Page 40 of To Catch a Prince

She was hiding something. Rhey’s gaze made it clear that he was aware of it and intended to find out exactlywhat.

“Well,” Vincent said, feeling like their welcome had passed, and, besides, he very much wished to be alone with Talia now, “let us leave you to the rest of your night. There’s much to do tomorrow, and allthat.”

“Vincent?” Rhey called. His brow was stern, but a small smile teased his lips. “We won’t expect either of you to surface till late on themorrow.”

Good.

22

The Peace

Talia was exhausted,physically and mentally. Still, she had the sense to ask, “Where are we going?” when Vincent took the wrong turn, once they’d reached the familywing.

“My apartments,” he repliedsimply.

“Oh.”

She bit herlips.

“Where we shall both sleep,” headded.

She giggled nervously, avoiding his gaze. Naughty thoughts had been plastered on her face, nodoubt.

“I certainly intend to give you cause for all that blushing. Later. You’retired.”

He said it like her being tired meant that he’d have her sleep, and, no doubt, when she was hungry, he’d see her fed, and when she was sad, he’d do his best to make hersmile.

Vincent Vasili was everything one might wish in a man, and she wished she had the gall to tell himso.

When they reached his room, she found that she belonged here. There were dark wood furnishings and red curtains and bedding. One wall was covered in books, another one, with paintings. Someone had left a violin on abench.

“Youplay?”

“Badly, and never in public,” hereplied.

“You’ll play forme?”

She didn’t quite word it like a question, possibly because she knew the answer already. A nod. “I’ll play for you. Now get in bed, before I change my mind and decide to keep youup.”

She half wished he would. Self-conscious throughout the ordeal, she worked on the ties of her dress and finally let it drop on the floor, thankful she’d worn her pretty new lingerietoday.

“You could pretend to look elsewhere,” she admonished Vincent, who was shamelessly gazing ather.

“Oh, Talia. Trust me when I say Icouldn’t.”

She hid under his covers. “Where shall I lie? Might you have a favorite side of thebed?”

“Whichever one you’llpick.”

It was his turn to get undressed and she now understood why he hadn’t looked away. Watching him remove each piece of clothing made her ache, want, desire. She bit herlip.

“Come on, little temptress. You’re tired, so, for now, let us go tosleep.”

His joined her, and, as promised, invaded her side of the bed, his strong arms caging her in, cocooningher.

Fading, she wondered how she’d ever slept any otherway.

Talia wokeup in the way she wanted to be awakened the next day, the day after that, and again, each morrow until the end of time. Noises she hadn’t believed herself able to make came out of her mouth. She wondered if she’d died and had reached the high heavens, until she opened hereyes.

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