Forbidden Royal

by Victoria Pinder

  "I'm on the balcony." Lucio's voice echoed through the open window. She went to the balcony doors and threw them open. Lucio stood near the railing and the mountains peaked behind him. The darkness somehow made him seem so much more alive.

  She curled her arms around her waist as there was a chill in the air. "It's late. We should go to bed." The words fell between them.

  He turned toward her and as she approached, she saw warm ember sparks in his mahogany eyes. Her lips tingled for more kisses from earlier, but her body shivered from coming outside after a warm shower.

  Lucio turned to stare at the mountains. "Get yourself settled but leave me a blanket and pillow from the bed. I'll sleep on the floor."

  She reached for his wrist, her small hand pale in the night. "Let me take the floor. I feel guilty."

  "Don't." He turned toward her again. His huge frame blocked the light wind and she instantly warmed. "That’s the deal we made."

  She kept hold of his arm and stared at him. There was no way she could let tonight end on anything other than a high note. In fact, right now, she didn't want to let him go of him, ever. "Today has been wonderful and it's thanks to you. If you want to share the bed, I trust you."

  He met her gaze and his pupils dilated. "No. I'll take the floor."

  "But why?" She heard her imploring tone but didn’t care. Him next to her mattered. He didn't pull away but rather traced her shoulder with a rough thumb before releasing a deep sigh. "You're far too tempting."

  Oh. He wanted sex. Her breasts swelled at the idea and she studied his rose-colored mouth. The strength of his jaw. "You promised to wait until I asked."

  "I did." He nodded.

  With an intake of breath, she looked up and clutched his hand to her chest and decided to speak from her heart. "Well, I'm asking you to sleep beside me. To me that's a bigger step because it means I trust you." She knew that she would never be in a safer place than next to him.

  "You don't understand." He stared at her so intently that she didn't dare move.

  "Tell me." Her lips tingled, desiring another kiss.

  "I..." His hands brushed her hair behind her ears and she trembled. "You win. Give me a few minutes. I'll join you in the bed."

  "Okay, good." She couldn’t move, praying, hoping that he’d kiss her but she realized that he wouldn’t after all and disentangled her grip on his wrist. She walked toward the balcony door, feeling a sway in her hips. With feminine instinct, she knew he watched her every step until she came inside.

  She made her way back to the lonely bedroom. She flipped on the lights and knew he'd be here any moment, so she brushed out the dampness of her hair as best she could.

  A few minutes later, she heard the shower on in the bathroom, and guessed Lucio went there first. She left the vanity where she'd sat and made her way to the bed. She tugged the blankets down and stared at the pillows. Side by side.

  What would it be like to be held by Lucio? She knew her refusal to make love somehow triggered all of this hesitation between them, this awkwardness. She desired him, but the voice in the back of her head kept replaying how he’d kissed her sister, Evie, at the table next to hers in the library. Reminding her of how her heart broke into tiny shards of glass. Until she trusted that would never happen again, she needed to wait. So she climbed into her side of the bed and then turned off the lights at the same time the shower ended.

  She tucked the blanket up to her chest and Lucio came into the room. She stayed absolutely still until he climbed onto the bed. His shoulders were wider than she realized and he took up more space, but he didn't touch her. His body heat near her affected her though and she felt more needy.

  The air crackled with her own energy. She couldn't stand the silence anymore, and she broke the spell. "You had a good shower?"

  "A cold one." His deep tone suggested a chuckle but he didn't move.

  She hugged her pillow and smiled. Lucio sounded like the same guy she’d always known. She closed her eyes. "I'm glad you're here."

  "Go to sleep." A moment later, she swore he hummed.

  The tune struck a chord inside her. She opened her eyes and stared across the bed. He was close, and she wanted to scoot toward him but she didn't dare. "What were you humming? It sounds familiar."

  "Nothing." He answered fast then quieted.

  The song was now stuck in her head but she couldn't place it. She tried to remember, but couldn't. "No, I know that tune."

  He shifted on his pillow, facing her. "You used to love Britney Spears, singing out loud in the library. I was remembering you."

  Her headphones had been her way to tune out the world. A smile grew on her face. "I haven't thought about that in years. How did you remember that song?"

  He shrugged, and despite the darkness, she swore his cheeks were slightly redder when he said, "The singer gave a concert a few months ago in Avce. I formally greeted her before her performance as my other brothers weren't available. Are you ready to sleep now?"

  Oh, how she wanted to curl into him, but she hugged her pillow instead and closed her eyes. "The only time in my life I was ever jealous of Evie was when she had you."

  Michael, being her parents’ favorite and all of Evie’s life goals honestly never bothered her like the stabbing pain of not having Lucio as a teen girl.

  "I was clearly blind. You're worth a thousand times more, Amy."

  The words reverberated through her and left her unable to move for a moment. Her gaze opened, but he turned away from her. She sighed and said, "That's sweet, Lucio."

  He laid flat on his back, but he turned his head toward her. "Now sleep. We have a busy day tomorrow."

  "Okay." The truth was, she wanted him—but she had no idea how to change things, so she closed her eyes.

  A few minutes later, she slept.

  The mattress was cold. Her gaze flew open and she saw the bed was empty beside her. She reached out and realized the slightest light was coming from the window. It wasn't yet dawn. She also heard Lucio's strained voice as he talked and paced near the door. She jumped out of bed and rushed toward him. What was wrong?

  He hung up the second she joined him and she knew from the darkness that seemed to hold onto his shoulders, that something horrible must have been happened. Her heart raced and she prayed it wasn't his family. "What's happening?"

  "Nothing yet. We have time, but barely." He opened the bedroom door behind her. He went in and headed straight to the closet. "We have to go to the castle. Someone has planted explosives in the old guard house which is being refurbished for a tourist center."

  Goosebumps dotted her skin. Her report had also discussed the lack of tourist industry as a country weakness. She followed him further into the closet. "Is it safe there?"

  He threw on a pair of pants, and she caught a glimpse of his blue boxer briefs that left little to the imagination. "Marco has diffused everything, but I want to help investigate."

  Right. Now wasn't the time to dawdle or stare at his perfectly shaped behind. She turned and hoped he didn't see the blush on her cheeks. "Okay, give me five minutes to get ready."

  He walked past her and brushed against her shoulder. "I'm having Nino pack us breakfast for the car ride."

  "Sounds good. Five minutes." She raced toward the bathroom. Hair, teeth, jewelry.

  He called from the door, "Whatever you forget, we have at my parents."

  They probably had enough of everything she'd not have to pack at all, but she said, "Hand me my suitcase, so I can get a fresh outfit for the ride."

  "Here." He opened the door with her bag in hand. She pointed toward the vanity bench and he placed it there for her. She reached for her toothbrush as he said, "I'll be back in a few minutes."

  He closed the door and left. She chose gray slacks and a blue silk blouse, with soft gray leather shoes. This was one of her nicer work outfits, designed to woo clients. Combing her blonde hair into a twist, she fished her pearls from the dish and was done.

  Lucio wasn'
t in the wing. He must be terribly worried. She carried her bag to the door where Nino waited to take it from her. He led her down the stairs and toward the limo.

  Lucio hung up his phone when she joined him. Nino directed her into the limo and Lucio scooted beside her. He closed the glass so they had more privacy and waited for the limo to begin their drive toward his parents. She turned and lifted one of her legs onto the seat so they were face to face. "Lucio, is your brother okay? How does he know how to diffuse a bomb? I thought you were all princes, which doesn’t equal bomb tactics—and when did you begin renovations on growing your tourist industry?"

  "I should warn you that your parents are there."

  "I remember."

  "I’m not going to pressure you."

  "I wasn’t worried." Not on her list of questions. She scooted closer and lowered her voice, "I just want to be helpful to you and your family."

  He nodded. "My brother, Marco, is the country's expert on bombs. I told you already I specialized more in people and understanding dangerous persons who might come to my country." Her gray flat fell off her foot. He picked it up, but instead of slipping it back on, he massaged her heel. "Don't worry about any of that. Expect my mother will put you to work finding a dress and picking a date."

  Their upcoming nuptials still faded into some dream-filled teen girl fantasy she'd ignored for years and didn't at all feel like was happening now. If they were to get married, she had to trust him and find a way to let her heart believe in the future. "Lucio, did you sleep well next to me?"

  "I liked it." He slipped her shoe back on, but his hands traced the lower part of her leg.

  Her lips tingled for a kiss, and she sat up to lean toward him. "I didn't hear the phone or anything but I knew you weren't there anymore." She tapped her heart.

  He reached for a cooler between them and opened it. "I tried not to wake you when my brother called. Granola with milk?"

  The opposite of a kiss. Disgruntled, she accepted the small cup and spoon. "Thanks. This is great."

  She ate and admitted to herself the food made her stomach feel less empty. Once she was done, she looked around to put her trash away, but he took it from her and deposited it in a second container. He turned toward her. "Amy, I want to marry you as soon as possible and do far more than sleep next to you."

  Yes. Perhaps if she agreed, she'd forget her doubts, but right now her mind flashed on her sister, holding Lucio. "I just need time."

  "I know. It's why I'm waiting." He looked out the window. She placed her hand on his and closed her eyes. Lucio was everything she'd dreamed about as a girl and so much more now. She needed to give this a real chance. She kept her lips sealed but hoped tonight she had the courage to go through with making love to him, and not just fantasize about the ghosts of their past.

  10

  Amy watched the crowds of people wave as their limo passed through the city center. Despite the tinted windows, she instinctively waved back. Lucio chuckled at her, but said nothing to discourage her.

  They turned into the castle gate and her fiancé became more somber. She stilled at the thought. He was going to be hers, forever. She placed her hand over his and stared at his profile until the limo driver stopped at the front gate.

  The white steps that led up to a lived-in castle with blue towers struck her. She’d lived in England all her life but it wasn’t like the queen had ever invited her inside for tea. Lucio waited until a servant opened his door and then said, "I'll see you to our room and then I must go find my parents and brothers."

  She followed him out his door where he held his hand for her. Bright morning sun shone in her eyes. She squinted but followed him up the steps. At the door that also opened for them, she fixed her pearls. "Introduce me to the staff and they can show me up. Go to your parents."

  He nodded with relief and guided her inside. "I'll find you the second we're done."

  Her eyes adjusted and she took in the white-walled foyer with the red Persian carpets that had hard plastic overlay in case normal people like her walked this way.

  There was something going on to her right that seemed like construction in the next room, but before she could ask, Lucio guided her toward the steps and a young brunette woman, dressed in a designer light blue pantsuit that was clearly made for her body type, complete with perfect makeup, coming down to meet them.

  "This way?"

  Amy gripped his hand as they climbed the first level of stairs. The woman met them on the level between the floors. Lucio performed the introductions. "Amy, this is Kristin." Amy straightened her spine. This was the new American princess. She blamed not recognizing her at first sight on the lack of caffeine. Lucio, ever the gentleman, continued, "Kristin, this is Amy, my fiancée." Amy held out her hand and clasped Kristin’s. Lucio finished, "Can you show her to my room while I go find my parents?"

  Kristin nodded politely and said, "The king and queen are in the war room. I'm happy to show my future sister-in-law around the castle. Go."

  Kristin sounded so very sure of herself. Lucio kissed Amy's cheek and released her hand. She watched while he proceeded up to the second floor. She turned her attention fully to the new princess and lowered her head with a slight curtsy. "Your Highness."

  Kristin shook her head and linked her arm with hers. She guided her like they were to go up the stairs as well. "Kristin is fine. We're going to be family. I think your parents are around here somewhere. Once we get you to your room, they'll want an audience with you."

  No one ever blocked her parents or formally called a family gathering, an audience. Amy allowed a slight smile and admitted while they went up the next flight of stairs, "I've never had an audience with my parents. This will be interesting, and please call me Amy."

  Kristin beamed her acceptance and on the second floor, led her down a long hallway decorated with a few royal family portraits from a hundred years ago and crystal chandeliers. Amy kept pace. "Antonio told me that you knew Lucio in high school back in England. Did you know my husband or Marco?"

  Amy nodded, though she wasn't as knowledgeable on Kristin's husband. She kept her voice low, like they shared a secret. "Marco was in my classes. He was always the one with the smart joke that the teacher never appreciated."

  "That sounds like him." Kristin opened a door. Amy followed her inside Lucio’s den. It was sparsely decorated, but light green walls and the dark green bedspread made her immediately think man with class, which fit Lucio exactly. She went further into the room and turned around. Yes. This was all Lucio. The lack of furniture or fuss but the stereo in the corner was so him.

  Kristin politely coughed. "Anything you remember about Antonio?"

  The crown prince was a few years older and hadn't hung out in the library. Her parents had sent them to a prestigious school in order to mingle with the right people, but seniors never really spoke to freshmen. She felt her cheeks heat as no memory other than Antonio always wore a button down shirt came to mind. "Your Antonio seemed the most reserved out of the three Aussa brothers. He dressed the proper prince and never had a hair out of place."

  Kristin let out a giggle. "Reserved? I'd give that label to Lucio to be honest. He's always been harder to read."

  Amy went across the room and opened the balcony doors. Outside was still warm and inviting without being stifling. She turned around as memories of Lucio flooded through her. "Strange. Lucio was into hard rock and some rap and found a way to meet the bands. He was always cutting edge. I was so jealous the night he took my sister to the Foo Fighters. Lucio had slightly longer hair than his brothers then." The man who’d slept beside her was much more proper, but Amy remembered the bit of a rebel as she crossed her arms. "Now he's all military cut."

  Kristin shrugged and grinned. "If you have pictures of any of them at the time, I'd love to see them."

  She had all of high school documented. "I probably do. I’ve been making photo albums by year since I was little. It's a hobby. Give me a day and I'll see what I dig
up."

  "Sounds good. Thank you." Kristin tilted her head. "I'd love to have a cup of tea and get to know you more."

  Her caffeine-starved body agreed. "You're speaking my language. We had no tea in the car."

  Kristin slipped her cell phone from an interior pocket of her suit. "Renee will be upset if we don't invite her. Shall we meet on the balcony in five minutes? I'll get the staff to set everything up."

  "Sounds lovely." Amy saw a servant cleaning a table outside on the balcony as if by telepathy. This life was her parents’ dream come true for her. She turned toward Kristin. "I don't know how to transition to being a princess. I never thought about it so I'd like to pick your brain a little."

  "Sure thing," Kristin answered. "And it's not that bad. I never thought I'd be a princess, but his mother, Anna, makes it so much easier. She tells us what to do and we follow her orders."

  A knock sounded at the door as Amy checked her hair in the mirror of the adjoining bathroom. "Who is it?"

  Kristin went to open it and called out, "Renee. She wants to hear all about how her husband was the class clown."

  Amy left the bathroom and tried not to stare at the dark-haired woman her age. Marco had married a beauty, too. The servants finished with setting up the tea and the three of them went outside. "I didn't say that exactly," Amy said for clarity. "I said Marco was extremely intelligent but slightly sarcastic on subjects that our straight-laced teacher didn’t pick up on or never understood—the rest of us laughed."

  As the three ladies each took a seat and adjusted their napkins on their laps, Renee said, "We should warn you, Amy, that your sister is here and asking a lot of questions."

  Evie, here? Did her parents think to give her groom to Evie? Her skin zapped as if prodded with an electric wire, but she picked up her tea cup without a giveaway tremble of her fingers. She could pretend to be unaffected, right? She sipped to fortify her nerves. "Evie is here already?"