Page 10 of The Prince

They hurried to the sand and then both sat to watch the water. The sand warmed her, still giving back the heat of the sun. The water swirled with blue light and the sky was full of stars. With no city lights to dim the view, there was hardly a spot in the sky that was not peppered with the tiny white lights of stars. The band of the Milky Way was clearly visible above their heads. She tipped her head back. “The stars are gorgeous out here.”

He nodded. “I come here when I need to think. Night is the best time.”

She turned to him. “Thank you, for everything.” She ran her hand over the soft sand. “I am sorry I get so bristly about things. I’m just not used to guys like you.” She glanced up at him through her lashes. “I’m still not sure what to make of you.”

He leaned closer so their shoulders touched. “Then don’t make anything of me. I am who you see. I don’t have the desire to pretend or put on airs for others or try to be that cool Prince for the press. I’m just me.” He shrugged, probably totally unaware how incredibly alluring he sounded. Suddenly she wanted to throw away all her caution and jump in to something special with this incredible man at her side.

But could he respect her? Could he value her at all? Then her heart sank. What did she have to offer such a man? She was a clothes hanger for fashion designers, and a low list one at that.

“Whoa, what happened?” The concern in his voice rippled through her. “You deflated right in front of me.”

She half-laughed, nervous that he could read her so well. “Oh, nothing, well, I was worried about something at work.” She turned to him. “But sitting here with you, this secret about our Island, this is special Daniel. I won’t ever forget this night.” Her sincerity surprised even her. That was a lot to reveal at once and suddenly she felt vulnerable.

“I won’t either.” He stood and reached for her hand.

When she rose, they were close, close enough the rise and fall of his breathing was inches from her own. And she didn’t know what to do about it. His thick brown hair, slightly curled, hung down on his forehead. In his eyes shown a reflection of the moon, his other features obscured in the darkness, but his breathing picked up, and she guessed what he was thinking.

She stepped nearer, daring to do what she most desired, trying to trust. She placed a hand on his chest.

“Melodia.” His voice, soft, caressing. He ran a hand down her shoulder and cradled her hand in his. His eyes searched her face, then he wrapped a hand around her back, her chest pressing up against his. He tilted his head.

When his lips touched hers, she lost herself to the gentle searching of his mouth. If a person could be worshipped by a kiss, she was experiencing such an exhilaration. He stopped, his lips a hair breadth away and he murmured. “I’m not sure what to do with you.”

She smiled, caressing his lips with her mouth. “I can think of a few things.”

He chuckled, earthy, low, and she nearly lost her footing.

“I am entranced. Your beauty, the magic behind us, the moon, I often get carried away.”

Often?

He stepped back, his eyes, dark.

Her frame trembled.

“We should get back. Thank you, for sharing this with me.”

She nodded. “Ok, sure. Right. It’s getting late.”

“No, it’s not that. You are just too much. What I want to do and what I should do are waging a battle.” He reached for her hand and started to lead her back across the sand to the water. The glowing had dimmed. The soft swirls of blue fading in the moonlight.

She could hardly place one foot in front of the other, so shaken by their kiss. He was obviously not as affected. She began to feel silly. It was time to make certain he knew she was not going to cling to him. She could be a professional. They had to work together. “Daniel. I know we have to work together.”

He turned to her. “Have to?” His lips quirked in a crooked smile.

“Well, I mean, I’m thrilled about it.” Ugh, now she sounded like a love sick teenager. What she wanted to do was drag him back to the sand and continue where they left off. “I just don’t know if—”

“Say no more. Perhaps I got too carried away?” His eyes widened, a hopeful light shining in them that depressed her further.

“Well, what can we say, it was the perfect location.”

Some of the hope dimmed in his expression. “Right. True.”

Their feet stepped in the water and the blue ignited again, swirling around their feet and spreading through the bay as they crossed. They moved in silence, making their way along the narrow ledge and then out across the park. When they approached the jeep, Melodia didn’t want it to end. She almost slowed her feet.

He leaned up against the side of his jeep and pulled her close, pressed up against him. “I don’t want this to end.” She stood on tiptoes and without even thinking, reached for him, her lips craving his like nothing she had experienced before. He captured her again. This time, his gentleness turned insistent, and he lingered on his last press of his mouth against hers. “You are my perfect storm.” He mumbled.

A smile stretched across her mouth. “I like that.” Daniel was something. Something she didn’t want to lose, but something she was afraid to have. What a whirlwind beginning. Who knows what would happen starting tomorrow when she moved into the palace.

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