Page 62 of Revelations of A Secret Princess

And what did he intend to do about it?

Caro lay on her back, heart pounding, legs weak as overcooked pasta and a smile of well-being curving her lips. How often had she felt like this in Jake’s bed, basking in the afterglow of his loving?

The man had a knack for diverting her worries about the future and her conniving father. And the sight of Ariane growing more confident and loving proved that good thingscouldhappen.

They hadn’t discussed Ariane’s future. It had been enough to know she was safe from the King. Despite furious messages from her father Jake had somehow managed to convince him to keep his distance. But they’d have to face their problems. Caro wasn’t naïve enough to believe this state of glorious limbo could continue.

Zoe had rung today, warning again that winning custody of Ariane wouldn’t be simple. She favoured a negotiated arrangement with Jake. Which suited Caro. She couldn’t imagine them on opposing sides in court. Yet nor could she envisage Ariane living part time with her and part with Jake, possibly on the other side of the world.

She should be relieved Jake hadn’t forced the issue. Yet they couldn’t go on like this despite his insistence that for now Ariane needed calm and stability. But Caro had never found the right time to shatter this peaceful interlude.

Caro rolled onto her side and watched the early light gild the mountains. She’d found peace here, such happiness, she didn’t want it to end. Not only for Ariane but forher.

The bathroom door opened and there Jake was, naked but for a towel around his hips, his hair damp and the muscles in that glorious torso shifting as he moved. Despite her satiation Caro felt the tug of attraction deep inside.

Longing for him filled her yet she knew their peaceful bubble must shatter. Was today the day?

‘You’re awake?’ He approached, smiling, and she smiled back, almost accustomed to the fillip of joy gathering behind her breastbone. No one, ever, had made her feel the way Jake did. The thought lodged and Caro stilled as its implications penetrated.

‘Something wrong?’ He watched her as she struggled to stifle a sudden, disquieting idea.

‘No, nothing.’ She made a production of turning to plump up pillows behind her and sit up, drawing the sheet under her arms. By the time she faced him again she had her calm face on, the one she’d learned in the palace, forged under the lash of her father’s contempt and her stepmother’s disapproval.

Yet her heart pounded wildly and perspiration prickled her hairline. Her powers of concealment weren’t as good as she’d hoped for Jake sat beside her, frowning. He took her hand and she experienced that familiar jolt of delight.

‘Are you worried about a possible pregnancy? Because of that first night?’

Heat blossomed in her cheeks. ‘It’s unlikely, given the timing.’ That was what she’d told herself again and again. ‘Time enough to worry about that if it happens.’

‘You wouldn’t be alone, Caro.’ His thumb stroked the back of her hand. ‘I’d look after you. I don’t abandon my responsibilities.’

And that, Caro realised as her heart landed somewhere near the floor, was part of the problem. She didn’t want to be a responsibility to Jake. Nor did she want to be a rival for Ariane. She wanted to be someone he—

‘I was going to wait till later but now’s as good a time as any. We need to talk, Caro.’

His gentle tone, the way he watched her, assessing her reaction, made her heart skip. Tension crawled along her shoulders to the back of her neck. Was he going to say he’d decided he couldn’t give Ariane up?

It was stupid to jump to conclusions but a lifetime of disappointment, of things going against her, had conditioned Caro to expect the worst. She tugged her hand free and folded her arms over her chest.

‘I agree. We can’t continue this way indefinitely.’

Keen eyes surveyed her. What did he see? She had the unnerving notion he saw far more than she’d like.

‘My time in Switzerland is almost over. The project I’ve been working on is complete.’

Caro’s eyes widened. Despite telling herself this wasn’t permanent, she hadn’t thought about Jake leaving. Distress coated her tongue.

‘It’s not long term?’

He had investments globally. From the snippets she’d heard between him and Neil she’d imagined his current work continuing.

He shrugged. ‘It is, but now everything’s in place I don’t need to be here. My role was to cajole the other investors into participating.’

Caro frowned. ‘Is that normal? Moving from place to place with each new investment?’

Jake shrugged. ‘This wasn’t business in the usual sense. It’s a pet project. I had to chivvy reluctant investors.’

‘Surely if you can prove they’ll make a good return they’d agree.’

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