Christmas with the Prince

by Michelle Celmer

  He folded his arms across his chest and said, “You haven’t slept with him, have you?”

  “I didn’t say that.”

  But she didn’t deny it, either. “Out of curiosity, how long have you been dating this William fellow?”

  Her gaze dropped to her feet again and in went the lip between her teeth. She didn’t say a word. But her silence said it all.

  “Are you telling me that you two have never even dated? Let me guess, you’ve never kissed him, either?”

  She leveled her eyes on him. “I have so!”

  He took a step toward her. “I’ll bet he doesn’t make you half as hot as I do.”

  He could tell by her expression, from the sudden rush of color to her cheeks, that he was right.

  “I wasn’t that hot,” she said, but he knew it was a lie.

  “You won’t be happy,” he said. “You’re too passionate.”

  She looked at him like he was nuts. “I’ve been accused of a lot of things, but being passionate is not one of them.”

  He sighed. “There you go, selling yourself short again.”

  She shook her head in frustration. “I can’t believe we’re having this conversation. I hardly even know you.”

  “I know. And that’s the bizarre part, because for some reason I feel as though I’ve known you forever.” He could see by her expression that she didn’t know how to respond to that, and she wasn’t sure what to make of him. And oddly enough, neither did he. This wasn’t at all like him.

  She grabbed the knob and opened her door. “I should get to sleep.”

  He nodded. “Promise me you’ll think about what I said.”

  “Good night, Aaron.” She slipped inside her room and closed the door behind her.

  He turned and walked in the direction of his own room. What he’d told her wasn’t a lie. He’d never met anyone quite like her. She sincerely had no idea how unique, how gifted she was.

  At first he’d planned only to seduce Liv and show her a good time while she was here, but something had happened since then. Something he hadn’t expected. He really liked her. And the idea of her marrying this William person—a man she obviously didn’t love—disturbed him far more than it should have.

  Liv closed the door and leaned against it, expelling a long, deep breath.

  What the heck had just happened out there? What did he want from her? Was he just trying to seduce her? To soften her up with his sweet words? Or did he really mean what he said? Did he really think she was interesting and fun? And beautiful. And if she really was, why had no one told her until now?

  Just because no man had said the words, it didn’t mean it wasn’t true. And although she would never admit it to his face, he was right about one thing, no man had ever made her even close to as hot as he just had. With barely more than a kiss. Had it gone any further, she may have become the first scientifically genuine victim of spontaneous human combustion.

  And oh how she had wanted it to go further. But to what end? A brief, torrid affair? Yeah, so what if it was? What was so wrong with that? They were consenting adults.

  Yeah, but what about William?

  So what if William wasn’t an above-average kisser, and who cared that he didn’t get her all hot and bothered the way Aaron did. William was stable and secure, and he respected her, and she was sure that he thought she was beautiful, too. He just wasn’t the type of man to express his feelings. She was sure that once they were married he would open up.

  But what if he didn’t? Was that enough for her?

  She heard a muffled jingle coming from her backpack and realized her phone was ringing. She pulled it out and saw that it was, speak of the devil, William. She hadn’t spoken to him since she left the States. No doubt he was anxious for an answer.

  She let it go to voice mail. She would call him back tomorrow once she’d had a night to think things through. When she’d had time to forget how Aaron’s lips felt against hers, and the taste of his mouth, and what it had been like to have his arms around her, his fingers tangling in her hair.

  What if she never forgot? Could she go through life always wondering what if? Would it really be so awful, for once in her life, to do something just because she wanted to. Because it felt good. It wasn’t as if he would want a relationship, and frankly, neither would she. Just one quick roll in the hay. Or maybe two. Then she could go home to William, who would never be the wiser…and live the rest of her life in guilt for betraying him.

  Ugh.

  But if they weren’t technically engaged yet, could it really be counted as cheating?

  As she was changing into her pajamas, her cell phone rang again. It was William. She considered letting it go to voice mail again, then decided she at least owed him a few words.

  When she answered, his voice was filled with relief.

  “I thought maybe you were avoiding me.” He sounded so apprehensive and vulnerable. So unlike the confident, steadfast man she was used to, and the truth was, hearing him that way was just the slightest bit…off-putting. It knocked the pedestal she’d always kept him up on down a notch or two.

  “Of course not,” she said. “I’ve just been very busy.”

  “Is this a bad time? I could call back later.”

  “No, this is fine. I was just getting ready for bed. How have you been?”

  “Swamped.” He gave her a rundown on everything that had been going on in the lab since she left.

  When he’d finished his dissertation, she asked him again. “How are you, William?”

  “Me?” He sounded confused, probably because they never really talked about their personal lives.

  “Yes, you.”

  Finally he said, “Good. I’m good.”

  She waited for him to elaborate, but he didn’t. Instead he asked, “How are you?”

  Exhausted, but excited, and having more fun than I’ve ever had in my life, not to mention nursing a pretty serious crush, and considering an affair with, of all people, a prince.

  But she couldn’t tell him that. “I’m…good.”

  “The reason for my call,” he said, getting right to the point—because William always had a point. “I was just wondering if you’d given any thought to my proposal.”

  He said it so drily, as though he were referring to a work proposal and not a lifetime commitment.

  “I have,” she said. “It’s just…well, I’ve been so busy. I’d like a little more time to think it over. It’s a huge decision.”

  “Of course. I don’t mean to rush you. I realize that it probably came as something of a surprise.”

  “A little, yes. I never realized you had those kinds of feelings for me.”

  “You know that I deeply respect you. Both personally and professionally. We make a good team.”

  Yes, but a good professional relationship and a good marriage were two entirely different animals. Again she had to wonder, did she want to marry a man who respected her, or one who loved her? A man whom she worked well with, or one who found her so sexually appealing he couldn’t keep his eyes, or hands, off her? One who made her feel all warm and breathless and squishy inside, the way Aaron did.

  Don’t even go there, she warned herself. Aaron had no place in this particular equation. Besides, for all she knew William would be fantastic in bed. She’d always considered good sex more of a perk than a necessity.

  If that was true, why wasn’t she jumping at his offer?

  “Can I ask you a question, William?”

  “Of course.”

  “Why now? What’s changed from, say, two months ago?”

  “Well, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately. I’ve always imagined that one day I would get married and have a family. And as you know, I’m not getting any younger. It seemed like a good time.”

  It sounded so logical, but that hadn’t exactly been what she was hoping for.

  “I guess what I want to know is, why me?”

  “Why you?” he said, sounding puzzled
. “Why not you?”

  “What I mean is, was there a particular reason you asked me?”

  “Who else would I ask?”

  She was seriously fishing here, and he just didn’t seem to get it. She wasn’t desperate enough to beg for a kind word or two. Like, You’re beautiful or I love you. That would come with time.

  Then why, deep down, was a little voice telling her that this was all wrong?

  “Things are just so crazy right now,” she told him. “Can you give me a few weeks to think about it?”

  “Of course,” he said, his tone so patient and reasonable that it filled her with shame. “Take your time.”

  They made random and slightly awkward small talk for several minutes, and William seemed almost relieved when she said she had to go.

  She hung up wondering what kind of marriage would they have if the only thing they ever talked about was work? And even worse, he didn’t seem all that interested in getting to know her on a personal level. Would that just take time? Or should the years she had already known him have been time enough?

  She thought of Aaron, who asked her questions and seemed genuinely interested in getting to know her. Why couldn’t William be more like that?

  Thoughts like that wouldn’t get her anywhere. William would never be like Aaron—a rich, charming prince. Which was a good thing, because as she’d reminded herself so many times now, Aaron, and men like him, were out of her league. Granted, she had never actually had a relationship with a man like Aaron, but she wasn’t so naive that she didn’t know the way these things worked. Even if Aaron did find her interesting at first, see her as a novelty, it wouldn’t take him long to grow bored with her, for him to realize that she wasn’t as special as he thought. Then he would be back to pursuing a proper mate. A woman with the right family and the proper breeding.

  Yet she couldn’t help but think of all the fun they could have in the meantime.

  Eight

  L iv was on her way to breakfast the following morning when she was greeted—more like accosted—by one of Aaron’s sisters at the foot of the stairs on the main floor. Was it Friday already?

  She was nowhere near as tall as her brother and had a slim, frail-looking build, and while they didn’t exactly look alike, there was a strong family resemblance. She was dressed in a pale pink argyle sweater and cream-colored slacks and wore her hair pulled back in a low bun. In the crook of one arm she cradled a quivering ball of fur with bulging eyes. A dog, Liv realized. Probably a shih tzu.

  The first impression that popped into Liv’s head was sweet and demure. Until the princess opened her mouth.

  She squealed excitedly when she saw Liv and said, “You must be Olivia! I’m Aaron’s sister Louisa.”

  Liv was so stunned by her enthusiasm—weren’t princesses supposed to be poised and reserved?—she nearly neglected protocol and offered a hand to shake.

  “It’s nice to meet you, Your Highness,” she said, dipping into a slightly wobbly curtsy instead. She had barely recovered when Louisa grabbed her hand and pumped it enthusiastically.

  “Call me Louisa.” She scratched the canine behind its silky ears. “And this is Muffin. Say hello, Muffin.”

  Muffin just stared, his little pink tongue lolling out of his mouth.

  “I can’t tell you how excited we are to have you here,” she said, smiling brightly. “Aaron has told us wonderful things about you.”

  Liv couldn’t help but wonder exactly what he’d told them. She would be mortified if he’d said something about their kiss last night. Having had the entire night to think it over, she decided that it would definitely never happen again. At least, not until she’d decided what to do about William. Although, probably not then, either. What she needed to concentrate on was the job she had come here to do.

  “Has my brother been a good host?” Louisa asked.

  Good didn’t even begin to describe the sort of host he’d been. “He has,” Liv assured her. “He’s made me feel very welcome.”

  “I’m so glad. I can’t wait for you to meet the rest of the family! Everyone is so excited that you’re here.”

  “I’m anxious to meet them, too.”

  “Well, then, let’s go. Everyone should be having breakfast.”

  Everyone? As in, the entire family? Louisa expected her to meet them all at once?

  Her heart slammed the wall of her chest. She never had been much good in groups of people. She preferred one-on-one interaction. She opened her mouth to object, but Louisa had already looped an arm through hers and was all but dragging her in the direction of the dining room. Liv felt like a giant beside her. Too tall, awkward and totally unrefined.

  This was a nightmare.

  “Look who I found!” Louisa announced as they entered the dining room. She probably didn’t mean to, but she gave the impression that Liv had been aimlessly wandering the halls when this was the first morning she hadn’t gotten lost.

  She did a quick survey of the room and realized that other than Geoffrey, who was serving breakfast, there were no familiar faces. Where was Aaron?

  Aaron’s brother and his wife sat at one side of the table, while his other sister sat across from them.

  “Everyone, this is Olivia Montgomery,” Louisa gushed. “The scientist who has come to save our country!”

  Wow, no pressure there. She stood frozen beside Louisa, unsure of what to say or do. Then she felt it. The gentle and soothing pressure of a warm hand on her back. Aaron was standing there to rescue her.

  She turned to him, never so happy in her life to see a familiar, friendly face. He was dressed to work in the field, in jeans and a soft-looking flannel shirt over a mock turtleneck.

  He must have sensed how tense she was because he said under his breath, so even Louisa wouldn’t hear, “Relax, they won’t bite.”

  Miraculously, his deep, patient tone did just that. Her tension and fear seemed to melt away. Most of it at least. As long as Aaron was there, she was confident the introductions would go well. He would never feed her to the wolves.

  His hand still on her back, he led her to the table where his brother sat.

  “Liv,” Aaron said, “meet my brother, Prince Christian, and his wife, Princess Melissa.”

  “Your Highnesses,” she said, dipping into a near-perfect curtsy.

  Prince Christian rose to his feet and reached out to shake her hand. She shifted her backpack to the opposite shoulder and accepted it.

  His grip was firm and confident, his smile genuine. “I know I speak for everyone when I say it’s an honor and a relief to have you here with us.”

  She pasted on her face what she hoped was a confident and capable smile. “I’m honored to be here.”

  “If there’s anything you need, anything at all, you need only ask.”

  How about a valium, she was tempted to say, but had the feeling he might not appreciate her brand of humor. Instead she said, “I will, thank you.”

  “My parents send their regards and apologies that they weren’t here to welcome you. They’ll return in several days.”

  Liv wasn’t sure if she was supposed to know the facts surrounding their father’s situation, so she only nodded.

  “You’ve already met Princess Louisa,” Aaron said. “And this is my other sister, Princess Anne.”

  Louisa and Anne may have been twins, but they didn’t look a thing alike. Anne was darker. In color, and considering her guarded expression, in personality, as well.

  “Your Highness,” Liv said, curtsying in her direction. She was getting pretty good at this.

  “I understand you think you can find a cure for the diseased crops,” Anne said, sounding slightly antagonistic, as though she questioned Liv’s credentials. Was Anne trying to intimidate her? Put her in her place?

  It was one thing to question Liv personally, but as a scientist, they wouldn’t find anyone more capable. She lifted her chin a notch. “I don’t think I can, Your Highness. I will find a cure. As I told Prince Aa
ron, it’s simply a matter of time.”

  A vague smile pulled at the corners of Anne’s mouth. If it had been some sort of test, it appeared Liv had passed.

  “Shall we sit?” Aaron said, gesturing to the table.

  She turned to him. “Actually, I was planning to get right to work.”

  He frowned. “You’re not hungry?”

  Not anymore. The idea of sitting and eating breakfast surrounded by his entire family was only slightly less intimidating than facing a firing squad. “If I could get a carafe of coffee sent down to the lab that would be great.”

  “Of course.” He addressed the butler. “Geoffrey, would you take care of that, please?”

  Geoffrey nodded, and although Liv couldn’t say for sure, he might have looked a bit peeved.

  “It was nice to meet everyone,” Liv said.

  “You’ll join us for dinner?” Princess Melissa asked, although it came across as more of a statement than a question.

  Before she could form a valid excuse to decline, Aaron answered for her, “Of course she will.”

  She wanted to turn to him and say, I will?, but she held her tongue. Besides, much as she’d like to, she couldn’t avoid them forever.

  She would feel so much more comfortable if they treated her like the hired help rather than a guest and left her to her own devices.

  “I’ll walk you down to the lab,” Aaron said, and though her first instinct was to refuse his offer, she didn’t want everyone to think there was a reason she shouldn’t be alone with him. Like the fact that she was scared to death he would kiss her again. And even more terrified that if he did, she wouldn’t be able to make herself stop him this time.

  He led her from the room, and when they were in the hall and out of earshot he said, “I know they can be intimidating, especially Anne, but you can’t avoid them forever. They’re curious about you.”

  “I just want to get an early start,” she lied, “before my assistant arrives.”

  He shot her a we-both-know-that’s-bull look.

  “You don’t have to walk me to the lab.”

  “I know I don’t.” His slightly mischievous grin said he was going to regardless, and the warmth of it began melting her from the inside out. When he rested a hand on her back to lead her there, her skin tingled under his touch.