The Misplaced Prince[COMPLETE]

Mixing Magic And Pleasure...

He had heard the word around town, of course, something ridiculous along the lines of those two annoying friends of hers owning a diamond empire—ha!--and her being a Princess to some far off exotic land that was, what was it,well endowed?

Joshua had dismissed it as the ramblings of those mad brothers, but staring down at her fierce little face with the wild hair and the eyes that were so alive they hurt, he knew one thing: Princess or not, she was most definitely...special.

His gaze slipped down to her lips of their own accord, and he heard the hitch in her breath that caused his own to falter, and he watched her mouth gently close to swallow, unable to look away. Her face was sharp angles and pointy chin, with big intelligent eyes almost invasive in their directness, and yet her lips were completely soft and womanly...ridiculously out of place on the rest of her...

Someone had obviously taken the time to teach her to fight with ungodly precision, and yet he just knew, looking at those lips, at the increasingly trembling breaths that tumbled out as he stood close to her, that no one had taken the time to show her how to kiss, to touch, to let herself be free in other, interesting ways...

The laughter he had heard from her as she fought still echoed in his mind, such a joyful little sound that he almost wanted to taste it,and despite himself, he felt himself lowering. It wasn't like him to assault an unsuspecting woman with his ardour, but he couldn't help it...

He was almost to her lips, and she stood there passively, staring up at him with quiet captivation, her mouth dropping open with a soft whispered exhale, and he felt something give within him, his insides expanding with desire, but scant moments before his lips touched her, she suddenly tightened, breathing with a short, horrified whisper. "Oh,God..."

He stiffened, his hands fisting, and lifted his head, fighting fierce disappointment. "I'm sorry, I—"

"I feel it." she breathed, staring up at him, and reached up to grab his shirt in tight little fists.

His breath rushed through his lips, "I...I beg your pardon?"

"I feel it..." she whispered in a hush voice. Her eyes were widening,two lit orbs of excitement, "Oh, God, I wasn't—I wasn't imagining it—it's you—it's you--"

He opened his mouth in confusion, but just then the door banged deafeningly, and the two of them jumped, thunderstruck.

Joshual leapt back, looking around in shock. For a moment he had completely forgotten where he was.

"Open the door! Joshua? Open the door, I know you're in there."

That voice was was like a bucket of cold water on his ardour. Joshua stood in spot for a moment, a scowl of frustration gathering on his brow,and cursed softly. He looked at Kasey, waiting for her move, but she was still standing in dazed silence, staring at him. He raised his brow, and when she didn't make a move, he stooped down to pick up her hat and walked to her, reaching up to jam it over her head.

He waited, but she still didn't move, blinking at him. Almost exasperated, he reached up, gathering her hair and trying to stuff it under her hat. She started, realizing his intentions, and reached upto quickly tuck hair beneath her hat, still staring at him.

"Don't speak." Joshua ordered. To his surprise, she nodded, not defying him. He still shot her a warning look before walking across the room and pulling open the door.

"Yes,Jared?" he drawled.

His elder brother stared at him with disgust before stepping around him into the room, looking around. Joshua followed him, stopping in front of the Earl, and folded his arms. "What do you want?"