‘Better,’ the photographer muttered. ‘Do you think you might be able to smile?’
Alek glanced up from his appallingly lustful stare at her lips to her eyes and amusement flashed between them. He chuckled the same split second she did. And there it was—that soft, enchanting smile he’d not seen enough of. A hot, raw tsunami swept through him at the sight. He wanted more of it.
‘Yes!’
Now the photographer sounded far too ecstatic for Alek’s liking.
‘We’ll get changed for the next few shots.’ He wanted to be alone with her. He wanted to make her smile again and he didn’t want witnesses.
‘Good idea.’ Hester bit her lip and walked from the room.
Alek automatically followed her into the bedroom, unbuttoning his shirt as he went. ‘What colour are—?’
‘Oh!’ She started and then stared bug-eyed at his chest.
Her eyes grew so round he almost preened as he shrugged his shirt all the way off.
‘Is there a problem?’ He couldn’t help teasing her. But he was beginning to realise the real problem was all his.
No sex for a year?
‘I n-need to get changed,’ she stammered.
‘So get changed.’ With exaggerated civility he bowed and then turned his back to her and unlocked the wardrobe for a fresh shirt.
‘This is your bedroom?’ she choked. ‘I’m so sorry, I didn’t realise when we put all the clothes...’
‘I don’t mind, Hester.’
But it was obvious she minded very much. All that efficient poise of hers had vanished and he couldn’t help enjoying the moment. It was because of him.
‘Let me know when it’s safe to turn around again,’ he offered with a self-mocking smile. He’d prove his ‘gentleman’ credentials—to himself as much as to her.
The following silence was appallingly long. He waited, his new shirt buttoned up all the damn way, for what felt like decades for her to give him the all-clear.
‘Um...’ She finally coughed. ‘Would you mind helping me with the zip?’
Oh, was that the problem? ‘Sure.’ Smothering a laugh, he turned, only to freeze at the sight of her smooth bare back. A gorgeous expanse of creamy skin was edged by the curling sweep of her voluminous golden brown hair—inviting him closer, to touch. Instead he carefully took the dress in the tips of his fingers so as not to inadvertently touch her skin. To prove his restraint to himself. Slowly he pulled the zip up, hiding her from his hungry eyes again. The desire to lean closer, to touch where he had no permission, almost overwhelmed him. By the time he finished the simple task he could barely breathe. He stepped back, coldly furious with himself. Damn if he didn’t need to clear his head.
At that moment she turned and he glimpsed fire gleaming in her eyes. That barely hidden blaze of desire slammed the brakes on his breathing all over again.
‘You look...’ He couldn’t think of an adjective—he could only think of action. Impossible action.
‘Let’s finish this,’ she muttered, quickly turning to leave the room.
‘Right.’ He’d never been rendered speechless before and it took him several minutes to catch his breath. Several minutes in which he had to look into a camera and smile as if this were the happiest day of his life. And then he just gave up. ‘Give us a second.’
He took Hester by the hand and walked her down to the other end of the lounge.
‘You get sick of it,’ she said.
‘Utterly,’ he admitted, so happy to see her sweet smile flash instantly.
‘It must be intense, knowing absolutely everyone around is watching you all the time.’
‘You learn to tune it out.’
‘And pretend it’s normal?’ She glanced away, her smile impish as she took in the artwork adorning the plane’s interior. ‘As if any of this is normal?’
‘Well...’ he shrugged ‘...it is normal for me.’ He nudged her chin so she looked back at him. ‘It bothers you?’
To his gratification, she leaned a little closer as she shook her head, her gaze locked on his.
‘That looks amazing.’ A masculine voice interrupted from a distance.
Alek froze. He’d completely forgotten the photographer was still down the other end of the lounge. The startled look in Hester’s face revealed she’d forgotten too and the half-laugh that escaped from her glossy pout was the sexiest thing he’d ever heard. Smiling back, he pulled her close on pure instinct. The temptation to test the softness of her lips stormed through his reason. Time stopped as he stared into her eyes, trying to read her soft heat and stillness. Could he coax her into—?
‘So perfect,’ the photographer muttered.
‘Enough,’ Alek snapped, enraged by the second intrusion. ‘We’ll be landing soon.’ He dragged in a calming breath to recover his temper.
But it was too late. Hester had already pulled free and that fragile promise was lost.
The photographer quickly retreated to the rear of the plane.
‘Everyone will assume this marriage is only because of the coronation requirement.’ Her cheeks were still flushed as she sat in the seat and picked up that damn tablet again. He wished he’d never given it to her. ‘Do you think it’s really necessary for us to try to sell this as a love match?’
‘You don’t want to be treated as a joke. I have no desire for that either.’ Oddly he felt more responsibility about that now. A flicker of protectiveness towards her had surged. ‘I think we can pull it off. Who’s to say it’s not so?’
She hesitated. ‘Okay, but the agreement is just between us. Not written down anywhere. I don’t want lawyers getting involved and leaking information.’
‘You trust that I won’t renege on our deal?’
‘You have more to lose than I do.’ She leaned back into the corner of her chair, still staring at the tablet screen. ‘Your reputation actually matters.’
She determinedly studied the information he’d put together for her to do a good job. Yet at the same time, she was determined not to care what anyone thought. Not even him. She seemed to care, yet not.
Intrigued, he studied her. Even in that gorgeous green silk dress, she reminded him of a little sparrow, carefully not taking up too much space in case she was chased away. Only taking crumbs and not demanding anything more. Why was that? Why wasn’t she close to her family? Why had she not invited any friends to the wedding? It puzzled him because she was kind. Her friendliness to that feral cat showed that. And more telling, was her relationship with Fi. Fiorella, for all her faults, was a good judge of character. And it wasn’t that she hadn’t wanted to lose Hester as her assistant. It was that she’d been concerned for her. Was that because Fi saw vulnerability beneath that serenity as well?
The insidious warmth steadily built within him. He could go without intimacy for a year, of course he could. But his body rebelled at the thought. He was attracted to her and that attraction seemed to be building by the second. He gritted his teeth, determined to master it, because he was going to have to keep his fiancée close over these next few days and there could be no risk of complicating what should be a perfectly amicable agreement.
‘This isn’t enough.’ She glanced up at him.
‘Pardon?’
‘I understand more about Triscari’s population, economy and geography than I ever thought I’d want to. I know the potted history of your royal family and all that drama with the palace and the castle stuff. But I don’t know about you.’
A ripple of pleasure skittered down his spine. She was curious about him?
‘If I’m to convince people we’re a couple then I need to know some facts,’ she added primly.
Oh, she just wanted meaningless facts?
‘You want my dating profile?’ he teased, then chuckled at the glowering look she shot him. ‘I enjoy horses, playing polo. My star si
gn is Scorpio. Apparently that makes me passionate—’
‘What are your weaknesses?’ she interrupted with a bored tone. ‘What do you hate?’
So there was a little real curiosity there.
‘I hate pickles. And I hate being told what to do.’ He stared at her pointedly. ‘By anyone.’
She gazed limpidly at him, not backing down. ‘What else?’
‘You’re not taking notes,’ he said softly.
‘I’m not taking the risk of anyone finding them.’
‘Very untrusting, aren’t you?’
‘Don’t worry. I won’t forget. Passionately loathes pickles. And don’t tell him what to do,’ she parroted and then shrugged. ‘Not so difficult.’
Perversely he decided he wouldn’t mind a few commands to fall from her lips. ‘Tell me about you. What are your weaknesses?’
Her gaze slid to the side of him. ‘I don’t have any.’
He chuckled at her flat-out bravado. But it was also a way of keeping him shut out. Ordinarily he didn’t mind not getting to know all that much about a woman he was dating, but Hester was going to be his wife. And he needed to trust her more than he’d trusted anyone in a long time. Yet she had no hesitation in lying to his face—to protect herself.
‘So you expect to learn personal things about me, but won’t share any of your own?’ He equably pointed out her hypocrisy.
‘I’ve already told you everything personal that’s relevant. I told you my parents died when I was a child, that I’m not close to what family I have left, that my life to date has been pretty quiet. There really isn’t much else.’
Rigidly determined, wasn’t she? That flickering spark within her fired his determination. He could quiz her on the meaningless facts too. And he could push for more beyond that. ‘Favourite pizza topping?’ he prompted.
‘Just plain—tomato and cheese.’
‘Really? You don’t want capers, olives, chilli oil?’ He shook his head. ‘You’re missing out.’
‘I don’t need a whole bunch of extras.’
‘No frills? No added luxuries—just the bare necessities? That’s what you’ll settle for?’ He was stunned and yet when he thought of that dire bedroom of hers, it made sense. ‘Tempt your palate a little, Hester. Why not treat yourself to a little something more, or don’t you think you deserve it?’
Her jaw dropped. ‘It’s not about whether I deserve it—’
‘Isn’t it?’ He leaned forward, pleased at her higher pitch. ‘Why shouldn’t you have all the extras? Other people take them all the time.’
‘What if you end up with all the frills and no foundations? Then you discover you’ve got nothing of substance. Nothing to sustain you.’ She put the tablet on the table between them. ‘Keeping things simple works for me. The basics suffice.’
The basics? Was that what she considered that soulless cell of a bedroom? But that she didn’t even seem to want to try something new was interesting. ‘Are you afraid to take risks, Hester?’
‘Yes,’ she said baldly. ‘I’ve fought too long and hard for what I have.’
Her admission surprised him on two counts—firstly, she didn’t seem to have all that much. And secondly, she’d taken a massive risk with him and she was nailing this with a stunningly cool ability to adapt and handle all the challenges he was flinging at her. ‘Yet you said yes to me—to this impulsive marriage.’
‘Because it was an offer too good to pass up.’ She gazed at him directly.
‘You mean the money. Not the pleasure of my company?’
She blinked rapidly but through those glorious lashes she kept her golden focus on him. ‘Yes.’
She sounded breathy and he’d like to think she was lying again because he really didn’t think she was the materialistic type. He’d bet even more money that this wasn’t about what she could buy but what she could do. Was this about freedom—so she didn’t have to live on campus any more, helping first-year students get their heads around essay requirements and bibliographic details? Was this because she wanted freedom, not just from work, but from being around other people?
‘Well, I’m sorry, Ms Moss, but we’re going to have to spend quite a lot of time together over the next few days.’ He reached forward, fastened her seat belt for landing and flashed a wicked smile at her. ‘I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait.’
CHAPTER FOUR
TRISCARI SAT LIKE a conglomerate of emeralds and sapphires in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea. As if that giant jeweller in the sky had gathered her most prized stones in the cup of her hand and cast them into the purest blue sea in the most sun-kissed spot on the earth. And in their heart, she’d placed treasure in the form of more valuable minerals. It was incredibly attractive, wealthy and secure.
Hester already knew a lot, having researched it when she first found out she’d been selected as Princess Fiorella’s safe college roommate and tutor. But now she’d read more closely about the economic success story and envy of all other small European nations. The royal family had maintained their place on the world stage and now, as ruler of a democracy, the King was mostly a figurehead and facilitator, overseeing the rights of all its people. And promoting it as a destination of course. But that was easy given the world had long been captivated by, not only the kingdom’s beauty, but the luxury and the lifestyle it offered. Visiting Triscari topped absolutely everyone’s bucket list.
Today the sun peeked above the horizon and turned the sea gold, making the islands look like the literal treasure they were. Hester decided she’d entered a dream world. She’d survived her first ever flight—travelling in pure luxury for hours—to arrive in the most perfect, pristine place in the world.
Ten minutes after the plane had landed, Hester followed Alek down the flight of stairs and onto the tarmac. The air was balmy even this early in the morning—the atmosphere radiated golden warmth. She got into the waiting vehicle and gazed out of the window, hungry to take in more. The stunning scenery suppressed her nerves as the car sped along the street. She knew the palace was in the centre of the town while a clifftop castle was at the water’s edge. The twin royal residences had been constructed for the King and Queen of four hundred years ago. According to the legends, that arranged marriage had spectacularly failed. The couple had determinedly lived separate lives and set up their own rival courts, vying for the title of ‘best’. Both had grand halls and opulent gardens and stunning artwork that had been added to over the ages.
‘This would have to be the most beautiful place...’ Hester said, her breath taken away by the vista. She glanced at him. ‘You must love it.’
‘I am very lucky.’ His eyes glittered like the night sky. ‘I’ll do anything for this country.’
‘Even get married?’
‘Even that.’ He nodded. ‘Thanks to you.’
‘Who’ll be meeting us?’
‘Senior palace officials.’ His expression turned rueful. ‘We’ll ignore them for the most part, but some things will be unavoidable.’
‘You live in the palace?’
‘It is where the King resides.’ He nodded. ‘The Queen’s castle is purely for display these days, but the night before the wedding you’ll have to stay there. You’ll process from there to the palace for the marriage ceremony. People will line the streets to watch. It’s the symbolism of unity...no warring with the wife...mainly, it’s just tradition.’
The men waiting for them in the vast room were all older than Alek and were all failing to mask their incredibly curious expressions. They watched her approach as if they were judge, jury and executioner in their funereal clothing and they bowed deeply as Alek introduced them.
‘Very little is known about Hester and our relationship,’ Alek said smoothly. ‘I’m aware that where there is a vacuum, the media will fill it with fantasy over fact so we’ll fill it. We’ll undertake one officia
l appearance to celebrate the engagement. Hester cannot go straight into full-time duties, certainly not right before the wedding. We have a few days but it’s not long. She needs time to adjust.’
Hester watched surprise flash over the men’s faces.
‘Of course, Alek. It is customary for a princess to have attendants to guide her. I thought perhaps—’
‘I’ll guide her.’ Alek cut him off.
‘But—’
‘We want to be together,’ Alek added with a silken smile. ‘If we need further support, I’ll let you know. I’ll meet with you shortly to discuss other issues, but I need to settle Hester into her rooms.’
As the men left Hester turned to face him. ‘Do you expect me to speak at this engagement?’ The thought terrified her but she was determined to hide that fact. She’d keep calm, carry on.
He glanced at her, amusement flickering in his eyes. ‘Only to one person at a time, you won’t address a whole room. We will need to do one pre-recorded interview, but I’ll be beside you and we’ll vet the questions beforehand so you have time to prepare an answer. If you smile, then we’ll get through it easily.’
‘All I need to do is smile?’
‘You have a nice smile.’
‘I can do more than smile.’
‘Yeah?’ His mouth quirked. ‘Well, if you could look at me adoringly, that would also help.’
She rolled her eyes.
‘And call me Alek.’
‘You’re quite stuck on that, aren’t you?’
‘I’m not the one who’s stuck.’ But his smirk slipped as he sighed. ‘I inherited my father’s advisors and they’re used to things being done a certain way. Change is inevitable, but it’s also inevitably slow.’
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