by Allen, Jewel
And that is when she stopped her brain from going into overdrive, feeling foolish. His past didn’t matter. Only that he loved her in the present.
“Ready to see your room?” Jay asked.
“Oh, I couldn’t possibly,” she said.
“Couldn’t possibly what?”
“Live in the master’s house.”
“Unless the master invites you.”
“Just think, Jay, what would your mother think?”
His mouth twitched. “Let her think what she wants,” he said. “I really don’t care.”
Nina came out into the hallway, and it was obvious, by her intake of breath and hurt expression in her eyes, that she had heard his words. Talia hated being a wedge between mother and son. She liked Jay a lot, maybe even loved him, but to have to endure his mother as part of the package deal was enough to make her want to bolt.
“I could stay in the jockeys’ quarters,” she offered.
“Absolutely not,” Jay said. “I’ve been over there, and there’s hardly privacy for women.”
“But she is a jockey,” Nina said.
“Mother, I’m sorry about what I said earlier. I do care what you think, but I’ve already made up my mind, and Talia is my guest.”
Nina’s expression could have frozen a budding fruit tree. “Suit yourself, son,” she said. “You’re the master of your destiny now. You can do what you want and have anyone you please in your house. But I would ask, in deference to the sensibilities of my friends, that you please not openly flaunt your relationship with…her.”
“I’m not sure what you mean by that,” Jay said. “You mean no public displays of affection?”
Talia felt a blush come on as a result of all this crazy talk involving her.
“Yes,” Nina said. “Or coming in and out of your rooms, smooching―”
“Don’t worry, Mother,” Jay said. “My libido isn’t that crazy.”
Finally, Nina left them alone. They looked at each other, smirking.
He pulled her close. “Since my mother worries that you and I are going to kiss every five seconds, maybe we should give her something to talk about.”
“Jay,” Talia said, giggling.
His laughter turned more subdued, until he was staring at her as though he was seeing her, really seeing her, for the first time.
Her heart pounded, a noise coming together like the waves of the sea engulfing her senses as his lips grazed hers. She parted her lips and allowed him to tease at her until her hunger grew and she felt greedy, wanting more of him and his taste and touch.
With a quick intake of breath, he pulled her close, tipping her head for access, as though she knew nothing else but his kiss and the feel of his muscular body against hers.
He held her close, whispering her name.
“Mmm?” she said.
“Would you like to have breakfast with me tomorrow?”
“You mean just the two of us?”
“Yes, just the two of us.” His gaze made her breath catch in her throat. “Somewhere special.”
Dazed, she said, “Where?”
One side of his mouth lifted. Like a mischievous boy. “It’ll be a surprise.”
“I need to breeze Eula in the morning, but I should be free.”
“I know you just got here, but you will need an overnight bag.”
“Overnight! I can’t be away---”
“I’ll have you back in the evening.”
“The race is this Friday!”
“You know the stable has some excellent grooms. Larry can keep working on Eula.”
“Rascal…?”
“Will be well taken care of.”
Her eyes narrowed. “What are you thinking of, Jay?”
Several minutes later, Talia gasped when the Maserati pulled into the airport, next to a jet outlined by sunset. She turned to Jay, trying to tamp down a squeal. “Boston?”
“No, somewhere even better.” His eyes glinted. “Mondragón.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Talia stretched in her bed, blinking up at the orange glow in the airplane window.
Airplane window?
She sat up, remembering where she was. Throwing back her sheets, she smoothed down the beautiful nightgown a flight attendant had supplied her with after the luxurious bath―in a bathtub in a plane―the night before, and then she ran to the window. They had left Kentucky at three the afternoon before. It was still midnight there, but the sun was rising here.
Over Mondragón.
Delicious anticipation filled her.
Her head swiveled at the sound of the knock on her plane cabin door. She glanced down at her nightgown, relieved it was modest, slightly above her knees, and said, “Come in.”
“Hi,” Jay said, adorable in pin-striped pajamas. His eyes lingered over her hair, her face, and the length of her nightgown, and he swallowed visibly before raising his eyes back to hers with a heated gaze. “I just wanted to give you a heads up that we’ll be circling down soon.”
“Okay,” she said, leaning against the wall as she inexplicably felt faint.
He muttered something and then marched over to where she stood, pulling her into a kiss.
She rose on her tippy-toes so that she could encircle her arms around his neck. Drowning in the exquisite sensation of being cherished by this man, this prince, she clung to him and gave herself over to his kisses.
When he released her, she wasn’t sure if she was up, down, sideways, or which continent she was on.
“I’ll have you know,” he whispered, “on scout’s honor, I was going to wait to kiss you until you were ready for the day.” He buried his fingers and face in her tresses. “But how could I possibly resist you, standing there outlined by the sunrise like an angel? I’m glad you let me come in.”
“What, and have me miss out on seeing you in your jammies?” she teased.
She luxuriated in the feel of the aforementioned jammies under her caress as he kissed her at least three more times. She was starting to lose count.
With reluctance, he let her go. “I’d better let you get ready. You can’t make your grand entrance into Mondragón in a nightgown.”
“Grand entrance?” she squeaked.
He smiled. “Don’t worry; I’ll be with you every step of the way.”
***
Talia twirled in the yellow sundress that magically appeared on her bed after she stepped out of the shower, and which perfectly fit her. After she blow-dried her hair until it shone, she put on a bit of makeup to build her confidence.
Smoothing her skirt down as she turned this way and that in the full-length mirror, she didn’t recognize herself.
She felt like an impostor. She wanted to jump back into her daily uniform of muck-stained jeans and cowboy boots. Her sandaled feet seemed oddly overexposed, pale compared to her sun-bronzed arms. But it was too late to change. An attendant knocked and announced it was time to disembark from the plane.
Jay broke off in mid-sentence as he conferred with George, presumably about the day’s schedule. His eyes drank her in as she approached. He lifted her hand and kissed it, as she would expect any swoon-worthy prince to do.
“Beautiful,” he said.
“Thanks.” Her cheeks warmed. “For the dress too.”
“I have George to thank,” he said, clapping his secretary on his back. “Good job. Oh and, George, would you please help Talia navigate protocol?”
“Of course, Your Royal Highness.”
Protocol.
Apprehension tightened Talia’s stomach. She craved more details but decided against asking. She figured she would find out soon enough.
Jay had only partially told the truth. Being with a prince arriving at his principality off the coast of Spain “every step of the way” didn’t quite turn out like that.
“Unless a guest is of noble birth, you must walk behind Prince Jamal,” George told Talia.
Talia laughed, but George remained serious. “It’s mo
dern times, George,” she said, her smile wilting. “Surely your country doesn’t espouse such a quaint tradition.”
“Oh, yes, we do,” George said.
“No, we don’t,” Jay contradicted from the opening of the plane.
Talia raised her eyebrow as he approached her.
“Well, we do,” he said, tucking her arm in his, “but I shall break with tradition, as of today.”
As Jay escorted her out of the plane, her step faltered. The beauty of Mondragón overwhelmed her senses. The heat here wasn’t as humid or cloying as Kentucky. Just perfect, in the eighties, she suspected. Maybe it had something to do with the cooling ocean breezes.
She could see the wisdom in her sundress. As the sun bore down on her, she felt like she was on a vacation she didn’t want to end. Lush mountains rising into the mist surrounded the airport.
Talia told Jay, “Your country is beautiful.”
He patted her hand. “And you haven’t seen any of it yet.”
Two rows of sharp-looking soldiers in blue regalia saluted the couple. It was all so glamorous, walking between the two lines of officers and having press people take her photos. She climbed after Jay into a limo, right into his waiting arms. George sat in the front passenger seat with the driver.
“You know this isn’t fair,” Talia said as the limo whisked them to wherever Jay’s surprise awaited.
“What isn’t?” Jay nuzzled Talia’s ear as he held her close.
She protested feebly. “I can’t think when you do that.”
“I do it so you can’t think.”
She gave up the fight, snuggling against his gray jacket and inhaling his heady masculine scent. “Anyway, it’s not fair for you to do all this. I might just fall madly in love with you or something.”
He stroked her cheek. “It’s working, I hope?”
“A little.” She turned serious. “Jay, this can’t last forever.”
He kissed her knuckle. “What won’t?”
“This glamorous life. Tonight, I’ll be back to being Talia the jockey.”
He smiled. “I think you look glamorous in your jockey outfit. Like a wild equestrienne.”
“You’re being silly,” she said. But she returned his smile.
“You really should just enjoy the moment, Talia.” His eyes glowed. “Just be present. With me.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Jay delighted in Talia’s exclamations of pleasure as the limo transported them through the highways of Mondragón. She sat with her face close to the window but still within touching distance of Jay.
And, boy, did Jay love to touch her. Her hand, her arm, her hair, her waist. He still couldn’t believe that this woman was returning his affection. His love.
Stormy’s death was sad, of course, but Jay was glad he had been there for Talia. The horse’s passing had served as a catalyst for their deepening romance.
In the past two years, Jay seldom came to Mondragón in the spring, as it was usually racing season. He had forgotten how gorgeous the wildflowers strewn in orderly chaos looked along the shoulders of the road.
Talia gasped. “These flowers are out-of-this-world! I thought the Mediterranean was dry and sunny.”
“Sunny, yes,” Jay agreed. “But we have our springs. Again, a gift from our volcanic geography. You will notice that this place resembles more of Hawaii than Italy. A microclimate in and of itself.”
“I wouldn’t know about Italy,” Talia said. “But I can imagine Hawaii. Coconut trees and all.”
“We have palm trees but not so much coconut trees. And as for Italy…” He squeezed her hand. “I’ll have to take you there sometime.”
“Mmm, that would be wonderful.” She leaned against him, and he circled his arms around her waist.
“How about tonight, for dinner?” he murmured, nuzzling her neck.
She turned and punched his shoulder playfully. “Stop this crazy talk.”
“I’m not entirely joking,” he said.
“Nuh-uh,” she said. “You promised to take me right back. I can’t afford to take too much time away from Eula.”
He sighed. “Workaholic.”
She leaned once again and let him hold her. He told her about the history of the island, from its Moorish beginnings. “That’s how I got the name Jamal,” he said. “After a Moorish ancestor. Legend had it that he was a knight in the king’s service and he slew dragons. Well, at least he was painted that way.”
Her eyes glowed. “Wow.”
He straightened out his fingers and showed her his ring. “That’s why we have a dragon on our crest.”
“Is that why the island is named Mondragón?”
“Precisely.”
She glanced at him sideways. “Do you have brothers and sisters?”
“Four brothers. All younger than me. I hope you get to meet them someday.”
She fanned herself. “Four brothers, all good-looking like you?”
His pretended to scowl. “Now, don’t get any ideas.”
She chuckled. “Are any of them married?”
“No. Armando is the second oldest, and he’s kind of a wild bachelor, sowing his oats.”
“Does that mean…?”
“Well, not that he’s fathering children that we know of or anything. Just more of a daredevil. He’s actually out of the country right now, visiting Mongolia.”
“Why Mongolia?”
“Who knows. I’ve given up trying to predict what crazy thing he’s going to do next.”
She smiled. “He sounds just like your opposite.”
He sighed. “Someone’s got to be the responsible brother. After Armando, the next brother down is Diego. He plays professional soccer for Barcelona.”
She whistled. “No kidding. I bet he has a lot of female fans. I mean, a billionaire prince who also plays professional soccer?”
“He’s pretty popular with the ladies, I guess.” He shrugged. “We have strict royal protocol overseas, though, and he needs to abide by them, especially in Spain since they are a close ally. He knows not to break too many Spanish hearts, or he’ll be banned from the sport.”
“Are you breaking protocol with me?” she asked.
He smiled. “All the time.”
“Okay, so that’s two brothers.”
“My two youngest brothers are twins, both creative. Felipe is the sensitive one. He’s off to art school in Italy. Alvaro couldn’t be more different. He’s an aspiring rock star.”
“Wow. They all sound intriguing.”
“Actually,” he continued, “there’s a fifth one, Mateo, but my father disinherited him a few years ago. He’s technically the second oldest brother, between me and Armando.”
“What did he do?” she asked.
He didn’t answer for a long moment. When he did, his arms squeezed her tight. “It’s a long story,” he said. “Someday, I’ll tell you.”
“I hope to meet them all,” she said. “Well, the brothers I could.”
Observing her wistful expression, he made a mental note to not introduce any of them to Talia until after they were engaged.
***
Talia got slightly carsick as the limo drove up a winding road to the top of a hill.
“We’re here,” Jay announced.
“Where’s here?” she asked, glancing around at what looked like a parking lot.
The chauffeur opened the door, and the air around the limo swirled. Above them, a helicopter began to land. She shot Jay an incredulous glance and then ducked with him as they made their way to board.
“This is a pretty elaborate breakfast date,” Talia said, speaking into the microphone of her headset once they were seated. “You do this for all the girls you date?”
He shook his head. “I’ve pulled out all the stops for you.”
She gave him a skeptical glance. “I’m sorry, but I find that hard to believe.”
“Well, all right,” he conceded. “I’ve dated other girls before and have taken them to fa
ncy places. But I swear, this is the first time I’ve ever orchestrated a breakfast…show…like this.”
She cocked her head. “Where are we going?”
His eyes glimmered. “You’ll see.”
The helicopter rose, following the contour of a cliff, and then emerged above a plateau which sloped down into a green valley.
Right over horses. Hundreds of them.
The horses took notice of the helicopter and began to bolt in a spectacular show of power. Although Talia couldn’t hear them over the din of the helicopter, she could imagine the echoes of their hooves thundering below. Her chest expanded with joy as she watched the beautiful creatures move.
Talia turned misty eyes toward Jay, her fingers flying to cover her mouth.
“They’re all wild,” he said, his eyes shining with pride.
She didn’t say anything, just tightened her fingers over his and turned back to watch the equine exodus.
***
Talia struggled with her emotions as Jay pulled her chair out for her and she got seated at the breakfast table. He had spoiled her for whoever else would date her someday. No one could ever top the experience he treated her to in the helicopter, or now.
Eventually, the helicopter had landed on a small plateau. Near the edge of this flat formation, a table laid out for two waited for them. There were scones and jam, cakes, cheeses, fruits, and fine slices of meat. Cakes of various flavors, meats, and different kinds of juices and milk.
A man with a chef uniform waited on them.
Talia was supposed to be on a strict diet for her weight, but she indulged. “I’ll have to work out extra hard later today,” she said as she sampled a bite of an exquisite omelet.
But the most amazing thing about breakfast was the view down below them―hundreds of wild horses with flowing manes and tails, grazing on vividly green pasture. The scene looked like one straight from a fairy tale.
“What kind are they?” Talia asked as she broke off a piece of cheese and popped the savory morsel in her mouth.
“A strain of the Andalusian.”
“Which explains their manes and tails,” she observed. “They are beautiful.”
From that vantage point, Talia could also see little villages surrounding the valley.
