The main door opened once they reached the top step and he showed her inside and introduced her to his main staff. "Amy, this is Nino. He runs the estate, and Katarina, she's the head housekeeper. Any questions on our home, please ask them. This is Amy Fields, my fiancée."
"Nice to meet you." Amy shook hands with Nino and Katarina. "So far, I'm impressed with everything I see and I can't wait to explore the inside of the house." She smiled and pointed at a gleaming white cross beam in the ceiling. "I have no idea how you dust the rafters to make them shine like that."
Katarina nodded with appreciation and gestured to the other women under her supervision. Lucio realized that Amy would be able to run a household for him. Now he needed to figure out how to get her to ask him to bed. Her ex, the idiot Kevin, had clearly done more damage than good.
She walked beside him as they left the foyer and said in a quiet undertone, "Let's see our room."
Perhaps she wanted him, right now, in his bed. His body became rigid at the thought, but he shook it off as he took her hand. Amy would need more persuasion than seeing a bed, but as his hands held hers more firmly and they walked up the marble steps together, he hoped he was wrong. Her kisses had been innocent but passionate enough to make him wish which was a rather new emotion for him.
On the top step, he guided her down the blue hall toward his private chambers. The moment they entered the north wing, he closed the doors. "This entire wing is intended as a family residence."
She looked around but stayed near an indoor ficus plant beneath a portrait of his parents and his brothers and him all in a family still from when they’d first arrived in Avce, as if uncertain. "It’s like a huge apartment."
He pointed toward the bedroom and the living room. There was a kitchenette in the rear and two smaller bedrooms. "This is our family quarters. Our bedroom is to the right, but I want you to feel free to redo anything you want in our future home."
"I'm not the best decorator, but I'm sure we can figure out something." She opened the two doors that led to the main bedroom and walked inside. "This room is already gorgeous. I love the sky blue comforter—it matches the trim! The cream on the walls make this very elegant but light at the same time."
He pushed off the wall and followed her inside as she walked toward the balcony on the other end of his bedroom. She opened the glass doors and hugged her waist. "Gorgeous again. Lucio, I can't believe all of this—but most amazing of all is that you want to marry me."
The brightness in her eyes and the way the sun's light reflected on Amy's hair made her seem so innocent. He walked over to her, took her hands in his and led her toward the balcony ledge. "Marrying you is one of the easiest decisions I’ve ever made. I was blind as a teenager, clearly, because you outshine every woman I’ve ever met."
She looked up with hopeful eyes and his pulse skipped a little faster. He'd have to find a way to make her happy. For now, he let the jolt in his skin dictate his actions. He closed his eyes while he reached out to kiss her.
A slight moan escaped her lips as his mouth crashed into hers. She tasted better than any sweet delicacy from Alain Ducasse and his entire body begged for him to claim all of her.
He ended the kiss abruptly and his heart beat wildly. He had to seduce her to ensure she invited him in his bed, and right now, he needed to find the quickest path. But he would be fair, he’d promised himself. He slipped his hand out of hers. "Let's show you the family dining room, as that's far safer."
"Safer? You don't have to keep me safe or anything. We're here to get to know each other." Her mouth, pink and soft, quivered.
"I promised to let you ask me for sex." He stepped back and stood taller. "I intend to keep my word, so it's safer for me if you keep your distance."
She let out a huge laugh, like what he’d said was the funniest thing she’d ever heard. Finally, she stepped to join him and go into the next room, but she stopped in her tracks and continued her belly laugh.
"What's so funny?"
With tears in her eyes, she spoke between giggles. "I kept picturing myself as some seductress that could lure you to bed, and I can't help it. You're way too hot. What can I offer you?"
He crossed the space in three long strides, traced her arms and pushed her hair out of her face. "All you have to say is "now" and we can find out just how easily I'd fall into your bed."
Her laughter ended, but she smiled at him like she had a hidden secret. "That's technically your bed."
"It's our bed now." He kissed the top of her head, inhaling the scent of her shampoo. "I've only slept here alone maybe two weeks of my life. I generally stay in the city castle with my parents." He’d been a teenager when they’d come to power and in the decade since he’d gone to college, traveled, and worked with the FBI on freelance projects. "This castle becomes my permanent home, when I marry you."
"So, if we change the sheets and mattress, it's a whole new place for you too." She rested her hands on his hips. "I think I like that, knowing neither of us has a history here. Right now, we need to work on trusting each other and that's going to take more than going between the sheets."
"You don't know the fun you’re missing." He winked but this time opened the dining room door next to the bedroom. The table was set just as he’d instructed. "We skipped dessert so we'll have afternoon tea with a delicious local pastry."
"What is it?" She took one of the plush dining chairs. "It smells like vanilla."
"Kremšnita." He sat beside her. She immediately poured him a cup of tea and then one for herself. "It's like a cake version of vanilla pie."
She dipped her spoon in it and put a small morsel in her mouth. The ends of her lips curled upward as she swallowed, eyes half-closed with pleasure. "Delicious."
"I think so too." He picked up his spoon, wishing he could kiss her again.
They both ate in silence until they were completely done and sipped tea.
"I don't think I can eat another bite today." Amy rested her hand on her flat stomach. "I'm so full now and this was amazing. Thank you for sharing a piece of your world with me."
Seduction required being comfortable and Lucio had time. Right now, she wanted trust so he'd be open to conversation and getting to know one another. "We'll go tour the small village within the castle walls."
"There’s a village?" Her blonde brow rose with surprise. "I'd love to see it, with you."
He stood and offered his hand. "Perfect." She stood and tightened her grip rather than release his hand. "This castle was designed for defense, so we have a granary and the room for everyone in the village to fit underground, with fortifications to survive for a year-long siege."
"Hopefully no one attacks us!" They walked out the door, arm to arm, their strides matched. "I'd hate for our magical day to end on such a sour note."
"Let's enjoy the late afternoon." He kept her close and for once in his life felt comfortable with a woman. Amy knew his quirky interest in physics, she hadn't believed that nonsense in the tabloids, and didn't stare at him like he offered a prize she might gain with seduction. Her innocence tempted him though he was grateful she wasn't a virgin.
Soon he'd have her as his own and she'd understand bedsport was fun. Today, though, he'd ensure she loved everything about their future home.
They walked down the grand staircase and he led her toward the back exit of the castle. Her fingers on his wrist made him feel confident that she wanted him too.
Tonight, they'd spend their first night alone in his room. He needed to prepare himself for how that went because he'd keep his word and wait for her to ask him—even if it hurt.
A small band played on the patio that overlooked the small park open to the locals. A child's laugh in the distance made him hold Amy closer, imagining his own family, as they walked outside.
Once he thought her a shy bookworm, but now he saw beneath the cocoon she’d wrapped in to protect herself from her parents. Amy was a strong, confident and rather funny woman that pierced a chun
k of his own armor off.
8
The evening air held a chill though Amy was still quite warm next to Lucio. The edge of the moon began to shine in the sky while the sun dipped behind majestic mountains. They walked on a small village road full of cute shops, arm in arm.
Lucio was patient as she peered into the windows—a bakery, a coffee shop, a gift store. Another pebble caught in her heel and she stopped to release it, leaning against Lucio. "I should have changed into sneakers as the cobblestones don't like my wedges."
He waited until she was standing again and then turned around. "We'll head back to the castle then. We don't have to be out all night."
The walked in companionable silence as the air around her cocooned her like a bubble. She was with Lucio and today had been better than she’d ever dared to dream. They walked further up the street but this time instead of music from the tavern on the corner, they saw people staring at a news station. She tugged on Lucio's arm, "What's going on?"
He had his eyes glued on the TV through the window too, and he must have wondered the same thing. He kept her close and held the door open for her while he said, "I don't know. Let's find out."
"No word from the royal family yet, as this breaking news unfolds."
The television reporter stopped speaking. Amy looked to Lucio, then around the bar. Why was everyone so sad?
"What news?" Lucio asked the man at the nearest table.
The man lowered his head, overcome, but his wife wiped tears from her eyes. "Your Highness, it seems gunmen have taken over an elementary school. The children are still inside."
"It's evening." Lucio spoke as if in shock. "School ended hours ago." He backed up, took her hand, and said to the frightened patrons, "I had no idea." To her he said, "We must go, quickly."
Memories of the rude man who’d ordered a report on Avce in London sprung in her head. She'd have never recommended violence in a school, but she'd mentioned flaws in the education system. She touched her pearls as she walked faster beside him. "Lucio, I recently wrote a report-"
"I have to call my parents." He talked over her and led her to the gardens outside the castle, his mind obviously speeding ahead. "I’ll have to help save the children. What could the gunmen want?"
Lucio in danger made her heart skip a beat, but she tried to be reasonable. If she’d somehow caused this because of that report, she needed to fix it but she could see he was in no mood to listen. "Yes, someone in the royal family should be there to counter this." He pulled her up the marble steps. "I think my report-"
"I need you to be safe." He opened the doors to the castle himself and urged her inside. "Let's talk in our quarters."
Right. She should have realized people might listen to them. Her face felt hot at her mistake, but she nodded. "Yes, good idea, let's talk there."
"Your Highness, your father is on the phone." Nino, the estate manager, held out a cell phone.
Lucio stared at him while ushering her up the stairs. "Send the call to my room."
"Excellent." Nino turned away.
They raced to their quarters and her blood was truly pumping when they arrived. She headed for the living area to sit on the couch and catch her breath.
She slipped off her wedges and tapped the coffee table to make sure he looked at her. "Lucio, flaws in education was my first line item in a report on your country that I handed off yesterday."
He sat beside her and picked up his phone. "This isn't about a flaw. This is just evil people holding children hostage." She silently agreed as he placed his hand on her leg. "Let me talk to my dad." She nodded and heard him say, "Father?"
She lifted her heel and massaged a bruise from the cobblestone.
Lucio clicked the phone on speaker and took the injured foot in his strong hands and helped massage it.
King Leopoldo said, "I'm assuming you saw the news about the school. Babik has organized a team and your brother Marco is there already. It’s being handled, son. Stay put."
"Keep me informed." Lucio applied just the right pressure on the ball of her foot and her stomach heated.
The king said, "We will and we're looking forward to meeting your future bride soon."
Visions of marrying Lucio where she walked down the rose-petal covered aisle as she stared straight into his eyes wearing a white dress played in her mind.
Lucio scoffed. "You sound like Mother."
"She asked me to say that," his father admitted.
He kept the pressure on her foot and it felt wonderful as he said, "Good night."
On the couch, just the two of them. Silence clung in the air and he reached for her other foot, applying the same pressure in the middle of her arch. She bit back a moan. "So, uh, what do you want to do? I’m so glad we spent the day together."
His brown eyes heated but he said nothing and she sat up quickly, her heart beating to a different rhythm just from being close to him. She stood.
Her gaze was pulled to the bedroom door and she imagined herself lying next to him tonight, hip to hip. "I'm going to shower and we can settle in for the night. Will you figure out where we'll sleep?"
"You agreed in the same room." He didn’t move a muscle.
She nodded and hugged her waist. "I did. I expect that, but there is only one bed." Would he sweep her into his arms and take her? Did she want him to?
"I'll take the floor." He reached for his phone again.
She stepped toward the door, but then turned and asked, "Lucio?"
"Yes?" He looked right at her, his sensual expression melting right through her cautious brain.
She took a deep breath, unfastened her necklace and held it in her hand. Without looking at him, she said, "This was the best date I've had in years. Thank you."
He stood, his shoulders straight as he stared at her. Amy removed her stud earrings, her fingers trembling. "It was my pleasure. Now go shower while I wait for news."
"Let me know what happens!" She walked into the bathroom and put her jewelry in a porcelain dish above the sink.
She needed the refreshment of the quick shower, but she kept imagining spending the night next to Lucio, in his arms, while she fell asleep. Her body was warm, even in the cold water she splashed on herself.
Once dry, she dressed in blue polka dot lounge pants and a silky tank top. She opened the door to the main part of the suite and called out, "Lucio?"
No one answered. She peeked out on the balcony and checked all the rooms. He wasn't there. Apprehension grew. What if something had happened to the children while she’d been showering? She was about to change into jeans and go find the housekeeper, when her phone rang from her purse by the side of the couch. She grinned. "Hello, Suzie?"
Her friend's bold American accent had flicks of laughter in it as she spoke. "You're marrying Prince Lucio Aussa? That's the rich and handsome man I told you to marry?"
"Yes, how do you know?" Amy massaged her neck while she sat down on the arm of the couch. She hadn't told anyone yet other than her family.
"It was on the news right after Prince Marco rescued all those children."
Safe, thank goodness. But that meant that the Aussa family couldn't have been the source either. "What did the news say exactly?"
Suzie scoffed. "That my best friend is marrying royalty. I'm invited to this wedding, right?"
"Naturally." Suzie was a better sister than her own though they weren't technically related. She leaned back and lifted her feet up to massage them again. "I'll want you to be my maid of honor."
The two doors of the wing opened and Lucio walked beside Nino who pushed a rolling cart full of fruits and two chilled bottles of wine. Lucio called out, "Who's your maid of honor, Amy?"
She stood fast and looked at the offering. Had she ever been so spoiled? "My best friend I mentioned in London, Suzie."
Nino filled two wine glasses and set them on the tray.
Lucio waited and took them from him while he said, "I'll send the jet for her tomorrow if she wants
and she can meet us at my parents’ castle."
Suzie yelled in the phone. "Tell him yes! I'll be there."
Amy covered the speaker as she took the glass Lucio offered her. "She said thank you and she appreciates it."
"I want to make you happy." He clinked his glass with hers. Nino left and closed the two front doors, leaving them almost alone.
Suzie said, "Sounds like a keeper. I'll let you go to him."
"Goodbye, Suzie. See you tomorrow." Amy turned off her phone. No more distractions for tonight on her end.
She held the stem of her wine glass. Lucio still wore black pants and his leather shoes—he’d relaxed and taken off his suit coat. Taking a small sip of wine, she said, "We're going to your parents’ tomorrow?"
"Yes, my mother insists we all stand united for the press tomorrow."
Education flaws had been her first item on the list of suggested improvements. Using the country's resources and proximity to Italy to bring in more tourists was her second item. She hoped her report wasn't responsible for anything. "It's a good idea to double back on your brother's heroics. What type of wine is this? It's sweet."
"It's a local Sauvignon." He shrugged and sat on the couch. She followed, wanting to be near him. "You said you liked a glass before bed so I have wine, strawberries and other small snacks."
How kind. Tonight was theirs. Tomorrow there was pressure. She put her glass down on the table in front of them and then took his from him and placed it next to hers. She turned toward him, uncertain on how to take the lead. "Lucio, kiss me."
A laugh escaped his throat. He did laugh, but rarely, and she reveled in the sound. Lucio wrapped his arms around her and kissed her. For once her fantasies weren't wrong, and his kiss was even better than she imagined. His hard lips on hers made her weak, and she craved him, all the way to her soul itself.
9
The moon was higher in the sky when Amy came out of the bathroom in cotton pink pajamas that weren’t meant for seduction—but were all she had. The bedroom was empty and so was the wing. She searched all the rooms. Once she was in the living area again, she asked the empty room, "Lucio, where are you?"
Forbidden Royal Page 5
