The Irresistible Royal Page 19

  He walked over to her desk and shifted a stack of files to make room to sit on the edge. ‘Ready to announce our engagement?’

  God, but he smelt so divine she barely registered his words. He may not have stopped to shave, but the scent of the masculine soap he used and the slight dampness of his hair made it obvious he’d recently showered. What she’d give to have shared the shower cubicle with him. The images of lathering soap all over his wet body consumed her, stopping her from processing his words.

  It was only when he reached into his suit pocket and produced the small, square jeweller’s box that she registered what he’d said.

  Engagement.

  He took her left hand in his.

  Frissons of awareness zipped right from her hand, up her arm and spread through her chest. Her diaphragm became paralysed, making it impossible to draw breath.

  ‘It gives me the greatest pleasure to announce to the world that you’re my fiancée. I hope you’ll also agree before too long to be my wife.’

  Her mind screamed all manner of objections but her throat was too dry and her vocal cords too rusty to voice a single word. Instead, her attention was riveted to the oval sapphire in the centre of the ring and how it was accented by six tapered baguette diamond side stones, and set in yellow gold. But, even as she couldn’t help loving the piece of jewellery, her emotions were in conflict. A ring like this should be given in love.

  Love she’d never know if she went ahead and married Marco.

  Momentarily she panicked and she sucked a deep breath into her oxygen-starved lungs. How could she even think of becoming engaged to a man who not only didn’t love her, but who never would because he still loved Eden?

  ‘I hope you like it. I believed you wouldn’t want anything ostentatious and selected this ring for you for its simplicity.’

  ‘I love it.’ Who wouldn’t? It was exactly the style of ring she would’ve chosen. The size of the sapphire was probably bigger than she would’ve selected, but only because she’d never have thought to be in a position to afford something like this. The size of the stone suited her hand. ‘It’s absolutely stunning.’

  ‘You’re absolutely stunning, cara.’

  His words were a stark reminder of what they shared. Attraction—not love.

  Looking into his eyes, she saw the conviction in them as he said, ‘I understand your reservations, tesoro, but I promise you won’t regret this.’

  Part of her was thrilled by it, but a larger part of her already regretted it. Somehow the picture of her ideal man was changing. Somehow, her ideal man had Marco’s features. There was no denying she wanted Marco as her lover. But she wanted the man, not the prince. She acknowledged she was starting to want his entire body—his heart included.

  Dear Lord. She was doing the unthinkable. She was well on her way to falling in love with him. It was increasingly impossible to separate logic and emotions.

  ‘Are you ready to face the media pack?’

  ‘No.’ She all but croaked the word out as she grappled with the realisation of her emotional entanglement but tried to pull herself together so she didn’t reveal her feelings.

  The media. They were discussing the media.

  ‘I know it has to be done.’ And she knew it was going to be far easier to do with him by her side.

  ‘I’ve spoken to a friend’s wife this afternoon. She’s something of a publicity spin-doctor. The journalists are bound to ask why we’ve kept this engagement under wraps. She’s suggested we tell them we wanted to be low-key so our relationship wouldn’t take centre stage during the Wycosta trial. How does that sound?’

  ‘Believable.’

  ‘I thought so too.’ He stood, slipped the jewellery box back into his pocket and reached out to help her out of her chair. ‘But your lipstick is way too perfect to add to the credibility that we find each other irresistible,’ he told her, before lowering his head and kissing her for several minutes, as though he simply couldn’t get enough of her. ‘That’s much better,’ he told her with a smile. ‘I like the way you look when I’ve kissed you. You look so much dreamier and nothing like the hard-nut lawyer I know you’re reputed to be.’

  ‘I’d look far dreamier if you’d just left my bed.’ Oh God. She’d actually gone and said it. That terrible habit she had of just saying exactly what she thought had come to the fore.

  Marco’s eyes widened. ‘You’re admitting you want me in your bed, cara?’

  Wishing she could take the words back, she looked away from him and swallowed as the heat blazed through her cheeks. But there was no retracting the statement, so she may as well run with it now. ‘Yes. I couldn’t damned well sleep last night after the erotic foot massage you gave me.’

  ‘That’s unfair, bella. It was hardly erotic.’

  ‘Every time you touch me it’s erotic.’ she vented.

  A smile played around his lips. ‘You know, if I was your lawyer I’d probably have to tell you to think carefully before you speak because everything you say can and will be used against you.’

  Fingers clenching into a fist, she punched his upper arm in protest. ‘I’m being honest. I don’t like that I’m being honest, but there you have it. What are you going to do about it?’

  He lifted her left hand to his mouth and kissed the finger that bore his ring. ‘I had a sleepless night too, and make no mistake about how desperately I want to make love to you.’ He used his other hand so the fingertips trailed around the engagement ring. ‘When my band of gold rests with this engagement ring, I’ll take you to bed and we’ll make love. Not before.’

  ‘That’s not fair,’ she’d told him huffily.

  His expression grew more serious. ‘You don’t like it? You know what to do. The sex we both want so badly doesn’t come without the band of gold.’

  ‘You’re impossible. You’re taking advantage of my desires and trying to manipulate me.’

  ‘You think you’re frustrated? My need for you is a physical pain.’

  She was unsympathetic. ‘Then you may as well save your money and turn your hot water system off, because you’ll need a lot of cold showers.’

  He chuckled before telling her seriously, ‘Those are my terms, cara. Put us both out of our misery and accept my proposal. The sooner you do, the less frustrating it will be. Shall we set a date?’

  Wretched man. ‘No.’ But, oh, it was tempting.

  He arched one eyebrow at her. ‘Let’s go outside and face the press then. It’s time to make our engagement official.’

  Chapter Fifteen

  ‘Chloe?’

  The following night Marco tapped on Chloe’s bedroom door. Tonight he was taking Chloe out for dinner. He’d made a reservation at an award-winning restaurant located in the historic Napa Mill. Maria had told him it had wonderful food and a very romantic courtyard setting.

  ‘Go away.’ Chloe’s voice was muffled.

  Marco frowned. Maria said Chloe had come straight in from work and run up the stairs to her room, but that she wasn’t sure whether she’d been in a hurry to get ready for dinner, or whether she was upset. If Marco was any judge, Chloe was upset.

  ‘I’m coming in, tesoro.’

  He’d no sooner opened the door and stepped into the room than he had to catch a pillow hurtling in his direction.

  ‘What is it with you? I told you to go away, but you invade my space again.’

  Her whole face was red and blotchy. Tears streamed down her cheeks and told a story of abject misery despite the anger she directed towards him.

  ‘What’s wrong?’

  ‘You. You’re what’s wrong. You and your move to Napa, and this engagement that’s turned my entire life upside down.’

  Another pillow was hurled across the room at him and he couldn’t suppress his smile because she looked like a small, angry and confused little kitten. Pillows he could deal with. Glancing quickly at the bedside table, he knew he’d be in a lot more trouble if she decided to start pelting something more solid
at him—like the stack of hardcover legal casebooks that were there.

  ‘Talk to me and tell me what’s upset you, so I can help.’

  ‘You can’t help. You’re the blasted problem.’

  She looked exhausted.

  The two bodyguards he’d assigned to shadow Chloe had reported they’d needed to make their presence felt to make a passage from her car into her office building this morning, and in reverse during the afternoon. More photographers and journalists had arrived in Napa overnight.

  It’d been big news in America that the lawyer who’d so recently made legal history was expecting a Ralvinian prince or princess, and was to become a princess herself. Similarly, the story had made headlines in Europe and Britain.

  ‘Is all the media attention getting to you?’ he asked.

  ‘Yes, but it’s getting to my boss even more. I was told this afternoon I could either take paid leave from my job or work from home,’ she said tightly.

  That wasn’t right. She was a brilliant lawyer. ‘Is that legal?’

  ‘They haven’t threatened to fire me,’ she said. ‘It’s legal and it’s understandable. The paparazzi have staked out the building and it’s impossible for anyone to walk in or out without being asked questions.’ There was fury in the stiff set of her shoulders and the line of her jaw. ‘The phone’s ringing off the hook, we’ve been flooded with emails all day, and every client who’s managed to fight their way through the media pack has refused to have anyone but me represent them.’

  ‘I’m sorry, Chloe, but it’ll all blow over.’

  ‘Not soon enough. I love going to work every day.’

  ‘I understand you’re angry. If I could do anything about it, I would.’

  ‘Our engagement’s caused a mini-hurricane. The cellar-door staff have been run off their feet here at the vineyard, the restaurant’s packed tonight and as of eleven o’clock this morning, the resort’s been booked out for the next ten months.’

  ‘Isn’t that a good thing?’

  ‘Dad’s delighted, of course, but I am not enjoying living under a microscope.’ She reached out for a tissue and blew her nose. ‘I used to enjoy the space around the house and knowing we lived a bit off the beaten track. Now I have to remember to close my curtains for fear of a photographer taking snapshots of me as I get dressed or undressed.’

  Marco sat down next to her on the bed. ‘It’s a nine-day wonder. All the publicity will die down.’

  ‘Maybe—until our child is born. Then what? How bad will it be knowing that at any time, something our child says or does could be reported on by the media?’

  ‘Are you aware Lidia’s given a statement to the press today identifying herself as your mother and telling the world she was responsible for introducing us?’ She’d come out of the woodwork to feed the media frenzy. Unfortunately, she hadn’t actually said anything Marco could call her on.

  Chloe groaned. ‘Oh great. I bet your family are going to love having their name linked with her.’

  ‘The palace did contact me and ask whether you’d let it be known you’re not on cordial terms; however, I think the least said about Lidia, the better.’

  ‘Absolutely.’

  ‘Is it possible, especially now you’re not going in to the office every day, for you to come to Ralvinia? My family’s very keen to meet you.’

  She gulped. ‘I’m not sure it’d be a good idea for me to fly right now. I get so horribly airsick.’

  ‘We can ask the doctor on Friday, but if the airsickness is the reason, I’d like to run something past you.’

  Chloe looked at him with suspicion. ‘Go on.’

  ‘Your father hasn’t taken any bookings on the new guest villas at this stage because he still isn’t sure whether they’ll be finished by the contract date.’

  ‘So?’ she asked warily.

  ‘I’ve spoken to him. He’s agreed I can offer a financial incentive to the builders to get the job done expediently.’

  ‘It’s not like Dad to accept financial help. He’s obviously accepted you as family already.’ And she sounded quite put out about it.

  ‘He understood that having the project completed might also work in my benefit.’

  ‘How?’

  ‘If you’re amenable to the idea, he’s agreed to hire the accommodation out for a few days to my family and friends.’

  ‘How many people are we talking about?’

  ‘My parents, my two brothers and their wives and children, as well as Gabriel and India, and Gabe’s brother Devereaux and his wife, Mackenzie.’

  She looked slightly horrified and he guessed she wasn’t thinking past ‘royal’. Although perhaps any potential and already pregnant bride might also feel intimidated meeting friends and family all at once.

  ‘Gabe and Devereaux being the King and Prince of Santaliana—Eden’s brothers?’

  ‘Yes.’

  Her eyes were downcast and she plucked at the fabric of her dress with her fingertips. ‘I don’t know whether I’m up to being scrutinised by your family, let alone by the brothers of the woman you love.’

  Thank God for her honesty. It made it so much easier to deal with her fears when he understood them.

  Marco reached out and stroked his fingertips soothingly over her cheek before lowering them to her chin and urging her to look up at him. When she did, her uncertainty was mirrored in her startlingly blue eyes.

  ‘Cara, I loved Eden for years and part of my heart will always belong to her.’

  ‘I understand. It’s the way it should be.’

  ‘But perhaps what I haven’t made clear is how, when I met you, it was as though you cracked open the barriers I’d built around my heart when Eden was killed—the barriers that had solidified over the four and a bit years since her death.’

  ‘Honestly?’

  ‘I recognised it the first night, and I’ll be completely honest with you and tell you I experienced a lot of guilt because of it. When I realised you were carrying our child I was excited, but part of me felt I’d betrayed Eden.’

  ‘I see,’ she said quietly.

  ‘But when I went to Santaliana for Gabe’s wedding, I spoke to him and Devereaux about you and our baby. They were both very pleased to know I believed you and I could be happy together and make a loving home for our child.’

  ‘It isn’t just your feelings for Eden, Marco. There are so many things against this relationship working.’

  ‘And I intend to show you how each thing you think is insurmountable is easily overcome. Meeting my friends and family will allay so many of your fears.’

  ‘Oh damn it, Marco. I know I’m going to have to meet them all sooner or later, but I was hoping it would be later and I’m definitely daunted at the thought of meeting them en masse.’

  ‘So we won’t do it as I suggested then,’ he agreed quickly. ‘What if we keep it to Mum and Dad coming when the villas are ready?’

  ‘Mum and Dad,’ she said with a short laugh as she removed her hands from his. ‘They’re the King and Queen of Ralvinia, for heaven’s sake.’

  ‘Not to me, they’re not. They’re ordinary Mum and Dad—my parents who love me and want to meet the woman I intend to marry. That’s how they’d want you to think of them too.’

  Her hands were a little unsteady when she raised them to run her fingers through her hair. Letting out a very long breath, she said, ‘Oh hell. Let them all come. It’s probably best if I jump the whole big hurdle in one leap.’

  Marco’s heart was heavy. ‘Why see it as a hurdle?’

  ‘I’m Lidia’s daughter. They probably think like you initially did—that I fell pregnant on purpose and am out for all I can get from you.’

  ‘No they won’t,’ he told her firmly. ‘They know how very obstinate you’ve been. They’re fully aware you became my fiancée under pressure and you’re still refusing to marry me. I think they’re hoping they might be able to dispel some of your unfair prejudices against royals and help my cause in convincing yo
u to take the next step. They support my wish to have you as my wife.’

  ‘You told them how I feel?’

  ‘Yes. Mum confessed she’s nervous. She’s hoping they don’t blow it and make you run the other way.’

  ‘Your mother’s nervous?’

  ‘Absolutely. She wants to make a good impression on you so you won’t keep refusing to marry me.’

  She tilted her head at him. ‘How is it that you always make me see things from a different perspective?’

  Leaning forward, he brushed his lips across hers. ‘You’re a smart woman, Chloe, and in many things you’ve been extremely reasonable.’

  She made a sound of irritation. ‘I suppose my behaviour is reasonable when I fall in with your plans à la this engagement.’

  He grinned at her. ‘Unless you’re hiding some, there don’t appear to be any more cushions you can throw at me to vent your temper, so are you going to get yourself ready and come out for dinner with me?’

  ‘Yes.’ The word was decisive and the declaration that followed warmed him right through. ‘You’re right. There’s no going back to my old anonymous life. The only way to go is forward, and I’m starting to realise it’ll be easier to navigate those unchartered waters with you by my side.’

  ‘Does that mean you’re ready to become my wife?’

  ‘No. But I guess I’m at least adjusting to our engagement.’

  It was progress.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Marco simply couldn’t have it all his way, Chloe decided after another night of tossing and turning in sheer bloody sexual need. Having thought long and hard about her situation and her needs, she’d made up her mind that his no-sex-without-the-ring policy had to stop. Tonight.

  She was about to launch an all-out attack because if she was dating Marco and wearing his engagement ring, she wanted the whole deal—having the man as a companion was actually really great, but she wanted the lover as well. If she couldn’t wear him down, she might find herself accepting his marriage proposal so she didn’t die of sheer sexual frustration.

  This need was ridiculous. For two years before she’d met Marco, she’d been celibate and hadn’t had a problem with it. Now her wayward mind had a serious case of sex on the brain. Maybe it was the hormones running rampant in her body, but she thought it far more likely the sexy-as-hell prince was the cause.