Chapter 9
"My dear, you seem distracted." Before she could deny or confirm, he rushed on.
"I apologize profusely for having you come here instead of the dinner I had planned to take you to.
It's just that two employees are out. The flu.
" Luther waved a distressed hand, his expression anxious.
"And being the manager, it's my responsibility to fill in whenever there's no one else. "
"I'm fine."
"You're here at my place of employment," he pointed out anxiously.
"There are worse places to be, and I happen to love art. You have quite a crowd," she murmured, trying to distract him from his guilt.
"A few tour buses came in earlier and some people are staying over." He looked around quickly, eyes taking in the crowd and making sure the artworks were displayed according to his specific instructions. "I'm hoping we can get out-" His voice tailed off as he straightened his shoulders.
"Prince Tomas," he gushed. "We did not expect you. Is the queen here as well?"
"No." Dismissing him, he turned his green eyes on the woman who had turned as still as stone. "Senorita Carter, what a pleasure to see you here. What do you think of the display?"
"Everything is wonderful." Forcing a smile to her lips, she groped for and found Luther's arm. "Luther and I were-"
"Is that someone signaling for your attention?" Tomas cut in smoothly.
"I- Oh yes!" Luther extricated his arm from Antoinette's grip and stepped back. "I'll be back when I can."
"Take your time. I will keep the Senorita company."
"Of course." Darting a glance at Antoinette, Luther hurried away.
"How dare you!" she hissed. "Are you stalking me?"
"Stalking?" He shifted slightly so that he was boxing her in and shielding them from the curious looks.
"That's such an ugly word. I prefer to think of it as finding out where you have your pretend date and making my presence felt.
" He touched her arm briefly, smiling when she jerked away.
"The guy is so cheap, he had you coming to his work?
What happened to wining and dining a beautiful woman? "
"He had several people calling out. Not that it's any of your business. Now go away."
"Not going to happen." He picked up a painting propped on an easel and studied the bold colors. "One of Jackson Colby's. Ever met him?"
"No." She was hoping desperately that Luther would come back.
"He's coming here for the fall benefit in a couple of weeks." Putting back the painting, he lifted his head to stare at her. "What color is that? Russet? It suits you."
"Now I can die happy."
Her sarcastic tone had him smiling.
"Mother has gone for the night."
"I know that."
"She won't be back until late afternoon. I will give you the option, my bed or yours."
She stiffened, eyes flashing.
"I told you I would choose the time."
"The time is perfect and I'm not waiting another day."
"You think you can-"
"Ah, Senor Luther, crisis averted?" Tomas asked smoothly.
"Yes, thanks for asking," Luther replied.
With a regal nod, the prince turned toward Antoinette, eyes glinting in amusement.
"I will leave you two to your… date." With a mock salute he sauntered away, leaving her steaming.
"My dear, you look upset." Luther touched her arm in concern. "I know Prince Tomas can be a bit, how can I put it? Rude and arrogant at times."
"It's nothing." Forcing the anger away, she linked her hand through his arm, determined to ignore the man across the room who was surrounded by eager women and nonchalantly drinking champagne. "I'm just a little tired. How about showing me some of the latest paintings?"
"Are you certain you don't mind being here?"
"Not at all," she told him with a smile.
He had to squelch the urge to march over to the couple and drag her away.
The man was touching her as if she was his personal property.
Smiling benignly, he half-listened to the woman on his right who was doing her best to rub her breast against his arm.
Such deliberate strategy to get his attention would have amused him in the past, but now, he just felt annoyed and impatient. And not in the least bit interested.
It unnerved him to realize that ever since he had met the woman across the room who was doing her bloody best to pretend he was invisible, he was not the least bit interested in anyone else.
He had fought the attraction and failed miserably.
So, now he was embracing the intensely powerful pull he felt toward her and anticipating tonight.
Come hell or bloody high water, she would belong to him tonight.
He was going to allow her to choose whether she wanted to come to him or have him go to her.
It did not matter to him in the least, as long as his goal was accomplished.
Who knows? he thought darkly. After tonight, he would have managed to tear her out of his bloodstream. Somehow he had the sinking feeling that it was not going to be that simple. Downing the rest of the champagne, he rudely interrupted the chatter and walked away.
He saw the fleeting look of panic on her lovely face when she saw him coming toward her. Luther had gone to deal with some patrons and left her to be entertained by a group of older men.
With a curt nod, he had them scurrying away.
"What time do you think you'll be home?"
"I don't answer to you. As a matter of fact, I was thinking I should take Luther up on his offer and go by his place."
"You don't want to do that."
Her chin lifted. "I can do whatever I damn well please."
He studied her for a moment before lifting his gaze to look around the room. "He loves his job," Tomas murmured. "I recalled when Mother interviewed him for the position. His enthusiasm was well documented. I would hate to have to change that."
"You wouldn't!" she burst out.
"Want to try me?" he asked softly. "I also know where he lives." His eyes wandered over her face in an intimate gesture that had her melting. "Don't be too late, querida, and most of all, don't force me to come looking for you."
Simmering with impotent fury, she watched as he made his way through the throng of people, most of whom were vying for his attention. Picking up her glass, she downed the champagne and almost choked as the bubbles collected in her throat.
Bastard! she thought furiously.
*****
"I'm so happy you suggested a walk on the beach," Luther told her with a pleased smile as they strolled through the beautiful white sand with the brilliant blue-green water lapping at the surface.
There was a full moon, surrounded by millions of stars dotting the velvety sky.
It was late and she had downed enough champagne to have her head spinning.
Besides which, she was delaying the inevitable and using Luther to accomplish that.
She had no doubt the prince would make good on his threat to come looking for her.
But at least he had no idea where she was.
She was damned if she would make it easy on him.
She already knew she was going to sleep with him.
God help her, it was already predestined and there was no way to stop it from happening.
But that did not mean she should meekly go like a lamb to the slaughter. She wanted him.
Even seeing him at the gallery wearing that winter green sweater under a black sports jacket had her heart racing. She would sleep with him, this once and get it out of her system.
And she would be an adult about it. People sleep with each other all the time.
There was no reason to make a federal case out of it.
They were deeply attracted to each other.
Neither of them was involved at the moment, or at least, she did not think he was.
Regardless of the fact that he was a prince, a multibillionaire and heir to the throne, he was also a man, and it was the man she would be having sexual relations with.
She would go into this with her eyes wide open. It would certainly not be like before when she was na?ve to what was happening around her. She had no damn expectations. It was just sex, losing herself for however long it took and then being done with it.
"Antoinette?" Luther's voice cut into her thoughts and had her jolting slightly.
"I'm sorry, I was miles away."
"I was saying that it was a good idea to take a walk. It makes the evening seem more like a date."
"It's not-"
"A date." He patted her hand lightly. They had the place to themselves mostly because of the weather. "I'm hoping eventually to wear you down."
"Luther-"
"I'll try not to mention it again," he promised.
Sighing softly, she realized her time had run out. "It's been a lovely evening."
"It's late." He squeezed her hand. "Are you sure you can drive home?"
She sent him an amused glance. "The five glasses or was it four? Anyway, the alcohol has worn off and I'm perfectly capable of driving home."
"I just want to make sure. These roads can be treacherous at night."
"Thanks for the concern."
"Mind if I ask you something?" he murmured as they made their way back to where she had parked.
"Not at all."
He waited until she had unlocked the door. "The prince seemed quite taken with you."
It took a supreme amount of will and self-control to keep her face neutral and her tone light.
"Where's the question?"
"Is he?"
"Don't be ridiculous!" Closing her eyes briefly, she forced herself to calm down. "He's the prince."
"And still a man who appreciates beauty." He opened the door and waited for her to slide in behind the wheel. "He has a reputation."
"I know that and this conversation is bordering on insane.
Prince Tomas is no more interested in me than I am in him.
We're poles apart and even if that were not the case, like I told you, I'm not looking for a relationship.
" She managed a smile as she gunned the engine. "Thanks for a very pleasant night out."