Cruel King (Royal Elite #0) by Rina Kent

Nicole who I think is Chloe’s friend drops to her knees between my legs, licking her lips and pretending to be shy. It’s so different from how heat crept up Astrid’s neck and face. How she genuinely blushed and melted in my arms.

She has a way of getting under my skin and refusing to come out.

I stuff my finger in Nicole’s mouth, opening it wide. She sucks but I tsk. “Stay still.”

This Nicole does nothing to me. I can’t even get it up for her.

I try to imagine it’s the princess sitting right here at my mercy, blushing. Like a shot of ecstasy, my dick hardens. Those eyes. Those damn fucking eyes are staring up at me like they’re about to spark.

Nicole’s hands snake to my trousers’ belt as her other one caresses my bulge. It’s not her touch that hardens me, it’s the image of Astrid being a good little princess. Her small hands grasp me, caress me, about to suck me off while staring up at me with those —

“Wow, you’re so big.”

Aaaand Nicole had to ruin it by the screechy voice that's nothing like Astrid’s.

What the fuck was I thinking anyway? This isn’t her and it never will be.

When I thrust in her throat, I want it to be Astrid. It has to be her.

I clutch Nicole’s shoulders, about to push her away when a small gasp reaches me from the entrance.

I feel her presence before I lift my head and see her. She’s still in that denim skirt from earlier with a white top.

Fucking hell. She’s as beautiful as a forbidden fantasy.

Astrid’s gaze flies from me to Nicole who turns her head to state at the newcomer. Her lips part farther before she shakes her head and stares from Nicole to me again.

She doesn’t meet my gaze as she blurts. “I… um… thought Dan was here. Sorry to interrupt.”

The door shuts behind her quietly and Nicole laughs in that screechy, annoying way.

That’s when I realise what Astrid just saw.

Fuck.

I was so caught up in seeing her here that I forgot the state she saw me in.

“Why the fuck are you laughing?” I snap at Nicole.

“The little Viking learnt her place both at home and here.”

"At home?"

“She’s my stepsister but not for long, though.” Her hand returns to my trousers. “Now, where were we?”

I shove her away until she falls backwards, barely catching her balance.

“But—” she screeches.

“Go swallow someplace else."

I don’t wait for her to disappear and stride past her to the exit.

Something tells me I really fucked up this time.





23





Astrid





My demons aren’t yours to fight.



* * *



I will not cry.

I will not cry.

I take a deep breath, fighting the moisture in my eyes and the pressure building behind my nose.

I’m not that girl. I’ll never be that girl.

The crowd seems to thicken the harder I try to push myself out of the maze.

So what if Dan insisted I celebrate his first win as part of the team?

So what if I didn’t want to go back home for Dad to force me into a dinner with Victoria?

Coming here was a big freaking mistake.

Or maybe it wasn’t.

Maybe I had to see Nicole between Levi’s legs to finally snap out of whatever madness that’s taken over me.

Still, my chest aches so much, it’s a struggle to breathe.

Why the hell does it hurt this much?

“Here’s my girl!” Dan enclasps me in a hug out of nowhere, reeking of alcohol. “Ro, Xan, did I introduce you to my BFF?”

“Why, hello there.” Ronan — number thirteen — grins with sparkling brown eyes. “Why have you been keeping such a good-looking lady to yourself, Danny boy?”

“Yeah, Danny. Sharing is caring,” Xander grins and it’s too sickeningly charming. He has classic pretty boy looks, blond hair, blue eyes all complete with dimples.

“I’m Ronan.” He takes my hand in his and places a kiss on the top. “Don’t believe everything you hear about me.”

“It’s usually much worse,” Xander finishes for him.”

“Now, hands-off, Astrid, you pigs.” Dan swats them away as if they’re flies. “She doesn’t like sex.”

I jab him, an involuntary blush creeping along my skin as I mutter, “Thanks for broadcasting that, bug.”

I should probably take him away before he spills all my secrets. Dan is a chatterbox when he’s drunk.

“Wow, okay.” Ronan fakes a gasp. “We need to fix that. I volunteer, mademoiselle.”

Xander pushes him out of the way. “I’m a month older than you and therefore, can go first.” He smiles. “If the lady would have me, of course.”

“My house. My rules.” Ronan puffs his chest then looks at me. “Why don’t you choose?”

I’m speechless, not knowing what to say to that.

“How about a drink instead?” Dan shouts.

“Hey, I’m a drinking king.” Ronan pats his chest. “No one can beat me.”

“Astrid can.” Dan massages my shoulders. “She has a weird high alcohol tolerance.”

That’s it. I’m taking a taxi and hauling Dan’s arse home.