by Leanne Banks
Eve stroked Gus’s nose and he snorted again.
Stephenia laughed louder, a belly laugh that echoed throughout the barn.
“One more time,” Eve said, stroking Gus’s nose again. He snorted.
Stephenia shrieked and laughed.
Stefan looked at Eve. “Is there any way we can record Gus’s snort?”
“I think we should work on it. We should definitely work on it,” she said.
“Would you join us for lunch?” he asked.
Touched by his invitation, she felt her heart twist and tighten. “Are you sure you shouldn’t keep this just between the two of you?”
“Very sure,” he said with just a hint of desperation in his eyes.
Eve gave into her sympathy. “Okay. Thank you very much. Lead on.”
They were, at first, supposed to eat at a table in Stefan’s quarters. Eve suggested a blanket on the floor.
“Picnic,” she said. “Afterward, you can shake off the blanket and throw it in the washing machine. No fuss. No muss.” She paused a half beat. “Well, I guess you won’t be washing it, but a blanket picnic will make it less stressful for everyone.”
Moments later, they were served food on the blanket. Still wearing Eve’s hat, Stephenia picked up her food from a tray on the blanket. “Umm,” she said as she tasted chicken, mango and avocado.
“She’s not a fussy eater,” Eve said. “That’s a good thing.”
Stefan nodded as he took a bite of his club sandwich. “I want to thank you for the advice you gave me to whisper,” he said. “It works most of the time.”
“You might also want to give music a try,” she said. “You would have to experiment to find out what kind she likes, but I’m betting your girl likes music.”
Stefan glanced at his daughter as she continued to happily stuff her mouth with food from her tray. “You think so?”
“Oh, yeah. Just hope it isn’t rap,” she said with a twinge of amusement in her voice.
“You’re enjoying this a bit too much,” he said.
“You need to remember that before I met you, I thought you were the most arrogant man in the world,” she said. “You’ve now been humbled by a human being who weighs less than thirty pounds.”
“I’m not humbled,” he said. “Stephenia and I are in the process of negotiations.”
She couldn’t hold back a laugh. “And who is winning this negotiation?”
He shot her a glance that somehow combined extreme sexiness and amusement. “It’s a series of negotiations, and I will ultimately win.”
“Yeah, I’ll remember that,” she said. “If you and I are still talking when she’s a teenager, I definitely want to hear you say those words again.”
“You and I will be talking when she’s a teenager,” Stefan said. “And I will ultimately win.”
“We’ll see,” she said.
He shot her a look of irritation. “You shouldn’t question me when I’m certain.”
“Just being honest. Do you really want me not to be?” she asked.
He paused. “No,” he said. “I need to see you tonight. After eight,” he said.
Chapter Ten
Stefan was in his office with the minister of…something. Energy, he reminded himself, which was an important minister, but Stefan was distracted by the chorus of feminine laughter filtering through the cracked window to his office. He strained to catch a glimpse out the window.
Is that Bridget? Phillipa? He couldn’t quite make out the other adult female until he saw the black Stetson. Eve. The swing was soaring and he could hear Stephenia cackle with joy. He smiled. His daughter’s laughter was a sound that should be bottled. He was certain it had the potential to cure diseases and solve world peace.
“Your Highness,” the minister prodded. “Are you following my plan?”
Stefan slid his hand over his face and shook his head. “I apologize, Charles. I’m distracted,” he said, rising to reluctantly close the window. “Would you mind emailing me your notes? Perhaps another modality might help,” he said wryly.
“Not at all, sir,” the minister of energy said. “I have a young one myself. Amazing how they can wear you out in an hour. My wife is my lifesaver. I don’t know how you do it.”
“It takes a village,” Stefan muttered. “But we’re coming along. Stephenia is adjusting.”
“And are you, sir?” Charles Redmond asked. “Forgive me for saying so, but many are concerned for you.”
Stefan wrinkled his brow. “Why? I’m healthy and responsible.”
Charles paused, sliding his hand over his receding hairline. “But a wife could make things so much easier for you. Have you given consideration to getting married?”
Stefan clenched his jaw for a second, then gave the man the benefit of the doubt. “I will eventually marry, but I think it would be wrong for me to rush into such an important partnership when I’ve just learned that I have a daughter. First things first. I will make sure Stephenia feels secure in her new home. Does that not make sense to you?”
“When you put it that way Your Highness, it does,” Charles said.
Stefan wondered how many different ways he needed to put it since he’d said the same to countless advisers and ministers during the last couple of weeks. “Thank you for your concern and confidence in me,” Stefan said. “I count on it.”
Charles stood straighter. “Of course, sir. I have the utmost confidence in you.”
“Thank you. I will have to invite you and your wife to dinner with your children,” Stefan said.
Charles looked momentarily horrified. “Oh, thank you very much sir, but my children are not mature enough for a state dinner.”
“I was thinking of something more casual. Perhaps you and your wife could share some of your tips,” Stefan said.
“We would be honored,” Charles said, then nodded his head. “Thank you again, sir. I’ll get those notes to you directly.”
“Thank you, Charles,” Stefan said, then stood, signaling the minister to leave. As soon as Charles left, Stefan punched the extension for the royal public relations representative.
The representative immediately answered his phone. “Yes, Your Royal Highness. How may I serve you?”
Stefan felt a prickle of irritation. He’d asked the staff to change the way they addressed him to “How can I help you?” Some, however, refused to make the change.
“I want you to send a press release informing that I am enjoying my developing relationship with my daughter, Stephenia. My personal focus is on helping Stephenia to feel safe and secure in her new environment. After I am certain she has adjusted, I will be open to finding a woman who will be a mother to Stephenia, a wife to me and a princess to Chantaine. I appreciate all the support of my country during this exciting time of change.”
Dead silence followed. “You’re saying you won’t take a wife right now.”
“I’m saying I have other priorities at the moment,” Stefan said. “I want you to send the release immediately.”
“But, sir, Chantaine and half the world are waiting to hear that you have found the right woman and are ready to marry,” the PR representative protested.
“They need to get off the edge of their seats,” Stefan said.
“But, sir—”
“This isn’t a request,” Stefan said firmly.
Another silence followed.
“Yes, sir,” the representative said.
“Please email the announcement to me for final approval,” Stefan said. “Thank you for your responsiveness. I appreciate it very much. Good day,” he said, then hung up.
Loosening his tie, he stood and walked toward the window, opening it more as he watched his sisters and Eve play with Stephenia. The richness of the moment filled him up inside. His siblings were so often at odds with each other. Could they possibly come together over his surprise daughter? Hearing another peal of laughter, he smiled and decided to join them.
As he approached the trio of wome
n surrounding Stephenia on the swing, he wished he had a camera to save this moment forever. His daughter was laughing as his sisters and Eve took turns pushing her in the swing.
“She really is irresistible when she’s not screaming,” Bridget said.
“I’m sure you were quite irresistible when you were a screaming toddler,” Phillipa shot back to Bridget.
“How do you know I was a screamer?” Bridget said.
“Because Nanny used to put plugs in my ears whenever you came around,” Phillipa said.
“You’re making that up,” Bridget said.
“I am not,” Phillipa protested.
“We all had a screaming stage,” Eve intervened. “Some are just louder and more shrill than others. Maybe Stephenia wouldn’t have such a delicious laugh if she weren’t also a screamer.”
“Oh, I never thought of that,” Bridget said.
Stephenia let out a full laugh.
Phillipa laughed in returned. “Oh, I think I would push this swing all night for that sound.”
“Is that an offer?” Stefan asked.
All three women stared at him in surprise. Stephenia was still gleefully swinging.
“I thought you were stuck in meetings,” Bridget said.
“I was, but the four of you distracted me,” he said, unable to keep his lips from twitching.
Phillipa frowned. “How could we possibly distract you?”
“Your window was open, wasn’t it?” Eve asked.
He met her gaze and something inside him eased. “Yes, it was. I scrapped the meeting and asked for an email summary.”
“Good for you,” Bridget said. “If there were a bigger swing, I would offer to push you, too.”
“That’s okay,” Stefan said, sliding a sideways glance at Eve.
“I was thinking, however, that I would love to take her on brief public outings with me. You know the people of Chantaine would love to get a peek at her, and she is gorgeous. When she’s not screaming,” Bridget added.
“Not yet,” Stefan said without missing a beat.
“I thought I could take her to the zoo when I visit France next week. Fredericka is dying to see her,” Phillipa said.
“If you dare let her go,” Bridget said, clearly peeved.
“She’s not going anywhere,” Stefan said. “Although I can’t tell you how delighted I am that you’re both enjoying her. Stephenia needs to get used to her environment and current routine. I want us to become familiar to her so she feels safe. We need to protect her during this time of adjustment and I will be very grateful to you for any time you choose to spend with her,” he said, then gave his daughter’s swing a push.
Bridget and Phillipa stared at him as if he’d grown an extra head. Then their gazes softened.
“When you put it that way…” Bridget said. “I would love to take her on Thursday afternoons.”
“Tuesdays for me,” Phillipa said. “Unless you need someone to rock her to sleep occasionally. I could read her books.”
Stephenia’s gaze locked on Stefan. “Book,” she said. “Book.”
Stefan heard Eve’s throaty laugh and the combination of that sound with that of his daughter’s gaze made him feel as if he was standing on Mt. Kilimanjaro.
“I think Daddy’s been doing a lot of reading,” Eve said.
Bridget’s eyes turned shiny with emotion. “Oh, Stefan, you’re going to be a good father. Much better than our father was.”
“I like to believe he did the best he could,” Stefan said. “I also like to believe that we can all do better.”
Eve met his gaze, and Stefan was scored with the instinct to take her hand and pull her closer to him. To slide his arm around her and feel her against him. It would have been the right thing to do. His duty snapped through him like a strong static shock and he restrained the urge. Barely.
“You made my day. All of you,” he said, then kissed his daughter on the top of her head. He exchanged a glance with Eve that lasted longer than it should, then forced himself to turn and walk away.
Later that night after they’d made love, Eve turned to Stefan. “Let’s go for a ride,” she said.
“Now?” he asked, knowing it was close to midnight.
“What? Is it too late for you? Are you too old to go out this late?” she challenged.
“No,” he said, sitting up in bed. “But why do you want to go now?”
She sighed. “Because I want to be with you somewhere besides your bed,” she said, staring up at the ceiling. “It’s hard being a secret,” she said in a low voice.
“I hate it, too,” he said. “Today, when I saw you with Stephenia and my sisters, I wanted to pull you into my arms so much I hurt with it.”
She slid her hand over his chest, making his heart beat faster. “I understand why we need to keep our relationship secret, but—” She groaned. “Sometimes it’s hard.”
“It is,” he agreed, pulling her against him, relishing the sensation of her breasts against his bare skin and the sight of her wavy hair hiding one of her eyes.
“We could take a quick trip to Paris,” he said. “I could arrange for a private dinner, then we could take a walk at night when the photogs aren’t watching.”
“When are the photogs not watching?” she asked.
True, he thought. Too true. But Eve had become like oxygen to him. He needed her in order to feel whole. The realization shook him. Stefan stared at her and felt a kick that reverberated throughout him. She was the first woman who’d ever made him feel this way. What the hell was he going to do about it?
As much as Stefan had always hated his father’s playboy-with-the-yacht image, he could see the benefit of the vessel. The yacht could provide a day of needed escape from the prying eyes of the grounded photogs in Chantaine. A perfect getaway.
“Meet me in my quarters in fifteen minutes,” Stefan told Eve at 5:00 a.m. from his cell phone.
“What?” she said, her voice groggy with sleep. “It’s not even dawn.”
“Exactly. My yacht is taking us out for the day,” he said.
A pause followed. “That sounds fabulous, but I think you’ve forgotten that you’re not dealing with a countess or a princess. You’re dealing with a working girl and I have things to do today…Your Highness,” she added, clearly as an afterthought.
“Surely you can reschedule or have your assistant handle your duties for the day. What if you were ill?”
“Exactly. What if I were sick?” she retorted. “I need to save my sick days for when I’m sick. I’m certain my employer wouldn’t appreciate me shirking my duties for a yacht trip.”
“In this case, I can tell you that your employer most certainly wants you to meet with him on his yacht.”
“That almost sounds official,” she said.
She sighed. “But I know it’s not. I also know I would love to be with you whether we’re on a yacht or in a canoe. Give me ten extra minutes,” she said.
“I’ll give you fifteen. A driver will pick you up.”
An hour later, they were watching the sunrise from the yacht as they sailed away from the harbor.
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” she said, leaning her shower-dampened head against his shoulder.
He sifted his fingers through her hair. “Yes, you are,” he said and took her mouth in a kiss.
She gave a low chuckle. “I was talking about the view.”
“So was I,” he said and kissed her again. He could get addicted to kissing Eve. Every time his mouth took hers, he tasted a combination of sensuality, desire, honesty and…love? Could it possibly be?
Determined not to question such a pleasurable moment, he slid his arm around her waist and drank in the sunrise with her.
“The last time I saw a sunrise this beautiful was after a foal was born. It had been a long night and it wasn’t an easy delivery, but both the mom and baby survived. After that long dark night, the sunrise was glorious,” she said and looked up at him. “What about you? When was
the last time you saw a sunrise this beautiful?” she asked.
“Never,” he said. “Never saw one with you.”
She met his gaze then narrowed his eyes. “Be careful. I might start to think you really care for me. Or that you’re a master seducer. Neither of those would be good.”
“What if one were true?” he asked.
Her gaze turned vulnerable. “Like I said. Neither would be good.” She closed her eyes for a moment as if to push away ugly doubts, then crossed her arms over herself.
In protection, he realized. Frustration slid through him. He wanted to protect her.
“After all this rushing around, I’m starving. Are you going to feed me?” she asked.
“Whatever you want,” he said. “Including American bacon. I requested it especially for you.”
“Oh, now I know you want me for your slave,” she said. “Bacon.”
“If that’s all it takes,” he said.
“I was joking,” she said.
“Damn,” he muttered, then waved for one of the staff.
After a substantial breakfast, Stefan taught Eve to steer the yacht. They anchored in a private, deserted cove and dove into the cool, azure water.
With her hair slicked back and water clinging to her dark eyelashes, Eve wrapped her legs around him for warmth in the water. “This is cold.”
“You’re used to wimpy Texas water holes,” he said, sliding his hands over her silky skin.
“They’re not wimpy,” she protested. “But they’re warmer than this.”
“Our ocean is usually warm and the palace pool is always warm,” he said.
“I wouldn’t know,” she teased. “That’s off-limits for me since I’m not a Your Highlyness.”
He gave her a soft pinch and she squealed. “What was that for?”
“I wonder how you would react if someone called you ‘Your Highlyness’,” he said.
“I have no fear of that,” she said. “Because no one ever would. I’m a working girl, remember.”
“Hmm,” he said, his mind moving in directions he’d never thought possible. He shook his head and reined in his thoughts. “Let’s go back to the deck. Your lips are turning blue.”
