“Oh?”
“I was curious about what you look liked under that tent you wore earlier but I was pretty sure that you were hiding a gorgeous figure. I wasright.”
He joined her inside and the door closed seamlessly. She continued, “I’m glad to knowhowyou have tickets to this though. Part of me wondered if you were on the level, so I feel morecomfortable.”
Her honesty was refreshing. He wasn’t sure when had been the last time he’d felt so at ease. He relaxed into his seat. “When most people hear my name, it’s not comfort they feel.” It was greed, andexpectation.
She turned toward him and adjusted her blue shoe. “They don’t know the real youthen.”
Her leg caught his attention. He’d like to trace her leg up from that cute ankle of hers toward her shapely thighs, though he knew she’d probably slap him if he tried. Instead, he selected a chilled bottle and a glass. “Would you like champagne before we put ourselves on display for the worldpress?”
She nodded and he poured while she said, “So, if you’re a duke from Avce, please explain the American accent and subterfuge at the bar today. Why not tell me right away who youare?”
He filled her glass and handed it to her. “I was born in Colorado,ma’am.”
As he poured his own glass, she wrinkled her nose as if he’d insulted her. “I’m not a ma’am. Just call meDonna.”
He held out his crystal flute to clink against hers. “Fair enough.” She toasted with him and he saw the kindness in her gaze. He drank a little of the bubbly wine. “So, what is it that you do for a living? Are you a divorcee out to find herself and possibly buy a house in a foreign country just to restart yourlife?”
“Nope. I’ve never been married.” She sipped her champagne and let out a small laugh. “I was a librarian until they closed the branch I worked at, well,yesterday. Now I’m onvacation.”
Closing libraries seemed the opposite of what a society should do, but then again he’d only recently increased his own patronage. In Avce, nobility had responsibilities to the public and he agreed with the prince’s plans to invest heavily in education. “Where are youfrom?”
She put her glass down and sighed. “Florida. I’ve lived in Miami since I was fifteen, though before that we were from a small beachtown.”
“So Avce was your first stop for your vacation?” Normally first time tourists to Europe chose London or Paris. The last American woman he’d spoken to had been in Paris, where she’d tried to introduce him to her three hotel roommates. He’d declined and never spoke to her again, but Americans were way more common in the biggercities.
She sipped her champagne as they drove into Avce toward the church. “Yes, I want to see the world a little bit and I’ve always dreamed ofEurope.”
Avce was beautiful but small. He was still learning to love it, though the historic estate he lived on felt bigger than he deserved. He met her gaze and shared his past, which was something he normally didn’t do. “I moved here when I was sixteen. I’ve seen most of Europe at this point, but my soul still wishes I was on our corn fields in Colorado.” Honesty felt strange. The limo stopped in front of the church and he held out his hand for her empty glass. “It seems we’re here. Are youready?”
She winked at him. “Yes, Blackwell, I’m ready foryou.”
Now, who was teasing who? He laughed low. Flirting with a beautiful woman came naturally. He placed his hand on her knee and sat back as the driver opened her door. “That is good to hear. Let’sgo.”
He followed her out and placed his hand on her lower back as the world press snapped their pictures. Donna scooted closer as they walked into the church and she slipped her hand in the crook of his arm. The moment her fingers brushed against the blue velvet, his skin became electrified, eager for her touch. If he’d worn a simple t-shirt, there might have been actual sparks, but he ignored the sensation. Sparks made nosense.
