Marin waited until the door closed behind the bellhop before she allowed her irritation to show. It hadn’t been her idea to get married in Jamaica. That had been Johnny’s. He wanted something different he’d told her. And since her parents were dead and she had no other family, she didn’t have any argument other than the fact she really wanted to be married in a church.

  Whoever said the wedding was really the bride’s day had never met Johnny. He’d been adamant about how he saw their wedding, and she had been swayed by the excitement in his hazel eyes.

  She really wasn’t angry. Perturbed more aptly described her feelings. It just wasn’t the wedding she had always dreamed about. Now that she was on the island and feeling the urge to sink her feet into the sand and drift in the turquoise waters, she was glad he had talked her into this destination.

  What she was angry about was the accommodations. Johnny managed to talk her into staying in different rooms until after the ceremony. Marin shook her head and unzipped her luggage. He had some…unique…ideas that sometimes left her shaking her head.

  “Sometimes?” she asked herself. “More like most often. For a businessman who is climbing the corporate ladder at the ad agency, his ideas are sometimes backwards. Makes no sense to me.”

  She’d stopped trying to figure Johnny out after their second date. He might be a little odd, but he was always thinking about her. Unless he was thinking about himself first.

  Most men would be offended if the woman didn’t want to stay in the same room as them, but Johnny said it was what his parents expected. Never mind that she often stayed at his apartment since he didn’t like hers.

  He had certain ideas about their relationship, their wedding, and their future. And if she were honest, she’d admit that not all of those ideas were as crazy as wanting separate rooms until after the wedding.

  It was just for one night. She had the rest of the day and the night before the wedding in the morning. And she was going to make full use of the time. A day in the tropics all to herself. It sounded heavenly.

  First, she was going to enjoy some of the sun, sand, and water as well as the steady flow of liquor and food, and then that afternoon she was going to get a massage and facial.

  She hurriedly pulled off her clothes, feeling the draining effects of travel leaving her as each piece of clothing hit the floor. Then she grabbed her black bikini and slipped it on. Then she grabbed her black wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses and heading out her sliding glass door for the beach.

  A hammock with her name on it called.

  * * * *

  Marin stretched before she pushed the covers away from her and rose from the bed. She padded to the window and pulled back the drapes covering the sliding glass door so the morning sun could spill into the room. She unlocked the door and slid it open. As soon as she did, the sound of the surf filled her room.

  “I could get used to this.”

  She stretched her arms over her head to try to work out the kinks from doing too much kayaking, snorkeling, and swimming in one day. She had dozed in the sun, but the call of the waves had been too great for her to ignore.

  Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. After pulling on the plush robe, she opened the door to see a beautiful Jamaican woman holding Marin’s wedding gown and veil.

  “Good mornin’,” the woman said with a cheerful smile as she entered the. “Did you sleep well, ma’am?”

  “I did,” Marin said and closed the door. There were no flurries of excitement for the day, only a worry that she hoped everything went according to Johnny’s plans lest he get upset. “I’d heard about Sandals resorts before, and had I known how beautiful and fun they were, I’d have been here sooner.”

  “I’m glad to hear you’re enjoying your time. I’m here to help you get ready for the weddin’.”

  “Wonderful. I know exactly how I want my hair.”

  The maid nodded. “Perfect. I’ll let you take a quick shower while I get the rest of your things ready. Your bouquet is having the finishing touches put on as we speak. It’ll be up here soon.”

  “I hope the calla lilies turned out okay,” Marin said as she grabbed her lingerie out of the drawer.

  “Actually, ma’am, the bouquet you ordered was all roses. Red roses.”

  “What?” Marin asked as she straightened. It didn’t take long to realize what had happened. She smoothed the frown from her face. After all, it wasn’t the maid’s fault. “That’s what my fiancé wanted, but I specifically ordered white calla lilies and tulips.”

  It was the one thing she’d fought for. The calla lilies had been her mother’s favorite, and the tulips were her favorite.

  “I don’t think there’s time to change,” she said apologetically.

  “No, I doubt there is,” Marin said as her anger grew, simmering just beneath the surface and threatening to ruin the day. Johnny had known exactly what he was doing. Just another example of how he always got what he wanted.

  She was a prime example. From the time she was seventeen she’d been on her own, making her own decisions. Johnny had wanted to
run her life, and she’d refused. After a month of dating, she’d broken things off. For the next three weeks he wooed her, promising never to do anything like that again.

  For a while he hadn’t. It wasn’t until now, as she looked back that she realized he had been running her life. It had started as little things she hadn’t thought about, like where she bought clothes. Little by little, he took over almost every aspect of her life.

  The flowers were important to her. She’d explained all that to him, but he disregarded her wishes. “As he always has,” she said.

  “Did you say something?” the maid asked.

  Marin shook her head and started toward the bathroom. “Nothing. I’ll be out in a bit.”

  But as she stepped into the spray of the hot water, she examined her relationship with Johnny. They rarely fought. He made her laugh and took her to amazing places. She loved him. Didn’t she?

  “Do I?” she asked herself as she braced her hands on the tile and let her chin hit her chest.

  Or was she just used to how things were?

  “No. It’s just flowers. Johnny loves me.”

  No matter how she tried, Marin couldn’t relax. If Johnny had gone behind her back and changed her bouquet, she was almost positive he did the same for the cake. And possibly the decorations, too.

  “This is his wedding, not our wedding?”

  The anger was replaced with sadness.

  She kept telling herself that it was little things and she shouldn’t be upset. But the truth was she was extremely troubled. She didn’t want to have an argument before the wedding – not that there would be time – but she also didn’t want to start their honeymoon off with a fight.

  Yet, she couldn’t let this go. She had to speak to Johnny. She refused to live her life going on as it was. He had to respect her choices and not continue to change them to suit whatever he wanted.

  After turning off the water and climbing out of the tub to dry off, Marin wrapped the towel around her and another around her wet head then opened the door to her room. She turned the corner and saw her gown laid out on the bed with her veil and shoes beside it.

  She had splurged on French lace lingerie for the wedding, and she was eager to put on the expensive silk finery. It was a sad state of affairs when a bride was more eager to put on her lingerie than her wedding gown.

  Once she had the bra, panties, and garter belt fastened with her hose, she pulled on her robe and waited for the maid to return. As she waited, she gazed at her gown. It was a pretty dress, even though it wasn’t the one she had always dreamed of having.

  Johnny had spotted the gown while picking out his tux and bought it. He had been right, the gown did look great on. She had never bought a strapless gown before, and wouldn’t have this time if he hadn’t gone on and on about how it looked on her.

  Just one more example of him running her life.

  Marin ran her hand down the silk gown. No beads, pearls, or lace adorned the gown. Its simplicity was charming and suited their island wedding.

  Laughter wafted through the screen on her sliding glass door, drawing her attention. Marin, curious, walked to the screen and looked outside to see a couple walking down the beach arm in arm. Her white gown and long veil trailed in the breeze. The man had on a tux with his shirt unbuttoned at the collar and his tie hanging open. Suddenly, he lifted the woman in his arms and kissed her.

  “Their ceremony just ended,” the maid said as she walked up beside Marin.

  “They’re a lovely couple.” Marin couldn’t hide the wistfulness in her own voice.

  She sat in the chair the maid had set up by the opened window. Reggae music drifted over the sound of the birds and soft wind from the speakers hidden throughout the massive resort. She would never be able to listen to Reggae music again without thinking of Jamaica.

  Marin closed her eyes as her hair was being dried and then styled. She tried to quell the uneasy feelings within her, telling herself all brides felt the way she did. She just about convinced herself when the maid announced she was finished.

  Eager to see what had accomplished with her hair, Marin rose and went to look in the full-length mirror. Her dark locks had been swept away from her face to be gathered at the back of her head. Soft wisps of hair hung near her face and neck while the rest of her hair draped down her back in soft waves.

  “I love it,” she said. “Thank you so very much.”

  The maid beamed and gathered up her items. “Is there anything else you’d like, ma’am?”

  “Just a few minutes alone.”

  “Of course. I’ll be waiting outside when you’re ready to go.”

  When the maid left, Marin looked at herself one last time. “Marin Williams. Mrs. Johnny Williams. Johnny and Marin Williams.”

  She checked the time and then hurried to apply her make-up. Johnny wanted her to go without, so she had compromised and just put on some bronzing powder, eyeliner, mascara, and lip gloss.

  Once that was done, she stepped into her long, A-line shaped strapless wedding dress and zipped it up. She refused to go barefoot as Johnny wanted and bought instead a gorgeous pair of satin stilettos. As she slipped her feet inside the shoes, excitement began to unfurl.

  She grabbed the dangle pearl earrings and put them on, then reached for the pearl bracelet, the only two pieces of jewelry she had left of her mother’s.

  “I sure wish you could be here, Mom,” she said softly.

  She took one more look in the full-length mirror before she grabbed the bouquet of red roses that had been delivered while she was in the shower and walked to the door. She opened it to find the maid waiting.

  “Simply stunning,” the maid said with a nod of approval. “Follow me, Ms. Chapel.”

  With each step toward the wedding gazebo they had set up on the beach, Marin’s anxiety and excitement mixed. She couldn’t wait to start her life with Johnny, and a family soon after. He might not want kids now, but she was sure he would change his mind.

  She spotted the gazebo where the wedding would take place and saw all the red and white decorations that Johnny had wanted. It was a beautiful mix amid the turquoise waters and vivid blue of the sky. All the flowers were in place, as was the cake, the minister, and their witnesses.

  The only person missing was Johnny.

  Marin laughed as she approached the small group. “He was so worried about me being late that he’s late.”

  Everyone chuckled. Ten minutes later no one was laughing, least of all Marin.

  Paul, the bellhop that had seen them to their rooms the night before had been sent to find Johnny. When Marin spotted Paul walking toward them, his face grim, she knew what he would say before the words ever left his mouth.

  “Mr. Williams checked out late last night,” he said softly. His dark eyes held pity and remorse, both of which she couldn’t handle at the moment.

  What? Johnny had left without any word to her? Not even the common decency to tell her that he was calling the wedding off, that he changed his mind, that he needed time? Nothing? What kind of lowlife person did that?

  But she had her answer.

  Johnny.

  Marin didn’t bother looking at the others. She knew their gaze would hold the same emotions that Paul’s did, and if she was to make it to her room without breaking down, she had to leave immediately.

  She took a step and felt her knees begin to give. She stopped and forced herself to breathe and focus. I’ll cry in the privacy of my own room, not so the others can pity me more.

  The resolve gave her the strength she needed to walk to her room. The sidewalk seemed to stretch forever, and at one point, Marin wondered if she would ever find her room again.

  Her hands shook when she tried to use the card key so that it took her three times to get it to work. Once she was finally in the comfort and safety of her room, she fell back against the closed door and slid to the floor as the tears finally came.

  Chapter Two

  Highlands of Scotland />
  1268

  Elric sighed into the fading light of day as the sun streaked the sky a vivid purple, pink, and orange. Each hour that passed, each month he counted off, put him that much closer to failing his family and his father’s kingdom, Drahcir.

  The bloody curse had been with his family for generations, generations that had managed to beat the curse and keep Drahcir and its people alive. But he had a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach that he would fail.

  He ran a hand down his face, feeling more weary and exhausted than he had in months. He longed to speak to his family, especially his brothers. Four siblings had never been closer than he and his brothers. They had shared everything growing up, which made it all the harder when it came time for each of them to leave.

  How long had he searched for his mate? How many women had he sought, only to realize they weren’t for him? How long had he been alone as he scoured Scotland for the woman who could save his kingdom?

  And the answer to all questions was a resounding – too long.

  He was tired of wandering, tired of searching faces, and most importantly, he was tired of fearing that he would fail. As he had often of late, he let out a string of curses that would curl a saint’s toes and wished he could see his ancestor that had meddled in the affairs of the Fae and caused the curse.

  Elric leaned a shoulder against the side of the inn and crossed his arms. Autumn had descended on the Highlands and the cool night air helped to soften his growing ire. He had no wish to go inside the inn, but he must. He had to find his mate and return with her before the fifth moon of the Harvest Year, or the curse would wipe out Drahcir and its people.

  All because his ancestor wanted to see if he could make a Fae princess fall in love with him.

  Well, his ancestor had succeeded, but the fool hadn’t stopped to think what would happen when the princess discovered he didn’t love her. What she had done was put the curse not just on Elric’s ancestor, but the entire Sinclair family.