Prince's Courtesan Read Online Free Page A

her bravery earlier, no commoner looked upon royalty directly.
    “No, Your Highness, there’s no escape. There never was,” she replied dully, trying to deflect the storm she knew was coming. She started to look down again, but his hand moved, driving into the hair at the nape of her neck. His fingers twined in the long strands and pulled her head back gently.
    She didn’t fight; there was no point. He was stronger than she was. She kept her eyes down, refusing to look at him.
    “Look at me. I won’t ask again,” Sethan said in a low voice. “You don’t want to anger me or—”
    Her gaze snapped up, and she glared at him. “Or you’ll what? Hunt me across the galaxy again? Or this time do you plan to do me a favor and kill me?”
    His eyes hardened and she quailed inside, refusing to show fear. Seth’s temper was as famous at court as his charm. Five years ago she’d been treated to that charm, but now, after she’d wounded his ego, she suspected she was going to get treated to the other.
    “Oh no, my lady, I have something far more…pleasurable in mind than killing you.” He leaned in, his intent unmistakable. She waited until his breath whispered over her lips, until his lips were mere millimeters away from hers, then she turned her head.
    His kiss landed on her cheek.
    Seth froze. His hand, still clamped around the back of her neck, stilled as he rested his forehead against hers. A moment later he pulled away, and his warm breath fanned against her hair.
    “If that’s how you want it…we can play hardball. But I guarantee you won’t like it.”
    His voice was tight with anger, body coiled with tension. Jaida knew better than to look up. She was sassy, yes. The places she’d been, she’d had to run her mouth off to avoid being overruled and lost in the masses. Even so, she’d never faced down any loudmouth in a bar who was half as dangerous as Seth.
    His grip tightened further on the back of her neck, forcing her to look around. She didn’t want to. She tensed her neck to fight him, but it made no difference. Within seconds their standoff was over and he dragged her chin around and up. Her gaze darted to his for a second and met warm mercury.
    His eyes blazed with anger, desire, and hidden beneath, a deep, dark need that frightened the life out of her.
    Unable to look him in the eye a moment longer, she looked down. An answering desire flared through her body like a flash fire, leaving a simmering heat in its wake. Desperation and denial chased each other throughher head.
    She didn’t feel anything for him, didn’t want to feel anything for him. Not with how he’d treated her in the past…how he continued to treat her now.
    Like something he owned, a possession.
    His arms tightened around her as he bent his head. He was going to kiss her… She stilled in anticipation, and hated herself as she realized what she was doing.
    Tension wound itself around the arousal that hummed through her body as she waited for her lips to be assaulted again. Deep inside, she cried for the gentle kisses he’d courted her with five years ago.
    Naive as she’d been back then she’d still sensed the baser desires he’d held in check. Then, it had thrilled her. The fact that he wanted her so much, yet treated her with such reverence and care, made her feel like a princess.
    His princess.
    Hard reality wormed its way back into her heart. All that had stopped when he’d gotten her into bed and taken what he wanted. Her prince charming had disappeared with her virginity, and then he’d shown his true colors.
    Anger swirled around him like a cloak of darkness, but his kiss was surprisingly gentle. Firm lips slanted over hers, paused, and then moved into a slow but thorough exploration. She held herself still as he pressed featherlight kisses across her lips. One side to the other and then back again. When he’d done a complete circuit, he pulled away a little, nuzzling her nose