To Kiss A King Read online

  TO KISS A KING

  TERRI E. LAINE

  First Edition

  Copyright 2022 Terri E. Laine

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  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used factiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. The scanning, uploading and distribution of the book via the Internet or via any other means without permission is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchased only authorized electronic editions and do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support for the author’s rights is appreciated. For information address to SDTEL Books.

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  Cover Designer: Kate Farlow-Y’all That Graphic

  AUTHOR’S NOTE

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  CONTENTS

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  Also by Terri E. Laine

  ONE

  I’m pretty sure I met my soul mate while tied to a bed. Okay, I guess I should start at the beginning.

  It was an average day. No, scratch that. It was a dream that totally ended as a nightmare. I was on the phone with my best friend, Denise, when a knock sounded at my door.

  “Hold on, Denise,” I said into the phone. “Someone’s here.”

  Time was of the essence, as I had to get ready for my big interview. Big didn’t fully explain how important it was. Today was the first chance I had to get myself hired at one of two companies I was hedging my entire career on.

  “Who’s at your door at this hour?” Denise said with as much skepticism as I felt.

  “I don’t know,” I said, reaching said door in seconds. I’ll call you back.”

  My building had a doorman. Unless someone was on my approved list, they couldn’t get upstairs—in theory. Carelessly, I tore open my door and came face-to-face with a no-nonsense woman who pushed right past me like she owned the place.

  Problem was, she could have, given that I was subletting, and if I didn’t get either job I was interviewing for this week, I would be homeless.

  “Excuse me,” I said a moment too late as a team of people entered my apartment before I could shut the door in anyone’s face.

  The petite but commanding woman showed no regard for her entrance. “I’m Suni Lee and I’m here at Mr. Fisk’s request.”

  At that name, I dropped the scowl from my face.

  “Yes,” she said with a tilted grin on her face. “You have a meeting with him later.”

  Interview was a better descriptor and a little over an hour from now did count as later. So I just nodded because Mr. Fisk owned the company for whom I’d applied for said job.

  “If you plan to work for Mr. Fisk, you should be prepared not to be prepared.” She waved a hand toward her team. “I have clothes, shoes, hairstylist and makeup artist here to get you ready for that meeting.”

  I could feel the wrinkle lines crease my brow as I formed several questions in my head.

  Her pointed stare silenced me. “Mr. Fisk assumed you might not have suitable attire for the venue.”

  “Venue. The interview is at his office.”

  “That’s changed. You’ll be meeting him at the 21 Club.”

  The 21 Club was a famous New York restaurant frequented by some of the biggest stars. “Um…”

  “Yes. Like I said, he assumed you wouldn’t have suitable attire.”

  It wasn’t a jeans and t-shirt place, not that I’d planned to wear either for my interview. But my Ann Taylor off the rack suit also wouldn’t fit in.

  “Okay,” I said, the word rolling off my tongue like it was more than four syllables.

  Next thing I knew, I was being urged into a chair as the team got to work.

  It would have felt like a gold star spa treatment if not for the total ambush. I kept wondering if I wanted a job with Mr. Fisk, if my life could easily be taken over at a moment’s notice.

  When the team was done, I couldn’t argue with the results. I looked like an old-time movie star. My hair shined unnaturally as if I was in a commercial and swooped to one side in retro waves. I couldn’t complain, but I hardly looked like someone heading to a job interview. Especially when they crowned me with a hat more fitting for the Kentucky Derby.

  The black sheath dress I wore had small cap sleeves framed by the draped, asymmetrical neckline. The wide, inset waistline—centered by a skinny leather belt—led into V-shaped seaming at the back.

  Suni caught me eying myself in the mirror. “Very Jackie O.” When I didn’t immediately catch on, she said, “Jackie Kennedy Onassis.”

  “Oh,” I mouthed, thinking of the former First Lady.

  But it was the red sole shoes that kept drawing my attention. I leaned them this way and that as I took myself in.

  “Time is of the essence,” Suni said.

  My attention yanked toward the time on my phone. “Yes. I should go.”

  “Don’t worry. We have you covered. A car is waiting outside.”

  Suni waved a hand, and the team disappeared out the door, having picked up their tools of trade after tidying up after themselves as if they’d never been there.

  I took a cleansing breath, and Suni smiled. “It will be fine, Miss Young. Mr. Fisk doesn’t bite. Unless you want him to.”

  She winked before disappearing out the door as my jaw hung open.

  Get yourself together. She was only teasing, I told myself. I grabbed the Chanel purse they provided that I’d already switched my things to and left, locking my apartment door behind me.

  Suni and her team had vanished. I took the elevator and convinced myself I’d heard her wrong about the car and driver. If they weren’t there, I’d simply order an Uber. It was a luxury in my current financial situation I couldn’t afford, but I could always sell everything I wore, along with the purse, to make rent if I had to.

  “Morning, Tony,” I said to the doorman after exiting the elevator. Before I could ask him about the team he’d sent up, I saw Suni standing next to a Lincoln sedan out at the curb. It was the kind you saw in movies that rich people were driven around in.

  I guessed my interview had already begun. No doubt Suni would report my behavior since from the moment she arrived to Mr. Fisk. Grilling my doorman on why he’d let strangers up to my apartment would have to wait.

  On an exhale, I pushed through the doors onto the busy New York sidewalk. I crossed and arrived at the car in time for the door to be opened for me. Suni surprised me by not getting into the car after I did. She ducked her head in and simply said, “Good luck,” before closing the door. Then I was off.

  But her appearance wasn’t the strangest thing to happen to me that day. I’d later wonder if I should have ever woken up that morning.

  TWO

  The restaurant was everything I thought it would be. I felt glamorous in the outfit given to me. Th
e hat even fit the ambiance. l was led from the main room downstairs, bustling with clientele, to a room upstairs. Downstairs had a more casual feel. Upstairs was quite a step above. Elegance from the table set with fine china to ornate chandeliers hanging from above.

  The other difference was the room was empty except for one man, who was just as imposing in person as he was in pictures. It was not until l reached the table did he stand.

  “Miss Young, I see Suni’s team did an excellent job.”

  I extended my hand to take his that had been held out to me. Instead, he captured mine and lifted it to his lips. Surprised by his action, I didn’t speak right away. I quickly rectified my mistake.

  “Mr. Fisk, Suni and her team were great.” His smile was anything but gentile. I felt immediate relief when he let me go. I managed not to snatch my hand, but slowly brought it to my side.

  “Have a seat,” he said, gesturing to the chair. I sat as he talked. “I hope you are as pleased as I am with the results of my gift.”

  I glanced down before meeting his eyes. “Yes, thank you. Unexpected, but a pleasant surprise.”

  “I can be a very generous man.”

  I didn’t like the creepy feeling I got as his gaze lingered on me. Instead of answering, I smiled without teeth. It was cordial at best.

  “Shall we get down to business?”

  “Where would you like me to start?” I offered.

  He didn’t waste time with an answer. “I’ve read your resume, which is impressive. It begs the question of why you are applying for a position as my admin.”

  The question was expected, and I already had my answer planned. “As you’ve read from my resume, I graduated with honors from NYU. I did several internships at Fortune 500 companies. And what I’ve learned is that while working from the bottom up is an honorable path, I want to learn from the best. That’s you, Mr. Fisk.”

  By his smile, I could tell my answer had won me points.

  He steepled his hands and tapped his fingertips together before he spoke. “Smart girl. The question is, what will you do to get to the top?”

  I didn’t take offense with him calling me girl. I did, however, sputter as I interpreted his meaning behind getting to the top from his sly grin. Not wanting to believe the worst, instead, I said, “I’m a hard worker. I don’t mind long hours, as I believe I can be an asset to your organization.”

  Gratefully, he went back to a more expected question. “And where do you see yourself in five years?”

  Inwardly, I sighed. I’d been wrong. His earlier response hadn’t been a double entendre. “A director, a VP,” I said while grinning. “I’ve worked all my life from babysitting to hostessing and everything in between.”

  “What can you do on your knees?”

  I spluttered. “W-what?”

  “I think you know exactly what I mean. I’m not looking for a partner or someone to groom to take my place in the future, Miss Young. I’m looking for someone who can take care of all my needs. And your mouth looks perfect for anything but talking.”

  There had been a glass of clear liquid on my side of the table. Without thinking, I reached for it and flung it into the man’s face before rational thoughts could stop me.

  I got to my feet. The chair teetered with my quick moment. “I’m not a whore,” I said, spinning on my heels. I marched out of the room, knowing that my actions could end my career before it began.

  Mr. Fisk was a power player in New York. He had friends who had friends and could easily blackball me in many, if not all, reputable companies. What had I done?

  Once I was out of view and hadn’t heard him calling for security, I held back tears as I fled the building. They were angry tears, not sad ones. Men like him thought anything could be bought.

  “Screw him,” I almost said out loud as I stomped past guests seated downstairs, leaving whispers in my wake. Clearly, my emotions were written on my face as curiosity fueled soft conversations as I pushed through the doors and out onto the sidewalk.

  A million questions plagued my mind as I considered my next move. I’d been driven here. The mile-high heels I wore weren’t made for walking, not long stretches anyway. I needed to orient myself to know where the nearest subway was that wouldn’t have me switching a thousand trains. And did I really want to brave the trains in this getup? Could my budget take a hit with an Uber or a cab? And the biggest question of all was, would Suni be waiting for me at my apartment to retrieve the expensive outfit I wore, including shoes and handbag?

  I took out my phone and dialed my bestie, who was likely at the airport by now. Sad thing was, I didn’t have anyone else.

  “Lana, what’s going on?” Denise asked by way of greeting.

  “Are you on the plane?” I asked, hearing the quaver in my voice.

  “I am, but we haven’t left the gate yet. What’s going on?”

  “Besides everything,” I said.

  “Do you need me to get off the plane?”

  “Isn’t that a federal offense?” I asked.

  “And? If you need me, I’m here for you.”

  “No. You go be with your family.”

  Denise came from money and her family decided to take a family vacation, even though all the kids were now adults. Her parents declared they would hand over their cell phones once they arrived at some undisclosed island off the coast of Greece.

  “You called. What happened? Who was at your apartment?”

  I hadn’t been able to text while the glam team worked because I’d been given a manicure, too.

  “Long story. Don’t worry, I’ll be fine.”

  At the same time, I heard through the phone the pilot of the plane telling everyone to turn off their electronic devices. From another direction, I heard someone say, “Excuse me, sweetheart,” which seemed to be directed at me.

  When I looked up, I locked gazes with a man’s stormy gray eyes not masked by the nerdy glasses he wore.

  “Looks like I have to go. Are you sure you’re okay?” Denise said.

  I nodded, but realized my mistake and said, “I’m fine. See you in a couple of weeks.”

  A zip-like current shot through our connection as the gorgeous man spoke again. Two words and I thought my underwear would combust. “Excuse me.”

  I pointed my index finger at my chest and mouthed, “Me?” as if it was impossible for a man with a face like his would talk to me. It wasn’t as if I thought myself ugly, but I wasn’t the girl drooled over. That would be my best friend, Denise. Guys would approach me, but usually to ask if she was unattached.

  The nerdy but sexy stranger nodded and gave me a dazzling grin. I stepped closer when my inner warning bells went off. The impossibly handsome man had spoken to me from the passenger side of a white box van. I stopped over six feet away.

  We were in New York, and there were passersby on the sidewalk. But this stretch of block wasn’t crowded. “How can I help you?” I asked, not wanting to be rude.

  “We’re lost. My phone is dead, and we need directions.” He held up a phone with a screen that was dark. He hadn’t mentioned the driver’s phone, but what was the harm in giving him directions?

  “Where are you going?” I asked.

  He rattled off an address on Park Avenue. “Delivery. We operate out of New Jersey most of the time, but this woman insisted we come to Manhattan.” He shrugged. “She paid double.”

  The fact that he revealed so much tamped down my anxiety, and I stepped forward. I left three feet between us as I rationalized that if the worst happened and he reached for me, there was enough distance between us for me to still get away.

  I glanced either direction once again, orienting myself so I could give simple instructions. I pointed, “All you need—”

  A shiny, metallic object appeared from where he’d slid up to a stop near the crook of his arm, which so casually rested on the ledge of the window. The barrel was round and unmistakable.

  I blinked wide eyes, gob smacked by the turn of eve
nts. I opened and closed my mouth a few times as I met a stare that had gone from stormy to frosty in a millisecond.

  “Get in and don’t scream. If you do, it will force me not only to shoot you, but anyone who looks in this direction.”

  My life was crap and not worth saving. But a quick glance revealed a woman pushing a stroller and an older couple with locked hands. They were innocent. I couldn’t be that selfish.

  I closed my eyes, knowing I was being dumb. No one would ever know my sacrifice or would call my act selfless.

  The side panel door opened with a jerk, and I stepped forward into my doom. I had no idea why I’d been targeted. Maybe the Chanel bag on my arm was the apple of their eye. They could gladly have it. I would give them whatever and hopefully be let go a few blocks away. I couldn’t imagine anything else.

  I ducked inside the van and had barely gotten my feet pulled all the way in when the door slammed shut. I glanced up to see a needle headed toward me. My hand didn’t make it up in time before my hot but nerdy captor depressed the plunger. I didn’t know what he’d given me and had no time to think before everything went dark.

  THREE

  Groggily, I opened my eyes, or I tried to. There should have been sunlight, as I hadn’t drawn the blackout blinds. But all that surrounded me was gloomy darkness and the nightmare that had consumed me still felt ever-present. That had been a nightmare, hadn’t it? There’s no way someone had kidnapped me. Who could possibly want me? But as my eyes adjusted to the dim light, I knew I wasn’t in my apartment, wasn’t in my bed. So where was I?

  That was when it all came rushing back. The handsome stranger in the van with a gun and a needle. I had been taken to parts I did not know and no one would know I was missing. I assessed my situation, and it wasn’t good.