Crowning His Convenient Princess

“You… What?”

“I would like you to find me a wife. I understand that my reputation has become of some concern to Astrid. She’s married, had a child, and our nation is on the brink of a great and modern future the likes of which would probably make my father rotate in his grave were he not so busy burning in hell.”

“Astrid has asked me to help you reform,” she finished.

“I know,” he said. “And I think there’s only one way to do that.”

She had expected resistance. She had expected him to balk. To banter. To use excessive double entendre. She had not expected him to see her coming, to anticipate her words, and raise her.

“Why? Why are you suddenly interested in marriage?”

“I didn’t say I was suddenly interested in marriage. But I do know that a fairytale is the quickest way to capture the hearts of the people. Is it not?”

“Well, judging by your sister’s experience, I would say you are correct enough.”

“I am not the heir. That is something that has always sat comfortably with me, but the burden that Astrid carries does not. And for my part, if I can alleviate some of what she carries, then I will do it. I can see that the simplest way will be for me to find a wife.”

“A bizarre leap in logic.”

“I know you don’t respect me, Latika, and I have never asked you to. Moreover, I’ve never behaved in a way that might invite you to. Oddly, though it may seem to you, I’m not overly concerned with your approval. But, I do wish to make Astrid happy, and I do wish to bolster the standing of my country in the world. So, you must help me find a wife.”

“Is there a particular brand name you are drawn to?” she asked, her tone caustic.

“Yes,” he said, not missing a beat. “I would prefer a philanthropist. I do not require that she be in mint condition, so to speak.”

It took her a moment to catch his meaning. “You do not expect a virgin? How progressive of you.”

“Well,” he said. “As I myself am not a virgin, it seems a bit of a double standard to demand my wife come to me untouched.”

She tried to keep the flush out of her face, and tried to keep her tone sharp. “You are not untouched?”

The corner of his wicked mouth turned up. “I’ve been touched one or two times.”

“Shocking,” she returned.

“I expect that you possess ample channels through which you might find a woman interested in marrying me.”

The very idea of arranging marriages didn’t sit very well with Latika. Not given her experience surrounding such things. Of course, Gunnar didn’t know anything about her real life. Or her real identity. Fishing around in the sorts of circles that might require him to find a wife in might present a problem for her as well.

Considering she was technically in hiding.

But then, she could find ways to be discreet. Find ways to make sure that she avoided any places that might be problematic.

Just one grim corner of Europe, and the East Coast of the United States. She imagined that Gunnar wouldn’t mind her fishing around for an English debutante, rather than looking on the Upper Eastside of New York City.

“Blonde? Redheaded? Brunette? Do you have a preference?”

“None,” he said.

“You don’t have a type?” she pressed.

“Female covers it.”

She fought against rolling her eyes. Instead, she made a very officious note on her clipboard. Then treated him to a smile. “A female philanthropist. Hymen not required.”

“In fact, I would prefer that there were no hymen present at all,” he said. “I’m not a patient man. I’d rather not have to instruct a woman on how to please me.”

“Indeed,” she said flatly. And she managed to hold back: that rules me out handily then.

As if she would ever, in a million years, with flying pigs in the sky, consider being Gunnar’s bride.

He turned away from her, his broad back filling her vision. His muscles moved in very interesting ways and she attempted to study the ceiling, rather than his skin.

But it was hard, because his skin was so much more compelling.

And he began to move around the room. He opened up a dresser, pulled out a T-shirt, and shrugged it over his body.

Something about the flex of those muscles caused an answering flex between her thighs, and she did her best to ignore it.

Her emotions were so very charged in his presence, always. And it was her preference to play off the heat as anger. And to pretend that there was no other layer to it.

That there was no part of her—not even a tiny part—that wished to bite down on that insolent mouth of his.

And then bite his chest.

And then lick it.

No. No part of her at all.

She forced a smile. “Anything else?”

“No. I believe that covers it.”

“Then I shall begin putting out inquiries, Your Highness. And very soon, I will have found a wife for you.”

“It may also bear mentioning,” he said, “That I am the owner of my own multibillion-dollar company.”

Latika froze. “You… You’re what?”

“Yes. I suppose it’s about time that came out.”

“How… How did you keep that a secret?”

“No one is looking for that bit of dirt. Honestly, it isn’t dirt. Why would anyone care? My company has a name, obviously, and my name is buried beneath it. But the only thing anyone is ever interested in is who I’m sleeping with. Not the fact that I am the CEO of a multibillion-dollar corporation that deals in green building.”

“I…”

“It’s part of revamping my reputation, Latika. These things must be made public. I assume you’re the person to speak to about the press release regarding that as well.”