Read Online Prince With Benefits: A Billionaire Royal Romance by Nicole Snow - Free Book Online
Authors: Nicole Snow
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quietly, feeling my heart slow to a patter, bringing my drink to my lips with the hope it'll steel my nerves. “What is it?”
“I need you to marry me, Erin Warwick.”
Oh.
Oh, Jesus!
Just like that, it's out. An answer that only invites a thousand more questions, if only it didn't completely stop my heart.
I shouldn't be sipping this whiskey, or bourbon, or whatever the hell it is. The sting in my throat causes me to cough, and turns the world upside down.
I can't see straight. Can't stand up. Can't even breathe.
Prince Silas' strong arms wrapping around me is the last thing I sense before I completely black out.
* * *
I t hits me in the face. Just a cold, crisp bite to the nose, bringing me back to life.
Gasping for air, I jerk up in his arms, and feel the water dripping off me. No, it's more than that. He has an ice cube on my head, gently positioned in his lap, of all places.
We're on the couch. It takes him a minute to see me blink before he moves, realizing I'm awake.
“Perhaps I ought to work on softening my delivery after all,” he says. I'm too weak and confused to be bothered by the smirk on his face.
This can't be real life, can it?
“You were out for five minutes. I was going to call a medic. These blackouts must run in the blood, though I know your poor father has more reason than you do to lose it.”
I sit up, hearing the heavy ice slip off my head and hit the floor like a baseball. “Fuck you. You said you'd give me an answer, asshole. You've only left me wondering. I need to go. My flight...”
“Whoa!” Prince Silas gets up and stands in front of me. He's too big, too fast, and too damned imposing to maneuver around. “Let's talk this out. I'm only asking for three years, love. Not a whole bloody lifetime.”
“Three years of what?! ”
“Marriage, of course.” He narrows his eyes. “Maybe I should get that medic after all, so we're sure you didn't bang your head...”
Marriage. That word again. As ludicrous as it is heavy.
“Why – for the love of God – why would you want to marry me? This is insane,” I tell him, trying to push past him again.
It's hopeless, I know. But I'm going to faint a second time if I don't keep moving, trying to make myself believe this isn't just a twisted nightmare.
“Because I know everything about you, Erin, and I've got all the leverage in the world,” he says softly, grabbing my wrists and pulling me against his chest. “That's the funny thing about being a Prince – I have an obscene degree of control over everyone's life except my own. And let me tell you, I have my issues. You're the answer to about ninety-nine of them.”
“You're insane,” I tell him, finding my new favorite word. My eyes scan the table for that glass.
Just my luck that I spilled what was left of my drink when I blacked out. Otherwise, I'd have thrown it in his face and followed it up with a resounding slap, right across that five o'clock shadow he wears, dangerously close to my skin.
I'm sweating, flushed with heat. It's not just the alcohol or the fainting spell.
Wait. No.
This is already fucked up enough. You can't be turned on right now, I tell myself, shaking my head.
“Yes, yes, I know what it sounds like,” Prince Asshole says, thankfully mistaking my gesture. “Believe me, Miss Warwick, it's nothing but business. I'm making you an offer. Proposal, I should say, but getting down on one knee and shoving a million dollar ring on your finger is only going to send mixed messages.”
“Let. Go.” He releases me, and I stumble back, throwing one hand out when he approaches, thinking I'm going to fall over again. “I need some fresh air.”
He gently leads me over to a huge private balcony door. A soft ocean breeze caresses my face the instant the door opens. We step outside, and I've never been so grateful for sweet oxygen.
“I know your father's very sick,” he say softly, helping me over to a big lounging chair. “I also happen to know
“I need you to marry me, Erin Warwick.”
Oh.
Oh, Jesus!
Just like that, it's out. An answer that only invites a thousand more questions, if only it didn't completely stop my heart.
I shouldn't be sipping this whiskey, or bourbon, or whatever the hell it is. The sting in my throat causes me to cough, and turns the world upside down.
I can't see straight. Can't stand up. Can't even breathe.
Prince Silas' strong arms wrapping around me is the last thing I sense before I completely black out.
* * *
I t hits me in the face. Just a cold, crisp bite to the nose, bringing me back to life.
Gasping for air, I jerk up in his arms, and feel the water dripping off me. No, it's more than that. He has an ice cube on my head, gently positioned in his lap, of all places.
We're on the couch. It takes him a minute to see me blink before he moves, realizing I'm awake.
“Perhaps I ought to work on softening my delivery after all,” he says. I'm too weak and confused to be bothered by the smirk on his face.
This can't be real life, can it?
“You were out for five minutes. I was going to call a medic. These blackouts must run in the blood, though I know your poor father has more reason than you do to lose it.”
I sit up, hearing the heavy ice slip off my head and hit the floor like a baseball. “Fuck you. You said you'd give me an answer, asshole. You've only left me wondering. I need to go. My flight...”
“Whoa!” Prince Silas gets up and stands in front of me. He's too big, too fast, and too damned imposing to maneuver around. “Let's talk this out. I'm only asking for three years, love. Not a whole bloody lifetime.”
“Three years of what?! ”
“Marriage, of course.” He narrows his eyes. “Maybe I should get that medic after all, so we're sure you didn't bang your head...”
Marriage. That word again. As ludicrous as it is heavy.
“Why – for the love of God – why would you want to marry me? This is insane,” I tell him, trying to push past him again.
It's hopeless, I know. But I'm going to faint a second time if I don't keep moving, trying to make myself believe this isn't just a twisted nightmare.
“Because I know everything about you, Erin, and I've got all the leverage in the world,” he says softly, grabbing my wrists and pulling me against his chest. “That's the funny thing about being a Prince – I have an obscene degree of control over everyone's life except my own. And let me tell you, I have my issues. You're the answer to about ninety-nine of them.”
“You're insane,” I tell him, finding my new favorite word. My eyes scan the table for that glass.
Just my luck that I spilled what was left of my drink when I blacked out. Otherwise, I'd have thrown it in his face and followed it up with a resounding slap, right across that five o'clock shadow he wears, dangerously close to my skin.
I'm sweating, flushed with heat. It's not just the alcohol or the fainting spell.
Wait. No.
This is already fucked up enough. You can't be turned on right now, I tell myself, shaking my head.
“Yes, yes, I know what it sounds like,” Prince Asshole says, thankfully mistaking my gesture. “Believe me, Miss Warwick, it's nothing but business. I'm making you an offer. Proposal, I should say, but getting down on one knee and shoving a million dollar ring on your finger is only going to send mixed messages.”
“Let. Go.” He releases me, and I stumble back, throwing one hand out when he approaches, thinking I'm going to fall over again. “I need some fresh air.”
He gently leads me over to a huge private balcony door. A soft ocean breeze caresses my face the instant the door opens. We step outside, and I've never been so grateful for sweet oxygen.
“I know your father's very sick,” he say softly, helping me over to a big lounging chair. “I also happen to know
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