"My parents are where?" She discreetly inhaled his almond scent.
"With my parents who will plan the whole ceremony in a Church some ancestors of mine built."
Yes, if she didn't face Mom and Dad for a few days then no one could report to Evie on exactly what she was doing. She nodded. "The one that Mary herself, in, like 100 AD, made it snow in? The exact spot she wanted the church built?" She sat back and let her body relax. "I did some research and that's quite a fairy tale." She looked forward to seeing it in person.
He lowered his shoulders. "My brother Marco and his new wife, Renee, are working on upping our tourist industry and enticing visitors to our small kingdom."
Outside, the day wasn't getting any prettier and she was still on the plane. Lucio was probably used to living in paradise. She stood, her knee bumping his, and he did the same. Amy considered that she might as well be useful to him if she was going to pull off being a princess. "Your gambling laws and casinos are not capitalized on fully. You realize that you could be the next Monaco?"
"All business, with you." He strode down the aisle.
It's not like they had anything else in common. She fixed her dress and followed him, her gaze glued to his broad back. "I can't read physics and pretend to understand that. So I'll talk about politics and economics and things I know."
He placed his hand on the small of her back while they exited the plane via silver stairs. "Have I told you that I'm trained in various forms of combat?"
Fighting? Her knees felt weak and she rolled in her high heels, but luckily she caught his arm. She met his handsome brown eyes. "Why tell me now?"
He winked. "You keep harping on my interest in physics, but I have more than one."
Lucio's entire physique sang out "not a nerd." He'd changed. She could feel heat rising in her chest, but she made it to the tarmac without tripping. "Well, then I can confess I enjoy learning new blends of white wine and having a glass after work."
They walked a red carpet toward a waiting white limo. Once again Lucio placed his strong hand on the small of her back and she felt guided, safe. "There is plenty of wine at the palace, but there’s also a local vineyard near the North Castle. I'll take you."
"Sounds amazing." She imagined walking in a green farmland next to Lucio, lost in the grape clusters.
The driver opened the rear passenger door for them and she slid inside, Lucio right behind her. "It's settled, then. We'll head to the North Castle for a few days."
"Yes. Let's do that." She loved the idea of spending time with just Lucio. Perhaps she'd not feel this burning sensation in her stomach at the idea she was stealing him from her sister. "My parents and I don't always get along the best."
"I completely understand." The chauffer started the car and signaled right. Lucio tapped the lowered window between them and said, "The North Castle, please."
The driver turned back toward him. "Your parents are expecting you, Your Highness."
"We're still heading to the North Castle." Lucio sat with assurance against the seat. "I can always drive the lady myself if you must return to the palace."
"No need, sir. I'll get you there." The driver went left and soon the private airport was at their back.
This was her chance to refocus the conversation. She sat next to him and smoothed the pearls on her necklace. "What do you understand?"
Her hem slid higher and he saw her legs. He stared at her movement and she was keenly aware of every inch of flesh this might show while her entire body felt flushed, but she didn’t tug it down. He’d always been a leg man as far as she knew.
He closed the partition and waited until it was completely secure. "I love my family, but I don't want them controlling everything I do and say. When I was fifteen, I wasn’t making smart decisions about women and perhaps your sister was a bad idea for me long term, but I should have been able to see that for myself without my own parents’ interference. The lesson I learned that day was to never seek their good opinion in the first place when we moved to Avce."
Her heart squeezed in her chest as she folded her hands in her lap, needing to ask, but fearing the answer. "What made you think that my sister is not a good idea now?"
He lowered his face and she swore she saw a slight blush. "When I flew to Scotland to clear the air with her, I understood she'd throw her wedding off with her fiancé and come with me if I asked."
Amy's face tightened. He was right. Her sister probably would have. "So? Evie always said she loved you. Why did her willingness to go with you turn you off?"
And poor Michael, she thought, though she’d never say that out loud.
"I'm an adult." He adjusted his seat. "And I had the distinct feeling it wasn't me but my title. Prince, to her princess."
Amy’s mouth dried and she tugged her hem to her knees. Her parents had always said that was the reason they had daughters in the first place. Her "yes" came from that same lesson her sister’s had. "That's it? You came and offered the job to me because my sister made you feel as if she wanted the title?"
He shrugged. "I also had the sense she'd make a horrible wife—for me. When I met you again, I realized that the computer was right and you're perfect to be my princess. So here we are."
"It's hard to think of myself as a princess, Lucio." She twirled one of her pearls and stared out the window at the passing pine trees. "I spend most of my days researching some small detail that might matter in a remote part of the world for a report I’ve been paid to write."
He placed his hand on her knee. "Researching is not the same as seeing or experiencing." She turned toward him as the car drove up a hill, through the countryside. "I want you to feel Avce in your blood."
Lucio made feeling his country sound like it included him. His fingers traced the bare skin above her knee and thrills raced up her leg. She nodded, "I can’t wait to learn all about it."
He leaned closer and whispered, "Now there is the girl I remember from the library." He sat straighter, kept his hand on her thigh, and lowered the partition. "Please stop at Piotr' restaurant."
"I want to see your country that you clearly love. I've only ever written reports." She let her mind wander. If what he said about her sister was true, then she shouldn't fear Evie’s interference. Still, it would be nice to spend a few days alone with Lucio to really see if they fit.
The limo turned on a smaller road that followed a gray river. "You'll enjoy this place. It's on the water, before we ascend the mountain."
From her window, Avce seemed one of the prettiest places on the planet. She stared at Lucio’s chiseled jaw and felt a flutter while she wondered how he'd kiss. Her body was already warm, but she kept the conversation light. "The view sounds lovely. We can discuss how I can help Avce correct a few political landmines—and I’ve got a few ideas to boost the economy."
The car pulled into a parking lot that overlooked a bluff. "You're more of an expert than me. We'll discuss what committees you'll lead as princess, but I'd like to propose a No Business rule for the rest of the day. I'd like to get to know you—the woman."
The engine cut off. Her heart beat faster. Lunch without discussing topics she understood? This felt like a date. She nodded her agreement and the door opened.
Now she had to remember how to act on a date. She hadn't had one of those in a long time that went well. It should help that she’d already agreed to marry him, but the zip in her pulse told her otherwise.
Lucio's arm went around her waist as he pulled her from the back to stand hand in hand with him beneath the sun. With luck, this was truly their beginning.
6
Amy's eyes widened when they stepped onto the balcony area of the restaurant. A half-dozen white linen-covered tables were empty, yet the candles were all lit to create romance in in the dim interior light.
She walked further onto the wooden flooring and realized the light sound of rain wasn't coming from the clear blue sky. She rushed to the railing and peered over the side at water rushing ov
er the edge. Her gaze feasted on the beautiful natural display. She turned to Lucio. "A waterfall?"
He came beside her and folded his hands over the grooved rail cap. "Yes. I thought you might like it."
The water fell from a small ledge of the hill into the pool below, crashing onto smooth rocks. She scooted closer to Lucio, her shoulder to his strong arm, and said, "It's beautiful."
He placed his hand on hers and tugged her backward. She followed. "It's still early and the owners were nice enough to close the balcony for our lunch."
Kind, sure, but no doubt Lucio had paid. The idea that he’d been so thoughtful brought her to tears. He led her toward a table where they could still see the waterfall. He pulled out her chair for her and she sat, unfolding her napkin until he joined her. Once he was beside her, she smiled. "I should thank them."
"After you try the food." He winked and sat back in his chair, completely sure of himself.
Wait staff brought out glasses of water and a white wine. She pressed her lips together, not sure she could eat a bite, but then the appetizer in the center of the table tickled her nose. Delicate golden pieces of chicken covered in a sauce that smelled like honey. Her stomach rolled. She picked up her wine, sipped and sat back without tasting a morsel.
"Lucio, I'm too nervous to eat much."
He leaned closer, his expression warm with compassion rather than brooding and dark. "Why are you nervous?"
Her heart began to beat faster. She balanced the base of her glass on her lap and stared into the clear depths of wine. "Because it's been a long time since I went on a date." She peeked into his eyes. She let out a sigh and held the glass higher. "The last one went so bad, I decided not to look for six months and just enjoy my time with friends without pressure."
She sipped the moscato and hoped that could be the end of the conversation.
"What happened?"
Right. She put her glass down on the table and let her fingers trail on the linen as she avoided eye contact. "I went out with an octopus." The memory of him groping her legs and thigh replayed in her mind and she shivered and hugged her waist. "He had his hands everywhere. I ended up texting my friend Suzie—she came to the restaurant and took me home."
Lucio slowly leaned back, sipped his wine and waited until she settled in her seat and could look at him. Once she did, his eyes seemed softer. "Suzie sounds like a good friend."
She lowered her lashes and remembered the ride home and how Suzie had been so angry at the guy she’d threatened to go back and punch him. Amy nodded, "Yeah, she is, though she chided me to never go on a first date in the guy's car, and to meet somewhere safe in the future where I had a clean getaway."
Amy laughed and pictured how different the whole thing would have been if she'd been beside Lucio that night. He was a true gentleman.
Every light touch of his set her on fire. "I swore I would be more cautious and yet here I am, with you. Still nervous."
He sat straight. "I hope I haven't touched you indecently."
The way her body reacted to him meant that was impossible. She shook her head and stared into his mesmerizing gaze. "The opposite." Her voice lowered. "I've been thinking about us."
He leaned so close that the smell of his almond spice aftershave made her tremble inside.
"And?"
She put her glass down and locked her gaze to his. "We haven't even kissed."
He moved his hand near hers, but didn't touch. She could feel his body heat get under her own skin. "Do you want me to kiss you, Amy?"
Perhaps the heat was all her. Her face felt like it was on fire but she told the truth. "I'd like to know if there is any chemistry." She had a feeling it would be explosive.
He rose and offered her his hand. "Join me over here."
Her heart beat loudly in her ear drums as she leaned against the wooden railing next to the waterfall. "I feel embarrassed."
Lucio gently brushed her hair back behind her ear. "Don't be. It's a good idea. Close your eyes."
She followed his orders but she felt dizzy as she waited in trepidation. She puckered her lips and nodded. "Okay..."
Warm lips met hers and she flew, transported into heaven. He tasted of coffee and his firm mouth melted away fear just as another part of her was reborn. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back.
The kiss ended too soon and his fingers traced her arms. "You're sweeter than I thought, Amy."
Sweet was good. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. "Do it again."
A light chuckle escaped him before his lips captured hers again. She released a soft sigh and held onto his shoulder for support. His kiss made her feel sexy but vulnerable and she loved the sensation.
This time when he ended the kiss, he took her hand and walked her back to the table. "My turn for a question."
He held her chair for her while she sat and then took his chair again. She leaned toward him, her fingers brushed against his, not wanting to end the moment. "What?"
Just centimeters apart he asked, "Have you had sex before, Amy?"
Her cheeks flamed and she crossed her legs under her chair. "Yes, but honestly..."
Her voice trailed off. This wasn't something she’d ever said out loud and she shook her head, hoping to change the subject.
He put his hand on hers and she felt a jolt. "But what?"
She turned toward him. Could she tell him something she’d never breathed a word of to anyone, not even her dearest friend? Certainly not her sister. She clutched his forearm to keep him close, trusting him. "I didn't like it very much. How did you guess?"
His eyes narrowed and he massaged her hand. "Your kiss was more innocent than I'm used to." And she'd thought his was the best. She let go of his forearm and scooted back slightly. "Who was this guy and why didn't you like sex?"
It was best to tell the truth, though she whispered so no one might hear and she put her hand on her forehead to hide in case others looked at her—not that there was anybody she could see. "Kevin Shepard. He was, no is, the Earl of Tomley, and my parents had set us up. He fit the profile of the men I usually dated, so they thought they’d compromised. I tried. It was just after college and before I went to London to work for Whitehall and Fisk. I was tense and it felt like it was more a chore. Two weeks later we broke up and I've not seen him since. My parents backed off and let me just focus on work… until now."
He kissed her hand. "I'm glad he's out of your life. You don't need anyone who doesn't take care of your needs in bed."
Kevin had been in a long line of narcissists to be truthful and he'd only been concerned with how good she looked on his arm. She sat back, picked up her wine, sipped it and let the liquid refresh her mind as the wait staff brought out what looked like a Shepard’s pie. Both stayed quiet until they left.
"So, I confessed about my dating life. How was dating over a thousand women? Or were the tabloids wrong? When writing my report on your family, I ran into trouble verifying the story."
He dug into his food with his fork, tasted it and nodded with appreciation of the beef and gravy. Once he swallowed, he said, "Because of what happened in high school, I wanted to ensure that no one dared take an opinion again on the ladies I went out with. A few of them were nice, but despite what the newspapers say, dinner out with a woman does not mean I took her to bed. There is an infamous tell-all that's complete rubbish. That woman and I never made it through coffee."
She resumed eating and he did the same. In the book, the writer had described a man that sounded so different, so calculating, from the Lucio she’d remembered. But she focused on her food because the potatoes melted in her mouth. Finally full, she wiped her lips with her napkin. "So, you didn't insist she bring two friends to bed to keep you there for the night?"
"You read it," he said.
"Yes." Shocked that she’d eaten the whole thing, she put her silverware down. "I think 40 million people bought it."
"That sounds about right."
Amy s
at back and finished her one glass of wine, studying him with a smile. Today's date had gone well. His kiss made her hope for more. "If it counts for anything, I believe you. How she made you sound in the book didn't ring at all true for me."
He finished his glass in a gulp and then leaned close. The heat of his skin made her ache in places she hadn't realized she had. "Thank you for that. I'm glad we can trust each other. Now, let’s go home."
She stood at his slight touch that urged her forward, hooking her arm through his as they crossed the balcony. "I've not had a home in years. My flat always felt temporary."
"And small." He spoke with disapproval, then pointed up the mountain. "The North Palace gives us unencumbered views of Italy, Slovenia and Austria." He stopped and faced her. "May I kiss you one more time?"
"Absolutely." A breathless thrill raced through her as she nodded, excited he’d respected her wishes but also wishing he’d just kissed without asking for approval. They still had to work out their relationship, but for now she puckered her lips.
She closed her eyes as his lips met hers for their third kiss. His hard muscles made her want to touch. She slipped her hands under his suit jacket to hold him and forget the rest of the world. Saying yes to him was the smartest decision she'd ever made.
7
Amy's eyes were wide as she stared out the window of the car when they entered the outer gates of the North Castle. Lucio hoped she loved it here as it would be their permanent home after they married. He sat quietly and watched her every reaction. Her wheat-colored hair that she brushed behind her ears, her pert nose aimed where her assessing brown gaze took in the green front gardens.
The driver pulled up to the steps of the main castle, parked, and a liveried servant rushed out to open her door. Amy clutched her pearls as she walked on the first marble step. Lucio followed her and placed his hand on her back. "Let's go inside."
"This is grander than the pictures online show," she said with enthusiasm. "We'll have to hire a professional photographer if you wish to encourage tourists to visit more of the country than the church."
Forbidden Royal Page 4
