Page 25 of The Wanted Prince

“Gross?”

“No, it’s good. Better than I expected.”

“Try it with the bread and a splash of olive oil.”

We ate as the sun went down and the stars pricked the sky. A pale slice of moon hung over the sea. Alessandro tried a pita chip.

“Do you think these are healthy?”

I laughed. “I don’t know. Probably not.”

He picked up the bruschetta jar and squinted at the label, trying to read it in the gathering dark. “A hundred and seventy milligrams of sodium per serving. Is that good or bad?”

I shook my head. “No idea. I guess it depends, how big is a serving? And how much sodium is good or bad?”

“I guess you don’t cook much.”

I snorted. “Do you?”

“Not once in my life. Not even in college.” He set down the spoon he’d found for the bruschetta. “Want to go for a swim?”

“What, in the sea?”

He laughed. “No, in the pool.”

I followed where he was pointing, beyond a low line of shrubs, and sure enough, water gleamed pale in the moonlight, a shimmering infinity pool built into the cliffside.

“I don’t have a swimsuit.”

“We can go in our undies.”

I knew I should protest, but then again… why? He’d already seen me in far less than underwear, and the pool looked inviting, the view to die for. And after the day we’d had, cooped up in the car, a cool dip would be pretty near heaven on earth.

“Race you,” I said, and sprang out of my lounger, pulling my sundress up over my head. I could hear Alessandro shuffling behind me, the soft creak of leather as he tugged on his belt. He had more clothes to get out of than I did, but I didn’t wait for him. I dove into the water. I’d expected a cold shock this late in the day, but the water was still body-warm from the sun, and I slid in like silk and came up laughing. Then I shrieked as it hit me how close to the edge I was, that fifty-foot plunge to the rocks far below.

“You can’t fall,” said Alessandro, dipping a toe.

“I know, but it’s so far. I’m dizzy just looking.”

“Don’t look, then.” He smirked and slid into the pool. A ripple of gooseflesh broke out down his arms. I resisted the impulse to smooth it away, my hands down his arms, up his back, down his chest. This wasn’t a pleasure trip… but the water was pleasant. When I lay back in it, I saw nothing but stars. Alessandro leaned over me, and I saw his lips move.

“What? I couldn’t hear you.” I shook out my ears.

“I said you look like a mermaid with your hair streaming out.”

I smiled as his words stirred a sweet memory. “Remember that time before you left for college, just a few days before we almost kissed?”

“You mean our night swim in the lake by the orange grove?” Alessandro stretched out in the silvery water. “Where were we supposed to be? I can’t remember.”

“That dry-as-dust party, the one for your father. Or, no, your uncle. His birthday, I think.”

“No, not his birthday. His engagement.” Alessandro smiled at me with the moon in his eyes. “I told you I’d meet you down there by the lake, but when I got there, you were swimming. Your dress was hung over that old mossy bench, and you were just floating around in your slip.”

I sat up. “Wait, no. That’s not how it happened.”

“What? Yeah, it is.”

“No! No, you’re dreaming. I’d never have jumped in that lake on my own, knowing the party was just up the hill. I was dangling my feet. That much is true. But you sneaked up and splashed me.”

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