In his most reasonable tone, Simon said, “Your Highness, normally I would agree, but allow me to mediate this one. What one says in times of temper is often harsher than what one would consider when more rationally discussing it with one’s advisor.”
“My father needs to respect my wishes.”
“He will, Your Highness. At least, on the matter of where she will be kept. The rest, young prince, is where you need to tread carefully. Your father is a great king, but a king is also a man — and a perfect one has yet to be born. There are things he will not tell you. Things even I cannot. But you must trust me. Your title depends on marrying before you are thirty. This woman or another. It doesn’t matter. Use what little time you have left wisely.”
Xander turned his head to the sound of a door opening in the back of the plane. He nearly dropped his phone when he saw Reanna emerge. She smiled at him demurely, and his heart began to beat double time in his chest. The long red dress clung to her, outlining her slim figure in a sophisticated, yet sexy style. Her hair was pulled back, revealing her long, delicate neck. She was easily the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, but as she walked toward him, teetering on her high heels, she was also the most endearing. He stood, hanging up on Simon absently as he did, and walked toward Reanna. “You look amazing,” he said, taking both her hands while he appreciated the view.
Reanna’s smile widened, and she nodded to the woman behind her. “Charlene helped me choose an outfit. I’m glad you like it.”
He pulled her against him and whispered into her ear, “So much so that if we were alone you would not be wearing it long.”
Reanna blushed deeply, but she looked pleased by his comment. When she met his eyes again, she said, “There were so many stunning outfits, it was difficult to choose. I want to say thank you, but that doesn’t seem enough.”
He kissed her gently and murmured, “You can thank me tonight, when we’re alone.”
She tensed and her eyes flashed with emotion. “I’m not with you for what you can give me.”
He studied her expression for a moment, then said, “You wouldn’t be here if you were.” He ran a light finger across her forehead. “Tell me, what is really bothering you?”
She chewed her bottom lip. “I don’t know what to expect. I guess I thought we were going to be in your country for a few days. But that’s a lot of clothing for a short trip. Is there something you aren’t telling me?”
“Come,” he said. “Let’s discuss this when we are once again seated comfortably.” He led her back to their seats, choosing his words as they went. “There are some things you should know about Rubare Collina and your visit there.”
She swallowed visibly and her eyes rounded. “There are?”
“Yes, and hopefully what I am about to tell you will not upset you.”
She let out a shaky breath. “Are you already married?”
He shook his head and chuckled. “No, but there are aspects of my single status that we need to discuss.”
She gripped the arm of her chair again. “I’m listening.”
“Rubare Collina is a monarchy. The royal family is still the active government, not merely figureheads. Because of that, my title comes with responsibilities and expectations. The moment you step off the plane and onto my country’s soil, you will be held to certain expectations.”
“Are you worried I’ll say something embarrassing? Because I’ve already planned to say as little as possible. I’m not good in public situations.”
He took her hand in his and raised it to his lips, kissing her cold fingers. Her earnest honesty made him wish he could be as transparent with her. That, however, was not a luxury he had. “You can say whatever you wish, but even I choose my words carefully when in public. It’s the price one pays for a title. No, what I need you to understand is that in my country princes normally wed by the age of thirty.”
She met his eyes cautiously, waiting for him to explain himself more.
“I am twenty-nine and eight months.”
She shrugged one shoulder in an awkward expression of her confusion and continued to watch him without comment.
“As the first woman I have brought back to my country, your presence may immediately be interpreted as a significant announcement.”
“You mean people will think we’re getting married?” Her mouth rounded in the most adorable circle of surprise.
He kissed her hand again. “They may.”
“But we just met.”
“They won’t know that.”
She looked away, then back. “So, what do you want me to do?”
He placed her hand on his thigh and said, “Enjoy your time with me. Let me worry about what others say about us. They don’t matter. What happens between us is our business, and only our business. You’re a single woman who will be staying publicly with a prince. There will be talk even I will not be able to silence.”
The worry left her expression, and she reached up and touched his face gently. “You’re worried about my reputation?”
His jaw clenched as he spoke as much truth as he could. “I need you to understand there may be consequences of being with me that will be beyond my control.”
Tucking a loose curl behind one of her ears, Reanna nodded. “I think I understand. I see how royals are treated in the news. I don’t care what they say about me, Xander. Don’t laugh, but being with you is giving me a confidence I never had. I’ve spent a lot of time worrying what others thought about me, but now I see I gave them a power over me I never should have. Thank you for taking me on this trip. No matter what happens, I’m already grateful you want to show me your country.”
When Reanna looked at him with such open trust, Xander gripped her hand tightly. He felt his heart opening to her, and it concerned him. Love could come later. He must not allow emotions to confuse him. Her life now depended on him, and he had precious little time before she would be asked to declare her loyalty to him and his country. “Nothing bad will happen to you, Reanna. I swear that on my life. But there may come a time when you will have to trust my judgment over your own.”
Reanna let out a shaky laugh. “That’s intense, but don’t worry. This is your country; I’m okay with following your traditions.”
“Good,” he said, although he knew Reanna would likely not be as accommodating if she knew what she was actually agreeing to.
Chapter Eight
Reanna stood beside Xander on a pristine beach in front of a summer home that could only be described as a castle. Arriving in Rubare Collina, leaving the airport in a motorcade lined with paparazzi, and then seeing the enormous and elegant room she would share with Xander felt like a dream — a crazy, wonderful, wild dream she didn’t want to awaken from.
One of his house staff was finishing lighting candles on a table that had been set up on the already darkening beach. “Are you hungry?” Xander asked.
Reanna waved at the table before them. “It would be a waste if I weren’t, wouldn’t it? Someone went to a lot of trouble already.”
He shrugged. “Eat if you’re hungry. Don’t if you’re not. My staff is merely trying to anticipate our needs.”
Reanna looked again at the table and the surrounding area, which had been prepared with such care. “You didn’t ask them to do this?”
He took a moment to study what was before them. “If I have to ask, they aren’t performing their duties.”
Reanna chuckled then realized he was serious. “You’re a spoiled brat,” she said.
He pulled her unapologetically to his side. “I am a prince.”
“Well, prince or not, you live a pretty amazing life. Don’t forget to stop and be grateful for it now and then.”
He frowned down at her, but not with displeasure. “You are refreshing with your honesty, Reanna. That’s one of the many things I enjoy about you.”
She rested her head on his shoulder and sighed. “I’m not like this with everyone. Usually I keep my thoughts to myself. It’s safer that way.”
He turned her to him and wrapped his arms around her waist. “What you endured, Reanna, has made you into an incredible woman. I knew that from the first time I laid eyes on you. You are brilliant, humble, and much more beautiful than you realize. It took me less than a moment to decide I had to
have you. Be proud of who you are.”
Reanna smiled up at him. “I would tell you you’re pretty amazing yourself, but I’m not sure your ego could handle more feeding.”
He kissed the tip of her nose. “Careful, impertinence to royalty is a punishable offense.”
She laughed. “Would you toss me in a dungeon?”
He kissed her lips softly. “No, my bedroom would be a more appropriate setting for what I have in mind.”
Their eyes met, and Reanna forgot everything except how she felt when he looked at her that way. She felt young and sexy. It was a giddy feeling that had nothing to do with where they were or who he was. His eyes burned with a primal need to claim her, and it called out to a part of her she’d never known existed. She wanted to be his, however and wherever he wanted. He bent to kiss her neck, and she said, “I know I said it would be a shame to waste the table that was set up for us, but I’m not hungry.”
He pushed the strap of her gown aside, kissing the shoulder he’d exposed. “I am, but only for you.” He picked her up and carried her along the path and up the steps to the castle. If his staff was still in attendance, they made themselves invisible as Xander carried her into the main foyer and down a long hallway.
Reanna couldn’t resist. She pulled his head down slightly so she could reach his mouth with hers. He stopped walking and kissed her deeply. That’s all it took to send a wildfire through Reanna. She arched against him, feverishly running her fingers through his hair while his hands worshipped her roughly. She was his, here if he wanted. All sense of time and location disappeared as heat rushed through her, bringing every inch of her exquisitely alive beneath his touch.
He was lost in her. She was lost in him. Reanna vaguely registered that he’d moved so her back was now against the wall as they feverishly began to unfasten each other’s clothing. When his mouth closed over one of her breasts, loving her through the thin material of her bra, Reanna threw out an arm beside her and accidentally knocked a painting off the wall. It crashed to the floor with a loud sound that surprised them both enough that they paused and looked down at it.
