Page 9 of Forbidden Prince
Kristin looked up at the prince who was clearly into her. Renee backed away, but then saw Marco walk in with anotherman.
Marco stopped mid-stride the moment their gazes met and straightened his shirt collar. Antonio made introductions, as if she and Marco hadn't met yet. "Kristin, Ms. Brown, meet my brother, Marco. And this is his friend, VictorAmadeus."
Renee saw the sparkle in Marco's gaze when she bowed her head. "YourHighness."
Marco stepped closer to Renee and placed his hand on her back. "None of that." Her head shot up and she stared at his strong profile. His hand gently rubbed the silky fabric above her tailbone. "I'm the spare of the spare and my title is just a formality. You are both royal guests of our house and I expect you to call meMarco."
Of course, he hadn't mentioned their secret kiss. The secret made it hotter. The air around her hummed with energy. Kristin asked, "How is yourfather?"
"Getting better," Antoniosaid.
"Good." Renee clasped her hands so that she wouldn’t reach forMarco.
Antonio spoke in a cultured voice, "Kristin, I was hoping you were free forlunch?"
"She's free!" Renee answered for her friend. Maybe the date with Marco might start earlier. She should probably clamp down on her enthusiasm, but she couldn't helpit.
"Renee..." Kristin started but then turned to Antonio. "Yes, I'd love togo."
Good. Renee wasn't being a bad friend because her libido was out of control near Marco—Kristin wanted to get to know Antoniobetter.
"My mother has invited you both for a formal family dinner," Antonio said. "She's offered her assistance in ensuring that you're properlyattired."
"The dresses—thank you." This was like adream.
Marco whispered, "Would you like to get out of here and spend the day with me? I can take you through the mazeoutside."
"Absolutely," Reneeanswered.
Without another word, Marco escorted Renee toward the patio area. The lush green of the garden complemented the slow-moving silver-blue river. Far off in the distance majestic mountains with white peaksloomed.
Marco's friend, Victor, walked out of the side door without a goodbye. What was hisproblem?
Before she could ask, Marco said, "The afternoon sun makes your hair shimmer with gold. You are beautiful,Renee."
A sultry laugh escaped her throat. Renee pressed her back to the panel door while he leaned against the other. She wasn't a good flirt in a crowd, but Kristin and Antonio had already left the balloon. She heard the lock of closing doors. "You're normally surrounded in pictures by truly gorgeous women, but thank you for thecompliment."
"Renee." He offered his hand. She took it and energy coursed through her. He lifted her fingers to his lips. "I don't notice most of the women around me. You sparkle like a star in the night sky that guided me home in anotherlife."
"Now that is poetry, though a little outrageous." She sighed and reached out to fix his slightly crookedcollar.
He wrapped his arms around her waist. "Do you likepoetry?"
"It's like seduction, I think." She stopped pretending with his collar. Instead she pressed her hands to his rock hard chest and prayed he'd kiss her again. Her lips tingled formore.
He traced her back, holding her gaze. "Seduction is an interesting word coming from an innocent schoolteacher."
A slow smile curved on her lips. He must have asked his brother about her because she hadn't told him her profession. "It's not like I'll be packing you in my suitcase to bring home. Are you going to call parents of students I've not met yet and tell them I'm flirting with a sexyprince?"
His right eyebrow lifted. "So you are flirting withme?"
"Absolutely."
His lips covered hers with masculine heat that made her weak at the knees. He'd help her forget rules and lists and just live in the moment. He pulled her closer and she could feel the outline of his desire. "We could go to my room and order room service and skip themaze."
Even one night would be worth it. So when she married someone her parents approved of, she could close her eyes and remember this, remember him. She squeezed his shoulder in agreement. "Now that sounds like aplan."
He took her hand and led her upstairs. No one saw them or interrupted their progress. They passed a green hall that was similar to the blue one near her room and went through a large oak door. She was inside Marco’s royal chambers. The four-poster wooden bed must be hand-carved, she noticed, the blue and white comforter soft and inviting. She swallowed and heard the door close behindthem.
