Page 37 of Forbidden Prince
She slipped her hand in his and came closer, her face lifted toward his. He squeezed her hand instead of claiming a kiss. "The village only has about 500 residents on our island and the elders ask the teenagers to keep the public displays of affection to a few, more isolated locations on theisland."
"Okay, got it. NO PDA. The bakery smells delicious." She followed his lead as he moved to the side, intending to stop and let her taste a fewtreats.
"Have you tried thepotica?"
Her nose curled as she glanced up at him. "I don't like to talk aboutpolitics."
"You're about to be a princess, so that will be tough." He winked at her though she didn't blink. He leaned closer. "However, you're in luck.Poticais a nut-filled donut bread.Come."
"Oh! My stomach is queasy right now but perhaps food willhelp."
He led her inside and about twenty people all stared at them. He closed the door and walked her to the display case as the crowd around them moved. Renee tugged on his arm and whispered, "Everyone becamequiet."
"Relax." He placed his hand on her spine while he looked into the gaze of the blue-eyed woman behind the counter. She immediately lowered her head, probably curious about Renee. He spoke in a quiet tone. "We'll be one minute." He pointed to the pastry. "Renee, would you want a chocolatefilled..."
"Yes," she interrupted with a nod and licked her lips. Raw hunger filled him to have her again, but he ignored the lust as she said. "Chocolate anything." She held the bag the person at the counter handed him and waited like a ten year old child in a candy store, "Yourgrace."
While they walked to the door, Renee sighed. "This smells delicious. I probably shouldn't eat it, even though my stomach is rolling and demanding I have a bite. I’m hoping something sweet calms medown."
She truly was beautiful. "You should. Here is a small piece to help until we get where we're going." He held it forher.
"Thanks." Behind him those in the shop began talking again and he heard someone say the prince seemedhappy.
She swallowed the small piece and from the expression on her face, he knew the sweet hit the right spot. She confirmed a second later. "This isgood..."
"Renee..." Something seemed to be off with her, though she was happy. "Let'sgo."
He'd ask her once they were alone. The gravel on either side of the path was made from thousands of years of shells on the coast, and his ancestors had been a part of this island from the firstfisherman.
Renee looked over her shoulder behind them and tugged on his arm. "We're leaving the village? I thought you wanted to show me theshops."
"I couldn’t wait to bring you to my favorite spot on the island." He tucked her to his side, keeping her close each step of the way against occasional gusts of wind off the ocean. No harm would come to his baby on his watch. "Remember how Antonio took Kristin to the man cave that used to be a guardhouse? The building has so much history, I’m sure you’ll insist we use the place for tours once you get going, but here, on the island, this small enclave is just mine and not useful for history as far as Iknow."
She laughed softly. In a few more steps, a large wooden door came into view and he fished the key from his back jeans’ pocket. He pushed it wide open so Renee could enter. She walked fully inside while he turned and fought the wind to close it again. He managed with a loudslam.
Renee studied the ten-foot fireplace in the room. "What is thisplace?"
"I said this had no history. You’re notworking."
"I don’t believe you and I taught the subject because it wasinteresting."
"Fair enough." He pointed to the right and up about four feet, beyond the kitchen area to the huge bay windows that showed nothing but the sea. "This was the South Watch room where my ancestors spied for possible enemy shipsapproaching."
"Like pirates or foreign invaders?" Renee walked further into the grand room. "I love thefireplace."
He picked up a starter log and threw it in the fireplace along with a match. The rest of the wood was already cut and stacked. The fire grew and he held his hands close to the flames. "It was built to keep the hall of hundreds warm inwinter."
"Its stone face made the Spartan open space very masculine." She came beside him and patted her stomach. "The pastry helped." They both heard her tummy rumble. "I'm never thishungry."
Marco had a skill for deduction, and knew to the hour when they’d had unprotected sex. "When was the last time you had your period,Renee?"
She played with her necklace and looked up at him. "I don't know honestly, but I've not had it since I’ve been in Avce, and I had no boyfriend beforeyou."
He brought her hands to his mouth and kissed the soft skin. "It's been a couple weeks since we werecaptured."
"A lot has happened." She tugged her hands away and looked down. "You think I'mpregnant?"
"I'll get you a test when we get home." The air around them smelled like roses while the fireplace crackled next to them, the shadows of the flames blazing her skin with light. Was it possible to want hermore?
