“So, what, he doesn’t kiss your royal behind, and therefore you can’t tolerate him?”
“Phillip!”
“That’s what I figured.” He relaxed back into his chair, a wry grin curling his mouth. “Sophie, do you think I like everyone I have to work with? That’s just business. Get used to it.”
She was no stranger to the concept. Had he forgotten the countless “guests” she had catered to and shuttled all over the island? They ranged from polite and friendly to odd and unusual and some who were just downright creepy. And she’d never complained. At least, not too much. And she always did what was expected of her. She would think that just this once he could cut her a little slack.
But then he wouldn’t be Phillip if he did that.
“Fine,” she said, smoothing back her knotted hair as best she could. She must have looked positively dreadful. She could have at least taken the time to change into dry clothes and run a brush through her hair. Of course, if she’d been at all rational, she never would have come to see him in the first place.
“You might want to rethink the new look,” he said, amusement dancing in his eyes. He did that a lot now. Smiling, laughing. Before Hannah came into his life he was a much darker person. She was glad he was happy. She only wished he weren’t so determined to make her miserable instead.
She looked down at her ensemble. “What, you don’t like it?”
“Got caught in the rain during your walk?”
“How’d you guess?”
“I was on my way in from a meeting a few minutes before you barged in here, and I ran into Alex who was in pretty much the same condition.”
So, Phillip had been away at a meeting. At least Alex hadn’t lied about that. She wondered if Phillip had noticed that Alex’s shirt had been suspiciously divested of its buttons. “I guess he got caught in the rain, too.”
“I figured you would know that since, according to Alex, you were walking together.”
She couldn’t help but wonder what else Alex had told him. And rather than try to come up with a plausible explanation for her sudden memory loss, she didn’t say anything at all. And he let it slide.
“So, we’re in agreement?” he asked.
“We’re in agreement.”
“You’re not going to barge in here in a day or two with the same demands.”
“You won’t hear another word out of me about it.” And at the very least, she had tomorrow to herself. A full day to recover before having to play babysitter again.
“Good.”
“I should go change.”
“Please do.”
“I’ll see you later.”
She was almost to the door when he called out to her. “By the way, I forgot to mention, I had to cancel our golf trip tomorrow morning. Urgent business. So Alex is in your capable hands for the day. With any luck I can squeeze in an evening round.”
So much for her day off. Would she ever catch a break?
“Is that a problem?”
She forced a smile, when what she really felt like doing was groaning, and said, “No, no problem.”
“Good. I’ve already told Alex, and he said he’ll meet you in the foyer tomorrow morning. The usual time.”
“Very well. It’s short notice, but I’m sure I can come up with something for us to do.”
“He said he would like a relaxing day, so I took the liberty of suggesting a day out on the yacht. He’s quite looking forward to it.”
Hours stuck together on a boat. She could hardly wait. “Even better. I’ll call the marina and have everything prepared.”
“It’s already been done.”
“Good.”
“Also, we’re taking Alex to the country club for dinner and wondered if you could watch Frederick. Maybe until eleven or so?”
“Of course.” That at least wouldn’t be a hardship. She adored her nephew.
“Hannah will call and let you know what time we plan to leave.”
“Anything else?” she asked.
“No, I believe that’s it.”
“You know, I’m proud of you, Phillip.”
“I beg your pardon.”
“I said, I’m proud of you.”
He narrowed his eyes at her. “What do you want?”
She smiled. “Nothing at all.”
He looked skeptical, as though he wasn’t sure he could believe her.
“Really,” she assured him. “I just wanted you to know.”
“Well then…thank you.”
She turned to leave, but he called to her just before she reached the door.
“You know that the things I say and do are because I care.”
“I know.”
“Have fun tomorrow.” He turned to his computer and started tapping away at the keyboard, his less-than-subtle way to dismiss her.
But as she was closing the door behind her she glanced back and saw that he had an amused, almost quirky grin and she couldn’t shake the feeling that Phillip knew more than he was letting on.
All the way back to her residence Sophie mulled over in her head how she planned to handle the rest of Alex’s visit. They simply couldn’t go on with the way things had been these first two days. She would be loony by week’s end. There had to be some way to fix this, some sort of compromise in which she would maintain control, of course.
Despite knowing what a pest Alex could be, she was still surprised to see him sitting on her porch step when she returned to her residence. And even though the idea of another argument was utterly exhausting, leaving this unresolved to ferment and fester wasn’t high on her list of fun options, either. So, rather than storm past him into the house, she took a seat next to him.
He had changed into dry clothes—and a shirt with buttons—and sat slightly hunched with his arms draped over his knees. He looked unassuming and maybe a little tired. And he was so handsome, so physically perfect in every way that a hollow ache settled in her heart.
For several minutes they sat together in silence, then he finally said, “I feel as though I owe you an apology, but I’m not really sure what I’m apologizing for.”
That was probably the most honest thing he’d said since this nightmare of a week had begun. Clueless, but honest nonetheless.
They had spent a total of two days together, yet she felt that she knew him. And she felt she barely knew him at all. Nothing about this made any sense.
“If it’s any consolation,” she said. “I feel the same way.”
He shot her a grin. “Then technically, our feelings should just what, cancel out each other?”
“If only life worked that way, the world would be a much simpler place.”
“Amen to that.”
She sighed and hugged her legs, resting her chin on her knees. “It’s not my fault, you know.”
He looked over at her. “What isn’t your fault?”
“Your marriage. The fact that it was so bad.”
“Did I say it was?”
“Not in so many words, but it’s obvious you blame me. Or you’re just bitter at the entire gender and I’m an easy target.”
A frown furrowed the space between his brows. “I’d considered that as a definite possibility.”
Again, very honest. Maybe that was the key to solving their problem. Maybe, rather than ignoring this undercurrent of tension, this unfinished business between them, it would be more productive to just lay all their cards on the table and settle this once and for all.
Easier said than done. Baring her soul had never been one of her strengths. She had been groomed since birth to hold her feelings inside. To never show weakness. And right now, she’d never felt more vulnerable in her life.
But she had to at least try.
She took a deep breath and blew it out. Here goes nothing.
“I did love you, Alex, and I wanted to marry you. But believe me when I say I did you a favor by ending it. It was too…big. Bigger than either of us was prepared for. The sacrifices we
would have had to make…” She shook her head. “We just would have ended up resenting each other.”
He shrugged. “I guess we’ll never know.”
That was just the thing. She did know. She’d seen it time and time again. “I’m sorry for hurting you. But I honestly felt as though I didn’t have a choice.”
“You did what you felt was right. I can’t really fault you for that, can I? I just would have liked the opportunity to make the choice myself.”
He could fault her if he wanted to. If he wanted to hold a grudge. But she hoped he wouldn’t. She would like them to be able to get past this. To be friends.
“As far as my marriage goes,” he said, “I’m the only one to blame. I may have been pressured by my family, but no one held a gun to my head. The truth is, I took the easy way out. Or at least, at the time it seemed easy.”
In a way, she was guilty of the same thing. Ending things with Alex had been so much easier than sticking around and trying to make it work. Surely they would have had a few good years before it all fell apart. At the time she’d felt that by ending it sooner rather than later, she had been giving each of them a chance to find happiness with someone else. How could she have known neither of them would take it?
“I ended it badly,” she said. “I should have called or written, given you some explanation. I was just so afraid.”
“Afraid of what?”
“That if I heard your voice, I would change my mind. Or that you would talk me out of it.”
“I guess you did what you had to.”
“Think we’ll ever get past it?”
He looked over at her, the hint of a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. “I think it’s a definite possibility.”
“There’s that other problem, too.”
“Which problem is that?”
She hugged her legs tighter. “The sexual tension.”
He shrugged. “I don’t have a problem with that.”
“Come on, Alex. You have to admit it’s getting…tedious.”
“Okay,” he conceded. “A little, maybe.”
“We’re basically stuck together, and quite frankly I’m tired of feeling so…edgy all the time. It would be nice if we could enjoy our time together.” The instant the words left her mouth, she had a sudden and brilliant idea. It was absolutely ingenious!
“Uh-oh,” he said, narrowing his eyes at her. “You look as though you’ve just had a lightbulb moment.”
“I did. I don’t know why I didn’t think of it before.”
“Why do I get the feeling I’m not going to like this?”
“On the contrary, I think you’ll agree it’s the only logical course of action.”
“Okay,” he said, looking skeptical. “Let’s have it.”
“I think, Alex, that I should sleep with you.”
Eight
Alex’s brows rose with surprise. “Say again?”
“Think about it,” Sophie said. “After all this time, we’re both wondering what it would be like.”
“I am?”
She pinned him with a disbelieving look.
“Okay,” he admitted. “I am.”
“So maybe we should find out.”
“And you think if we make love—”
“Sex, Alex, not love.” Love had nothing, and would never have, anything to do with sex. “This is just…chemistry.”
“My apologies. You think if we have sex, we won’t be tense around each other anymore?”
“Exactly.” In fact, the more she thought about it, the more logical the idea seemed.
“What if it doesn’t?” he asked.
“Why wouldn’t it? It’s not as if our feelings toward each other are anything other than…”
“Chemistry?”
“Sexual curiosity.”
“So, if I had just had sex with you today in the woods, we wouldn’t even be having this conversation?”
He folded his arms across his chest and studied her, brow furrowed. “I don’t know about this.”
“What do you mean, you don’t know?” It was completely logical. What sane man would pass up an offer like that?
He shrugged. “It just sounds a little too easy.”
“No, it doesn’t. It’s the perfect plan.”
“You say that now, but I can’t help thinking that something is bound to go wrong.”
“What could possibly go wrong?”
“You could fall in love with me.”
She bit her lip to hold in a laugh. “No offense, but I don’t think we have to worry about that ever happening.”
“Wow. I’m not sure if should feel relieved or insulted.”
She shot him an exasperated look. Now he was just being obtuse. What man wouldn’t jump at the chance for a night of no-strings-attached sex?
None she had ever known.
“What if once doesn’t do the trick?” he asked. “What if we have sex and we still feel this tension? Do we get to do it again?”
She couldn’t really see that being a problem, not if they approached this logically. Not for her anyway. But for the sake of argument, she would humor him. “Let’s just say that I’m open to the possibility.”
“Fair enough.”
“Well,” she asked, anxious to settle this once and for all. “Are you in or out?”
He grinned. “What you’re asking for would necessitate a bit of both, don’t you think?”
She rolled her eyes. “Would you please be serious?”
He gave it a moment’s thought, then said, “I’m trying to imagine a potential problem with this scenario, and honestly, I’m drawing a blank. No matter how I look at it, it’s a win-win situation.”
“So?”
He shrugged. “Yeah, sure, what the hell. I’m in.”
“Splendid.” It stunned her a little to realize what a huge weight this was off her shoulders. This was a good idea. A good plan. “Needless to say, we have to be discreet about this.”
“Of course.”
“Especially where Phillip is concerned.”
“I agree.” He rubbed his palms together and wiggled his brows at her. “So, Princess, when do we get started?”
She looked at her watch. “Tonight I have a charity function that I simply can’t miss, and I won’t be in until late this evening. Probably after midnight.” To do this properly, she should at least be awake.
“Tomorrow, then?”
“Well, we’ll be on the yacht with a full staff, so that won’t work, then you have golf with Phillip and he mentioned taking you for dinner at the country club afterward. He’s asked me to babysit Frederick until eleven.”
He was beginning to look exasperated. “How about Thursday?”
“Thursday, you’ll be at the hunting cabin and not back until Friday afternoon.”
“And Friday is the black-tie charity deal, which I’m assuming will be another late one.”
“At least midnight.”
“How about Friday afternoon after we get back from the cabin?”
“Afternoons are difficult. Too many people around. Besides, I need a few hours to prepare for the evening.”
“This is shaping up to be one stressful week, Your Highness.”
He was right. This was a great idea, if they could just find the time to make it happen.
“You said you’re watching Frederick until eleven tomorrow night?”
“That’s right.”
He grinned. “Eleven isn’t too late. And I couldn’t call myself a gentleman if I didn’t offer to walk you home afterward.”
That might work. “I suppose you couldn’t.”
“So, tomorrow at eleven?”
“Eleven it is.” They could get this over and done with, then maybe they could actually enjoy each other’s company for the remainder of his stay. And even better, they could walk away from this as friends.
In fact, the more she thought about it, the more convinced she was that this was exactly what they both needed.
She rose from the step, and he stood, too. “Now that we have that settled, I really need to get ready.”
“You know, Princess, I think you’re right. This is a good idea.”
Of course it was. What man, especially one newly divorced and admittedly angry with all women, wouldn’t see gratuitous sex as a good thing? And God knows that she hadn’t been with a man in far too long. And contrary to what men seemed to think, women had needs, too. This would undoubtedly be a mutually beneficial arrangement.
Enough rationalizing, she told herself. She was doing the right thing.
“We’ll leave for the yacht at nine,” she told him. “So let’s plan to meet in the foyer at our usual time.”
“I’ll be ready.”
“The sun is quite intense this time of year, so make sure you bring sunscreen.”
“Gotcha.”
“Well then, I’ll see you in the morning.”
She turned toward the door, but he caught her forearm in his hand. “Hey, Princess.”
She turned, and although she should have expected it, once again he caught her completely off guard. He cupped the back of her head, drew her to him and kissed her. But not a deep desperate joining like the last time. This was sweet and soft and maybe even a little tentative, his tongue barely sweeping the seam of her lips before he drew it back. Then he lingered for just another second or two before he finally pulled away.
“What was that for?” she asked, her words coming out soft and breathy. Her lips tingled and her legs were suddenly so wobbly that she almost had to sit back down.
He smiled and shrugged. “Consider it a sneak peek at what you have to look forward to tomorrow night.”
He turned and started down the path toward the palace.
If that was what she had to look forward to, eleven o’clock tomorrow night couldn’t come fast enough.
Sophie thought she had him. Thought she had gotten the best of him this time, but it was all part of the game.
He watched her until she reached her front door. She turned to flash him one last suggestive smile, then stepped inside and closed the door behind her.
He lingered for a moment, then turned and walked back to the palace. The dark clouds had blown over and the sun burned hot in the afternoon sky, but there was a cool breeze blowing in from the coast. A perfect afternoon for a walk. He needed the time to clear his head, get his priorities straight. Get himself back on track.
Affair with the Princess Page 7
