Page 104 of Duty and Desire

My stomach churned at the thought.

I recalled our first days together, when I’d shown him the sights, a job I was used to. But with hindsight, I’d gone out of my way to ensure Gio enjoyed his experiences.

Had I known even then how special he was?

“Nick!”

I jerked my head up. Claudia stood in front of my desk, her hands on her hips, her eyes sparkling. “I’ve called your name three times.”

“I’m sorry. My mind was elsewhere.” I smiled. “Don’t let Daniela hear you calling me that. You’ll get a lecture on royal protocol.”

“She’d better not, because I’ll tell her where she can shove her protocol.Withoutthe aid of lube.”

I smothered my gasp with my hand, doing my best not to laugh.

Claudia tilted her head to one side. “Were you thinking about a certain dishy writer?”

“Was I that obvious?” Gio was never far from my thoughts.

Unfortunately, neither was Karoline. She would be returning to the palace within five days. It was mean-spirited of me to even think it, but I was dreading it. During the past few days I’d felt able to relax without constantly worrying about keeping her away from Gio.

The ball loomed, however, and they’d have to meet there.

I frowned. “Where is Gio, by the way?”

“Grabbing his jacket. I said I’d take him into the city. It’s market day. I thought he’d like it, seeing as all he’s seen of the city so far is the view from the taxi, and the inside of the palace walls.”

I recalled the idea I’d had the day he arrived. My heart pounded.

“You don’treallywant to spend hours walking around the market, do you?” I asked in as persuasive a tone as I could manage.

Claudia narrowed her eyes. “What alternative are you cooking up? Because youarecooking up something. I know you.”

“I’lltake him.” My breathing quickened.

She blinked. “You? Go down into the city? Why would—” Then she stopped, her eyes widening. “Ooh. I get it.” She smiled. “He’s all yours. Will you be taking Franz too?”

I chuckled. “The idea is to be incognito. I can hardly do that with Franz attached to me.” I grinned. “I’m sure you can come up with some other activity for the two of you.”

Her eyes gleamed. “I’m sure I can too.” Then she hurried to thedoor. “Gio will be by the main door in five minutes, so you’d better move your Royal ass, Your Majesty.”

She was gone before I could threaten her with a night in the dungeon.

Five minutes later, I was ready. It took Gio a second or two to realize who was hidden beneath the hooded jacket, the dark discs of glass obscuring any glimpse of my eyes. I felt the sneakers were a nice touch.

He gaped at me. “And where areyougoing in that getup?”

“With you.” The words came out with a breathlessness I didn’t recognize.

Gio’s jaw hit the stone floor. “You can’t. Someone will see you.”

“So what?” I moved nearer to him, until he was tantalizingly close. “My mother used to do this. She loved visiting the markets in disguise—huge hats, wigs, sunglasses….” I chuckled. “What made it all the funnier was that everyone knew exactly who she was. They didn’t bother her, though. I think they loved her all the more for it. I went with her most of the time. She had so much fun being among the people. She told me she felt as though she was one of them.” I gave him a beseeching glance. “Say yes, Gio. Do it for me.”

For a second I wasn’t sure how he’d react. Then a warm smile set his face aglow.

“Okay. Let’s do it.”

I knew my reasons for accompanying him weren’t solely because of my memories: the prospect of having him to myself for a few hours made my heart dance.

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