Chapter1
Kristin Wells heldher refurbished pocketbook close to her chest, scratched side in. She’d spent an hour before her interview this morning buffing out the flaw in the blackleather.
She tapped her feet on the marble floor of the hotel. She’d applied for this position three months ago while browsing the job postings at her current employer, Miami Insurance. Who wouldn’t want to travel the world as secretary for the Royal Prince Antonio Aussa, the world’s most eligible bachelor? She hadn’t seen much of the world, and never a man as gorgeous as the prince in thephotos.
Her shoe slipped off.Drat.She reached down and fixed it as her heart raced. Her best friend Renee had convinced her to go for it—what did she have to lose by applying? And now here she sat in a Marriott Hotel conference room, her legs jittering despite skipping her morning coffee. Kristin glanced at the old curmudgeon with steel-gray hair and round brown glasses that sat at a black, shining desk near the door. If she got the job, would she report to this woman? She avoided eye contact but smiled as much aspossible.
The older lady stood and pointed toward the door to an interior office. Kristin got the impression that this was a temporary set up—the only thing on the desk was a phone. "You may go in now, Ms.Wells."
At least the interview would give her a peek at Antonio, who she’d researched online. He was a playboy prince from a country next to Italy that wasn’t quite as big. If she landed this job, she’d have to brush up on her Italian to ensure his social calendar stayed in order. But most important had been that smile of his. It was magnetic. With luck, she'd see it inperson.
“Are you thinking about running away?” The older womanasked.
"I’m going in. Thanks." She fixed her black skirt, went inside the empty room and closed the door. Her heart beat out ofcontrol.
Bright sun reflected off the ocean visible from the glass walls and she ducked her head. The hotel must use this room for weddings, she thought. A modern, sleek metal desk, with a single white folder atop,, and two accent chairs for guests was situated in the middle of the room. The large sliding glass door would give access to the private beach, not that she wasinterested.
Her pale complexion and the beach had never gotten along. She chose the seat in the shaded part of the room to avoid a burn and smoothed herskirt.
A moment later, she heard the click of the door to her right and in walked Prince Antonio Aussa. A shiver so deep it woke every part of her body spread through her and she felt like she’d combust if he brushed against her. The pictures hadn't done him justice. His smile was better than magnetic, his shoulders more broad in his gray tailored suit, and his hair as shiny and rich as melted dark chocolate. He’d starred in her dreams over the last three months but the reality made hertremble.
He held out his hand in greeting. His palm looked massive compared to her small wrists, but she felt a zap when he took her hand to shake. "Nice to meet you, Your Highness.” Grateful she hadn’t stammered, she focused on the yellow legal pad in his hand. He hadn’t said a word yet. “I'm excited to start our interview,” she swallowed her nerves, “as I am very interested inthisjob."
Millions of women would die to do whatever hewanted.
He cleared his throat, and took the empty seat beside her. She sat on the edge of her chair and waited while he assessed her plain brown eyes behind her black frames. Renee had urged her to get highlights in her brown hair but she hadn’t had time—now she wanted to hide from hisbrilliance.
Her skin grew goosebumps of awareness, but she kept her mouth shut. Her current job sucked the life out of her and if she had to do one more fraudulent insurance claim she’d jump off a bridge. Her life was boring, predictable, safe. And her third masters degree wasn’t taking her mind off things. Being hired as the prince’s secretary would allow her to travel, and maybe pay off her condo which she could rent while away because she needed a major change and to figure out how to be happy inherskin.
He scooted his chair closer to her and her pulse raced. "Why should Ichooseyou?"
Because if he ripped off her clothes, she wouldn’t protest? Her hand shook slightly and she clutched her bag to hide it. His smile had triggered a longing for something more. Her body throbbed to know every inch of him. She’d never had a high school crush—was this feelinglikethat?
Kristin knew the math for them would never add up. She refused to let her emotions rule her, ever, and she certainly didn’t believe in falling in love, especially at firstsight.
But as his paid secretary? Her parents had instilled a solid work ethic. They were gone now and she’d honor their teaching—even the silent lessons, like love being a delusion that eventually ate away and destroyed allhappiness.
Kristin needed to convince him that she was the best applicant. "My undergraduate degree is in finance, so I can run numbers for you in addition to taking notes during meetings or updating your calendar. The idea of being flexible to meet the demands of a royal prince means I get to think onmyfeet."
At her current job, she worked on the same items, every single day. He sat back and she felt a pang of loss that his interest in her was gone, but then he met her gaze. She couldn't look away. "You're sure ofyourself."
Did he think so? Normally yes. Right now, she was a hot mess on the inside. When she tried to loosen the death grip on her pocketbook, she dropped it instead, the broken latch spilling the contents of her purse all over the floor. "Is confidence a badthing?"
Her cheeks burned as she bent down to collect her things. Once she’d stuffed her lipstick, mascara, pads that weren't necessary at all for another few weeks, and pens into her bag, she straightened in the chair. "I'm sorry, I'm never thisclumsy."
"I'm used to it. It's what happens when women meet me for thefirsttime."
Arrogant too. She lifted her chin. "Or it's your title. A crown can be intimidating." This was an interview, not a date. Kristin had to remember why she was here. She nodded. "I'm career-oriented and a fastlearner."
He crossed his arms and again her body grew warm from his perusal. Then he picked up the one folder on the desk. "Your name is KristinWells?"
"Yes." She had sounded breathless. She battled for control of her senses, but her skin heated and she feared sheblushed.
He stared at her, gifting her with his sexy grin. He closed the folder and the snap of papers filled the air. "Would you take your glasses off for aminute?"
A simple request if her hands weren't shaking. She did her best, but lowered her lashes so she didn't have to look directly at him. If he saw into her soul, he’d see her fantasies of him and goodbye perfect job. "Umm, okay, but I do need themtosee."
He took them from her. His palm made her skin jump. "You have beautiful eyes, have you ever thought ofcontacts?"
