Sebastian's POV
Her sweet scent lingered around me. When she pulled away and I stared into her deep grey pair of eyes, I wanted to get lost in them. I wanted to wake up to them every morning for the rest of my life. I exhaled sharply as I remembered the message I received from my father.
In order to take over my father's position in the court as king, I would have to marry someone, and my father thought it would be appropriate to marry someone already of royalty. Princess Naomi was from a neighboring country and was raised by her parents King Leon, III and Queen Emeralda.
King Leon was cold-hearted and his people feared him. He made enemies wherever he went and that was one of the causes of his untimely assassination five years ago. The news was devastating to the Three Kingdoms, so the Queen of England advised my father that the next king of his court should marry the Princess of Scots to form an alliance and a much more united kingdom before the throne was handed over to the enemies. Father agreed and, now that I was next in line, I was deemed to marry the Princess, and I was looking forward to it.
Princess Naomi and I met once at a ball. She was beautiful in the face and graceful as a wave, but she was no Emily.
"Hey, are you okay?" Emily's voice snapped me out of my thoughts.
"Emily, there's something I have to tell you," I began and an exhale escaped my mouth. I had to tell her. "I'm—"
Sirens filled the tarmac. We turned towards the noise and three vans were racing towards us. I immediately knew that they were here for me. Just short of our distance, the vans halted and several bodyguards made their way forward. Emily panicked and I quickly held onto her hand.
"It's okay. They're here for me," I whispered in her ear.
"Sir! We have orders to bring you back to the grounds immediately!" my personal bodyguard spoke.
I nodded my head respectfully.
Emily turned towards me, her eyes looking for a response from me.
"Please don't leave. Go back to your hotel and I'll see you soon."
She nodded and, at that moment, I was tempted to kiss her, but such actions were forbidden.
I released her hand and got into one of the vans and a bodyguard took the one I came with. I watched Emily until I couldn't see her anymore.
What am I going to do?
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Emily's POV
"So, we're not leaving?" Gen asked for the thousandth time as we walked into the hotel's lobby.
"Gen, look around. We're already back at the hotel. Of course we're not leaving."
"This is wonderful. He doesn't want you to leave Emily. Do you think that he'll ask for your hand in marriage soon?"
The idea did cross my mind, but I wasn't expecting Sebastian to pop that question anytime soon. We had a lot of making up to do, especially me. And he was a prince, which meant that I couldn't just waltz over to his house and demand his company.
Gen and I headed back to my bedroom and I waited for a phone call or text message from Sebastian, but it never came.
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It had been one week and I hadn't heard a thing from Sebastian. My patience was running thin. I could have been back at home with my family and friends but I stayed for him.
I picked up my cellphone and called my mother. She answered after the fourth ring.
"Emily, darling, I thought you were supposed to be here a week ago."
"Hi Mom, I'm sorry. Something came up and I've decided to stay here a bit longer. How's Dad?"
"He's doing great. He is with the boys right now, but he misses you, Emily. He's worried that something happened to you. He was about to come find you. You're his princess."
My heart jumped by the word princess because there was a possibility that I could actually be a real one.
"I miss you all too. I miss home. Please tell Dad that I'm fine and he shouldn't worry so much." My father was very overprotective of the family no matter how old we were.
"When are we going to see you?"
"I'll be home soon Mom."
"Okay sweetie. I'll tell your father that you called and that you miss him as well and you're okay."
"Thanks Mom. I love you. Bye."
"I love you too, baby. Bye, and take care of yourself."
I hung up and a smile came upon my lips. I loved my parents. Dad was overly protective and Mom was extra loving, but they were the best parents ever.
I flopped down on a chair on the balcony and looked out at the horizon. My phone vibrated in my hand and I looked down at the screen.
Unknown number calling.
I answered, hoping that it was him. My heart leaped as his voice came from the other end of the phone.
"Emily, how are you?"
"Sebastian, I've been so sad."
"Why?"
"It's been a week and I'm just hearing from you." I wanted to yell at him but I had no idea what was required of him as a prince. I knew that royalty didn't just sit on their butts all day and have servants do everything for them.
"I'm so sorry. I've been out of the country. I just got back. You were on my mind everyday."
"So, you miss me, huh?"
"Definitely. Can I see you tonight? There's something I have to tell you."
"Yes."
"Be ready at 6:30."
"Okay. See you tonight."
I hung up and ran to find Gen. Of course, she was in my bedroom.
"He called! I'm seeing him tonight! There's something he has to say to me. Gen! I think he's going to ask for my hand in marriage."
"OMG! I'm so happy for you. Let's pick out an outfit for later."
Later that evening, I was already dressed and waiting for him and, just like the first time, a limousine waited outside for me and took me to the private restaurant. I found him at the only table in the room. Every nerve in my body sparked, and every hair strand on my skin was waiting to rise up.
"You look beautiful," he began.
I was wearing a white dress that hugged my body perfectly.
"Thank you. So what was it that you had to tell me?" I knew I should have waited for him to begin speaking, but I was anxious and my nerves had the better of me.
"Eager, aren't you?" He chuckled lightly. "I'm having a ball in three days at the palace and I'm inviting you. Will you accept my personal invitation?"
"Of course."
We had dinner and he dropped me back at the hotel. When I was about to get out of the vehicle, he held my waist and pulled me onto his chest. He tilted my chin upwards so that my eyes were locked on his. His fingers brushed loose strands of hair behind my ears. Every moment felt like it was part of a slow motion film, and when his lips crashed onto mine, I didn't want the moment to end. He pulled my body forward and I ended up straddling him.
The kiss never broke until his mouth traveled to my neck. A soft moan left my mouth and his hands roamed my body outside of the dress. I began to feel heated. I wanted to tear my dress off and let him have his way with me inside of his van in front of the hotel.
His phone went off before our encounter went to another level. He retrieved his phone from his pocket to answer, and I was certain I saw the picture of a woman flashing on the screen.
"Yes. That wasn't yet addressed by my father or myself. We'll have to continue this conversation at another time." I caught the end of his conversation. "Umm, Emily, I have to go," he said once he hung up.
I got off him and fixed my dress before getting out. I slammed the door and walked towards the hotel without turning back.
Emily's POVThree Days Later"Em, why are you not dressed for the ball?" Gen asked as she poked her head through the door."I'm not going," I answered as I lay my head on my pillow, feeling sorry for myself.Gen was already dressed in a lovely purple and white dress that hugged her chest area but flowed freely from her waist down to her ankles. Her white heels, silver earrings and necklace added the finishing touches, and her makeup was extra flawless. I almost didn't recognize my best friend."You were personally invited by the prince himself, and you're going to turn that down because of what you thought you saw?" She was in the room and standing next to my bed."I know what I saw Gen!" I snapped and she put her hands up in surrender."Emily Hollen, you shouldn't be wallowing like this. Sebastian will be looking forward to seeing you. He invited you. If you want to get back at him, I think you should get your ass of
Emily's POV"He's getting MARRIED TO SOMEONE ELSE?" Gen asked, her last words ringing out.We were back at the hotel in my bedroom, and I was sobbing like a child who didn't get their way.Gen came over and wrapped her arms around me. "It's going to be okay Em.""H-How?" I cried."Maybe... maybe he won't get married. Maybe he'll put you first and call off the wedding.""I don't think he'll do that Gen. His responsibility isn't to me anymore. It's to his father and his country. He won't give up the throne for me."I sat up and stared out the window, facing the now dark ocean. I felt hurt, but I had no reason to be angry at Sebastian for the way I was feeling. We were just rekindling a bond that had been broken almost ten years ago. I had no say in his life and his choices.My phone rang. I answered without looking at the screen."Why did you run off Emily? You didn't even give me a chance to explain things
Sebastian's POVI got into the steamy hot Jacuzzi first and watched as Emily slowly made her way over. She was so beautiful being shy."Finally. I was turning into an old man here," I joked when she eventually got in.I immediately pulled her into my waiting arms and, for once, my mind was rested. With Emily, I felt like a free man. I was just Sebastian and not the Prince with duties, responsibilities and expectations to a people and a country.I stared into her beautiful grey eyes. The water had plastered her hair to her back and made her tan skin look naturally flawless. She was amazing in every way and I didn't wait another second to kiss her with passion and flare.My hands roamed her body and I pulled her even closer towards me. Her pair of breasts rested perfectly against my chest as she straddle me like a woman on a horse. Her hands went through my hair as the sweet melody of her soft moans sounded in her throat. Her hands
Emily's POVI rose slowly— the maid's eyes growing wider and wider as I stood up— and faced her with my eyes still watered."I'm getting the guards." She dropped her cleaning supplies to make a dash for the door but I was quick in stopping her."Please don't. He knows I'm here. I don't want to get him into trouble," I begged."Who are you?""My name is Emily. Emily Hollen. Sebastian and I are...togeth— we're frie—" I was tongue tied as I remembered the reason I was crying.Apparently, the maid saw my defeat and came over and wrapped me in a small hug without saying another word. Silent tears rolled down my cheeks again and I attempted to pull myself together.Shortly after, the maid left and locked the door after her. I was alone again and, in my head, I was thinking about how to fight with Sebastian when he got back."You son of a bitch! No, that's too over the top. You bastard! No. I can't be so disrespe
Sebastian's POVI stood there, unable to move, as I processed my thoughts while looking at the invitation. My father had arranged for such to take place at the palace in TWO WEEKS!I tore the invite into shreds before tossing it onto the floor. I hated myself for dragging Emily into this— for making her cry.If Evan were here, he would knock my lights out for his sister, again.I walked back into the bedroom; Emily had come out from her hiding place."I heard," she spoke."Yes. He has a tendency of being very loud when he's upset," I responded.She nodded, sadly. Her grace had gone."I think I'm ready to go back to my hotel tonight. I need to do some packing.""Packing, are you leaving? Are you leaving because of this?""No Seb, it's really fine, honestly. Our fling is over and I think we should just both move on. Maybe you should get to know the Princess better and fulfill your duties with an
Sebastian's POVIt had been another week and I still remained in my bedroom. I didn't want to deal with the meetings, the constant talking about my arranged marriage and, most of all, I didn't want to deal with Princess Naomi.After tossing and turning for fifteen minutes in my bed, I got up and walked to the balcony. It was a beautiful day, yet I was unhappy and lost deep in many thoughts. Thoughts of going to fetch Emily and running away with her, thoughts of me bringing her boldly into the palace and introducing her to my father as the woman that my heart oh so desires.A knock on the door startled me."Come in," I called.In walked my maid with my breakfast."Thanks, but I'm not hungry. You can return it back to the kitchen.""Sir, I've been returning your breakfast for three days now. Why won't you eat your meals? Does this have to do with that other woman?""What other woman?" I asked sharply, eyebrows creasing. The last thing I
Sebastian's POVMaybe I was wrong. Maybe I was right. But what I was certain on was that I hated the confusion in my head and the one being newly formed around my heart.I had always had feelings for Emily. Falling in love with her in high school was everything, but when things ended the way they did, I understood that her feelings would never be the same. And the time apart didn't help. Years of lost communication and distance would do that to anyone. I knew it was completely over. It wouldn't ever be between us even if I tried, so it was best to let it just fade away. But it didn't.Naomi, on the other hand, I only disliked for one reason. She wasn't Emily. But today, as I sat across from her on the picnic blanket, I saw her for her. She glowed and flushed as she told me stories from her childhood— what it was like to grow up as a princess with a very strict father— and I found myself relating to her because our fathers had lots of similarities.
Sebastian's POVThree Days LaterI watched as my father walked around his bedroom with his hands behind his back and his head held heavenwards. He, then, stopped and turned towards me."There are rumors circulating that you may be involved with another woman.""And I can assure you that those are just what you said there are— rumors.""Oh, they better be just rumors Sebastian because if you bring this kingdom any shame of any sort, you won't hear the end of it!"I heaved a sigh and rubbed my temples as the times spent with Emily came flooding back like a broken pipe, including the night we had together in my bedroom."Sebastian! Have you heard me?" my father's voice snapped away the memories."Huh?""Have you been to your fitting already? It's tradition to wear a suit with your medals and the color of the country's flag!""I'll get to it right now." I peeled myself off the chair.I walked out the bedroom a