“Who gives a fuck?” He lifts his arm, and in the bright light, the faintest design appears in the fabric. “It’s Ming dynasty, I think. Pretty basic for Balmain.”
“Is he the royal designer?”
“If he is, he wouldn’t work with me. I picked this out at a show last spring.”
“Wearing a year-old tux? Shocking! No wonder he skipped you,” I tease, walking slowly across the polished marble floor. An enormous black star is in the center. “You know, they have a replica of this place in Vegas? They have replicas of all the great casinos there.”
“Have you been?”
I shake my head. “Now I never will. It would be too depressing.”
“No arrogant princes following you around?”
Glancing to the side, I smile. “You’re not so arrogant.”
“I must be. I’m convinced you should choose me over him.”
The tone in his voice is serious, and a little charge moves through my stomach. It makes me miserable. I’ve already chosen him over Rowan, but I can’t let it happen. As much as I prefer spending time with him, I can’t blow this opportunity for Ava and me.
“Speaking of him, where is his royal majesty?”
“Probably playing Baccarat. Are you asking me to take you there?”
I can’t tell if he’s angry or not. He has an impeccable poker face. “You can get me a drink.”
“Your wish is my command. Champagne?”
“I think I had enough champagne last night. Gin and tonic.”
“Shit. I was hoping to cloud your judgment again.” He gives me a wink and saunters off to the elaborate bar.
I look down at my fingers twisting together. I’ve got to find Rowan. I’ve got to get my head out of the clouds and my ass with the crown prince. I wore this dress, these heels, all of it to entice him. Here I am reveling in the attentions of the wrong man.
Only a few moments pass, and he’s back. “Speaking of Balmain, you should go with me to the spring show. They’re one of the few houses that uses live orchestration.”
“I’ve never been to a fashion show.”
“That settles it, then.” He leans forward and whispers, “I’ll get that cherry.”
My heart beats faster. “Were you expecting to get another one?”
“No.” He stops and catches my chin, stealing a brief kiss along with my breath. “I’m not such a sexist prig to think if you’re not my first, I should be yours.”
“You’re the very model of a modern playboy prince.”
“Pirates of Penzance?”
Exhaling a laugh, I shake my head. “I’ve never seen it. I got that from that god-awful Pirate Movie.”
We’ve been walking since we got our drinks, and now we’re at the back entrance to the casino. He leads me out the ornate doors onto a long terrace overlooking the sea. The moon is just rising, touching the water with silvery tips. It’s gorgeous.
“You hate every movie,” he says.
“I do not. I just have a low tolerance for crap.”
Cal sits on the stone railing in front of me, and his warm hands cover the exposed skin on my hips as he pulls me close to his body.
“Where did you acquire such a refined taste in film?” He leans forward to kiss the side of my neck, and that little fish in my middle is flipping all over the place.