What the Prince Wants

by Jules Bennett

  Crossing his arms over his chest, ready for the battle she so obviously thought was coming, Colin replied, “Cooking every single meal and going to the store isn’t your job, either. I’m trying to help. We agreed on sharing these responsibilities.”

  “You can help by letting me do what works for me with my personal circumstances. Fixing my car wasn’t included in our agreement.”

  As Darcy ignored him to focus on putting the last of the groceries away, Colin didn’t know if he was pissed to be dismissed so easily or if he was elated that she wasn’t walking on eggshells around him because he was a prince. How would she react if she knew just how wealthy he was? Would she even care about his royal status? Darcy didn’t seem the type to be attracted to money or power. She seemed to be doing just fine on her own.

  And that was the main problem he was having. She shouldn’t have to do everything on her own.

  “How about I fix lunch and you can make dinner?” he suggested.

  Bundling all the reusable sacks into one neatly folded pile, Darcy raised a brow and grinned. “And what are you making for lunch, oh great chef?”

  “You’re mocking me,” he laughed. “I know I’m not as good as you in the kitchen, but I think I can give you a run for your money. Isn’t that the expression you Americans have?”

  Her lips pursed as she continued to stare. “It is, but I don’t think you can hold your own against me.”

  “Challenge accepted,” he told her, ready to prove her wrong.

  Damn it. Now he needed to search on the internet for something easy, quick and delicious. He’d been thinking of throwing sandwich stuff together for lunch, but given her instant doubt, Colin had to raise his game. And he would, just as soon as he took care of the car. She was getting his assistance whether she liked it or not.

  * * *

  The shrill alarm had Darcy jumping to her feet and pulling Iris with her. They’d been coloring on the floor in the living room when the ear-piercing noise came out of nowhere.

  Darcy knew that sound and it was all she could do not to laugh. Calmly, though, she rested Iris on her hip and headed toward the kitchen where lunch was probably not going to be happening anytime soon.

  Standing in the wide, arched doorway, Darcy took in the scene and had to literally bite her lips to keep from laughing.

  There were dirty bowls littering the island, opened packages of random ingredients spread about and Colin was currently slapping a kitchen towel at the small flame coming from the burner. Smoke billowed through the open space as Darcy moved into the kitchen. She eased Iris into her high chair and wheeled it over near the patio door, which Darcy opened to let some fresh air in. She made her way down the wall, opening each window as she passed.

  Colin turned, still holding the charred dishtowel, and shrugged. “I’m not admitting defeat.”

  “Of course not,” she replied, not even bothering to hide her smile. “Why would you?”

  “Lunch will be just a few more minutes.”

  “I’m sure it will be wonderful.” Darcy shrugged. “No rush.”

  Poor guy was still trying to save his pride. She wasn’t about to say more. Their easy banter seriously helped take the edge off the sexual tension. Playfulness, even a little flirting she could handle. Anything beyond that...she glanced to the tiny flame Colin was smacking. Yeah, that flame signified her life right now. If she got too close to Colin she’d get burned. The signs were literally in front of her face.

  Darcy had just grabbed a handful of puffed snacks to hold Iris over until lunch was ready when another alarm sounded through the house. This one was announcing a visitor.

  The darn house was wired so tight with security and monitors and alarms, Darcy’s head had practically spun in circles when Colin had explained the entire system to her. Who was this man that he needed so much security?

  “Are you expecting company?” she asked, laying the snacks across the highchair tray for Iris.

  “Actually, I am.” Colin turned off the burner, sat the pan on a cooler one and turned to her. “Don’t touch anything. I’ve got it under control. This won’t take long.”

  He rushed from the room and out the front door.

  “Your father is one mysterious man,” Darcy muttered to Iris. “And apparently not a chef.”

  Smoothing the dark curls away from the baby’s face, Darcy really studied how much Iris looked like Colin. All bronzed skin, dark molasses eyes and striking features. Iris would be an absolute bombshell when she grew up. Darcy couldn’t help but wonder if Iris’s mother had been a Greek beauty as well. Most likely Colin wouldn’t have married someone who was an ogre.

  Moments later, Colin breezed back into the house. “Sorry about that. Lunch will be ready in five minutes if you’d like to get some plates out.”

  “Are you going to tell me what we’re having now?”

  “You’ll see,” he told her before he went back into the foyer.

  On a sigh, she crossed the room and pulled out two plates and one smaller plate for Iris. She resisted the urge to stroke the beautiful cabinets and the quartz countertops. This kitchen alone cost more money than she made in a year...during the good times. Having a home and a gourmet kitchen with a family to cook for was a dream she honestly didn’t see coming true. That was okay, though. For now she was here, working and making money to save her agency, and in the end that’s all that truly mattered. And the fact she was caring for a baby was a great form of forced therapy she’d desperately needed to face her fears.

  Moments later, Colin came back into the kitchen wearing a mischievous grin, but he said nothing as he dished out whatever he’d managed to salvage from the burning pan. Apparently he’d removed the pot before the flames consumed their entire meal.

  “I admit, after the fanfare with the smoke alarm, this actually smells delicious.”

  He threw her a glance over his shoulder. “I have a whole host of surprises for you.”

  Those words held a plethora of meanings, but when said while holding her gaze beneath heavy lids, her mind instantly traveled to the darkened hallway last night and how her body still ached after such a gloriously arousing kiss.

  Could such an experience be labeled by one simple word? A kiss was something that could be given from a parent to a child, from a child to a pet, from a peasant to the hand of a diplomat. The word kiss blanketed a lot of ground.

  “Ready?”

  Darcy blinked, realizing Colin stood in front of her with two plates of...

  “You made shrimp Alfredo?” she asked, more than amazed.

  “You think I can’t boil noodles and melt some butter?” he asked, feigning shock.

  Taking her plate, inhaling the garlicky goodness, she laughed. “I had my doubts.”

  Darcy sat her plate on the table and went to move Iris’s highchair over.

  “I’ve got her,” Colin said, holding his hand up. “You eat while it’s hot.”

  Darcy stared as Colin wheeled Iris closer to the table. She then sat in amazement as he cut up the noodles, blew on them and offered small bites to his daughter.

  “You’re not eating,” he commented without turning his head in her direction.

  “I’m surprised.” Darcy slid onto the built-in bench beneath the wide window. Grabbing her fork, she started pushing the noodles and shrimp around on her plate. “I’m the nanny, so eating a hot meal isn’t something I’m used to. I’m also not used to the parent doing my job while I’m sitting right here.”

  He tossed her a glance. “I’m not like most parents. She’s my daughter and I’m not paying you to raise her so I can prop my feet up and watch her life go by. I’m paying you to help for a few months. There’s a huge difference.”

  Darcy swallowed, hating how her observation instantly made him defensive and how she was reminded again ho
w little time she would actually have here.

  “I apologize,” she said, stabbing a plump shrimp coated in Alfredo sauce. “I should know by now that every family, every circumstance is different.”

  “Don’t apologize,” he replied. “Actually, as soon as you’re finished eating, I have something for you.”

  Intrigued, Darcy stared across the table. “You made lunch, you’re forcing me to eat instead of feeding Iris and you have something else up your sleeve? You’ve got to be kidding.”

  The muscle in his jaw ticked, his eyes held hers. “I don’t joke too often.”

  The man was intense, she’d give him that. He went from super dad to sexy employer in the span of one quick blink. Regardless of his demeanor, Colin Alexander exuded sex appeal.

  Darcy didn’t ask any more questions. She didn’t know Colin well, but she was positive anything she’d ask would be dodged or ignored. He was a man of absolute control, absolute power. She had no clue what he did for a living, she only knew he worked from home. However Colin made his money, Darcy was positive he dominated every facet of his life, and was even more controlled and possibly ruthless in whatever business he was in.

  They finished lunch in silence, except for the cute noises and random words coming from Iris. When Darcy was finished, she took the plates to the sink, rinsed them and put them in the dishwasher.

  “This is a really nice dishwasher.”

  Inwardly she groaned. What sane person coveted someone else’s kitchen appliances? Talk about pathetic. She was showing her lower-class side...which was the only side she knew lately.

  Pulling the tray out, Colin lifted Iris and carefully set her on the tile. In an instant she darted off toward the living room. Thanks to the mostly open-concept design of the house, they could still keep an eye on her through the wide, arched doorway.

  The little girl picked up the doll Darcy had given her, sat on the floor and started rocking her. That familiar ache spread through Darcy. But there were plenty more blessings in her life to count. Each day with Iris was a blessing. The child was sweet, always happy and fun-loving, when she got her naps in, and Darcy was lucky to be working under such amazing circumstances.

  “Get Iris and meet me out front.”

  Darcy glanced back to Colin. “You’re making me nervous.”

  One corner of his mouth kicked up. “Baby, that’s the best compliment anyone has ever given me.”

  He strode away without another word and Darcy had a gut feeling she’d just stirred the hornet’s nest of hormones.

  Darcy crossed into the living room and slid her hands beneath Iris’s little arms. “Come on, sweetheart. Bring your dolly and let’s go see what your daddy is up to.”

  “Doll,” Iris repeated. “Pitty.”

  Laughing, Darcy kissed the dark head of curls. “Yes, baby. Your dolly is pretty.”

  Stepping outside, Darcy immediately spotted Colin with a wide grin on his face.

  “What is that?” she asked, glancing over his shoulder at the big, black SUV, all shiny and brand-new.

  “Yours.”

  Six

  Colin watched Darcy as her eyes widened, her face paled.

  “You—what...”

  Her stuttering and the fact she was rendered speechless had him confused. “Your car isn’t worth fixing and you need viable transportation. Consider this a very late birthday present.”

  Her eyes darted to his and instead of gratitude he saw...anger? Seriously? He didn’t know a woman that didn’t fawn all over gifts, especially a new car. He didn’t know where he’d gone wrong here, but he’d seriously miscalculated her response.

  “You said you’d call someone about my car,” she explained.

  “I did. I had it removed from the road and now you have a new vehicle that you won’t have to worry about.”

  Darcy didn’t look nearly as excited as he’d figured she would. In fact, she looked downright angry.

  “I can’t accept this,” she stated, still remaining on the concrete stoop holding onto Iris. “I want my own car fixed, not a replacement that cost more than I could ever afford. And I don’t need a birthday present from you.”

  “If you don’t want it as a late present, then just use the vehicle while you work for me,” he said slowly, moving toward her as he made sure she understood this wasn’t any form of bribery or something more. “Consider it one of the incentives I mentioned on your first day. The vehicle is not up for debate. You need to have reliable transportation because you’re watching my daughter and had she been in your car earlier, you both would’ve been stranded.”

  Darcy rolled her eyes. “Don’t be so dramatic. I wasn’t stranded. I walked here. Had Iris been with me, I would’ve called for help and you could’ve been there in no time. I was only a half mile away.”

  “What happens when you’re ten miles away?” he countered, slipping Iris from Darcy’s arms. “You can’t walk that far with a toddler and you can’t stay in the car in this heat.”

  Darcy crossed her arms over her chest and glanced away. “I can handle myself.”

  “Do you even want to go look at the car?” he asked.

  “I can see it just fine.” She brought her eyes back up to meet his. “I would like to know where my car is and I want it back.”

  Spinning on her heel, she went back inside, slamming the door. Colin glanced to Iris who was now chewing on the small stuffed doll’s hair.

  “Where did I go wrong?” he asked.

  Colin knew whatever had just happened had little to do with the vehicle in his drive and everything to do with something that was personal to her. Did her old broken car hold some sentimental value?

  * * *

  “We better go see if she’s sticking around,” he told Iris as he headed toward the door.

  By the time he found Darcy, she was in her room, standing at the floor-to-ceiling window looking out onto the backyard. Her room was neat and tidy. She’d plumped the pillows on her perfectly made bed and her single piece of luggage sat on the floor at the foot of it. Other than a small pair of flip-flops, there was no sign she’d even made herself at home. He knew she was orderly around the house, but he assumed in her own room, she’d be a little more laid back.

  “Are you quitting?” he asked from the doorway. Even though this was his house, the bedroom was Darcy’s for as long as she was here and he wasn’t about to infringe on her territory.

  Without turning around, Darcy let out a laugh that held no humor. “I have nowhere else to go and I need this job. I’ll use the car while I’m here, but I really just want mine back. I have my reasons.”

  “Down,” Iris said, squirming against him.

  “Can we come in?” he asked.

  Darcy glanced over her shoulder. “It’s your house, Colin.”

  He stepped into the room and closed the door, confining Iris to an area where he could still watch her and talk to Darcy at the same time.

  “Listen, I had no idea getting you a car would set off so much emotion.” Slowly closing the space between them, he came to stand in front of her. “I’ll get your car fixed and have it delivered back here. But you will still be using the new one. No arguments.”

  * * *

  She eyed him for another minute before tipping her head to the side. “One of these days someone is going to tell you no.”

  “No, no, no, no,” Iris chanted as she toddled around the room waving her doll in the air.

  Darcy laughed and Colin couldn’t stop himself from smiling. “She’s the only one who can get away with it,” he informed Darcy.

  Truly focusing on Darcy, he crossed the room. As he neared, her eyes widened. He liked to think it was from the attraction, but that was his arrogance talking. More than likely she was trying to figure him out, same as he was doi
ng with her.

  But he would get through her defenses. He knew without a doubt her secret had everything to do with the fact that she had nowhere else to go.

  As the space between them minimized, Colin kept his gaze locked on hers. The closer he got, the more she had to tip her head back to hold his stare.

  “I can’t help but feel you’re hiding something,” he started. “Your background check told me your business has hit a rough patch and you are on your own now.”

  Darcy nodded, her lips thinning. “There are challenges I’m facing privately, but nothing that will affect my job with you. I promise. I just don’t want to be indebted to you for fixing my car.”

  Money wasn’t the root of all evil as the old saying went. The evil was the person holding the purse strings who did nothing to help others.

  “I think I’ll take Iris outside for a walk.” Darcy skirted around him, careful to shift her body so she didn’t even brush against him. “Feel free to join us if you want.”

  Colin laughed as he turned to face her. “Not very subtle, the way you dodged my question.”

  “Subtlety wasn’t what I was going for.” She lifted Iris in her arms and smiled. The way she headed straight out the door as if she hadn’t just put him in his place really annoyed and amused him at the same time. Damn, she was fun, yet prickly.

  Darcy was perfect with Iris, independent and she turned him inside out at every move.

  When his marriage had started failing, Colin blamed himself. He’d put Karina through hell with his injury, his surgeries, not being there for her as a husband should be. He’d never imagined he’d feel a desire for another woman again, but here he was, pining after his temporary nanny, of all people.

  If he didn’t keep his head on straight, he’d be losing focus on why he was in LA to begin with. He was no closer to deciding if staying away from Galini Isle was best for him and Iris or if returning to the secure, enclosed, yet exposed, lifestyle of the royals was the way he should go.

  Here he had more freedom to take her out in public. They’d walked to the park last week and it had been so refreshing not to have guards hovering nearby. The longer he stayed in the United States, the more he worried he’d never want to leave.