The Crown Prince's Bride (Royal Duology 2)

Her smile faded. “I know. It’s been a lovely week.” She sighed. “But, we can’t expect it to be like this forever.”

“Real life has a way of intruding,” he agreed. “But we do have today. Our schedule’s a bit lighter, as well. What do you say to finishing up this morning, then taking a side trip? We’ll go to Monte Carlo. Try our luck at the tables. Leave work behind.”

He was surprised when Stephani sat up in the bed, gathering the sheet around her. He thought she’d be happy about some off-the-clock time, but the pucker in her eyebrows said not so much.

“Raoul, that would be lovely, but don’t you think we should talk about what happens next? We’ve put it off all week, and it was easier to leave it alone and enjoy o

urselves.” She put her hand on his arm. “And I have. Oh, I have. It’s been magical. But we’ve avoided talking about the big things. I don’t think we can do that any longer.”

“We can’t leave it until tomorrow?”

The pucker in her brows deepened. “The only reason to put it off is if you’re going to say something I don’t want to hear. And if that’s the case, I’d rather hear it now, before I . . . before we . . .”

His stomach churned and he struggled to find the right words. “Stephani, this last week . . .” He paused, looked down, then back up again, meeting her troubled gaze. “It’s been incredible. I’ve sat in meeting rooms with you and marveled at how smart and intuitive you are. Watched you interact with people and caught myself smiling when you smile at them. I can talk to you more than anyone else I know, and being your lover . . .” He reached for her hand. “Holding you in my arms has been the most unexpected, incredible gift. Do you blame me for wanting to pretend the rest of the world doesn’t exist for just a little longer?”

Her frown had softened, but the worried expression still darkened her eyes. “It’s been amazing for me too, Raoul. I can’t begin to tell you how much.”

He leaned over and kissed her gently, then pressed his forehead against hers. What would happen if he threw caution to the wind and just went for it? The very idea terrified him. It simply was not his way. For a week, maybe. But as a long-term strategy, it sucked.

“I sense a ‘but’ coming,” she said quietly.

He took a breath.

And was interrupted by his phone ringing. The ring tone was a special one, reserved for one number only: the secure line inside the palace.

He reached for his phone and answered.

When he hung up again, he felt as if the strength had left his body.

“It’s my father,” he said sharply. “He’s suffered a heart attack.”

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Stephani sat stiffly in the limousine that carried them from the airport to the palace. Worry for Alexander tightened her chest, and frustration with Raoul was giving her a headache. She wished he would just talk to her, tell her what he was feeling. Instead he’d closed himself off, his face locked in a grim expression she recognized.

His defense against grief.

As soon as he’d received the call, she’d called Marco with new travel arrangements, gone to her room to pack, and cancelled the morning meetings. Raoul had packed his own things and spent most of his time on the phone with Sofia, who was still at the palace, and his father’s physician, who had accompanied Alexander to the hospital. There was no chance of the news not getting out, so as soon as they got to the palace, she and Sofia would work on crafting a press release for immediate distribution.

That she could do without any trouble; it was her job and she’d been doing it for years. What really nagged at her was the look in Raoul’s eyes this morning. There’d been . . . resignation, and despair. If anything happened to Alexander, he’d become king. The pressures he felt now would increase. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out what he’d been thinking before the phone call. He wasn’t ready for anything official. With Alexander’s illness, he’d be even less so.

He’d suggested a trip to Monaco, but she’d known, deep down, it was a last hurrah. A man who had decided to carry on with a relationship didn’t put off talking about it or speak about avoiding the real world. She knew in her heart he’d made his decision.

This had been the risk she knew she was taking. She was good enough for an assistant, and even good enough to be his lover. But beyond that, no. He’d decided that either he wasn’t ready or that it wasn’t what he wanted in the long run.

She should be filled with anger, or regret, but she wasn’t. She’d known the risks, known the rewards. She didn’t need a trip to Monte Carlo to take a gamble, and she’d lost. But the regret would have been if she hadn’t played at all. Now she knew. They’d tried.

Raoul was 100 percent focused on his father right now, and rightly so. She reached over and took his hand, the only solace he seemed willing to allow. Presently he was speaking to Diego on the phone, who was in the middle of having his own travel plans adjusted so he and Rose could fly home from their honeymoon a week early. By late tonight the two brothers would be together, and she’d be back home in her apartment, licking her wounds. Until then, she’d be where she belonged. Beside him.

That was the kicker, wasn’t it? She knew they had no future, but she still belonged at his side. As his assistant; as his friend. On the flight she’d insisted he eat something and he’d gone through the motions. As he’d spoken on the phone to Sofia—again—she’d linked her fingers with his and tried to be strong and reassuring.

But still he didn’t let her in, so she helped in the only way she knew how. She’d look after palace details and whatever business was waiting, so he’d be free to stay with family.

Once back at the palace, Raoul had his bags sent to his rooms while she wheeled her case to the offices. She’d take it home with her later, but there was no time to waste. “Raoul, please have Dr. Sanchez call me right away with an update, and I’ll get to work on an official release. We’ve already lost a lot of time, and with no official word from the palace . . .”

“I’ll do it right now.”

She sat at her desk and called Sofia over to give her a debrief. The phone rang and she got the update from the hospital. It was indeed a heart attack, but a small one, and Alexander was expected to make a full recovery. Raoul went upstairs to change, then left for the hospital.