Page 36 of Ways To Ruin A Royal Reputation

They disembarked into what could only be described as a fairy-tale setting. A wall of craggy, inhospitable mountains plunged down to the jewel-blue lake. A quaint village sat on the far shoreline. A handful of boats dragged skiers in their wake, keeping their distance.

Luca told her the castle had been built as a monastery in the fifth century. It had a tall, square bell tower in the middle of one outer wall, but the rest was only three stories. The ancient stone walls were covered in moss and ivy. A pebbled pathway led them from the helipad, winding beneath boughs that smelled of Christmas pine and fresh earth and summer vacation.

“No vehicles, just a golf cart for the luggage and groceries by boat,” Luca said, pointing into a man-made lagoon surrounded by stone walls as they passed. Two fancy looking speedboats were moored there alongside a utilitarian one that was being unloaded.

They entered through what had once been a scullery room. It was now a very smart if casual entryway with hooks for their jackets and a box bench where they left their shoes.

This was why he called it a cottage, she supposed. It was homey and he exchanged a friendly greeting with the chef as they passed the kitchen, nodding approval for whatever menu was suggested.

“The sun is beginning to set. He asked if we wanted to eat something while we watch it from the terrace or view it from the top of the tower?”

“The tower sounds nice.”

He relayed her preference, and they climbed to the belfry where no bell hung.

“I have no plans to ring it, so why replace it?” he said as he led her up a heart-stoppingly narrow spiral of stairs that took them to the roof. “This has been inspected. We’re safe,” he assured her.

“I forgot my phone,” she said with a pat of her pockets. “I want photos!”

She went to the corners of the roof, more awed by the view each direction she looked. She paused to watch where the sun was sinking behind one peak, leaving a glow of gold across the surrounding mountaintops. The air was clean and cool, the height dizzying enough to make her laugh.

“You must have loved coming here as a child. How long has it been in your family?”

“I bought it for myself when it came on the market a few years ago.”

“Oh. That’s interesting.” She glanced at him. “Why?”

“Because it’s beautiful and private.” His tone said,Obviously.

“You didn’t buy it to hide your women here?”

“Like a dragon with a damsel? Yes, I’ve lured you here and you can’t leave until your hair grows long enough to climb down. No, Amy. What women are you even talking about?”

“I don’t know. The ones you have affairs with. Discreetly. On private islands.” She turned to the view because this was a conversation they had to have, but she didn’t know how.

“Actually, this is where I hide from those legions of women, to rest and regain my virility,” he said dryly. “I’ve allowed my sister to stay here, but you’re the only person I’ve brought as my guest, female or otherwise.”

“Ever?” She moved to another corner.

“Why is that so surprising? Exactly how many lovers do you think I’ve had?”

“Enough to get really good at sex,” she said over her shoulder, as if she didn’t care. She did care. A lot more than she ought to.

“You’rereally good at sex.” He came up behind her to trace his fingertips in a line down her back. “Should I ask how many men you’ve been with?”

“How do you know it’s just men?” She swung around and threw back her head in challenge.

He didn’t laugh. Or take her seriously.

“You really do have to work harder to shock me,” he admonished. “I honestly don’t care what you’ve done or with whom so long as it was consensual and safe enough that I don’t have to worry about my own health.”

Her heart faltered. She wondered if she could shock him with the deplorable thing she’d done with her teacher, but he set his hands on the wall on either side of her waist, crowding her into the corner. Now all she could see was his mouth, and her thoughts scattered.

“I’mveryinterested in what sort of history you’dliketo have. With me. What do you want to do, Amy?”

“Nothing kinky,” she warned, reflexively touching his chest. “Just normal things.”

“Normal?” His smile was wide, but bemused. “Like tennis and jigsaw puzzles?”

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