Prince of Midtown

by Jennifer Lewis

Last night had been so magical. So special and so perfect.

  And now here was Sebastian right in front of her. Brawny arms revealed by the rolled-up sleeves of his white linen shirt, and his sun-bronzed face creased in a cheery grin.

  He was exactly the same person he’d been yesterday. The easygoing royal playboy who dated a different girl every week.

  It was she who had changed.

  Her throat dried as she realized the full extent of the problem.

  She’d fallen in love with him.

  “…haven’t forgotten the Sons of the Garter benefit tonight, have you?” Sebastian’s mother leaned forward.

  Sebastian frowned. “Oh, that again? I thought I just survived the last one.”

  “These men are our nation’s heroes. Some of them fought in World War II.”

  “I think all of them fought in World War II. There can’t be a man under eighty in the Order of the Garter.”

  “All the more reason to pay your respects and celebrate their achievements. It’s part of your royal duty.”

  She underscored the last two words with a slight growl that made Tessa jump in her chair.

  “I know, and I do appreciate their sacrifices.” Sebastian looked at Tessa and leaned forward. “These men have some amazing stories to tell. Wait till you hear Leo Kahn talk about the time he—”

  “Tessa won’t be there.” The queen’s lips were so tight the words barely came out. “The event is for gentlemen only.”

  Sebastian shot an apologetic glance at Tessa. She resisted the urge to sag in her chair with relief. She couldn’t imagine spending another night at his side, pretending to be cheerful and gregarious when her heart was crushed and bleeding inside her.

  “Besides, I imagine Tessa will be busy with preparations for the meeting. It’s not fair to divert members of staff from their duties for your own entertainment.”

  She shot a piercing glance at Tessa and then punctuated it with an icy smile that froze Tessa’s already shrunken stomach.

  Sebastian waved a dismissive hand. “Tessa’s never been to Caspia before. She represents our country every day in the business we do. It’s essential that she become familiar with our nation.”

  The queen stabbed a piece of tomato, then glared at Sebastian with narrowed eyes. “There’s such a thing as being too familiar.”

  “Too familiar?” The king’s gruff voice chimed in. “Impossible. The whole world should know our nation like an intimate friend.” His twinkly smile eased the tension in Tessa’s gut. “Which aspects of our country have you enjoyed so far, my dear?”

  Your son.

  Tessa swallowed hard. “Sebastian was kind enough to take me for a ride in the mountains. I can’t say I’ve ever had a more wonderful experience in my life.” Her voice cracked a bit on the last sentence, and she looked down at her plate.

  “Ah, the mountains. Said like a true Caspian. People praise our calm water and our classical buildings, but a Caspian knows the mountains are the bones of our country and our source of strength. They’ve protected us from invasion for hundreds of years. I like nothing better than a ride in the mountains, myself.” The king leaned toward her, a look of genuine warmth on his face.

  Tessa shrank back. He wouldn’t be so friendly if he knew what she’d been doing with his only son last night. If he knew that she, Tessa Banks, secretary—nobody—had entertained mad and delusional thoughts that Sebastian might actually care for her.

  That right now she was rendered speechless by unfamiliar and painful feelings for him.

  “Tessa—” the queen’s voice cut into her thoughts “—are all the attendees for the meeting confirmed?”

  She cleared her throat and tried to sound calm. “All except one. Pierre de Rochefauld of Château D’Arc winery has been hard to reach.”

  “Filthy stuff, anyway.” The queen spoke to Sebastian. “Loaded with sulfites. Their Bordeaux gave me a frightful migraine last time I drank it.”

  “Everything gives you a migraine lately, Mama. You should stick to our Caspian grappa.” Sebastian took her hand and squeezed it. Tessa was surprised to see the Queen of Mean pat her son’s face affectionately.

  Maybe she wasn’t made entirely of Caspian marble.

  Queen Rania’s steely gaze returned to spear Tessa. “So all is ready for the meeting?”

  “Not quite. I still need to make copies of the agenda, and I have some research to do in the files.”

  “We mustn’t keep you.” The queen raised her brows as she attacked another slice of tomato.

  “You’re right. I must get back to work.” Tessa sprang from her chair, glad of the chance to escape.

  “I’ll come with you.” Sebastian was up and halfway around the table before he’d finished speaking.

  “Sebastian! You promised you’d take me to the new Ferragamo boutique this afternoon.”

  Sebastian leaned over his mother and kissed her on the cheek. “Mama, you’ve been to every Ferragamo boutique in the world. I’m sure you can handle it by yourself.”

  The queen pouted and shot a glance at her husband. Tessa scurried from the room, heart pounding, with Sebastian behind her like a shadow.

  “Don’t mind Mama. She’s not always such an old battle-ax,” he whispered, as they hurried along an empty corridor. “She’s going through the change of life and it’s making her cranky.”

  Tessa didn’t think hormones were involved. More likely Queen Rania felt it beneath her dignity to eat lunch with her son’s whore-of-the-moment.

  But Sebastian’s apologetic expression, combined with the intimate family confession, tugged at something inside her.

  Then she remembered Faris’s words: He doesn’t mean to break your heart. He just can’t help it.

  And apparently she just couldn’t help having her heart broken. How could she not fall for Sebastian? She’d been carrying a secret torch for him for years. Now that she’d gotten to know him even better, now that they’d shared joyful adventures and breathtaking intimacies…It should be no surprise she was done for.

  She hurried along the corridor. “You should take your mom shopping. I have a lot to do.”

  “I’ll help you with your work.” His hand on her arm made her start. She pulled back carefully, ignoring the heat left by his palm.

  “There’s nothing at all challenging to it. I just need to locate some missing audits. Things that didn’t make it to New York for whatever reason. We never received the files on Château D’Arc.”

  “And now you can’t get in touch with the company principal?”

  “No. He’s the owner, too. He inherited the wine business along with the family estate. I’ve been meaning to follow up more aggressively, but I haven’t had time.” She shot him an accusatory look.

  “Hmm. I’ll call him from the offices.”

  “That might be a good idea, actually. His assistant keeps making strange excuses. I get a weird feeling he’s actually there when I call. He’d come to the phone for you.”

  “Royalty has its privileges.” Sebastian winked.

  Tessa smiled, then it withered on her lips as she remembered all the privileges he’d taken with her last night. It probably didn’t even cross his mind that a night like that could haunt her forever.

  He’d probably already started to forget it. He’d think no more of her than Senator Kendrick would have if she’d let him kiss her because he was a senator. Wealthy and powerful men had no need to consider the feelings of others.

  By next week, Sebastian would be flirting and laughing with someone else.

  “What’s the matter?”

  “Nothing.” Her breathing had become audible. The thought of Sebastian with another woman was a knife to her gut.

  Which was ridiculous, because of course she would see him with other women. Unless she steered clear of every glossy magazine and skipped over the social pages of the New York papers for the rest of her life.

  She picked up her pace. Did these corridors go on forever? There must
be miles of them inside this palace.

  Sebastian hovered so close behind her she could almost feel his body heat in the still air.

  When they reached the office, she thrust her Rolodex at him, where it sat flipped open to Pierre de Rochefauld’s office number at Château D’Arc. He whipped out his phone and she rushed off to the file room that was down some stairs on the far side of the office.

  She heard Sebastian greeting someone in French as she pushed deeper into the long, tunnel-like room. Thick walls rose into an arch over her head. This room must have been some kind of storage cellar in the old days. The newest paperwork was in a long metal filing cabinet in the office itself. Down here, the older papers were kept in wooden crates stacked side by side on ancient wood shelves.

  Where could the Château D’Arc stuff be? There were a few token papers in the recent files, but no sign of the audits, or any hard financial data. Maybe they got buried in with the old papers?

  “Tessa.” Sebastian appeared in the arched doorway. He stepped down into the cramped space, and her body tingled with the urge to step toward him—and an equal but opposite urge to run for her life. His dark eyes shone in the dim light from a single, uncovered bulb. “You were right. He was there. Prickly guy, but he says he’s coming to the meeting.”

  “Thanks for making the call.” She moved her fingers through a box of files, and avoided looking at him. “I appreciate it.”

  He walked through the room, moved up behind her and settled his hands on her waist. He pulled her close until her backside touched the crotch of his pants. “All work and no play makes Tessa—”

  “Useful.” She tried to wriggle away, but his hands held her fast. “I came here to work and I’m totally embarrassed by how little I’ve done. I’m sure your mom isn’t the only one who’s noticed.”

  He rubbed one hand over her tummy. His broad palm heated her skin right through her smart suit. “Come on, Tessa. Let’s go up on the mountain. We’ll ride and then we’ll…” He leaned into her and feathered a soft kiss—with warm tongue—on her neck right below her ear.

  Her legs wobbled and her nipples tightened under her blouse. “I can’t,” she rasped. “I have to find the files.” She couldn’t do that again. Have the most breathtaking ride of her life, then make love to Sebastian under the sky.

  Not now that she loved him. It would hurt too much. She’d start crying or begging or something.

  She had no idea what she’d do. She’d never been in love before.

  And already it hurt more than all the songs and poems had warned her.

  “I don’t want to.” It was the truth.

  “Why?” He stopped layering breathy kisses on her neck.

  “I want to do my job for the same reasons you’re going to that ceremonial dinner tonight. It’s your duty, and doing it gives you a sense of satisfaction.”

  “Oh, Tessa.” He rubbed his hands over her blouse, over her breasts and belly, then down along her thighs. “You’re driving me crazy. I want you. Now.”

  She could feel his erection hard against her backside. Feel herself growing hot and slick against him. Her face heated with the desire to kiss him. To strip his clothes off right here in the dim and dusty file room. To rub her hands over his rough thighs, and lave his hard muscle with her tongue.

  Uh-oh.

  This was the crazy part of her talking. The part that got her in way over her head and was now about to wrap her in a cement overcoat if she didn’t save herself.

  “Sebastian.” She writhed against him, struggling to free herself, but only getting more aroused and dangerously unhinged in the process. Already he had her shirt untucked and his fingers roved over her bra. “Please stop.”

  His hand stilled. He must have noticed the pleading tone in her voice. “Last night was fun, but…not now.”

  “Last night was more than fun.” Desire thickened his voice.

  So true. Right now it was a disaster. She’d fallen in love with her boss.

  For whom she was just another playful pastime.

  He picked up her hair and laid it gently behind her shoulders. “I understand.” He kissed her bared cheekbone. “Truly, I do. There is joy that comes with fulfilling responsibilities, and pain that comes from shirking them.”

  “Yes.” She flipped through some files, pretending she was actually getting back to work.

  He backed away. Already she felt his absence like raw skin under a freshly picked scab. “You’re one in a million, Tessa.”

  His footsteps retreated behind her and she sank against the wooden box in front of her, heart pounding and tears rising in her throat.

  One in a million, indeed. Perhaps she should feel honored to be included among the many beautiful women Sebastian had bedded.

  But she didn’t. She felt devastated.

  Ten

  S ebastian strode along the east corridor, whistling despite his uncomfortable erection. It would go away. Eventually.

  Then tonight, after the Sons of the Garter dinner, he’d go to Tessa’s room and they’d make love all night long.

  Love. He rolled the word over his tongue, silently tasting it.

  Yes. He liked it. What he felt for Tessa was totally unlike anything he’d experienced before. His heart flapped in his chest on grand eagle wings and he longed to shout his feelings from the parapets. He should laugh at himself for being so thoroughly smitten with her.

  But why not? Her beauty was just the beginning. Tessa Banks was also smart, practical and determined. Energetic and enthusiastic. He loved when her green eyes sparkled with mischief. She was cheeky and fun.

  An arched opening at the end of the corridor framed a view of the harbor. He stopped and watched a fine sailboat enter through the harbor mouth.

  And Tessa understood about duty.

  She was the kind of woman who’d accept that she was marrying a country, as well as a man. With her by his side, he could feel himself at last transformed into a man steady and strong enough to lead his people.

  And to be her husband.

  “Sebastian!” A low female voice rang along the stone corridor.

  Faris.

  His erection withered. Sebastian managed to grunt a greeting. Her father was his dad’s oldest and dearest backgammon and fishing buddy.

  Shame he was also the man who’d watched Caspia Designs slide downhill over the past decade.

  “Hello, my darling.” Faris gathered his face in her horrible soft hands and pressed her rubbery lips to his cheek.

  “What are you doing here?”

  “Daddy’s playing boules with your father. I came along to keep him company. I’m so glad I ran into you as I’m gasping for some sea air. You can take me out on the Mirabella.”

  “Plenty of sea air here on the balcony.” He gestured to the view of the harbor.

  “Oh, don’t be a big grouch. Though I don’t blame you for being a bit on edge after the way your secretary behaved last night.”

  “What are you talking about?” he growled.

  “Pawing you like a rock groupie in front of everyone. So vulgar and embarrassing. But what can you expect? American girls aren’t raised with any sense of propriety.”

  Sebastian’s blood pumped with force. If Faris Maridis were a man, she’d be out cold on the hard stone by now.

  “Don’t you ever…” His voice was so low he could hardly hear it. “Ever…speak of Tessa Banks that way again.” He stared right into Faris’s soulless, kohl-lined eyes. “I am delighted to be the happy recipient of her affections. You are the one with no sense of propriety, insulting my guest in my own home.”

  Faris’s long neck stiffened. “So that’s how it is. Well, I’m sure you’ll come to your senses sooner or later.”

  Sebastian battled the urge to hurl some choice insults after her, or order her off the property. But he was too well schooled in the art of diplomacy. Their families had been close allies and friends for hundreds of years and this insult was a tiny mosquito sting in the grand s
cheme of things.

  He turned back to enjoy the view of the harbor as Faris’s heels rang a brisk retreat down the corridor. His muscles stung with the urge to move, to run or fight…or make love. But he’d prove to Tessa that he could respect her wishes and keep his hands off her.

  He struck out for the stables. Maybe a ride in the mountains would cool his blood.

  But it didn’t. Sebastian and a lathered Alto spun in agitated circles on the mountaintop, neither able to settle enough to enjoy the view. Even the ocean below seemed to heave with discontent, the sun glittering off restless peaks outside the harbor.

  That night his frustration increased when the rounds of formal speeches by the Sons of the Garter continued until 2:00 a.m. Too late to disturb his lovely Tessa.

  He spent an uncomfortable night aching for the soft embrace of her affectionate arms. And dreaming of the morning sunlight in her bright eyes.

  “Tessa!” Sebastian’s voice ricocheted off the stone columns and floors and bounced along the grand corridor.

  Tessa’s heart surged. But she clung tighter to the sheaf of meeting agendas in her arms. She refused to let her excitement show on her face. “Good morning, Sebastian.”

  He strode toward her, grabbed her and kissed her on the cheek. His lips stirred a flush of heat that spread across her face.

  How could he kiss her here in front of everyone? Three of the distinguished meeting attendees stood within ten feet of her. Did he want the world to know he’d slept with his own assistant?

  Maybe he didn’t care. Perhaps his reputation as a playboy was a badge of pride.

  “How was the Sons of the Garter dinner?” She tried to sound brisk and cheerful.

  “Long.” Mischief shone in his dark eyes. “Especially when there was somewhere else I’d much rather be.” His steady gaze goaded the heat to her chest.

  To her poor, beleaguered heart.

  She sucked in a deep breath and tried to shove away the emotions barreling through her.

  She’d waited for him, fear alternating with hope. One more night, just to remember.

  Then hope turned back to fear as the hours stretched on and he still didn’t come.

  Maybe he’s hooked up with Faris. Yes, she’d had that thought. And why not? Sebastian was anything but a faithful, one-woman man. She’d be a fool to imagine he was pining for her, too.