The Shadow Kingdom

Chapter 15 - A New Life

For the first time in my life, I wake up with a naked man in my bed. Adrian is long since awake, staring at the ceiling with his hands behind his head, deep in thought. My lips curl of their own volition, and I shift closer to kiss his cheek. "Good morning, Shang Highness." Two fingers run down that cheek and then over his body, and they don't stop until they're under the covers.

"Is there no satisfying you, Ashcroft Highness?" My fingers tantalize him, and slowly, his zeal from last night returns.

"I thought crown princes were duty bound to produce heirs. How are you going to do that with the stamina of a ninety-nine-year-old man?" His eyes flare up in response to my taunt like a soldier with a mission.

I squeal with delight as he grabs my hips and pounces on top of me. "Oh, I will show you what this ninety-nine-year-old man can do!" We do not leave the bed for the entire morning and afternoon. If not for our infuriatingly mundane need for food and water, I would have been content to stay there for days.

I happily assume the role of the obedient housewife and make us some pancakes. "There's something I want us to do tonight." Adrian says. He comes downstairs in his virgin wool, single-breasted Armani. Damn, he looks so sexy I have to cross my legs to control the wetness that appears. "A friend of mine is hosting a party. I would like you to accompany me."

Oh, we've moved on to the meeting each other's friends phase. "Where is the party taking place?" I ask.

"Southampton." God, doesn't he know anyone who isn't in the one percent? "And I promise you; tonight will be far more enjoyable than the Obsidian Castle."

I sit in excited anticipation during our two-hour drive to Long Island. From the beginning, I always thought Adrian didn't have any friends. The way that Selena described him and the antagonistic relationship he has with his father made him seem rather anti-social. Tonight though, he will prove me wrong.

We arrive at a large, beachfront house with very impressive décor. Adrian told me it's ok to wear something casual, but given that I'll be arriving on his arm, I would feel terribly out of place without the Rubin Singer. And besides, it's easy for a girl to get used to being pretty.

It is a fairly small gathering with only two other people to whom Adrian introduces me. "Scarlett, this is Anessa Hassan, Samir Hassan's daughter." Our hostess smiles and shakes my hand graciously, and initially, I wasn't sure if I should curtsy. Like all the women with whom Adrian associates, Anessa is undeniably beautiful. She is about the same height as me, has dark hair, and has relatively fair skin.

Adrian then gestures toward the gentleman beside her. "And this is Nicolas Lindström. They are my two closest friends." Nicolas greets me with the same hospitality. I made the right decision concerning my attire for this evening. Nicolas and Adrian both look like Wall Street investment bankers, and Anessa looks like an exotic desert princess.

"I am so glad to finally meet you." Anessa's heart-warming grin instantly makes me feel welcome. "Come on in."

Anessa's house is somewhat more modest than Adrian's. It is very elegant, but it reminds me more of my house in Pittsburgh than Adrian's penthouse. The night quickly divides into two parties. The boys go off into the living room, talking about whatever it is that boys talk about, while Anessa and I are in the kitchen, getting to know each other over a bottle of Sauvignon blanc. "So how long have you known Adrian?" I ask.

"Almost forty years now. We went to Harvard together." Anessa pours me a glass. "What about you? How long have you and Adrian been dating?"

"Only about a week. But given everything that's happened, it feels like years."