Forever, he thought, and then he knew. This had gone beyond caring, beyond friendship and affection. Somehow, without meaning to, even knowing it to be the most stupid thing he’d ever done, he’d fallen in love with Princess Alexandra of Wynborough.
He drew her onto his lap and held her close, rocking her gently. ‘‘I want you, Alex,’’ he murmured.
‘‘I want you, too.’’
She wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her lips to his. While he responded, he knew that wasn’t what he’d meant when he told her he wanted her. Of course he was desperate to make love with her again and again, for as long as they had together, but what he wanted was her…forever. He wanted her in his life. He wanted to wake up next to her every morning. He wanted to marry her and watch her grow round with their babies. He even wanted to figure out how to blend their two very different lives.
He wanted not to think about how empty his life was going to be when she was gone. Because he knew he couldn’t ask her to stay. What could he possibly offer her that she couldn’t get better somewhere else? What right did he have to so change her life?
So he didn’t say anything. Instead he let his body speak his longing, his love and his pain. He took her into the bedroom and closed the door. Then he made love to her as if they might never have another night together.
* * *
Alex had barely taken her seat at her desk Monday morning when the phone rang. ‘‘Hello?’’ she answered.
‘‘So, tell me all about Mitch Colton,’’ her mother instructed. ‘‘He’s very handsome and you look good together. Is he a skilled dancer?’’
Alex didn’t know whether to laugh or scream. It had been less than forty-eight hours since the fundraiser. ‘‘When did you get the pictures?’’
‘‘This morning. They were delivered with my coffee. I must tell you, seeing my oldest daughter so very happy was a lovely way to start my day. My only complaint is that you didn’t phone to tell me you were in love. That’s not the sort of thing I want to find out from a third party.’’
Alex swallowed hard. ‘‘I’m not in love.’’
‘‘Oh, Alexandra, save those lines for the press. It’s as plain as day in these pictures. My goodness, the way he’s holding you and you’re looking at each other. It quite reminds me of my courtship with your father. It’s very romantic. Now tell me everything.’’
‘‘There’s nothing to tell. We’re good friends. I’m staying on his ranch. He’s kind to me.’’
‘‘Kind? I do not want to hear that this handsome cowboy is just kind. I refuse to believe he hasn’t tried to seduce you. And if you tell me you’ve resisted too strongly, I’m going to be most disappointed.’’
‘‘Mother!’’
Her mother sighed. ‘‘Alexandra, don’t be too good all the time. Life is short.’’
‘‘I know. We’re, um, well, we have become close.’’
‘‘Are we talking about confidences over a stamp collection or are you using a euphemism for sex?’’
Alex writhed in her chair. ‘‘I can’t believe I’m having this conversation with my mother.’’
‘‘And I can’t believe you’re such a prude.’’
‘‘I’m not a prude. Yes, we’re lovers. There, are you happy?’’
‘‘That’s the wrong question. The right question is, Areyouhappy?’’
Alex closed her eyes. She thought about yesterday, which she and Mitch had spent on the beach at Malibu. Los Angeles had been experiencing one of its Indian summer days, with temperatures near eighty. They’d walked in the sand, laughed, then gone back to their room and made love again.
‘‘Yes, Mother, I’m very happy. Mitch is a special man. He’s everything you would want him to be, but most important, he sees me for myself. When I’m with him, I feel at ease and very safe.’’
Her mother sighed. ‘‘I understand completely. I wish you both all the best.’’
Alex didn’t like the sound of that. ‘‘It’s not what you’re thinking, though. I don’t love him.’’
‘‘Really? Why not?’’
Alex opened her mouth, but couldn’t think of a single thing to say. They were talking about Mitch. It could never work between them. ‘‘I have my duty,’’ she managed at last.
‘‘It does always come down to that, doesn’t it,’’ her mother said. ‘‘Your father and I wanted you and your sisters to find your own way. That’s why we never arranged matches for the four of you. True love is a rare and special thing. However, if after all this time you haven’t found it, perhaps it’s not in the cards for you. Maybe we should look into finding you a suitable husband. If that’s what you want.’’
