Wedded for His Royal Duty (8 page)

Which was why he couldn’t.

He turned to the photographer and said, “Sorry, bud. You’re going to have to work for that shot.”

His driver pointedly opened the limo door.

The photographer cursed, but Alex didn’t care. He handed Eva into the car and followed her into the backseat.

But he chastised himself as he walked her to her apartment. One simple kiss would have put an end to the bounty and the speculation. And it wasn’t like he would have gotten carried away. Not in public. Not in front of a member of the press.

So why hadn’t he just kissed her?

She stopped at her door. “Tonight was fun.”

“You’re a natural at blackjack.” Plus, it wasn’t as if he wasn’t ever going to kiss her. He had to kiss her at the engagement party, after their first dance. It was tradition. And, now that he’d made an issue of it, it could be awkward.

He should kiss her right now, a quick, chaste kiss so he’d get used to the feel of her mouth. Then at the engagement party, he could kiss her with ease, some photographer would catch it, the bounty would be lifted and that would be the end of that.

“My family has a high math aptitude.”

Her answer drifted away into thin air and the hall in front of her door grew quiet.

His chest tightened. This was it. The moment. He could swoop in, give her the quick kiss that would get him accustomed to her, and swoop back out. No big deal. No problem.

But she looked up at him with her pretty blue eyes and his breath froze.

She ran her finger down his tie. “Want to come in for a minute?”

And there it was. The reason he couldn’t let himself kiss her. She might be getting better at flirting, but all he saw was innocence. Sweet, wonderful innocence that she deserved to keep, to save, for the right guy.

He took a second to take in her pretty face. Her full lips. Her pert nose. Those striking eyes. He didn’t exactly want to commit them to memory, but he might want to remember this, to remember that there were good people in the world who definitely deserved protecting. Even from him.

He turned and walked away, calling, “Good night,” after him.

But the truth followed him down the hall to the elevator, nagging him.

He refused to acknowledge it.

So it forced its way into his brain one more time. She really was the kind of woman a man fell in love with. But he was not the kind of guy to fall in love. Love hurt, so he’d never be that vulnerable, that honest again.

And even if he tried, at some point he’d pull back, pull away, maybe even sabotage a charade she needed.

* * *

Eva watched him go, disappointment like a vise around her chest. She turned, opened her door and walked into the echoing foyer of her apartment.

So he wouldn’t kiss her? It was no big deal.

Except that she wanted him to. She was getting in all kinds of flirting practice, and that was good. But this longing whooshing through her when she was around him wasn’t about the practice she needed for when she actually had to find a husband. She just wanted him to kiss her.

He’d kissed every woman within kissing age in his country, and he wouldn’t kiss her. It was embarrassing. Demoralizing.

It made her look at her wardrobe the next morning, toss anything that her mom might borrow and order seven really sexy blouses from a local shop, including an especially pretty one for their date that night.

But he broke their date, reminding her that this was a ruse.

“I got to thinking that maybe we’ve been out a little too much if photographers are so bold with us.”

“We’re engaged,” Eva said. “We’re supposed to be together all the time.”

“Not really. Everybody knows this is an arranged marriage. I think we might be taking it one step too far. In fact, it might be good if the press saw me out alone.”

“Alone?”

“I used to go out all the time. Now it probably looks odd that I’m always with you. This will make it look like you’re not going to change me.”

“That’s stupid.” But she felt a ring of truth to it. As if he’d said it as a message to her. Which made no sense. They hadn’t even kissed for real. What would make him think she needed even more confirmation that he didn’t like her?

“I think it will be very good for me to be seen at the casino, gambling with friends, but not flirting. Then the press can talk about how I only have eyes for you, instead of speculating on why I haven’t kissed you in public.”

Eva said, “Sounds great,” but pulled in a slow breath as she disconnected the call.

Alex Sancho was the first man in her life to make her laugh and make her long to be kissed.

And he didn’t want her.

He didn’t have to spell it out. Didn’t have to say the words. He didn’t want time apart to give the press something new to speculate about. What he wanted was not to have to kiss her...or to be bored with a woman not up to his usual standards.

She set her cell phone on the dresser, sat on the edge of her bed and put her elbows on her knees and her head in her hands.

She had to get hold of herself and force herself to remember this was just a ruse, or she was going to end up getting the heartbreak she’d managed to avoid for the first twenty-five years of her life.

CHAPTER SEVEN

T
HE
NIGHT
OF
the engagement party, Alex walked to her apartment to retrieve her and her mother, feeling more confident than he had since this whole business started. Now that he’d reminded himself that he wasn’t the kind of guy to fall in love, and she deserved the chance to save herself for the right guy, he’d also realized he’d probably made too much of their kiss in the stable.

So it was hot? He’d had hot kisses before. He was fine. He’d very easily be able to kiss her after their first dance tonight. Not just because it was tradition. But because they’d be on the dance floor, surrounded by hundreds of guests. He could give her a nice, chaste kiss and no one would care because that was what was expected. And that would be the end of it.

Including that stupid-assed bounty.

He walked up to her apartment door. Though she was expecting him, he remembered the last time he’d entered her apartment without knocking, and he tapped twice before he stepped inside.

When he saw Eva in another yellow gown, he had to clear his throat. Visions of her in the yellow lingerie filled his head, but he told himself she was just a woman, like every other woman. Nothing special.

“You look lovely.”

“Thanks.” She did a quick, flirtatious turn. “You like the gown?”

“It’s—” sexy, tempting “—exquisite.”

He could actually see himself loosening the laces in the back of the dress. He could see himself kissing her senseless. Taking what he wanted.

His breath stuttered in then wobbled out.

He had to stop this. He was ruined for love, a man who lived behind walls and didn’t want emotions, and she’d saved herself for a prince. A real prince. His brother might not have married her, but some decent guy would. Somebody would love her beyond reason. Somebody would love her the way she deserved to be loved.

And he would act accordingly.

He escorted Eva and her mom to the assembly area outside the back door of the ballroom. Rose raced over and straightened the white flowers in Eva’s hair. “Oh, my, my, sugar. You give new meaning to the word beautiful.”

Karen puffed up. “My daughter is going to be the perfect bride.”

Alex watched his dad’s eyes soften and knew exactly what the king felt. Eva was regal, yet sweet.

King Ronaldo took her hands. “You would be a welcome addition to any family.”

Alex’s heart bumped against his ribs. His father knew Eva was in on their ruse. She was being protected, not getting married; and he was subtly telling her that her day would come and that some family would be lucky to get her.

Just not the Sancho family. Not Alex.

His chest tightened. His stomach hollowed out. He’d already worked his way through this. So why did hearing his dad say it make him want to punch something?

They entered the ballroom in a grand procession that became a receiving line for guests.

When her uncle—a short, thin man with a manicured beard and beady brown eyes—walked up to Alex’s father, the king was gracious and polite. “Prince Gerard.”

Gerard bowed. “King Ronaldo.” He looked past Rose to Eva and Alex. “And who have we here?” In an unprecedented display of disrespect, he stepped around Rose, took Eva’s hand and kissed her knuckles. “You will be a beautiful bride.”

Beside Alex, Eva stiffened. Alex joined her in her feelings of distaste. He’d rather be exchanging fists than pleasantries with this pasty little man, who looked like King Mason but certainly didn’t have his class.

Eva bowed. “Prince Gerard.”

He glanced around. “This is a spectacular place for a wedding.”

“The entire kingdom is spectacular,” Eva said, smiling when Alex wanted to choke the little man.

Gerard laughed. “More beautiful than Grennady?”

“Nothing is more beautiful than Grennady,” she replied, still smiling. “But you should stay in Xaviera a few weeks and enjoy the sun.”

“With your father gone and you getting married, there’s no one else to head parliament.”

Keeping her smile in place, she cocked her head. “My father isn’t gone. As far as I know, he’s on vacation.”

“With a mistress.”

“Whom he has not married because he’s still married to my mother. With no divorce, he’s still king. It’s my understanding he receives his daily updates the way he always has, and he’s ruling as he’s always ruled.”

Alex swallowed a laugh.

“Well, it’s assumed that with such a public display he’ll be getting divorced—”

“You know the saying about what you do when you assume,” Alex said, surprised his answer was so civil, but desperate to get the evil little man away from Eva.

As if reading his mind, Dom was suddenly at his side. “Luckily, your kingdom is wonderfully peaceful, and it’s easy for a king to take a few weeks’ vacation,” Dominic said, drawing Gerard away from Eva and Alex. “I don’t believe you’ve met my wife, Prince.” He pointed at Ginny. “This is my beautiful bride, Princess Ginny.”

Alex breathed a sigh of relief. Eva glanced down, straightening the full satin skirt of her gown, but he felt tension pour from her in a dark wave. Normally, he hated politics, but he’d take on the devil to protect Eva.

The receiving line lasted an hour. Standing behind the podium at the main table, Alex’s father made introductions and a few comments about the engagement and wedding, and dinner was served.

The evening went well, smoothly, until it was time to dance their first dance as a couple.

Still brooding for her over the audacity of her uncle, Alex took her into his arms, and caught her gaze. Everything she’d felt as her uncle had greeted her was there in her sad blue orbs. Yet she’d kept her cool. Done her duty. Not let on that she knew Prince Gerard had put a price on her head.

She was a strong, wonderful woman. Like no one he’d ever met. And maybe that was the problem. She wasn’t just another woman. She was Eva, a princess, someday a queen. But very much a woman.

He took a step, then another, then another, gliding them into the waltz he’d chosen, their eyes locked, his entire body vibrating.

She glanced around nervously. “You look like you swallowed a lemon. Please, try to at least
look
happy, even if you aren’t.”

He forced his lips upward, but only with great difficulty. “You should want to punch your uncle.”

She laughed. “You think I don’t?” She paused to smile at the crowd as he twirled her around. Then caught his gaze again. “There are times to act on feelings and times to pull back. This is a time to pull back.”

“You’re right.”

There was so much more going on in this situation than just how he felt. He might be her protector, but she was correct. There were times to back off. To be wise.

Wasn’t that what he was doing with her? Being wise. Not letting himself get involved with her personally—to protect her?

Of course he was. It was why he would give her a soft, chaste kiss at the end of their dance. He was strong enough, smart enough, to protect her from him.

The last note sounded and faded away. He raised their clasped hands, presenting her to the crowd. Then he stepped forward and delicately took her chin in his thumb and forefinger, tilting up her face and letting his mouth fall to hers.

When his lips met the softness of hers, she hesitated before lifting them to answer his kiss. The one-second pause spoke of her innocence and reminded him of every good and pure thing about her, every reason he had to want her.

But he knew he couldn’t have her.

Just when he began to pull away, her lips brushed his, eagerly as if she were starting some kind of romantic overture, but she didn’t finish the kiss. She pulled away.

His breath caught at the mere thought of her trying to seduce him.

Their gazes held.

Warmth and confusion coursed through him.

Then she smiled and presented her hand to him again. He took it and bowed as she curtsied.

They left the floor amid a round of applause. Guests spilled onto the space in front of the band for dancing as Eva’s mom hugged her fiercely. Then Rose hugged her. Then Ginny. Then Dom. Then the king himself embraced her.

Pulling away, he took her hand. He kissed it. “I have never seen a more beautiful first dance.”

Feeling oddly left out, Alex said, “I was there too.”

Rose caught him in one of her Texas-sized hugs. “Oh, sugar, you were divine, too.”

But he wasn’t.
She
was.
Eva
was. She was small and beautiful and cultured—a future queen.

Who turned him on like no one ever had before.

Something totally foreign rumbled through him. A need so strong, so powerful, the fight he waged to stop it went beyond anything he’d ever had to do around her.

It was ridiculous. They’d had two stupid kisses. One he instigated to prove a point. And the engagement dance tradition kiss that he’d started and she tried to finish but she’d stopped too soon.

He’d recognized days ago that he’d made too much of that first kiss, and maybe that was the problem? Maybe if they had one normal kiss, he’d see there was nothing different about her.

The small crowd of family had swallowed her up, as if protecting her, and perhaps they were. At least Alex knew Dom and his father were.

He managed to wiggle his way through the crowd and tap her shoulder. She turned, her face flushed. Her smile radiant.

“I think you and I need a minute together.”

“Sure.”

Preventing her from getting away from him or getting sucked into another vortex of well-wishers, he grabbed her fingers, and wove through the happy dancers with her. He walked her down one corridor, turned left and walked her down another. At the end of that hall, he opened the French doors and led her into a private garden.

Before she could say a word, he caught her by the shoulders and pressed his mouth to hers. This time there was no hesitation. No innocent pause. This time, her lips lifted to meet his.

Good. This was what they needed. A real, honest-to-God kiss that would prove to them both they were nothing special.

He deepened the kiss, nudging her mouth open with his tongue, and she responded. He pulled her closer. She slid her arms up his shoulders and looped them around his neck. Her breasts nestled against his chest. Their tongues twined—

Need exploded through him. His heart rate tripled. He ran his hands down her bare back and luxuriated in the silkiness of her skin before he realized he was in deep, dark trouble. Her kisses weren’t innocent. They were greedy. And made him hungry for everything he knew she wanted to offer.

Kissing her hadn’t accomplished what he’d set out to prove. He might have even made things worse.

He broke the kiss and bumped his forehead against hers. “Sorry.”

“No woman wants a man to say he’s sorry he kissed her, Alex.”

The way she said his name caused a jolt in his stomach. Brought a fresh avalanche of desire. They’d shared so many secrets, spoken so honestly because of the ruse, that there was an intimacy between them now that made him feel he had a right to her.

“But I am sorry.”

“Because you don’t like me.”

He pulled away, looked into her eyes. “Because I do like you. I like everything about you. Including the fact that I can be me with you. There’s never been any pretense between us.”

Her eyes studied his. “That’s good then.”

“No. It isn’t. You’re someday going to find the right guy. I don’t want to screw that up for you.” He tried to step away, but she caught his hand, stopping him.

“I know all this confuses you, but I sort of like
you
.” She shook her head fiercely. “No. I don’t sort of like you. I really like you. A lot. Including the fact that I can be
myself
with you.”

“Don’t say that.”

Exasperation trembled through her voice. “
Why not?
”

“Because I’m not the kind of guy who’s going to fall in love. And if you’re as smart as I think you are, you know that.”

To his chagrin, she laughed. “How do you know you can’t fall in love?”

“If you have to ask, you don’t know much about me or falling in love.”

“Alex, every day I like you a little bit more. Even when you make it clear you want nothing to do with me, I have no control over this feeling that just keeps growing no matter how much I tell it to stop.”

He shook his head. “And there it is. The difference between us. You’re new. Innocent. The very fact that you can’t stop those feelings shows how different we are. I know how to put the brakes on those feelings. Love’s hurt me a time or two.”

“And you don’t want to get beyond your hurts?”

“It isn’t a matter of
wanting
to get beyond the hurts. It’s a matter of having almost twenty years after my mom’s death to become cool, pragmatic. I learned a lot of tricks to make it look like I’m having fun and in the game, when really I’m not.”

“But you fell in love with Nina.”

“And got hurt again. All falling in love with her did was prove to me that I didn’t dare let my guard down. I don’t share secrets. I don’t tell anybody my dreams. Somewhere in here...” He rubbed his chest. “There’s a ping that happens that warns me when I’m getting too close. And it stops me.” He caught her gaze. “It’s stopped me with you a million times. You’ve noticed some of them. Some of them have hurt you. This isn’t something I’m going to grow out of or change. I’m a lot harder, a lot colder, than even my dad.”

“You talk like a guy who thinks he knows everything, but maybe you don’t.”

“And you talk like a woman with stars in her eyes. A woman who is going to get hurt. And I won’t let it be me who hurts you.”

“I see.”

“Look, we have another few weeks of this, then you’re going to go back to Grennady, and I’m going to go back to who I was. You’ll get so busy you’ll forget me as much as I’ll forget you. Unless we do something stupid.”

Her face scrunched in confusion. “Something stupid?”

“Like get carried away. I’d say make love, but for me it would be just sex and for you it would be more. And you’d be devastated when I walk away at the end of this thing. So let’s just keep things the way they should be. Light. Fun. Nothing serious so we can both get out of this with our sanity.”