The Prince's Christmas Vow

“You’re the one who looks amazing. You were born to wear a tux.”

“Grazie.” He gave a tug on each sleeve. “It takes years of experience to properly pull off the look.”

She grinned, enjoying the fact that he was in a good mood. After all of his hard work, he deserved to enjoy this success. “You shouldn’t be wasting time with me.”

“It’s definitely not a waste of time. I can’t think of any place I’d rather be.”

“But you have important guests to entertain. You need their support to continue the project.”

“Don’t worry. There’s plenty of time for all of that.”

“Demetrius, I need to apologize. I want to explain—”

“Shh...we’ll talk. We have all night. Liliana said she doesn’t expect to see you tonight. She has everything under control.”

“You saw Liliana and...and my mother?”

He nodded. “I went looking for you.”

“But why?”

“Because you’re my date for tonight. And now it’s my turn to ask you a question. Can I have this dance?”

Heat rushed up her neck and warmed her cheeks. There was music playing? She hadn’t noticed until he’d mentioned it. Demetrius held out his arm to her and suddenly she felt like Cinderella at the ball.

Oh, what would it hurt to enjoy herself for the evening in the arms of the most amazing man in the world? She accepted his arm. He escorted her onto the busy dance floor. She didn’t even want to contemplate the number of women who would die to be in her place, much less be the wife of this amazing prince. She’d pinch herself to make sure this was all real, but she didn’t want to remove her hands from him—afraid he might disappear again.

As the eighteen-piece orchestra played, Demetrius skillfully guided her around the dance floor. She’d swear that her feet never even touched the floor. She smiled and smiled until her cheeks hurt, and then she smiled some more.

Throughout it all, she didn’t let herself think about what would happen when the clock struck twelve. The whole world slipped away, leaving just the two of them swaying gently to the music. She never wanted to let him go.

Demetrius stared deep into her eyes. “Close your eyes.”

Instead of arguing and questioning him as she normally would do, she simply closed her eyes, trusting him to guide her safely around the room.

Demetrius pulled her closer. “Now imagine that my lips are pressed to yours.”

She could visualize his face and how he would lean over to her. She could imagine his lips pressed to hers. A wishful sigh crossed her lips.

“Imagine me pulling you close. Real close. Our bodies press together. My lips moving over yours. You taste sweet as vino. No. Sweeter.” His voice was warm and soft, for her ears only. “I can’t stop kissing you.”

Was he really seducing her here on the dance floor? Because if so, it was working. Heat rushed up her neck, setting her whole face ablaze. Her eyes sprang open.

“Hey, no cheating. Close your eyes.”

It was as though his touch and the deep tones of his voice had a spell over her. She once again did as he asked, eagerly wondering where this fantasy was to take them next. Her mind started to jump ahead quite a few steps. It was getting warm in there. Very warm indeed.

“My lips are still on yours.” He pulled her closer. His lips were next to her ear. His breath brushed lightly over her neck. “My fingers work their way up your back until they are plucking the pins from your hair and letting your curls fall down over your shoulders.”

The breath hitched in her throat as she waited for his next words. “And...”

He chuckled. “Anxious, aren’t you?”

She smiled. “Definitely.”

“My lips trail over your cheek and over to your ear where I whisper a few sweet nothings. And then I move down to that sensitive spot on your neck. You know, the spot that drives you wild.”

Goose bumps trailed down her arms as she recalled the delicious sensations that he could arouse. “And then what?”

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

BEFORE HE COULD say another word, the music stopped. Zoe’s eyes opened. Not yet. She resisted the urge to stomp her feet in frustration. Things were just getting good. Who knew that Demetrius could play out a seduction scene so smoothly?

“Quit pouting,” he whispered in her ear as he led her from the dance floor. “We aren’t finished.”