by Any Hahn
He took a step back and watched her struggle with the suitcases. “I have a feeling you're about to enlighten me on the matter."
"Ever heard of women's lib?"
"Of course. I'm a firm believer in equality."
"Good.” She tried lifting the pieces of luggage and failed. They slammed back down to the ground. “We American girls like to do things ourselves."
Max smothered a grin. “Oh?"
"Yeah. Betcha your European girls aren't like that."
The corners of his mouth curled up. “Betcha?"
She glared at him.
He thought she was the most adorable thing he'd ever seen.
"Are you making fun?"
"Absolutely not. It's just I've never heard anyone use that word before."
"It's common in Minnesota."
"That's where you're from?"
She nodded. “Great state if you can survive the winters."
"I love the cold."
Chloe looked at him as if he belonged in the psychiatric ward. “You're crazy. I'd take warm weather over winter any day. However, I do miss the fall. All those gorgeous tree colors. Does it get cold in Romalia?"
"Yes. Are you sure I can't help you with that?” He waved towards Roger, his chauffeur. “Roger would be more than happy to help you, seeing as you won't let me. It's sort of his job."
"Nope.” Chloe turned around and hugged Julia. “I'll miss you, Jules. Be good. And don't forget to feed Domino."
Julia simply nodded. She hadn't taken her eyes off of Max.
Max swept her a bow. “Once again, a pleasure to meet you."
"Oh, my goodness. Oh, my goodness.” Giggles erupted from Julia as he kissed her hand. Her cheeks flushed pink. Her lashes fluttered. She started to fan herself with her other hand.
"Until we meet again, Miss Julia."
Chloe placed a quick kiss on Julia's cheek and gave Max a gentle shove. “Way to go. You're only encouraging it."
"What?” he asked innocently as he followed her down the curving sidewalk. He couldn't resist blowing a kiss over his shoulder at Julia.
Julia squealed and jumped up and down, waving excitedly.
"I saw that. You're incorrigible."
Max couldn't take it anymore. She could barely lift the suitcases, even with two hands. He strode past her and snatched them up.
"Hey."
"I'm all for equality, but I'm also an old-fashioned type of guy, and I like to help out a lady in distress."
"I'm not a lady in distress,” she called after him.
He could hear the smile in her voice but didn't look back. All women appreciated a gentleman. He tossed both suitcases into the trunk and slammed it shut.
"Now you aren't going to argue about having the door opened for you, are you?” he asked.
She was smiling. Those velvety eyes sparkled. She tossed a chunk of thick hair over her shoulder. “No. I kind of like having doors opened for me."
"And suitcases carried for you."
She tilted her head and rested her hands on her hips. “Yeah, that too."
Roger tipped his hat to her and opened the passenger door.
Max waved her in. “After you."
She ducked inside.
He followed, but not before blowing one more kiss in Julia's direction. She still stood in the doorway, waving and smiling and jumping up and down.
Chloe poked her head out. “I saw that."
He winked. “Guilty."
"Julia will never be the same."
"Women are never the same after experiencing my charms,” he said, sinking beside her on the leather upholstery. He knew for certain he would never be the same after meeting Chloe.
She wrinkled her nose. “Anyone ever tell you that you're rather arrogant?"
He shrugged. “Goes with the job."
"You honestly think you're irresistible?"
The limo moved forward. Max smiled over at Chloe. He didn't see the need to lie. Women liked him. They happened to like him a lot. He'd be a hypocrite to say otherwise.
"Well, I've never been short of admirers. Women have been swooning at my feet since I was a teenager."
She studied him for a moment with her chocolate eyes. “I believe it."
"How about you, Chloe? Have I rocked your world?"
A blush tinged her cheeks. “No,” she whispered before looking out the window.
Max knew Chloe Tanner had changed his world, rocked it, tipped it completely off its axis.
And he liked it. He liked it a lot.
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chapter Five
Riding in a limousine stocked full with the very best champagne was quite an experience for Chloe, but flying first-class was overwhelming. The seats were roomy, with tons of leg space. They even boarded first. Chloe had never in her lifetime boarded a plane first. She was usually way in the back, close to the bathrooms—definitely the cheap seats.
"I suppose you're used to this luxury,” she commented as Max tucked her carry-on in the overhead bin. She plunked down on the cushioned seat and sighed happily. This was going to be a good flight.
"I'll be honest and say I am. It would be hypocritical to say anything else."
His crooked grin made butterflies flutter in her belly. Gosh, he was dreamy to look at.
Chloe decided it was about time to start paying attention to royal families—especially Max's.
Max shoved his bag into the bin and slammed the door shut before taking the seat beside her. “I'm assuming you're not used to this."
Chloe shook her head. “Absolutely not. Coach was the only way my family flew. And we seldom did that."
"Not big travelers."
She shrugged and fastened her seatbelt. “Never had money to do much traveling. Dad and Mom could hardly leave the farm."
"What type of farmers?"
"Dairy. We also had crops. Can't survive on cows alone."
He laughed, and his blue eyes twinkled merrily. Chloe loved the way the corners creased. He had laugh lines. She adored laugh lines.
She smiled at him. “Do you think that's funny?"
"I'm trying to imagine you working on a farm. For some reason, the vision escapes me."
She joined in his laughter. “Well, I wasn't very good at it. I did everything I could to get out of chores.” She glanced out the window. A sudden wave of homesickness washed over her. Sometimes she missed her family, her home, the slower pace of life, and the security.
"I did the same."
"You?” she asked incredulously, looking at him with wide eyes. “What type of chores did a prince have?"
"Hard to believe?"
"Yes."
"I didn't have to milk cows or work in the fields."
"It wasn't so bad,” Chloe admitted.
"Miss it?"
"Yeah, sometimes. Like right now.” She pointed an accusing finger at him. “Don't think you can get out of this. I want to know what chores you had to do."
"My parents were firm believers in teaching us responsibility. They didn't want us to become spoiled. We worked in various parts of the palace, but mostly we—"
"Palace?"
He chuckled at her surprise. “That's where we live."
She blushed. “It seems so unbelievable. You must have a fairytale life."
"Most think it,” he said softly, “but it is far from that."
She studied him for a moment, remembering his conversations with Eric Von Stratton at EVE and during the drive to the airport, when Mr. Von Stratton had called and tried unsuccessfully to convince Max to wait for Romalia One.
"I believe you. I'd hate to have my life dictated by a set of rules and people. Maybe you should fire Mr. Von Stratton."
He chortled at that. “He's more than my personal assistant—he's my best friend. We grew up together, and his father is my father's advisor. I trust him with everything—and I don't trust too many people. However, he's always very annoying when we're in America. I like it here.
He doesn't."
A file of people marched by, heading to the coach seats Chloe normally occupied. She enjoyed their envious glances as they strolled by. She planned on milking this for it was worth—she didn't know when she'd fly first-class again. A glass of white wine was a definite must.
"So, name some of the chores you had to do."
"You're persistent, aren't you?"
"Very. I once considered a career in journalism."
"What made you change your mind?"
She made a face. “Do you know what a journalist makes?"
"Not really."
"Well, we're talking just above the poverty line."
"That bad, huh?"
"Yeah. Of course, I'm pretty much there right now. So, did you make beds or mop floors or something?"
Max leaned back in his seat and stretched his legs. “I did."
She was awestruck. A prince with millions and servants at his beck-and-call, who actually got dirty doing housework—it was unheard of. “At the palace?"
He shook his head. “Charity work. We volunteered.” A dark curl curved over his eyebrow. He brushed it away with a sweep of his hand, his fingers snagging through his midnight hair. “Although I wouldn't call charity work a chore. I enjoyed it, and so did my sisters and brother. We enjoyed being out with the common people."
Chloe burst into laughter.
"What's so funny?” His startled blue gaze made her laugh even harder.
"You."
"Me?"
"Yes. The common people? Is that really what you call us?"
The sky-blue of his eyes darkened to sapphire. “Not you."
Her heart danced. Her breath quickened. “Not me?” she whispered softly.
He covered her hand with his. “You're far from common, Chloe."
She trembled beneath his touch. The tender strength of his hand felt incredibly good. The pads of his fingers caressed her sensitive skin. She looked down, watching as he made intricate and seductive little circles on the back of her hand.
"I am common,” she murmured.
He leaned towards her, curling his fingers around hers. “Not to me. Not to anyone who has the honor of knowing you."
His husky voice sent shivers throughout her body. She dragged her gaze up to his face, where she was soon lost in the mesmerizing pools of his eyes.
"I'm quite jealous."
"Of what?"
He leaned closer until his nose touched hers. “Of the world."
"Why?"
"Because soon the whole world will know you and be in love with you. You're going to be famous."
Her cheeks flamed pink. “Oh, I doubt it."
"There's something special about you.” His gaze swept her face. “You glow."
It was probably the best compliment she'd ever received. Her heart swelled, and warmth spilled through her. She wanted the flight to last forever. And was saddened to know it wouldn't.
"Chloe, don't you think we should talk about what happened between us?"
She didn't think she was ready to discuss it. What was there to talk about? They had no future. He was a world-famous monarch, and she was a farmer's daughter. Nope. No future there.
"I was thinking we should just forget about it, Max.” She slipped her fingers from his and clasped her hands in her lap. “I had an amazing time. But now it's over."
"No, I don't believe that. It isn't over. I don't want it to be over. I can't forget about that night, Chloe. I can't get it from my mind. You changed my world."
Another wonderful compliment. She glowed. Now she'd changed his world. She was flattered, more than flattered. It wasn't every day a girl like her heard those words uttered from the lips of a prince.
"Max, nothing can come of it. You're going to choose a wife out of fifteen beautiful women from all over the world.” She smiled sadly. “And I'm not one of those women. You can't be with me."
He frowned. “Who says?"
"Have you forgotten about the contract we signed with EVE?"
"For a moment I did.” He sighed. “I'm regretting my decision to do this. Maybe Eric and my entire family are right. It's probably my craziest idea yet."
"Why did you do it?” she asked gently. “You can't tell me you have a problem finding dates. I'm sure hundreds of women would jump at the chance to marry you."
Sadness shadowed his eyes, sadness and longing. Her heart flip-flopped. Waves of tenderness crashed through her. She grabbed his hand with both of hers.
"I gave up on finding love. Real love. Not the storybook stuff, but real, passionate, all-consuming love. I wanted to be loved for me—not for my money, or because I'm a prince."
"You couldn't find it."
"I couldn't find it,” he repeated. “And so I gave up. I need to find a wife who will be my princess and, eventually, the future queen of my country. I'm thirty-five and not getting any younger. My country needs an heir, and I can't search any longer. Time has run out."
"I can't imagine the pressure. It must be overwhelming."
He lifted her hands to his lips, brushing each finger softly, tenderly. “It is, Chloe. Overwhelming. I made this decision on a whim because I was so tired of not living up to expectations, of always being a disappointment, of being told what to do. I thought it was a good idea at the time. I would pacify my family, my royal advisers, and my people by finding a beautiful wife to make my princess. And I'd also bring some money into the Romalia treasury by increasing interest in my country. It's expected that tourists to Romalia will double after the show hits the airwaves."
A smile curved her lips. “But it sort of backfired."
He smiled back. “When I met you. I never planned on you."
She confessed, “I didn't plan on you either."
"Now what do we do?"
She lifted one shoulder. “I'm not sure. We can't do anything at all."
"Not now,” he agreed.
"Not ever."
"Nothing is written is stone. There are always loopholes."
"Max, I can't risk angering Antonia and Lester. They could blackball me. I might never work again if I jeopardize their precious show. And they aren't the only ones who have high stakes in this show. They've already sold all the advertising."
He traced the curve of her jaw with the tip of his finger. “But there is something here, Chloe. There is something between us. I want to explore it. I want to see where it leads."
There was no use lying or pretending as though nothing had happened, as if that night hadn't mattered one little bit to her. Because it had. It had mattered so very much.
"I'm not going to argue with you. I feel the same. It drives me crazy to think about being so close to you the next few weeks and—"
"And not being able to touch and kiss and experience a night like we did at the Roosevelt,” he finished for her.
"Yes,” she whispered. “But we have to try to forget that night."
"Impossible,” he whispered back.
His finger brushed across her lips as the plane taxied onto the runway. The flight attendant rambled through her spiel about oxygen masks and floating cushion devices and what to do in a crash landing situation, although Chloe paid little attention. She was crash-landing already—but it had nothing whatsoever to do with the plane.
"Max, I'm serious."
"So am I."
His crooked grin was adorable. Her pulse quickened. Her heart raced.
The plane ascended rapidly into the air as Max's lips descended upon hers.
Chloe knew the smart thing to do would be to stop him. But she couldn't. She just couldn't stop him. She liked being close to him, loved the way his lips snaked over hers, thrilled at the passionate heat bubbling between them. She cupped his face in her hands and melted against him.
Okay, so maybe she couldn't have him for a lifetime, or even for the next few weeks. But she had him all to herself at the moment, and she wasn't going to deny herself the pleasure of kissing Prince Maximilian of Romalia.
But Chloe knew she couldn't let it go any further than a kiss. They couldn't pursue anything more. To do so would only get them into trouble—or at least get her into trouble. Her big break had finally happened, and she wouldn't do anything to jeopardize her dream of becoming a star. It was all she had ever wanted.
But as the kiss deepened and the fire inside her burned brighter, she began to wonder if that was truly all she wanted. There was more to life than an acting career. There was love. She had given up on it. And then Max, her James Bond look-alike, her authentic Prince Charming, had waltzed into her life and made her reevaluate everything.
And made her believe she still had a chance of finding love.
Chloe forgot about the plane. She forgot about first-class travel. She completely forgot about the television show that might launch her into the national limelight.
She could only think of Max and his lips caressing hers.
"Max,” she murmured.
"Don't talk. Just feel."
She drew him closer and deepened the kiss. It felt so good, so deliciously wonderful, that she didn't ever want to let him go. She felt safe and cherished and loved. The palm of his hand slithered down her back; the intricate massaging of his fingers sent red-hot desire rocketing through her.
She felt the plane reach its cruising altitude, leveling out in the clear blue sky high above California. Her ears popped. Her heart hammered. Endorphins spiraled throughout her trembling body. She curled against him, wanting to be closer, needing to be closer, wishing the armrest didn't stand as a barrier between them, longing to be alone with him.
But they weren't alone. Far from it.
"Excuse me."
Chloe heard the voice. She chose to ignore it. She didn't want the embrace to end.
"Excuse me."
Overwhelming disappointment filled Chloe as Max pulled away. He smiled at her, gently, tenderly, his blue eyes almost black with passion. Smokey. Sexy. Her heart danced erratically. She dragged her fingers against his lips, and he kissed each finger. Her body screamed in response to the evocative pressure of his lips.
"I'm sorry to interrupt."
Max turned to the flight attendant. Chloe watched in awe as the practiced royal smile appeared, the smile so many women went weak in the knees over. No wonder it was plastered on the cover of countless magazines across the country and the world. It was a breathtaking smile. Picture perfect. Dazzling. It showcased his straight white teeth and the dimples in his cheeks.
