Caitlyn paused to think about that. “Maybe I didn’t. But I can’t help how I felt.”
“How you feel,” Melinda corrected.
“I…” Caitlyn pushed a hand through her hair. “I’m going, Melinda.”
“Yeah. I got that. Just be safe, okay? Let us know where you’re supposed to be, and…” Melinda stroked one cat’s back before straightening up and coming over to Caitlyn. “Protect yourself. I know he’s a movie star and a prince, but the way you acted toward him before tonight. Girl, he hurt you. A lot.”
“I know this. I lived it.”
“Well, just don’t let him do it to you again. If he starts his bullshit, if you think he’s lying to you again, get out of there. You’re worth a lot more than some guy with an ego the size of Mars discarding you like a used condom.”
Caitlyn smiled a little and accepted a hug from her friend. She knew she couldn’t keep herself from going with Emrys. The pull was too strong. But she was going to have to make sure that she put up a better guard for her heart than she had been in college.
Chapter Five
Caitlyn was like a little bird, peering owlishly out of the jet window with her lips forming a rosy bow. Her feet touched the floor with the tips of her red sneakers, and she pushed her glasses up slightly. Emrys could imagine her thoughts. It had been some time since she’d had this view. Her little trips within North America were undoubtedly adventures, but nothing could, in Emrys’s mind, compete with the age, the depth, or the richness of European history and culture.
Just now, they were flying over southern France in the private jet Emrys’s father had made available to ensure his son would come home safely. They’d spent the trip talking and drinking and fooling around on the bed in the back. In an odd way, Emrys felt like they were kids again. Petting and teasing, with no promise or demand of further commitment.
He moved over to her seat and rested his hand on her shoulder before handing her a cocktail.
“I’ve completely lost track of the time,” Caitlyn said. “Is it an appropriate hour to be having a drink?”
“It’s almost eleven PM in New York.”
“What time is it in Cabeau?”
“Five AM.”
Caitlyn smiled and shook her head. She knocked back the drink and leaned into his chest. Pleased, Emrys wrapped an arm around her waist and pressed a kiss to her neck. As she snuggled into him, pleasantly buzzed, Emrys slipped a hand under the loose, pink baby doll blouse she was wearing. The top was made from lace, and while it seemed to be comfortable, it made her perky breasts seem fuller. His hand cupped one of those breasts over her bra and stroked it with his thumb.
“Why did you invite me here?” Caitlyn murmured after a moment.
“I told you. I don’t want to part from you again so soon.” His lips made a path along the curve of her neck.
“This is like a vacation for you, isn’t it? Time off from Roughhousing?”
“And having you by my side will make it all the better.”
Caitlyn sat up suddenly and moved his hand away. “I know. I feel the same way, but…don’t misunderstand here. I don’t want to get hot and heavy right away. Maybe we could just enjoy our time together and not worry about what it means.”
“If that makes it easier for you.” Emrys held back his frustration at her words. He could manage; he was an actor. Still, there had to be more that he could do to quell her fears. “My Cait, all I want right now is you. Your presence. If I have that, and I do, I’m happy. We’ll let the rest sort out itself.”
Trustingly, Caitlyn bobbed her head.
***
Cabaeau was a lot greener than Caitlyn had expected at this time of
year. Though that expectation may have come from poor geography skills. Ensconced as it was between southern France and Italy, the weather was still rather sunny and mild.
Caitlyn tied her sweater around her waist as she followed Emrys from the private jet to a large, black sedan. While his hands had been all over her on the jet, now that they’d landed, Emrys simply offered her his arm and guided her where to go. There was a flourish of propriety surrounding every move he made. He’d changed again. From her sweet summer Emrys five years ago, to a driven movie star at the party, to this elegant prince beside her now.
Who was he really?
Caitlyn wondered a bit, but let herself off the hook for thinking about it too much. She was fascinated by the green fields and the old architecture. For such a small country, the city they drove through seemed large, teeming with people going about their business. The car had to slow to compensate for the moderate traffic and the people streaming through the streets. Caitlyn spotted several signs, each emblazoned with French and English.
“Is French the main language here?” Caitlyn asked. In her hasty departure, she hadn’t found the time to do much research on the country.