Page 16 of Prince She Shouldn't Crave
‘I think I have enough now,’ she said. ‘I’ve taken lovely pictures of the children that I believe Your Majesties would like, which I can send to you. Do you want to pre-approve any before I post them?’
‘No,’ Queen Annalise said. ‘I trust your judgement.’
‘Thank you, ma’am. I feel privileged that you do.’ That was the truth. Like when they’d talked about offering her a job. Lena wasn’t silly enough to think it was anything serious, although she had the sense there was more to it from King Rafe’s perspective, at least. Otherwise, it was all just a bit of banter between people who were familiar with each other.
More than familiar. She looked around the room. These people were clearly friends. Lena had never really had the same. Her mother hadn’t encouraged it for fear that Lena would want to reveal who her father was, or that they’d search for information about him. And if she had friends, she’d probably want to spend some time without an employee hanging about. ‘I might take your leave and let you catch up.’
‘It’s almost morning tea. I’ll ask my private secretary, Albert, to meet you outside and take you for refreshments.’
‘Is there anything else, sir?’
She addressed her question to Gabriel, who looked up at her with an intensity that branded skin. ‘That’s all. Thank you, Lena.’
Lena curtseyed, then walked out of the room. Chased by the confusing feelings she was desperate to leave behind.
CHAPTER FOUR
Gabe sucked inthe cool morning air as his run ended. It was just past six thirty and he’d been surprised at how successful Lena’s suggestion had been. Many of the highest profile participants at various mental health charities had joined him. It was a slower run than normal, along the banks of the magnificent Lake Morenburg in Lauritania’s capital. They’d jogged the paved paths around the lake, followed by security at a discreet distance and some press, taking the time to talk about youth mental health and strategies for improving it. He’d missed Lena this morning, her constant presence. After a few photographs at the beginning she’d gone back to the residence they were staying in. Waiting for their inevitable arrival for a breakfast that had been arranged to continue talks in a casual environment.
Gabe hoped to make a difference. Even with all his privileges, he had some knowledge of what despair felt like. When no one could understand why he fell behind at school. Not listening to him when he said something was wrong, believing it was lack of effort rather than a true inability. It was only when he began to find sport that he’d come into his own, recognising there was something he was good at and he wasn’t a complete failure. His sports teacher had also listened, suspecting the dyslexia that had finally been diagnosed.
The group jogged up the winding private path to King Rafe’s home outside the palace. A perfect place to escape. It wasn’t thefirst time Gabe had stayed here, and it was always on offer for him should he want to get away. That didn’t seem enough any more. Whilst living at the palace in his own wing back home was a convenience, his time on this trip had led him to conclude he needed more. A place of his own, not something owned by the family. As he climbed the stairs to a particularly beautiful terrace overlooking the lake, Gabe made up his mind. He’d set his private secretary on the path of locating a home to purchase for himself. Whilst he was going to be King one long-off day, he was tired of having others trying to control him. Striking out on his own hadn’t seemed necessary before. Now, it was somehow vital. Gabe reached the top of the stairs, where the view was most breathtaking. He wanted a place like this, with privacy and solitude. One he could staff himself, make his own choices.
Lena.
Thoughts of her came to him unbidden. He’d arrived at the expansive, tiled terrace where she was waiting, as if for him alone. What a ridiculous thought. Of course she was waiting for him. He was her employer. She was there with his private secretary, to greet the guests, which she did with charm. Gracious as always, eliciting smiles. Yet this morning, she looked different, in a way that unbalanced him.
He’d only ever really seen her in muted colours. Blacks, dark blues, making it easy for her to melt into the background. She always looked striking. However, this was something else. Not a suit, but a dress in an ochre yellow, with white flowers and burgundy accents. The colour made her golden skin glow as if lit up by sunshine. But it wasn’t simply the colour that attracted him. It was the style. The dress wrapped round her body. The skirt grazing her calves with a flirty frill. The fabric skimming her curves, her body. Silky and light, fluttering in the breeze. A gust blew, hitching the front of the skirt, flicking it back. Lenasmoothed it down though he knew that another gust, a little stronger, might expose a hint of her thigh.
Gabe was transfixed, he couldn’t take his eyes from her, trying to catch a mere glimpse of her skin like some errant teenager. He moved from her long, lithe legs but it was almost worse, his gaze snagging on the top, the way it settled between her breasts in a vee. Wrapped round her torso, tied at the waist in a bow.
He couldn’t get out of his head that she was wrapped up as if some kind of gift, just for him. For his pleasure. What he wouldn’t give to reach out, tug the bow at her waist. Undo her. Unravel them both.
It was impossible. He was a prince, with expectations to marry a princess. She was his employee. Yet all he could think of was the need coursing through him. A relentless drumbeat of desire.
Why her, out of all the women he’d spent time with? Lena turned, and looked at him, her lips the same burgundy as the flower details of her dress. Another gust and her ebony hair whipped about her face. He held his breath as the corner of the skirt flicked, and for a fleeting moment he caught it, a slice of smooth, golden thigh. A powerful spike of lust struck him. He craved to—
‘Your Highness?’
Lena’s words dragged him out of his reverie as she walked towards him. How hadn’t he noticed the sway to her gait? How her hips moved in such a hypnotic kind of rhythm? What would the press say if they could see him now?
Proper princeindeed.
‘Has it been a successful meeting so far?’
‘Yes. Thank you for the excellent suggestion.’
A hint of pink feathered her cheeks. He’d come to relish that colour. It was a beautiful look on her.
‘I thought I might mingle. Take more photographs.’
He noticed some other men in the group admiring her. He didn’t know why he was possessed with the desire to hide her away from their gazes. It was ridiculous. She was a grown woman who could look after herself. There was no need for him to be her champion in some misplaced chivalry, and yet the clawing sensation remained. He ignored it. Yet he couldn’t get over the sensation that if he didn’t dosomething, she’d be stolen away from him, when he had no claim on her at all.
‘Whatever you need to do.’
She nodded. Her attention already on others in the group, no doubt thinking of who to approach first. These were all high-profile members of the business community. Anyone here could see her competence and professionalism, like Lise and Rafe yesterday. She made to leave, walk away from him. He was overcome by the desire to make her stay.
‘Lena.’
