Page 34 of The Prince's Game
“I told you about my mother and what my father did—does—to her. I grew up listening to her tears through the door. She never wanted to see me or my sister, Mia, because we look too much like our dad. Wyatt wasn’t really hers, so that made sense, and Will came to live with us when he was ten, which was well after my mother gave up on living.”
I didn’t open my eyes. It was too dark to see him. “That must have been hard on all of you.”
“It was hardest on Mia. My father refused to acknowledge her, and my mother was never there for her. The company, as well as the Mershano Estate, was given to me. They gave Mia a hefty inheritance and told her to move out whenever she wanted, so she did. She used some of the money to go to college and medical school.” The pride in his voice warmed me inside. “She’s an infectious-disease physician on assignment in Uganda. Her fellowship ends in December. I don’t know what she plans to do after that, but she’s ambitious. You would like her.”
“Sounds like it.” From the way he described it, Mia was the shunned one of the family. Yet she was making a life for herself and changing lives. I was in awe, and I hadn’t even met the woman. “I’d like to meet her someday.”
“I can arrange that.” He rubbed my back in hypnotic circles that had every one of my muscles relaxing in response. If I were a cat, I would be purring. “I’m not against the establishment of marriage on principle, but I’ve never been interested in pursuing it for myself. Mershano Suites is not an easy empire to manage. I’m always traveling, I hold meetings at three o’clock in the morning, women all around the world throw themselves at my feet, and the media is a constant presence. What kind of life would that be for a spouse? I can’t give any of it up, and there would always be the fidelity concerns. The Mershano name is notorious thanks to my father’s immorality. I’m not marriage material.”
I considered how to respond and opted to repay his honesty. “Sounds like you don’t have the energy to try.” I thought the demands my job placed on me were tough, but he was in a whole different ball game.
“A crude assessment, but accurate.” His flat tone told me he didn’t appreciate myassessment.
“I didn’t mean to offend you, Evan. I wouldn’t have the energy either. Hell, I barely had the energy to manage a relationship because of my job at Stern and Associates. You’re on a whole different playing field.” I palmed his cheek and kissed him. It was my way of showing I understood and didn’t judge him for it. I wanted to get married someday, but it wasn’t for everyone. And as far as reasons for not being interested in a long-term commitment went, his were better than most.
He returned the kiss, his tongue tracing the seam of my lips to request entrance. I acquiesced and let him push me onto my back. It was a lazy mating of mouths, both of us tired, due to the late hour, but not exhausted enough to sleep. He balanced on his elbow while the other hand ran up and down my side. His stirring erection against my thigh was contrary to his tender kiss. He made no move to take things further.
“Good night, Sarah,” he whispered against my lips. He folded me into his arms, my head going to his shoulder.
“Good night, Evan.” Sleep claimed me, pulling me into a dream that would never become reality.
18
The House Key
“A creepy tour? Seriously?” Leanne wasn’t on board with our post-dinner plans. She spent the last hour trying to convince Evan that a trip to Bourbon Street would be more entertaining. Paul’s responding grin indicated he put her up to the task of changing the prince’s mind.
Evan lifted a brow. “Afraid?”
“No, I think it’s a little dumb.” The svelte woman gave him a dubious look. “Dinner was great. Romantic, even. But a night tour of a graveyard? Not so much.”
I thought it was a great idea. New Orleans was alive with an electric vibe that danced across my skin, making a spooky evening all the more alluring. Cemeteries in the dark with flashlights?Yes, please.
“You’d prefer to go to the bars instead?” The sexy lilt Evan used with the locals during dinner was lost to his business tone. The man could flip between accents better than anyone I’d ever met. He spoke French the day I worked in his office and then used the Louisiana drawl on our group date and again tonight, but fell into a deep tenor in private. It was obvious he had formal training, and he applied it in every situation.Could the man be any hotter?
“Well, yes. I like all the live music, and maybe you’ll want to give me some beads.” Leanne toyed with the auburn curl bouncing above her breast and gave him an enticing smile. The grin he returned wasn’t flirtatious or happy, but the lanky girl didn’t seem to notice. She batted her light eyes at him. “Please?”
His shoulders fell as he stared down at her. “You’re more than welcome to go to the bars, Leanne. When you’re done, Joseph or someone from the show will be waiting for you with a car to take you home.”
Her full lips parted. “Home? As in, back to Maine?”
He nodded. “Yes, I don’t think this is working out between us, sweetheart. You’re a gorgeous woman, and I’ve enjoyed getting to know you, but this whole experience is about finding my future wife. And I’m sorry, but I don’t see that happening between us.”
My hand went to my mouth. I expected it. There was no other way for the evening to end, but I couldn’t believe he was doing this in front of me. He was graceful about it, and the pain touching his sorrowful gaze told me he hated hurting her. It made me feel worse for him than the teary-eyed redhead. He put his arm around her shoulders and walked away with a startled Paul and cameraman trailing behind them.
I stayed by the restaurant doors, where the remaining minions taped my reaction. They wanted me to say something, but I couldn’t. What was there to say?Well, that just happened.
Evan returned with his hands in his pockets. The black slacks and button-down combo were hot, but I missed the sexy jeans. His lips curled into a small smile. “Sorry about that, but I had to be honest. I hope it didn’t ruin our evening.”
“No, of course not. You had me at cemeteries.” Everyone watching the show would think I was crazy, but I didn’t care. This was my kind of date.
His chuckle was affectionate. “I had to pull in some favors for tonight, so I’m glad you approve. Most of these places close at five.”
“Are we meeting a guide?”
“Sure.” He laced his fingers with mine and led the way. “Yours truly.”
“Really? You’re my date and tour guide, huh? Mixing business with pleasure?”
