Jonathon, After All: Princes Take New York Book 1, page 1
Jonathon, After All
K. STERLING
Copyright © 2024 by K. Sterling
ASIN: B0CW1MY2QJ
Illustrations by @_irisartss
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
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Content Notes
Before we get into elements that may be intense or troubling for some readers, a note about major themes in Jonathon, After All and the Princes Take New York series.
All the books in this series are meant to be modern adaptations of classic fairy tales with the primary focus on the king of all tropes: Prince Charming.
He’s the king for me, at least. And if there is one thing that is consistent with Charming, it’s insta love. He believes in love at first sight and he is often blindly noble. Occasionally, to his and his true love’s detriment. If you’re not an insta love fan and don’t enjoy the royal + commoner trope, this book and this series may not be your cup of tea.
Expect many other classic fairy tale tropes like: physical and metaphorical towers, “evil” witches and villains, spells, knights, godmothers, destinies, quests, concealed identities, royal weddings… But all with a modern, sexy twist.
Other themes that readers should be aware of:
Child as “payment”: In many classic tales, children are offered to satisfy a debt, right a wrong, or in exchange for help. Jonathon’s parents agree to give Muriel Hormsby custody of him in exchange for financial assistance.
Neglect of a child: brief mentions of past parental neglect.
Breath play/erotic asphyxiation: intentional, consensual restriction of oxygen to the brain for the purposes of sexual arousal. Breath play is extremely risky and if not done correctly, can be fatal.
BDSM and kink exploration: characters engage in and explore aspects of kink, including Dom and submissive relationships and a free use arrangement.
Alcohol and drug use: normalized use of marijuana and alcohol consumption by persons of legal age. Cocaine and other narcotic drugs are abused in dangerous situations.
Parental death: Loss of parents to a fire. Other familial but non-tragic deaths are discussed.
For those who still believe in fairy tales.
A heartfelt thank you to Roshni and Sue. True romance heroines for getting in there while this tale was still scary and helping me find my way out.
My deepest gratitude to Lindsey Middlemiss and Melissa Johnson for their precious time and for making me look far more competent than I really am. You two make wishes come true!
For my brilliant besties, Reese Ryan and Leigh Carron. A thousand thank yous for a thousand zooms and even more laughs. I couldn’t do it without you and it’s always an honor to ride with two queens at my side.
And to Cosima S.
Thank you so much for coming through and checking my Deutsch to make sure Leo’s Swear Jar was up to the task!
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Epilogue
A letter from K. Sterling
Before You Go!
About the Author
One
What do you say to the man who took your virginity, broke your heart, and ruined your entire life? Jonathon Hawthorne had practiced numerous speeches and thought he’d be ready when the time had finally come but his brain had locked and his lips were frozen shut. So he did the next best thing and threw a drink in Leo von Hessen’s face.
Then, Jonathon ran.
He mumbled apologies as he pushed and shoved his way out of the Plaza’s overcrowded ballroom and sprinted down a marble hallway with an Austrian prince and a security detail chasing after him.
“Sorry! 911! Out of my way!” Jonathon shouted once he’d made it outside, dodging pedestrians on the sidewalk and leaping into the back of a cab. “Sorry!” he said to the woman he’d stolen it from. “Please, drive!” he told the man behind the wheel, ducking so Leo wouldn’t see him through the back window.
“Where to?”
“The Olympia.”
“They kick you out, or you running because you slept with someone’s husband?” the driver asked, watching Jonathon through the rear view mirror.
Jonathon remained slouched low in the seat and held up his hands. “I was saving them the trouble and who knows how many husbands I’ve slept with. Although, I don’t believe he ever married,” he murmured to himself.
“Who?”
“Never mind,” Jonathon said with a wave, dismissing the driver.
He would hear about it online soon enough, if he was that interested in society gossip. Jonathon had much more important things to worry about: Aunt Muriel was probably livid and there was a strong chance she was already canceling his credit cards and freezing his bank account. Jonathon would be broke by sunrise and he had no idea where he was going to go, but he wasn’t ready to face his aunt.
She was going to have so many questions. And the drama! Jonathon shuddered and his soul puckered in anticipation of the histrionics. Best to lay low until she had run out of steam and forgiven him.
If Muriel ever forgave him.
Muriel usually did and she did her best to understand and support Jonathon, no matter how ridiculous his stunts were. But he had truly done it this time. She was probably mortified and telling anyone who would listen that he was disinherited.
“Here we are,” the driver declared while pulling up to the curb in front of the Olympia.
Jonathon quickly paid and ran through the porte cochère, nodding at the doorman as he hurried to the elevator. A young man with bright eyes and a warm smile was already waiting to go up and he offered Jonathon a polite wave as they waited.
“It’s a lovely night!” he said cheerfully when the doors opened and they stepped inside. The unmistakable smell of falafel wafted from the bag of to-go containers in his other hand, making Jonathon’s stomach gurgle loudly.
“I hadn’t noticed,” Jonathon admitted, grimacing at his watch. “I might have a fifteen-minute head start on her,” he muttered to himself, earning a concerned cough from his companion.
“Is everything alright? I’m Riley Ashby and I live in 8B,” he said cheerfully and gave Jonathon’s arm a gentle, reassuring pat.
“I know. I’m Jonathon Hawthorne.” He nodded but his nose burned and his eyes stung and blurred. “I should be fine if I can somehow manage to…evaporate before my aunt gets back from the gala,” he said with a nervous laugh. He checked his watch again. “She’ll need a few minutes to recover from the shock and she’ll demand they bring her car around immediately but it’s still a madhouse around the Plaza,” he rambled. His knees began to knock and dark blotches bloomed around him as the elevator grew darker.
“Whoa! You don’t look alright!” Riley said, hooking his arm around Jonathon’s when he drooped against the back of the elevator.
“I told her I didn’t want to go to the von Hessens’ stupid gala. I tried everything I could and I wore the most horrid ensemble possible, but Muriel wouldn’t listen. Too many wealthy, eligible men for me to miss out on, she said. She thought I might even catch a margrave!” he added with a hard eye roll and immediately regretted it as he slid down the wall.
“Easy!” Riley leaned and tugged on Jonathon’s arm, attempting to keep them balanced.
The ding! from the elevator and a gentle slap on the cheek from Riley helped and Jonathon was able to pull in a deep breath, clearing his head.
“Why don’t you hang out at our place while you figure out your next move?” Riley suggested. “I’m sure whatever happened wasn’t as bad as you’re imagining it was.”
A loud giggle burst from Jonathon. He covered his mouth, crying as he replayed the moment in his head.
“I threw a drink in a prince’s face. At his own birthday gala!” he explained in a loud whisper, causing Riley’s eyes to grow wide as he towed Jonathon out of the elevator and down the hallway.
“Okay… That’s not good, but it’s not the end of the world,” Riley said before his nose wrinkled and he halted them in front of the door to 8B. “Wait here for just a moment. I need to let Giles know that we have company.”
“Oh.” Jonathon shook his head when he recalled that Riley’s husband, Giles Ashby, was famously reclusive due to his severe anxiety. “I don’t want to be any trouble.”
Riley held on tighter to Jonathon’s arm, giving him a sober, pointed look. “There is a very big difference between being trouble and allowing a friend to help when you’re
“But we’re not friends,” Jonathon replied sadly, because Riley seemed like a wonderful person to be friends with. Jonathon didn’t have many friends and there weren’t any people in his life that he’d consider wonderful. Few were even what he’d call decent or kind.
“We could be,” Riley said with a hopeful smile. “If you accept my help and come inside. Our son, Milo, is at his cousin Jack’s for the weekend so we have an extra bunk bed if you need it.”
Jonathon nodded weakly. “If you’re sure,” he managed, shaken once again. He had no ready response for Riley’s kindness and sincerity other than “Thank you.” He ducked his head, blushing.
“Great! Stay right here,” Riley ordered and pointed at the tiles under Jonathon’s feet, then slipped around the door with the bag. The door swung open a moment later and Jonathon was yanked inside. “Welcome to 8B,” Riley announced warmly with a sweep of his hand at the quiet, airy hallway and the living room behind him.
A tall, gorgeous man peeked around the wall, offering Jonathon a bashful nod and a wave. “Welcome to 8B,” he repeated. “Make yourself at home but please don’t tell your aunt you’re here,” he added and disappeared around the wall again.
“See?” Riley said, his eyes sparkling as he smiled at Jonathon. “Giles is cool. I ordered enough for six people because I have hollow legs, so we have plenty of food if you’d like to join us for dinner.”
Jonathon opened his mouth to decline but his stomach let out another angry rumble. “I don’t want to intrude on your dinner too!” he said, clutching his stomach.
“Stop being silly.”
Riley had no idea how silly Jonathon felt as he joined them in the kitchen for kabobs, hummus, tabouli, falafel… The evening had been the culmination of a decade-long performance for Jonathon, the city’s most extravagant and vapid clown. And it was all the more surreal when Giles Ashby shyly passed Jonathon a wine glass and they gathered around the marble island for dinner. The conversation was easy and soothing with Giles and Riley allowing Jonathon to quietly observe as they teased each other and made plans for the rest of the weekend.
After the excitement at the Plaza, it was like dining in paradise.
“Do you want to talk about it?” Riley eventually asked Jonathon.
They had cleaned away their dinner dishes and made ice cream sundaes.
Jonathon sighed as he stabbed at the mound of whipped cream, melting vanilla ice cream, and chocolate syrup. “Not really but everyone will have heard about it by breakfast.”
“I take it you and the new Margrave have a history?” Riley guessed and Jonathon nodded.
“We spent a month together in Austria ten years ago. Aunt Muriel was friends with the old Margrave, Leo’s uncle, and she’d often stay at one of his homes or castles. We used to spend a lot of the year overseas—in Europe and in England—but most of Muriel’s friends are dead so we don’t travel as much anymore.”
“I see…” Giles said, trading wide-eyed glances with Riley.
“Did your month with Leo end badly?” Riley asked and a bitter snort burst from Jonathon.
“He filled my head with promises and lies and then he dumped me right before he became Margrave so he could run around with models and race car drivers.”
“I’m so sorry.” Riley’s lips pulled into a hard line. “I was cursed before Giles, and had my heart stomped on by legions of men, so I get it,” he said, but Jonathon shook his head.
“There was no one before Leo and legions of men couldn’t make me forget about him. No matter how hard I tried.”
“And now he’s here and everyone’s going to know, including your aunt,” Riley summarized, making Jonathon both extremely nervous and angry.
“It took him long enough. I’ve wanted this—wanted out—for years so I should have been prepared. Bags packed, you know?”
Riley gasped. “You really were her hostage!”
“No!” Jonathon shook his head. “Aunt Muriel can be…hell, but she loves me in her own oblivious, overbearing way. She can’t help herself, really, and she means well. She just has her own ideas and doesn’t listen to anyone because she doesn’t have to.”
Giles cleared his throat, grimacing as he gestured at Jonathon’s flesh-colored, skin-tight tux. “Was this her idea?” he asked and mouthed an apology.
“No. I always aim to look as ridiculous as possible when I leave the house,” Jonathon said, causing both Giles and Riley to frown at him.
“Why?” Riley sounded mystified.
Jonathon smirked as he licked the back of his spoon. “I didn’t want any of the men she threw me at and I made sure no one would ever want me, if I couldn’t have Leo von Hessen.”
“I was wondering why you were dressed as the Swiss Miss when we were introduced,” Giles said distantly.
Jonathon nodded at his sundae. “I do love a little couture cosplay from time to time… I’m rather pale and plain,” he said with a wave at himself. “So I dress like a clown and pull ridiculous and occasionally vulgar stunts to get attention.”
“Why?” Giles asked, seeming bewildered.
“I hate it,” Jonathon confessed. “But I thought that Leo might come back for me if he saw how much of a mess I was—how lost I was—without him.”
There was a soft groan from Riley as he reached for Jonathon’s hand. “But he never did,” he said and Jonathon shook his head.
“He moved on and became the new Margrave. I couldn’t get out of going to the gala so the plan was to escort Muriel inside, head to the bar, then disappear before he saw me. He was the guest of honor so I figured he’d have a crowd around him the entire time, wishing him a happy birthday and kissing his ass.”
“What did he say when he saw you?” Riley asked.
A new wave of indignation and pain washed over Jonathon. He set down his spoon, his hands shaking as he braced them on the counter. “He was surprised to see me and he asked how I’ve been. He sounded…thrilled, like he had forgotten or forgiven himself for everything that had happened between us.”
“Double ouch!” Riley gave Jonathon’s sundae another squirt of whipped cream. “I don’t blame you for throwing a drink in his face,” he said and they looked at Giles when he made a hesitant hissing sound.
“He sounds like a prick and he probably deserved it, but you might have kicked a hornets’ nest tonight. Between your aunt and all the gossip…” he said, shuddering as he crossed himself. “You can hide here for as long as you want, as long as she doesn’t find out. Because I might have a heart attack if she came in here.”
“I won’t let that happen,” Jonathon vowed, grateful and relieved to his core to have someplace safe and quiet to ride out the storm. “I appreciate your help and I won’t make you regret it.”
Two
Who was that?
It was the same face that had haunted Leo’s dreams for almost a decade. But he didn’t recognize the empty, faraway look in Jonathon’s eyes or the way his expression had hardened right before Leo was baptized by a gin and tonic.
Once Leo had recovered from the shock, he chased after Jonathon in hopes of gaining an explanation and opportunity to apologize for whatever he had done. Leo was too slow and was too late when he had spilled onto the pavement in front of the Plaza with Markus and a handful of the hotel’s security personnel.
“We’ll find him, sir, and see that he’s charged,” someone from the Plaza had assured them.
“Charge him?” Leo growled, shoving the man out of his way as he stormed back inside. “It was nothing more than a misunderstanding,” he declared with a glare at the rest of the security staff and Markus. “Did anyone see where he went?”
Another man from the hotel touched an earpiece. “Check the cameras.”
“Don’t waste your time,” Leo said as he stormed up the steps and back inside. “We lost him as soon as he passed through these doors. My people will find him,” he decreed with a hard look at Markus Bauer, Leo’s towering personal bodyguard and head of security. “If they’re worth the obscene salary we pay them.”
