The Irresistible Royal Page 17

  ‘I’m inviting you. Gabriel is one of my closest friends. You’d be very welcome.’

  ‘Not only do I feel unable to face airsickness right now, but I really don’t want to attend a royal wedding.’ Especially one that would be packed with the relatives of the woman Marco loved.

  ‘Hypocrisy isn’t worthy of you,’ he levelled at her. ‘You’re being prejudiced against people because of their titles. Don’t you think it’s equally as bad for you to judge people based on titles as it is for Wycosta to deny people employment on the basis of their ethnicity, gender or disabilities?’

  The accusation found its mark. There was no denying she was displaying prejudice on the grounds of social rank, so she admitted to it. ‘You’re right. I’m sorry.’ Speaking firmly to herself as much as to him, she said, ‘Obviously it’s something I’m going to have to get over. I promise I’ll try to work through it.’

  ‘You’ll have to,’ he said. ‘You can hardly be prejudiced against your own son or daughter because of a title.’

  He definitely had a point. But would this child be a prince or princess if she and Marco weren’t married?

  ‘I’d like you to meet my friends.’ His tone was gently insistent. ‘My family will also be at the wedding. We’re very close and I want to tell my parents, as well as my brothers and their wives, about you and the baby sooner rather than later.’

  She gritted her back teeth, knowing it was news she couldn’t expect him to keep from his family and friends. The real problem was how long could he keep the news from the rest of the world? If he was going to have a role in their child’s life, it would be impossible to keep the news under wraps forever.

  ‘I don’t expect you to keep this from them, but I’m not ready to meet them.’

  Instead of ranting and raving at her, he accepted her decision. ‘Gabriel’s wedding is in two days. I have to fly to Santaliana tomorrow morning. If you change your mind, all you have to do is call me.’ He reached in to his jacket pocket and retrieved a card. Handing it to her, he said, ‘This is my direct number. Call me any time—day or night—about anything. If you don’t come to Santaliana, I’ll see you when I’m back in Napa on Monday.’

  ‘You’re truly coming back here so soon?’

  ‘I’m moving my base of operations here for the short-term. I want to be close to you and our baby, and if you don’t want to come to London, then I’ll base myself here.’

  It was unbelievable. How could the CEO of Europe’s most prestigious bank base himself in Napa? Surely his move wouldn’t be sustainable?

  Learning of his plans was more than she could absorb at the moment. ‘It’s late. Thank you for driving me home. I’d better get myself off to sleep.’

  Marco was out of the car in a flash, and she’d barely removed her seatbelt before he opened the door for her and she levered herself out of the vehicle.

  A heartbeat later, she was in his arms and he coaxed her lips apart, kissing her with such sweet persuasion that her arms went up around his neck and she held him instinctively, returning his kisses because it was what she wanted to do. It was the only natural course of action she could contemplate and it was infinitely preferable to thinking.

  Desire curled through her. It made her body soften against his, made her limbs heavy, and moistened her feminine core with her need for him.

  His hands smoothed over her hair, ran along her back, traced the curve of her bottom and drew her closer so she had no doubt as to his physical attraction for her.

  The tip of her tongue darted boldly into his mouth, seeking his tongue and teasing it until they both moaned with pleasure and unquenched need.

  It was impossible not to want him as her lover—impossible not to take everything from him that she could on a physical level. It was sheer, frustrating hell when he ended the kiss and rested his forehead against hers as he tightened his hold around her.

  Looking up into those mesmerising green eyes of his, she said, ‘We’re both playing with fire.’

  ‘I didn’t fly all this way to play. This isn’t a game and I have no intention either of us will burn, except in the most pleasurable way.’ His lips brushed against hers in a brief caress. His tone was light, but his words were deadly serious as he told her, ‘I’m giving you advance warning. I want to win your trust and convince you to be my wife and I have no intention of failing.’

  Hadn’t he admitted once before he wasn’t a person who’d ever tolerate failure?

  ‘Take your time over the weekend to come to terms with this, Chloe. I’ll see you Monday.’

  One more divine kiss. This time it was so searing, it fried her brain and overloaded every sense.

  ‘I’ll see you to the door,’ he said.

  Oh God. ‘No need,’ she rushed, unwilling to take the bet on her own self-control, because she might initiate another kiss at the front door then reach out and grab him by shirt to haul him up to her bedroom.

  ‘Until Monday then, cara.’

  Even as he left, he planned his return invasion. Here she was surrounded by the safety and security of her childhood home, but she’d never be free of Marco. If he intended to be involved with their child, their paths would continually cross. As if that wasn’t bad enough, he was determined she’d be his wife. Worse still, there was a rogue part of her questioning why she was objecting so strongly—especially the part that wanted him back in her bed.

  Bloody hell. What a mess.

  Chapter Thirteen

  ‘Are you absolutely certain?’ Gabriel de la Croix asked Marco. ‘Damien’s confirmed the vasectomy’s reversed itself?’

  Marco nodded. He hadn’t planned to unburden himself to his friends—particularly the night before Gabriel’s wedding—but over their glasses of cognac at the castle at Santaliana, the whole story had come tumbling out to Khalid, Gabe and Gabe’s brother, Devereaux.

  ‘That’s fantastic news,’ Gabriel said. ‘Eden was so upset when she found out you had the procedure.’

  ‘Obviously she loved you and wanted to be your wife, but she hadn’t wanted you to make such a huge sacrifice,’ Devereaux added.

  Marco knew it. ‘I still miss her.’ It was the truth, but he’d been thinking far more of Chloe than Eden lately. Guilt dripped through him. ‘We all miss her,’ Khalid agreed. ‘But she would’ve wanted you to move on.’

  Gabe cleared his throat. ‘The more relevant discussion is how you feel about being a father.’

  ‘I’m happy,’ Marco admitted, ‘but I have this enormous guilt that I’m betraying Eden—that I’m going to enjoy a child she couldn’t have with me.’

  ‘Marco.’ Gabriel’s stern tone had Marco looking at him. ‘As much as we miss her, Eden’s gone. She’d want you to move on with your life.’

  ‘She’d be delighted you’re going to be a father,’ Dev confirmed.

  He knew Eden’s brothers were right.

  ‘You’re certain Chloe’s baby is yours?’ Khalid asked.

  ‘She’s insisted on a paternity test, but I believe she’s been totally innocent in Lidia’s schemes. I want to marry her to make a stable family for our child. The problem is, she’s so far removed from being interested in my fortune or title she sees it as a negative.’

  ‘She’s refusing to marry you?’ Devereaux sounded as stunned as he looked.

  ‘Yes.’ Marco’s laugh was self-derisory. ‘I’ve proposed marriage twice in my life and neither woman threw themselves into my arms and agreed to marry me. Doesn’t do much for my self-esteem and it blows my original theory out of the water that Chloe was a gold-digger.’

  Both Gabe and Khalid spoke at the same time. ‘You think marriage would work?’ ‘She seriously refused your proposal?’

  ‘Yes, I think we can make the marriage work.’ Marco strummed his fingertips against the tabletop then filled them in on all he’d learned about Chloe from the investigator’s report and what she’d achieved recently in court.

  ‘I heard about the case,’ Dev said. ‘Actually, Macke
nzie followed it with great interest because she’s always had an interest in equal employment opportunity.’

  ‘Chloe’s either very grounded or too good to be true,’ Khalid said.

  Gabe shook his head and wore a perplexed expression. ‘Did she give you a reason why she wouldn’t marry you?’

  Marco laughed, but it was a bitter and humourless sound. ‘Here’s the really rich bit. She didn’t want to offend me, but in a nutshell—I was good enough for no-strings-attached sex, but I’m not the sort of guy she wants to take home to meet her father.’

  Unlike Marco’s, Gabriel’s laugh was full of humour.

  ‘A woman of impeccable taste,’ Khalid said with a chuckle.

  ‘Damn it all. It’s no laughing matter. She’s actually put off by wealth and royal titles. She wants to marry someone more dependable who’ll settle down to suburban domestic bliss with her and do backyard barbecues, attend local school committee meetings and cheer on our child at Little League.’

  The three men burst into laughter at the disbelief in his voice. It was only a glare from him that silenced them—although a small smile still tugged at the corners of Khalid’s mouth when he asked, ‘What are you going to do about it?’

  ‘Convince her to marry me and get her to move. I don’t have to tell any of you how imperative it is that the baby’s birth is legitimate and that it’s delivered in Ralvinia.’

  ‘Have you told your parents?’ Dev asked.

  ‘No. I’ll break the news to them this weekend. I was hoping I’d at least be able to tell them she’d agreed to marry me, but no luck there.’

  Gabriel shook his head. ‘If she’s the real deal—and it sounds like you think she is—you’re going to have to court her. You’re obviously attracted to her, so that’s in your favour.’

  ‘Sexual chemistry is certainly important,’ Dev agreed.

  Khalid sent Marco a quizzical look. ‘I’m going to ask you a personal question, which you don’t have to answer, but you do have to think about.’

  Marco arched one eyebrow at him. ‘Yes?’

  ‘Have you slept with anyone else since you had sex with Chloe?’

  ‘It’s a very personal question and one I’m not going to answer.’

  ‘I’m guessing the answer is no,’ Devereaux smirked.

  ‘I’ve had a date with Cynthia Drysden,’ Marco told them, implying there was more to it than a mere date, because he was unwilling to admit Devereaux was right.

  Khalid wouldn’t be thrown off course. ‘But did you take Cynthia to bed?’

  ‘No. Damn it all.’ Confession time. ‘I had a date with Cynthia the evening Chloe turned up at my office to tell me she was pregnant. I packed Cynthia off in a taxi straight after we’d attended the theatre.’

  ‘Why didn’t you take her to bed?’ Dev asked the question, but Marco knew Khalid and Gabe also hung on his response.

  ‘Cynthia’s been your lover before, hasn’t she?’ Gabe asked.

  ‘I didn’t want to.’

  ‘Supermodel extraordinaire ready to slip between your sheets and you said no. I’d say it speaks for itself, wouldn’t you, Khalid?’ Dev asked.

  ‘Pretty much.’ Khalid smiled at Marco. ‘Maybe your feelings run deeper for Chloe than you realise.’

  Marco stood up abruptly and glared at his friends. How could they even think it? ‘The only woman I’ve ever had deep feelings for is Eden. What I feel for Chloe is attraction.’

  Really? his inner voice mocked. Just attraction? You know damned well your attraction to Chloe is constantly smouldering in a way your desire for Eden never did. You know there are so many sparks flying, at any second you could be caught up in a blazing inferno you’re powerless to control.

  Aren’t you going to admit to them that you also respect Chloe’s values and admire her strength?

  Aren’t you going to admit you like her—a lot?

  Fanculo. You don’t just like her, you lust after her. You spend every other minute trying to stop thinking about her—trying to forget the way it felt when you thrust inside her and how she came apart in your arms.

  ‘Marco?’ Gabe said quietly. ‘Calm down and stop beating yourself up because you’re human and you have perfectly normal human desires.’

  It was impossible to think calmly about Chloe and it seemed there was nothing normal about his desire for her. The admission he liked and respected her, and was totally focused on her, merely added to his agitation.

  Gabriel took a long drink of his cognac then replaced the glass on the table. ‘I loved my sister too. But Eden’s the last person who’d want you to live alone.’

  ‘If you can make a happy, or even amicable future with Chloe and with this baby, that’s exactly what Eden would want.’ The assurance came from Devereaux. ‘Don’t for a second think you’d be betraying your love for Eden by opening up your heart to Chloe.’

  ‘You’ve got your whole life in front of you, my friend,’ Khalid told him. ‘Eden would’ve wanted you to move on.’

  He couldn’t shift the guilt that he’d betrayed Eden’s memory. ‘I know she would’ve wanted me to be happy, but I can’t think she’d be pleased that a woman I was with for one night is pregnant with my child, when she couldn’t have my baby.’

  Khalid raised his hand in a gesture of truce. ‘You’ve never been a playboy, Marco. I believe you’ve got a strong connection with Chloe for this to have happened.’

  ‘Things happen as they’re meant to,’ Gabe agreed. ‘Look at the way India’s come back into my life.’

  Marco acknowledged that Gabe’s romance with India was quite an incredible story.

  ‘I’m not telling you it’s Chloe you have to move on with, because only you know that,’ Khalid said, ‘but I am saying it’s four years after Eden’s death and it’s past time to move on.’ He raised his hands up and tapped his fingers in turn as he made the points, ‘Your vasectomy reversal against the odds, a pregnancy resulting from a ripped condom on the one single occasion you’ve been with Chloe—maybe it’s kismet.’

  ‘Or, as unbelievable as it might sound, maybe it’s our very determined Eden asserting her will from the other side and forcing you to move on,’ Gabriel suggested.

  Devereaux laughed. ‘Oh, yeah. That sounds about right. I wouldn’t put it past my big sister to be up in heaven arranging your happiness.’

  The words fell like pebbles into a deep, still pool. They sank right to the bottom and it was only when they rested there that Marco felt the effect of the disturbance rippling through him. He couldn’t deny Eden would do exactly what Gabe suggested if it were at all possible. She would definitely want him to find happiness and she’d want, with all her heart, for him to know the joys of being a parent.

  ‘What’s your next move?’ Gabriel asked.

  His next move was literally that—a move. ‘My staff are putting plans in place to organise the necessary visas and relocate me to the Napa Valley. I’m going to try to arrange my workload so I can spend at least the next fortnight there.’ His lips flattened. ‘Chloe’s not the sort of woman who’s prepared to do my bidding. I need to base myself temporarily in California, and after the first fortnight I’m going to have to be prepared to do a lot of shuttling between California and London until I can get her to agree to marry me and move.’

  ‘Ah.’ Khalid smiled ruefully. ‘In that case, my friend, there’s only one piece of advice I can give you.’

  ‘What’s that?’

  ‘You court her the good old-fashioned way, like Gabe said, and overcome her reservations. You have to show her your title and wealth aren’t things to make her call it off.’ As he spoke, his mobile phone rang. ‘There’s my beloved Sabihah. Excuse me.’

  ‘He’s right, Marco.’ Gabe reached over for the cognac bottle to top up all four glasses as Khalid got up and walked out onto the balcony to take the call from his wife. ‘If Chloe’s a small-town country girl at heart who cherishes stability, you’ll need to win her by being there for her and showing h
er you can be the dependable guy she says she’s always wanted.’

  ‘Maybe you need to enlist the help of our wives,’ Devereaux suggested. ‘Look how well Mackenzie and India have slotted into royal life.’

  Marco’s exhalation was long and troubled. ‘Maybe I should get them together. It would certainly prove we’re all quite normal.’ He stroked the fingertips of one hand along his jawline as he deliberated. ‘She’s so set on the whole American culture, I’m not sure how to go about changing her mindset about the future she’s always visualised.’

  ‘Proving you can offer more materially isn’t going to work with a woman who isn’t materially motivated,’ Dev acknowledged. ‘You need to win her heart. If you can secure her love, you’ll be able to work out a compromise regarding your day-to-day living from there.’

  Win her heart? How could he even contemplate doing such a thing when he couldn’t promise her his own in return? The only thing he could win was her trust. The only thing he could promise in return was his faithfulness and unswerving support.

  ‘From what you say, she’s a very successful lawyer. I imagine she wouldn’t want to give up her career, but perhaps she’d be happy working in a legal capacity for this new foundation India is establishing?’ Gabe suggested. ‘The cases she’d deal with wouldn’t make international headlines, but they’d still make a real difference. I can speak with India about it, if you like?’

  ‘Gabriel, I’m sorry.’ Khalid spoke quickly as he rushed back into the room. ‘Sabihah’s gone into labour early. I’m going to miss your wedding.’

  ‘Is she okay?’

  ‘They’ve stopped her contractions to try to delay the birth,’ he said quickly. ‘The baby’s lungs aren’t developed well enough at this stage of the pregnancy, and they need to get the drug into its lungs before the delivery.’

  Gabe, Devereaux and Marco all got to their feet.

  ‘Hopefully they’ll be able to delay delivery for twenty-four hours to administer the full course of this drug,’ Khalid explained. ‘God willing, I’ll make it home in time in plenty of time.’