Chapter 11 #2
"Something like that," he acknowledged. "She works for my mother."
"I see. An employee."
Tomas turned his head and met the man's gaze.
"I never usually-" He sighed softly. "This is uncharted territory for me. She wants to keep our relationship a secret."
"A relationship? It has progressed so far?"
"Just." Tomas shrugged. "She has been hurt by her fiancé, a man who cheated on her, which was why she came here. She's determined not to let that happen again. She just wants a physical relationship, and I don't know what the bloody hell to do about it."
"This is new for you." The satisfaction in his voice had Tomas staring at him with narrowed eyes.
"Are you enjoying my misery?"
"Immensely." Santiago flashed him an unrepentant grin. "I've read the papers and seen where those foolish young women flung themselves at your feet and how careless you were with their feelings. It's gratifying to realize that the tide has turned."
"Why, thank you."
"De nada." The man's grin widened. "I will be rooting for you and hope that you will find the time to bring her to meet us."
He was about to say something else when Elena came out with a tray.
*****
Antoinette hesitated at the top of the stairs.
She figured she had spent enough time hiding in her room and it was time to come out and face the music.
She had taken a shower, sat on the window seat, partook of the cold meal and imagined herself murdering the prince and getting off scot-free.
And then she had taken the initiative, called Luther and invited him out to dinner.
His delight at receiving the unexpected invitation had sent the guilt soaring through her heart, but she had set that aside.
After all, she argued with herself, it wasn't like she was giving him a commitment.
It was just a meal. He did not have to know that the spontaneous invitation was due to her wanting to rub it in the prince's face and pay him back for what he had done.
So, with that in mind, she had selected her outfit carefully.
The black beaded pantsuit and the white silk blouse looked very good on her.
She had left her hair loose, brushing it until it shone and was wearing makeup.
She hoped to God he arrived before she left, so that she could sashay before him and let him see that she was all dressed up for another man.
Tucking her beaded purse under her arm, she took another breath and made her way down the spiral staircase, her hand trailing along the glossy banister. She prayed that she would not encounter any household staff or notice the knowing looks.
The queen had called to inform her of her arrival and that she would be in the rose and gold salon. As much as she would have preferred to go on about her business, politeness dictated that she stop and at least exchange a few minutes of pleasantries.
Lucia opened the door just as she was about to knock and smiled at her. At least, the woman was not staring at her strangely, and for that she was very grateful.
"Oh, Senorita, don't you look lovely."
"Gracias." Her smile was warm and sincere. "I'm heading out to have dinner with a friend."
"Please enjoy the evening. The queen is finishing up a phone call, but you can go right in."
Antoinette stepped into the room and, not for the first time, admired the elegant décor.
It overlooked the rose garden and was aptly named.
Rose and gold dominated the space. The furnishings were antique, with sturdy polished oak sofas, deeply cushioned chairs, gilded mirrors and a huge fireplace where flames were just now leaping upward.
Queen Sofia, looking every inch the royal, sat in a throne-like chair with curved arms and was wearing a light blue silk robe that only added to her ageless beauty.
"My dear, how lovely you look."
Antoinette crossed the room to take the outstretched hand.
"It's good to have you back."
"It's good to be back. I hope I'm not keeping you."
"No." Antoinette took a chair across from her and sat. "I don't have to be at the theater for another thirty minutes. I have time. How was your trip?"
"Productive." Sofia eyed the younger woman curiously.
She had heard the rumors, of course. The staff had a tendency to gossip.
And the prince leaving an employee's suite was a lot to take in and salivate over.
Lucia had warned her as soon as she arrived, saying that she had effectively squashed the gossip.
"We have a few weeks to get ready for the benefit."
"I am already halfway through the invite lists. And in the process of making arrangements for the out of towners."
"Wonderful. We need to talk about-" The phone rang again, interrupting her.
"This is important." Picking up the receiver, she started speaking in French.
Putting the person on hold, she covered the mouthpiece.
"I'm afraid this is going to take some time, and I don't want to keep you.
Go and enjoy your evening. We will talk tomorrow. "
She had just made her way out to the car, her jacket wrapped around her, when she noticed the jeep parked next to it.
Before she could get in and lock the doors, he had alighted, cutting off her escape. Seeing him for the first time since last night did something funny to her stomach. He was wearing his traditional color. The black denims and sweater under a scarred jacket made him look dangerously appealing.
"I don't have time for you." She began as she disarmed the alarm. "You know what!" She turned around and almost collided with his chest. "I have something to say to you. Would you please back up? You're crowding me."
"Then my work here is done." He remained where he was, just drinking in her delicate and subtle perfume. "Going out?"
"Clearly. You started the servants gossiping about me."
"How the hell did I do that?"
"Did you tell Carmen to allow me to sleep?"
"Who?"
"The maid assigned to me, you moron. Why did you have to say anything to her?"
"She happened to see me leaving your room."
"Couldn't you have made something up?"
He looked genuinely baffled. "Why the hell would I want to explain myself to a bloody maid?"
"Because you've made it apparent that you slept in my room. Damn you! I asked you to be discreet. If you had left when you should, this would never have happened."
"And now it has. Frankly, I don't give a damn who wants to know. You were the one who wanted to keep it a secret."
"For good reasons. Oh, just go away, I'm running late."
He grabbed her arms before she could enter the vehicle. "Let go of me."
"Where are you going?"
"That's none of your business."
"I beg to differ." His eyes blazed as he took in her made-up face and latched onto her shimmering lips.
"Don't you dare," she hissed as he continued to stare at her lips, his gaze smoldering.
"Did you get the part about my not caring who knows about us?" he asked silkily. When he started to lower his head, she did her best to push him away. No doubt, the few household staff that were in the palace were probably pressed up against the windows, eagerly looking out at the spectacle.
"If you kiss me here where people can see us, I'll never forgive you," she warned desperately.
"I'm willing to take my chance." His expression was determined as he backed her up against the door. Before she could wrench away, he clamped his fingers on her chin, forcing her face upward. "I intend to give you something to think about while you're out on your date."
When he closed his mouth over hers, she bit his bottom lip hard. Instead of being fueled by anger, he felt a surge of lust so strong, it sent fire straight to his loins. Biting back a groan, he tugged on her lip. He had originally intended the kiss to be light, but that changed.
Wrapping a hand around her neck, he sank into the kiss, his body molding itself against hers.
Gone was the anger and desire to prove a point.
He no longer cared who was watching. He just wanted the feel of her lush curves against his.
Desire throbbed through him like a flood and had him deepening the kiss.
Antoinette's attempt to resist was swept away as the familiar passion took over completely.
With a moan of surrender, she found herself surrendering, her traitorous body responding to his with mortifying eagerness.
Her lips parted, her nipples tingling as he continued to kiss her with an ardor that had her clinging to him.
He was the one who ended the kiss and even then, he continued to hold her, his breathing harsh, eyes glinting with passion.
"How the bloody hell you can go out with another man is beyond me."
The hazy desire that had wrapped around her suddenly blurred and she was jarringly brought back to reality. They were in full view of anyone who was curious enough to be looking, and she had allowed him to kiss her in public.
Shoving at him, she took several deep fortifying breaths before getting into the car. Without a word, she jabbed the start button and whipped along the curving driveway.
He stood there staring at the disappearing taillights, a frown on his brow.
"Damn stubborn woman," he muttered darkly.
It didn't matter if she went on her fake date; he knew without a doubt whose bed she would be sleeping in come later.
And if she allowed that Cabron to touch her, he was going to tear him apart.
Dragging restless fingers through his hair, he wondered at the ignominy of his position.
He was going to be cooling his heels while his bloody woman was out with another man.