Darcy King has had enough. With a sexy distraction, she manages to escape from the guards at North Tower, where she has been a virtual prisoner since her stepmother sent her there nine years ago. After wandering through the forest, she encounters seven outrageous drag queens and begins dancing at their night club under the stage name Snow White.
Aric Hunstman was hired to kidnap Darcy, but finds he is helpless against her beauty. He changes his ways and when Darcy’s friend, Nick Prince, discovers that Darcy just might be the rightful heir to her father’s fashion empire, he dedicates himself to helping her claim her birthright. After a poisoned martini nearly derails their plans, Nick and Aric can’t seem to get over their disagreement about which one of them deserves Darcy’s affections.
Darcy is tired of others directing her life and decides to finally start taking what she wants.
Excerpt:
Darcy was tired, despite having been asleep for so many days. She had a slight headache, but counted herself lucky that that was the only lasting effect. Nick and Aric looked as tired as she felt, but she knew neither of them would be the first to suggest stopping. She didn’t want to be the one to do it either, but she knew that it would be for the best.
“I think we should get some rest,” she said. “There’s no point in rushing to get there tonight. He won’t be in his office. We should get some sleep.”
Aric nodded and turned into the parking lot of the first hotel they passed. Aric went into the lobby and flashed a charming smile to the woman attending the counter. He talked his way into a room, even though they had no reservation. Darcy was looking forward to a shower more than anything else. Her hair was still gunky with hairspray and she was sure that she smelled less than ladylike. Darcy immediately went to shower the moment they had checked in.
****
The tension in the room after Darcy left was a tangible thing. “I still don’t trust you,” Nick said as soon as the sound of running water came from the bathroom.
“It doesn’t matter if you trust me or not,” Aric replied.
Nick encroached on Aric’s personal space in an attempt to intimidate him. “I know you had something to do with all this. What did you put in her drink to make her sleep like that?”
“I couldn’t have done it and you know that.”
Nick cringed. He had his suspicions about what had gone on when the two had talked before and now Aric was throwing it in his face. He didn’t want to think about Darcy with Aric. “Don’t tell me what I know.”
Aric sighed and leered down at the shorter man. “Are you really going to make me spell it out for you? I have an alibi.”
Nick and his wounded pride backed away, but he still attempted to retaliate. “Stop playing with her emotions.”
“She doesn’t seem to need you looking over her shoulder all the time. You’re just making yourself look pathetic.”
The comment stung and Nick desperately hoped it wasn’t true. He was confident that Darcy would never think that of him, but he still feared that it was true, that he was just making himself look like a love-struck fool when he was just trying to protect her. “She’s just a girl. She’s been locked away for so long. I’m not going to stand by while you use her. Back off!”
****
In the heat of their argument, neither of the men had noticed that the shower had stopped and Darcy was in the room, dripping wet and wrapped in a cheap hotel towel.
“Both of you need to get a grip,” she said, her voice shaking with anger. Nick looked ashamed and started to explain himself, but Darcy silenced him with a glare. “I can’t believe what I just heard. Both of you are acting like you know what’s best for me. That’s bullshit. How many times do I have to say it before you’ll realize I make my own decisions? I didn’t run away from North Tower just to have you two fighting over me in a hotel room like I’m some doll you can just do whatever you want with.”
“I just don’t think he’s good for you,” Nick said softly.
“You don’t get to make that call, Nick!” Darcy snapped. “It’s my life. I get to decide. I like both of you, even though you were both just acting like childish pigs. Don’t you understand? I’m not some prize you can fight over.”
Aric nodded. “I apologize, Darcy.”
Nick sighed. “Yeah, I’m sorry too. I just want what’s best for you, but it’s not my job to decide what that is.”
Her anger faded and she moved between them, placing a kiss first on Aric’s lips and then on Nick’s. “I accept your apologies. Now, can we all behave like grown-ups or do I need to spank you?” she teased.
Nick smiled. “I’ll be good.”
Aric lifted his hand. “I’d like the spanking.”
Darcy laughed and even Nick had to crack a smile at the joke. “See, now isn’t it better not to fight?” Darcy whispered. She pulled both men closer to her by the belt loop and her towel started to slip. “I think we could find a way for all of us to get along.” She grabbed Aric’s hand and placed it on her ass while she pressed herself against Nick and started to kiss his neck.
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