Punishing the Princess Read online

  Punishing

  the Princess

  Hidden Falls High Book 2

  kailin gow

  Loving Summer Prequel Spin-off

  3 Years Before Loving Summer Book 1

  AUTHOR’S NOTE

  Thank you for picking up Punishing the Princess (Hidden Falls High #2), which is a prequel series to the Loving Summer Series. After popular demand, Crushed was expanded into a spin-off series prequel before Loving Summer, which continued Summer’s story at Hidden Falls High Academy.

  Punishing the Princess is the second book in a spin-off series from Crushed (Hidden Falls High) which is a prequel for the Loving Summer Series.

  Also, in Cruel Crush, as in Loving Summer, the main characters’ ages were increased to reflect more mature issues today.

  Summary

  Dante Black

  Another home, another new school.

  Another target.

  Life was supposed to be smooth sailing when you're at the end of your high school year.

  Of course it is.

  Especially when you're the one your father relies on to take care of loose ends. And by the time you're 17, you've already earned yourself a reputation amongst the Inner Circle as someone to be feared.

  Who am I? I'm the charming Prince, the Golden Boy, the one no one suspects to have no heart.

  Until I saw her...my target. The girl I will bring down because she is his crush.

  Who knew crushes could be so cruel?

  Summer

  There is someone new living in the Donovans' old mansion in Hidden Falls, the exclusive enclave in Malibu. He's a senior at the Academy, but he seems older like he's already seen so much in the world. Maybe he has. Maybe he's not of this world.

  I thought I had finally found peace at Hidden Falls High...but the nightmare is just beginning...

  ***

  Hidden Falls High is a mature YA/New Adult series intended for 17 and up due to language and mature matters. Cruel Crush ends with a cliffhanger.

  Prologue

  Dante Black

  “To know your Enemy, you must become your Enemy.”

  ― Sun Tzu.

  Growing up, my father never read me fairy tales for bedtime stories. Instead he read from the Art of War by Sun Tzu.

  “Someday Dante,” Father always reminded me, “You will be in my shoes. You will know what it takes to become the kind of man who could do what I could do.”

  “Why do I have to be that kind of man?” I once asked. Only once because I learned my lesson right after. With Cole Black, if it takes you more than one time to learn something, you might as well shoot yourself or he would have shot you.

  His eyes went from dark blue to black in less than a second, and the pleasant relaxed smile on his face became an angry grimace. He slapped my cheek so hard, I could hear my bones rattle as my head flew back, almost swinging off my neck like some kind of toy head in an old-fashioned musical jack-in-a-box. I tasted copper in my mouth. Blood.

  “That should teach you to ask that kind of question to your own dad,” Cole Black said. “Here’s the answer. Because I don’t want a son who can’t. You do what I tell you to become that man or you are not my son.”

  I knew better to not let a single tear fall down my cheek right then. Even as a five-year-old, I knew.

  With Cole Black, there were no second chances.

  With Cole Black, you’re not a Black unless your heart becomes as dark and cold as one.

  Chapter 1

  Summer

  “Dante,” I moaned. “Oh my God, Dante…”

  He lifted his head from between my legs, his blue eyes meeting mine as he continued to use his mouth to bring me to ecstasy. “What am I?” he teased, the deep rumbling of his voice causing pleasurable vibrations at my core. “Your God?”

  “I…oh…”

  He bit my clit, making me gasp and climb up onto his bed in Nat’s old bedroom. He chuckled, his voice sending more pleasurable waves through me. “You like that, do you?”

  “Yes,” I squealed as he nuzzled his face into me and began tickling me with his five old-clock shadow.

  “Good, because I can’t get enough of you, Summer,” Dante growled. His arms wrapped around my thighs as he pulled me in closer to his face, his tongue relentlessly plunging into me as I felt an intense wave of pleasure flow through me.

  “Oh my God,” I cried out, my hands grabbing onto his thick silky black hair. My body buckled from the waves of explosive pleasure shooting through me.

  “Oh my sweet Summer,” Dante growled, his fingers now plunging deep into my folds. “You are so tight and so perfect.”

  He suddenly stopped and stood up. With one hand, he unbutton and pulled down his pants, revealing one of the largest dicks I’ve ever seen. “Look what you do to me,” he grunted, “I’m so hard for you.”

  “You’re like a tree,” I gasped. He was huge and wide.

  With one hand he grabbed his hard-on and began pumping.

  I was fascinated, never having been up close to a man’s dick, let alone one as magnificent as Dante’s.

  “God I want to stick this in you so badly,” Dante clenched his teeth, “but I want to respect you too. You’re a virgin, and I want to make sure when you lose your v-card, it’s at the right time for you.”

  My heart suddenly felt so full as I looked at this magnificent man and his flawless body in the most sexually passionate moment. He was too sexy. Too hot.

  I wanted him so badly.

  His eyes intensely on mine, he continued pumping until he came. Groaning as he did.

  With his eyes closed, his head back, and his hand on his dick still pumping, he was the sexiest man I had ever seen. Without thinking, I got up from the bed and walked over to him, and kissed his chest.

  He opened his eyes then and looked at me in complete surprise. “Summer?”

  “Yes,” I smiled shyly at him.

  His eyes searched my face and he reached out to touch my hair. “It’s really you?”

  “Yes,” I nodded. His face was so confused, yet beautiful like a little boy lost. I kissed his chest again before tiptoeing up to kiss his lips.

  He immediately captured my mouth with his and pulled me closer to him, kissing me so passionately it was like he was making love to me all over again.

  When we finally pulled away from each other, I was out of breath, and my lips were swollen.

  Dante touched my lips with his finger and smiled. “You looked like a woman who has been thoroughly kissed.”

  “I can’t feel my lips,” I laughed.

  “Then my job’s done,” he grinned.

  I looked down and noticed the hickey he had made on the skin of my right hip. “And this too?”

  Dante looked sheepishly away. “My mark on you, Summer…to tell the boys to back off.”

  “The boys?” I asked.

  “Yes, all the boys. You know who,” he said.

  “I’m not really with any one boy exclusively,” I said.

  “Good,” Dante said, pulling me to his chest and wrapping his arms around my back. “That means I don’t have to kill anyone right now to have you,” he smiled a big wide Cheshire Cat smile. Cute.

  My phone began ringing. He reached over to the bed where I had dropped it, glanced at it, and looked over at me. “It’s River.”

  “Oh,” I said, taking my phone, suddenly remembering why we were at Dante’s house.

  Dante took that moment to excuse himself as he headed for the shower to wash up.

  I couldn’t help devouring his perfect hot body up with my eyes as he walked away from me and down the hall to his room, the master bedroom, for his shower.

  The phone kept ringing until I picked up.

&n
bsp; “Summer?” River’s deep voice asked.

  “Hi River,” I said softly but cheerfully. “How are you doing?”

  “Wow,” River said. “You called. So many times, too.”

  “Why shouldn’t I?” I asked.

  “Because I wasn’t sure how you felt about me,” River said.

  “I care about you, River,” I said. “How could I not call you to see how you are? I want to come and visit you.”

  “You do?” River asked.

  “Yes, of course, River,” I said.

  “God, Summer,” he said. “You just made me feel so much better.”

  “I’m glad,” she said. “I’m really worried about you.”

  “Well, it had been pretty shitty in the last few hours. I don’t know if he’s going to make it through still.”

  “Hang in there,” I said. “I’ll be right over. Where are you?”

  “Um, that’ll be great,” River said. “I want to see you right now so badly.” His voice almost broke. It must be bad for a strong manly-man like River to get emotional.

  “River…I’m here for you,” I said. “You’re not alone in this. I’m giving you a great big warm hug through the phone right now. Feel it?”

  “Yes,” River said. “I feel so much for you right now, Summer. I love you.”

  “Aww River,” I said.

  “It’s true. I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. I think about you all the time. I want to touch you all the time. I want to be with you all the time. I wish I could have you right by my side right now because I don’t know anyone else I’d rather have with me at this moment.”

  “But…?” I knew there was one.

  “It’s my grandfather. It’s his security. We’re at a location I have no right disclosing.”

  “Okay,” I said. “But you’ll be alright?”

  “I wish I can say that. He’s the only family I have left. Grandpa. And I don’t know if I can handle losing him and then having to step into his shoes to continue on his legacy, you know.”

  I smiled reassuringly into the phone as I said, “Sure you can. You’re stronger than you think you are, Riv. I know you are. It’ll be hard at first, but you can do it. You are his grandson after all, aren’t you?”

  River sighed and said, “Yeah, you’re right Summer. I should be able to handle this. I’m River Millions, aren’t I?”

  “Yes, you are!” I laughed into the phone.

  “I wished you were mine already, Summer. If we’re together now, I can at least tell Grandpa not to worry about me since I have my girl.” I heard River take in a deep breath. “I want to give you all the time you need, but I think the only way Grandpa’s security would let you in to see Grandpa and me would be if we’re seeing each other…if you’re my girlfriend.”

  “River,” I said. “I don’t know.”

  “Is it still because of Nat?” River asked. “Has he contacted you?”

  “No, not yet,” I said.

  “And it’s been…what, almost two months?”

  “Something like that,” I said.

  “If he hasn’t contacted you now, he’s not going to,” River said. “Meanwhile, I’m here for you Summer. I’ve driven you to school for the last month. I’ve been with you intimately. He hasn’t. I’ve…” his voice cracked. “What would it take to…”

  I closed my eyes and said, “I’ll do it.”

  “What?”

  “I’ll be your girlfriend so your Grandfather wouldn’t worry about you,” I said. “But it’s only temporary. Like pretend girlfriend thing.”

  “Summer,” River said. “I’m so happy right now. I can’t believe it. You’ll be my girlfriend.”

  “Pretend girlfriend, and only temporarily until your grandfather gets better.”

  “Pretend or not, Summer, I’m just glad you’ll be with me for now,” River said. “I’ll send over a car to pick you up from your place in an hour.”

  “Can Linc and Dante come too?” I asked. “They’re worried about you too.”

  “No!” River said. “If I wanted them to come, I would have invited them. Just you. You’re the only one.”

  “Okay,” I said. “I just thought since…”

  “You’re my girlfriend now, Summer,” he said. “Grandpa’s security would allow you to see me and my grandfather only because of that.”

  “Okay, I guess since he needs that, I’ll wait for your car tonight.”

  “I can’t wait to see you, Summer,” River said. “You don’t know how much this means to me.”

  “Take care, Riv,” I said. “I’ll see you tonight.”

  Chapter 2

  Summer

  The doorbell rang right as I was finishing up my makeup and hair after selecting a pink ruffle floral wrap dress with strappy silver heels.

  “Summer!” Aunt Sookie called from the door, and I heard River’s deep voice greeting Aunt Sookie, followed by Aunt Sookie’s laugh.

  “Coming!” I yelled back, putting on a delicate pink frosted glass tulip drop earrings that matched my dress. A swipe of pink lip gloss and some mascara finished the look. I grabbed my silver purse and walked out.

  River’s mouth dropped as he looked at me from head to toe. “Wow,” he said. “You look so beautiful.”

  “Honey,” Aunt Sookie smiled at me. “You do look just perfect.” She came over and hugged me. “My Gosh, when did my little girl get to become such a beauty?”

  I hugged her back and said, “I take after you and Mom. It’s bound to happen.”

  Aunt Sookie laughed. “I’m so blessed to have such a sweet niece.” She turned to River and said, “You better treat her right. You’re the first guy she ever let call her their girlfriend. If I…”

  “Aunt Sookie,” I said, walking over to the tall well-built young man dressed in a cream suit with tie. He looked so handsome in a suit, and coincidentally, we matched. “River knows what he’s getting into. If anything, he should watch out for himself. With my mad volleyball skills, and my strong head, he should be watching out for himself.”

  River grinned, taking my hand in his. “I realize how lucky I am to have Summer by my side. I’ll treat her like a princess.” He looked like he wanted to kiss me then.

  I would have let him if Aunt Sookie wasn’t looking him over to determine if he was trustworthy.

  Anyone else would be pushing their daughters and granddaughters at him. River was the prince of princes. Now that Nat was no longer at Hidden Falls High, River was the most sought after guy amongst all the guys. Heir to a billion dollar conglomerate, he was more spectacular than the sons of rock stars, movie stars, and company presidents at Hidden Falls High.

  River was too hot and good-looking for his own good. White blonde hair, cut into short layers, but flattering to his high cheekbones, chiseled chin and large dark blue eyes, he filled out everything he wore like a dream.

  And when he wore nothing at all, he was the most perfect male specimen.

  Standing next to him, I could feel his desire for me penetrate and wrap around me like an electric current. Ever since he went down on me, it was like he couldn’t get enough. Every chance he got, he would find a way to go down on me or to get me to orgasm.

  “Summer,” River said, his voice was softer. “We have to get going. I don’t want to leave Grandpa’s side for too long.”

  “Oh, River!” Aunt Sookie said. “I’m so sorry about your grandfather. Please let me know how I can help.”

  “Thank you. I just need Summer by my side at this point in time,” River said looking at me. “Having her near me is comfort enough. I don’t think anyone else could make me feel better right now except her.”

  River squeezed my hand, and I squeezed his back. He looked like he was on the brink of tears.

  Aunt Sookie came over and hugged River. “It’ll be okay,” she said, patting his back. “He’ll be fine. And Summer…she’s got a good shoulder to lean on. You’ve got good company, that’s for sure.”

  River smi
led. “I know.”

  “Okay,” Aunt Sookie said. “Better get going.” She took out a camera. “Wait. You two are dressed so nicely. I have to take a picture.”

  River and I looked at each other with an awkward smile. “Okay,” I said. Right before Aunt Sookie snapped a photo, River wrapped his arms around my waist from behind me and leaned in to kiss my cheek.

  When we were settled into his silver Ferrari, he leaned in to kiss me long and slow, taking his time to savor the kiss. “God, I wanted to kiss you as soon as I saw you in that dress,” River said. “I am the luckiest man in the world to have such a beautiful woman by my side.”

  “Nonsense,” I said. “You can have your pick of beauties from school…”

  River said almost harshly, “I want you.”

  He reached over to over the glove compartment and pulled out a blue box wrapped with a blue satin bow.

  “I want to give you something to start this off,” River said.

  “Oh River,” I said. “You shouldn’t have.”

  “I want to give my woman anything she wants,” River said. “But I know you don’t like it when I mention being able to afford things for you. You feel like you’re being bought, but this…it’s different. I didn’t buy it.”

  I opened the box and gasped. It was a diamond pendant shaped like a starfish. “Here,” River said, taking the necklace and fastening it around my neck. “This was my mother’s necklace. I think she would have loved a girl as wonderful as you, wearing it.”

  I was speechless. He gave me his late mother’s diamond necklace.

  “River,” I wrapped my arms around his neck. “This is so sweet and heartfelt. Thank you for trusting me with such a precious piece of her.”

  “I swore I would give it to the girl I finally fall in love with. And that’s you, Summer.”

  He leaned over and began kissing me. “I love you. I don’t know how many times I have to keep saying it to finally convince you that I do, but I will keep saying it until you believe me.”

  “River,” I said, “I care so much for you.”

  “Then you will eventually love me, too,” River said. “Just give me a chance. Give our relationship a chance.”