My Prince and Me

By Megan Hussey

Let the prince of your dreams sweep you away in these five enchanting fantasies.

The Sea Prince
Artist Vivian draws endless inspiration from the beaches and waters of her tropical home. When she meets the exotic Haiden, she finds the ultimate muse—the handsome prince of an exotic undersea kingdom where nature always takes its course...

The Prince of Dreams
Teacher Juditha Collins finds herself short one prince for a Renaissance fair. While reading a book about that time period, she releases gorgeous Prince Valentin. She has broken the curse that bound him to its pages. He offers his body and all the pleasure he can bring her.

To Wed a Prince
Professor Juditha Collins found a real-life medieval prince who burst into her life from the pages of a magical book. A year later, the passion she shares with gorgeous Prince Valentin still runs hot, but at this year's fair, her students plan the ultimate Renaissance surprise.

Noelle's Nocturne
Lord Gerard is a gifted pianist who also happens to be a lord of the night. His lonely life is brightened and transformed when he meets Noelle, a plus-sized, no-nonsense spinster. The two celebrate the holidays with laughter, music and a passionate affair. But can Noelle truly accept and love this creature of the nocturne?

Behold the Beauty
In the mystical land of Ravenshead, a prince and a healer are drawn together by a passion stronger than fate. The gorgeous, rebellious Prince Beau loves strong-willed healer Agnatha, and with the help of an all-powerful godling, the two may find the happiness each deserves.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Melange Books, LLC
• Release date: Feb 7, 2014
• ISBN: 9781612358062

Megan Hussey

Megan Hussey is a feminist erotica writer and editor with nine single-title ebooks, twelve anthology stories, an erotic audio CD, and seven paperback novels in print. From mermen to vampires, Megan's stories feature sexy, kind-natured heroes and strong, real woman heroines. Megan won an Honorable Mention for Love Romances and More Cafe's 2007 Vampire Book of the Year award, for her book "Under Cover of Night: The First Book of Nuit". She was also a nominee for the Erotic Romance Reviews for Women Golden Shoe Award; and her book The One that Got Away received a Recommended Read rating from the Erotica Readers and Writers Association. She lives in Florida.

Book preview

Prince

~ One ~

Building sand castles at your age?

Yeah, what about it?

Well, it’s an activity that my six-year-old abandoned last summer, progressing and maturing to a steady regimen of Pokémon and miniature golf.

Cha. Bite me.

Gracing her smirking cousin, the opinionated Ilene Wentworth, with a gentle (if rather pointed) nudge, Vivian Banks turned her attention to her canvas of choice, a mound of sand that shone in the rays of the brilliant Florida sun.

Barely noticing the departure of a bored Ilene, who made fast tracks for a nearby tiki bar, she formed and kneaded the sandy mass at the edge of her rainbow-patterned beach towel.

Soon its glittering nature made grains evolved and merged into something more: a sculpture that took the radiant, ebullient form of a castle on the shore.

With loving patience Vivian built the levels of her gleaming crystalline manse, forming the tall turrets, sweeping balconies and sun-kissed windows that lent beauty and character to her art.

Finally she affixed a handpicked sea shell to the home’s front entrance, forming a door that shone in its accents of lavender and pearl pink.

Beautiful. She said the word quietly in her mind but also heard it in the form of a deep, smooth voice that tickled and teased her senses.

Before she turned to behold the source of this alluring sound, Vivian first turned her gaze to her own, fully made form, dressed today in a one-piece swimsuit of stark pea green.

Well, considering that I hit the sand sans make-up today and wearing a swimsuit that could double as an Army tent in a pinch, she arched a caustic eyebrow, I assume you’re making reference to the sand castle.

She froze as her words were met with a round of warm, gentle laughter.

Actually, I was referring to both the beautiful castle, the voice continued, and the lady that makes it.

Vivian rolled her eyes.Oh come on now, you’re so... she began, falling silent as she raised her gaze to the man who made this unbelievable comment. Hawt, she finished vaguely, shaking her head as she beheld the most beautiful man she ever had seen.

Standing tall and proud in the sand before her was a man who shamed the sun, for even as his waist-length reddish gold hair and massive bronzed chest mirrored these pure golden rays, his bluish green eyes rivaled the sky that oversaw their meeting.

A pair of long, trim legs completed this perfect package, as did a tight, ruby red Speedo that seemed to contain some very ample assets. Why thank you, he dazzled her with a white-toothed smile. I’m Haiden. And who, may I ask, is the lovely artist that created this beautiful house?

Right now I have no idea. Vivian shook her head to clear it of its dreamy haze. If memory serves, however, my name is Vivian.

Haiden chuckled. I like a funny girl, he nodded, kneeling beside her to take a closer look at her sand-sculpted handiwork. You know, it’s very rare that I see a sand castle of this incredible caliber. Are you new to Port Emerald?

Vivian nodded. I just signed on as an art teacher at the city university, she told him. On my day off my cousin Ilene, and I like to hit the beach—but even here I usually find myself putting my hands to work, either sketching something I see on the sand or building one of these ridiculous sculptures.

Haiden shook his head. Ridiculous? His eyes of blue emerald glowed as they regarded the turrets and towers of her sanded creation. Madame, this work is both beautiful and so true to life. It reminds me of my own home.

Vivian jumped. For real? She tilted her head in his direction. I mean, it does remind me a bit of my new apartment, in that both structures tend to fall apart at a moment’s notice and have precious little monetary value. Do you mean to say, though, that you actually have digs that resemble a tropical palace? If, that is, there is such a thing.

Haiden nodded. Let’s just say I make my home out in nature—a place that I consider to be very regal indeed. He raised his arms in a sweeping gesture to honor their ethereal landscape, acknowledging in its scope the swaying palms and ivory gulls that swept the gem blue sky cape, as well as the crystalline sands and rolling waves that lingered just beneath them.

Vivian nodded, basking for a moment in the radiant vision of a man in his natural element. I seriously wish I had my sketchbook right now, she told him, adding with a shrug, I am, however, in possession of several freshly made salami sandwiches. Care for some lunch?

Moments later the couple lounged easy on Vivian’s rainbow-hued beach towel, a wide-eyed Haiden hanging on every word of his smiling, salami slinging hostess.

Sometimes I feel like I was destined to teach art in Port Emerald, she told him at one point, the strands of her stringy, mussy brown hair blowing wild in the summer wind. When I was a child my family vacationed here, usually on our way to an amusement park in Orlando—but believe it or not, I usually had more fun here, running with the pelicans and flamingos on the beach and swimming with the guppies and starfish.

They’re like my brothers! Haiden exclaimed in agreement. I was born in Port Emerald and always have felt more comfortable on the beach or in the water. Not that I’m a beach bum or anything, he added, holding his hands up in what seemed a defensive stance. I make my living leading tours of the beach, and I’m always busy clearing the sand of trash. And in all the years I’ve lived here, I’ve never met someone who has such a great appreciation for the true beauty and value of our plant and sea life.

He paused here, his grin dissolving as he perused the line of people who walked the sands before them.So many tourists treat the sands as their personal trash heap, he spat out these last words like they were venom. They litter the sands and taunt the animals that call this beach their home.

Viv bit her lip. I know that, her tone soft and sympathetic. And that’s why, every year in college, I raised funds so that my university environmental club could visit this very beach—clearing the sands of litter and debris and helping any animals that were sick or hungry. I guess I just couldn’t stand to see this beautiful place ruined at the hands of careless tourists.

Her companion nodded. And I can’t stand not to adore the woman who has such incredible respect for my home, he whispered.

She took in her breath as her dining companion surged upward off of the towel, sweeping her suddenly into his arms and claiming her lips in a passionate kiss.

Swallowing her startled breath, his full, smooth lips rubbed and massaged hers, mirroring the movements of his strong hands as they scanned the length of her bare back.

For just a moment she surrendered to his kiss, thrusting her tongue into his mouth as she sank in his arms.

The cry of the gulls seemed to herald their union as they continued to kiss and embrace. All too soon, though, a misplaced cat call from a passing beachcomber ruined their dreamy mood.

Oh my God, what are we doing? Vivian jumped from Haiden’s arms, cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

Something very enjoyable, An unrepentant Haiden waggled his eyebrows, adding in a softer tone, You seem one with nature, Vivian, just as I am. I have to see you again. Would you have dinner with me tomorrow evening?

Standing from the blanket that all too recently had served as a handy trysting spot, Vivian averted her gaze as she collected the remnants of their modest picnic lunch. Look, as much as I’ve enjoyed your company today, I must admit this is moving a bit fast, she pursed her lips, adding with a smile, I do believe, though, that you may be able to help me out with a little class project I have planned for tomorrow.

How can I help? He jumped from the towel to bow low before her. Your wish is my command, my lady.

Vivian paused, arching her eyebrows in interest. I have an unbearably gorgeous man at my command, and all I can think to do is enlist his help in teaching my art class, she mused with a sigh. I’m an insult to all womankind.

Haiden grinned.Well it’s a good place to start, he purred, arching his eyebrows with sensual interest. I certainly wouldn’t mind being the teacher’s pet in your class, babe.

Vivian cleared her throat. Actually I was hoping you’d help to teach tomorrow’s class, she clarified with a smile. I’ve been meaning to bring the students out to the beach, so they can sketch the same flowers, fish and animals that I’ve been drawing for years, she shrugged. And since you probably know the beach better than anyone, maybe you could help me teach the class tomorrow.

Haiden thought a moment, then nodded. I would love to, darling, he leaned forward, searing her lips with yet another hot kiss. And hopefully, in addition to teaching and tutoring, you and I can do more kissing and teasing as well.

~ Two ~

Early the next morning Vivian returned once again to the shores of Port Emerald Beach, this time flanked by a group of students who hung attentive on her every word.

Well, most of them anyway.

I must admit, Miss Vivian. I really don’t understand the purpose of this exercise. Leading the group was Norman Bronwyn, a scrawny, bespectacled student who—Vivian couldn’t help but notice—carried a big sketchbook and a bigger sense of inflated self-importance. We have in our classroom some stellar examples of tropical art, he insisted, stopping stock still at the center of the beach. Why do we have to drag all of our materials out here, to the middle of nowhere—some stinky, humid beach? I have seasonal allergies, you know.

He said these last words with an air of gravity that seemed to far exceed their importance.

Vivian grinned. Sorry, Norman, but I truly feel that you as students need to capture the beauty of everyday life and draw some live subjects. Besides, she continued, looking over her shoulder at a gaggle of female pupils that followed close at her heels. The lifeguard/tour guide that rules this beach just happens to personify the concept of natural beauty—in the purest, hunkiest sense of the term.

Why, thank you, Miss.

Vivian froze, her senses soothed by a deeply voiced tone that flew soft to her on the wings of a tropical breeze.

Speak of the devil, she muttered, raising her gaze to greet the man who’d muttered this sweet welcome. Except he’s wearing clothes this time.

Suddenly hushing their idle chatter, her students turned as one to regard their teacher with a gaze of utter shock.

I just said that out loud, didn’t I? she pronounced, reddening in recognition of a sad, certain truth.

Her smile returned seconds later as her gallant co-instructor rushed to her side and enclosed her in an affirming hug.It’s so good to see you again, he whispered, lingering for just a moment in her embrace.

Dressed that day in an azure blue T-shirt and some wickedly tight blue jeans, a beaming Haiden turned to address her still, silent students. You’re a lucky group, he told them. You get to learn from this wonderful woman every day of the week. And today we’re going to show you the beautiful beach that inspires her artwork.

Within moments the enthused crowd—although Norman, for his part, still appeared just a bit too irritated and allergy ridden to be considered anything close to enthused—had set up their easels and sketch pads at the border of Port Emerald Beach.

Before them stood a man who reflected his surroundings in his pure golden splendor and who’d brought along some visual aids that were almost as stunning.

One by one he presented and explained the natural marvels of Port Emerald Beach. An ivory conch shell that also boasted shades of pure sunset mauve. A bouquet of water lilies picked fresh from the sands, glowing in every hue of the rainbow and the light of the sun above. A rare piece of ruby red coral retrieved from the floor of Port Emerald Bay. A soft golden sponge of similar origins.

As Haiden discussed the history and purpose of each of these oceanic objects, Vivian gave her students multiple suggestions about the best way to sketch and paint them. Then she and Haiden left the students to their own devices, inviting them to either paint a landscape or do an intensive sketch of a particular animal or plant native to the beach.

In the meantime the couple situated themselves beneath the fronds of a bay leaf palm, basking in the breezes of a Florida afternoon as they enjoyed an impromptu picnic.

Vivian giggled in spite of herself as her doting host