Page 36 of Off-Limits To The Crown Prince

‘I’ll always look after you.’

That sounded as if this had a permanence to it, which she knew to be untrue. But then, words were easy. It was actions which were harder. And she knew he wouldn’t stop her winging away from here. He’d put her on the plane himself. But it was fine. She’d known the day her parents died that the picture of her own life would be different from what she’d imagined it would be as a child. In her wildest dreams, she’d never believed a fortnight like this could happen to her. And the memory of it would be enough. Would carry her through the years.

Itwould.

Enough of this introspective mood. The glorious sun rose in the sky, filling her with a lazy warmth. The tang of salt hung invigoratingly in the air. They had time and she’d take her fill of every second. She needed to lighten the mood, since it had become far too serious.

‘So, this is Stefano’s yacht. Don’t you have one of your own?’

‘Of course. Mine’s a modern yacht. Some might say...better,’ Alessio said with a smirk.

‘And I bet it has a crown embossed on the bow.’ She gave him a smile of her own. She liked him like this, the man relaxed, unlike the Prince he showed to the world every day.

He held out his arms. Even in casual clothes he had an intoxicating presence. As if he owned the world. ‘What’s being a prince if one doesn’t have the crown?’

‘Is your ego taking a bit of a battering that I might like Stefano’s better than yours?’

‘My ego remains intact, despite your best and most constant efforts.’ Those wide arms of his wrapped round her again. Pulled her close. Dropped his head to her ear. ‘Let me show you.’

His body pressed into hers, his arousal, bold and obvious, stoking the fire of her own. She flexed her hips against his hardness. Ran her hands down his back, relishing the strength of his muscles as they flexed under her fingers.

‘I think there are a few things I need to know whilst I’m here,’ she said.

‘Port is left. Starboard is right.’

‘Thank you, Your Highness.’ Hannah laughed. ‘No. Your talk of the rules before. Are there any I should know?’

Alessio looked up at the golden sky, brow furrowed as if in thought. ‘The first rule is that I’m always right.’

‘Oh, really? Any others?’

‘Hmm... The second...’ He tapped at his chin then looked down at her, the colour of his eyes swallowed by his pupils, the dawn painting him golden as well. ‘When we’re alone together you should always be naked. Clothes are a travesty on you.’

Heat rose to her cheeks. ‘And is that rule reciprocated?’

‘Ovviamente. Now we’re heading out on water, rule two is invoked. You’re wearing too many clothes.’

‘Are you sure about that?’ she asked as Alessio inched his fingers under her shirt, stroking the sensitive skin of her side. A shiver of goosebumps skittered down her arms. He began unbuttoning the soft cotton shirt she wore, his eyes glowing and intent. Always fierce. Always in a hurry, or at least where she was concerned. He dropped his head and began kissing her shoulder, light brushes that made her liquid in his arms.

‘I refer you to rule number one,’ he murmured, the warmth of his breath tickling her neck.

She laughed again, something so different about him here, out of the palace. As if he could become a man, rather than being a ruler of all he surveyed. She gave a little push on his chest and he let her go. She stood back. Shrugged her top from her shoulders, slowly exposing the exquisite floral bikini top she wore underneath from the clothes she’d been given. His gaze raked over her, jaw tight, arousal straining at his zipper.

‘Dio. Sei così bella.’

She didn’t know what that meant but it sounded like a worship, a benediction. Yet he stood there, fully clothed, simply watching her set the pace.

‘Where’s the reciprocation?’

The corner of his mouth curled into a heated smile.

‘Come here,’ he said, the voice all command that sent a shiver of longing through her. She loved this of him, the demanding, passionate man. All the while knowing that if she said no, if she took a step back, he’d wait for her.

‘Still rule number one?’

He raised an imperious eyebrow, but a smile teased his mouth. She walked forward into his embrace, his lips sinking onto her own. She never failed to be surprised at how such a seemingly hard man could be all softness when he held her. As if the fact he had a human side was their secret.

‘I’m not being a good host. It’s time I showed you the stateroom.’

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