Read Online The Royal Elite: Mattias by Danielle Bourdon - Free Book Online Page A

Mattias's arm.
    “Remove your hand or I'll rip it off your body.” Mattias didn't hesitate to let the bodyguard know he'd overstepped his boundaries. If Mattias's security had been there, Barrett would have found himself face down on the floor in seconds for the infraction.
    Barrett, proving he had a working brain cell or two, snatched his hand away from Mattias. Alannah continued up, apparently unconcerned with the mild standoff.
    “Miss Astbury, a moment, please.” Mattias chaffed at being ignored. The least she could do, he thought, was explain why she'd suddenly turned ice cold on him.
    “I'm busy this morning and afternoon, Prince Mattias--”
    “Stop placating me,” he snarled, losing his temper for a moment. When she turned around with a frown on her brow, looking ready to lambast him for his curt words, Mattias used the opportunity to step right into her personal space. She was every bit as breathtaking as she had been last evening, right down to the perfection of her skin and the pert ponytail she'd put her hair into.
    “I'll do any thing I choose,” she snapped back. “After all, you hardly refrain from doing the things you want, isn't that right?”
    “What is that supposed to mean? Stop talking in riddles and explain.” Mattias didn't know whether he wanted to kiss her or drag her to his room and prove to her just how thorough he could be when he wanted something.
    An indignant flush colored her cheeks, which served to confuse Mattias more. Why was she blushing?
    “Well?” he pressed when she stalled.
    “I don't have to explain a thing. I also won't be going to the gala tonight, so have a good time.” She turned on a heel, marching through the halls toward her door.
    Mattias, right behind her, wouldn't let her off that easy. He wasn't a man who chased women, but in this moment, he wanted an answer more than anything. “You could, at the very least, tell me what you meant by your comment. What exactly do you think I do--” He stopped walking and talking at the same time.
    Could she have somehow heard through the grapevine that he'd taken a woman to bed last night? Maybe, even, she'd guessed or come to the conclusion on her own after seeing Katrina waiting for him at the end of the hallway. Was her change of heart due to annoyance—or jealousy? It was a long shot, but he had no other explanation for her actions. Picking up the pace, he cast a warning glance at Barrett, one that clearly read back off. Cornering Alannah as she unlocked her door, he crowded her into the space with his body, bumping them into her suite even as a squawk of protest left her lips.
    “Is that what it is, hm? You're perturbed that I slept with Katrina last night, aren't you?” He wasted no time getting to the point.
    Alannah caught her balance and spun on him, outrage making her gray eyes spark and shine in the dim room. “I have no idea what you're talking about. I could care less what woman you sleep with. Take the entire manor to bed with you.”
    Mattias studied her face while she made her protests, listened to the quickened pace of her breathing. “You're upset about it. That's what's going on here. Well let me tell you something--”
    “Oh, oh! Don't you dare spell anything out for me. I heard it well enough when I walked past your suite!” she said, raising her voice and making fists at her sides.
    Shocked, Mattias stopped in his tracks. “You what?”
    Alannah covered half her face with a hand, as if she regretted making the admission. Standing her ground, she lowered it again and poked him in the chest with her finger.
    “That's right. I came back to ask you in for a drink last night, but you were already gone, hightailing it after that blonde. So I went to your room, but I didn't even get halfway down the hall before I heard what was going on in there. Everyone could hear it!”
    Well. That explained that. Mattias's eyes narrowed at the idea Alannah had wanted to invite him in. He didn't think he'd