She laughed. “I cannot believe myself.”
He could tell she didn’t totally believe him. He didn’t totally believe himself. But he was trying his hardest to keep his personal feelings for her separate from his business aspirations. Her father, now, he was a different story. Tehan as well.
They anchored in a small inlet of crystal blue water. The ocean floor rested forty feet below them, but he saw all the way to the bottom as though it were a mere meter down. Music started from the inboard speakers. Trent enjoyed Tess’s surprised smile. Then he held out his hand. “Dance with me.”
She reached for him, and he pulled her close, swaying to a beautiful, slow jazzy number. The brilliant blue of the Mediterranean stretched out before them. The sun was warm, but the breeze kept them pleasantly cool. Her skirts flowed around them. And when she rested her face up against his chest, he never wanted the morning to end. His arms seemed made to hold her just as she was.
She stepped closer, the air between them magnetized, and she lifted her chin as she stared into his face. “This is too nice, too fun. I’m in danger of shirking all my duties and running away with an American.”
He laughed. “Would that be so bad? I know many a person who ran away with an American only to find great happiness.”
She rested a hand at the side of his face. “The American isn’t the problem. It’s the shirking.”
“Ah, yes, the shirking. Well, we’ll have to do something about that.”
“Oh? And what do you suggest?”
“I’m all about productivity, am I not?”
“It appears so.”
“Why can we not run away, so to speak, and still get all our work done?” He could tell she wasn’t convinced. “Right now for example. We took a perfectly needed and advisable break for mental health. But while we are breaking, could we not also run numbers or work through your next hurdle?”
She thought about it for a moment. “Of course. But not yet. I find I’m enjoying the shirking too much to jump right into business.”
“Ah, but the business is where my fun begins.”
She ran her finger in circles over his chest. “But surely not all your fun.”
He swallowed, his muscles flexing. The air around them was suddenly very warm. “No, not all my fun.” He pulled her closer. “This, for example, has nothing at all to do with business.” He ran his hands around her back and held her close. The only thought that danced around in his mind was the mystery of what her lips tasted like and how to find a way to cover them with his own. He tried to toss the thought aside, tried to push through to something else, but she seemed to be thinking the same thing.
Her hands ran up his chest in burning paths of yearning. She wrapped her fingers around his neck and lifted her chin, searching his eyes, his face. She took her fingers and ran paths ups through his hair at the back of his neck.
Her eyes were deep pools of curiosity, adventure, and yearning. He let his gaze travel over her face like a caress, loving her with his eyes, wanting more than anything to put his mouth over that little dip above her lip.
Her dimple showed itself, and he moved his gaze to her sparkling eyes. Then she parted her lips. He could wait no more. He lowered his mouth to hers, and the softness of her lips pressed around his, responding to his gentle exploration. All too soon, he paused. “Is this okay?”
She nodded and lifted her mouth to his again, this time with greater urgency. Everything in him fired in response. As her own kisses became faster, more earnest, pressing and pulling at his mouth again and again, he was carried away in desire, oblivious to the boat, the water, or even the weather.
He submitted to her ministrations, to her urging, and responded with a greater intensity, until, out of breath and shaking with need, he pressed his forehead to hers. “Your Highness.”
She laughed. “What?”
“I am yours to command.” Never had he been brought to such a state. She could have required anything of him, and he would have jumped to respond.
A drop landed square on his head. Then another, and then the sky opened up as sheets of water poured down on them.
“What!”
“Let’s get below.” He motioned towards the hatch. They slipped as they made their way to it. He lifted the shiny metal handle, and she clambered down the narrow staircase.
He secured the hatch above him and followed her. His staff handed them each a towel, and he led the way to an open living room with a long, comfortable couch full of pillows. “Please sit. I’ll have the cook make some tea.”
Tess used the towel on her hair and grabbed a blanket.
He sat beside her, wrapping another blanket around them both. Music started. The muffled sounds of the anchor rising and the engine starting, as well as the sails and rigging lowering disappointed him. They were heading back to the marina.
He laughed. “I didn’t even see the clouds come in.”
“Nor I. Something was distracting me.”
“Is that so?”
She nodded up against him.
“Tessandra.”
She turned her brilliant eyes and her fully kissable mouth up to him.
“Beautiful.” He ran his thumb down the side of her face. “Beautiful, brilliant, powerful.”
She shook her head. “But not the master of my own life. That’s how powerful I am.”
Now that he’d tasted her lips and been completely bewitched by her, he couldn’t believe there wasn’t a way they could be together. “Talk to me.”
“My parents wish for me to marry someone of their choosing. It’s important for our country that certain alliances are kept and maintained. Or new ones created.”
His blood boiled at the thought. The very idea that she might be with another man had him resisting a juvenile outburst. “What if they meet me?”
She laughed.
His irritation burned at her immediate dismissal. “I’m not without influence myself, you know.”
“Obviously. But they’re looking more along the traditional lines. Prince marries princess sort of thing.”
“So I’m living in a modern-day fairytale?”
“Don’t those typically have happy endings?”
“I’m fully planning on ours ending happily.” That was bold. He forced himself to stop talking while he considered his words. What was he saying? He didn’t know her well enough to jump into a happily ever after, but he did know he could never step away without at least trying. “Who?”
“What do you mean who?”
“Who’s the prince they want you to marry?”
She shook her head.
“What? You can’t tell me?”
“That’s a very bad idea.”
“So, it’s a better idea that I live in suspicion of all royalty?”
“Yes.”
“You really won’t tell me?”
“No. I won’t.”
“I’ll find out soon enough, you know.” He’d already heard talk of her and Prince Tehan, but he wanted to hear her say his name, to watch her face when she said it.
“Perhaps.” She lifted his hand in her own. “I don’t regret any of this. But I should. It was incredibly irresponsible of me. But, Trent, I wanted to taste freedom. I wanted to, for once, move forward as my own desires dictated. Kissing you felt as delicious as I imagined it would.”
He leaned forward to remind her just how delicious it had been, but she shook her head. “We cannot behave this way. You will see me with other men at dinners, dances, and all manner of things set up by my father. It will all seem so duplicitous.”
“I know it means nothing. Because, when you look at them it will never be the same way you look at me.”
“Trust me,” she insisted. “We can be friends and nothing more.”
Frustrated, he leaned his head back. “Of course. I am, as I said, at your command.” He sat up again. “But know this. I am not bowing out in defeat.”
“Oh, I know. Never in a million years would I think you to be one
to simply bow out. That is why we should never have kissed.” But her eyes spoke an entirely different story, one of hope and desire and adventure—freedom. He chose to believe her eyes over her words.
“And one evening, when no one else is around, perhaps we can sneak in another kiss or two.”
She started to shake her head but then lowered her eyes. “I can refuse you nothing.”
“Then we are of one mind. I can’t refuse you either.”
“A dangerous place to be.”
“Not at all. We will be smart about it. Even now. Let’s talk business. What can we work through on our return to the club?”
They talked for an hour of her concerns, and she bounced all her ideas off of him. He asked important questions. And, by the time they arrived in port, she felt strong, capable, and confident in her efforts for the Regatta.
As she stood to say goodbye, he said, “I have plans this evening. But can I call you later?”
She nodded.
“Until then.” Watching her walk away and climb in her limo outside the gates, he could only be pleased. No matter what logic fought against his happiness, no matter that he’d heard her say she would be promised to someone else soon, he could only feel hope. What other option did he have when the fire of her kisses still flowed inside him, when all he wanted to do was kiss her senseless or listen to her talk—either one would fill him with only more desire for the same.
Chapter 7
Tessandra dressed carefully. She would meet her father and Tehan in the lobby in twenty minutes. She knew her father’s expectations for her as a princess. But she also did not want to give Tehan any hope of her returning feelings. Perhaps he sought a love match and would step away from the proposed union if he suspected she was not in favor of it. So, she dressed precisely and sensibly.
The elevator opened out onto the lobby. Her father and Prince Tehan had arrived. She took a moment to watch them. Everyone around them noticed their confidence, their bearing. They were regal. As they should be. She was very proud of her father. His reign as king had been one of the most prosperous and secure monarchies the country had ever known. He worked hard even in his early seventies and never seemed to tire. She’d often see him think of something to aid one part of the country or another and take an old familiar notebook from his pocket to make a note or two. For his country, he was always available.
She hoped to one day rule in just such a way. So as she watched the two men waiting for her, she was equal parts hopeful and rebellious. For just as she wished to please her father, she wanted nothing more than to throw his whole arranged-marriage plan into his face.
As she stepped out into the main lobby area, Trent joined them. She stumbled to a stop. They were shaking hands as old friends might. What was happening?
He glanced over his shoulder at her. He knew she was there. He stood taller than Tehan and was eye level with her father. The power in the lobby had just amped up so much she wasn’t sure how anyone could miss it.
And they didn’t. The three men caught everyone’s eye.
Trent stayed with them, conversing as if they’d been expecting him, and so she squared her shoulders, held her head high, and glided across the floor.
“My fleur.” Her father held out his hands as he greeted her. His affection for her and her mother always surprised people. Especially those intimidated by him. She kissed his cheeks. “Hello, Father.”
She placed her hand at the crook of his elbow.
He patted her hand. “Look who we will be dining with. You know Tehan.”
She nodded. Her whole body tingling in awareness of Trent at her side. She held a hand out for Tehan.
He shook it gently with a subtle pressure, his eyes searching her own in a way that told her she would need to converse with him, discover his desires and see if they matched her own.
“And this is Trent Hudson of Link Capital. He has also graciously agreed to meet us for dinner.”
“Link Capital?” She turned her whole attention to Trent, who she was amused to note had pretended not to know her. “The Link Capital?”
He nodded. “I am honored you have heard of us. And doubly honored for the opportunity to offer my services. Your father knows I have long thought that our business and productivity principles would match the needs of governing rulers.”
She nodded her head and held out her hand. The zing of electricity arced between them as his eyes sparkled. He lifted the corner of his mouth. “It is my pleasure to meet with the current and future rulers of Pantos.”
“The pleasure is mine,” she replied.
Then she turned to Tehan. “And how are things on Milandro?”
He seemed pleased to be addressed, and she needed a break from the intensity of Trent’s attention. Tehan moved to walk at her side, while Trent stepped to the other side of her father and immediately engaged him in conversation.
Tehan was pleasant. And handsome. She might have one day been attracted to him if she hadn’t met Trent. But next to Trent the whole world dimmed. She turned to watch him with her father. They seemed to share the same halo of energy. As they talked, the excitement in their voices only grew the fire between them, and she thought they would all soon be consumed.
Tehan cleared his throat. “I’m pleased to see you again.”
“I as well. How are things?”
“We had a very productive year of olives, but our oranges are suffering. Of course, they’re nothing like those in Valencia, but we did hope to enter the market as more of a leader this year.”
She nodded, comfortable discussing their shared concerns over problems of state. She offered her condolences. “Was it the sudden dry spell?”
“Possibly. We are looking into possibly increasing fertilizer, some natural methods. We have not given up. Olives have always been our number one export. If we can add oranges, I will feel more comfortable in our ability to stay current and marketable as a nation.”
They talked more of their countries’ interests, and she began to the see the wisdom in a shared leadership of their two island nations. They complimented each other well and would improve productivity on both sides.
Tehan spoke in a hushed tone. “I do hope an alliance between our nations will prove to be equally beneficial on both sides.”
But though the prince’s tone was hushed, Trent responded. “I’d love to take a look at the numbers for a proposed merger. Sometimes at face value things appear more profitable than they eventually will be. We can look at long term as well as short term projections.”
Tehan bristled, but Tess jumped at this opportunity. “That sounds intriguing to me. A merger is not something I would venture into lightly, of course.”
Did she catch a sparkle in Trent’s eyes when he turned away? She certainly caught a slight stiffening of Tehan’s shoulders, and was that amusement in her father’s face?
Trent held her door as she stepped into her father’s limo. As she passed him, his hand brushed hers and she warmed at his presence. Though full of questions as to how he had managed such a thing, she could only feel grateful he was with her. And she wondered how he might help her in coming talks about a union between Pantos and Milandro.
When they had all settled in their seats, Tehan leaned forward. “So, Trent, do you have a pick for tomorrow’s race?”
“Naturally Pantos has my vote, though I know Italy is favored. They’ve won every year but last.”
“It was to Milandro that they lost last year.”
“Oh ho. I have the two major contenders with me right now in this limo?”
Her father laughed good-naturedly. “Yes, but we never let such things dictate pleasant dinner conversation. Even if one of us is picked as the favorite to win by every major news source.”
“And one of us won by such a large margin last year, fans are finding it hard to see how anyone else stands a chance.” Tehan smiled, but there was a glint in his eye. Interesting. Just how competitive was he?
Trent seemed
to pick up on it, too. He studied Tehan for a moment and then changed the subject. “So tell me, Tessandra, what did you study at university?”
Strange how they knew so little about each other. “I studied business and then got my MBA.”
“Did you, now?” Trent looked unreasonably pleased, as though her course of study had been chosen specifically to make him happy.
“Yes, our Tessandra has been nudging us for years to apply more principles of business to our governing.”
“She’s a smart woman. Well before her time.” Trent leaned back. “Once all the other nations pick up on the importance, it will become the new norm. Until then you have an opportunity to lead out. Sounds like Tessandra is clearly heading in the right direction already.”
Her father patted her shoulder. “She planned this year’s Regatta, the gala, and the events leading up to it.”
“And I’ve seen not a wrinkle. I knew right away an expert had her hands in its management.”
Was he laying it on too thick? She looked from her father to Tehan. They both seemed as pleased as Trent to praise her.
She smiled. “Well, I thank you. It is not an easy task. Perhaps I might reach out to you from time to time if problems arise?” She almost laughed at their repeat in conversation.
“I’d be happy to assist in any way I can.” He made a small bow. “I am at your command.” The heat that accompanied those words rushed through her so quickly she had to look away. Images of their kiss flashed across her mind.
Tehan frowned. “Surely you have things in hand already at this late hour.”
“Oh certainly. But it cannot hurt to have an expert on call.” She smiled at Tehan, and he could only nod in return.
“Certainly.”
They arrived at the restaurant in the middle of Plaza de España. “And here we will have some of the best choice selections from our dear Mediterranean.”
“Paella del mar. One of the many reasons I adore coming to Spain.” Trent’s amiability, his open smiles, and his approving reactions quickly placed him as a leader in their conversations.
Tess watched, amazed as he began to lead even her father along in conversation. The king carried the utmost respect for Trent it seemed, that much was obvious. And because of Trent’s kindness, praise, and respect, her father was easily led.
Her Billionaire Bellboy Page 5
