The Prince and the Player

“Tell me about your parents.”

Her hand is in my arm, and we’re walking down the beige stones, under black lanterns topped with white globes.

“I only know them through what my sister’s told me. I was so young when they died.”

“You lived with relatives?”

She shakes her head, and I don’t miss the shadow that clouds her expression. “We were orphans. I guess we still are.”

“I’m sorry.” Sliding my fingers over the back of her hand, I try to imagine how her life has been. “Were you alone?”

“We were put in the foster care system.” She says no more, but I can infer the rest from her tone.

“It was a bad experience?”

“We ultimately ran away. We spent a few years hiding under bridges and sneaking into boat houses until we started making enough money to afford a room.”

I’m surprised by the tightness in my chest at this revelation. I haven’t known her long enough to feel this burn of protectiveness toward her.

“We’re so far removed from the States. We have a fairytale notion someone like you would naturally have a safe place to live and plenty of food to eat.”

“They should…” her voice trails off, and I’m sorry I led us down this dark train of thought. She breaks it, however. “Enough of that. Tell me about your family. What is it like growing up as the future king of Monagasco?”

Smoothing the back of her hand with mine, I think about my childhood. “I wasn’t spoiled. My parents tried to give Cal and me as normal a life as possible.”

“Considering you had everything you wanted?” She laughs, and I know she’s teasing.

“It’s true, but they made us do chores, pick up after ourselves. We weren’t allowed to be wasteful or selfish. We had to go with them to charity events, serve at soup kitchens, all that sort of thing.”

She stops walking and faces me. The white streetlights glow golden in her hair. “It’s why you’re kind. I’ve felt it from the start.”

A breeze whispers around us, sending a lock of her dark hair across her cheek. I catch it and move it away. Her green eyes are stunning against her tanned skin.

“I confess, my thoughts haven’t been kind since I’ve met you.” I exhale a laugh. “All I can think of is seeing you naked.”

Her lips press into a grin and she starts to laugh. “You certainly have a one-track mind.”

“I feel like I should apologize, but dammit. I won’t.”

It’s her turn to surprise me. She presses that gorgeous body into my chest and slides back the lock of too-long hair that’s fallen across my forehead.

“I won’t apologize either, then. I’ve wanted to see you naked since that first night on the balcony.”

“Are you saying you’ll go with me to the hotel?”

“Will I get my wish?” Her fingers have moved to the base of my neck, and I grasp her bare torso, pulling her hard against me.

“How fast can you walk?”

Her nose wrinkles. “I’m pretty fast when I need to be.”

“I feel the need to move quickly.”

She laughs softly, as I kiss her teasing lips.

Evening

Zelda