The Prince's Christmas Vow

by Jennifer Faye

  Her legs were long, toned and tan. He couldn’t have turned away even if he’d have tried, which he had no inclination to do. It’d been months since he’d laid eyes on her. Visions of her in his dreams didn’t count—they couldn’t hold a candle to the real thing.

  Zoe moved one strappy black high heel in front of the other. The classic ZZ Top song “Legs” started playing in his head. This girl definitely knew her strongest attributes and she worked them—no wonder he’d fallen for her hard and fast. Was it possible that she was even more gorgeous now than she had been when they’d met more than a year ago?

  “It’s warm standing here in the sun. Perhaps we should move to the shade.” Ms. Russo signaled to her cameraman to take a break. “Prince Demetrius, are you all right?”

  The concern in the reporter’s voice startled him out of the trance he’d fallen under. He drew a breath of air into his straining lungs. With effort, he turned his gaze from Zoe to the reporter who wore an inquisitive expression.

  Not good, Demetrius. Not good at all. Stay focused.

  He cleared his throat. “Sorry. I just remembered something that needs my attention. Let me just make a note of it.” He pulled out his phone and made the pretense of typing something while he got his brain screwed on straight.

  The same question kept playing over and over in his mind. What in the world was Zoe doing here? Surely she hadn’t come to see him. No. That was impossible. His schedule was kept under wraps for security purposes. Even Ms. Russo had not been alerted to the location for this interview until this morning. So that still left the question of why Zoe had crashed this important interview?

  Demetrius slipped his phone back in his jacket pocket. “Okay. Where were we?”

  “I thought we might want to wait for Ms. Sarris to join us.”

  Her comment had him instinctively turning back to the woman who’d gained the reporter’s attention. Zoe climbed the last two steps in those sky-high black heels that made her legs look as though they went on and on forever. His mouth grew dry and his palms became moist.

  He should have had his men turn her away. How was he supposed to concentrate on the interview when all he wanted to do was confront Zoe?

  He only had one question: Why?

  Okay. So maybe he did have a couple more questions. Like, when did she start dressing like that? Were her skirts always so short? How was a man to make intelligent conversation when all he could think about was her bare, tanned legs?

  Concentrate on the business at hand.

  Every muscle in his body tensed. He couldn’t continue to stare at her. He didn’t want anyone to notice that he was affected by Zoe’s presence.

  “Excuse me.” Zoe’s gaze didn’t quite meet his. “I didn’t know anyone would be here today. If it’s okay, I’ll just go inside and make some notes.”

  “No problem.” Demetrius backed up to let her pass by.

  “Wait.” Ms. Russo stepped in Zoe’s way. “Ms. Sarris, would you have a couple of minutes to speak with us?”

  Zoe shook her head. “I don’t want to intrude.”

  “You aren’t. In fact, I’d like to get a few quotes from you. But first I need to go track down my cameraman. He wanted to film a few frames of the mansion under construction.”

  Demetrius waited until the reporter was out of earshot before turning to Zoe. “What are you doing here?”

  “I already told you. I came to take notes.” Her steady gaze met his. “What are you doing here?”

  Leave it to Zoe to question a prince. She never was one to be awed by someone’s position or power. To her, everyone put on their pants one leg at a time just like everyone else. Then again, that was one of the things he’d always admired about her. But suddenly, it wasn’t so admirable—suddenly she made him uncomfortable having to explain himself.

  Though his family thought he’d only known Zoe for a few weeks, the truth was that they’d been involved for six months before taking the plunge. When his family found out about their elopement, chaos had ensued, so he never got a chance to correct them. Besides, what difference would it have made? His family had already determined that he was impulsive and foolish to rush into marriage with someone so unfitting for the role of princess.

  But that was then and things had changed a lot since then. Now Demetrius was cautious and he thought out his actions before he acted. In fact, he’d planned out what he would say to Zoe when they first met up again, but he hadn’t expected it to be here on these steps—in public—in front of a television camera.

  Not about to get into anything personal right now, he settled on, “I’m the prince and I have every right to be here. After all, this project is under the direct supervision of the Crown.”

  “Of course.” Her cheeks took on a pink tinge. “I should have known. I was just caught off guard by your presence.”

  “Listen, there’s something you should know—”

  “Sorry about that.” Ms. Russo smiled as she rejoined them.

  Demetrius cleared his throat. It was time to put this all to an end before it blew up in his face. Instead of gaining the public’s trust, he might just damage his reputation beyond repair if they unearthed the truth about his very brief, very rushed marriage.

  Demetrius stepped forward. “Ms. Sarris just informed me that she won’t be able to stay.”

  CHAPTER TWO

  SO MUCH FOR thinking Christmas had come early.

  There appeared to be a lump of coal in her stocking.

  Zoe arched a brow at Demetrius. Question after question crowded her mind. Like what exactly was her ex-husband really up to? Then again, their marriage had been annulled so technically he wasn’t her ex. So what did that make him? Her fairy-tale past? Her delicious mistake?

  Not that any of it mattered.

  They were history. That part was undeniable.

  “The prince is correct. I just stopped by to check on something.” Zoe made sure to wear her friendliest smile. “If you’ll excuse me.”

  She stepped past Demetrius and kept walking. The murmur of their voices resumed. It wasn’t until she’d reached the other end of the landing that she paused and glanced over her shoulder.

  Her gaze scanned over Demetrius’s tailored charcoal-gray suit and polished dress shoes. He looked quite smart in his designer clothes. His hair was a little shorter and styled. So much for the laid-back, not-worried-about-his-looks prince. The tide had most definitely turned. The man standing in front of the camera definitely had a serious persona about him.

  What had happened to turn Demetrius into the focused prince standing before her? The question teetered on the tip of her tongue, but she knew that it was no longer any of her business. The thought settled as a lump in her stomach. She’d done what she thought was best at the time by walking away—even if she had loved him.

  When his dark gaze met hers, the breath hitched in her throat. It was abundantly clear that she was the very last person he’d expected to see today. And he was none too happy about it. Her fingers fidgeted with the material of her skirt. Would he have her replaced?

  Zoe’s stomach dipped. This job was not only impressive but it also paid well—quite well. It’d certainly improve her declining bank account and give her the funds necessary to continue helping her ailing mother. Without it, she didn’t know how she’d make do.

  She’d lingered too long. It was time to slip inside the mansion away from the paparazzi, away from the questions—away from Demetrius’s accusing stare. She was just about at the front door of the mansion when a man stepped out from behind one of the columns.

  “Smile for the camera, sweetie.” He snapped a picture of her.

  The flash momentarily blinded her. She stood rooted in the same spot. What in the world?

  The man was short and had a paunch. He hadn’t seen a r
azor recently and his hair was greasy with a long, stringy comb-over. His eyes narrowed in on her. “They’re going to love you.”

  “Who are you? What do you want?”

  “I’m the man who’s going to learn your secrets.”

  There was no way he was with Ms. Russo. Zoe started to back up. Not realizing there was a step behind her, she tripped and a scream tore from her lungs.

  “Zoe?” Demetrius called out.

  Her hands flailed about as she struggled to regain her balance. And then suddenly there was a steadying hand clutching her arm, pulling her to safety. Once she was on level footing, her gaze met Demetrius’s concerned look.

  “Are you all right?” His voice was gruff with concern.

  “I’m fine.” She glanced around but the man who’d startled her was gone.

  “Did you see that man?”

  Demetrius shook his head. “Was it one of the construction workers?”

  “I don’t think so. He had a camera.”

  Demetrius called over one of his security detail, and in hushed tones they spoke. Then he turned back to her. “Don’t worry. If he’s still here, they’ll find him. Do you know what he wanted?”

  Zoe shook her head.

  Ms. Russo rushed over. “Is everything okay?”

  “There was a man here,” Demetrius explained. “He startled Miss Sarris.”

  The reporter lowered her microphone. “I caught a glimpse of him just as he turned to leave.”

  Zoe was so relieved to know that someone had seen him. “Do you know who he is?”

  “I don’t know his name.” Ms. Russo’s dark brows drew together. “I’ve seen him before. I think he may be a stringer, selling whatever dirt he digs up on celebrities to the highest paying publication. He doesn’t look it, but he’s very good at sniffing out the scandalous stories.” Ms. Russo’s gaze moved from Zoe to Demetrius. “So Prince Demetrius, do you know why he’s investigating you?”

  Demetrius frowned. “I have no idea.”

  Wanting to diffuse this line of questioning, Zoe spoke up. “What will happen if they catch him?”

  Demetrius’s gaze met hers. “Did he hurt you?” When she shook her head, he continued. “He’ll most likely be questioned and released.”

  It wasn’t exactly a comforting thought to know that man would soon be loose. But Demetrius was right. They couldn’t lock him up just because he’d scared her.

  “Don’t look so worried.” Demetrius’s voice was low and comforting. “He was interested in me, not you.”

  Zoe wasn’t so sure about that. The man’s beady eyes had been staring right at her when he’d spoken. Goose bumps raced down her arms. She’d prefer to never see him again.

  “Are you all right?” The reporter sent her a worried look.

  Zoe nodded. “I should be going.”

  “Please don’t rush off.” Ms. Russo gestured to her cameraman to start filming. “Since you’re here, can you give us some idea of what to look forward to with the mansion?”

  Zoe wanted to leave—to get as far away as fast as possible. But how would that look? Talk about giving credence to that creep’s allegations that she had secrets. She refused to let him or anyone else run her off.

  With every bit of willpower she could muster, Zoe flashed the camera a smile. “Sure. As long as Prince Demetrius doesn’t mind.”

  He made a pretense of checking his Rolex watch. “I suppose we have time. But it will have to be quick. I have another meeting shortly.”

  “Certainly.” The reporter’s eyes gleamed with victory.

  The woman started rambling off questions about the project as the cameraman filmed the whole session. It was bad enough running into her ex, but now to be filmed with him for primetime television made her want to groan. Could this day get any worse?

  “Now, how did you two meet?”

  “What?” When all three people turned inquisitive eyes Zoe’s way, the heat of embarrassment inched up her neck. “Sorry.” She searched for the easiest way out of this mess. “I got distracted. What did you ask?”

  “I was wondering how you and the prince met.”

  Zoe waited, hoping Demetrius would speak up and put an end to this interview. But instead he remained silent, letting the awkward silence grow. Zoe improvised. “We don’t really know each other.”

  The reporter’s brow arched. “That’s interesting. I’d have sworn you two seemed to know each other. Are you sure there wasn’t another project? Or a social engagement?”

  “We don’t move in the same social circles,” Zoe said with utter honesty.

  At last, Demetrius found his voice. “This is actually our first project together and Miss Sarris might not remember, but we met ever so briefly at the opening of the DiCapria corporate offices. She’d done such an excellent job with its design that when the Residenza del Rosa project came up, her name immediately came to mind.”

  Of course Zoe remembered that moment. It had been the night her whole world changed. So then how could he just stand there and talk about their very first meeting at the DiCapria party as though nothing had come of it? It had been the precipice of her heart tumbling and careening into his.

  “The DiCapria office is beautiful.” Ms. Russo turned to her. “That project brought you a lot of public attention. Would you say it was a turning point in your career?”

  “Definitely.” Zoe was very proud of that project. They’d given her a lot of freedom with the design and she’d ended up impressing everyone. “It was and still is one of my favorite projects.”

  “I’ll make a note to get some photos of the DiCapria offices to include in this exposé.” The woman keyed a note into her phone. “And if we could just have one more photo of you two together for our website, we’ll be done.”

  Zoe’s cheeks ached from smiling so much. Don’t they already have enough footage? But when she glanced up the cameraman had gone to exchange his filming equipment for a digital camera.

  While the reporter spoke to the camera guy, Demetrius leaned close and spoke in her ear. “Hang in there. Doing what she asks will be a lot faster and easier than trying to duck out.”

  His crisp, fresh cologne teased her memory. She remembered all too clearly what it was like to lean into him and press her mouth to the smooth skin of his neck. His quickening pulse would thump beneath her lips as she’d leave a trail of kisses from his jaw down to his chest—

  She groaned as she drew her thoughts up short.

  That was then. This is now.

  * * *

  Demetrius sent Zoe a warning look as her groan reached his ears.

  She had to hang in there just a little longer.

  This interview couldn’t fall apart now.

  If he failed to gain the nation’s confidence, there was a very good chance that anarchy would ravage this very beautiful island nation his father had spent his whole life protecting. Demetrius would do all he could to keep that from ever happening to his much-loved homeland.

  Most of all, he couldn’t let down his father. He knew in the grand scheme of things that it shouldn’t weigh so heavy on him, but his father hadn’t had the easiest life despite his position. When Demetrius was fifteen, his mother had been murdered in an assassination attempt. It’d fractured their family.

  His twin, Alexandro, blamed himself for the murder and had assumed the role of protector. Their father had grown quiet and reserved, spending all of his time working. Demetrius had gone a bit wild, living life to its fullest. He never thought any of them would be happy again.

  Then last year, his brother had led the paparazzi on a wild chase to the United States to divert attention from Demetrius’s elopement to Zoe. And his brother’s daring plan had worked...sort of. While in the States, Alex had fallen in love and married an American. Somewher
e during all of this, they’d started to act like a family again—sharing meals and catching up on each other’s lives. And he couldn’t lose that. Not again.

  But now being here with Zoe, he realized he’d made a huge mistake by thinking they could work side by side. His gaze strayed to her. She was answering some more questions about her profession for the reporter.

  His gaze skimmed down over her, noticing on closer inspection that her clothes hung a bit loose. Had she lost weight in the time they were apart? She had been slender when he knew her. The fact that she’d lost weight was worrying. He hoped she wasn’t sick. He studied her face. She didn’t look ill.

  As he continued to stare at her, he felt the draw of attraction as strong now as it had been back when they were together. Was it possible she was even more beautiful today than she had been when he’d pledged his heart to her? His gaze slipped to her full lips—

  Realizing the direction of his straying thoughts, he jerked them to a halt. No matter how tempting he still found her, he refused to fall for her charms again. His foolish behavior had already cost him so much.

  “We’re almost done.” The reporter clasped her hands together. “I just need a couple more candid shots for the website. Could you both move to the edge of the steps?”

  While they moved into the designated positions on the top step, he chanced another glance Zoe’s way. Her lips lifted at the corners. However, her smile didn’t quite reach her brown eyes. He wasn’t about to complain. At least she was playing along.

  “Can you shake hands?”

  With anyone else, the request would have been simple, but Zoe was not just anyone. She was most definitely someone—someone he was over. His jaw tightened. So then why was he making such a big deal out of this?

  He extended his hand to her.

  There was a moment’s hesitation. Her gaze met his, but he couldn’t read what she was thinking. When her hand slipped into his, there was a jolt—no, it was more like a lightning bolt—of awareness that coursed between them.

  It means nothing.