by Day Leclaire
Whatever you want. And make it Lander.
Thank you. She regarded him with sudden suspicion. How did you find me? Joc?
No. He refused to help.
She could be grateful for that much, at least. For some reason their shared amusement had her relaxing enough for her brain to function again. I remember what I was going to say.
Something about finishing? he offered with a slight smile.
She nodded gravely. Finishing things between us.
Excellent. Ill instruct my driver to drop us off at the palace so we can finish what we started last night.
She fought to keep from laughing again. She didnt want to be charmed by him. Yet she was. Utterly charmed. Enthralled. Entertained. Filled with an impossible yearning. It had to stop, and stop now. I meant finishing, as in ending things between us, she clarified.
Why?
The simple question caught her off guard. Last nightIt wasnt meant to happen.
But it did. You wanted me. You cant deny that.
Honesty came hard, but she refused to shy from it. I dont deny it. I wish I could blame it on the moonlight. Or on too much to drink.
It wasnt even close to a full moon. And you didnt have anything alcoholic.
No, I didnt. If only she had, it would be some balm to her pride. I take full responsibility for what happened.
Noble, but unnecessary. Irony laced his words. I seem to recall you werent alone in that garden.
But I let you Shed let him kiss her. Incredible, amazing kisses. And hed touched her. Just remembering had her aching to have his hands on her again.
He studied her, pinning her with a look that had her brain misfiring again. Are you feeling guilty because of Joc?
She blinked in bewilderment. Joc? What does he have to do with this?
He asked for two invitations when I invited him to the ball. I assume he sent the second to you. And Im also guessing he might have had something to do with your designer gown, as well. Didnt you tell me it was a gift?
He didnt know. Relief swept through her. Hed assumed she and Joc were lovers. Her brother had promised he wouldnt tell Lander of their connection, but shed been concerned that the prince might have guessed the truth. She nodded. Joc arranged for both the clothes and the invitation.
Is that why you want to end things between us? Are the two of you involved?
Not the way you mean.
His eyes narrowed in thought. In that case, there can only be one other reason. Its because of who I am, isnt it?
She couldnt hold his gaze. Yes.
Hell. She could hear the ripe frustration vented in that single expletive. Youre probably the first woman Ive ever met who didnt want to have anything to do with me once she knew who I was.
Takes all kinds, she joked.
Explain it to me.
She forced herself to look at him, to be as honest as possible. He deserved no less. I dont like living in the spotlight. Being with you, even for a short time, would mean precisely that.
Been there, done that?
Yes.
With Joc.
He didnt phrase it as a question or ask for a confirmation, so she didnt offer one. Instead, she reached for the door. May I go now, Your Highness?
He gave an impatient shake of his head. Ill take you home. Before she could protest, he signaled his driver. Samson Apartments, he instructed.
How do you know where I live? When he simply smiled, she released her breath in a sigh. Why do I bother asking? Youre Prince Lander, Duke of Verdon. I suppose all you have to do is wave your royal scepter and your every command is granted.
If that were true, we wouldnt be having this conversation. Wed both be in my suite at the palace and youd be gracing my bed.
There was nothing she could say to that, so she closed her mouth and turned her head to stare out the window. The drive through the city was accomplished at a record pace, and in short order they pulled up outside her apartment complex.
I guess this is goodbye, she said, reaching for the door handle.
It is. He paused a beat. If thats what you really want.
We settled this already.
You can leave. He shifted closer and covered her hand with his, preventing her escape. His breath stirred the curls at her temple while his voice murmured seductively in her ear. You can get out and well never see each other again. Or you can stay. Think about it. We can have one evening together before we go our separate ways. No one has to know. I can arrange that. No media attention. No spotlight. Just a man and a woman doing what men and women have done throughout the ages. One night, Juliana.
One night. The insidious words were all too tempting. She could see it, as clearly as though it had already happened. A night shed never forget, held within the arms of a man who filled her with a desire beyond anything shed ever before experienced. Limbs intertwined. Heated flesh sliding against heated flesh. An intimate exploration as soft and gentle as it was hard and fierce. Shed never allowed herself to give in to such basic, primitive demands. For the first time, she wanted to.
Dont, she whispered.
Because youre not interested in what Im offering?
She shook her head. Because I am.
He tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, his mouth following the same path as his fingers. Then why resist?
She fought back a moan. It was an excellent question. Why did she resist? She was far from home. No one knew her true identity. Nor did anyone know about the various scandals in her past. Hadnt she been cautious her entire life, watching every step she took? And even that hadnt prevented her from tripping. Now she had an opportunity that would never come her way again. A chance to seize what she wanted. Have the sort of fling shed never dared indulge in beforenever been tempted to indulge in.
If I come with you, she began hesitantly, what would you expect from me? Where would we go?
I expect nothing more than what youre willing to give. And we can go anyplace youd like.
He interlaced her fingers with his and lifted them from the door handle. She allowed it, realizing as she did so that shed just committed herself to insanity. She didnt know whether to laugh at her daring or call herself every sort of fool. Perhaps both.
Can we go somewhere other than the palace? she asked.
He inclined his head in agreement. Someplace private.
Youre actually allowed privacy?
Allowed? No. But every once in a while I take what I need. His smile came slow and deliberate. And right now what I need is you. Give me a moment to arrange everything.
The entire time he was gone she sat in utter disbelief. What had she done? How could she have agreed to see him again when she knew the potential consequences? Last night she could blame on moonlight and roses, on wanting so desperately to believe in fairy tales that shed behaved in ways she never would have believed herself capable. Now, with a clear, bright June sun shining down on her, she couldnt delude herself any longer. The facts were as black-and-white as a column of numbers. It didnt matter how many times she totaled the figures, the bottom line didnt change. And the bottom line right now was shed just agreed to spend the night with Lander.
Her mouth firmed. So what if she had? Why shouldnt she indulge in a single night of bliss before returning to real life? It wasnt that she deserved it, or had earned it. She simply wanted it. Wanted the fantasy. Wanted the intense pleasure shed shared with Lander to continue a short time longer. She slid her hand over the plush leather seat. For once shed be greedy. Shed put aside all her fears and worries and grab with both hands what fate had so generously provided. As for tomorrow?
She lifted her chin in defiance. Tomorrow could take care of itself.
A few minutes later Lander returned to the limo. Everything all right? he asked.
Perfect.
I was hesitant to leave you alone in case you had second thoughts.
Oh, I had second thoughts. And third and fourth and fifth.
Youre still here.
&
nbsp; She offered a blinding smile. Yes, I am.
He cupped her chin in response. Lifting her face, he took her mouth in a slow, deliberate kiss. She was curious to see what would happen, whether shed react to him the same way as before. To her dismay she found it far different.
Last night shed been lost. Totally and utterly lost. It had been like discovering a glorious private world, filled with beauty of sound and taste, scent and sensation. Shed been intrigued by what shed discovered, but able to explore only the smallest part. Last night shed barely stepped into that world.
Today it exploded around her, everything twice as intense, twice as spectacular, twice as overwhelming. And it left her utterly bewildered. A kiss was supposed to be just a kiss. A sweet joining of lips. A mild physical pleasure. Not this blistering desire that melted all intelligent thought. That had never happened to her before.
Lander reluctantly released her. Were in serious trouble. You realize that, dont you?
We can handle it, she insisted. Did he catch the hint of desperation in her voice? One night. Thats all we can have. After that, we go our separate ways.
Hell, woman. We can barely handle a simple kiss. You think after I make love to you, well be able to walk away from each other?
You promised!
A hint of anger glinted in his eyes. Ive never broken my word, and I dont intend to start now, no matter how much Id like to.
Shed have to be satisfied with that. Where are we going? she asked, intent on changing the subject.
I have access to an apartment on the outskirts of the city. Its a secure location. With luck, no one will discover were there.
To her relief, he was right. The limo pulled into a deserted underground garage and dropped them off by a private elevator before departing again. In less than two minutes the elevator whisked them upward, opening onto a penthouse suite. Lander locked the elevator in place to ensure they didnt receive any surprise visitors, before joining her in the middle of the foyer.
Its lovely, Juliana murmured, struggling to conceal the distressing awkwardness sweeping through her.
Feel free to look around.
Taking him at his word, she wandered from the foyer into a great room walled on two sides with windows overlooking the city of Mt. Roche. Adjacent to that she found a formal dining room with a compact kitchen beyond. Lander didnt follow her. Instead, he took up a stance between the foyer and great room, his gaze on her the entire time. Returning to her starting point she glanced toward the one section of the apartment she hadnt yet explored.
Dont, Lander said.
She looked at him, startled. Dont what?
Its the bedroom. Youre welcome to check it out. He tilted his head to one side. But somehow I dont think youre ready for that.
She wrapped her arms about her waist. Is it so obvious?
Whats obvious is that youre not ready for any of this. He straightened from his stance and approached. If I were less selfish, Id take you home. But I cant. I want you too much. And I think you want me, too.
As nervous as she was, she couldnt deny the truth. You know I do.
If you were willing to give me more than one night, we could avoid tonights dilemma. Wed have the time to take our relationship slow and easy. What do you say? Wouldnt a gradual progression suit you far more than fast and reckless? Wordless, she shook her head and he accepted her refusal with a shrug. In that case, will you stay, or should we end this now?
She hesitated. How could she have thought herself capable of a one-night stand with him? To go into it so cold-bloodedly when shed never indulged in one before. She glanced uneasily across the foyer. If Lander hadnt locked the elevator, shed be over there right now, stabbing at the button, determined to escape. She needed an out, even just the promise of one, so she wouldnt feel quite so much like a mouse caught beneath a cats paw.
She cleared her voice. If this doesnt work
Ill take you home. Amusement rippled through his words and she realized hed been able to read her thoughts as though shed shouted them aloud. In the meantime, no pressure. Ill open a bottle of wine and we can talk.
Sounds perfect.
And it was. They decided to watch the sunset from the balcony off the great room. Lander chose a French Beaujolais that went down as smooth and light as the conversation. He asked about her work with Arnauds Angels, a subject dear to her heart. As they talked and drank, Juliana could feel her tension ease. They finished their wine just as the sun vanished behind the Mt. Roche skyline. The city lights sparkled in the growing darkness, winking up at the stars dotting the velvet canopy overhead.
Lander rose, offering his hand. Are you hungry? I arranged for dinner to be delivered. It wont take long to heat.
She gazed up at him, wishing with all her heart that Lander were an ordinary man, or that she didnt have a past that curtailed any possibility of a relationship. That she were the sort of woman he could be seen with in public. Or he was in a position not to care about propriety or scandal.
Taking his hand, she stood. Thank you, Im starved. I worked through lunch today.
He maintained his stance, his face cast into shadow, while hers was bared by the light seeping onto the balcony from the great room. What were you thinking about a minute ago? he asked unexpectedly.
She regarded him warily. Nothing important.
Did you know that your eyes darken when youre not being honest? He cupped her face, sweeping his thumbs along her cheekbones. The brown swallows up the gold. Tell me the truth. What were you thinking?
That I was sorry we dont have longer than tonight, she confessed.
Thats your choice, not mine.
Trust me when I say I have a valid reason.
Tell me what it is.
Maybe after dinner. He shook his head, rejecting the possibility, and she sighed. My eyes, again?
Dead giveaway.
Joc could always tell when I was lying, too. Now I know why.
Shed made a mistake mentioning her brother, she realized. Landers hazel eyes didnt darken as hers had. Instead they flamed with odd green sparks. He shifted closer, joining her inside the circle of light. It sliced across his face, revealing the fierceness of his expression.
I think it might be wise to leave your boss out of our conversation tonight. His voice scored the balmy dark with a wintry coldness. Unless you want this night to end far differently than planned.
She considered backing down. But it had never been her style. She might be unwilling to reveal her true relationship with Joc or confess to the various scandals in her background. That didnt mean shed allow him to believe she was one of her brothers women. Are you jealous? Is that why you dont want me to mention Joc?
Yes.
Hed surprised her with his honesty. Then allow me to reassure you. He and I arent lovers. Not now. Not ever.
Your relationship is strictly professional? Lander asked dubiously.
No, she admitted. Its more than that, and always will be. Weve known each other most our lives.
Let me guess. Hes like a brother to you.
She couldnt help but smile. Exactly.
I find it impossible to believe theres a man alive who could be around you for any length of time and not want you in his bed. Especially a man like Joc.
Look at my eyes and tell me what you see. Truthor lie?
He took his time, his hands continuing to skim across her face as if he could absorb the information through his fingertips. After an endless minute his mouth curved to one side. Truth.
Is there anything else you want to ask me about Joc? Nows your chance.
Not a thing.
Good. She grinned. In that case, lets eat. I really am starving.
She helped him heat their dinner and carry the meals to the table. My stepmother was quite disgusted that we werent expected to learn any domestic chores, he told her as he thanked her for her help. But my father explained that it would have shocked the staff if we showed up in the kitchens expecting to cook our own mea
ls or the laundry room to clean our clothes. My brother, Merrick, and I got off easy. Our stepsister, Miri, wasnt so lucky. When she joined our family, she learned the consequences of being stepdaughter to a king. Poor thing.
Juliana cupped her chin in her hand and gazed at him across the candlelit table. Why poor thing?
He shrugged. She found it difficult to deal with the restrictions and all the protocol. His brows drew together. Wasnt there a movie a while back along those lines? Something about an American girl who discovers shes a princess and has to learn how to act the part?
I remember it. Cute movie.
Well, Miri lived it. Merrick and I had been trained for our roles since birth. Miri was seven when she came to live with us. It took a while before she fit in. And Merrick and I didnt make it easy for her, either. At least, not at first.
Something in his tone roused her curiosity. What happened to change that?
Landers mouth compressed. Merrick and I overheard someone telling her that she wasnt a real princess. It was true, of course. She wasnt a princess. But I dont think she understood that until then. Ill never forget the expression on her face. It devastated her. From that moment on, Merrick and I closed ranks. She was our sister, if not by birth then by choice, and we werent about to let anyone hurt her like that again. When my father discovered what happened, he adopted her and had her crowned Princess Miri.
What a wonderful thing to do, Juliana marveled.
My father was an amazing man. Landers declaration held equal parts love and sorrow. Not a day goes by that I dont miss him. I can only hope that if Im elected Ill make half the king he did.
Im sure you will.
Thanks for the vote of confidence, but everything considered, it wont be easy. Verdonia is facing some challenging times.
It didnt take much to read between the lines. Ive heard rumors about the amethysts. Theres growing concern that the mines are played out. What will happen if its true? Arent the gems Verdonias economic mainstay?
Well find alternatives to help bolster the economy. Im considering a number of possibilities. Determination filled his expression. It might take a while, but were a strong people. Well adapt.
Juliana lowered her gaze, a puzzle piece clicking into place. Shed wondered why Joc had come to Verdonia. Hed claimed it was to see her, to pressure her back into her old job. But shed had trouble buying that. Now she suspected she had the answer. If Verdonia faced financial difficulties, who better to call in than financial wizard Joc Arnaud?
