He had brass, asking that. ‘I could ask you the same question.’
‘Ladies first.’ He gestured with his hand.
‘I think not.’ She lifted her chin.
‘So stubborn.’ He glanced away and then back, and she couldn’t read the expression on his face. ‘So determined not to show me the respect I am used to.’
He was right, but she didn’t think she could change. ‘I do not intend to offend you. I respect you, but I will not give in to your need for control all the time.’ Because I would lose respect for myself. And in the end that was all she would have left. Herself.
‘Well, let me see.’ He ran his eyes lingeringly over what he could see of her and smiled. ‘The idea of working with you, watching your surgical skills grow, feeding your desire to repair intricately and restore function, to watch you blossom into the surgeon I know you could be—that is enticing.’
Kiki could admit the concept was very attractive. ‘And for me also.’
His voice wrapped around her. ‘As well, I wish to show you the beauty of my homeland with its depths that you can only begin to imagine. Celebrations like the Prince’s Cup, the galas held after the harvest season, the saints’ days and the markets...’
He opened his hands and she couldn’t help but be enthralled with his passion for his island.
‘In my palace are long tunnels from the castle to the sea, works of art nobody views, buildings so old and manuscripts so holy and so fragile even the Pope agrees we do not move them.’
She did appreciate his deep pride, and the responsibility he took with his position, and she was not immune to the honour he spoke of bestowing on her. ‘That would be wonderful.’
‘And...’ He left it hanging.
‘Is there more?’
Of course there was more that he wanted. And that was what she was so afraid of.
‘Yes. Then there is the heart of it.’
His eyes darkened and his voice took on a quality that made the gooseflesh rise on her arms.
‘Then there is the woman who makes me understand the baser instincts of a bygone age. Who makes me remember I am a man not to be trifled with. A woman I burn to protect and long to conquer. I want the lot—and I don’t want you staying half an hour from my bed in the village.’
She shivered. It was there. Plain speaking, as she’d asked. There was no doubting his intent—nor the fact that every nerve in her body leaned towards him as he said it. She’d asked for honesty and got it. With a vengeance.
He shrugged his shoulders, as if he’d been discussing the weather. ‘But I understand your dilemma.’
Holy Dooley—what could she say to that? ‘I don’t think you do.’
He tilted his head. ‘So tell me.’
Where to start? With her mind blown by the fantasy he had conjured she was starting from way behind. ‘I appreciate your honesty...’ Sort of. She paused. ‘And I will try to reply with my own.’
‘See...’ He smiled and looked at her as if she was a wonder of the world. ‘This is why you hold me.’
She shook her head, not willing to be diverted from saying her piece while she had some structure in her head. ‘Strictly business. My own residence away, from the castle—preferably in the village, if possible—and set work hours.’
He shook his head. ‘I do not find that possible. A single woman living in the village would be prey to gossip and perhaps even harassment.’
He shook his head again, but she ignored him with a smile. ‘The harassment I’m worried about lives in the castle.’
He stared her down, dark eyes full of wicked amusement. ‘It is not me you are afraid of, Dr Fender. It is your own base instincts and the fact that we spontaneously combust when we are alone.’
Didn’t she know that? ‘Exactly. But I did not interrupt you—perhaps you could show me the same courtesy?’
He straightened, only half joking when he said, ‘You are speaking to a prince.’
But she wouldn’t be shut down. Not now. Not by him when so much was at stake. ‘And that’s why you like me.’
It was Stefano’s turn to laugh. ‘So what am I to do? See you through the day, toss in my lonely bed at night, only to be exposed to your unreachable womanly wiles again the next day? I think not.’
She spread her hands, borrowing his favourite mannerism. ‘Impasse. Your choice.’
He sat back further and a slow smile crossed his face. ‘I will sleep on it. Though I will not sleep.’
She gathered her purse. ‘Well, I have to sleep because I have work in the morning. Which reminds me—if you meet my requirements, I would need to give two weeks’ notice.’
He glanced away. ‘I will see that the cruise line does not suffer, if you leave with me it will be when the cruise ends in two days.’
By the time Kiki made it back to her cabin her knees were shaking. What had she talked herself into? When she’d left this same cabin two hours ago it had never been going to happen and now, after one meal with him, she was negotiating contracts. Crazy, foolish woman. She needed serious advice.
She didn’t know who to turn to. Now would be the perfect time to talk to Nick, but her brother had his own life, and anyway they were at sea so her mobile wouldn’t work. She couldn’t talk to Ginger because of the risk of her capturing the scoop of the week for her ex-boyfriend’s gossip column, and Wilhelm, while a great boss, just wouldn’t understand.
* * *
But when she went to work the next morning, as the ship docked in Monte Carlo, everyone already knew. Because Prince Stefano Mykonides had put in her notice for her and a replacement doctor was arriving tomorrow, when the ship returned to Livorno. So, not only would tomorrow be the day before the one she was dreading for emotional reasons, now she would be out of work and out of her home.
Ginger’s eyes were wide with a grudging respect for Kiki’s new notoriety, which didn’t help at all.
She looked at Wilhelm and her stomach sank at the worried expression on his face. She couldn’t believe Stefano had been so arrogantly sure of her decision—plus so high-handed that he didn’t think there would be repercussions.
It was a classic example of his privileged lack of thought. How could he not realise this would send her back the other way?
‘It’s not true,’ she said, conveniently forgetting that she had already decided to finish work on the ship regardless of Stefano’s offer.
Wilhelm patted her on the back. ‘Well, the new guy’s coming and your resignation papers have been drawn up without the need for any notice.’
She looked for inspiration or explanation but there was none on Wilhelm’s face. ‘How could he do that?’
Wilhelm shrugged again and rubbed his hands together awkwardly. ‘Easily, apparently. It’s by order of the cruise line’s owner.’
Kiki stared at him and through him, trying to see an answer. ‘Can I reverse it?’
Wilhelm sighed. ‘Apparently not. I already asked, because I figured it was something like that.’
She could feel incredulous anger building. ‘Well, thank you for that.’ She could not believe this was happening. At least Will had had some faith in her. ‘Of course I wouldn’t resign without telling you. I can’t believe he’s done this. Is he insane?’
Wilhelm rubbed the underside of his jaw. ‘No. Just used to power. Owed favours by the owner.’
She needed to get out of this small room before she exploded. This couldn’t be happening. ‘I’ll be right back.’
‘You want me to come looking for you if you aren’t?’ Wilhelm was beginning to get the idea that this man played hard.
She was about to say yes, then thought about the repercussions that didn’t just involve her. ‘No. I can handle it. You stay out of the firing line. He has just bought more trouble than he knows.’
Kiki fumed all the way up in the elevator. Halfway she briefly wondered if perhaps she should have taken the stairs, to at least try and calm down and heighten the chances that she would act rationally when she arrived.
That thought was vetoed.
As each floor flashed by on the control panel of the lift she couldn’t remember ever being this incensed, but the annoyingly persistent voice in her mind was suggesting again that this headlong course of action might not be the wisest one.
Well, to hell with that. He deserved a blast. A quick in and out might not save her job on the ship, but it was going to make her feel a whole lot better.
When the suite door opened she let him have it. ‘How dare you—?’
Wrong man. Blast!
She scanned past the shoulders of the bristling man in front of her and spied her prey at the windows of the suite. She took a step, but came up against the surprisingly solid bulk of Stefan’s manservant.
‘Let her in, Manos.’ Stefano’s voice was even. ‘Then leave.’
Which only served to incense her more.
She threw daggers at him as she waited for the hulk to get out of the way. ‘You might want to keep him around for protection.’
‘I think not.’
The man hesitated as Kiki swept past, but Stefano waved him on and the door shut silently after him. When she glanced behind her he’d gone. Kiki kept walking until she was a hand’s breadth away from him and glared into his face.
‘I’ve upset you.’ Stefano watched her with a wariness born of unfamiliarity with this kind of scenario.
‘Brilliant deduction, Sherlock.’
He blinked.
‘As I was saying—how dare you hand in my resignation without my permission?’
He stepped to the side and picked up a half-filled glass of juice. ‘Don’t you think you are overreacting?’
His voice was mild, but the thread of sudden amusement in it was a torch to Kiki’s anger.
‘Not yet, I’m not.’ There was probably steam coming out of her ears—not that he’d notice.
Unperturbed, he shrugged. ‘I saw you were worried about giving the correct amount of notice.’ He crossed the room and sat down on the lounge, crossed his legs and looked at enquiringly. ‘My cousin owes me favours. I have merely taken the matter out of your hands.’
She spun and stormed across the room until she stood over him. ‘Well, I want it back in my hands. And I’m giving you a straight refusal on the offer of a position while I’m at it.’
He remained impassive. ‘Don’t be foolish. What will you do for a job?’
She lifted her head. ‘I have plenty of options.’
That wiped the smile from his face. ‘I’m sure you have.’
‘What’s that supposed to mean?’
He put the glass down and she could tell his temper had slipped a little.
‘Whatever you wish.’ He rose and took a step towards her, his eyes drilling into her.
Alarm bells started to ring. She needed to get her piece said and go. ‘Well, know this, Prince Stefano Mykonides. I’m leaving this ship tomorrow, and I’m not going to Aspelicus.’
Then she spun on her heel and got out of there while she still had her clothes on.
The door closed and Stefano stared at it. He should have caught her before she left, because the sex would have been explosively incredible. But in fact he had been in the wrong. Out of line. And to take advantage of her emotion would have made him more culpable, not less.
She was totally correct. He had no right to assume control. Yet. Difficult to remember when all his life decisions had needed to be made and he’d gone with them. Most times he chose the correct path. With Kiki it had been one false step after another.
Now he needed to win back her good graces. Because she was coming to Aspelicus.
* * *
Late that afternoon Stefano waited around the corner beside the lifts. He knew she would be out soon. He could imagine the headlines: Prince Waits to Pounce on Innocent Doctor!
The door opened and she walked across the foyer from the hospital to the elevator with a nurse, who pressed the button for the lift.
Kiki’s hands were full. At least she hadn’t tossed his flowers out, or left them in the waiting room.
It was a two-fold ploy on his part—to apologise in public with flowers, knowing if he made the bunch large enough she would have to take the lift to get them to her room. His plan to throw himself at her mercy would not work if he had to follow her up the stairs.
Amazing how devious he could be when he had to.
He waited until the lift doors began to close and then strode across the distance between them.
‘Hold the lift, please.’
He pressed the button for good measure, in case she was quick enough to realise it was him.
He slipped in between them as the doors shut. ‘I’m very sorry.’
‘You can’t buy me with flowers.’ Kiki pushed the bouquet towards him but he was way ahead of her.
He took them and handed them straight to Ginger. ‘Would you be so good as to hold these?’
Then he turned back to Kiki and lifted her hands in his, squeezed and kissed her fingers.
‘Forgive me.’
Her hands and her eyes were cold. ‘Done. Now leave me alone.’
The lift slowed. His plan had not met his expectations. Again. Why did that happen with this woman?
‘It was a misjudgement on my part. I have withdrawn your resignation.’ He hadn’t, but he could do it very quickly if need be. He’d hoped for some response, but again she just looked at him coolly and that surprised him.
‘I’m sure you haven’t.’
How did she know that?
‘But don’t bother. If the cruise company can do that without my knowledge I don’t want to work for them. And if you think you can control my life I certainly don’t want to work for you. Not everything is under your control, Your Highness.’
The lift stopped.
He watched from the back of the lift as she stepped out, and as she walked away he heard her say, ‘I’ll see you at the show. Please keep the flowers, Ginger.’
CHAPTER NINE
MONACO WAS A great place to buy a sexy catsuit—even in a thirty-minute dash by tender after work.
The salesgirl had assured her it was latex-free—Kiki didn’t want to brush up against Marla and start that whole scenario again—and the blatant sexual statement that she could wear what she wanted, in front of whoever she wanted, would annoy Stefano. She hoped. It was her last chance to do so.
An hour ago it had seemed like a brilliant idea.
The final night crew’s pageant always proved popular with the passengers because it was more personal to cheer for their favourite crew member, waiter or cabin person while watching them perform on stage.
Kiki had been dancing at the pageant with Miko for almost four months, so there was little practice needed for their tango session. And this was the last night to end all last nights.
Tonight the theme was the Lion King, but any type of animal was acceptable. The skintight silver suit dipped low at the front and, with a sheepdog’s tenacity, rounded her breasts up and pointed them in the right direction without the benefit of padding. She hoped it wasn’t cold in the auditorium.
Now she was dressed it looked so much worse under fluorescent light, and Kiki laughed with a trace of hysteria. All in all, the suit left nothing to the imagination, she thought as she stared at herself. Maybe she couldn’t do this?
But this was her last night aboard. Kiki gulped one last time at herself in the mirror, then stepped out into the corridor.
The first man who saw her whistled.
It was lucky she trusted
Miko to look after her, because this suit was designed to say one thing. Come hither.
Her shoes clacked down the hallway and she wondered why the heck she hadn’t brought a coat. But it was too late now. Maybe it hadn’t been such a good idea after all to flaunt herself, but it had seemed the most efficient way of annoying her nemesis for the last time.
Ginger had somehow discovered that Stefano would be in the Captain’s box in the auditorium, so he would have a good view of what he couldn’t have. That thought straightened her spine.
Unfortunately, once backstage, Kiki had a hard time fielding the ribald comments because Milo had been held up with a disaster in the restaurant. Finally she dragged Wilhelm to stand beside her so he could glower at anyone who dared to raise an eyebrow.
‘Not so sure brother Nick would like this outfit, Kiki,’ Wilhelm said in his measured way as he looked anywhere but at her.
Kiki felt as if she should pat his arm to comfort him. ‘I’m a big girl, Will.’
‘I hadn’t realised quite how big,’ he said, with a rare attempt at humour.
‘Wilhelm. Don’t you start.’
Thankfully Miko arrived, all suave black panther, and took one appreciative look at her, bowed and kissed her fingers.
‘I see we will be dancing for effect, my sweet. I will step up to that challenge.’
This was followed by a ludicrously wicked wink that had Kiki smiling again.
‘Well, you only just made it.’
‘Such is the drama of my position.’ He squeezed her hand, noticed the chill of it, and rubbed her fingers between his own. ‘Enjoy your last night. Be Catwoman for me. Hopefully I will not wake up in a dungeon tomorrow.’
Kiki’s nervousness receded. Miko always made her feel better. Like a favourite cousin. Funny how she’d never fancied him and yet he was a delight.
‘I promise we will have fun.’
She’d never see these people again, would never do anything like this again. She might as well give it everything she had.
She lifted her head and plastered on a smile.
The Prince Who Charmed Her Page 10
