The Princess and the Player

It wasn’t until they’d climbed into the Lamborghini an hour later that he glanced at his phone and noted two missed calls, followed by a text message...and had the strangest sense of foreboding, as if he’d vastly underestimated the level and complexity of the complications to come.

Ten

James was quiet during the drive back to Playa Del Onda and Bella left him alone with his thoughts.

After all, she’d been the one to change the game, and while he’d admitted his feelings had grown stronger than he’d expected as well, he hadn’t argued when the subject of what ifs came up. It was a lot to take in. A lot to reconcile.

She still didn’t know how she felt about all of this either. She certainly hadn’t intended to blurt out something so difficult to take back as “I’m falling for you,” but he’d been so sweet, first with the birds and then the way he handled her half-coherent stream of babbling about her fears. If any man was a keeper, it was James Rowling.

So the question was, how hard was it going to be to keep him? Her father was going to freak and there was no getting around the fact that James was still the wrong brother.

No matter. She wasn’t ready to let James go, not yet. Whatever happened between her and James, they had a right to pursue it. And she wasn’t leaving here without her father’s promise to stop interfering.

When they walked into the house—together—Gabriel and her father were waiting for her in the foyer, thanks to a text message she’d sent on the way imploring her brother to play diplomat if the situation called for it.

Judging by the frown on Rafael’s face, she’d made a good call.

“What is he doing here?” her father demanded, making it perfectly clear that he knew Bella hadn’t brought home the correct Rowling despite their similar appearances—and that Rafael’s feelings on the matter hadn’t changed.

Bella halted but didn’t drop James’s hand. He squeezed hers tight in a show of solidarity but remained silent, earning a huge number of points. “James is here because I invited him. You’ve caused us both problems by announcing my engagement to Will Rowling and therefore, we both have a vested interest in resolving the situation.”

“The problems caused by the engagement announcement are one hundred percent at your feet, Isabella.” Her father crossed his arms over his expensive suit, presumably to ensure he appeared intimidating, but he’d lost any edge he might have had by using that tone of voice with her—and the man she was pretty sure she was in love with.

“Let’s not sling accusations,” Gabriel interjected and she smiled at him gratefully. “Listen to Bella, Dad. She’s a grown woman and this is a friendly conversation between adults.”

Rafael deflated. A bit.

Gabriel’s “king” lessons had paid off, in Bella’s humble opinion. He’d grown a lot in the past few weeks and no one was confused about Serafia’s role in that. Her future sister-in-law—also the future queen—was an inspiration and Bella was happy to call Serafia family.

“You have the floor, Isabella.” Her father glowered at James but didn’t speak to him again, which was fine by her. For now.

“I don’t want to marry Will. I told you this already. Why in the world would you go ahead and issue a press release saying we were engaged? Do you hate the idea of my happiness so much?” Her voice broke against her will.

Why did she still care so much that her father didn’t seem to see her as anything other than a bargaining chip?

James stepped forward and addressed Rafael directly. “Sir, you don’t know me and I realize I’m not your first choice for your daughter, but please understand that she makes me happy. I want nothing more than to do the same for her. I hope you can respect that.”

Well, if there was any question about whether she was in love with him, that speech pretty much shot all doubt to hell. There might even be swooning in her future. She grinned at him, not even caring that she probably looked like a besotted fool.

Her father sighed and rubbed his head but before he could speak, Gabriel held out his hand to James, shaking it vigorously.

“I can respect that.” Her brother nodded once at James. “I didn’t get a chance to mention it when we first met, but I occasionally watched you play for Real Madrid. Bum deal that they released you. Big mistake on their part, in my opinion.”

“Thanks.” James smiled and bowed slightly to Gabriel, despite being told the prince didn’t like formality. “And good luck to you. Alma is in brilliant hands with you at the helm.”