Royal Seductions 03 - An Affair With the Princess
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Transcript of Royal Seductions 03 - An Affair With the Princess
ANAFFAIRWITHTHEPRINCESS
OneSinceshehadbeenbornintotheroyalfamilyofMorganIsle,therehadbeendayswhenPrincessSophieReneeAgustusMeadfeltrestrainedbyhertitle.
Todaywasoneofthosedays.
KingPhillipsatbehindhisdesk,inthepalaceoffice.Shelovedherbrothertodeath,butthereweretimeswhenthesimilaritiesbetweenhimandtheirlatefatherwereuncanny.Thesamejet-blackhairandsmokygrayeyes.Thesametoweringheightandlean,muscularbuild.Thesamestubbornstreak.
Sophieontheotherhandhadinheritedtheirfather’squickandsometimesvolatiletemper.Shetookadeepbreathandforcedherselftoremaincalm,becauseshehadlearnedyearsagothatblowinghertopandpitchingafitonlymadePhillipdighisheelsindeeper.“WhenyousaidIwouldbeinvolvedinthehotelproject,Phillip,Ihadnoideamydutieswouldincludebabysitting.”
“Nooneknowsthisislandlikeyoudo,Sophie.Andifthearchitectisgoingtodesignastructurethatcomplementstheuniquecharacteristicsofourcountry,he’sgoingtohavetoseeitfirst.”
Shehadwanted,hadhopedthatforthefirsttimeinherlifethefamilywouldsetasidetheirarchaictraditionsandallowhertotakeonabitmorethantheroyalresponsibilitiesshesometimesgrewsotiredof.Somethingslightlymorechallengingthanplanningparties,attendingcharityfunctionsandplayinggoodwillambassador.
BothPhillipandtheirhalfbrother,PrinceEthan,hadassuredherthatifshestucktotheroyalprogramwithoutcomplaint,shewouldbeinvolvedinthebusinessofthehotelchainthefamilyhadrecentlypurchased.Andinlightofhercurrentassignment,shecouldn’thelpbutfeelshewasgetting,astheAmericanslikedtosay,therawendofthedeal.
Butifsherefused,shewouldn’tputitpastPhilliptocutheroutoftheprojectcompletely.WhathereallywantedwastoseeSophiesettledownandstartsqueezingoutroyalheirs.Withtherecentbirthofhisson,Frederick,andthepregnancyofEthan’swife,Lizzy,suddenly
everyonewaslookingatherasthoughtosay,okay,nowit’syourturn.Butshewasn’tready.Shewasn’tsureifsheeverwouldbe.
“Fine,”shesaidwithasmile.“I’lldoit.AlthoughI’mnotcrazyabouttheideaofspendingtwoweekswithastranger.”
Philliprelaxedbackinhischair,satisfiednowthathehadgottenwhathewanted.“Wellthen,you’llberelievedtoknowthathe’snot.”
“Idon’trecallevermeetinganyAmericanarchitect.”
“Itwasyearsago,andwhenyoumethim,hewasn’tanarchitectyet.Hecamehomewithmefromuniversityandspenttheholidays.”
Sophie’sheartdroppedsohardandfastthatshecouldswearshefeltitsplitintwoandhittheballsofherfeet.Hecouldn’tpossiblymean…
“Iseemtorecall,”Phillipcontinued,“thetwoofyougettingalongsomewhatfamously.”
Ifhewasreferringtothemanshesuspectedhewas,famouslydidn’tbegintodescribethosetwoweeks.ButtherewasnowayPhillipcouldhaveknownaboutthat.Onlyhermother,whounbeknownsttoSophiehadbeenlisteninginonherphoneconversations,knewtheextentofAlex’sandher“friendship.”
Behindhertheofficedooropenedandsheturnedtoseeherhalfbrother,PrinceEthan,entertheroom.Behindhimappearedamanwho,despitetenyearsapart,wasstillstrikinglyfamiliar.Infact,hehadn’tchangedmuchatall.Heworehispalebrownhairinthesameshort,meticulousstyleandhisdeep-seteyeswerethesamepiercing,hypnotizingblue.Eyesshehadoncehopedtospendanentirelifetimegazinginto.
AlexanderRutledge,theonlymanshehadeverloved.
Typicallyreserved,Philliprosefromhischairtogreethisfriendwithanenthusiastic,“Alex,welcomebacktoMorganIsle!”
Alexsteppedforward,asmilebreakingoutacrosshishandsome,chiseledfeatures.Hewasdressedjustlikeherbrothers,inanexpensive-lookingsuitandshoespolishedtoagleamingshine.AndhewasstandingsoclosethatSophiecouldreachoutandtouchhim,yethedidn’tevenseemtonoticeherthere.Hadheforgottenabouther?
Somethingthatfeltlikeabouldersettledinthepitofherstomach.Asifitmatteredafterallthistime.Hewasnothingtoher.
Alexgrippedtheking’shandandgaveitafirmshake.“Phillip.It’sbeenfartoolong.Howhaveyoubeen?”
“Busy.I’mafamilymannow.”
“I’veheard.I’manxioustomeetyourwifeandson.”
“Youmustremembermysister,”Phillipsaid,gesturingherway.“PrincessSophie.”
Sophie’sheartsoareduptolodgeinherthroat.Thiswasit.Thefirsttimetheywouldsharewordsinovertenyears.Tenyearsinwhichbarelyadaypassedwhenshehadn’tthoughtofhim.
Alexturnedinherdirection,greetingherwithaperfunctorynod,wearingapolitesmilethatdidn’tquitereachhiseyes.“YourHighness.It’sgoodtoseeyouagain.”
Thatwasit?Thatwasallshegot?Goodtoseeyouagain?
Shewasappalledtofeelthebeginningsoftearsstingthecornersofhereyes.Shebitdownhardontheinsideofhercheekandforcedherselftosmile.“Alex,”shesaid,hervoicesurprisinglyevenconsideringshewastremblingfromtheinsideout.
“Iunderstandyou’retobemyguideforthedurationofmystay,”hesaid,andshehonestlycouldn’ttellhowhefeltaboutthat.Naryatraceofanydiscernibleemotionshowedonhisface.Hadheforgottenabouther?Aboutthosetwoamazingweeks?
“Yes,Iam.However,Iwasjustnowinformed,andhaven’thadtimetocreateanitinerary.Youwon’tmindifthetourdoesn’tofficiallybeginuntiltomorrowmorning.”
“Ofcoursenot.”Hewasn’trudeorunpleasantorevencold.Just…indifferent.Buthowhadsheexpectedhimtoreact?Didshethinkhewouldsweepherupinhisarmsanddeclarehisundyingloveforher?Asfarassheknew,hewasahappilymarriedfamilyman,likePhillip.
“Sophie,”Phillipsaid,“couldyoupleaseshowAlextotheguestsuite?”
“Ofcourse.”Asifshehadachoice.“Thegardensuite?”sheasked,andPhillipnodded.
“Takesometimetosettlein,”PhilliptoldAlex.“I’lltakeyouonatourofthepalacelaterthisafternoon.Oh,and,Sophie,I’dliketoseetheitinerarywhenyou’redone.”
“Ofcourse.I’llfaxittoyoulaterthisevening.”
“Whydon’tyoujustbringitwithyoutodinnertonight?”
She’dhadnoideathatshewasexpectedtohavedinneratthepalace.Sheusuallyateatherownresidenceonthepalacegrounds.
“Isthataninvitation?”sheaskedherbrother,smilingsweetly,becausesheknew,Phillipdidn’tinvite.Hedemanded.
“Ithoughtitwouldbenicethatweallbeheretowelcomeourguest.”Hewordeditasasuggestion,butwhathereallymeantwasbethereorelse.
“Theusualtime?”sheasked.
Henodded.
“Fine,I’llseeyouthen.”Sheturnedtotheirguest.“Ifyou’llfollowme,I’llshowyoutoyoursuite.”
Hegesturedtothedoor.“Afteryou.YourHighness.”
Shewasn’taself-consciousperson.Notevenwhenitcametoherphysicalappearance.Shehadbeenblessedwithgoodgenes,andatthirtywasstilltallandveryslimandnothinghadyetbeguntosag.ButforsomereasonknowingthatAlexwasbehindherwasmakingherincrediblyself-conscious.Andastheywalkedtothestairsthelackofconversationstretchedlikeamile-widevoidbetweenthem.Butiftherewasonethingshehadlearnedinallofheryearsasgoodwillambassador,itwastheartofsmalltalk.
“Howwasyourtrip?”sheaskedhimastheyclimbedthestairstothesecondfloor,wheretheguestsuiteswerelocated.
“Tiring,”hesaid.“I’dforgottenwhatalongflightitisfromtheU.S.toMorganIsle.”
Hestayedtothesideandonestepbehindher.Whichwasproper,butitstillannoyedher.Shewantedtoseehisface.Relearnhisfeatures.Notthatshe’deverreallyforgotten.Infact,itwasprobablybetterthatshenotletherselfgetcaughtupinwhattheyusedtohave.Thatwasalongtimeago.Althoughitwasawonderhewasn’tbitterforthewaythingshadended.Ofcourse,forallsheknew,theinstanttheywerealonehemightreadhertheriotact.Andcouldsheblamehim?Itwasshewhohadendedthingswithoutanexplanation.Shewhorefusedhiscallsandsenthislettersbackunopened.
Butwhatchoicedidshehave?Thedecisionhadbeentakenoutofherhands.
“Thepalacehasn’tchangedmuchsinceIwasherelast,”Alexnoted.
“Nothingmucharoundhereeverchanges.”
“Iseethat,”hesaid,andsomethinginhistonemadethesurfaceofherskintingle.“You’restillasbeautifulasyouweretenyearsago.”
Shewaitedforthequalifiertothatstatement,somethinglike,andstillascoldhearted.Butwhensherealizedhewassincere,herstubbornheartjumpedbackupinherthroat.
“Youlookthesame,too,”sheconceded,disconcertedbyhowvulnerableitmadeherfeel.Uncomfortable.Andsherarelyfeltuncomfortablearoundanyone.
Astheypassedthedoorwaytotheresidenceshenoddedtotheguardonduty,thentookAlexintheoppositedirection,intotheguestwingtothefirstdoorontheleft.
“Ibelievethisisthesamesuiteyoustayedinthelasttimeyouwerehere.”Infact,sheknewitwas.She’dspentenoughtimetherewithhiminthosetwoweekstorememberquiteprecisely.
Sheopenedthedoorandgesturedhiminside,followingafewstepsbehind.“Asyouprobablyremember,thisisthesittingroom,andthere’salsoasleepingchamberandbath.”
“Iremember,”hesaid,soundingalmostwistful.Washethinkingthesamethingthatshewas?Washerememberingthewaytheystoodonthebalconyoverlookingthegardensandtalkedforhours?Thefirsttimehedrewhertohimandkissedher.
Didherememberthefirsttimetheymadelove?
Neverbeforeorsincehadanothermanmadeherfeelmorelovedandaccepted.Morespecial.Butthatwasalongtimeagoandsomuchhadchangedsincethen.Shehadchanged.
“Irememberthis,”hesaid,gazingaroundtheroom.“YouknowwhatelseIremember?”
“What?”
Heturnedtoher,reachedouttotouchherarm.“This…”
Ithappenedsoquicklythatshebarelyhadachancetoprocessit.OnesecondshewasstandingbesideAlex,andthenextshewasinhisarms,theonlyplaceintheworldthatshe’deverfeltshetrulybelonged.Herfirstinstinctwastopushhimaway,butinsteadshewentweakallover.Thenhislipsweretouchinghers,asnaturallyasiftheyhadneverspentadayapart.
Sheknewthiswaswronginmorewaysthanshecouldcount,nottheleastofwhichthathewasmarried,butasthekissdeepened,asshetastedthefamiliarflavorofhismouth,breathedinthescentofhisskinandhair,therewasn’tathingshecoulddo,orwouldevenwanttodo,tostophim.
Well,thatwaseasy,AlexmusedasSophieallbutdissolvedinhisarms.Hetunneledhisfingersthroughthesoftblackribbonsofhairthatfellloosearoundherface.Shetastedsweetandexcitingandsexy.Henibbledherlowerliplightlywonderingifthatstilldrovehernuts,andwasansweredwithashiverandasoftmoanofpleasure.
Andherehethoughtseducingherwasgoingtobeatime-consuming,tedioustask.Andwhywouldn’the?Aftershevowedhereternalloveforhim,thendumpedhimwithnoexplanation.
Asthoughreadinghismind,shetensed.Hefeltherhandsflattenagainsthischest.Andbecausehedidn’twanttopushtoofartosoon,hedidn’ttrytostopherwhenshebackedawayfromhim.
ShestaredathimwitheyesthecolorofastormblowinginlandofftheAtlanticOcean.Deep,turbulentgray.Hercheekswerepinkandhecouldseetheflutterofherpulseatthebaseofherlong,gracefulthroat.Andtobehonesthewasfeelingabitbreathlesshimself.Despiteeverythingthathadhappened,thewayshehadusedhim,shestillturnedhimon.
Whichwouldmakeusingherthatmuchmoresatisfying.
“Whydidyoudothat?”sheasked,hervoiceshaky.
“Sophie,I’vebeenwantingtodothatfortenyears.”
Shetookanotherstepaway,pressingthebacksofherfingerstoherlips,asthoughhistouchhadsearedher.“Icouldcallaguardandhaveyoudetainedforassault.”
Hejustsmiled,becauseheknewshewouldneverdothat.Shemayhavebeenself-centered,spoiledandmanipulative,butshewasn’tvindictive.Atleast,notbackthen.“Butyouwon’t,becausethatwouldbealie.YouwanteditasmuchasIdid.”
Hecouldseefromherreactionthathewasright,buthealsoknewthatshewouldn’tlethimoffthehookthateasily.
“I’mnotsurewhatkindofwomanyouthinkIam,butIdon’tinvolvemyselfwithmarriedmen.”
Isthatwhyshelookedsoscandalized?Notthatshewasinanypositiontobequestioninghischaracter.Ormorals.
Hefoldedhisarmsacrosshischest.“Iguessyouhaven’theard.I’vejustbeenthroughthenastiestdivorceinrecordedhistory.”
Thatinformationseemedtosoberher.“No,Ihadn’t.I’msorrytohearthat.”
Theoddthingwasthatshelookedtrulysorry.Andherehethoughttheonlypersonshecaredaboutwasherself.Buthedidn’tbelieveforasecondthatshehadmadesomestartlingtransformationoverthepasttenyears.Hedidn’tdoubtthatsoonerorlatertherealSophiewouldmakeagrandentrance.Andwhenshedid,hewouldbeready.
“Isupposethat’swhathappenswhenyoumarrysomeoneyoudon’tlove,”hesaid.“Iguessyouhadtherightidea.”
Shelookedconfused.
“Youdidn’tloveyourfiancé,andyoudidn’tmarryhim.Infact,Philliptellsmethatyou’veneverbeenmarried.”
“No,Ihaven’t.”Sheglancedtowardthedoor,thenbacktohim.“Ishouldleaveyoutounpack.”
“Runningawayagain,Sophie?”
Afrownfurrowedthespacebetweenherbrows.“Ihavetoaskyoufromnowontopleasekeepyourhandstoyourself.NexttimeIwillalertsecurity.”
No,shewouldn’t,butfornowhewouldplayalong.Letherthinkthatshehadtheupperhand.Itwasallapartofthegame.“Ofcourse,YourHighness.Iapologizeformy…inappropriatebehavior.”
“Dinnerisinthemaindiningroomatsevensharp.Doyourememberwherethatis?”
“I’msureIcanfindmyway.”
Shenodded.“Ifyouhaveanyquestionsorneedanything,there’sadirectorybesidethephone.Thekitchenisopentwenty-fourhours.Youalsohaveafullwetbar.”
“Thankyou.”
Shenodded,thenturnedandleft,closingthedoorfirmlybehindher.
Maybethiswouldn’tbequiteaseasyashethought,buthe’dalwaysenjoyedachallenge.Theharderheworkedforsomething,themoresatisfyingthepayoffwhenhefinallygotit.
Hewastakingarisk,puttinghispersonalandprofessionalrelationshipwithPhillipontheline.Thefamilyfirm,RutledgeDesign,wasunrivaledinNorthAmerica,buttheyneededthiscredittotheirportfolioiftheyweregoingtotakethecompanyinternational.Justashisfatherhadalwaysdreamedofdoingbutneveraccomplishedhimself.
Andhadn’tAlexalwaysdonewhathisfatherexpectedofhim?He’dbeendeadandburiedforthreeyearsnowandAlexwasstilltryingtopleasehim.
WhichinpartwastoblameforthemotherofalldivorcesthatAlexhadjustendured.Aninevitability,hesupposed,whenamanmarriedforconvenienceinsteadoflove.Topleasehisfamilyinsteadofhimself.Inhisentirelifehe’dmetonlyonewomanwhohadeverunderstoodthepressuresoflivinguptotheexpectationsofothers.
ThatwomanwasSophie.WhenAlexhadcometostayatthepalaceduringacollegebreak,heandSophiehadimmediatelyconnected.Whenhewaswithher,Alexhadfeltasthoughhecouldletdownhisguardandjustbehimself.
Littlehadheknownitwasjustagametoher.
Seeingheragainbroughtitallback—theconfusionandhumiliation.Sowhatbettertimethannowtogetalittlerevenge?Giveheratasteofherownmedicine.
Seduceher,makeherfallinlovewithhim,thendumpher,justasshe’ddonetohim.
TwoSophiewasstilltremblingasshedescendedthestairsandheadedforthebackentrance.Whatsheneededrightnowwastobealone.Sheneededtimetoprocesswhathadjusthappened,andfigureoutwhyithadscaredherhalftodeath.
Butasshewasroundingthecornerjustbeforetheouterdoor,sheranintoEthan,whowasalsoonhiswayout.
“Headinghome?”heasked,holdingthedoorforher.
Sheforcedasmile.“Ihaveanitinerarytoplan.”SinceleavingAlex’ssuite,shehadfeltchilledtothebone,andthebrightafternoonsunshineandwarmbreezefeltsoothingonherfaceandarms.
Theywalkedtogethertowardhisblack,convertiblePorsche.
“Yourealizeyou’llnevergetacarseatinthatthing,”sheteased.
“Don’tremindme,”hesaid,pullinghiskeysfromhispantspocket.AlthougheveryoneinthefamilyhadtheirowncustomRolls-Royceanddriver,Ethanstillpreferredtodrivehimselfmostdays.Andherarelyusedtheservicesofabodyguard.
Theystoppedbythedriver’s-sidedoor.“Ourguestallsettledin?”heasked.
“Yes,allsettledin.”
“Heseemslikeaniceguy.”
“Yes,verynice.”Alittletoonice,actually.Fartoo…friendly.Andshedidn’ttrusthim.
Ethannarrowedhiseyesather,lookingsomuchlikePhillipthatitwasalmosteerie.“Issomethingwrong?”
Itamazedherthat,despitehavingonlylearnedofeachother’sexistencelastyear,hecouldreadhersowell.Musthavebeensomesortofpaternalbondthatlinkedthemdespitebeingonlyhalfsiblings.Andatatimelikenow,itwasincrediblyinconvenient.
“I’mfine,”shetoldhim,butcouldtellhedidn’tbelieveher.Sheprayedsilentlythathewoulddropit.Hedidn’tofcourse.
“Iknowwhat’sgoingonhere,Sophie.”
Sheswallowedhard.HowcouldhepossiblyknowaboutherrelationshipwithAlex?UnlessAlexhadtoldhim.Whichhehadnorightdoing.ItwasbetweenhimandSophie.
Heputahandonherarm.“Iunderstandhowyoufeel.”
“Youdo?”
“IfeltthesamewaywhenIstartedinthehotelbusiness.Iwantedtobetheoneincontrol.Theonecallingtheshots.ButitwaseasierformeinthesensethatIdidn’thaveawell-meaningfamilytryingtoholdmeback.”
Hewastalkingaboutthebusiness,notherandAlex’scomplicatedpast.Shewassorelievedshefeltfaint.Although,iftherewasanyoneintheworldshewouldfeelcomfortableconfidingin,otherthanhersister-in-law,Hannah,itwouldbeEthan.Butaswasherway,shepreferredtofigureoutthingsonherown.
“Youwantmoreresponsibility,”Ethancontinued.“Morethanshuttlingguestsaroundtheisland.”
Sheshrugged.“Butthatjustisn’tthewaythingsaredoneinthisfamily.I’maprincessandmyroyaldutiesmustcomefirst.”
Hegaveherarmanaffectionatesqueeze.“AlthoughIdon’thavealotofinfluencewithPhillip,Iamworkingonit.Buthonestly,betweenthehotelandthebabycoming,Ibarelyhaveafreeminute.”
“IsLizzyfeelingbetter?Shehastobeclosetoherfourthmonthnow.”
“Shestillhasterriblemorningsickness.Shehadhopedtokeepworkinguntilhereighthmonth.Youknowhowrestlessshegetswhenshe’snotbusy,butshecanbarelycrawloutof
bedinthemorning.Shetriestoeatbutcan’tkeepanythingdownandthedoctorisconcernedthatshe’slosingadangerousamountofweight.IhatetoleaveheraloneallthetimewhileI’mworking,soI’mconsideringmovingusintothepalaceforawhile.Atleastuntilshe’sfeelingbetter.Orgivesbirth.WhichevercomesfirstIguess.”
“Ithinkthatwouldbeagoodidea,andI’msurePhillipwillbethrilled.Youknowhowhefeelsaboutkeepingthefamilyclose.AlthoughIhavetosayI’mabitsurprised.Thiscomingfromthemanwhosworehewouldneverliveinthepalace?”
Hegrinnedandshrugged.“IguessIneverexpectedtofeelathomehere.OrtothinkofPhillipasfamily.It’samazinghowquicklythingschange.”
Wasn’tthatthetruth.Justthismorningithadbeenbusinessasusual,andnowitfeltasthoughherentirelifehadjustbeenturnedupsidedown.
Heunlockedhiscar.“GuessIshouldgo.CanIgiveyoualifthome?”
“No,thanks.It’ssuchabeautifulday.”Anditwasonlyabriskfive-minutewalkifshefollowedthestonepath.“GiveLizzymybest.Andtellherifsheneedshelpwithanything,allshehastodoisask.”
“Iwill.”Hegaveheraquickhugandapeckonthecheek,thenclimbedintohiscar.Sophiestarteddownthepathtowardhome,watchingashezippedoutofthelotanddroveaway.
Itseemedasthoughlatelyeveryonesheknewwassettlingdownandstartingafamily.Peoplewho,likeher,sworetheywouldnevergiveuptheirfreedom.Ethanwasright,thingsdidchangequickly.Butforher,certainthings,thingslikewantingahusbandandfamily,wouldneverchange.She’dspentherentirelifestrugglingforherfreedom,andshewasn’tgoingtogivethatup.
Notforanyone.
Referencingfilesofitinerariesshehadcreatedinthepastfewyears,Sophiewasabletowhipupasuitableplanforthenexttwoweekswellbeforedinner.Itwassomethingofachallengeconsideringtheaveragegueststayedseveraldays.Thankfully,though,severalofthoseafternoonsAlexwouldspendwithPhillipdoingtheusualguythings,likefishingandgolfing.Butfortheremainderofthetrip,hewasbasicallyallhers.
Shewasprintingoffcopiesforherself,Phillipandthesocialsecretarywhenherbutlerknockedonherofficedoor.“Yes,Wilson.”
Hebowedhishead.“Sorrytointerrupt,Miss,butyouhaveavisitor.”
Avisitor?Shewasn’texpectinganyonetoday.Howwouldtheyevengetpasttheguardsatthemaingatewithoutherconsent?“Who?”
“AMr.Rutledge.”
JustasithadinPhillip’sofficeearlierthatday,herhearttookadeepdivedownward.Bloodyhell,whydiditkeepdoingthat?AndwhatwasAlexdoinghere?Atherhouse?Hehadnorighttojustbargeinonher.
SheconsideredorderingWilsontotellAlexthatshewasbusyanddidn’thavetimeforguests,butifsherefusedtoseehim,hewouldrealizehowmuchhisstuntbackinthepalacehadrattledher.Andifshehadtospendthenexttwoweekscartinghimaroundtheisland,showingvulnerabilitywasnotanoption.
Shewouldhavetoseehim.
“Showhimtothestudy.I’llbedowninjustaminute.”
Wilsonnoddedanddisappearedintothehall.Sophietookalong,deepbreathandrosefromherchair.Shehadnoreasontobenervous,butasshecrossedtheroomherlegsfeltweakandtrembly.Getagrip,Sophie.
Ifshehadthisreactioneverytimeshesawhim,thiswasgoingtobeaverylongandexhaustingtwoweeks.
Shestoppedinfrontofthemirrorintheupstairshallwayandcheckedherreflection.Shelookedaspaleasdeath.Shesmoothedherhairandpinchedalittlecolorbackintohercheeks,remindingherselfonceagainthatAlexwasnolongeramanofconsequence.Thatpartofherlifewasover.Nowhewasmerelyabusinessassociate.
Shedescendedthestairsslowly,herheartcreepingfurtherupherthroatwitheverystep.Alexwasinthestudybythewindow,gazingoutacrossthepristinelymanicuredlawn.Heseemedlostinthought,amillionmilesaway,anditstruckheragainhowhandsomehewas.Howfamiliar.Andforamomentshegaveherselfpermissiontojustlookathim.Andremember.
“Thanksforseeingme,”hesaid,nearlystartlingheroutofherskin.
Bloodyhell!Nomatterhowcollectedshetriedtobe,healwaysmanagedtothrowheroffkilter.“Ithoughtyouunderstoodthatthetourwouldbegintomorrow.”
“Iknow,butIwantedtoseeyou.”Heturnedtoher,lookinghumbled.“SoIcouldapologize.”
Well,thiswasunexpected.“There’sreallynoneed.”
“Yes,thereis.WhatIdidwaswrong.Iguess…”Heshrugged.“IguessIjustgotcaughtupinthepast.AndIassumed,ormaybehoped,thatyoufeltthesameway.ThatyoumissedmeasmuchasI’vemissedyou.”
Helookedsincere,butsomethinginhiswordsdidn’tringtrue.Inherworld,mendidnotofferuptheirfeelingslikeaneatlywrappedgift.Sonaturally,shecouldn’tescapethesuspicionthathewassayingwhathethoughtshewantedtohear.
Orhadthirtyyearslivinginthemidstofnothingbutemotionallyvacantmenleftherjaded?
“Andsinceyouobviouslydon’tfeelthatway,”hecontinued.“IjustwantedtosaythatIwassorry,andassureyouthatitwon’thappenagain.”
Wasthatdisappointmentshejustfelt?Surelyshedidn’twantittohappenagain.
Butthememoryofhislipspressedtohers,hishandscuppingherface,fingerstanglinginherhair,madeherscalptingleandherkneesevenweakerthantheyalreadyfelt.Butthatwasjustphysical.Emotionallyshehadnoplaceforamanlikehiminherlife.Noteventemporarily.“Apologyaccepted.”
“I’mnotusuallysoimpulsive.Orreckless.It’salousyexcuse,butgoingthroughthisdivorcereallyhasmeoffmygame.”
Shesteppedalittlefartherintotheroom.“I’msorrytohearthat.”
“Ifyou’renotbusy,Iwashopingwecouldtakeawhiletotalk,getreacquainted.Becauseitseemswe’restuckwitheachother.”
Withtheitinerarycompleted,therewasreallynothingpressingonherschedule,anditwasstillseveralhoursuntildinner.Besides,itmightmakethingsabitlessawkward.Itwouldn’tkillhertogivehimthebenefitofthedoubtandgranthimtheconcessionofasimpleconversation.Ifonlyshecouldshakethefeelingthathehadulteriormotives.
Fornowshewouldgivehimwhathewanted,butshewouldtreadlightly,andatthefirstsignoftroubleshewouldputhiminhisplace.
“Wouldyoulikeadrink?”Sophieasked,andAlexknewshewasasgoodashis.Itmighttakeabitlongerthanheexpectedtobreakdownthebarriers,butitwasonlyamatteroftimenow.Shelookedandactedtough,butheknewwhatittooktomakeawomanmelt.Hisabilitytoaccuratelyreadthesubtleemotionalcuesoftheoppositesexandrespondaccordinglywassomethingofagift.Itwastheonlyreasonhismarriagehadlastedaslongasithad.Althoughinretrospect,thathadn’tbeenoneofhisbrightestmoves.Heshouldhaveleftheralongtimeago.Orevenbetter,nevermarriedherinthefirstplace.
“Mineralwater,ifyouhaveit,”hesaid.
“Withlime?”
“Please.”
Heexpectedhertocallherbutler,insteadshewalkedtothebarandpouredthedrinksherself.Amineralwaterforhim,andaglassofwhitewineforherself.Shecarriedtheglasstohim,andwhenhetookit,shegesturedtothecouch.
“Please,sit.”
Shewaiteduntilhewasseatedthentookaplaceonanadjacentchair.Sheworeagauzy,cottondressthataccentuatedherlong,willowyform.Shehadalwaysstruckhimasmoreofanearthy,freespiritthanaroyal.Backthenshehadfeltstifledandsuffocatedbyhertitle,yetnowsheseemedtoembraceit.
Hewonderedifshewasstillasself-centeredandspoiled.
“Nicehouse,”hesaid.“I’msurprisedyoudon’tstillliveinthepalacewiththerestofthefamily.”
“Ilikemyprivacy.”
“Haveyoulivedherelong?”
“Imovedinaftermymotherpassedaway.”
Whichmadesense.Hecouldn’tseeherparentsallowinghertoliveinherownplace.Herememberedherparentstobeverystrictandcontrolling.Whichwasprobablypartofthethrilloftheiraffair.Thatelementofdanger.Hadshebeendiscoveredsneakingintohissuiteeverynight,he’dhavebeenbootedoutonhisearandmostlikelybanishedfromthecountryforlife.
Shesippedherwineandasked,“Howwasitthatyouandmybrotherreconnected?”
Shewasaskingpolite,benignquestions.Holdinghimatarm’slength.Butthatwasfine.Hehadtwoweekstoworkhiswayunderherskin.Fornowhewouldplayalong.
“We’vekeptintouchoccasionallyovertheyears,andherememberedthatIwasinterestedintakingmyfirminternational.Sowhenheneededsomeonetodesignthefitnesscenter,Iwasthefirstonehecalled.HeandEthanlookedatmyportfolioandlikedwhattheysaw.WhenPhilliplearnedofmyless-than-amicabledivorce,hesuggestedItakeafewweeksoffandcomevisit.AndIhavetoadmit,thisisthemostrelaxedI’vebeeninmonths.”
“Youownthearchitecturalfirm?”
Henodded.“Sincemyfatherpassedthreeyearsago.”
“I’msosorrytohearthat.Howisyourmother?”
“Good.ShelivesinupstateNewYorknow,nearmysister.”
“Andyou’restillbasedinManhattan?”
“Igottheapartmentinthesettlement.Shegotthemansionupstate.”Thenheadded,“IfIsoundbitter,it’sbecauseIam.”
Shenoddedsympathetically.Itcouldn’thurttoplaythepitycard,eventhoughthetruthofthematterwas,themonstrosityhisexhadinsistedonbuyinghadneverfeltlikehometohim.Hespentthemajorityofhistimeinthecity,commutingupstateontheweekendstoseeher.However,overthepastyearhe’dbeenmakingthetriplessandless.Attimesonlyonceamonth.
Whenhe’dlearnedofherinfidelity,he’dbeenmorerelievedthanangry.Finallyhehadanout.
That,however,hadn’tstoppedherfromtryingtobleedhimdry.
Hetookasipofhisdrinkandsetitonthetablebesidehim.“So,ItakeitfromyourreactioninPhillip’sofficethatyouhadnoideaIwascomingtovisit.”
“No,Ididn’t.”
“Irememberhowmuchyouhatedbeingleftoutoftheloop.Youusedtosaythatyoufeltlikewindowdressing.”
“I’msurprisedyourememberthat.”
Heleanedforwardslightly.“Irememberlotsofthings,Princess.”
Hecouldseeherworkingthatonethrough,butbeforeshehadtheopportunitytoreply,herbutlerappearedintheopendoorway.“TheKingtoseeyou,Miss.”
AlexandSophiebothrosefromtheirseatsasPhillipsteppedintotheroom.WhenPhillipsawhimthere,hesmiled.“Thereyouare,Alex.”
“I’msorry,”Alexsaid.“Ididn’trealizeyouwerelookingforme.”
“Nothingurgent,”Phillipassuredhim.“Ijustwantedtobesurethatyouwereallsettledin.”
“Iam.IhaveeverythingIcouldpossiblyneed.”
“Alexthoughtitwouldbeagoodideaforustogetacquainted,”Sophiesaid,withnohintofthenatureofherandAlex’struerelationship.Or,ex-relationship.
“I’mactuallyherebecauseIneedtohaveawordwithmysister,”Phillipsaid.“Ifyou’llexcuseusforamoment,Alex.”
“Ofcourse.Ishouldgetbacktothepalaceanyway.Ihaveafewphonecallstomakebeforedinner.Itwasnicetalkingtoyou,Sophie.”
“You,too,”shesaid,withoneofthosesmilesthatwasalittletooindifferenttobegenuine.Wasthatforhisbenefitorherbrother’s?
Sheturnedtoherbutler.“Pleaseshowourguestout.”
“IguessI’llseeyouatdinner,”Alexsaid,noddingtobothSophieandPhillip,thenhefollowedthebutlertothedoor.
Why,hewondered,wouldPhillipcomeallthewaytoherresidenceinsteadofjustpickingupthephone?
Hehadthedistinctfeelinghewouldeventuallyfindout.
ThreeAlex’scellphonerangashewaswalkingbacktothepalace.Hecheckedthedisplayandsawthatitwashisattorney,JonahLivingston,whoalsohappenedtobehisbestfriend.Overtheyearsthathadprovedtobebothagoodandabadthing.Therewasn’tmuchabouthislife
Jonahdidn’tknow.Andhe’dbeenknowntogiveAlexhellwhenhethoughthewasactinginamannercontrarytohisbestinterests.Professionalandpersonal.Andhewasusuallyright.LikethedayofAlex’swedding,whenJonahimploredhimtotakeastepbackandthinkaboutwhathewasdoing.HetriedtoconvinceAlexthatmarryingsomeonehedidn’tlovewasfarworsethannotgettingmarriedatall.AndeventuallyAlex’sfatherwouldgivehimhisjobbackandwritehimbackintothewill.
NowAlexwishedhehadlistened.
Healmostdreadedansweringthecall.WhenheleftforMorganIsle,everythingpertainingtothedivorcehadbeensettled,orsotheybelieved,buthisexhadn’tactuallysignedonthedottedlineyet.Itwouldn’tbethefirsttimeshe’dagreedtotheterms,thenchangedhermindatthelastminuteandlashedoutwithmoredemands.
Theyhadbeengoingbackandforthwiththisformorethanayearnow.Along,tediousyearhewouldhavemuchratherspentforgettinghewasevermarriedandstartingwithacleanslate.Hejustwantedittobeover.Andnowheneededtoknowifitwas.
Justbeforethecallwenttovoicemailheflippedopenthephone.“Thisbetterbegoodnews.”
Jonahchuckled.“Hello,toyou,too.Itrustyou’rehavingagoodtime.”
“I’dbehavingabettertimeifyouhadsomegoodnews.Didyouhearfromthedivorceattorney?”
“Ijustgotoffthephonewithher.”
“And?”
“Youwanttoknowwhatshesaid?”
Heclosedhiseyesandsighedheavily.“Thisissonotthetimetomesswithme,Jonah.”
Jonahlaughed.“Youcanrelax,buddy.Thistimeit’sdefinitelygoodnews.”
“Shesigned?”
“Inherlawyer’sofficeyesterday,withplentyofwitnessestomakeitbinding.Asofthismorningthepapersareofficiallysignedandfiledandyou,myfriend,areafreeman.”
Heshouldhavefeltsomelevelofregretorevensadness,butallhecouldmanagetofeelwasrelieved.“Thatisverygoodnews.”
“She’sgoingbytheapartmenttomorrowtopickuptherestofherthings.”
“Andyou’llbethere?”
“Meandthreeofmyassociates,justtobesafe.Wewon’ttakeoureyesoffherforasecond.Shewon’ttakeanythingthatsheisn’tsupposedto.Andifshetries,Iwon’thesitatetogetthepoliceinvolved.”
HewasjustgladJonahwashandlingthis,sohedidn’thaveto.Ifheneversawheragain,thatwouldbefinewithhim.Infact,hepreferreditthatway.“Youthinkitwillcometothat?”
“Shemaybemanipulativeandgreedy,butshe’snotstupid.Andhonestly,Ithinkshe’sasreadyforthistobeoverasyouare.”
“GuessIshouldhavelistenedallthoseyearsagowhenyouwarnedmenottomarryher.”
“Yeah,butwhendoyoueverlistentome?Whichremindsme,howarethingsgoingwithyourprincess?”
“She’snotmyprincess,”hesaid,thenaddedwithagrin,“Notyetanyway.”
“Ihopeyouknowwhatyou’redoing.”
“Don’tIalways?”
Helaughed.“Honestly,no.That’swhyyouhaveme.Tokeepyououtoftrouble.”
“Well,thistimeI’mintotalcontrol.”
“LikeIhaven’theardthatbefore.”
“Don’tworry,”hetoldJonah.“Thistimeit’sdifferent.IknowexactlywhatI’mdoing.”
“Sophie,thisbehavioriscompletelyinappropriate,”PhillipsaidafterAlexleftandtheywerealone.
Therehewentwiththesternlookagain.Sophiehadtomakeaneffortnottorollhereyes.Wouldheneverlearn?“Whatisitthatyoufindinappropriate,Phillip?”
“Don’tplaydumb.”
“Let’spretendforasecondthatIamdumb.Because,frankly,Ihavenocluewhyyou’reinsuchasnit.”
“Yourbeingaloneinyourresidencewithmyguest.”
“Youcan’tbeserious.”Whereinbloodyhelldidhegetofftellingherwhoshecouldandcouldn’tinviteintoherhome?Shewassicktodeathofeveryonethinkingtheyhadtherighttotellherhowtoliveherownlife.“Areyouforgettingthatyou’retheonewhostuckmewithhimfortwoweeks?NottomentionthatwhoIchoosetoinviteintomyhouseisnoneofyourdamnedbusiness.”
“He’snotoneofyourdisposabledistractions.Thisisbusiness,Sophie.Ifyouexpecttobetreatedlikeanequal,youhavetoactthepart.”
Shecouldn’tdenythathiswordsstung.Wasn’titjustlikeherbrothertoassumetheworst.“Hewasatmyhome,soyoujustassumeI’msleepingwithhim?Hewashere,what,tenminutes?Icertainlydon’twasteanytime,doI?”
“I’mjustmakingsureyouunderstandmyfeelingsonthis.”
Ifshedidn’tknowanybetter,shewouldthinkthatPhillipknewabouthercomplicatedpastwithAlex.Butifhedid,hesurelywouldhavesaidsomethingaboutityearsago.He’dneverheldbackbeforewhenhedisapprovedofherconduct.
Andshewastiredoffeelingasthoughshewaslivingherlifeunderamicroscope.
ShehadhalfamindtosleepwithAlexjusttospitehim.Butwhatwouldthatproveotherthanthefactthathewasrightabouther?
Shewalkedtowardthedoor.“Ihavetodressfordinnernow.”
Herwayofsaying,“Getthehellout,”withoutactuallysayingit.Andwonderofallwonders,heactuallyacquiesced.Hewalkedtothedoor,thenstoppedandturnedbacktoher.“YouknowthatIonlydothingsthatIfeelareinyourbestinterest.”
“Iknowthat,Phillip.”
Andthatwastheproblem.Everyonethinkingtheyknewwhatwasbetterforherthanshedid.
Thankfully,AlexwasseatedattheoppositeendofthetablefromSophieduringdinner.Andalthoughtheentirefamilywasthere—Phillipandhiswife,QueenHannah,EthanandLizzy,whowaslookingdecidedlygreen,andtheircousinCharles,thefamilyattorney—thetoneofconversationwasmorebusinessthanpersonal.TheytalkedmainlyofthehotelandtheplansforthenewfitnesscenterAlex’sfirmwouldbedesigning,andwhenthepurchaseofthepropertywouldbefinal.
“It’sasgoodasours,”Charlesassuredthem.“OldmanHoughtonhasnochoicebuttosell.Consideringthefinancialruinhe’sfacing,whatwe’reofferingisagift.Hewouldbeafoolnottotakeit.”
“Theexistingbuildingwillhavetocomedownimmediately,”Phillipsaid.
“Demolitionhasalreadybeenscheduled,”Ethantoldhim.
“Butit’ssuchabeautifuloldbuilding,”Hannahsaidwistfully.“Isn’tthereawaytosalvageit?”
“Althoughitmaybeaestheticallypleasing,”Alexexplained.“Thebuildingissooldandstructurallyunsoundthatitwouldbemorecost-effectivetotearitdownandputanewbuildinginitsplace.”
“Whataboutalloftheemployeeswhowillbeoutofworkwhenitshutsdown?”Lizzyasked,thoughitwasobvious,despiteherattemptstojointheconversation,thatshefeltawful.SheonlypickedatherfoodandoftenreachedovertoclutchEthan’shandforsupport.
“We’llhireasmanyaswecan,”Ethansaid.“AdealisalreadyintheworkstohaveHoughton’sdaughter,Victoria,broughtinasamanager.It’stheonethinghe’sinsistedon.”
“Butisshetrustworthy?”Charlesasked,becauseprotectingthefamilywashisdulyappointedtask.“Despitethegenerousnatureofouroffer,Houghtonhasn’tbeenshyabouthisnegativefeelingstowardthefamily.Whatifhewantshisdaughterinvolvedsoshecanmaketrouble?”
“Wethoughtofthat,”Ethansaid.“Untilweknowwecantrusther,we’regoingtohaveherworkinyouroffice,soyoucankeepaneyeonher.Onceit’sdeterminedthatherloyaltiesliewithus,she’llbetransferredtothehotel.Youcanfindaspotforher,can’tyou?”
Charlesnodded.“Noproblem.”
Asthedessertplateswerebeingcleared,Lizzy,nowaspaleasaghost,excusedherselftogoliedownandEthanleftwithhertobebothmoraland,apparently,physicalsupport.
Hannahwatchedwithconcern,andwhentheyweregone,saidtoPhillip,“She’snotlookingwell.Iwassickinmyfirstfewmonths,butneverthatbad.”
“I’mconcerned,too,”Phillipadmitted.“ButaccordingtoEthan,thereisn’tanythingthedoctorcandoforher.Shejusthastorideitout.ItoldEthantheydidn’thavetobeherefordinner,buthesaidLizzyinsisted.”HeglancedovertoSophie.“She’sstrong-willed.”
Sheflashedhimawrysmile.“Tosurviveinthisfamilyyouhavetobe.”
Hannahshotthembothalookthatseemedtosay,behave,youtwo,thensaid,“Ifyou’llallexcuseme,IhavetogocheckonFredrick.”
Asshestood,sodidthemenatthetable.
“I’llgowithyou,”Phillipsaid.
Charleslookedathiswatch.“Ishouldpushoff,aswell.Hotdatetonight.”
Sophierolledhereyes.“Isthereeveranightwhenyoudon’thaveahotdate?”
Charlesjustgrinned.
“Sophie,”Phillipsaid,“whydon’tyoutakeAlexonawalkthroughthegardens?”
“Oh,yes!”Hannahagreed.“It’slovelyatsunset.”
EitheritwasashowoffaithonPhillip’spartorhewassendingsomeinsanelymixedmessages.Butitwasn’tasthoughshehadanythingbettertodo.
EthanhadLizzytocarefor,PhillipandHannahwereofftospendtimewiththeirinfantsonandCharleswasgoingonadate.Sophiecouldn’thelpfeelingshe’djustbeenhandedtheboobyprize.
Butbecauseshewasthegoodwillambassador,andGodknowsshehadplayedthisgameamilliontimesbefore,sheturnedtoAlexandsmiled.“Wouldyoucaretotakeawalkinthegardens,Alex?”
Hereturnedthesmile,andshecouldswearshesawthesparkofatwinkleinhiseye.“Iwouldloveto,YourHighness.”
Theyallwenttheirseparateways,andSophieledAlexoutside,withtheundeniablesneakingsuspicionthatthiswassomesortoftest.ThatPhillipwouldbewatching.ShewonderedwhathewoulddoifhesawherplantawetoneonAlexrightthereamidtheroseandhydrangeabushes.
Thelightwasjustbeginningtofadeandthesunsatlikeashimmeringorangeglobejustabovethetreelineinthecloudlesseveningsky.Theheatofthedayhadbeguntofadeandacoolbreezeblewfromthenorth,rustlingtheleavesandspreadingthefaintaromaofmoss.SophieledAlexdowntheflagstonepaththatwounditswaycarelesslythroughalongstretchofflowergardensthathadbecometheprideoftheroyalfamily.Everyyearitgrewandexpandedasnewspeciesofplantsandflowerswereadded.Hybridsmostly,andmanythathadbeenbredbythepalacegardenerhimself.
Shepointedoutthedifferentvarieties,givingboththeircommonandscientificnames,butAlexseemeddistant.
“AmIboringyou?”shefinallyasked.
Hegrinned.“No,sorry.IguessI’mstillprocessingeverythingthatI’veseenthisevening.”
“Whatdoyoumean?”
“It’sbeensolong,I’dnearlyforgottenwhatitwasliketohaveafamilydinner.”
“Well,thetopicusuallydoesn’trevolvearoundbusiness.Typicallyit’severyonestickingtheirnosesintoeveryoneelse’sbusiness.Butinsortofagoodway,Iguess.”
“Evenso,itwasremarkably…cohesive.”
Shesupposedthatitwas.Theywereaclosefamily.Now,anyway.Theydidn’tusedtobe.TheonlyfamilydinnerssheandPhillipeversharedwiththeirparentswasduringholidaysorroyalfunctions.Theirmotherandfatherledveryseparatelives.Fromnotjusteachother,buttheirchildren,aswell.Childrearingintheiropinionwasbetterlefttothenannies.SophieoftenusedtofeelthatitwasherandPhillipagainsttheworld.
“Itakeityouandyourwifedidn’tsharedinner,”shesaid,realizingimmediatelythepersonalnatureofthequestion,butitwastoolatetotakeitback.Andshewasatleastalittlecuriousabouthislife.
Heshookhishead.“Notforalongtime.”
Helookedsosad,shecouldn’thelpbutfeelsorryforhim.Andshefoundherselfasking,“Doyouhavechildren?”
Heshookhishead.“Thatwasamajorsorespot.Shewantedthem,Ididn’t.”
Thatsurprisedher.Tenyearsagohehadseemedeagertostartafamily,butthen,sohadshe.Ifthefamilyshewouldhavebeenstartingwashis,thatis.Now,theredidn’tseemmuchpoint.Shecouldn’timaginefindingamanshecouldcareenoughabouttobearhischildren.Shenolongerhadtheenergytolook.Themenshepassedthetimewiththesedayswere,asPhilliphadpointedout,nothingmorethanatemporarydistraction.
“ButIwasn’tbeingentirelyhonest,”headmitted.“Iwantedkids.Justnotwithher.”
Sowhydidhemarryher?
“Iknowwhatyou’rethinking,”hesaid.“WhymarryawomanIdidn’twanttostartafamilywith?”
Whoa,thatwasweird.Andshecouldn’tstopherselffromasking,“Whydidyou?”
“Pressurefrommyfamily.IwasyoungandnaiveandthoughtthatintimeIwouldlearntoloveher.BythetimeIrealizedthatyouhavetolikesomeonebeforeyoucanlearntolovethem,itwastoolate.”
Thatwasthedifferencebetweenthem,shesupposed.Sheknewthatshewouldneverfallinlovewiththemanherparentshadchosenforher.Thatonlyhappenedinfairytales.Herparents’arrangedmarriagehadbeenriddledwithproblems,theleastofwhichwastheirfather’sseeminginabilitytokeephisflyzipped.Andbecauseofithermother,despiteallthemoneyandpower,hadbeenalonely,incomplete,miserablewoman.
AsfarasSophiewasconcerned,lifewastooshorttospenditwithaspouseshecouldonlybarelytolerate.Shewouldratherbealone.
“SoI’mguessingyoudidn’t,”shesaid.“Learntoloveher,Imean.”
“Itwouldhavebeentough,seeingashowIwasinlovewithsomeoneelse.”
Thatadmissionnearlyflooredher,becauseshesuspectedthesomeoneelsehewasreferringtowasher.Sheglancedupathimandcouldseefromthelookinhiseyes,thewaytheycutthroughher,thatshewas.Itwasbothdisturbingandalittleexcitingtoknowthatamanhadlovedhersomuchnootherwomancouldmakehimhappy.Italsomadeherfeelguilty,asthoughshehadruinedhislifesomehow.Whichwasridiculous.Shehadn’tforcedhimtomarryawomanhedidn’tlove.Justlikeher,he’dhadchoices.Anymistakeshe’dmadewerehisown.
Sowhywasn’tthatmuchofaconsolation?
“But,”hecontinued,“shedidn’tloveme,either.SoIguessyoucouldsaywewereeven.Shewasjustinitforthename.Andsocietyrank.Beyondthat,shehadfewrealambitions.”Hetuckedhishandsintothepocketsofhisslacks.“Whyisitthatyounevermarried?”
“IsupposeInevermetamanIwouldwanttomarry.”
Helaughedandshookhishead.
“Youfindthatamusing?”
“Infact,Ido.Youclaimedthatyouwantedtomarryme.OristhatyourM.O.?Seducemen,makethembelieveyouwanttomarrythem,thendumpthemwithnoexplanation.”Hesoundedmorecuriousthanangry,buttherewasanundeniableundercurrentoftensioninhisvoice.
“Itwasn’tlikethat,Alex.”
Helaughed,asharpandironicsound.“Itwasexactlylikethat.”
Sheshookherhead.“Whatdifferencedoesitmakenow?”
“Justtellmethismuch—didyoucareatall,orwereyoujustbored?”
“OfcourseIcared,”shesaidsoftly.Shehadbeenweak,unabletostandupforherself.Fortheirlove.It’snotsomethingshewasproudof,buttherewasnochangingthepast,andrehashingitallnowwasn’tgoingtosolveanything.“IdidwhatIhadto.”
Thatshouldhavebeentheendofit,butAlexwouldn’tletitdrop.“Sowhatthatmeansisyourparentsdisapproved,andyoudidn’thavethegutstofightforus.Ormaybeyoujustdidn’tcare.”
“Ididcare,butit’s…complicated.”
“I’mamarginallyintelligentman,Princess.Whydon’tyoutryexplainingittome?”
Nothinggoodwouldcomefromthis,butmaybeafterallthistimehedeservedthetruth.“Whenmyparentsfoundoutaboutourplanstoelope,theywereagainstit,ofcourse.ButItoldthemIlovedyou,andIwasgoingtomarryyou,andtherewasnothingtheycoulddotostopme.”
“Atwhichpointtheyforcedyoutobreakitoff?”
Sheshookherhead.“Theystarted…planning.”
Helookedconfused.“Planningwhat?”
“Ourlifetogether,Alex.”
“Areyousayingthattheyapproved?Thattheyweregoingtoletusgetmarried?”
Shebitherlipandnodded,andshecouldseehewasclearlyconfused.
“Idon’tunderstand.Iftheywereokaywithit,whydidyoustoptakingmycalls?Answeringmyletters?”
“Iwantedtoescape,Alex.Iwanted…freedom.Tolivemylifeandmakemyowndecisions.AndthereIwas,rightbackintheverysituationIwastryingtoavoid.Myparentscontrollingmyeverymove.”
Hedigestedthatforamoment,thensaidinaverycalmvoice,“Sowhatyou’resayingisyoudidn’treallyloveme.Youwerejustusingme.Youneededaticketout,andIwasconvenient.”
Sheshookherhead.“No,Ididn’tmeanittosoundlikethat.Ilovedyou.”
“AslongasIservedsomesortofpurpose,”hesaid.Shecouldseethathewasangry.Angryandhurt.
“No!LettinggoofyouwasthehardestthingI’veeverdone.ButIhadto.Youhadsomanydreams.Somanyplans.Youwouldhavehadtogivethemallup.Bylettingyougo,Iwasgivingyouachancetoliveyourlife.”
“Butthat’sadecisionIshouldhavemadeformyself.”
“Youwouldhavehadnoideawhatyouweregettingyourselfinto.Eventuallyyouwouldhavehatedmeforit,andIjustcouldn’tbearthethoughtofthat.”
“Andifyoucouldgobackanddoitover?”heasked.
HaditnotbeenforAlex,shewouldn’thaveknownhowtruelove,truepassionandyearningfelt.Shemayhaveevenmarriedthemanherparentshadchosenforherandspentherlifelonelyandmiserable.Simplybecausethatwasthewaythingsweredone.Inaway,Alexhadsavedherlife.
Hereachedup,brushedhisfingerssoftlyagainsthercheek.Thegesturewassosweetandtender,shewantedtocry.Andshewantedtokisshimagain.Shewantedtofeelhimholdher.ButPhillip’swordsaboutbusinessandwhatwasproperranlikeatickertapethroughherhead.
Sheturnedaway.“Please,Alex.Don’t.”
Astrongbreezewhippedthroughthegardens,chillinghertothebone.Sherubbedherarms,realizedhowlateitwasgetting.Thesunhaddippedbelowthetreesandtheoutdoorlightshadswitchedon.“It’sgettingdark.Weshouldgetbackinside.”
Heshookhishead,lookingso…disappointed.Butheletitdrop.
Shestartedinthedirectionofthedoor,butAlexjuststoodthere.“Aren’tyoucoming?”
“I’dliketowalkforalittlewhilelonger.I’llfindmywaybackinside.”
Shenodded.“I’llseeyouinthemorning.”
“Whattimedoesthetourbegin?”
“Whydon’twemeetinthefoyeratnine?Dresscasually.”
“Fine.I’llseeyouthen.”
AlexwatchedSophiewalkaway,untilshewasswallowedupintothenight,thenheturnedandwalkedintheoppositedirectiondownthepath.
Justwhenhethoughthecouldn’tresenthermore,sheprovedhimwrong.Hedidn’tbuyhersobstoryaboutbreakingitoffforhim.Sophiedidthingswithonlyonepersoninmind.Herself.
Whichmadehisrecentplanallthemoresatisfying.Thingsweregoingexactlyashe’dintended,andthoughhewasn’tonetogloat,hehadtoadmithe’dgivenanOscar-worthyperformance.Althoughithadn’tallbeenanact.
Whathe’dtoldherwastrue.Hehadn’tspenttimewithhisfamilyinages—notsincebeforethedivorce.Hismotherandsisterhadbeendisappointedthathehadn’tbeenwillingtotrytoworkthingsoutwithhiswife.GodonlyknowswhatCynthia,hisex,hadtoldthem.Andeveniftheyknewaboutheraffair,itmightnothavemadeadifference.Likemostwomen,theystucktogether.
Thatwasonethinghe’dlikedaboutSophie.she’dbeenautonomous.Sheclaimedthatmostwomenwereintimidatedbyhertitle,andthosewhoweren’tusuallyhadsomesortofagenda.
Butthesedayshehadissueswiththeentirefemalegender.AndhesupposedthatSophiewassimplyaconvenienttarget.
Shewasplayingrightintohishand,makingthisalmosttooeasy,andtomorrowtherealfunwouldbegin.Andheknewwithoutadoubtnowthatshedeservedeverythinghecoulddishout.
FourAlexwaswaitinginthefoyerforherthefollowingmorningatninesharp,justastheyhadagreed,andSophiefeltcaughtinatug-of-warbetweenanticipationanddisappointment.Somuchforhersilentprayerthathewouldbecalledawayonbusinessorsomepressingpersonalmatterintheweehoursofthenight.Itlookedasthough,fortodayatleast,shewasstuckwithhim.
Butheavens,hewasoneattractive-lookinginconvenience.Heworecasual,charcoalgrayslacksandablack,silkbutton-upshirtwiththesleevesrolledtotheelbows.Thetoptwobuttonswereunfastenedattheneckandshecouldseejustahintofhischest.Wasitstillsmoothandwell-defined?Wouldhisskinstillfeelwarmandsolidunderherpalms?
Shementallyshookawaythethought.Shedidn’twanttoknow.
“Didyousleepwell?”sheasked,justtobepolite.
“BestsleepI’vehadinmonths,”hesaid,andhedidinfactlookwell-restedandchipper.Sheontheotherhandhadsleptfitfully,andhopefullydidn’tlookhalfasgroggyandoutofsortsasshefelt.
“IseemtorecallthelastnightIspentinthatbed,Ibarelysleptatall,”hesaid,andthattwinklewasbackinhiseye.“Ofcourse,Ihadcompany.”
Sherecalledthat,aswell.Inpainfullycrispdetail.Thewayhetouchedher,thefeelofhishandsonher.Andwhentheyhadslept,theirnakedbodieslaycloselyentwined.Armsandlegstangledinalover’sembrace.Thememorymadeherheadfeellightandherskintingle.
Isthatthewayitwouldbe?Twoweeksofhimturningeverythingshesaidintoasexualinnuendo?Well,shewouldn’tgivehimthesatisfactionofareaction.
Shefixedaboredlookonherface.“Itwassolongago,IguessI’dforgotten.”
Hejustgrinned,asthoughhecouldseerightthroughherfacade.
“Areyoureadytogo?”sheasked.
Theweightofhisgazeburnedintoherskinlikeahotflame.“Iwasbornready,Princess.”
Bugger.Didhehavetokeepdoingthat?Toyingwithher?Atthisrate,itwasgoingtobeanexhaustingandtediousday.
Sheledhimthroughthepalacetothebackentrance,wherethecarwaited.Herbodyguardheldthedoorwhiletheygotin,thenslippedintothefrontseatwiththedriver.
“What’sontheschedulefortoday?”Alexaskedasthecarpulleddownthedriveway.
“FirstatouroftheRoyalInn.Somepartsofthehotelarestillunderconstruction,butthemajorityoftherenovationshavealreadybeencompleted.We’llhavelunchinthehotelrestaurant,thencontinueontoatouroftheareasurroundingthehotel.Thenwe’rebackatthepalacefordinner.”
“Andtomorrow?”
“Atourofthenaturalhistorymuseumandthesciencecenter,thenifthere’stime,adriveupthecoast.”
“Idon’tsupposeyouscheduledanytimetojustkickbackandrelaxinthenextfourteendays.”
“YouandPhillipteeoffat7:00a.m.Wednesdaymorning,andThursday,Phillipplanstotakeyoutothehuntingcabinontheothersideoftheislandfortargetpractice.Saturday,you’llspendthedaywithPhillipandHannahontheyacht.”
“Andmynights?”heasked,asparkofsomethingwarmandferalgleaminginhiseyes.
Oh,please.Couldhebeanylesssubtle?
Shesparedhimapolitesmile.“Oh,I’msureyou’llfigureoutawaytoamuseyourself.”
Ratherthanbeinsulted,helaughed.“Phillipmentionedsomethingaboutablack-tiecharityevent.”
“ThatwouldbeFridaynight.”
“You’llbethere,too?”
“Ofcourse.”
“Thenplantosaveadanceforme.”
Shenoddedpolitely,thinking,whenhellfrozeover.
Heleanedbackandfoldedonelegovertheother.“So,Princess,whatisitthatyounormallydo?”
“Whatdoyoumean?”
“Imean,ifyouweren’therewithme,wherewouldyoube?”
Sheshrugged.“ThisiswhatIdo.I’magoodwillambassador.”
“So,youcartpeoplearoundtheisland?”
“Amongotherthings.Ialsoattendandhostcharityfunctions,plananypartiesordinners.Basically,anyandallpublicrelations.”
Henoddedslowly.“Sounds…exciting.”
Shedidn’tmisstheless-than-subtlesarcasm.Whowashetopassjudgmentonher?Hewasmakingitverydifficultforhertobediplomatic.Andshecouldn’thelpbutsuspectthatwasexactlyhisintention.
Andsherefusedtogivehimthesatisfaction.“Youdisapprove?”sheasked.Casually,asthoughitdidn’tmattereitherway.
“IguessIjustimaginedyoudoingsomething…bigger.Tenyearsago,youhadvastaspirations.”
Normallyshewouldbethefirsttoadmitherdutiesleftmuchtobedesired,buttoAlexshefoundherselfdefendingherposition.Hercomposureslipping.“WhatIdoisbothimportantandnecessary.Andit’snotnearlyassmallasyouliketobelieve.”
Ratherthanlookoffended,hegrinned.“Iknowthat,Sophie.Ijustwonderedifyoudid.”
What?
Forthefirsttimesince…well…ever,someonehadstunnedherintototalsilence.
Butitdidn’ttakeherlongtorecover.
“Whatthehellwasthatfor?”sheasked,thenimmediatelyregrettedhersharptone.Whatwaswrongwithher?Itwasn’tatalllikehertoletamanunderherskinthisway.
Ofcourse,noman,orwoman,forthatmatter,daredtospeaktohersofrankly.Inanoddsense,itwasalmost…refreshing.Areliefeventobeinthepresenceofsomeoneoutsidethefamilywhodidn’tcatertohereverywhim.
“Igetthedistinctimpressionthatyoudon’tknowhowimportantyouare,”Alexsaid.“DoyouknowthatPhilliphasmorethanoncereferredtoyouasthegluethatholdsthefamilytogether.”
Andhereshe’dbeenundertheimpressionPhillipconsideredheranuisance.Butwhatsurprisedhermostwasn’tthatPhilliphadthosefeelings,butthathe’dactuallyvoicedthem.
“Well,”shesaid,“hecertainlyhasaninterestingwayofshowingit.”
“Brothersusuallydo.Particularlyolderbrothers.Justaskmybabysister.Morethanonceshe’saccusedmeofstickingmynoseinwhereitdoesn’tbelong.Butwedoitoutoflove.Honestly.”
Shefoundherselfsmiling,andimmediatelywipedtheexpressionfromherface.Thiswasallwrong.Hewasbreakingdownherdefenses,gettingunderherskin.Insideherhead.
Sheturnedfromhimandgazedoutthewindow,atthepassinglandscape.Theywereleavingtheruralsettingandenteringtheoutskirtsofthecity.
“Somethingwrong?”heasked.
“No,Ijust…Idon’twanttotalkaboutthis.Itisn’tproper.”
“Okay.Whatdoyouwanttotalkabout?”
Nothing.Shejustwantedtositquietlyandbrood.Butthosewouldnotbetheactionsofagoodhostess.Shewassupposedtobecomposedandpolite,andattimesevencheerfuldependingontheguest.Shewaslikeachameleon,becomingwhoeverthesituationrequired.ButwithAlexshewasn’tsurewhoshewassupposedtobe.
Thankheavenstheyonlyhadanotherfewminutesbeforetheyreachedthehotel.Alreadyshecouldseesnippetsofdeepblueoceanbetweenthebuildingsdottingtheshoreline.LocatedintheIrishSea,betweenEngland,Scotland,IrelandandWales,theirislandwasasmallone,butthatwasitscharm.Twohundredandtwenty-sevensquaremilesofpurebliss.
“I’dforgottenhowbeautifulthebayis,”Alexsaid,gazingoutthewindow.“Atrueparadise.”
Finally,atopicofconversationthatdidn’trevolvearoundherpersonallife.Howrefreshing.“Weliketothinkso,”shesaid.
“It’sbeenbuiltupquiteabitsinceIwaslasthere,hasn’tit?”
“Thebayareahas,butmorethanfortypercentoftheislandisdevotedtonationalparksandnatureconservation.”
“Philliptoldmethattourismhasnearlydoubledinthepastfewyears.”
“Ithas.”Anditwasnocoincidencethechangesbegantohappenaftertheirfatherdied,andPhilliphadtakenover,althoughunofficiallyatfirstbecausetheirmotherwasstillthereigningqueen.Butunbeknownsttoeveryone,includingherchildren,shehadbeenhidingthefactthatshewasill.
AsabrotherPhillipmayhavebeenacompletepaininthebehind,buthewasonehellofafineleader.Anditoccurredtoherthatshe’dnevertoldhimthat.Orhowproudshewasofhim.
“Oureconomyisthrivingandpropertyvaluesareatanall-timehigh,”shesaid.
“Andthecostofliving?”
“Higheronthecoast,ofcourse,butfairlyreasonableinland.”
“Decenttaxincentivesforlocalbusinessowners?”
“Ofcourse.Whydoyouask?”
Heshrugged.“Justcurious.”
Hewasn’tactuallythinkingofrelocatingthere,washe?Hedidmentionsomethingabouttakinghiscompanyinternational.Butwouldhegosofarastoopenanofficehere?Andwouldthatmeanshewouldbeseeingalotmoreofhim?
Shehonestlywasn’tsurehowshefeltaboutthat.Itshouldn’thavematteredatall.Hewasnothingtohernow.Atleast,that’swhatshewantedtobelieve.Andtherewasnopointmakingassumptions.
“Thereitis,”shetoldhimgesturingoutthewindowonhersideasthehotelcameintoview,toweringlikeagrandsentineloverthesurroundingbuildings.
Heleanedovertoseeoutherwindow,hisbodysoclosetohersshecouldfeelheatemanatingfromhim,smellthesubtleyetfamiliarscentofhisaftershave.Andittookallofherrestraintnottotenseandshiftaway.Andevenmorewillpowernottoreachoutandtouchhim.Pressherhandtohissmoothjawline.Buryhernoseinthecrookofhisneckandbreathehimin,thewaysheusedto.
Insteadshesatstock-still,hopinghecouldn’tfeelthetensionrollingoffherlikeaturbulentocean.
“I’veseenphotos,”hesaid.“Buttheyreallydon’tdoitjustice,dothey?”
“Youcan’ttrulyappreciateituntilyouseeitwithyourowneyes.”Thecarpulledintothedrivewayatthehotel,andSophiewatchedAlex’sface.Thiswasherfavoritepartofthetour.Watchingtheexpressionsofgueststhefirsttimetheylaideyesonthestructureandthescenicview.Setonthecoast,merestepsfromapristinestretchofprivatebeach,itwasindeedlikeparadise.AndshecouldseethatAlexwasgenuinelyimpressed.
Hefinallysatback,andshefeltasthoughshecouldbreatheforthefirsttimeinminutes.
“Thearchitectureisclassic,butwiththeperfectbalanceofmodernelements,”hesaid.“I’menvious.IwishIhaddesignedit.”
“Wewerefortunatetofindsuchabeautifulpreexistingbuildingintheideallocation.Althoughrenovationsonthedecorwereextensive.”Sheleanedforwardandtoldherdriver,“Takeustotheserviceentranceintheback.”SheturnedtoAlex.“FromthereyoucanseetheHoughton,andthelandforthefitnesscenterandspa.”
Thecarpulledaroundthebackandparkedjustoutsidetheservicedoor.Astheyclimbedout,AlexslippedonapairofOakleysunglassesandfollowedheracrossthelottothecrumblingstonewalldelineatingtheirpropertyfromtheHoughtons’.Hemovedwiththegraceandconfidenceofamanwhoknewexactlyhowgoodhelookedandembracedit,withoutthevibeofarroganceshefoundcommoninmensophysicallyappealing.
Heseemedverycomfortableinhisownskin.Buthealwayshad.
“Asyoucansee,wehavealottoworkwithasfaraslocation,”shesaid.“Thiswasoneofthefirstresorthotelstobebuilthere.TheHoughtonshaveownedthislandforgenerations.Theirancestorscanbetracedbackalmostasfarastheroyalfamily.”
Henodded,surveyingtheland,andshecouldpracticallyseehismindworking.Hetookoffhissunglasses,shadinghiseyesfromthesunwithonehandashegazedupatthestructurethatwouldsoonbebulldozedtotheground.“Itisabeautifulbuilding.Inthepastfewyears,morethanhalfofmybusinessinvolvesrestoration,andiftheHoughtonshadtakenbettercareofit,thestructuremighthavebeensalvageable.Butinitspresentcondition…”Heshookhishead,alookofgenuineregretonhisface.“It’sjustnotacost-effectiveoption.”
“Formanyyearsnowlocalbusinesseswithqualifyinghistoricalbuildingsinthebayareahavebeenofferedgrantstoparticipateinarejuvenationproject.UnfortunatelytheHoughtonsneverapplied.”
“Iguessyoucan’thelppeoplewhodon’twanttobehelped.”Heslippedhissunglassesbackonandturnedtoher.“Whydon’tweheadinsidetheRoyalInn.”
“Ofcourse.”Theywalkedtothebackserviceentrancethatledtothemainkitchen.Althoughbreakfastwasover,andlunchstillafewhoursaway,itwasbustlingwithactivityandteemingwithdeliciousscents.
“Nice,”Alexsaid.“Verymodern.”
“Onlythebest.”
“Philliptellsmeyou’reresponsibleforthekitchenrenovations.”
“Partially,yes.”
“Healsosaidthatyou’reanaccomplishedchef.”
Didhealsomentionthathedisapproved?Shewouldn’tbeatallsurprised.“It’smyonetruepassion.IstudiedinFrance.”
“Irememberthatyouusedtobeverypassionate,”hesaid,withthatsizzlinggrin.Whywashesointentontryingtoknockheroffbase?“ThatmusthavebeenafterImetyou.Culinaryschool,Imean.”
Shenodded.Althoughnotlongafter.Onemorethingshecouldthankhimfor,inaroundaboutway.
“Ineverwouldhaveimaginedthatyourparentswouldjustletyouleave.”
Normallytheywouldn’thave.Butforthefirsttimeinherlife,she’dhadleverage.“Let’sjustsaywebarteredadeal.”
“Thatmusthavebeensomedeal.”
Forallthegooditdidher.Aftershecamehome,itwasbacktoherroyalduties.Sheshouldhaveknownherparentswouldneverletherhaveanactualcareer.AndleaveittoPhillip,despitehisanimositytowardtheirparents,toclingtothesamearchaicideas.
“It’salwaysbeenmydreamtoownarestaurantandrunthekitchen.”Shelookedaround,attheinteriorthatwasalmostsolelyherdesign,theappliancesshehadordered.Themenusheherselfhadsupplied.
Shemaynevergettheopportunitytouseit,butthiswasherkitchen.“IguessthisistheclosestI’lleverget.”
Someonedroppedapaninthekitchen,andattheloudclangthatvibratedthroughtheroom,herbodyguardwasinstantlyatherside.Shewavedhimaway,andheimmediatelybackedoff.
Alexlookedasapprehensiveashewasimpressed.“Howmanybodyguardsnormallyescortyou?”
“Dependingontheoccasion,membersoftheroyalfamilyneverleavethepalacewithoutatleastonearmedescort.ExceptEthan,buthe’stheonlyexception.”Shenoddedtowardthebodyguardwhonowtrailedthembyawatchfultenpaces.“AndMauriceisoneofourmostlethal.Isn’tthatright,Maurice?”
Mauricecrackedjustthehintofadangerous-lookinggrin.
“Youdon’tfinditunnervingtohavesomeoneconstantlyfollowingyou?”Alexasked.
“I’msousedtoit,Ibarelynoticehimthere.Andit’sanecessity.”
“Havetherebeenthreatsagainstyou?”
Shewassurprisedtoseealookofgenuineconcernonhisface.Didhehonestlystillcareaboutherafteralltheseyears?
“Notmepersonally,”sheassuredhim.“OrPhillip.Butyoucanneverbetoocareful.Therewasanattemptedassassinationonourfather’sfathermanyyearsago.Andourfather,King
Frederick,hadhisshareofdisgruntledcitizens.Hewasaveryarrogantand,I’msorrytosay,self-servingleader.”
Sadly,herfather’smethodsandidealshadturnedSophieagainsttheentireideaofamonarchy.OnlysincePhilliphadtakenoverhadherfeelingsbeguntochange,andithadbeenagradualtransformation.
“Let’smoveon,”shesaid,gesturingtothekitchendoor.
Theywalkedthroughtheservicehallwayoutintothemainwing,andwhileherappearancesinpublicoftencausedsomethingofaspectacle,astheytouredthelobbywithit’selegantdecorandgrandwaterdisplay,shenoticedthatmanyeyeswereinsteadfocusedonAlex.Andwhywouldn’ttheybe?Hewasthetypeofmanthatothermenviewedwithenvyandwomeneyedwithappreciation.Shewasn’tthejealoustype,butunderdifferentcircumstances…
Circumstancesthatwouldneverhappeninamillionyears,sheremindedherself.
FiveAfterawalkthroughoftheguestroomsandfacilities,andlunchatLesRégalsduRois,thehotel’snewlyacclaimedFrenchrestaurant,AlexwasthoroughlyimpressedbytheRoyalInn.Itwasbothelegantandelite,buttailoredtothecommontraveler,aswellastheprivileged,businesspeopleandvacationersalike.
Intermsofsize,thisprojectwasn’twhathewouldconsidersignificant;butintermsofnotoriety,he’dhitpaydirt.
“So,whatdoyouthinkofourhotel?”Sophieasked,whentheywereinthecarandontheirwaybacktothepalace.
“Ithinktheroyalfamilyhasonehellofasoundinvestment.”
Sheactuallysmiled.Andherehe’dbeenwonderingifshe’dforgottenhow.Anditwasevidentthatshewasquiteproudofwhattheroyalfamilyhadaccomplished.
“I’mnohotelexpert,butthereisonethingIwouldconsider,”hesaid.
“Yes,please.”Shesatforward,lookinggenuinelyinterested.“YouprobablyknowfarmorethanIdo.”
Herreactionmadehimsmile.Thewomeninhislife,especiallylately,seemedtothinktheykneweverything,itwasrefreshingtomeetonewhowasn’tafraidtoadmitherweaknesses.
“Inresearchingthebayarea,Inoticedthattherearenohotelsequippedtohandleaconferenceofanysignificantsize.Youmaywanttolookintoexpandingyourfacilities.”
“Andyouthinkthatwouldbringmorebusiness?”
“It’sanuntappedmarket,soIthinkitwouldbeworthlookinginto.”
“I’llmentionittoPhillipandEthan.”
Finally,he’dsaidsomethingthathadn’telicitedafrownoradisapprovinglook.Butwhenitcametobusiness,hedidn’tmessaround.Butnowmaybeitwastimetoshakethingsupabit.
“So,whatarewedoingnext?”heasked.“Arideupthecoast?”
“Thatwillhavetowait.Phillipsetasidetimethisafternoonsoyouandhecancatchup.”
Althoughhelookedforwardtospendingtimewithhisfriend,Alexcouldn’tdenyfeelingalittledisappointed.He’dmadeprogresswithSophietoday,managedtochipawayatherresolve.Shewasn’tsotensearoundhim.Soquicktodistrust.Atthisrate,inafewdayshewouldhaveherrightwherehewantedher.
Buttherewasnorush,heremindedhimself.Hehadtwoweeks.Plentyoftimetogetwhathewanted.Andhonestly,thisvacationwasexactlywhatheneeded.Hecouldn’trecallthelasttimehe’dfeltsorelaxed,amorningwhenhewokenotdreadingtheday.
“Thanksfortakingthetimetoshuttlemearound,”hetoldSophie.
Sheshrugged.“It’swhatIdo.”
“Andyoudoitwell,YourHighness.”
Herbrowfurrowedandshestudiedhimforseveralseconds,thensheshookherhead.
“What?”heasked.
“Nothing.”
“It’sobviouslynotnothing,”hesaid,playingdumb.“Whydidyoulookatmelikethat?”
“Justdropit.”
“Youneedtolearnhowtotakeacompliment,Princess.”
Herjawtensedalmostimperceptiblyandtherewasanedgetohertone.“Maybeyoushouldwordyourcomplimentssothey’renotso…”
“Sowhat?”
“Suggestive.”
Helaughed.“Tellingyouthatyou’regoodatyourjob?Howisthatsuggestive?”
Hecouldseeherstrugglingwithhercomposure.Shewantedtoexplode,butheknewshewouldn’tgivehimthesatisfaction.Whatshedidn’trealizeisthathefeltmoresatisfactionwatchingherstrugglethanifshe’dblownupinhisface.
“Okay,”headmitted.“Maybeitwasalittlesuggestive,but,Princess,youareawfullyfuntotease.Itakeityoudon’tgetthatveryoften.”
“No,Idon’t”
Hegrinned.“Well,you’lljusthavetogetusedtoit,Iguess.”
Shemadeaquiethuffingnoise.“It’snotasifIhaveachoice.”
Shehadnoidea.“Youshouldn’ttakelifesoseriously,YourHighness.”
Herexpressiondarkened.“Youknownothingaboutme,Alex.”
Heknewshewasspoiledandarrogant.Andlet’snotforgetentitled.Andalthoughshewasobviouslyusedtogettingherway,shehadnoideawhoshewasupagainst.
Andhewashavingfartoomuchfunbreakingherspirit.
Itwasbarelythreeintheafternoon,butwhenSophiereturnedtoherresidence,shefeltasthoughshehadjustenduredoneofthelongestdaysofherlife.
Shedidn’tblameAlexforfeelingbitterabouttheirpast,butthemanwassendingsomanymixedsignalsthatshewasgettingwhiplash.
Thecardroppedheratherfrontdoor,andWilsonmetherinthevestibule.
“PrinceEthanrangwhileyouweregone,Miss.Heaskedthatyoucontacthimimmediatelyuponyourreturnhome.Hesaidit’surgent.”
Shesighedquietly.Thelastthingsheneededwasmoreunduedramainherday,butEthanwasn’tonetoexaggerate.Ifhesaiditwasimportant,itmostlikelywas.
“Thankyou,Wilson.I’llringhimrightnow.”
Usingthephoneinthestudy,shedialedhisnumberandheansweredonthefirstring.
“CouldIcomebyandspeakwithyou?”heasked,andhedidindeedsoundrattled.Whichwasn’tatalllikehim.
HerfirstthoughtwasthatLizzyhadtakenaturnfortheworse.
“Ofcourse.Issomethingwrong?”
“Notexactly.I’matthepalace,soI’llbethereinafewminutes.”
Shebarelyhadtimetousethepowderroomandfreshenhermakeupbeforesheheardthethroatygrowlofhisengineoutfront,thenthesoundofthebellannouncinghispresence.
RatherthanwaitforWilson,sheopenedthedoorherself.“Thatwasquick.”
Hetaggedherwithaquickpeckonthecheekonhiswayin.Inhishandheclutchedamanilaenvelope.“Icoulduseadrink.”
AlthoughEthanwasoneofthemostlaid-backmenshe’deverknown,hewasvisiblyagitated.“Wellthen,let’sgotothestudy,”shesaid.
Hefollowedherthereandwatchedwhileshepouredhimtwofingersofherbestscotchstraightup,thenpouredherselfaglassofwhitewine.
Shehandedhimhisdrink.“What’ssourgentthatitcouldn’twait?”
Hetookalongswallow,thenasked,“DoesthenameRichardThornsbyringabell?”
“Ifyou’rereferringtotheRichardThornsbywhowasprimeministerofMorganIslewhenourfather’sreignbegan,thenyes,ofcourseIknowwhoheis.”Butthequestionwas,whydidEthanknow?Thornsbyhadbeendeadforyears.Andwhatdiditmatter?
“ThewayIunderstandit,heandourfatherdidn’texactlyseeeyetoeye,”Ethansaid.
“That’sputtingitmildly.Theyweremortalenemies.”
“Didheevertellyouwhy?”
“Iwouldneverdareask.Weweren’tevenpermittedtosomuchasutterhisnameinthepalace.Evenafterhisdeathhewasnevermentioned.Ijustassumeditwasbecausetheyhadvastdifferencesofopinion.”
“Ireadthatourfatherhadhimoustedfromhisposition,whichmoreorlessruinedhimpolitically.”
“KingFrederickwasruthless.Hehadnotoleranceforanyonewhodidn’tseethingshisway.”Shecouldn’thelpwonderingwherehewasgoingwiththis.“Whyareyousuddenlysointerestedinourfather’spoliticaldealings?”
“I’mgettingtothat.”Hetookanotherswallowofhisdrinkandsettheemptyglassdownonthetable.“Thornsbyandhiswifewerekilledacoupleofyearslater.”
“Yes.Acaraccident.”
“Buttherewasonesurvivorofthecrash.”
“That’sright.Theirten-year-olddaughter.IbelievehernameisMelissa.”
“Itis.MelissaAngelicaThornsby.Whenherparentsdied,shewassenttolivewithrelativesintheStates.”
“Ifyousayso.LikeItoldyou,theirnamesweren’tspokeninourhome.AndImean,never.”
“IthinkIknowwhy.Andithasnothingtodowithpoliticaldiversity.”
“I’mnotfollowingyou.”Andthecuriosityofwhatcouldpossiblybeintheenvelopewasgnawingawayatherpatience.
“Ithinktheirdifferencesweremore…personalinnature.”
Allthisambiguitywasgettingonhernerves.“Ethan,wouldyoupleasejustsaywhatyouhavetosay?”
“Ourfather’sreputationasawomanizerisnosecret,soitstandstoreasonthattherecouldbemoreofusoutthere.”
“Us?”
“Royalheirs.Illegitimateones,likeme.WithPhillip’spermissionI’vebeenlookingintoit.YesterdayIwasintheatticgoingthroughourfather’sthingsandIfoundthese.”Hefinallyhandedhertheenvelope.
Sheopeneditupanddumpedthecontentsoutonthetable.Itwasmostlymagazinearticlesandnewspaperclippings.Anditdidn’ttakelongtodeterminetheirtheme.TheywereallaboutThornsby’sdaughter,Melissa.“Idon’tgetit.”
“Thinkaboutit,Sophie.Whywouldourfathercollectabunchofarticlesaboutthedaughterofhismostdespisedrival?”
Hecouldn’tpossiblymeanwhatshethoughthemeant.“Ethan,that’sridiculous.”
HepickedoutoneofthearticlesthathadasnapshotofMelissa.“Lookather,Sophie.Thedarkhair,theshapeofherface.”
Shecouldn’tdenytherewerestrikingsimilarities.“Youhonestlythinkshe’soursister?”
“Ithinkit’sadefinitepossibility.”
IftheirfatherhadanaffairwiththePrimeMinister’swife,thatwouldcertainlyexplaintheirillwilltowardeachother.Andsadly,giventheirfather’sreputation,itwasnotonlyverypossible,butaltogetherlikely.
“Andifsheisfamily?”Sophieasked.
“Ifsheis,wemighthaveahugeproblem.”
“Well,yes,morescandalthattheroyalfamilyreallydoesn’tneed.”
“It’sworsethanthat.”
“Howmuchworse?”
“ShewasbornthesameyearasPhillip.Onemonthbeforehim.AndasI’msureyouwellknowthattheking’sfirstborn,maleorfemale,inheritsthecrown.”
Oh,yeah,thatwasprettybad.
Sophie’sheartfistedintoaknot.“Soifsheisoursister,thenshewouldbetherightfulleader.NotPhillip.”
“Itseemsthatway.”
Shecouldn’tevenimaginewhatthatwoulddotoPhillip,orwhatitwouldmeanfortheircountry.“DoesPhillipknow?”
Ethanshookhishead.“Iwantedtotalktoyoufirst,getyourtakeonthis.”
HerfirstinstinctwastoburnwhatproofEthanhadalreadygatheredandsweepthecharredremainsunderthenearestrug.ButwhatifitwastrueandMelissaThornsbyreallywastheirsister?HadSophiedeniedEthanasherbrother,shewouldhavelostoutonwhathadbecomeoneofherclosestanddearestrelationships.Howcouldtheydenyamemberoftheirfamily?
Buttherewassomuchatstake.
“So,dowetellPhillip?”Ethanasked.
“IthinkfornowweshouldkeepthisquietandnotsayanythingtoPhillipuntilwehavesomeproof.There’snoreasontoupsethimovernothing.”
“I’dliketotalkwithCharlesandaskhimtofindoutwhathecanabouther.”
“Ithinkthat’sagoodidea.Wecantrusthimtobediscreet.WeshouldalsohavehimlookintowhatcanbedoneifsheisanheiranddecidesshewantstoquestionPhillip’sreign.”
“IfPhillipfindsoutthatwewentbehindhisbackonthis,he’llbefurious.”
“Whenthetimecomes,I’lldealwithPhillip.Youjustworryaboutfindingoutifshe’sanheir.”
“Thiscouldbearealmess,Sophie.Especiallyifsheharborsanyillwillagainsttheroyalfamily.”
Whichwasentirelypossible.“We’llworryaboutthatwhenweknowabitmoreaboutwhosheis.Ifsheistherightfulheir,withanyluckshe’llhavenointerestinthecrown.”
Shewantedtobelievethat,butlately,itseemedasthoughnothingwaseverthatsimple.
Pleadingaheadache,which,afterherconversationwithEthanwasthewholeheartedtruth,Sophiewasspareddinnerthatnightwiththeir“guest.”UnfortunatelyshehadnochoicebuttospendtheentirenextdaywithAlex,touringthesciencecenterandnaturalhistorymuseum.Andeventhoughthiswasusuallyherfavoritepartofanytour,shehadsomanyotherthingsonhermindthatshewasdistracted.Shefoundherselfrushingthroughtheexhibits.Ortryingtoatleast.Alexseemedcontenttotakehistime.She’dseensnailsinthegardenmovefaster.
Andwhydidhehavetostandsocloseallthetime?Itseemedhewasalwaysrightthere.Touchingher.Notanykindofovertgroping.Evenhewasmoresubtlethanthat.Justabrushofhisarmorthebumpofhisshoulder.Didhehavenoconceptofpersonalspace?
Andifitwassoawful,whydidherskinbreakoutingoosebumpseverytimehemadecontact?Whydidsheshiverwithawareness?
AndGodhelpherdidhesmellgood.Thefamiliar,idealblendofhisaftershave,shampooandhisuniquescent.Everytimehewasclose,shehadtofighttheurgetoburyherfaceagainsthisneckandbreathehimin.Howcouldsheloathesomeoneso,yetlustafterhimlikeahormonallychallengedadolescent?
Alldayheseemedintentontestingherpatience,anditwasworking.Shefeltasifshewerebeingpulledintendifferentdirectionsatonce.
Bythetimetheyreachedthepalacegate,shewassoedgyandoutofsortsthatherlefteyehadbeguntotwitch.Sheaskedthedrivertopleasedropherathomefirst,andwhentheypulleduptoherresidence,shewassodesperatetobefreeofthecloyingconfinesofthebackseatthatshehadtositonherhandstokeepherselffromclawingthecardooropen,andinsteadwaitedforherbodyguard.
“Well,”shesaid,turningtoAlex.“Itwasapleasantday.I’llseeyouThursday.”
Shewasalmosthomefree,withonefootoutthedoor,whenAlexasked,“Aren’tyougoingtoinvitemeinforadrink?”
Sheclosedhereyesandsighedquietly.Don’tlethimseeyousquirm.
Themostdisturbingthingabouthisrequestisthatsheactuallywantedhimtocomein,whichwaspreciselywhyshecouldn’tallowit.
Sheturnedtohim.“Todayisn’tconvenient.”
Hestudiedherforamoment,thensmiledandsaid,“Oh,Igetit.”
Everyfiberofherbeingwasscreamingthathewasbaitingher.Despitethat,shecouldn’tstopherselffromsaying,“Yougetwhat?”
“IseethewayyoureactwhenI’maround.Thewayyoulookatme,thewayyoushudderwhenwetouch.”
Shudder?Shiveralittle,maybe,andnoteverytime.
Buttodenyitwouldonlygivehimexactlywhathewanted.Anargument.
Gatheringthelaststrandsofherpatience,shefixedaboredlookonherface.“Andyourpointis…?”
“Simple.Youwantme,andyoudon’ttrustyourselftobealonewithme.”
Hewasclever.Nomatterwhatshedidnow,invitehiminortellhimtogetlost,shewouldbegivingAlexwhathewanted.Areaction.Andwhetherheactuallybelievedthatorwasjustbaitingher,shehadtheuneasysuspicionthathemightberight.ShewasstillattractedtoAlexonadeep,viscerallevel.Ifhekissedheragain,againstherwillornot,shewasafraidthistimeshemightnotstophim.
Shesattherewithonefootstillinthecarandtheotheronthedriveway,unsureofwhattodo.
“Well,”heasked,lookingmoreamusedthanimpatient.
“There’snowinningthisone,isthere?”shesaid.“I’mdamnedifIdoanddamnedifIdon’t.”
“YouseemtobelievethatIhavesomeevilulteriormotives,YourHighness.ButhasitoccurredtoyouthatmaybeI’djustlikealittletimetogettoknowyou?Soyoucouldmaybegettoknowme?I’mnotabadguy.Honestly.”
Shecouldn’tdecidewhichwasworse.Menwithulteriormotivesshecouldhandle.Theywererefreshinglypredictableandeasytodeconstruct.Itwasthesincereonesshehadtroublewith.
Probablybecausetheyweresucharareanomaly.
“Wejustspenttwodaystogether,”sheremindedhim.“Howmuchtimedoyouneed?”
“MaybeI’dlikealittletimewithoutthebodyguardhangingonoureveryword.”
Thereliestheproblem,shemused.Sheneededherbodyguardaroundhangingontheireveryword.AndnotjusttoprotectherfromAlex.Thatwouldbetooeasy.
Sheneededsomeonetoprotectherfromherself.
SixForthefirsttimesincehe’darrived,AlexsawabriefbutveryrealflashofvulnerabilityinSophie’sface.Andhealmostfeltguiltyformanipulatingher.
Almost.
Hehadn’tgottenthisfarinlifebybeingsoft.Unfortunately,neitherhadshe.Whichiswhyhefiguredafewdrinkswouldprobablytaketheedgeoff.Loosenherupalittle.
Buthehadthedistinctfeelinghewasonestepawayfrompushingtoofar,sohetriedadifferentangle.Thepitycard.Whenallelsefailed,womencouldneverresistamanwhosharedhisfeelings.
“IhappentoknowforafactthatPhillipisawaytoday,”hetoldher.“Andthetruthis,Idon’tfeellikespendingtherestoftheafternoonalone.”
Hecouldseethearrowhititsmark.Hereyeswarmedandthehardedgesofherexpressionsoftenedalmostimperceptibly.
Sheconsideredthatforamoment,thensighedquietly,andheknewhehadher.
“Ihadplannedtotakeawalkonthegrounds,”shefinallysaid.“Youcouldjoinme,Isuppose.ButthenafterwardIreallyhavethingstodo.”
Heshouldhaveknownshewouldsuggestacompromise.Thatwayshewasgivinginwithoutactuallyrelinquishingcontrol.
Shewasgood,nodoubtaboutit.Buthewasbetter.
Hegrinnedandsaid,“You’vegotyourselfadeal,Princess.”
Shegotoutofthecarandheclimbedoutbehindher.Thesunwashighinthecloudlessblue,itsraysrelentlesslyintense.Itseemedlikeabetterdaytolayaroundintheshadethantakeawalk,buthewasn’tinanypositiontoargue.
ThebodyguardlookedfromAlextoSophieandasked,“Willyoubeneedingme,YourHighness?”
WhatdidhethinkAlexwasgoingtodo?Kidnapher?Dragheroffthegroundsonfoot?
HelookedoveratSophie,andwhenhesawherexpression,thoughtforasecondthatshejustmighttellhimtojointhem.Butafteraslightpausesheshookherheadandsaid,“Youcango.”
Alexfollowedhertothedoor,mesmerizedbytheliquidgracethatpropelledherforward.Thehypnotizingswayofherhips.Shewaswearingoneofthosesheer,gauzynumbersthatconformedtoherfigure.Huggedherinalltherightplaces.Thesharptugofarousallowinhisgutwasundeniableandintense.
Theyreachedthethresholdandthedoorswungopen.
“Miss,”Wilsonsaid,bowinghisheadastheysteppedinside.Alexcouldswearthemanshothimadisapprovinglook.Herstaffwasobviouslyprotectiveofher,andhehadthefeelingtheirconcernwasasmuchpersonalasitwasprofessional.Whichhadhimwondering,ifshewasasspoiledandmanipulativeassheusedtobe,whywouldtheyholdherinsuchhighregard?
Ormaybeshereservedthatbehaviorforherlovers.
“Wilson,willyoushowourguestintothestudyandpourhimadrink?”
“Ofcourse,”Wilsonsaid.
SheturnedtoAlex.“Ijustneedtochange.I’llonlybeaminuteortwo.”
“Takeyourtime,”hesaid,watchingherclimbthesteps,thewaysheseemedtoalmostfloat,aslightasair.Damnshewassexy,andhewaslookingforwardtogettinghishandsonheragain,toseejusthowmuchshe’dchangedoverthepasttenyears.
“Mr.Rutledge,”Wilsonsaidwithadistinctnoteofdisapprovalinhisvoice.AndwhenAlexturnedtohim,hegesturedtowardthestudydoor.“Afteryou.”
WhentheywereinthestudyWilsonasked,“WhatcanIgetyou,sir?”
“Mineralwaterwithlemon,ifit’snottoomuchtrouble.”
Wilsoncrossedtheroomtothebar,andAlexmadehimselfcomfortableonthesofa.“HaveyouworkedforPrincessSophieverylong?”heasked.
“I’vebeenwiththeroyalfamilyformorethanfortyyears.”
“That’salongtime.”
“Yes,sir.”
“YoutakecareofSophie.”
“Yes,sir,Ido.Andit’snotataskItakelightly.”
Alexcouldn’tescapethefeelingthathewasbeingjudgednotbyanemployee,butafatherconsideringthemotivesofapotentialson-in-law.
AndbecauseAlexhadalwaysbeenonetofacehisadversarieshead-on,heaskedverybluntly.“Youdon’ttrustme,doyou?”
Wilsonwalkedovertothecouchandhandedhimhisdrink.“I’vefound,sir,thatparanoiaisoftentheresultwhenonehassomethingtohide.”
Oh,ouch.Adirecthit.Wereheaweakerman,hemighthaveretreated.Andwhilesomeconsideredhimrecklessforit,Jonahinparticular,heneverbackeddownfromachallenge.Evenwhentheoddsweren’tnecessarilyinhisfavor.“AndwhatisitthatyouthinkI’mhiding?”
“Icouldn’tsay,butit’squiteobviousyouhavesomesortofagenda.”
“Andyoufeeltheneedtoprotectherfromme?”
Wilsonsmiledandtherewasanundeniabletwinkleofamusementinhiseyes.“Oh,no,sir.HerHighnessdoesn’tneedprotecting.Notfromyouoranyoneelse.Andifyoubelieveshedoes,thatwillbeyourdownfall.”
Theywouldjustseeaboutthat,wouldn’tthey?
Beforehecouldmanufactureasnappycomeback,Sophieappearedinthedoorway.Shehadchangedintojoggingshorts,atanktopandathleticshoes,andherhairwaspulledbackinaponytail.
Andshestillmanagedtolooksuperiorandelegant.
“Headingtothegym?”Alexasked.
“Goingonawalk,”shesaid.“Iwalkbrisklyforanhoureveryday.”
“Iwasthinkingmorealongthelinesofacasualstroll.”
Sheshrugged.“Sodon’tgowithme.”
Itwaspushingeighty-fivedegreesoutside,anddressedthewayhewas,heriskedheatstroke.Nottomentionruininghisfour-hundred-dollarBrazilianleatherloafers.Buthecouldn’texactlybackoutnow,couldhe?Andhedidn’tbothertoaskfortimetochange,sincehealreadyknewwhattheanswerwouldbe.
Wilsonclearedhisthroat.“Ifthere’snothingelseyouneed,YourHighness,Ishouldcheckondinner.”
“Ofcourse,”Sophiesaid,dismissinghimwithanodandasmile.
Onhiswayout,Wilsonworeapolitesmile,butasheglancedAlex’sway,hiseyesclearlysaid,Itoldyouso.
Sophiesteppedbehindthebarandgrabbedtwobottlesofwaterfromtherefrigerator,thenlookedAlexupanddown,said,“Idon’tthinkoneisgoingtocutit,”andgrabbedonemore.
Shewasprobablyright.
“Areyouready?”sheasked.
Atthispointhedidn’thavemuchchoice.AnddamnedifWilsonwasn’tright.Hehadunderestimatedher.
Butthatwasn’tamistakehewouldbemakingagain.
Despitetheheat,andhisinappropriateclothing,SophiehadtoadmitthatAlexdidaprettygoodjobkeepingupwithher.Notthathewasn’tfeelingtheheat.Sweatpouredfromhisfaceandsoakedthebackofhissilkshirt.Hehadalreadyguzzledonebottleofwaterandwasathirdofthewaythroughhissecond.
That’swhathegotformessingwithher.Asshe’dheardWilsonsay,heshouldn’tunderestimateher.Hewasclever,butshehadafewtricksuphersleeve,too.
Sheledhimalongthelawnpaths,eventhoughtypically,onadayashotasthisone,shewouldhavetakenrefugeonthepathsinthewoodsunderthedensecanopyofleaves.Someoneuptheremusthavebeenlookingoutforhimthough,becausealineofdarkcloudsrolledinshortlyaftertheybeganwalking,dampeningthesun’srelentlessafternoonglare.
“Lookslikerain,”hesaid,gazingupatthesky.Thenhelookedbackatherresidence,agoodquartermilefromtheircurrentlocation.“Maybeweshouldheadback.”
Nicetry.“Afraidyou’llmelt?”
“I’malreadymelting,”hesaidwryly.“Ijustdon’twanttogetstuckouthereduringastorm.”
“Thisisthedryseason.Ithardlyeverrains.Thecloudswillmostlikelyblowrightoverus.”Althoughtheydidlookratherdarkandominousandthewindwaspickingup.
“Itdoesn’tlooklikeit’sgoingtorolloverus,”hepressed.
Sherolledhereyes.“Don’tbesuchababy.”
“Idon’tknowaboutyou,butIdon’trelishtheideaofgettingstruckbylightning.”
“Evenifitdoesrain,thesestormsblowoverquickly.I’msurewe’reperfectlysafe.”Justincase,shealteredherdirectionsotheywerewalkinginthedirectionofthewoods.
Theybarelymadeitanothertenpaceswhenafat,colddropofrainlandedonhercheek.Thenanothersplashedonherforearm.
“See,”Alexsaid,holdingahandouttocatchadropinhispalm.“Thoseareraindrops.”
“Alittlerainisn’tgoingtokillus.Infact,youlookasifyoucouldusesomecoolingoff.”
Heopenedhismouthtoreplyjustasaboltoflightningstreakedacrosstheskyandadeafeningcrackofthunderdrownedoutwhateversarcasticsnipehe’dbeenabouttoflingherway.
Shescreechedinsurpriseandtheybothinstinctivelyducked.Inthenextinstant,theheavensseemedtoopenlikeafloodgateandraincamedowninawaterfall.Big,fat,colddrops,soakinghertotheskininamatterofseconds.
“Headforthewoods!”sheyelled,andtheybothtookoffrunninginthatdirection.Probablynotthebestplacetobeinathunderstorm,butiftheydidn’tfindcover,theyriskeddrowning.
Inthethirtysecondsittooktoreachthemarginalcoverofthetrees,shefelt,andprobablylooked,likeadrownedrat.
“I’mofficiallycooledoff,”hesaid,slickingbackhishair.Itwasdrenchedandleakingwaterdownhisfaceandhisclotheswereplasteredtohisbodylikeasecondskin.
And,oh,whatabodyitwas.Shecouldseeeverysculptedridgeofmuscleinhischestandarms,hisslimwaistandmuscularthighs.Hewasbiggerthanhe’dbeenincollege.Evenmoreperfect,ifthatwaspossible.
Suddenlyshewasn’tfeelingcoldanymore.Therewasadeliciouswarmthbuildinginsideherthathadabsolutelynothingtodowiththeweatherandeverythingtodowiththemanstandinginfrontofher.
Fightit,Sophie.
“Somuchforitjustblowingover,”Alexsaid.
“Yeah.Oops.”Sheshiveredandpulledthebandfromherdroopingponytail,twistingtherainfromherhair.“You’retheonewhoinsistedongoingwithme.”
Hesqueezedtheexcessrainfromhisshirt.“YetIcan’thelpbutthinkyoudidthisonpurpose.”
“YouthinkIcancontroltheweather?I’mgood,Alex,butI’mnotthatgood.”
Onlyafterthewordswereout,whenAlex’seyeslockedonhers,deepandpiercingandfulloflust,didsherealizehowthatsounded.Butitwastoolatetotakeitback.Shewasn’tevensureifshewantedto.
“That’snotthewayIrememberit,”hesaid,hisvoicehusky.Hiseyesslippedlower,toherlips,thenherthroat,thenlowerstill,andsheknewwithoutlookingthathernipplesweretwohardpointspokingthroughthewetfabricofhersportsbraandtank.Shecouldn’thelpnoticingthathe,too,waslookingabitchilly.Ontopanyway.Downbelow,shecouldswearthatthingswerelookingrather…lofty.
Heliftedhiseyestohers,blueandpiercing,andshepracticallyshudderedwithawareness.Hetookastepcloserandeverycellinherbodywentonhighalert.
Adropofrainleakedoutofherhairandrolleddownhercheek.Alexreachedup,almostabsently,andwipeditawaywiththepadofhisthumb.Hemightaswellhavebrushedthatthumbbetweenherthighsbecausethat’swherethesensationseemedtosettle.
Shehadnodoubtthattheendresultofthissituationwasgoingtobeakiss.Itwasinevitable.Andtheonlythingworsethankissinghimwouldbelettinghimmakethefirstmove,allowinghimtotakecontrol.Soshedidn’tgivehimthechance.Shegrabbedthefrontofhisshirt,curlingherfingersinthesoddenfabric,tuggedhimtoher,andpressedherlipstohis.
Ifhewassurprisedbyheradvances,itdidn’ttakehimlongtocollecthimself.Hegroanedandwoveahandthroughherwetandtangledhair,pulledheragainsthim.Shepartedherlipsforhim,invitedhim,andwhenhistonguetouchedhers,shewentweakallover.
Theyfeastedon…no,devouredeachother.Butitwasn’tenough.Shewantedhimcloser,deeper.Shefeltasthoughshewerestarving,thatshe’dbeenslowlywitheringawaythepasttenyearsandtheonlythingthatcouldnourishherbacktolifewashistouch.Hishandsonherskin.Andthatneedseemedtocanceloutwhateverwasleftofherrationalside.
Shetoreatthefrontofhisshirt,wanting,noneeding,bareskintotouch,torunherhandsover.Shefeltbuttonsgivewayandheardthefabrictear.Hisskinwaswarmandwetandshecouldfeelhishearthammeringwildlyinhischest.
Alexbackedheragainstthenearesttree,pinninghertotheroughbarkwiththefulllengthofhisbody.Sophiegaspedatthesharpsting,butitwasbothpainandpleasure.ForthefirsttimeinGodknowshowlong,shefeltwholeagain,anditfrightenedherhalftodeath.Thiswasjustlikethefirsttime.Passionatetothepointoffeelingalmostdesperate.Adeepyearningtoconnect.
Itwasjuststartingtogetgoodwhenhetorehismouthfromhers,hisbreathraspingoutinharshbursts,andsaid,“Listen.”
Didhehearsomeonecoming?Shestoppedtolisten,butshedidn’thearathingotherthanthequietsoundsoftheforest.“What?”
“Itstoppedraining,”hesaid.
Yeah,so?
Heeasedawayfromher.“Weshouldheadback.”
Headback?Washeserious?
Foramomentshewastoostunnedtoreply.Heobviouslywantedthisjustasmuchasshedid.He’dbeenleadinguptothisfordays.Sowhythesuddenchangeofheart?
Thensherealizedexactlywhatwashappening.Thiswasjustagametohim.He’dplannedthisallalong.Sheshouldhaveknown.Heobviouslygotsomekindofwarpedsatisfactionfromgettingherallworkedupthenshootingherdown.
Andshameonherforfallingforit.Forlettinghimgetthebestofher.
Andhecouldbedamnedsureitwouldn’thappenagain.
SevenIntheblinkofaneye,Sophie’sexpressionwentfromoneofconfusiontobarelycontainedrage.AndallAlexcoulddowasfollowherassheturnedandwalkedpurposelybackinthedirectionthey’dcome,towardherhouse.
He’dhadSophierightwherehewantedher,butwhenthetimecametosealthedeal,hecouldn’tgothroughwithit.Itwasn’tsupposedtohappenthisway.Shewasn’tsupposedtomakethefirstmove.Andhewasn’tsupposedtofeelthisdeepsenseof…something.Anemotionsoforeignhecouldn’tidentifyit.Somethingmorethandesireorlust.Hefelt…whole.
Complete.
Andthatwasjustsentimentalbull.She’dcaughthimoffguard,thatwasall.
Sophiewasmovingsofastshewaspracticallyjogging,andanysecondheexpectedhertobreakintofullrun.
“Youwanttoslowdown?”heasked,hisfeetsquishinginshoesswimmingwithatleastaninchofwater.
Shedidn’tanswer.Shejustkeptchuggingalong,anddamn,shewasfast.Buthewasfaster.
Hecaughtupandclampedahandaroundherupperarm.“Slowdown,Sophie.”
Shejerkedfree.“WhyshouldI?I’mdoexactlyasyousuggested.Headingback.”
“Jesus,you’restubborn,”hemuttered.
Shestoppedsoabruptly,swingingaroundtofacehim,thathenearlyplowedrightintoher.
“I’mstubborn,”shegroundoutthroughclenchedteeth,unleashingthefullwrathofheranger.
Heknewshehadatemper,butdamn.
Hetookastepback,forfearthatifhegottooclose,shemighttakeaswingathim.“Ijustwanttotalktoyou.”
“Whatfor?Youalreadywon.”
“Wonwhat?”
“Thisjuvenilelittlegameyou’vebeenplayingwithme.”
Shewasright.Itwasagame.Andheshouldbeenjoyingthis,baskingintheglowofdefeat.Insteadhefeltlikeaslime.
Itwouldseemthatthejokewasonhim.
Hejustneededachancetoregroup,togetthingsbackontrack.Toshakeoffthesefeelingsofguilt.
Andtoperformabitofdamagecontrol.
“Doyoufeelbetternowthatyou’vegottenyourrevenge?”sheasked.“Doyoufeelvindicated?”
“Sophie,listentoyourself,”hesaidcalmly.“Ikissyouandyouthreatentohavemearrestedforassault,thenyoukissme,andyougetmadwhenIputonthebrakes?Andyouaccusemeofplayinggames?”
“You’reabsolutelyright,”shesaid,eventhoughitwasobviousshewasjustagreeingwithhimtoshuthimup.“Caseclosed.”
Heopenedhismouthtoargue,butsheheldupahandtoshushhim.“I’mgoinghomenow.Donotfollowme.”
Eventhoughhewastemptedtofollowheranyway,pushherjustalittlefurther,instincttoldhimtobackoff.Hechangeddirectionandheadedtowardthepalaceinstead.
SophiechargedintoPhillip’souteroffice,stunninghissecretaryintosilencebeforeshecouldeventrytostopherfromflingingopenPhillip’sofficedoor.AndPhillipwasthere,sittingbehindhisdesk,despitethefactthatAlexsaidhewasawaythisafternoon.
Anotherlie.Nobigsurprise.
Philliplookedherupanddown,takinginherdripping,tangledhairandsoakedclothes.“Whatthehellhappenedtoyou?”
ShehelduptheagendaforAlex’svisitandflungitontohisdesk.“Findsomeoneelsetobabysityourfriend.I’mfinished.”
Hecalmlyfoldedhishands,lookingalmostamused.“Icouldswearwealreadyhadthisdiscussion.”
“Well,we’rehavingitagain.”
Hesatbackinhischairandforalongmomentonlystudiedher.Thenheshookhishead.“No,you’regoingtodoit,asplanned.”
Shestruggledtomaintainaniotaofcontrol.“No,I’mnot.”
“You’resureaboutthat?”
Sheparkedherhandsonherhipsandglaredathim.“Don’tIsoundsure?”
“Fine.Thenfromthismomentforwardyou’llbecutoutofthebusiness.Theonlydutiesyou’llhavewillbeyourroyalones.”
Hermouthfellopen.“Areyoujoking?”
“DoIlooklikeI’mjoking?”
Shewassoangryandfrustratedthatshefeltlikestompingherfeet.
“YoucanseethatI’mmiserable.Areyoutryingtotortureme?”
“WhatI’mtryingtodoisteachyouthatthisisabusinessandyoucan’tpickandchoosewhatyouwillorwon’tdoonawhim.Becausewhatthatsaystomeisthatyoucannotbecountedon.”
“Thisisdifferent.”
“Howisitdifferent?GivemeonegoodreasonwhyIshouldgrantyourrequest.”
Shecouldn’ttellhimtherealreason.Andthebestshecouldcomeupwithwas,“Hemakesme…uncomfortable.”
OneofPhillip’seyebrowsroseanotch.“He’sbehavedinappropriately?”
Alexhadkissedherhisfirstdayhere,buttobefair,she’dbeentheonetomakethefirstmovetodayinthewoods,sotheywerekindofevenintheinappropriate-behaviordepartment.“Notexactly.”
Phillipsatupalittlestraighterinhischair.“Ifhehas,friendornot,I’llfirehimfromtheprojectimmediatelyandsendhimbacktotheU.S.onthefirstavailableflight.Justsaytheword.”
ShemayhavebeenfuriouswithAlex,butshealsodidn’twanttocomebetweenhimandPhillip.Notpersonallyorprofessionally.“Hehasn’tdoneanythinginappropriate.Ijust…Idon’tlikehim.”
“So,what,hedoesn’tkissyourroyalbehind,andthereforeyoucan’ttoleratehim?”
“Phillip!”
“That’swhatIfigured.”Herelaxedbackintohischair,awrygrincurlinghismouth.“Sophie,doyouthinkIlikeeveryoneIhavetoworkwith?That’sjustbusiness.Getusedtoit.”
Shewasnostrangertotheconcept.Hadheforgottenthecountless“guests”shehadcateredtoandshuttledallovertheisland?Theyrangedfrompoliteandfriendlytooddandunusualandsomewhowerejustdownrightcreepy.Andshe’dnevercomplained.Atleast,nottoomuch.Andshealwaysdidwhatwasexpectedofher.Shewouldthinkthatjustthisoncehecouldcutheralittleslack.
Butthenhewouldn’tbePhillipifhedidthat.
“Fine,”shesaid,smoothingbackherknottedhairasbestshecould.Shemusthavelookedpositivelydreadful.Shecouldhaveatleasttakenthetimetochangeintodryclothesandrunabrushthroughherhair.Ofcourse,ifshe’dbeenatallrational,sheneverwouldhavecometoseehiminthefirstplace.
“Youmightwanttorethinkthenewlook,”hesaid,amusementdancinginhiseyes.Hedidthatalotnow.Smiling,laughing.BeforeHannahcameintohislifehewasamuchdarkerperson.Shewasgladhewashappy.Sheonlywishedheweren’tsodeterminedtomakehermiserableinstead.
Shelookeddownatherensemble.“What,youdon’tlikeit?”
“Gotcaughtintherainduringyourwalk?”
“How’dyouguess?”
“Iwasonmywayinfromameetingafewminutesbeforeyoubargedinhere,andIranintoAlexwhowasinprettymuchthesamecondition.”
So,Philliphadbeenawayatameeting.AtleastAlexhadn’tliedaboutthat.ShewonderedifPhilliphadnoticedthatAlex’sshirthadbeensuspiciouslydivestedofitsbuttons.“Iguesshegotcaughtintherain,too.”
“Ifiguredyouwouldknowthatsince,accordingtoAlex,youwerewalkingtogether.”
Shecouldn’thelpbutwonderwhatelseAlexhadtoldhim.Andratherthantrytocomeupwithaplausibleexplanationforhersuddenmemoryloss,shedidn’tsayanythingatall.Andheletitslide.
“So,we’reinagreement?”heasked.
“We’reinagreement.”
“You’renotgoingtobargeinhereinadayortwowiththesamedemands.”
“Youwon’thearanotherwordoutofmeaboutit.”Andattheveryleast,shehadtomorrowtoherself.Afulldaytorecoverbeforehavingtoplaybabysitteragain.
“Good.”
“Ishouldgochange.”
“Pleasedo.”
“I’llseeyoulater.”
Shewasalmosttothedoorwhenhecalledouttoher.“Bytheway,Iforgottomention,Ihadtocancelourgolftriptomorrowmorning.Urgentbusiness.SoAlexisinyourcapablehandsfortheday.WithanyluckIcansqueezeinaneveninground.”
Somuchforherdayoff.Wouldsheevercatchabreak?
“Isthataproblem?”
Sheforcedasmile,whenwhatshereallyfeltlikedoingwasgroaning,andsaid,“No,noproblem.”
“Good.I’vealreadytoldAlex,andhesaidhe’llmeetyouinthefoyertomorrowmorning.Theusualtime.”
“Verywell.It’sshortnotice,butI’msureIcancomeupwithsomethingforustodo.”
“Hesaidhewouldlikearelaxingday,soItookthelibertyofsuggestingadayoutontheyacht.He’squitelookingforwardtoit.”
Hoursstucktogetheronaboat.Shecouldhardlywait.“Evenbetter.I’llcallthemarinaandhaveeverythingprepared.”
“It’salreadybeendone.”
“Good.”
“Also,we’retakingAlextothecountryclubfordinnerandwonderedifyoucouldwatchFrederick.Maybeuntilelevenorso?”
“Ofcourse.”Thatatleastwouldn’tbeahardship.Sheadoredhernephew.
“Hannahwillcallandletyouknowwhattimeweplantoleave.”
“Anythingelse?”sheasked.
“No,Ibelievethat’sit.”
“Youknow,I’mproudofyou,Phillip.”
“Ibegyourpardon.”
“Isaid,I’mproudofyou.”
Henarrowedhiseyesather.“Whatdoyouwant?”
Shesmiled.“Nothingatall.”
Helookedskeptical,asthoughhewasn’tsurehecouldbelieveher.
“Really,”sheassuredhim.“Ijustwantedyoutoknow.”
“Wellthen…thankyou.”
Sheturnedtoleave,buthecalledtoherjustbeforeshereachedthedoor.
“YouknowthatthethingsIsayanddoarebecauseIcare.”
“Iknow.”
“Havefuntomorrow.”Heturnedtohiscomputerandstartedtappingawayatthekeyboard,hisless-than-subtlewaytodismissher.
Butasshewasclosingthedoorbehindhersheglancedbackandsawthathehadanamused,almostquirkygrinandshecouldn’tshakethefeelingthatPhillipknewmorethanhewaslettingon.
AllthewaybacktoherresidenceSophiemulledoverinherheadhowsheplannedtohandletherestofAlex’svisit.Theysimplycouldn’tgoonwiththewaythingshadbeenthesefirsttwodays.Shewouldbeloonybyweek’send.Therehadtobesomewaytofixthis,somesortofcompromiseinwhichshewouldmaintaincontrol,ofcourse.
DespiteknowingwhatapestAlexcouldbe,shewasstillsurprisedtoseehimsittingonherporchstepwhenshereturnedtoherresidence.Andeventhoughtheideaofanotherargumentwasutterlyexhausting,leavingthisunresolvedtofermentandfesterwasn’thighonherlistoffunoptions,either.So,ratherthanstormpasthimintothehouse,shetookaseatnexttohim.
Hehadchangedintodryclothes—andashirtwithbuttons—andsatslightlyhunchedwithhisarmsdrapedoverhisknees.Helookedunassumingandmaybealittletired.Andhewassohandsome,sophysicallyperfectineverywaythatahollowachesettledinherheart.
Forseveralminutestheysattogetherinsilence,thenhefinallysaid,“IfeelasthoughIoweyouanapology,butI’mnotreallysurewhatI’mapologizingfor.”
Thatwasprobablythemosthonestthinghe’dsaidsincethisnightmareofaweekhadbegun.Clueless,buthonestnonetheless.
Theyhadspentatotaloftwodaystogether,yetshefeltthatsheknewhim.Andshefeltshebarelyknewhimatall.Nothingaboutthismadeanysense.
“Ifit’sanyconsolation,”shesaid.“Ifeelthesameway.”
Heshotheragrin.“Thentechnically,ourfeelingsshouldjustwhat,cancelouteachother?”
“Ifonlylifeworkedthatway,theworldwouldbeamuchsimplerplace.”
“Amentothat.”
Shesighedandhuggedherlegs,restingherchinonherknees.“It’snotmyfault,youknow.”
Helookedoverather.“Whatisn’tyourfault?”
“Yourmarriage.Thefactthatitwassobad.”
“DidIsayitwas?”
“Notinsomanywords,butit’sobviousyoublameme.Oryou’rejustbitterattheentiregenderandI’maneasytarget.”
Afrownfurrowedthespacebetweenhisbrows.“I’dconsideredthatasadefinitepossibility.”
Again,veryhonest.Maybethatwasthekeytosolvingtheirproblem.Maybe,ratherthanignoringthisundercurrentoftension,thisunfinishedbusinessbetweenthem,itwouldbemoreproductivetojustlayalltheircardsonthetableandsettlethisonceandforall.
Easiersaidthandone.Baringhersoulhadneverbeenoneofherstrengths.Shehadbeengroomedsincebirthtoholdherfeelingsinside.Tonevershowweakness.Andrightnow,she’dneverfeltmorevulnerableinherlife.
Butshehadtoatleasttry.
Shetookadeepbreathandblewitout.Heregoesnothing.
“Ididloveyou,Alex,andIwantedtomarryyou.ButbelievemewhenIsayIdidyouafavorbyendingit.Itwastoo…big.Biggerthaneitherofuswaspreparedfor.Thesacrificeswewouldhavehadtomake…”Sheshookherhead.“Wejustwouldhaveendedupresentingeachother.”
Heshrugged.“Iguesswe’llneverknow.”
Thatwasjustthething.Shedidknow.She’dseenittimeandtimeagain.“I’msorryforhurtingyou.ButIhonestlyfeltasthoughIdidn’thaveachoice.”
“Youdidwhatyoufeltwasright.Ican’treallyfaultyouforthat,canI?Ijustwouldhavelikedtheopportunitytomakethechoicemyself.”
Hecouldfaultherifhewantedto.Ifhewantedtoholdagrudge.Butshehopedhewouldn’t.Shewouldlikethemtobeabletogetpastthis.Tobefriends.
“Asfarasmymarriagegoes,”hesaid,“I’mtheonlyonetoblame.Imayhavebeenpressuredbymyfamily,butnooneheldaguntomyhead.Thetruthis,Itooktheeasywayout.Oratleast,atthetimeitseemedeasy.”
Inaway,shewasguiltyofthesamething.EndingthingswithAlexhadbeensomucheasierthanstickingaroundandtryingtomakeitwork.Surelytheywouldhavehadafewgoodyears
beforeitallfellapart.Atthetimeshe’dfeltthatbyendingitsoonerratherthanlater,shehadbeengivingeachofthemachancetofindhappinesswithsomeoneelse.Howcouldshehaveknownneitherofthemwouldtakeit?
“Iendeditbadly,”shesaid.“Ishouldhavecalledorwritten,givenyousomeexplanation.Iwasjustsoafraid.”
“Afraidofwhat?”
“ThatifIheardyourvoice,Iwouldchangemymind.Orthatyouwouldtalkmeoutofit.”
“Iguessyoudidwhatyouhadto.”
“Thinkwe’llevergetpastit?”
Helookedoverather,thehintofagrintuggingatthecornerofhismouth.“Ithinkit’sadefinitepossibility.”
“There’sthatotherproblem,too.”
“Whichproblemisthat?”
Shehuggedherlegstighter.“Thesexualtension.”
Heshrugged.“Idon’thaveaproblemwiththat.”
“Comeon,Alex.Youhavetoadmitit’sgetting…tedious.”
“Okay,”heconceded.“Alittle,maybe.”
“We’rebasicallystucktogether,andquitefranklyI’mtiredoffeelingso…edgyallthetime.Itwouldbeniceifwecouldenjoyourtimetogether.”Theinstantthewordslefthermouth,shehadasuddenandbrilliantidea.Itwasabsolutelyingenious!
“Uh-oh,”hesaid,narrowinghiseyesather.“Youlookasthoughyou’vejusthadalightbulbmoment.”
“Idid.Idon’tknowwhyIdidn’tthinkofitbefore.”
“WhydoIgetthefeelingI’mnotgoingtolikethis?”
“Onthecontrary,Ithinkyou’llagreeit’stheonlylogicalcourseofaction.”
“Okay,”hesaid,lookingskeptical.“Let’shaveit.”
“Ithink,Alex,thatIshouldsleepwithyou.”
EightAlex’sbrowsrosewithsurprise.“Sayagain?”
“Thinkaboutit,”Sophiesaid.“Afterallthistime,we’rebothwonderingwhatitwouldbelike.”
“Iam?”
Shepinnedhimwithadisbelievinglook.
“Okay,”headmitted.“Iam.”
“Somaybeweshouldfindout.”
“Andyouthinkifwemakelove—”
“Sex,Alex,notlove.”Lovehadnothing,andwouldneverhave,anythingtodowithsex.“Thisisjust…chemistry.”
“Myapologies.Youthinkifwehavesex,wewon’tbetensearoundeachotheranymore?”
“Exactly.”Infact,themoreshethoughtaboutit,themorelogicaltheideaseemed.
“Whatifitdoesn’t?”heasked.
“Whywouldn’tit?It’snotasifourfeelingstowardeachotherareanythingotherthan…”
“Chemistry?”
“Sexualcuriosity.”
“So,ifIhadjusthadsexwithyoutodayinthewoods,wewouldn’tevenbehavingthisconversation?”
Hefoldedhisarmsacrosshischestandstudiedher,browfurrowed.“Idon’tknowaboutthis.”
“Whatdoyoumean,youdon’tknow?”Itwascompletelylogical.Whatsanemanwouldpassupanofferlikethat?
Heshrugged.“Itjustsoundsalittletooeasy.”
“No,itdoesn’t.It’stheperfectplan.”
“Yousaythatnow,butIcan’thelpthinkingthatsomethingisboundtogowrong.”
“Whatcouldpossiblygowrong?”
“Youcouldfallinlovewithme.”
Shebitherliptoholdinalaugh.“Nooffense,butIdon’tthinkwehavetoworryaboutthateverhappening.”
“Wow.I’mnotsureifshouldfeelrelievedorinsulted.”
Sheshothimanexasperatedlook.Nowhewasjustbeingobtuse.Whatmanwouldn’tjumpatthechanceforanightofno-strings-attachedsex?
Noneshehadeverknown.
“Whatifoncedoesn’tdothetrick?”heasked.“Whatifwehavesexandwestillfeelthistension?Dowegettodoitagain?”
Shecouldn’treallyseethatbeingaproblem,notiftheyapproachedthislogically.Notforheranyway.Butforthesakeofargument,shewouldhumorhim.“Let’sjustsaythatI’mopentothepossibility.”
“Fairenough.”
“Well,”sheasked,anxioustosettlethisonceandforall.“Areyouinorout?”
Hegrinned.“Whatyou’reaskingforwouldnecessitateabitofboth,don’tyouthink?”
Sherolledhereyes.“Wouldyoupleasebeserious?”
Hegaveitamoment’sthought,thensaid,“I’mtryingtoimagineapotentialproblemwiththisscenario,andhonestly,I’mdrawingablank.NomatterhowIlookatit,it’sawin-winsituation.”
“So?”
Heshrugged.“Yeah,sure,whatthehell.I’min.”
“Splendid.”Itstunnedheralittletorealizewhatahugeweightthiswasoffhershoulders.Thiswasagoodidea.Agoodplan.“Needlesstosay,wehavetobediscreetaboutthis.”
“Ofcourse.”
“EspeciallywherePhillipisconcerned.”
“Iagree.”Herubbedhispalmstogetherandwiggledhisbrowsather.“So,Princess,whendowegetstarted?”
Shelookedatherwatch.“TonightIhaveacharityfunctionthatIsimplycan’tmiss,andIwon’tbeinuntillatethisevening.Probablyaftermidnight.”Todothisproperly,sheshouldatleastbeawake.
“Tomorrow,then?”
“Well,we’llbeontheyachtwithafullstaff,sothatwon’twork,thenyouhavegolfwithPhillipandhementionedtakingyoufordinneratthecountryclubafterward.He’saskedmetobabysitFrederickuntileleven.”
Hewasbeginningtolookexasperated.“HowaboutThursday?”
“Thursday,you’llbeatthehuntingcabinandnotbackuntilFridayafternoon.”
“AndFridayistheblack-tiecharitydeal,whichI’massumingwillbeanotherlateone.”
“Atleastmidnight.”
“HowaboutFridayafternoonafterwegetbackfromthecabin?”
“Afternoonsaredifficult.Toomanypeoplearound.Besides,Ineedafewhourstopreparefortheevening.”
“Thisisshapinguptobeonestressfulweek,YourHighness.”
Hewasright.Thiswasagreatidea,iftheycouldjustfindthetimetomakeithappen.
“Yousaidyou’rewatchingFrederickuntileleventomorrownight?”
“That’sright.”
Hegrinned.“Elevenisn’ttoolate.AndIcouldn’tcallmyselfagentlemanifIdidn’toffertowalkyouhomeafterward.”
Thatmightwork.“Isupposeyoucouldn’t.”
“So,tomorrowateleven?”
“Elevenitis.”Theycouldgetthisoveranddonewith,thenmaybetheycouldactuallyenjoyeachother’scompanyfortheremainderofhisstay.Andevenbetter,theycouldwalkawayfromthisasfriends.
Infact,themoreshethoughtaboutit,themoreconvincedshewasthatthiswasexactlywhattheybothneeded.
Sherosefromthestep,andhestood,too.“Nowthatwehavethatsettled,Ireallyneedtogetready.”
“Youknow,Princess,Ithinkyou’reright.Thisisagoodidea.”
Ofcourseitwas.Whatman,especiallyonenewlydivorcedandadmittedlyangrywithallwomen,wouldn’tseegratuitoussexasagoodthing?AndGodknowsthatshehadn’tbeenwithamaninfartoolong.Andcontrarytowhatmenseemedtothink,womenhadneeds,too.Thiswouldundoubtedlybeamutuallybeneficialarrangement.
Enoughrationalizing,shetoldherself.Shewasdoingtherightthing.
“We’llleavefortheyachtatnine,”shetoldhim.“Solet’splantomeetinthefoyeratourusualtime.”
“I’llbeready.”
“Thesunisquiteintensethistimeofyear,somakesureyoubringsunscreen.”
“Gotcha.”
“Wellthen,I’llseeyouinthemorning.”
Sheturnedtowardthedoor,buthecaughtherforearminhishand.“Hey,Princess.”
Sheturned,andalthoughsheshouldhaveexpectedit,onceagainhecaughthercompletelyoffguard.Hecuppedthebackofherhead,drewhertohimandkissedher.Butnotadeepdesperatejoininglikethelasttime.Thiswassweetandsoftandmaybeevenalittletentative,histonguebarelysweepingtheseamofherlipsbeforehedrewitback.Thenhelingeredforjustanothersecondortwobeforehefinallypulledaway.
“Whatwasthatfor?”sheasked,herwordscomingoutsoftandbreathy.Herlipstingledandherlegsweresuddenlysowobblythatshealmosthadtositbackdown.
Hesmiledandshrugged.“Consideritasneakpeekatwhatyouhavetolookforwardtotomorrownight.”
Heturnedandstarteddownthepathtowardthepalace.
Ifthatwaswhatshehadtolookforwardto,eleveno’clocktomorrownightcouldn’tcomefastenough.
Sophiethoughtshehadhim.Thoughtshehadgottenthebestofhimthistime,butitwasallpartofthegame.
Hewatchedheruntilshereachedherfrontdoor.Sheturnedtoflashhimonelastsuggestivesmile,thensteppedinsideandclosedthedoorbehindher.
Helingeredforamoment,thenturnedandwalkedbacktothepalace.Thedarkcloudshadblownoverandthesunburnedhotintheafternoonsky,buttherewasacoolbreezeblowinginfromthecoast.Aperfectafternoonforawalk.Heneededthetimetoclearhishead,gethisprioritiesstraight.Gethimselfbackontrack.
Sophiewasgood—hewouldgiveherthat.Forasecondthere,hehadactuallybelievedherseeminglyheartfeltapology,hadlethimselfthinkthatshehadchanged.Butthatwasthewaywomen,especiallywomenlikeher,operated.Theysaidanddidnothingwithoutulteriormotives,everywordandactioncarefullymeasuredandexecutedtogetexactlywhattheywanted.
Thatwaswhy,whenshe’dfirstsuggestedtheysleeptogether,he’dbeenconvincedshewasuptosomething.Thatshewouldleadhimonbriefly,theninevitablychangehermind.Butsomethinginhereyestoldhimthatwasn’tthecase.Shewantedhim.Hisseductionhadbeenasuccess.Andbymakingthefirstmove,beingtheonetosuggesttheysleeptogether,shewasoperatingunderthedelusionthatshewastheoneincontrol,theonecallingtheshots.
Andbythetimeshefigureditout,itwouldbetoolate.
Eyesclosedbehindherdarkestsunglasses,Sophiedriftedinandoutofconsciousness,lulledbythegentleswayoftheIrishSeaandthewarmglowofthesunagainstherskin,hearingtheoccasionalhumofaboatengineorthesquawkofagull.Thesprayofthewakeagainstthehull.
Despitehavingbeenexhaustedwhenshefinallyarrivedhomelastnight,sleephadevadedher.Shehadlainawake,hermindracing,theanticipationofhernightwithAlexteasingherlikeagiftunderthetreeatChristmastime.Andhewasonegiftshecouldn’twaittounwrap.
Whatwouldhefeellikeandhowwouldhetaste?Woulditbeasexcitingasithadbeentenyearsago,orhadyouthbeenpartofthemagicbackthen?Theelementofdanger?
Well,regardlessofquality,sherealizednowthatsleepingwithAlexhadbeenaninevitability.Withheringeniousplantheywouldgetitneatlyoutofthewayandshewouldmanagetoretaincompletecontrolofthesituation,whichwasreallyallshehadwantedinthefirstplace.
SpeakingofAlex,shehadn’tseenhiminsometimenow.Assoonasthey’dboardedtheboat,hehadwanderedoffwiththecaptaintogetalookattheengineroom.Andbecauseheseemedsuitablyamused,shehadchangedintoherbathingsuit,grabbedadeckchairandallbutmeltedintoit.Consideringthecurrentintensityofthesun,thathadtohavebeenatleasttwohoursago,butshewastoorelaxedtoopenhereyes,muchlessmoveamuscletorolloverandlookthroughherbagforherwatch.
Thesundippedbehindacloudandthegentlebreezecooledhersun-drenchedskin.Shewaitedpatientlyforthecloudtopass,butinsteadfeltseveraldropsofice-coldliquidonhercalves.Stillmostlyasleep,shecrinkledherbrow.Anotherseriesofdropslandedonherleftthigh,thenafewmoreonherright.
Theweatherauthorityhadn’tpredictedrainfortherestoftheweek.Andshefounditawfullypeculiarthatthisparticularraincloudhadcentereditselfoverherlegs.Anothericysplashhitherstomachandhereyesshotopen.Itwasn’tacloudblockingthesun—itwasaperson.Averytallpersonwithwideshoulders.
Withthesunbehindhim,hisfacewashiddeninshadow,buttherewasonlyonemanonboardrudeenoughtowakeherthisway.
Alexstoodoverherchair,dippinghisfingersinhericedteaandflickingitather.“Wakeup.”
Shegroanedandclosedhereyes.“Goaway.”
Afewmoreicydropshitherrightarm.
“Thatisunbelievablyjuvenile,”shemumbled.
“I’mbored.”
Sheflunganarmacrossherface.“Andhowisthatmyproblem?”
“You’remyguide.”
“Igotyouontheyacht—whatmoredoyouwant?”
Freezing-coldtealandedwithasplooshonherstomachandshemovedherarmtoglareupathim.“Stopthat!”
Hewasholdingtheglassoverher,poisedtodumptheentirething.Shecouldn’tseehisface,butshedidn’tdoubthewaswearingthedevilishgrinthatwasbecomingsofamiliar.Infact,he’dbeenwearingitthismorningwhentheymetinthefoyer.He’dflashedherthatsmile,wiggledhisbrowsatherandmouthedthewordsyou,me,eleven.
Asthoughshecouldforget.
“Isalittlepeacetoomuchtoaskfor?”sheasked.
“You’vebeenoutforalmostthreehours.”
Threehours?Haditreallybeenthatlong?Shemusthavebeenmoretiredthansherealized.
“NotthatIhaven’tbeenenjoyingtheview,”hesaid.Therewasawarmandsexynotetohisvoiceandshehadthedistinctimpressionhewasn’ttalkingaboutthelandscapeoutsidetheyacht.
Heshooktheglass,rattlingtheice.“YouknowI’lldoit.”
Heprobablywould,andbecauseitwasobvioushewasn’tgoingtogoaway,shehadnochoicebuttohumorhim.“Fine.I’mawake.”
Hesteppedoutofthesun,andwhenshegotagoodlookathim,herheartdidabackflipwithatripletwist.
Whenthey’dmetinthefoyerhe’dbeenwearingapoloshirtandcanvasshorts.NowhewaswearingapairofHawaiian-patternedswimtrunks.
Andnothingelse.
Herbloodinstantlyranhot,pumpingfasterthroughherveins,andhereyesfeltvirtuallygluedtohisbody.
Withhiswetclothesstickingtohimyesterday,shehadn’treallygottenagoodlookathim.Hischestwasevenmoremagnificentthansheremembered.Strongandsmooth,withjustadustingofhaironhispecks.Andhehadabstodiefor.Well-definedandsolid.Shewonderedabsentlyhowmanyhoursadayhehadtoworktolookthisgood,orifhejustgrewallthesemusclesnaturally.
Comeon,Soph,getagrip.Sohewasn’twearingashirt.Bigdeal.Itwasjustachest,forpity’ssake.Nothingtoloseherheadover.It’snotasifshe’dneverseenonebefore.Orthisoneinparticular.
Andsherealizedsuddenlythatshewasopenlystaring.Sheswiftlypeeledhergazefromhissmall,pinknipplesanddraggedhereyesupward,tohisface,onlytofindthathewaswatchingherwatchhim.
Aquirkygrinplayedatthecornerofhismouth.“Somethingwrong?”
Sheblinkedinnocently.“Wrong?”
“Youkindofzonedoutthereforaminute.”
“I’mstillhalfasleep,”shesnapped.
“Youwanttogoforaswim?Wakeup.Cooloffabit.”
Sheglaredathim.“Notparticularly.”
Heshrugged,drawinghergazetohisstrong,wideshoulders.Theywerelookingalittlepink.Shepeeredoverthetopofhersunglassesandrealizedthattheyweremorethanalittlepink.Hewaswellonhiswaytoanasty-lookingburn.
“Areyouwearingsunblock?”
Heshookhishead.“Nope.”
“Howlonghaveyouhadyourshirtoff?”
Heshrugged.“Acoupleofhours,Iguess.Why?”
Ifhewassunburned,hemightnotbeableto…performlater.“Itoldyouyesterdaytowearsunblock.Letmeguess—youdidn’tevenbringany.”
“Iforgot.”
Sheblewoutanexasperatedbreathandsatup.Shehadsomeinherbag,butitwasonlySPF8,whichwouldneversuffice.“I’msuretheremustbesomebelowdecksinthebedroom.Waithere.I’llgolook.”
Shedraggedherselfupfromthechair,adjustinghersuittop.Shecouldfeelhiseyesburningintoherbareskinasshecrossedthedecktothestairs.Shewasn’twearingherskimpiestbikini;still,itdidn’tleaveaheckofalottotheimagination.Sheknewforafactthathewasgettingquiteaneyeful.
Hecouldconsiderit—howdidhephraseit?—ashisownsneakpreview.Aglimpseofwhathewouldbeenjoyinglatertonight.Andhewouldbeenjoyingit.
Shedidn’tdoubtthatifPhillipwereonboard,hewouldciteanythingmorerevealingthanamodestone-pieceinappropriate.ButPhillipwasn’there.Besides,itfeltgoodtobealittlerebelliousforachange.
Shepaddeddownthestairsandacrosstheplushbedroomcarpettotheprivatehead.Shefoundwhatshewaslookingforinthecabinetbelowthesink.SPF30lotion.Justtobesafe.
Sheturnedtoleave,startledtofindthebedroomdoornowclosed,andAlexstandinginfrontofit.
“Nicebedroom,”hesaid,buthewasn’tlookingaroundtheroom.Hiseyesweregluedtoherbody.
“Whatareyoudoinginhere?”shesaidinaloudwhisper.Washetryingtogetthemcaught?
Hestartedwalkingslowlytowardher.“Helpingyoulookforthesunblock.”
“Ialreadyfoundit.”Shenoticedthatnotonlyhadheclosedthedoor,buthe’dlockedit,too.“Isthisyourideaofbeingdiscreet?”
“Whatdoyouexpect?Thatbathingsuitis…wow.”Helookedherupanddownashemovedcloser,devouringherwithhiseyes.“Lookmeintheeyeandtellmeyoudidn’twearitjusttoteaseme.”
Thatwasexactlywhatshe’ddone.Shejusthadn’tanticipateditbeingquitesoeffective.“Wecan’tbeinheretogether.”
“Yethereweare,”hesaid,movingcloserstill,andotherthanvaultingoverthebedtogettothedoor,shehadnowaytoescape.Andshehadneverbeenterriblyathletic.
“Wesaideleventonight,”sheremindedhim.
“Eleventonightisthemaincourse.”Agrinquirkeduponecornerofhismouth.“Considerthisanappetizer.”
Andwhatadelicioustreathewouldbe,butshereallycouldn’tallowhimtodothis.Nothere,where,forallsheknew,Philliphadtheemployeesspyingonher.Askimpybikiniwasonething,butatrystbelowdeckswithaclientwaspushingit.“Iappreciatethethought,butit’sreallygoingtohavetowait.”
Hiseyesrakedoverher,dilatedandintense,likeananimalanticipatingthekill.Thenhereachedoutforherandtheinstanthisfingersbrushedherhip,whenherskintingledwithawarenessandherkneeswentweak,sheknewitwaspointlesstotryandfightit.Shedidn’twanttofightitanymore.Itfelttoobloodygood.
“Stillwantmetoleave?”
“Youhavefiveminutes.”
Hereachedfortheoppositehip,cuppingitinhispalm,hisskinsohottothetouchshenearlygasped.“Thisisgoingtotakealotlongerthanfiveminutes.”
Hepulledhertohim,herbreastsbrushingagainstthesolid,unyieldingwallofhischest.Hernipplestingledandstiffenedintotwopainfullyerect,yearningbuds.
Hedippedhisheadandnuzzledthesideofherthroat,justbelowherear,thenhenippedherlobelightlyandthebottleshe’dbeenholdingslippedfromherfingersandlandedwithamuffledthumponthecarpet.
“Youknow,”hesaid,hisbreathhotonherneck,hislipsbrushingherskinashespoke,“you’reevenmorebeautifulthanyouweretenyearsago.”
“Coincidentally,”shetoldhim,hervoicecomingoutbreathyandsoft,“soareyou.”
Hishandsslippedlower,slidingaroundtocupherbehind.Apurrofpleasureworkeditswayupfromdeepinsideofher.Sheleanedintohim,restingherfaceagainsthissmoothcheek,savoringthesensationsofskinagainstskin.Ithadbeensolongsincesomeone—anyone—hadtouchedherlikethis,sotenderly.Everysecondthatpassedfeltlikeaneternity.Shewaitedforhisnextmove,forhimtosliphishandsinsideherbikinibottoms.Thethoughtofhimtouchingherthatwaymadeherdizzyandlight-headed,asthoughshewouldpassoutfromtheanticipationofhisnextmove.
Wasthisherideaofmaintainingcontrolofthesituation?Itwasobviousthat,rightnowanyway,Alexwascallingtheshots.Andevenworse,shedidn’tcare.
Sheactuallylikedit,eventhoughtheconceptwentagainsteverythingsheeverbelievedorwastaught.
WithbarelymorethangentletugshewaspressedagainstthelengthofAlex’sbody.Hisskinfeltsmoothandhot,andshecouldfeelhisheartthumpingthewallofhischest.
“Stillwantmetostop?”heasked.
“Iwantyoutokissme.”
Aslowsmilecurledhislips.“Icandothat.”
Heloweredhisheadnuzzledhercheek.Hisskinsmelledwarmandsaltyfromtheseaairandfaintlyofcoconut.
Waitaminute.Coconut?
Sheleanedinandsniffedhisshoulder.Hedid.Hesmelledlikesunblock!
Shelookedupathim.
Hisbrowfurrowed.“What?”
Shesniffedhimagainandasked,“Areyouwearingsunblock?”
Thesmilewentfromsexytodeviousintheblinkofaneye.“Maybe.”
“Youare,aren’tyou?Whydidyoutellmeyouweren’t?”
“Whatsanemanwouldpassupthechancetohaveyourubsunblockalloverhim?AlthoughIneverimagineditwouldgetusaloneinthebedroomtogether.Thatwasjustdumbluck.”
Shegavehimaplayfulshove.“You’reacreep.”
Hejustsmiled.Hewasacreep,butanadorableone.
“Weneedtogetbackupondeckbeforesomeone—”
Therewasaloudraponthebedroomdoorandshenearlyjumpedoutofherskin.
Avoicecalled,“Lunchisserved,YourHighness.”
Somuchfornotbeingcaughtinacompromisingposition.TheyhadtohavefiguredoutbynowthatAlexwasintherewithher.
Shecalledback,“I’llbeupinaminute.”
Alexexhaledanexasperatedbreath.“Somuchforanappetizer.”
“Itoldyouthiswasn’tthetime.”Shepushedlightlyagainsthischestandheletgoofher.
“Maybe,butyouweren’tputtingupmuchofafight.”
Inallfairness,shehadn’tbeen.Infact,heractionscouldhaveeasilybeeninterpretedasencouragement.“Weshouldleavetheroomoneatatime.”
Hefoldedhisarmsacrosshischest.“Thatwon’tlooksuspicious.”
Shestraightenedherbikinibottomsandcheckedherreflectioninthemirroronthebedroomdoor.Hercheekswereflushed,butthatcouldeasilybeexplainedawaybyherthree-hournapinthesun.“Youhaveabetteridea?”
Itwasobvious,byhislackofresponse,thathedidn’t.
“Besides,itlooksasthoughyoucoulduseaminuteortwoto—”shenoddedattherecentandconspicuouslytightfitofhisswimtrunks“—cooloff.”
“Iwasthinkingmorealongthelinesofacoldshower.”
“Well,that’swhatyougetforbendingtherules,”shesaid,crossingtheroomtothedoor.
“Whatrulesarethose?”heasked.
“Therulesofnutrition.”
Agrinquirkedupthecornersofhislips.“Nutrition.”
Sheopenedthedoorandgrinnedbackathim.“Nosnackingbetweenmeals.”
NineAlexhadnotimetobealonewithSophieafterlunch,althoughnotforlackoftrying,butthestaffalwaysseemedtobearound.Justbeforethreetheydockedinthemarinaandweredriven
backtothepalace.HebarelyhadtimetochangebeforeheandPhillipwereofftothegolfcourse.
UndernormalcircumstancesAlexenjoyedgolf,buttodayhewasdistracted.Andeventhoughtheyhadn’tplayedtogetherinyears,Phillipnoticed.
“Offyourgametoday?”hesaid,whentheygotbacktotheclubhouse.“Irememberyoubeingslightlybetteratthis.”
“NormallyIam.I’mabitsunburnedfromsailing.”Itwasn’tatotallie.Hisshoulderswereabittender,despitethesunblockhe’dputonnotlongafterthey’dleftthemarina—whichSophiewouldhaveknownifshehadn’tpassedoutinadeckchairtheminutetheyboarded.Andhonestly,hedoubtedshewasasscandalizedasshewantedhimtobelieve.She’dwantedhiminthatbedroomjustasmuchashewantedtobethere.
Andasmuchashewasenjoyingalltheteasingandforeplay,hewasreadyforthemaineventtonight.Itseemedtobeallhecouldthinkabout,whichwastherealreasonhe’dshotsuchapatheticnineholestoday.Buthecouldn’texactlytellPhillipthat.
“Wouldyoulikethepalacephysiciantotakealookatit?”Phillipasked.
“No,thanks.I’msureI’llbefinebytomorrow.”
TheydroppedofftheirgearandheadedtotheloungetowaitforHannah.Anattractiveyoungwaitresstooktheirdrinkorder,butPhillipbarelyseemedtonoticeher.Hewaspolite,butdistant.ThecompleteoppositeofthePhillipfromcollege.Backthenifhefoundawomanattractive,hewasn’tshyaboutlettingherknow.Nowitwouldseemthathehadeyesonlyforhiswife.
Alexwonderedwhatitwouldbeliketolovesomeonesomuchthathedidn’tevenlookatotherwomen.WhatPhillipandHannahhadmusthavebeenveryspecial.
“Youhadagoodtimeontheyachttoday?”Phillipasked.
“Idid.”Anexceptionallygoodtime.
“Iseemtorecallyoumentionedhavingayacht,too.”
“Iusedto.Myexgotthatinthedivorce.”Shewouldhavetriedtogetthefamilyjewelsiftheyweren’tattached.Andhewasn’ttalkingabouthisgrandmother’sdiamonds.“Itwasgoodtogetbackoutonthewater.”
“HowareyouandSophiegettingon?”
“Good.Sophieis…”Hestruggledforthewordstodescribeher.Butallhecouldcomeupwithwassexyandsmartandstubbornashell,butsomehowhedidn’tthinkthatwaswhatPhillipwouldwanttohear.Soinsteadhesaid,“Anexcellenthostess.”
IfPhillipnoticedthepause,heletitslide.“Sophieknowsmoreofthisisland,ofthecountry,thananyone.”
“Ihavelearnedalotthelastfewdays.”
“I’llbetyouhave,”Phillipsaid,andAlexhadthedistinctimpressionheknewmorethanhewaslettingon.ButHannahwalkedinjustthenandtheystoodtogreether.Fromtheretheymovedontotheroyalfamily’sprivatediningroom.ThewaitresshadjustleftwiththeirfoodorderwhenPhillip’scellphonerang.
HereachedtoanswerandHannahshothimasternlook.
Hecheckedthedisplayandsaid,“Iknowwehaveano-phoneruleatdinner,butIreallyneedtotakethis.”
“Fine.”Shewavedhimawaywithagrudgingsmile.“Goanswerit.”
Herosefromhischair.“Ifyou’llexcusemeforamoment.”
Hannahsighedandwatchedhimwalkaway,phonetohisear.“That’swhatIgetformarryingaking,Isuppose.”SheturnedtoAlex,layingahandonhisforearm.“Atleastthiswillgiveusamomenttochat.Areyouenjoyingyourstaywithus?”
“Verymuch.It’sexactlywhatIneeded.”
Shegavehisarmasympatheticpat.“Phillipsaidit’sbeenroughforyou.”
Shewassosweet,sokind.Therewassomethingrefreshingly…simpleabouther.Elegantandrefined,yetamazinglydown-to-earth.Astrangeronthestreetwouldneverguessshewasroyalty,andseveralyearsPhillip’sjunior,theymighthaveatoughtimebuyingthatshewasawifeandmother.Ofcourse,thereprobablywasn’tanyoneinthecountry,inmuchoftheworldeven,whowouldn’trecognizeQueenHannah.Shewasregardedaroundtheglobeasacompassionateroyalandtirelessphilanthropist.
“Nodivorceiseverfun,”hesaidwithashrug.“Iamgladit’soverthough.”
“Ifyouneedanythingatallyoubesuretoletusknow.”Shegavehisarmaquicksqueeze,thendrewherhandback.“HaveyouandSophiehadtimetogetreacquainted?”
Hecouldsweartherewasasuggestivelilttohertone.“Yes.She’sverymuchlikeIrememberher.”
Shesippedherwater,peeringathimovertherimofherglass,andasked,“Doessheknowhowyoufeelabouther?”
Andherehethoughthe’ddoneaprettygoodjobofhidinghisfeelings.EitherhewasfarmoretransparentthanhethoughtorHerHighnesswasquiteperceptive.“WhatmakesyouthinkIhavefeelingsforher?”
Sheshrugged.“Somethingaboutthatfirstnightatdinner.AsubtlevibeIwasgetting.”
Theonlyvibehe’dbeengivingoffthenhadbeenderision.Maybeshewasmistakingcontemptforattraction.
Maybehewas,too.
“Sophiemaybetoughontheoutside,”Hannahsaid,“butdon’tletherfoolyou.Shehasasoftcenter.ButIhavethefeelingyoualreadyknowthat.Infact,Ithinkyou’veknownthatforaverylongtime.”
Sheobviouslysuspectedtheyhadsomesortofhistory,butdidsheknowjusthowpersonal?
“MeandSophie,”Alexsaid.“It’s…complicated.”
“Relationshipsusuallyare,Alex.Evenmoresowhenyou’redealingwithroyalty.”
Wasn’tthatthetruth.
HewonderedifPhilliphadthesamesuspicions.IfheandHannahhaddiscussedit.Andifso,whyhadn’theeversaidanythingtoAlex?
Hannahseemedtoreadhismind.“Phillipdoesn’tknow.Atleast,he’sneversaidanythingtomeaboutit.”
AndconsideringthenatureofAlexandSophie’srelationship,hopefullyPhillipwouldn’tfigureitout.Eventhoughthissexualliaisonhadbeenheridea,hedoubtedthatargumentwouldholdmuchwaterwithPhillip.
“So,beingnewlydivorcedandall,IsupposeyourrelationshipwithSophiewillmostlikelybe…fleeting,”Hannahsaid.
“Iwouldimagineso.”Thatwasapoliteanddiplomaticwaytosaytheywerehavinganaffair.Andhewouldn’tlietoherbydenyingit.It’snotasifithadbeenhisidea.
Allright,maybeithadbeen.Buthisplanhadbeentoseduceheragainstherwill,notaskherpermission.Buteitherway,hewasgettingwhathewanted.Shemayhavethoughtshewouldn’tfallinlovewithhim,butshehadnoideawhoshewasdealingwith.
Althoughhehadtoadmitthatthiswasfeelinglessandlesslikeaplotforrevengeandmorelike…Well,honestly,hewasn’tsurewhatitfeltlike.
“That’sashame,”Hannahsaid.“Igetthefeelingyoutwowouldbeverygoodforeachother.”
Therehadbeenatimewhenhewouldhaveagreedwithher.Butthistimehewouldn’tbestickingaroundlongenoughtofindout.
“Iwouldimagineyou’dpreferIdidn’tsayanythingtoPhillipaboutthis.”
“Iwouldneveraskyoutokeepsecretsfromyourhusband,”hesaid.
“ButyouwouldreallyappreciateitifIdidn’t.Idon’ttellPhillipeverylittlething.Besides,Sophieisoneofmydearestfriends,andifyouhurther,Phillip’swrathwouldpaleincomparisontowhatIwoulddotoyou.”
“I’llconsidermyselfwarned,”hesaid.
Shesmiled.“Good.”
Phillipreappearedatthatmomentandreclaimedhischair.“Goodnews!ThemeetingIhadplannedforfirstthingtomorrowhasbeencancelled.”
Alexwasn’tsurewhythatwassuchgoodnews,andhisconfusionmusthaveshown,becausePhillipadded,“Nomeetinginthemorningmeanswecangetanearlystartonourtrip.”
“Oh,great,”hesaid,eventhoughleavingearliermeantlesstimetonightwithSophie.
“Infact,Iseenoreasonwhyweshouldwaituntiltomorrow,”Phillipsaid.“Thecabinisonlyanhouraway.Weshouldleavetonight.”
NormallySophielovedbabysittinghernephew,buttonightshe’dbeenedgy.She’dputhimtobedateight,andhadn’tstoppedpacingpastthewindow,watchingforPhillipandHannah’scar.Bynine-thirty,whenitpulledupthedriveway,anhourandahalfearly,thankGod,she’dpracticallywornapathinthecarpet.Sheforcedherselftotakeaseatonthesofaandcrackopenthebookshe’dbroughtwithher.Itseemedtotakethemforevertogetupthestairstotheirsuite.
“Howismylittleangel?”Hannahaskedtheinstanttheywerethroughthedoor.
“Sleeping,”Sophiesaid,risingfromherseat,expectingAlextofollowtheminside.Shewaited,thinkingmaybehewasjustafewstepsbehind,butPhillipclosedthedoorbehindhim.
HowwasAlexgoingtooffertowalkherhomeifhewasn’tthere?
“Howwashe?”Phillipasked.
“He?”
“Frederick.”
“Oh,right.Hewasgood.Perfect,asusual.”
“I’msoglad,”Hannahsaid.“He’scuttinghisbottomteeth,soIwasafraidhemightbecranky.”
“Howwasdinner?”Sophieasked,whenwhatshereallywantedtoknowwaswheretheheckwasAlex?
“Pleasant,”Phillipsaid,thenhetaggedherwithakissonthecheekonhiswaytothebedroom.“I’mgoingtogopack.”
Pack?“Areyougoingsomewhere?”
Hannahdroppedherpurseonthecoffeetableandcollapsedontothesofa.“PhillipandAlexhavedecidedtoleaveforthecabintonightinsteadofwaitinguntilmorning.”
Theywereleavingtonight?
No,no,no!Theycouldn’tleavetonight.SheandAlexhadplans.Theyweregoingtohavesex,dammit.“It’skindoflate,isn’tit?”
Hannahshrugged.“Youknowmenandtheirinsatiabledesiretobeararms.”
Shebittheinsideofhercheeksohardshedrewblood.“Youdon’tcarethathe’sgoingtoleaveyouandFrederickaloneallnight?”
“It’snotabigdeal.I’llprobablyjustgostraighttobedanyway.I’mexhausted.”
Therehadtobeawaytostopthis.ShehadtotalktoAlex.“Well,ifyoudon’tneedmeforanythingelse,I’llbeheadinghome.”
“Sure,Sophie,”Hannahsaid,hervoicealreadyheavywithsleepandherlidsdrooping.“Thankssomuchforwatchingthemunchkin.”
“TellmybrotherIsaidtohaveagoodtime.”
Sheletherselfoutoftheirsuite,thenleftthefamilyresidence,butratherthantakethestairsdown,shecrossedtotheguestwingandrappedonAlex’sdoor.
Heopenedit,lookingapologetic,andsaid,“Iknowyou’reprobablyupset.”
Shesteppedinsideandshutthedoorbehindher.“You’regoingtonight?”
“Thisissonotmyfault.”
“Alex!”
“WhatwasIsupposedtodo?Hesaidhewantedtogoearly.WhatreasoncouldIgivehimtowaituntilthemorning?”
“Youcouldhavecomeupwithsomething.”
Helookedathiswatch.“Ihavetopack.I’mmeetinghimdownstairsinfifteenminutes.”
Hewalkedtothebedroomandshefollowedhim.
Fifteenminuteswasn’tverylong,buttheycouldprobablypullitoff.Butiftheywereonlygoingtodothisonce,shedidn’twanttorush.
“Bytheway,Hannahknows,”Alexsaid.
“Knowswhat?”
Hesteppedintotheclosetandpulleddownasmalltravelcasefromtheshelf.“Aboutus.”
“What?”Sophiestoppedinhertracks.“Whatdidyousaytoher?”
“Nothing.”Hetossedthecaseonthebedandbeganshovingclothesinit.“Sheapproachedmeaboutit,saidshepickeduponavibethatfirstnightatdinner.”
Oh,notgood.“DidshesayitinfrontofPhillip?”
Heshookhishead.“Hewasawayfromthetabletakingacall.Shetoldmeshewouldn’tsayanythingtohim.AndshemoreorlessthreatenedtodomebodilyharmifIhurtyou.”
“Hannahdid?”
“Yeah,itwasweird.Sheseemssosweetandunassuming.”Hesteppedintothebathroomandshefollowedhim.
“Doessheknowtheextentofit?”
“Ifshedoes,shecametothatconclusiononherown.Wedidn’ttalkspecifics.”Hegatheredhistoiletriesanddroppedthemintoacase.“Althoughwediddeterminethatit’stemporary.”
“Andshe’snotgoingtotellPhillip?”
“That’swhatshesaid.”
Thatwasgoodatleast.
Hezippedhiscaseandbrushedpasthertothebedroom,andgoodnessdidhesmellgood.Likefreshairandsunshine.
Shefollowedhim,watchingashestuffedthecaseintohisbagandzippeditclosed.Itwasn’tfair.Thiswassupposedtobetheirnight.Thiswouldn’tbesobadifshehadatleastgottentoenjoythatappetizerthisafternoon.Orwhoknows,maybethatwouldhavebeenworse.
Hecheckedhiswatchandgrabbedthebagfromthebed.“Ihavetogo.”
Shedidn’twanthimtogo,butwhatcouldshedo?Beghimnottoleave?Implorehimtofabricatesomeexcusetoleavethefollowingmorninginstead?Shewouldn’tgivehimthesatisfactionofknowingjusthowimportantthishadbecometoher.Afterall,shedidn’twanttogivehimfalsehope.Becauseifanyonewasgoingtobedoinganyfallinginlove,itwouldmostlikelybehim.
Ithadhappenedbefore.
“Well,haveagoodtimeshootingthings,”shesaid.
“I’lltrytotalkPhillipintocominghomeThursday,”hesaid.
“Ifyoudo,andI’mfree,perhapswecanspendtheeveningtogether.”
Hegrinned.“Ifyou’refree,huh?”Thenhehookedhisfreearmaroundherwaist,tuggedheragainsthimandplantedakissonherthatcurledhertoesandmeltedherbones.Whenheabruptlyletgo,shenearlysanktothefloor.“ThinkaboutthatwhileI’mgone,andtellmeyouwon’tbefree.”
Sheopenedhermouthtoreply,butbythetimeherbrainclearedandsheformulatedasnappycomeback,hewasalreadygone.
TenAlexhadagoodtimeatthehuntingcabin.ItwashisandPhillip’sfirstchancetoreallycatchupandspeakfranklyaboutwhattheyhadbeenuptosincecollege.Anditmadehimrealizehowmuchhemissedtheirfriendshipsincetheyhaddriftedapart.JonahwouldalwaysbeAlex’sbestfriend,hisbrother,butitwasanicechangetohangoutwithsomeonewhodidn’tknowhimsowell.SomeonenotsoquicktojudgeAlex,butinsteadobservehislifewithanunbiasedopinion.
ButlateThursdayeveningHannahcalledtosaythatFrederickhadafever,andeventhoughthedoctorsaiditwasnothingtoworryabout,Phillipinsistedoncominghome.
“Ihopeyoudon’tmind,”Phillipsaidastheyloadedtheirbagsintothecar.
“Ofcoursenot,”Alextoldhim.“Familycomesfirst.”
“Thephysiciansaiditcouldbeareactiontohisteething,andthere’snothingtobedone,butIfeelbetterifI’mtherewiththem.”
IfAlexhadkids,hewassurehewouldfeelthesameway.Andhadheandhisexproducedchildrentogether,theywouldhavebeenpawnsinthedivorce.Onemoreweaponforhertouseagainsthim.Andhedidn’tdoubtthatshewouldhave.She’dhadnoproblemlyingtohisfamilyandtwistingthetruth.Andevenworse,theyseemedtotrustherovertheirownfleshandblood.
Hisexspentyearsspinningherweboflies,andbythetimeherealizedwhatshe’dbeenupto,itwastoolate.Shehadeveryonesnowed.
Andyes,headmittedtohimselfasheandPhillipclimbedinthecar,hehadunfairlytransferredsomeofthatpentupanimosityontoSophie.Ifhisonlymotivationforsleepingwithherhadbeenrevenge,wouldhehavemissedhercompanythispastday?Andwouldherfacebethefirstthinghewantedtoseewhentheygotbacktothepalace?Whichseemedtotakeanimmeasurablylongtimeforsomereason.Thehourdrivefeltmoreliketwo,buthiswatchconfirmedthatitwasindeedonlytenforty-five.
HewonderedifSophiewasavailable.Orifshemighthavealreadygonetobed.
Whentheywalkedinside,Hannahwasinthefoyerpacing,asleepingFredericksprawledlimplyinherarms.
“Ijustgothimtosleep,”shewhisperedasPhillipleanedintokissher.Hepressedacheektohisson’sforehead.Checkingforatemperature,Alexsupposed.Herecalledseeinghissisterdothatwithhisnieceandnephew.ItwasareminderofwhatadevotedfamilymanPhillip
hadbecome.Andforthefirsttime,Alexwonderedifhehadmissedoutonsomethingspecialbyrefusingtohavechildren.
Notthathecouldn’tstillhavethemwithsomeoneelse.
“Hestillfeelswarm,”Phillipwhisperedback,caressinghisson’sflushedcheek.
“EverytimeItrytolayhimdownhehasafit.Myarmsachefromcarryinghimallday.”
“GivehimtomeandI’lltrytolayhimdown.”
ShetransferredFrederickintohisarms.
ItstillstruckAlextoseePhillipsosettled.Andcontenttobethatway.“Seeyoutomorrow,”hetoldAlex,thencarriedthebabyupthestairs.
“I’msorrytomakeyoucomehomeearly,”Hannahtoldhim.“Iwouldhavebeenfinealoneforanothernight,butPhillipisverydevotedtohisson.MorethanmostfathersIthink,becausehisownparentsweresoabsentfromhislife.HeandSophiewereraisedbynanniesandhousekeepers.Ithinkitleftdeepscarsinthemboth.”
“SpeakingofSophie,”hesaid,glancingathiswatch,“doyouthinkit’stoolatetocallher?”
Hedidn’tsaywhy,andhehopedHannahwouldn’task.
“She’snothome.ShehelpedmewithFredrickforwhile,butwhensheheardPhillipwasonhiswayhome,sheleft.Shesaidsomethingabouthavingadate.”
Adate?Sheknewforafactthathewascomingbacktothepalace,butratherthanwait,she’dfoundsomeoneelsetooccupyhertime?Notthathecaredeitherway.
Andifhedidn’tcare,whydidhefeelasthoughhe’djustbeenkickedinthegut?
“Ihopeitwasallrighttotellyouthat.Imean…Idon’twanttocauseanyhurtfeelings.Butsincewhatyouandshehaveiscasual,Ijustfigured…”Sheshrugged.
“It’sfine,”Alextoldher,becauseitshouldhavebeen.Hehadnoexpectationoffidelityfromawomanhewasn’ttechnicallyseeing.“Ijusthadaquestionaboutthefund-raisertomorrownight.”
“Doyouhavehercellnumber?”Hannahasked.“I’msureyoucanreachher.”
“It’snotimportant.Icantalktohertomorrow.”
“Well,IshouldgetupstairsandhelpPhillip.”
“I’llwalkyouup,”hesaid.
Theywalkeduptogether,thenpartedwaysatthetopofthestairs.Shedisappearedintotheresidence,andhewalkedtotheguestwing.Onceinsidehisroomhefixedhimselfadrinkandwalkedovertothewindow,lookingoutacrossthedarkyardtoSophie’sresidence.The
exteriorwasbrightlylit,andseveraloftheupstairslightswereburning.Itlookedasthoughshewashome.Itwaspossibleshewasn’treallyonadate.ShemayhaveonlytoldHannahthattotakethefocusoffherandAlex.
Andifthatwastrue,heshouldatleastletherknowthathewasback.
Hewalkedtothephoneanddialedthenumbershe’dlefthimontheitinerary.Wilsonanswered,andwhenAlexaskedforSophie,hewascurtlyinformedhimthattheprincesswasoutfortheevening.
Alexthankedhimandhungup,feelinglikeanassforcallinginthefirstplace.AndevenmoreofanassforcaringwhereSophiewasorwhoshemightbewith.Andthelastthinghefeltlikedoingwassittingaroundsulkingaboutit.
Hecarriedhisdrinktothebedroomandswitchedonthelightbesidethebed,andfelt,forthesecondtimethatday,asifhe’dbeenpoleaxed.Lyingontopofthecovers,curledinaballandsleepingsoundly,wasSophie.
Hehadnoideawhatshewasdoingtherewhenshewassupposedtobeoutonadate,buthecouldn’tdenyhewashappytoseeher.Sohappythatitwasmorethanalittledisconcerting.Itwasn’tsupposedtofeelthisgood.Justseeingher,knowingshewasthere.
Bybeinghere,shewasinherownwaytellinghimjusthowmuchshewantedtobewithhim.Andhedidn’tthinkhewouldeverlookatherquitethesamewayagain.Orforthatmatter,himself.
Hesetdownhisdrinkandsatontheedgeofthebedtotakeoffhisshoesandsocks,thenlaydownandrolledonhisside,facingher.Shedidn’tbudge.Andalthoughhewantedtowakeher,helikedherthisway.Quietandvulnerable.Andpeaceful.Forafewminuteshelaytherejustlookingather,memorizingherface,wonderingwhatthehellhewasdoing.Whathewasgettinghimselfinto.
Justtoseewhatshewoulddo,heleanedcloserandbrushedhislipsagainsthercheek,thetipofhernose.Shewrinkledhernoseandmumbledsomethinginhersleep.
Hebrushedhislipsagainsthers,whispered,“Wakeup,SleepingBeauty.”
Hereyesflutteredopen,hazyandunfocusedatfirst,butwhenshesawhimlyingthere,shesmiled.“You’reback.”
“Boringdate?”
Shelookedconfused,thenshelaughedsoftly.“Oh,yeah.IjusttoldHannahthattothrowheroff.ThenIsneakedinheretowaitforyou.”Sheyawnedandstretchedoutbesidehim.“IguessIwastired.”
Shewasdressedinapairofwhitecroppedpantsandapinksilktankthatrodeuptoexposeasliverofsoft,deeplytannedstomach,andherhairwaspulledbackinaponytail.Shelookedyoungandsassy.Andcompletelyirresistible.Hereacheduptobrushawispofdarkhairbackfromherface.Anyexcusetotouchher.
“So,hereweare,”shesaid.
“Hereweare.”Andshehadcometohim.
Shetouchedhisface,strokinghischeekwithherfingers.“I’msorrythatFrederickisn’tfeelingwell.Butthekidhasgreattiming.”
Hewrappedanarmaroundherandtuggedheragainsthim.“Howareweontime,bytheway?”
Shefoldedherarmsaroundhisneck,shiftedcloser,windingherlegsaroundhis.Herbodyfeltlongandsoft,andwarmfromsleep.“Youmean,whendoIhavetoleave?”
“Exactly.”
“PhillipandHannahhavenoideathatI’mhere,andItoldWilsonthatIwouldbestayingatthepalacetonight.”
Thatwasjusttheanswerhewashopingfor,becauseitwasgoingtotaketheentirenighttodoallthethingstoherthathe’dbeenimagining.
Sheburrowedcloser,nuzzlingherfaceagainsthisneck.“DoyourememberthefirstnightIcametoyourroom?Thelasttimeyoustayedhere?Thewaywejustkissedandtouchedandtalkedallnightanddidn’tmakeloveuntilthesunwascomingup?”
Heslippedhishandunderhertop,strokingherback.“Iremember.”
Shetunneledherfingersthroughhishairandnibbledonhisthroat,herbreathhotonhisskin.“I’dliketodothatagain.”
“Exceptwe’renotmakinglove,”heremindedher.“We’rehavingsex.”
“Thereisthat,”shesaid,andsmiledupathim,alookofpuremischiefinhereyes.“AndIcouldprobablydowithoutallthetalking.”
Hebrushedhislipsagainsthers.“Sothatleaveskissingandtouching.”
“Andsex.AlthoughI’mnotsureIwanttowaitallnightforthat.”Shearchedagainsthim,nippinghislowerlipwithherteeth.
Hecuppedherbreast,trappinghernipplebetweenhisthumbandforefinger.Itwashighandfirmandfitperfectlyinhispalm.“How’sthat?”
Shegazedupathim,lidsheavywithdesire.“Onsecondthought,whydon’twejustforgetaboutthatfirstnightandmakesomenewmemoriesinstead.”Thenshegrabbedhishead,pulledhisfacetohersandkissedhim.Slowanddeepandlong.Andshewasalreadyworkingonthebuttonsofhisshirt,undressinghim.
Iftheywereonlydoingthisonceandtheyhadallnight,he’dbedamnedifhewasgoingtoletherrushhim.Hegrabbedherwrists,triedtoputherarmsbackuparoundhisneck,butshewiggledfree.“Slowdown.”
Shewasbackathisbuttons.“Idon’twanttoslowdown.Iwantyounaked.”
Hemadeamovetograbherarmandshenippedathishand.Heyankedaway,anddidn’tdoubtforasecondthatshewouldhaveactuallybittenhim.Justforthat,shewouldn’tbeseeinghimnakedforaverylongtime.
Whenshehadhisshirtunbuttonedandreachedforhisfly,hegrabbedbothofherwrists.Hepinnedherarmsoverherheadandrolledontopofher,stillingherwithhisweight.
“Thatisn’tfair,”shesaid,strugglingtofreeherself.Butshewasn’tstrugglingsohardthathethoughtshereallywantedtogetaway.Hecouldseethatifhedidn’tletherknowwhowascallingtheshots,thisnightwasgoingtobelong,unendingpowerstruggle.
Hegrinneddownather.“Nooneeversaidanythingaboutplayingfair.”
Hekissedheragain,justasslowanddeepasshe’dkissedhim,anditwasn’tlongbeforeshestoppedstruggling,beforeshemeltedintothemattressbeneathhim.Heletgoofherarmsandshewrappedthemaroundhisneck,diggingherfingersthroughhishair,feedingoffhismouth.Shewasevenmorefieryandpassionatethanheremembered.
Hepulledhershirtupandoverherhead,andtosseditontothefloor.Shewaswearingapinkpush-upbraconstructedentirelyoflacethatleftnothingtotheimagination.Hernipplesweresmallanddarkandtightlypuckered.He’dneverseenanythingsobeautiful.
Heloweredhisheadandnippedatonewithhisteeth.Sophiegaspedandarchedupagainsthim.Andwhenhetriedtolifthishead,sheforceditbackdownagain.Andthistimehedecidedhewouldhumorher.Heyankedonesideofherbradown,baringherbreast,andtookherintohismouth.Shemoanedandarchedupclosertohismouth,andbecausehelikedthereactionhegot,hedidthesametotheoppositeside.Helickedandnippedatherskin,untilSophiewaswrithingunderneathhim.
Shetriedtoguidehismouthtohers,strugglingforcontrolagain,soinsteadheslippeddownherbody,nuzzlinghisfaceagainstherribcageandherstomach.Hegotuponhiskneestounfastenherpants.Shereachedforhim,tryingtogettohiszipperagain,andheshotherasternlook.“Don’tmakemetieyoudown.”
Asexysmilecurledhermouthandhereyeswereaninferno.“Yousaythatlikeit’sabadthing.”
Maybelater,butrightnowhehadotherthingsplanned.
Insteadshereachedbacktounsnapherbraandtosseditsomewhereinthevicinityofhershirt.Herbreastswereperfect.Smallandfirmbutsoft.
Heleanedforward,gaveeachoneanotherkiss,thenworkedhiswaylower,acrossherstomachasheeasedherpantsdownherlegs,untilallthatwasleftwasonetinyscrapofpinklacethatcouldbarelypassforapairofpanties.Andunderneathitwasnothingbutbare,smooth,goldentanskin.
Henuzzledherstomach,justabovethetopedgeofthelace.Sheletherheadfallbackagainstthepillow.Shehadthemostamazingthroat,longandslenderandgraceful.Hekissedherthroughthelace,blowinghotairagainstherskinandshemadeasoftmewlingsounddeepinherthroat.Herscentwaslightandfreshandfeminine.
Hehookedhisthumbsundertheedgeofthewaistband,slidingthelacedownherlegsandoffherfeet,andtosseditoverhisshoulder.Thenhesatbackonhisheelsandjustlookedather.
Shegazedupathim,hereyesglassyandconfused.“What?”
“Nothing.”
“Whyareyoustaringatmelikethat?”
“Ijustwanttolookatyou.”
“Oh.Okay.”
Hesatthereforaminute,takingineveryinchofherperfectbody.Herfeetweresmallforawomanofherheightandsurprisinglypetite,heranklesslenderanddelicate-looking.Anddamn,herlegswerelong.Hecouldn’twaittofeelthemlockedaroundhim.
Heleanedforward,kissedtheinsideofoneknee.
“WhyamItheonlyonenaked?”sheasked.
“Becauseit’snotmyturnyet.”
“Sayswho?”
“Me.”
“Oh,Igetit.You’reshyandyou’reafraidtoadmitit.”
Hepressedhislipstotheoppositeknee.“Ifthatdidn’tworkonyou,Princess,doyoureallythinkitwouldworkonme?”
Shelookedonlyslightlydefeated,likeshe’dknownitwasalongshotbuthadtotryanyway.“Idon’tsupposeyoucoulddropthe‘Princess’and‘YourHighness’thing,andjustcallmeSophie.”
“I’llthinkaboutit…”Heranhistongueupherinnerthigh,makinghershudder,thenlookeddownatherandgrinned.“…YourHighness.”
Shemighthavebalked,wereshenotsoturnedon,butherbodydidn’tlie.Hecouldseehowslickandreadyshewasforhim.AndGodknowshewasready,too.Ithadbeentoodamnedlong.Toolongsincehefeltsoconnectedtoawoman.Sincesexhadbeenthis…fun.
Andhedidn’twanttorushthings,butSophieseemedtothinkhewastakingthingsabittooslow.
“Touchme,Alex,”shesaidinapleadingvoice,sohebrushedherlightlywithhisfingers,whereshewasslipperyandwarm.Shewhimperedsoftly,bitingherlip.Hewentonestepfurther,slidingonefingerinsideher.
Shesuckedinabreathandherhipsrockeduptowardhishand,forcinghimindeeper.
“Youwantmore?”
“Yes,”shehissed,hereyesblearyandunfocused,andhelovedthathewasmakingherfeelgood,thatitwassodamnedeasy.
Hegaveheronemore,thenathird,buthecouldseeitstillwasn’tenough.Heloweredhisheadandtouchedherwithhistongueandwasrewardedwithalow,throatymoan.Thenhetookherinhismouthandshenearlyvaultedoffthebed.Shetastedsweeterandmoredeliciousthanhisfavoritedessert,andwasahellofalotmoresatisfying.Thenhefeltthoseamazinglegshookingoverhisshoulders,lockinghimin,asifhe’dactuallystop.Itdidn’tgetanybetterthanthis.
Hekepthistouchlight,justaflickofhistongueortugwithhismouth,tomakeitlast,becausehedidn’twantittobeovertoofastanditwasobviousshewasalmosttherealready.Herfingersweretangledinhishair,herheadthrownbackandhereyesclosed,herheelsdiggingintohisback.
Carefulashewasthough,hecouldfeelherslipping,comingcloser,thenshetensedandarchedup,crushinghisheadbetweenherthighs.Herbodycoiledandlocked,andadeepshudderrockedthroughher.Butdamn,hedidn’twantittobeoversosoon.Hewantedtoseejusthowfarhecouldtakeher.Soinsteadofstopping,heincreasedthepressureofhismouth,ofhistongue.Shemadeasoundofprotestandtriedtopushhisheadaway,pressherlegstogether,butheheldherdown.Andafteraminuteofthat,shewasnolongerpushinghimaway,andinsteadpullinghimcloser.Makingsoft,desperate,pleadingsounds.Andsheshatteredalmostinstantly.
Hekissedhiswayupherstomach.Herskinwaswarmandflushedandhecouldfeelherheartthumping,thebloodrushingthroughherveins.
Shesighed,sprawlinglimplyacrossthecomforter.“Thatfeltsogood.”
Hekissedandnippedhiswayupward,throughthevalleybetweenherperfectbreasts.Toherthroatandchin,andwhenhegottoherface,hegrinneddownather.“Luckyforyou,YourHighness,I’mjustgettingwarmedup.”
ElevenSomuchforhisusinghername.Butshefeltsodamnedgoodthatrightnow,shedidn’tcarewhathecalledher.Shewastoolimptomove,toevenopenhereyes.“That’sneverhappenedtomebefore.”
“Whichpart?”Alexasked.
“Themultiplepart.”
“Really?”Therewasanoteofbothdisbeliefandprideinhisvoice.
“Asarule,Itrytolimitmyorgasmsoneatatime.”
“Whyisthat?”
“It’snevergoodtosetthebartoohigh.Youonlyendupdisappointed.”Infact,hehadprobablyjustruinedherforothermen.
Shewassorelaxedandsated,shecouldlaytherelikethatforhours,butsherealized,shewasbeingterriblyselfish.Shehadbeenthoroughlysatisfied,andhehadn’teventakenoffhisclothesyet.
Sheloopedherarmsaroundhisneckandpulledhimdownforakiss,andtoldhim,“It’syourturntogetundressed.”
Hegrinneddownather.“Sayswho?”
“Me.”Thensheaddedfirmly,“Now.”
Withoutargumenthesatupandshesatupbesidehim,legscurledunderher,towatch.Heshruggedoutofhisshirtanddroppeditbesidethebed.Hefishedhiswalletfromhispantspocketandsetitonthenighttable,thenunfastenedthemandkickedthemoff.Hisboxerswerethelasttogo,andwhenheslidthemoff,shesighedwithsatisfaction.Shethoughtshe’drecalledeverythingabouthim,buthermemorydidn’tdohimjustice.
“Liedown,”shesaid,pushinghimontohisback.“It’smyturntolookatyou.”
He’dbeensodeterminedtooverpowerher,shewasalittlesurprisedwhenheletherstraddlehisthighs,pinninghimtothemattress.Andforamomentshejustlethereyeswanderoverhim,takingitallin,burningitinhermemory.Sothistime,afterhewasgone,shewouldn’tforget.Shewouldalwaysrememberthat,nomatterhowshortaperiodoftime,justhowgoodthishadbeen.
Hisbodywasjustso…perfect.Sobeautiful.Moresobecauseofthemanontheinside.Andjustfortonight,hewasallhers.Insideandout.
Shewasalmostsorryitcouldn’tbelonger,eventhoughsheknewitwasbetterthisway.
Whensimplylookingathimwasn’tenough,sheputherhandsonhim,followingthepathhereyeshadjusttaken.Shetouchedhisarmsandhischestandhisstomach.Andwhenshe’dmadeherwaydowntohiserection,shepausedforamoment,justlooking,thenshetookhiminherhand,squeezinggently.Hesighedandshiftedunderher,hiseyesslippedclosed.Hisskinfelthotandsmoothandalivewithsensation.
“You’rebeautiful,”shesaid.“Isitokaytocallamanbeautiful?Imean,Idon’twanttogiveyouacomplex.”
“Keeptouchingmelikethatandyoucancallitanythingyouwant.”
Sheclosedherhandaroundhimandstroked,uptheentirelengthofhim,thenbackdownagain.“Likethis?”
Heansweredherwithasoftgroan,gazingupatherthrougheyeshalfclosedwitharousal.Therewasnothingshelovedmorethanexperimentingwiththemalebody,learningeverytrickandfetish.Exactlywhattodotomakehimfeelgood.Andforawhilethat’swhatshedid.Touchedandteasedhim,usingherhandsandmouth.Butafterabitofthathecaughtherfacebetweenhishandsandkissedher,thenwhisperedinherear,“Asgoodasthisfeels,Ireallywanttobeinsideyou.”
“Youhaveprotection,Ihope.”Itwouldbeabloodyshameiftheycamethisfar,onlytohavetostop.
“Inmywallet,”hesaid,noddingtowardthetable.
Shedidloveamanwhocameprepared.Shegrabbedhiswalletandopenedit.Therewasathickwadofcashinside,andhalfadozencreditcards.Andacondom.Severalinfact.
SherecognizedthepackagingasAmerican,meaninghe’dbroughtthemwithhim.Whichdidn’tnecessarilymeanhe’dbeenplanningthis.Whatsinglemaninthisdayandagedidn’tcarryprophylactics?
Shepluckedoneout,thengrabbedasecond,justincase,andtossedhiswalletbackontothetable.Shetoreoneofthewrappersopenwithherteethandasked,“MayIdothehonors?”
Hegrinnedupather,adevilishlyhungrysmile.“Knockyourselfout,Princess.”
Sherollediton,veryslowly,knowingbythelookonhisfacethatshewasdrivinghimcrazy.Whichwasexactlythepointofcourse.Andwhenshewasfinished,hesaid,“Makelovetome.”
Shedidn’twanthimtoknowhowrealthiswasforher.Howitfeltlikesomuchmorethanjustsex.Justasithadtenyearsago,whenshestillfeltasthoughshehadherentirelifeaheadofher.
Hewrappedbothhandsaroundherhips,guidingher,andsheloweredherselfoverhim,slowlytakinghiminsideher,savoringthesensationofbeingfilled.Shewasstillhotandslickandhermuscleshuggedhimfirmlyassheroseup,thensankbackdownagain.
Alexranhishandsuphersidestoherbreasts,cuppingtheminhispalms,pinchinghernippleslightly,makinghershiver.Hepulledherdownsohecouldreachthemwithhismouth,flickinghistongueagainstthepebblehardpeakofonenipple,thentheother.Thenhepulledhermouthtohisandkissedher,oneofthosedeep,soul-searchingkissesthatcurledhertoesandmakeherheadspin.Thensherealized,itwasn’tjustherheadspinning.Alexwasrollingheroverwithoutmissingabeatorinterruptingtheirrhythm,andthenextthingsheknew,shewasonherback,pinnedbyhisweight,andhewasgrinningdownather.
Tohellwithmakinglove.Shewantedthis.Shewanteditroughanddesperate.Andshecouldfeelherselflettinggo,losingwhatlittlecontrolshehadleft,archingagainsthim,legstwinedaroundhiships.Digginghernailsintohisback.Moaningandwrithing.Andshecouldn’tdoathingtostopit.ShewasapuppetandAlexpulledthestrings.
Shelosttrackoftimeafterthat,losttrackofherself.Everythingshesmelledandfeltandheard,everytasteandtouch,allmeltedtogetherandbecameablur.Itbuiltandclimbed,higherandhigher.Andwhenshethoughtshecouldn’tstanditanymore,whenitwasunbearable,shewenthigherstill.
ThenAlexsaidhername.“Sophie,lookatme.”
Theinstanttheireyeslocked,sheblewapart,takinghimalongwithher.Herreleasewelledupfromaplacedeepinsideher,grabbedholdanddidn’tletgo.
HerbodywasstillquakingwithtinyaftershockswhenAlexrolledoverbesideher.Theywerebothbreathingheavy,heartsthumpingwildly.
“Idon’tknowaboutyou,”Alexsaid,“butI’mnottenseanymore.”
Nope,shewasaslimpasawetnoodle.“Iguessitworked.”
“Iguess.”
Andiftheyweretodothisonlyonce,theyhadcertainlygonedowninablazeofglory.Onlynow,doingitjustoncewasn’tsoundinglikesuchahotideaanymore.Theideaoftouchinghim,makinglovetohimagain,hadherheartbeatingfaster.
Maybeinsteadofonetime,theyshouldlimitittoonenight.Sinceneitherhadanythingbettertodoanyway.
Sherolledonhersideandcurleduptohim,drapingonelegoverbothofhis,playingwiththesofthaironhischest.“Alex?”
“Hmm?”
“Ihaveaproblem.”
Helookeddownather,browfurrowed.“Whatkindofproblem?”
“I’mfeelingtenseagain.”
Thehintofagrintippeduponecornerofhismouth.“Well,then,Princess.We’lljusthavetodosomethingaboutthat.
At5:00a.m.,beforeanyofthefamilywereup,andrunningonbarelyanhourofsleep,SophieslippedoutofAlex’sbed,threwonherclothesandtiptoeddownthestairs.ShewasonlyadozenstepsfromthedoorandalmosthomefreewhenHannahwalkedoutofthekitchen,Frederickawakeandgurglinghappilyonhershoulder,andcaughtherred-handedsneakingout.
“My,you’reupearly,”Hannahsaid,flashingSophieawrysmile.
“You,too.Themunchkinseemstobefeelingbetter.”
“Hisfeverisgoneanditlooksasthoughhisteetharebeginningtobreakthrough.”Shepattedhisback.“Youknow,you’relucky.”
“Lucky?”
“Phillipusuallydoesthemorningfeeding.”
“Oh?”
“Ifyoudon’twanthimtoknowaboutyouandAlex,youprobablyshouldn’tspendthenight.”
Probablynot.“Well,Ishouldgethome,then.”
“IlikeAlex,Sophie.AndIknowyoutrytoacttough,butIworryaboutyou.Thatyou’llgethurt.”
Itwasearly,andshe’dhadfartoolittlesleeptolistentoalecture.Nottomentionthatshewasalittleworriedherself.Somethinghappenedlastnight.Something…special.Whatwassupposedtobejustsex,feltlikeaheckofalotmore.Toheratleast.ButwhathadAlexbeenthinking?Anddidshewanttofindout?
Noway.They’dhadonereallygoodnighttogether,andtheywouldleaveitatthat,justastheyhadplanned.
“There’sreallynoneedtoworry,”shetoldHannah,thenshegavebothherandFrederickakissonthecheek.“I’llseeyoulatertonight,attheball.”
“Ijusthopeyouknowwhatyou’redoing,”Hannahcalledafterher.
Sodidshe.Shecouldnotriskdoingtheonethingshesworeshewouldn’t.
Fallinlovewithhim.
AlexwatchedSophiefromacrosstheRoyalInnballroom.Shewasdressedinaclingy,shimmering,floor-lengthgownsuspendedbytwomicro-thinspaghettistraps,andherhairwasdoneupinacomplicated-lookingtwistthatshowcasedherlong,gracefulthroatandnarrow,deeplytannedshoulders.Sheglidedfrompersontoperson,movingaseloquentlyastheorchestrathatplayedinthebackground.
Shemanagedtolookelegantandrefined,andsexyashellatthesametime.
Apparentlyshehadbeenjustwhatheneeded,becausehecouldn’trememberthelasttimehe’dsleptsosoundly,whenhehadn’twokenwithadarkcloudhangingoverhishead,afeelingofimpendingdreadinhischest.Hefelt…atpeace.
Whatheshouldhavebeenfeelingwassomesortofsatisfactionortriumph.He’dcomehereintendingtoseduceSophieandhehad.Andevenbetter,shehadcometohim.Allhehadto
donowwasleaveher.Andheknewhehadherheart.Hecouldseeitinhereyeslastnightthatshestilllovedhim.
Buttherewasamajorkinkinhisplans.Nowthathe’dgottentoknowheragain,itwasclearthatshewasn’tthewomanhe’dexpectedhertobe.Andthegeniusofhisrevengeplotnowseemedpettyandjuvenile.
TheyhadsharedacarwithPhillipandHannahtothehotel,andSophiedidadamnedfinejobofpretendingsheandAlexhadn’tspentthepreviousnightinbedtogether.Shewaspoliteandasfriendlyasonemightbewithacolleagueorbusinessassociate.
WhentheyarrivedattheRoyalInn,wherethecharitywasbeingheld,itwasinstantlycleartohimtheburdenthattheroyaltitlecouldbeforeverymemberofthefamily.Theywereaccostedbythepresstheinstanttheysteppedfromthecar,thenonceinside,afloodofstaffandguestsmonopolizedthemforwhatwasgoingontwohoursnow.
Alexwascontenttositatthebarandwatchher.Everysooftenhewouldcatchhereyeandsomethingwouldpassbetweenthem.Ahungrylookorashared,secretsmile,andhewouldknowexactlywhatshewasthinking.Hecouldn’tescapethefeelingthatshewaskeepingherdistanceonpurposethough.
“Idon’tbelievewe’vemet.”
Alexturnedtofindaveryattractivebrunettesittingonthestoolbesidehis.Sheworeapaintedon,siren-reddresswithaplungingnecklinethatshefilledtocapacity.
“AlexanderRutledge,”hesaid,offeringhishand.
“MadelineGrenaugh.”Herhandshakewassoftandsuggestive,andwhensheletgo,shegrazedhispalmwithnailsthatlookedlikeblood-redclaws.“You’reanAmerican.”
“Guilty.”
“Eastcoast?”sheasked.
“NewYork.You’regood.”
“Mr.Rutledge,youhavenoidea.”Sheflashedhimanovertlysensualsmile.Manwasshelayingitonthick.Whynotjustdroparoomkeyinfrontofhim,orMapQuestdirectionstoherhouse?
“Whatbringsyoutoourfaircountry?”sheasked.
“I’maguestoftheroyalfamily,actually.IwenttocollegewithKingPhillip.”
“Thenwehavesomethingincommon.Myfamilyhasbeenclosefriendswiththeroyalfamilyforyears.”
“Alex,thereyouare!”
HeturnedtoseeSophieglidingtowardhim,herdressshimmeringinthelightofthechandeliers.Thewarmglowplayingoffallofthosedipsandcurveshefoundsoenticing.
“I’msorryIhaven’tbeenmuchofahostess,”Sophieapologized,thenglancedtowardMadelineandwithapolitesmilesaid,“Oh,hello,Madeline,Ididn’tseeyousittingthere.”
AlexhadthefeelingthatMadelinewaspreciselythereasonSophiehadtakenthetimetowalkallthewayacrosstheroom.
Madelinebowedherheadandsaid,“Hello,Sophie.”
Shedidn’taddressherbyhertitle,whichAlexsuspectedwasanintentionalslight.Thetensiontheyweregivingoffpracticallyknockedhimover.
“Iseeyou’vemetourguest,”Sophiesaid,layingahandonAlex’sarm.Itwasaterritorialmove.Herwayofsaying,Backoff,he’smine,whichwasprettyfunnycomingfromawomanwhohadmadeitveryclear,onmorethanoneoccasion,thathewasn’thers.
“Ihave,”Madelinesaid,reachingouttotouchthehandhe’dbeenrestingonthebar,shootinghimoneofthoseinvitingsmiles.“We’refindingthatwehavealotincommon.AndIbelievethathewasjustabouttoaskmetodance.”
Hewas?Andgiveherachancetosinkherclawsin?Notinthislifetime.Sexyornot,thelastthingheneededinhislifewasanothermanipulativefemale.Evenifitwasonlyforafive-minutetwirlonthedancefloor.
“I’msorry,Madeline,”hesaid,pullinghishandfromunderhers.“ButIpromisedPrincessSophiethefirstdance.”Herosefromthebarstool.“Itwasnicetomeetyou,though.”
Iflookscouldkill.Hersmilewentfromsizzlingtoarcticcoldinthespanofaheartbeat.
HeofferedSophiehisarm,andsheslippedhersthroughit.ThenshenoddedandsmiledtoMadeline,twistingtheknife.Andobviouslyrelishingit.
“Youseemedtoenjoythat,”Alexsaidasheledhertothedancefloor.
Sheputonherinnocentface.“Whatdoyoumean?”
“Don’tgivemethat.Youlookedasthoughyouwantedtoscratcheachother’seyesout.”
Shecrackedasmile.“MaybeIenjoyeditalittle.”
“Youdon’tlikeher?”
“She’savampire.Andshe’shadherheartsetonthecrownsincewewerechildren.ShewentafterPhillipwithavengeance.Whensherealizedthatwasn’tgoingtohappen,shesleptandmanipulatedherwaythroughallofuppersociety.Nointelligentmanwillgonearher.Shemusthaveseenyouandsmelledfreshblood.”
Theysteppedontothedancefloor,weavingthroughathrongofotherformallydressedgueststoanunoccupiedspotinthecenter.Hepulledherintohisarms,andalthoughhehadexpected
hertoputupatleastalittleresistance,shecamewillingly.Aperfectfitagainsthisarms,asthoughshebelongedthere.
Temporarily,ofcourse.
“AndIguessithadnothingtodowithjealousy,”hesaid.
Sheleveledhergazeonhim.Inheels,shestoodnearlyeyetoeye.“Andwhowouldbethejealousoneinthisscenario?”
“Youwould.”
Shesnortedindignantly.“Youwish.”
“Idon’thavetowish.Iknow.Youwerejealous.”
Sheturnedhernoseupathim.“Yourarroganceneverceasestoamazeme.”
Heslidhishandfromherwaist,grazingthebareskinofherbackwithhisfingertips,felthershiver.Withtheslightesttughedrewherinjustalittlebitcloser.
“Stopthat!”shehissed.Andeventhoughherlipssaidno,hereyesweretellinghimtogoforit.
Heleanedforward,closetoherear,andwhispered,“Admitit,Princess.Youwantme.”
“Ialreadyhadyou,”shewhisperedback.
“Yeah,butwebothknewonenightwouldneverbeenough.”Henippedattheshellofherearandasoftmoanslippedfromherlips.“Whyfightit?”
“You’reabsolutelyright,theremustbeanunoccupiedclosetaroundheresomewhere.Ormaybeweshouldjustgrabaroomkeyandheadupstairs.”
Hejustgrinned,because,jokingornot,itmightcometothat.Hestrokedhisthumbagainstherbareback.God,hewantedher.Hewantedtoputhishandsonher.Peelthatgownfromherbodyandkisseveryinchofherskin.“Onemorenight,Princess.I’llmakeitworthyourwhile.”
“Ifailtoseehow.”
“Thinkmultiples.Lotsofthem.”
Hereyeswarmedandasubtlegrincurledthecornersofherlips,andheknewshewashis.
“Idon’tknowaboutyou,YourHighness,butI’mfeelingtenseagain.”
Shetippedherheadandgazedupathimthroughacurtainofdarklashes.“Areyoureally?”
“Yep.”
“Wellthen,youknowwhatthatmeans.”Sheglancedaroundtoseeifanyonewaslooking,thenleanedforward,herlipsbrushinghisear,herbreathhotonhisskin,andwhisperedinasultryvoice.“You’regoingtohaveareallylongnight.”
TwelveSophiehadn’tbeenkiddingwhenshesaiditwouldbealongnight.Andshe’dmadesureofit,bybasicallytorturinghim.Rubbingupagainsthimonthedancefloorwhennoonewaslooking,slidingherlegagainsthisunderthetableduringdinnerorslippingherhandunderthetableclothtolayitonhisthigh.Andallwiththerestofthefamilysittingatthetable.
Shewasruthlessandshewasgoodatit.Bythetimethesecondcoursewasservedhewassoturnedonhefeltreadytocrawloutofhisownskin.
AfterdinnersheexcusedherselftotheladiesroomandAlexheadedstraighttothebarforadrink.Astrongone.Withlotsoficethathemayormaynotdumpdownthefrontofhispants.
Itwasonlyeight,andaccordingtoSophietheywouldn’tbegettingoutofthereanysoonerthanmidnight.Possiblylater.Andthentherewastheproblemofgettingovertoherresidenceunnoticed.Ormaybeshewouldcometohimagain.
ThebartendersethisdoublescotchonthebarandAlextookadeepswallow.
“CanIhavethisdance?”
HeturnedtofindSophiestandingbehindhim,thatdevilishlookinhereyes.
“Soyoucantortureme?”
Shesmiled.“Youstartedit.”
Yes,hehad.Andhewasprobablygettingexactlywhathedeserved.Andquitefranklylovingthehelloutofit.Notonlywasitsexuallyarousing,buthewashaving…fun.“Canyoukeepyourhandstoyourself?MissWe-Have-to-Be-Discreet.”
Sheheldoutahandtohim.“Ipromisetobehave.”
Hetookherhandandletherleadhimouttothedancefloor.Heseriouslyquestionedherpromisetobehave,butifshehadplannednotto,shenevergotthechance.Inthebeginningofthefirstsong,sheslipped,andifhehadn’tbeenholdingontoher,shewouldhaveprobablygonedownhardonthedancefloor.Sheletoutacryofpain,clutchinghisarmsandholdingonefootofftheground.
Hesteadiedher,soshedidn’tfallover.“Whathappened?”
“Myankle.IthinkItwistedit.”
“Areyouallright?”
Shewincedandnodded.“Ithinkso.Myshoefelloff.Doyouseeit?”
Helookeddownandfounditlyingaboutafootaway.Heleanedoverandgrabbeditforher,andsawimmediatelywhathadhappened.Theheelhadpartiallysnappedoff.“It’sbroken.”
“What?”
Hehandedittoher.“Theheelbusted.”
Aroundthemcoupleswerebeginningtostopandlookandmurmurwordsofsympathy.Thishadtobeembarrassingforher,almosttakingadiveonthedancefloor.Notthathefeltshehadanyreasontobeembarrassed.Accidentshappen.ButSophielikedtobeincontrol,tobeself-sufficient.Thiswasthesortofthingthatwouldreallychapherpride.
“Canyouputweightonit?”Alexasked,wantingtogetheroutofthecrowdandbacktothetablebeforepeoplestartedmakingascene.
“Idon’tknow.”Sheputherfootflatonthefloorandsuckedinasurprisedbreath,hereyeswellingwithmoisture.“Ouch.”
Thatwasabigno.“Let’sgetyoubacktothetable.”
Shewincedinpain.“Idon’tthinkIcanwalk.”
Hehadn’tplannedonmakingherwalk,orhobblebackononefoot.Hescoopedherupoffherfeet—orinthiscase,herfoot—andintohisarms.Shegaspedandloopedherarmsaroundhisneck.
Hecarriedheracrossthedancefloor,thecrowdpartingliketheRedSeatoallowthemthrough.WhenHannahandPhillipsawthemcoming,theybothflewtotheirfeet.
“Whathappened?”HannahrushedtoSophie’ssideasAlexsetherdowninherchair.“Areyouokay?”
“I’mfine.”SheshowedHannahhershoe.“Itwistedmyanklewhenmyheelbroke.”
“Doyouneedadoctor?”Phillipasked.
Sophierolledhereyes.“It’sjusttwisted.”
“Itwasprobablythatslipperydancefloor,”Hannahsaid.“Ialmostfellonce,too.”
“Thenweshouldsuetheownersfornegligence,”Sophiesaid.“Ohwait,that’sus.”
Hannahkneltdownandexaminedtheankle,andwhenshetouchedit,Sophiewinced.“It’sswelling,”shetoldPhillip.“Sheneedstoicethis.Andprobablyhavethephysicianlookatittobeonthesafeside.”
“I’llescortherhome,”Phillipsaid.
“Phillip,thisisyourbenefit,”Sophietoldhim.“Youcan’tjustleave.GetmetothecarandI’llbefinealone.”
“I’mnotsendingyouhomeinacaralone.”
Iftherewasabettertimetojumpin,Alexcouldn’tthinkofone.“Youstay,”hetoldPhillip.“I’llseeherhome.”
“Areyousure?”Phillipasked.
Oh,yeah,hewassure.Sophiewoulddefinitelybeneedingsomepampering,andhewasthemanforthejob.Notthathebelieveditwouldgoanyfurtherthanthatwithherbeinginobviouspain.
Hewasseeingaverylong,coldshowerinhisimmediatefuture.
“Shouldwecallforawheelchair?”Hannahasked,lookingworried.
“Icancarryher,”Alexsaid.
Sophieshothimawrysmile.“Areyousure?Iwouldn’twantyoutohurtyourself.”
“I’llmanage.”
Hannahsaidsomethingtooneofthebodyguards,thenturnedbacktothem.“They’repullingupacararoundback,sothisdoesn’tbecomeapressspectacle.Orwe’llbereadinginthepaperstomorrowthatshehasacompoundfractureorherlegwassevered.”
Withnoeffortatall,AlexscoopedSophieoutofthechairandfollowedHannah,trailedbyPhillipandtwostoicbodyguards,outthebackdoorandthroughthekitchentotheserviceentrance.Aspromisedtherewasacarwaitingjustoutsidethedoor.Aswellasasmallcrowdofphotographers.Somuchforavoidingthepress.
Underashowerofflashes,AlexsetSophieontheseatinthebackandgothersettledin,thenturnedtoPhillipandHannah.
“Makesureshetakessomethingfortheswelling,”Hannahsaid.“Andseethatshekeepstheankleelevated.”
“Thanksfortakingcareofher,Alex,”Phillipsaid,shakinghishand.“We’lltrynottobetoolate.”
“Noneedtorush.I’msureshe’llprobablytakesomethingforthepainandgorighttobed.”
“Wellthen,we’llseeyoutomorrowwhenweleavefortheyacht.”
ThebodyguardsescortedthembackinsideandAlexclimbedinbesideSophie.“Well,thatwasexciting.”
“Youknowme.Neveradullmoment.”Sheremovedtheunbrokenshoeandtossedit,alongwiththebrokenone,ontheseatbesideher,andtoldthedriver.“Tothepalace.”
“Don’tyouwanttogobacktoyourresidence?”
“Ithinkit’sbetterifwegotoyoursuite.”
Wasshesuggestingthatshestillwantedtospendthenighttogether?
Shepulledthepinsfromherhairandittumbleddownacrosshershouldersinadarkandsilkycascade,andhefeltmesmerizedwatchingher.
“Ifiguredyouwouldwanttogorighttobed,”hesaid.
Sheflashedhimasexysmile.“Oh,Ido.”
“Yourownbed,”hesaid.“Torest.”
Sheshrugged.“I’mnottired.”
“Whataboutyourankle?”
“Whataboutit?”
Whataboutit?“Doesn’tithurt?”
Shetwisteditbackandforthafewtimes,thenrotateditinacircle.Thenshestompeditdownhardonthecarfloor.“Well,wouldyoulookatthat.Itseemstobeallbetter.”
Allbetter?Waitaminute…“YourHighness,wereyoufakingit?”
“Howelsewerewesupposedtogetoutofthere?”
“Whatdidyoudo?Gointheladies’roomandbreakoffyourheel?”
Shejustsmiled.
Heshouldhaveknown.Heshouldhavefiguredthatabrokenheelwastoodamnedconvenient.Somuchforherworryingaboutherpride.
Hefoldedhisarmsacrosshischest.“That’sdevious,evenforyou.”
“I’vedoneworse,believeme.AndIwouldhavetoldyou,butIneededittobeconvincing.”Shelaidherhandonhisthigh,gazingupathimwithwide,innocenteyes.“Areyouangrywithme?”
Heeyedhersternly.“Very.”
Shegavehimapout.“Really?”
“Oh,yeah.”Hecaughtherbehindtheneckandkissedher,longandslowanddeep,nippingherlipbeforeheletgo.“Infact,theminutewe’realone,Iplantopunishyouseverely.”
IfapunishmenttoAlexmeantsatisfyingawomanuntilshewaslimpanddefenseless,thenhe’dmadegoodonhisthreat.
Shelayinbedbesidehim,theirarmsandlegsentwined,herheadrestingonhischest.Andsheknewalreadythatanyfurtherone-more-nighttalkwasjustpointless.ShewantedahundrednightswithAlex.Athousandeven.
Butshewouldsettleforthelittletimehehadleft.
Shestrokedhischest,playingwiththefine,silkyhair.“CanIaskyouaquestion?”
“Iguessthatdependsonthequestion.”
“Whatwasyourwifelike?”
“Oh,thatkindofquestion.AndhereIwashavingsuchagoodtime.”
“Comeon,Alex,shecouldn’thavebeenthatbad.”
“Shewas…”Hestruggledwithitforamoment,thenfinallysaid,“Ambitious.”
“Sheworked?”
“Oh,no.Shewasverycontenttospendmymoney.WhenIsayambitious,I’mtalkingsocially.Shewasfriendswiththerightpeopleandchairofalltherightclubs.Shedrovetherightcarandlivedintherightneighborhood.Shewasevenhavinganaffairwithherpersonaltrainer.Talkaboutsociallyacceptable.”
“Ididn’tknowthat.I’msorry.”
“Iwasn’t.Thatwasasoberingmomentforme.Learningmywifewascheatingonmeandnotgivingadamn.”
Soberingandsad.“Youdidn’tcareatall?”
“Iknowitsoundsodd.Ikeptwaitingtofeelrageorrevulsionorevenhurt.ButtheonlythingImanagedtofeelwasrelieved.IfeltasthoughIfinallyhadanexcusetoleave.”
“Whydidyouneedanexcuse?”
“WhenIfigurethatout,I’llletyouknow.”
Shewassomuchbetteroffnothavingmarriedanyone.Whataterriblewaytolive.Justlikeherparents,andprobablytheirparentsbeforethem.Andhereshehadbelievedthatthatonlyhappenedamongtheroyalcrowd.
Alexdeservedbetterthanthat.
“Itmusthavebeenlonely,beingmarriedtoawomanyoudidn’tlove.”
Heshrugged.“Weledveryseparatelives.ThoselastfewmonthsIhardlyeversawherandwebarelyspoke.”
Sheroseuponherelbow,soshecouldseehisface.“Didyouevercheatonher?”
Thequestionseemedtosurprisehim.“I’mnotgoingtolieandsayIwasn’ttempted,butmyattorneyfirmlyadvisedmetonotgiveheranyammunition.Iwasfaithfuluntilwewerelegallyseparated.”
Putinthesamesituation,shewasn’tsureifshewouldhavehadthepatiencetobefaithful.Ofcourse,shewouldhavenevermarriedamanshedidn’tlove.
“Youknow,”hesaid,reachinguptotraceherlipswithhisfinger.“I’vealwaysfoundyouraccentincrediblysexy.”
Shesmiled.“Nottobeobtuse,butinthiscountryyou’retheonewiththeaccent.”
“You’rebeautiful.”Hecuppedhercheek,searchingherface.Sheclosedhereyesandleanedintohishand.
“Thisfeelsgood,”shesaid.“Youandme.”
“Itdoes.IimaginethatwhileI’mworkingonthefitnesscenterI’llbevisitinghereratheroften.”
Shecuddledbackdownagainsthischest.“Iimagineyouwill.”
“Itwouldgiveusthechancetospendmoretimetogether.”
Herheartcaughtinherthroat.Shewantedthatmorethanhecouldeverimagine.Shefeltgoodwhenshewaswithhim.Shefelt…normal.Hewastheonlymanshe’deverknownwhoreallyseemedtogether.Whodidn’ttakeanyofhercrap.Andevenmoreimportant,hedidn’ttrytooverpowerorsmotherher.Herespectedherindependence.Anditwasrightthensherealizedthatdespiteswearingitwouldneverhappen,shelovedhim.
Whatthebloodyhellhadshedone?
“Casually?”sheasked,heartinherthroat.
“Ofcourse.Idon’tthinkeitherofusislookingforacommitment.”
Thestringofdisappointmentwassharpandstinging,butwhatdidsheexpect?
Sheshookherhead.“I’vecometotheconclusionthatI’mjusttooindependenttobetieddown.”Atleast,shetriedtotellherselfthat.Alexwouldbeanautomaticsafetynet.
Shecouldn’tgetherselfcaughtupwithamanwhodidn’twanttobecaught.
Thirteen
Alexsteppedoutoftheshowerandtoweledoff,thenwalkedintothebedroomtocheckthetime.HewassupposedtomeetSophiedownstairsintenminutesforawalkinthegardens,andifhedidn’thurry,hewasgoingtobelate.
Hewouldbeflyinghomeintwodays,backtotheU.S.,tohisnewlife,thefreedomhe’dbeendreamingofsincethedayhe’dsaidIdo—whenwhatheshouldhavebeensayingwashell,no.SowhywasitthatthethoughtofleavingMorganIslelefthimwithahollowfeelinginhisgut?
Thethoughtofspendingmoretimehere,openinganofficeinthebayarea,heldfarmoreappealthangoingbacktoNewYork.Withalltherenovationprojectsavailable,hewouldn’tbeshortonwork.Andtakingthecompanyinternationalhadbeenhisfather’sgoal.NotthatAlexwouldbedoingitforanyonebuthimself.
Leavingintwodaysmeantsomethingelse,too.ItwasnearlytimetoendthingswithSophie.Asfarashecouldtell,he’ddoneaprettythoroughjobofmakingherfallforhim.Allthatwaslefttodowasdumpherandbreakherheart.Itsoundedsimpleenough,butwheneverheconsideredit,itneverseemedtobetherighttime.Hewasn’tevensurewhathewoulddoorsay.
Buthewassurethateventuallyanopportunitywouldpresentitself.
Hiscellphonerangandhegrabbeditoffthebedandcheckedthedisplay.ItwasJonah.Hefeltasthoughhehadn’ttalkedwithhiminmonths,insteadofdays.
“SorryIhaven’tbeenintouch,”Jonahsaid.“Crazyweek.Ijustwantedtoletyouknowthatwegotthroughmovingday.”
Funny,butAlexhadcompletelyforgottenaboutthat.Aweekagohe’dbeendreadingtheveryideaofit,andnowitjustdidn’tseemallthatimportant.Hefelt…removedfromhisoldlife.
Alexputthephoneonspeakerandsetitonthenightstandsohecouldgetdressed.“Didshetrytopullanything?”
“Nothingthatweweren’tpreparedfor.”
“Meaningwhat?”heasked,tuggingonhispants.
“Shedidn’ttakeanythingthatwasn’thers.Andevenbetter,youneverhavetosomuchastalktoheragain.”
Hisfamilywouldn’tbehappyaboutthat.Theywerestillholdingoutthehopethathewouldchangehismindandreconcilewithher,despitehowmanytimeshe’dtoldthemthatwasn’tgoingtohappen.
Upuntilthen,everythinghe’ddone,everydecisionhe’dmadehadbeenwithsomeoneelse’sneedsanddesiresabovehisown.Fromnowonhewasdoingwhathewantedtodo.Whetherhehadhisfamily’sblessingornot.
“Soundslikeyou’vebeenhavingquitethetimeoverthere,”Jonahsaid.
“Whatdoyoumean?”
“You’reacelebrity.”
Celebrity?“I’mnotfollowingyou.”
Helaughed.“Youreallydon’tknow,doyou?”
Hegrabbedhisshirtandtuggediton.“Knowwhat?”
“Photosofyoucarryingthewoundedprincessarealloverthemediahere.”
“Seriously?”He’dbeentoobusylatelytoturnonthetelevisionorpickupanewspaper.
“Everyoneisspeculatingwhetherornotyou’llbethenewestadditiontotheroyalfamily.”
Fatchance.Althoughthespeculationwouldmakehisinevitablebetrayalstingthatmuchmore.Whichshouldhavebeenasourceofgreatsatisfaction.
“IguessIdon’thavetoaskhowtherevengeplotispanningoutforyou.Itlooksasthoughyouhavehereatingoutofthepalmofyourhand.”
“JustasIplanned,”Alexsaid.Sowhydidthethoughtleavehimfeeling…hollow?
“Wellthen,youmustbefeelingprettygoodaboutyourself.”
Heshouldhavebeen.Hewasgettingexactlywhathewanted.
HeheardasoundfrombehindhimandturnedtoseeSophiestandinginthebedroomdoorway.Andhecouldseefromherexpressionthatshe’dbeenthereawhile.
He’dbeenlookingfortherighttimeandhereithadfoundhim.
“Jonah,Ihavetocallyouback.”Hegrabbedthephoneandsnappeditshut,andSophiejuststaredathim,herexpressionunreadable.Hekeptwaitingforthefeelingofsatisfactiontosinkin.Tofeelvindicated.Heknewheshouldsaysomething—thiswashisbigmoment—buthismindhadgoneblank.
NotSophie’s.Shewasneveratalossfortheappropriatewords.
“Don’tbothertryingtodenyit,”shetoldhim.Hecouldn’ttellifshewasangryorhurt.Shejustsounded…cold.
“Iwasn’tgoingto.”Whywasn’therubbingthisinherface?Twistingtheknife?
“Iguessitexplainsthis,”shesaid,holdingoutthetabloidnewspaperhehadn’tevennoticedinherhand.Onthecoverwasablack-and-whitephotoofAlexgallantlycarryingSophiefromtheballroom,andaboveitinridiculouslylarge,boldtypescreamedtheheadlineThePrincessStoleMyHusband!
“Youneglectedtomentionthatyouandyourwifewereplanningtoreconcile.”
Whenhellfrozeover.Morelikely,itwashisex’swayoftryingtoscrewwithhislife.Littledidsheknowthatbyspreadingherlies,shewasactuallyhelpinghim.Orshewouldbeifhewouldonlysticktotheprogram.
Whatthehellwaswrongwithhim?
“You’renotgoingtodenythat,either?”sheasked.
Heshrugged.“Ifit’sinthetabloid,itmustbetrue.”
Sheletthepaperslipfromhergrasp.Itflutteredandseparated,landinginsectionsonthecarpetbetweenthem.Ifshewasangry,orupset,shewasn’tlettingitshow.Shewouldnevergivehimthesatisfaction.
“You’vebeenanentertainingdistraction,”shesaid,noseintheair.“Justasyouweretenyearsago.Althoughbackthen,youservedabitmoreofapurpose.”
He’dheardthisonebefore.“Yourtickettofreedom?”
“Mytickettoculinaryschool.Itwassimple,really.Idumpyou,myparentsletmego.”
Thatshouldn’thavestung,butitdid.Maybebecausedeepdownhehadwantedtobelieveherwhenshesaidshe’dlovedhim,andthatshehadendeditforhissake.Allthistimehe’dbeenforcinghimselftoseeherasspoiled,self-centered.Andnowthatshewasprovinghimright,livinguptohisexpectations,itjustfelt…wrong.Thiswasn’ttheSophieheknew.Thisarrogant,entitledpersonawasjustadefense.
“What’sthematter,Alex?Youlooktroubled.”Herwordsdrippedwithicydisdain.“Wasthisnotthereactionyou’dexpected?Itoldyou,itwasjustsex.It’stoughtogetrevengeonsomeonewhodoesn’tcare.”Sheflashedhimalookofpity.“Oh,Alex,youdidn’thonestlythinkI’dfallenforyouagain?”Shecockedherheadtooneside.“Orisitthatyou’vefallenforme?”
Hedidn’tbelieveinhittingbelowthebelt,butwhathesaidnextjustslippedout.Aswift,decisivejabwhereheknewitwouldstingthemost.“Youoncetoldmethatyourparentsweresocold,theymadeyoubelievethatyouwereunlovable.”
Sheliftedhernoseintheair.“So?”
“Well,Princess,theywereright.”
Herexpressiondidn’twaver,butallthecolorleachedfromherface.Shestoodthereforanotherfewseconds,juststaringathim,thenwithoutanotherwordturnedandwalkedfromtheroom.Inthatinstantheknewhe’dwon.
Onlyproblemwas,hewasnolongersurewhathewasfightingfor.
Sophiewalkedbrisklydownthestairs,awashofunshedtearsblurringhervision.IfAlexhadreachedintoherchestandrippedoutherheart,itcouldn’thavehurtmore.She’dletherguarddownandtrustedhim.She’dbeenfoolishenoughtobelievethathecaredabouther,too.Thesepastelevendaysshehadbeenhappy.She’dfeltcomplete.Butithadallbeenanact.Aplot.
Andshewoulddiebeforeshelethimknowhowmuchhehadhurther.
Asherfoothitthebottomstep,sheheardclappingfrombehindher.ShesnappedaroundtoseePhillipdescendingthestairsbehindher.
“Bravo,”hesaid,hishandscomingtogetherinslow,sharpsnapsthatmadeherwanttocringe.“Thatwassomeperformancebackthere.”
He’dobviouslybeeneavesdropping.Shehadhopedhewouldn’tfindoutaboutherandAlex,buttherewaslittlepointindenyingitnow.“Mindyourownbusiness,Phillip.”
Hestoppedonthestepaboveher.“Youaremybusiness.”
Again,whydenyit,orbothertoargue?Becausehewasright.Hewastheheadofthefamily,andassuchhewouldalwayshavehisnoseinherbusiness.Shewouldthinkafterthirtyyearsshe’dhaveacceptedthat.Maybeitwastime.
“Areyouangry?”sheasked.
“Ishouldbe,whatwithyousneakinginandoutofthepalaceatallhours.Andthatridiculousfaketwistedankle.”
Heknewaboutthat?Andhereshethoughtshehadeveryone,includinghim,fooled.Sheobviouslydidn’tgivePhillipnearlyenoughcredit.
“ButwhywouldIbeangry,”hecontinued,“afterworkingsobloodyhardtogetyoutwobacktogether?”
Getthembacktogether.Shewassostunnedbyhiswordshermouthfellopen.“YouknewaboutmeandAlex?”
“I’dhavehadtobeblindnotto.WhenIbroughthimhomefromuniversity,youtwocouldn’tkeepyoureyesoffeachother.Thentherewereallthesharedsmilesandsneakingaround.”
“IthoughtIhadeveryonefooled.”
“AfterhewentbacktoAmericayouwereinconsolable,andhonestly,Sophie,youhaven’tbeenthesamesince.Itwaslikesomethingdiedinsideyou.Youjust…gaveup.”
Hewasright.Shehadgivenup.Thepartofherthatwascapableofloveandcompanionshiphadjustshutdown.Andsincethen,nomatterwhatshedid,sheneverfeltsatisfied.She’dbeensearchingfor…something.Beitmoreresponsibilityormorerespect.ButmaybewhathadreallybeenmissingallthistimewasAlex.
Hewastheonlymanshe’deverloved.Maybetheonlyoneshecouldlove.Evenifhecouldneverloveherback.
“Soallthatstuffyousaidaboutthisbeingbusiness,andmybehaviorbeinginappropriate.Whatwasthat?”
“Themosteffectivewaytomakeyougoaftersomethingistotellyouthatyoucan’thaveit.”
Oh,thatstung.Probablybecausehewasright.Knowinghedisapprovedhadgivenherthatextralittleshovesheneededtosetthingsinmotion.HadhepushedAlexonher,shemighthave—probablywouldhave—shunnedhimonprinciple.
Honestly,howdidheputupwithher?
“Soallthistimeyou’vebeenplayingme?”sheasked.
Hejustsmiled.
“WhataboutHannah?Wassheinonit,too?”
“Ofcourse.”
They’dallhadherfooled.Hereshethoughtshehadbeenintotalcontrol,butitwasalljustanillusion.Theyhadbeenpullingthestrings.
Sheshouldhavebeenfurious,buthonestly,shewastiredoffightingit.Tiredofpushingsohardagainstthepeoplewholovedhermost.Alifethathadbeengoodtoher,despiteherconstantcomplainingandmoaningthatsheneededmore.
Sheshookherhead.“Ican’tbelievethatallthistimeyouknew,butyouneversaidanything.”
Heshrugged.“You’resobloodystubborn,Ifiguredwhat’sthepoint.”
“Andnow?”
“NowI’mgoingtohelpkeepyoufrommakingthesecondbiggestmistakeofyourlife.”Hetookherhandsandsqueezedthem.“NotsolongagoIalmostlettheloveofmylifeslipaway,andyoudidn’thesitatetogiveittomestraight.Infact,Ibelieveyourexactwordswere‘You’reanidiot,Phillip.’Well,nowI’mgoingtoreturnthefavor.”Hetookherbytheshouldersandsaidfirmly,“Sophie,you’rebeinganidiot.Andifyoudon’tdosomething,you’regoingtolosehimagain.Tellhimhowyoufeel.”
“Whatdoesitmatter?Youheardhim.Hewasjustusingme.”
“Doyouhonestlybelievethat?”
Shenolongerknewwhattobelieve.
Hemighthavestartedoutusingher,butsomethinghadchanged.Hehadchanged.Atleast,she’dthoughtso.
Andifthatwastrue,whyhadn’thetoldherthat?Whydidn’thetellherthathe’dmadeamistake?
Becausehedidn’tthinkthathehad.Andevenso,whatdifferencediditmake?Hewouldneverbehappyherewithher,stuckintheroyallifestyle.Itmightbegoodforawhile,buthewouldgrowtiredofher.Peoplealwaysdid.Hewouldseethatshereallywasdifficultandtemperamental,andhewouldbail.
Phillipcradledherchininhishand.“Doyoulovehim,Soph?”
Sheshrugged.“Whatdifferencedoesitmake?”
“Itmightmakeadifferencetohim.”
Shewishedshecouldbelievethat.Thatshecouldtakethechance.Butonemoredirecthittoherpridemightbemorethanshecouldbear.
“Sometimesgettingwhatyouwantmeanstakingrisks,”hesaid.“Youtaughtmethat.”
Butwhatifshewasn’tsurewhatshewanted?
Shedidsomethingthenthatshehadn’tdoneinages.Shewrappedherarmsaroundherbrotherandhuggedhimfiercely.“Thankyou.”
Hesqueezedherhard,restinghisheadatophers.“Iloveyou,Sophie.IknowIdon’tsayitenough,andmaybeIdon’talwaysshowit.ButIdo.”
“Iloveyou,too,Phillip.”Shegavehimonelastsqueeze,thenletgo.
Hestudiedherforamoment,thensaid,“You’renotgoingtotalktohim,areyou?”
Sheshrugged.“Itwasgoodadvice.It’sjustnotwhoIam.”Infact,shewasn’tevensurewhoshewasthesedays.Shewasn’tsureifshehadeverknown.Allshedidknowwas,charadeornot,whenshewaswithAlex,shewashappy.Andwhenhewasgone,shewasn’t.Anddespitethat,itwasn’tmeanttobe.
Thatprettymuchsaiditall.
Phillipgavehisheadanexasperatedshake.“Andyoucallmestubborn.”
“Domeafavor?Don’tsayanythingtohimaboutthis.Don’tevenletonthatyouknow.Andpleasedon’tletthisaffectyourrelationshipwithhim.Businessorpersonal.Promiseme.”
Hehesitated,thennodded.“Ipromise.”
“Thankyou.”
Sheturnedtoleave,andhecalledafterher.“Stubbornasyouare,IhopeAlexhasthegoodsensetotrytoworkthisout.”
Honestly,sodidshe.Butshewasn’tcountingonit.
FourteenSophiebarelysleptthatnight,andspenttheentirenextdayindoorstoavoidanychanceencounterswithAlex.Allthewhileprayingthathewouldshowuponherdoorstep,readytoprofesshisundyingloveforher.Shewasbothprayingforitanddreadingitwithallherheart.Becauselikebefore,shewouldhavetotellhimno.
ButSundayevening,justasduskfell,shewatchedfromherofficewindowasthecarpulledaroundtothebackofthepalaceandhisbagswereloadedintothetrunkforthetriptotheairport.Sheknewthen,withoutadoubt,thatitwasover.
Shefeltheartsickclearthroughtothemarrowofherbones,butrelieved,too.Itwaseasierthisway.Atleast,thatwaswhatshewouldkeeptellingherself.
“Iseethathe’sleaving,”Wilsonsaidfrombehindher.
Thankfulforthedistraction,sheturnedawayfromthewindow.ToseeAlexclimbintothecarandwatchitdriveaway,knowingitwasherownfault,wouldbemorethanshecouldtakerightnow.“Iguessheis.”
“Areyousure,YourHighness,thatit’sforthebest?”
Oh,God,nothim,too.Shesigheddeeplyandrubbedattheachethathadbeguntothrobinhertemples.Couldn’tanyonestayoutofherbusiness?“Wilson,youdon’tevenlikehim.”
“PerhapsIwasabithastywhenIdrewthatconclusion.AndregardlessofhowIfeelabouthim,hemakesyouhappy.”
Butforhowlong?Howlongwoulditbebeforehebrokeherheartagain?
Besides,shedidn’thavetheenergyforanotherargumentaboutherlovelife.“I’mgoingtotakeashower,thencrawlinbedandsleepforamonth.Itwouldbefabulousifyou’dnotdisturbme.”
Onebrowtippedup.“Foramonth?”
Sheshrugged.“Atleastasolidtenortwelvehours.”
Henodded,thenbackedoutoftheroom.“Asyouwish,YourHighness.”
Hedisapproved.Hewouldneversayit,ofcourse,butshecouldtell.Whycouldn’teveryonetrustthatsheknewwhatshewasdoing?
Sophielockedherselfinthebathroom,strippedtotheskin,turnedtheshoweronashotasshecouldstandandstoodthereuntilthewaterrancold.Itwasmeanttorelaxher,butasshesteppedoutandtoweledoff,shefeltjustastenseandmiserableasbefore.Itfeltasifsomethingwasmissing,asthoughsomeonehadreacheddeepinsideher,grabbedholdofwhateveritwasthatmadeherawholepersonandsnatcheditaway.
Itwasasensationsherememberedalltoowell.Thesamethingshe’dfeltthefirsttimeAlexhadwalkedoutofherlife.
Buttobefair,hehadn’twalkedsomuchasbeenshoved.
Shewrappedherselfupinatowelandsteppedintoherbedroom.Thesunhadsetandtheroomwasdark,sosheswitchedonthelampbesideherbed.Andnearlyjumpedoutofherownskinwhenshenoticedthedarkfigurestandingacrosstheroombythewindow.
IntheinstantittooktorealizeitwasAlex,herhearthadbottomedoutallthewaytotheballsofherfeet,thenslammedupwardtocatchinherthroat.
Heturnedtoher,looking…actually,shecouldn’tsayforsurehowhelooked.Hisfacewasexpressionless.
“Iwasbeginningtothinkyouwerenevercomingout,”hesaid.“Iguessyouroyalshavenoconceptofwaterconservation.”
Sheclutchedthetoweltoherchest.Thiswasoddtothepointofbeingsurreal.“I’msureyoudidn’tcomeheretodiscusstheenvironment.Infact,I’mcuriousastohowyoumanagedtogetpastWilson.”
Hetuckedhishandsintothepocketsofhisslacksandtookasteptowardher.“Gunpoint.He’stiedupinthepantry.”
Sheshothimadisbelievinglook.
“Okay,”headmittedwithashrug.“Heletmein.”
Shemighthavebeenintheshoweralongtime,butcertainlynotthetentotwelveuninterruptedhoursshehadrequested.MeaningsheandWilsonweregoingtohavetohaveatalkaboutfollowinginstructions,andhimkeepinghisnoseoutofherbusiness.
Sheglancedattheclockonthebedsidetable.“You’regoingtomissyourflight.”
“I’mnotgoingtomissmyflight,becauseI’mnotplanningonleaving.”
Surelyhedidn’tmeantosaythathewasstayingforher.Sheliftedherchin,givinghimthecoldestlookshecouldmanage,whenontheinsideshewasfallingtopieces.
“Aren’tyougoingtoaskmewhy?”
Shewasafraidto.Andwhateverthereason,itdidn’treallymakeadifference.
Hesighed.“You’renotgoingtomakethiseasy,areyou?”
Sheraisedherchinanothernotchandstruggledtokeephervoiceeven.“Whatdoyouwantfromme,Alex?”
“Icameheretoapologize.”
Herheartdidaswiftbackwardflip.“For?”
“Forcallingyouunlovable.Becauseyou’renot.”Hetookasteptowardher.“AskmehowIknowthat.”Whenshedidn’tsayanythinghesaid,“Goahead,askme.”
“Howdoyouknow?”
“BecauseIloveyou.”Hesteppedcloser,untilhewasrightinfrontofher,andittookeverythinginhernottolaunchherselfintohisarms.“AndI’mnotgoingtoletyourunawayfrommeagain.
“TenyearsagoIshouldhavecomeafteryou,butIletmypridegetintheway.Andthat’samistakeI’mnotgoingtomakeagain.”
Hereachedout,touchedherface,andthatwasallittook.Herheartslammedthewallofherchestandherkneesturnedtomush.Andwhenhetuggedhertohim,shemeltedintohisarms.Sheburiedherfaceagainsthisshirt,breathedhimin.Clingingasifsheneverwantedtoletgo.
Howcouldsomethingsowrongfeelso…perfect?
“Youusedme,”sheremindedhim.
“Andyouusedme.Butatthispoint,doesitreallymatter?”
No,notreally.Shelookedupathim,intohiseyes.“Ihurtyou,Alex,andIneveroncesaidIwassorry.AndIam.I’mso,sosorry.”
Hesmiled.“You’reforgiven.”
Shelaidherheadonhischest,felthisheartbeatingagainsthercheek.“Whatifitdoesn’twork?”
Heheldhertight,strokedherdamphair.“Howwillweknowifwedon’ttry?”
“I’mstubbornandincorrigible.Idriveeveryonecrazy.”
Hecuppedherchinandtippedherfaceuptohis.“Yeah,butallthethingsyoudothatdrivemecrazyarethethingsIlovemostaboutyou.”Heloweredhisheadandkissedher.Asweetbrushofhislipsthatwasfilledwithaffectionandlove.“You’reperfectjustthewayyouare.”
Shehadwaitedallherlifetohearsomeonesaythat.Andshebelievedthathemeantit.“Iloveyou,Alex.I’veneverlovedanyonebutyou.”
Hegrinneddownather.“Iknow.”
Shelaughed.“Andyoucallmeself-centered.”
“Well,”hesaidwithashrug,“youcan’tsaywedon’thaveanythingincommon.”
“Youknowthatthisrelationshipcouldbealogisticalnightmare.Transcontinentaldating?”
“ThenI’llhavetomovehere.”
“Oh,Alex,Ican’taskyoutomakeasacrificelikethat.”
“Youdidn’task.Andit’snotasacrifice.Infact,I’vebeenconsideringiteversinceIgothere.Andfortherecord,Ihavenointerestindatingyou.”
Shefrowned.“Youdon’t?”
“Fortenyears,deepdownI’veknownyou’retheoneforme.Andwithallthattimetomakeup,Ithinkweshouldskipthedatingaltogether,andmoverightontolivingtogether.”
“Where?”
“Here,thepalace.It’suptoyou.”
“I’mnotsurehowthefamilywilltakethat.Itwouldn’tbeconsideredproper.”
Hesighed.“Allright,thenIguessyou’lljusthavetomarrymeinstead.”
Shewassostunned,herjawnearlyfelloutofjoint.“Butyoujustgotunmarried.”
“Iwasneverreallymarriedtoher.Notinmyheart.Unlessyoudon’twanttomarryme.”
Despiteeverythingshe’dsaidinrecentyearsaboutnevertyingherselfdowntooneperson,aboutnotwantingtosacrificeherfreedom,beingwithAlexforeverwasnosacrifice.Infact,shecouldn’tthinkofamoreperfectwaytospendtherestofherlife.
Shesmiledupathim.“Whydon’tyouaskmeandfindout?”
Heactuallydroppedononeknee,rightthereonherbedroomcarpet,andtookherhandinhis.“SophiaReneeAgustusMead,wouldyoudomethehonorofbecomingmywife?”
“Yes,”shesaid,withmorejoythansheeverthoughtpossiblefillingherheart.“Iwill.”
Hesmiledupather.“Well,it’saboutdamntime.”
ISBN:978-1-4268-2285-8
ANAFFAIRWITHTHEPRINCESS