Page 47 of Her Prince in Disguise
“I know,” he replied softly, then chuckled when Andi’s fingers tickled his ribs. He grabbed her hand and placed it back on his chest. “And thank you. For being so kind and gentle to that woman. You seemed to know exactly what she was going through. What she needed.” He rolled over, pinning her to the bed. “If it weren’t for your patience, we still would be thinking Jonas was the demon sending those dioramas to you.”
“I’m just relieved it’s over,” she said, sliding her fingers into his hair.
He took her hand, kissing her fingertips. “I’m just relieved that you’ve agreed to marry me. Can we do it this weekend?”
Andi laughed. “I thought we’d be in San Francisco this week.”
“Exactly,” he replied, bending his head to nuzzle her neck. “We could fly out to Lake Tahoe and do it there. Then I’ll take you back to meet my…!” He paused, lifting his head.
She smiled and snuggled closer but shook her head. “No, when I get married, I want my friend Carys to be there. We’ve been through so much together, she’s more like the sister I never had than just a friend.” Andi noticed his stunned expression and smiled, trying to ease whatever worry had struck him. “What’s wrong?”
“You don’t know who I am, do you? You’ve never met my siblings or any of my family.”
“You’re Laith Al-Sintra. Businessman extraordinaire,” she teased.
He pulled back a bit, shaking his head. “No, Andi, you don’t understand. You haven’t met my family.”
“No,” she replied, then shifted again, getting more comfortable. “Are they horrible?”
He chuckled and pulled her leg over his hip. “My family is great. And I know that they’re going to love you.” He grimaced slightly, then captured both of her wrists with one hand. “After we’re married, you will officially be Her Royal Highness, Princess Andrea Al-Sintra of Lativa.”
Andi stared at him wide-eyed. “Laith, I’m not…!”
“You will be,” he teased, kissing her, then nipping playfully at her bottom lip. “You have no idea that I’m Prince Laith Al-Sintra of Lativa. And I have a twin brother, Rafi Al-Sintra. My father, Prince Joran Al-Sintra, used to be crown prince until Zayn, my cousin was born. My uncle is Sheik Khal Al-Sintra, Ruler of Lativa. His wife is my aunt, Queen Tasha Al-Sintra.” He grinned when she grabbed one of the pillows and smacked him across the head. Laith was laughing so hard, hemissed grabbing the pillow, which allowed Andi to get in a few more hits.
When he finally had her pinned to the bed again, he looked down at her. “I love you even more now since you had no idea who I am.”
She shrugged, but only her shoulders moved since her arms were still pinned over her head. “I could be marrying you for your money. You’re a wealthy man, after all.”
He shook his head. “Nope. You’re in love with me.” And he kissed her again before she could comment further. That kiss led to another, then other things.
When Andi was breathless all over again, she sighed dreamily, snuggling up closer. “I love you despite the fact that you’re a freaking royal whatchamacallit.”
Chapter 34
Andi walked into the conference room in San Francisco, her eyes fixated on the diamond ring and not on the glorious view outside the windows. The Bay Bridge was off in the distance and there were about a hundred small sailboats dancing about in the bay.
Life was pretty perfect.
“You’re late again,” a male voice snapped, interrupting Andi’s happy contemplations.
Andi looked up to find Jonas sitting at a desk outside Laith’s office.
Sick of Jonas’ snide tone, Andi refused to accept his bad attitude any longer. “Well, aren’t you just a bundle of sunshine today!” she teased. She walked over and perched a hip on the corner of his desk. “Why do you hate me so much?”
Jonas rolled his eyes and pointedly moved a stack of files further away from Andi’s hip, as if her proximity might contaminate the documents.
“Because you’re just a slut who slept her way to the top.” He glared at Andi. “It’s not going to work, you know. This affair you’re having with the boss is going to end soon, and you’ll be fired.” He sneered at her. “Women don’t know how to work hard to get the job doneproperly.” He pulled back, but maintained his glare. “Maybe, if you kept your legs closed, you could get a job without sleeping with the boss.”
Jonas turned away from Andi to pick up his tablet.
“Jonas,” Laith’s deep voice broke through the tense silence. “You’re fired.”
Jonas turned around, his mouth falling open. Then his expression turned into anger. “You can’t fire me because I’m telling her the truth!”
“I can,” Laith replied calmly, leaning a shoulder against the frame of his office doorway. “And I just did.” He pushed away from the door. “Drop the tablet, grab your gear and get out of my building. I’ll provide airfare back to Philadelphia, but after that, you’re on your own.” He leaned forward, bracing his hands on Jonas’ desk. “No one should speak to their co-workers like that!”
“But…!” Jonas started to argue, glancing between Laith and Andi.
