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

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