The Prince and the Player

“I thought we were going to see the deep sea room.” My voice is only a little wobbly, not nearly as wobbly as my insides.

He lets out a little sigh and heads down ahead of me, quickly descending the staircase as if he’s done it a hundred times. “Come on, then.”

I get myself together and follow him. This prince seriously throws me off my game. I’ve got to remember who I am. I’m Zelda Wilder, professional con woman. This isn’t my first rodeo. Still, that’s one irresistible cowboy…

Inside the dark room, a woman with two small children is walking around. She lifts them, helping them touch the ceiling and watching as they squeal when the computer-generated fish swarm to where their hands land.

I’m frozen on the spot watching something so basic and wondering why a sight like this still has the power to shred me. Ava was too little to remember our mom, but I remember her taking us to the park, helpin

g me climb the ladder of the small kiddie slide, squealing when I made it to the bottom. I thought that slide was so huge, but looking back, I know it was probably shorter than I am now. Those days were golden… and then they were gone.

“You’re a million miles away, beautiful.” Cal is at my side. His voice is warm, and I notice his fingers lightly playing with mine. Everything in me wants to give in, but dammit, that’s not why we’re here. Our future, that promise I made to Ava, is on the line. I won’t give it up for some weeklong fling with a sexy player.

“I’m a million miles under the sea!” I answer brightly, pulling my hand away and walking across the room. “How does it work?”

I reach up and touch the ceiling and the entire room shifts in my direction. Fish flock to me, circling my hand. The woman follows the children out, and we’re alone again.

“It’s some computer jazz. I have no idea.”

“That’s not your job?” I do a little wink, and his expression seems to falter. Is it possible I throw him off his game, too?

“Precisely,” he says, reaching up to touch the low ceiling. The school moves in response to him.

“No fair! You stole my fish.”

“Here, I’ll bring them back.” He walks slowly toward me, trailing long fingers along the smooth surface above us.

His expression grows darker with every step, and my heart beats faster the closer he gets. I can play it off, but my body betrays me. I feel the flush blooming over my chest, rising up my neck.

When he arrives at where I’m standing, he slides his hand forward, taking one last step that puts our bodies together. Our hands touch, our faces are a breath apart. His firm chest is warm against my tingling nipples. The space between us is electric. Neon-green fish circle us overhead, swimming forward to kiss our fingertips.

“I want to kiss you again.” His dark eyes are on my heated lips.

“We can’t.” My breath is shallow. This is so messed up, but I can’t pull away from him.

“How long will you be here, Zelda Benedict?”

“Umm… A week?”

“Are you not sure?”

“We’re not on a deadline.”

His breath touches my cheek. “About that kiss…”

Oh my god. “We’d better find Ava and Rowan.”

“Are you afraid?”

Yes, very. “I… I didn’t come here for this.”

Jesus, I’ve never been good at seduction, but I’ll be damned if his expression doesn’t grow darker with every word. I lower my hand slowly, not wanting to leave our magic, undersea bubble.

“Why did you come here?”

My eyes travel around the undersea exhibit as I think of a good answer. “I’d never been to Monagasco.” At least it’s not a lie.

“Zee…” His voice aches in my chest, and the bargaining begins.