The Playful Prince (4 page)

Tori shook her head in denial. “No, but it never hurts to be careful.”

“Dr. Elliot found a piece of mud caked to the crate and analyzed it. She believes there is something strange about our marshes. She wishes to run some tests,” Quinn put forth.

Tori had expected him to speak, yet she wasn’t prepared for it. Her heart fluttered nervously. She couldn’t stop herself from glancing in his direction. Quinn’s handsome face lit up with mischief and he winked at her, blowing her a gentle kiss with his lips. She knew he only teased her, but it worked for she lost her train of thought. Hardening herself, she swallowed nervously and prayed no one saw how he disturbed her.

“All that, naturally, would be in my report, your highness. The HIA will also do a planetary scan. It’s just a precaution and only with your permission, of course. I’ll set up camp with a team of three. You won’t be bothered by us. We’re scientists and won’t cause any trouble. We wish to analyze the cave to make sure we’ve gotten all biological weaponry off the planet that might be missed with a scan. Surely you can see the wisdom in that. At the same time, I’d like to do a concise analysis of the land. If anything, my findings might actually benefit you and your people, making for more viable farmland.”

“What does your Agency say?” Kirill asked.

“I don’t work for the Agency. I was contracted for this one job. Their people couldn’t make it here in time.” Tori paused, refusing to look at Quinn though she could feel his eyes on her. “However, if you would rather have government hacks traipsing about your kingdom....” Tori shrugged.

“Write you proposal, doctor,” Kirill answered, suppressing a grin, but not before she saw it. “Give it to my brother, Prince Quinn. He’ll give it his approval and oversee the project.”

“But, your highness!” she began, before she could stop the words. She glanced at Quinn. He wasn’t smiling, but the mischief was still in his bright blue gaze. She shivered, wondering how such an aggravating man could have such a profound effect on her. It had to be sleep deprivation. There was no other reasoning for it. Slowly, she nodded, “Thank you.”

Quinn watched the beautiful scientist walk away, suppressing his grin. He knew he aggravated her, but he couldn’t seem to help himself. There was something about her that made him want, no
need
, to tease her. When he saw her serious face, he just felt ... playful.

When they were alone, Kirill said to Quinn, “Approve her plan if you can. We need to have those caves checked out and she’s the only expert I know of on this planet. Besides, she has an honest face. I think we can trust her.”

Quinn nodded. He was secretly glad someone would be checking out the caves to make sure they were safe. And if the little doctor wanted to play in the mud while she was at it, then he’d just have to make sure he was around to play with her.

* * * *

Tori sighed, staring around the metal cabin of the ESC ship. Lifting her pack over her shoulder, she turned to go. After speaking to Franklin, the Var agreed to let her and her team stay without her written proposal. It seemed when the HIA wanted something, they got it. It was just as well. She hated bureaucratic paperwork. Not too many of the ESC scientists were willing to set up camp on the Qurilixen surface with her. Most of them were contracted and couldn’t leave the corporation anyway, even if they had wanted to.

Dr. Simon Martens, an older gentleman, agreed because of his passionate interest in documenting alien insect species. Simon was a round, balding figure who squinted when he talked and often got distracted from his purpose. However, he had a long solid reputation that would come in handy when it came time to add legitimacy to any project she might wish to fund.

Dr. Grant and Dr. Vitto were both younger scientists, not as experienced but both likeable enough characters. She’d worked with them both on their last assignments, and many others, so she wasn’t worried. Dr. Grant was blond and tanned, even after spending months away from the sun below the icy surface of Sintaz. Dr. Vitto had short dark brown hair and bold features that bespoke of his old European earth heritage.

Part of her wanted to kick herself for taking on another project, changing her plans of a much deserved trip of relaxation to spend who knew how many months on a savage planet collecting mud samples for analysis. She’d camped before and she could easily do it again.

Tori thought of Prince Quinn. He was only too happy to give his approval to her project. She had a feeling she would be seeing a lot more of the prince. Sighing, Tori made her way down the long corridor.

She knew the only thing that made the assignment bearable was that she wouldn’t be at the palace during her stay.

Chapter Three

“Dr. Elliot, this will be your room for the duration of your stay.”

Tori frowned at the Var guard before stepping into the luxurious palace suite after him. The pack fell from her shoulder to land on the tile floor with a loud thud. She left it where it was, stepping forward to look around.

Her jaw dropped, as she looked up toward the ceiling. A large crystal chandelier hung beneath a dome of tinted glass. It would take five men, arms spread wide, just to make a ring around the fixture. The crystal shards hung down like raindrops, lighting the large oval room.

The guard made his way around to the side wall. Tori closed her mouth and followed him with her tired eyes. The suite was just amazing.

“Food simulator,” he stated, showing her where the button was hidden on the wall next to a long banner with the Var royal symbol of an upright wild cat. “I’m also to extend an invitation to you from the king that you may join the palace in the banquet hall for meals while you’re here, if you prefer. Many in the palace choose to gather in the hall.”

The guard, who made for an odd tour guide, looked at her expectantly. Tori nodded that she understood the invitation. A small smile lit his face, shining in the depths of his eyes. It was the same look all the Var guards had been giving her since her arrival. It was a look of open invitation.

“Over here,” the guard continued, moving to where a purple velvet curtain hung from the ceiling. He stepped up on the platform and drew the curtain back. “You will find a bath.”

Tori saw a large round tub surrounded by curtained windows. The velvet drapes could be drawn back for light or around the front and over the windows for privacy.

“The ceiling light will keep it dimly lit within the curtains, if you wish to have them drawn.”

She again nodded at the guard. His eyes roamed down over her body and his expression glazed.

Clearing her throat to get his attention off her breasts, she shot him an expectant look. The last thing she needed was this man picturing her in the bath. She was tired and just wanted to crash onto the nearest bed. She wanted darkness and a pillow. That was all. It was almost midnight and the sunlight had only dwindled to a soft haze. She again glanced up at the ceiling.

“The fireplace is lit by command,” the man said, passing by the large circular fireplace across from the front door. It was designed to heat the whole room at once--bath, couches in front of it, or the side opposite the bath, which she guessed was a bed hidden by more purple curtains. The guard stopped and, gesturing to the last set of curtains, confirmed her suspicion. “This is the bed. If you wish for darkness, all you have to do is draw the curtains around as they are now.”

Tori again nodded. The man smiled at her, not moving from the room.

“Navid, was it?” she asked.

“Yes,” the guard grinned, gazing at her oddly.

“Thank you, Navid, for the tour.” Tori gave him an awkward smile.

“Hmm, yes ... oh, yes,” he said. “Very good. If you have need of anything at all, just ask Siren.”

Navid made his way to the door. Tori moved to follow him, watching him bow as she closed the door behind him. She moved to step back, stopped, and then locked the door for good measure.

Without bothering to pick up her bag from the floor, she kicked off her shoes and walked toward the curtained bed. Her lab coat slipped from her arms and floated to the floor behind her. She didn’t bother to take off the black jumpsuit. This wouldn’t be the first time she slept in it. Struggling with the heavy purple velvet, she finally found an opening. Her eyes closed before she ever hit the soft thick mattress.

Large silk pillows surrounded her and a moan escaped her lips as she relaxed against them.

“Mm, finally. I thought you’d never get here.”

Tori’s eyes popped open in surprise. She held perfectly still, not daring to believe her ears. A hand came from the darkness to skim across her stomach, shooting warm fire through her body, making her tingle with liquid awareness. She swatted the fingers back and they stopped with little protest. Sitting up on the bed, she belatedly screamed and reached for the curtains.

Tori stumbled from the dark bed back to the floor. Turning, huffing in anger, she glared at Prince Quinn.

At least, she convinced herself it was anger that made her heart pound and her blood boil. The alternative was too unacceptable.

“What are you doing here?” she demanded, hands on hips.

“What?” the roguish prince shrugged. He grinned, sitting up on his elbows to lounge on the bed. His light brown hair was tousled erotically about his shoulders. His blue eyes beckoned her back to his side. She glanced at his strong hands, her stomach tingling where he’d dared to touch her. Every nerve inside her hummed with life, begging her to let him have his way. His tone was a low, seductive rumble in his chest.

“You aren’t happy to see me, Dr. Elliot?”

His easy tone infuriated her, more so since she found him incredibly sexy sitting atop the large sea of purple and gold silk. A sexy smile curled playfully on his lips, confident and sure. His chest was bare--toned and oh so defined. A primal urge rose inside her to jump on top of him. Her body pulsed to life. His grin widened.

“What--why would I be happy to see you?” Tori’s eyes widened in disbelief. Happy wasn’t exactly the word for what she was feeling at the moment. Her eyes again roamed down his long frame, hesitating at the obvious arousal between his thighs. It took everything in her to keep from panting like a fool and licking her lips.

“Well, earlier, in the hallway--” he began, with a light, meaningful gesture.

“Earlier, what?” Tori broke in. “Did you hear me say, hey, Prince, come to my room later tonight? Meet me in the bed so we can get it on? I don’t think so, buddy.”

Quinn laughed, an aggravatingly rich sound to her ears. She shivered again, her mouth dry. Sitting up, he gave a light shrug. “Well, not exactly with words, Dr. Elliot. It was more in the way you looked at me, stared really. In the way your body came to life with fragrant desire.”

Tori’s mouth opened, but nothing came out. For the life of her, she couldn’t think of a single thing to say to that.

The prince’s handsome features contorted into a pout, as he rose to his knees before her. “Come, Dr.

Elliot, I didn’t get my physical. I need you to examine me to see if I’ve been contaminated.”

Tori’s body lurched. Rampant desire filled her, rushing in her blood to heat every corner of her body.

Her stomach and thighs tightened in anticipation. She swallowed, fighting her body’s reaction to him. It would be so easy to jump on the bed and play his little game. Correction. It would be so
fun
to play his little game.

“Ah, yes, that’s the smell I remember.” The prince took a deep breath, making a great show of sniffing the air before he motioned to the bed. “What do you say, doctor? How about a little fun? Want to run those hands over my tight body and examine your patient? You look tense. Come, I’ll massage you instead. I’ll play doctor and you can be the patient.”

His smile was altogether too lecherous. The tip of his tongue edged over the side of his full bottom lip.

Her body lurched again, and again he seemed to smell her.

Yes! Oh, yes!
Her mind screamed. Tori’s face turned red in mortification. She pointed to the door. “Get out!”

“But--”

“No, I don’t want to hear it. Get out. Where I come from, this is simply not acceptable behavior.” Tori jerked her finger at the door once more and tapped her foot in annoyance--truthfully more annoyed by her reaction to him than by him. “In my culture if you want to get to know someone better, you ask them out on a proper date. You take them someplace nice--dinner, music, picnics, and plays--nice places to do nice, civilized things. You don’t just show up in their bed uninvited!”

“Mm,
briallen
, is this place not nice?” Quinn’s voice neared an agonizingly mischievous pout. He came before her, taking a bold step as he lifted his hand to brush over her neck. “And, believe me, what I have in mind to do will be a very
nice
thing to do. I promise that you’ll enjoy yourself so much that you’ll be screaming out my name for more.”

His touch was warm, his eyes just as much so. Heat, pure and intense, washed over her from his glancing fingers. Her lips parted for breath. She couldn’t move, couldn’t speak, as he held her transfixed with his bright blue eyes. He was really a handsome man with a kind, laughing face. His features weren’t too hard and defined--not like his brothers, but neither were they too soft. His body, on the other hand, was defined, toned, and gorgeous. It moved with relaxed grace and she could easily see him lounging before a fire, as warm and comfortable to snuggle into as a thick blanket.

“Let me pleasure you, Dr. Elliot. Say yes to me. Let me make love to you right here on this bed.” His mouth drew closer. “Or the bath, the floor, the couch, wherever and however you wish it.”

“No,” she whispered, weak. His mouth hovered close to hers for a moment. Her eyes began to drift closed, waiting in anticipation for that contact.

“Oh, very well, Dr. Elliot.” Quinn moved his hand away and stepped back. She didn’t close her eyes, as she stood before him, panting for breath. A heavy sigh left him. “Get some rest. I’ll see you tomorrow.

We can discuss this more then.”