Page 21 of The Prince

She filled her lungs with air and then let it out slowly. She took one foot in front of the other, mastering an expression of hopeful expectation. She concentrated on Daniel in her mind, the reasons she hoped he was there, and made her way down the platform. Cameras flashed, their clicks, music to her ears. She held her arms and hands as though they were poised to action. She tried to emulate energy in every movement. The sizzling power that ran through her gave her courage. Daniel gave her courage. She approached his green eyes, again, her gaze flickering over him as though she did not see. His sign changed. “Date tonight?”

And she laughed. In the moment she was to bubble over with joy, she laughed and smiled and the crowd cheered. She made her turns, showing as much delight as she was able and then walked back down the runway to cheers and calls and great clapping.

Her performance could not have gone any better. She waited with her team backstage. Giovanni was surrounded by press, by men in suits, by buyers, and she knew they had created a masterpiece.

In the midst of it all, he turned to her, found her watching him from backstage and saluted. She nodded and followed her staff to the dressing room.

As they peeled different parts of the costume off and carefully hung them, her body hummed with happiness. Her idea had worked. The Designer acknowledged her influence and… Daniel. He had come. And she was off for the rest of the evening.

Just as the last bits of makeup were cleansed from her face, a knock surprised them all. An aide came to her side. “He said to tell you it’s Daniel.”

She grinned at her own reflection, her tight ponytail stretching a make-up free face and she said, “Let him in.”

He approached slowly. She watched him in the mirror, ignoring everyone else around them. His eyes drank her in, lingering on her cheekbones, her chin, her hairline.

His appreciation for beauty obvious now to her. And she recognized something she never had before. He loved all beauty wherever he saw it. When he said she was beautiful he meant something more than just how she looked. Beautiful, coming from Daniel, encompassed all of who she was. He was admiring beauty in its truest sense and in the way it made the world a better place or enjoyment for himself and others. And so she enjoyed his stares.

He stood behind her, watching her through the mirror and took the hand she held up over her shoulder. “You are stunning.”

“Thank you.” Her happiness brimming that she could bring him such joy, she laughed. Then she spun in her chair to face him. “I heard something about a date?”

“You name it. Can we go right now, or?” He raised an eyebrow, his grin delicious, his hair hanging over his forehead, his eyes sparkling with adventure and something…challenge.

“I’m yours for the night. Can we stop by my flat?” She stood and he gestured she lead the way.

Her body tingled with awareness. She could almost feel him, walking behind her. The air crackled with a magnetic draw. She paused, and he moved up against her, the full length of him embracing her. His breath sent tingles down her shoulders. “I’m happy to see you.”

She paused, leaning her head back into him. “Mmm.” Though she was bursting with curiosity, she didn’t want to ruin the magical moment with something as mundane as travel plans.

His voice murmured in her ear. “Where should we go?”

“I know the best restaurant on the edge of a lake. We could take the most exquisite drive. Then,” She paused and looked into his eyes. “in the morning take a boat to a charming island town right in the middle of the water.” She turned to face him and rested her hand on his upper arm. She knew he had to be careful, knew all the Valdez brothers resisted overnight stays with women. But she wanted time with him, wanted to see where this could go. And they could stay in different rooms on opposite sides of the hotel.

His eyes darkened and he pulled her closer. “You’re on.” He held her, his eyes promising more. And then he reached for her hand and they continued out to the parking lot. He led her to a bright red convertible Ferrari.

“What, is this?” She laughed. No way were they blending in.

“This, is taking my girlfriend out in style.” He tilted his head, his eyes full of questions.

She raised her eyebrows but just grinned and nodded.

“Yes! To the girlfriend.” He pumped the air. “And that, gentlemen, is how it’s done.”

She laughed. How fun to relax and play like they were.

They entered her flat. Thankfully the maid had come to clean that morning, and she offered him a drink before she rushed back to throw some things in an overnight bag and to freshen up for their date.

She came back out in a shimmery blue dress that sat at the top of her knee, a wrap hung over her shoulders to keep them warm in the night air. She had dusted her face with makeup and put on some mascara.

He sat, lazily sprawled in one of her chairs. “I know I’m not supposed to notice, but you’re gorgeous.”

She stood above him and reached out her hand. “You can notice.”

He pulled her down, gently into his lap. “I hope so, because I’m having a hard time pretending not to.” He cradled her, smiling into her face. “Your beauty is just one of the many things I admire about you.”

Her joy hurt her inside. And she wanted him to keep talking like that forever. “Let’s get going so we can arrive in time for dinner.” She hoped for a sunset over the water.

As the night air turned chilly, he raised the roof on the car and held her hand in his own. “I feel like I don’t know you well enough.”

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