LITMIR.BIZ

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he felt compelled to talk him out of throwing his future away.

      Zach knew the circumstances of Antonio’s marriage and it made him sick to think of his honorable, big-hearted friend locked into a miserable existence like his parents had shared.

      He wasn’t thinking of doing anything overt. Certainly nothing that would embarrass the royal family, especially his best friend. But he could cause a few delays. And earn enough time to talk his friend out of making the biggest mistake of his life.

      Tony had a lot on his plate taking on the leadership of his country. Halencia had reached a state of crisis. Antonio’s parents were gregarious, bigger-than-life characters madly in love with each other one moment and viciously in hate the next. There’d been public affairs and passionate reconciliations.

      The country languished under their inattention. The king and queen lived big and spent big, costing the country much-needed funds.

      The citizens of Halencia loved the drama, hated the politics. Demands for a change had started years ago but had become more persistent in the past five years. Until a year ago when the king was threatened with a paternity suit. It turned out Antonio wasn’t getting a new sibling. It was just a scare tactic gone wrong.

      But it was the last straw for the citizens of Halencia.

      The chancellor of the high counsel had gone to Antonio and demanded action be taken.

      Antonio had flown home to advise his father the time had come. The king must abdicate and let Antonio rule or risk the monarchy being overthrown completely.

      The citizens of Halencia cheered in the streets. Antonio was well loved in his home country. He lived and worked in California, but he took his duty as prince seriously. He returned home two or three times a year, maintaining a residence in Halencia and supporting many businesses and charities.

      Everyone was happy. Except Tony, who had to leave everything he’d worked to achieve and go home to marry a woman he barely knew.

      Zach knew the truth behind Tony’s impromptu engagement four years ago. He was one of a handful of people who did. And though it was motivated by love, it wasn’t for the woman he’d planned to marry.

      Tony was a smart man. Zach just needed a little time to convince him that marriage was drastic and unnecessary.

      Lindsay seemed like a nice person. She’d understand when this all played out. Surely she wouldn’t want to bring together two people who were not meant to be a couple. Plus, she’d get paid either way. And have a nice trip to Italy for her troubles.

      Once he was in Halencia and had access to Tony and Christina, he’d subtly hound them until one or the other caved to the pressure. And maybe cause a snag or two along the way so the whole thing just seemed like a bad idea.

      Of course he’d have to distract the pretty wedding planner with a faux flirtation to keep her from noticing his shenanigans. No hardship there. He was attracted enough to the feisty pixie to make it fun, but she was way too picket-fence for him so there was no danger of taking it too far.

      He saw it as win, win, win. Especially for those not stuck in a loveless marriage.

      She lifted her glass again. “And thanks again for this program.”

      “I hope you like puzzles, because there’s still a lot of work there.”

      “Not near what there was.” She picked up a strawberry, dipped it in her flute and sank dainty white teeth into the fruit. The ripe juice stained her lips red and he had the keenest urge to taste the sweetness left behind. “In fact, I may actually watch the movie.”

      “Excellent.” He all but had her eating out of his hand with that act of kindness. And he’d needed something after stumbling onto the plane half blind with a migraine and sitting on the blasted dress. He’d popped some over-the-counter meds just before boarding. Thank the flight gods the headache had finally eased off.

      He needed to stick close to her if this sabotage was going to work. He’d do his best to protect her as he went forward, but if it came down to a choice between her job and the happiness of the man who meant more to him than family, he’d choose Tony every time. No matter how pretty the wedding planner.

      He’d revealed more about himself than he meant to, than he ever did really. But her attitude toward parental problems appealed to him: do what you can and move on. How refreshing to find someone who understood and accepted that not all parents were perfect. Many people didn’t get along with their parents but most loved and respected them.

      He tolerated his parents, but he wasn’t willing to make a total break, which probably meant he harvested hope for a better relationship at some point. He couldn’t imagine what might bring it about so he pretty much ignored them except when he was on the east coast or at a family function requiring his presence.

      Next to him Lindsay sipped champagne and flipped through the movie choices. The dim lights caught the gold in her light brown hair. She had the thick mass rolled up and pinned in place but soft wisps had broken free to frame her face. He wondered how long the confined tresses would flow down her back. Her creamy complexion reminded him of the porcelain dolls his mother collected, complete with a touch of red in the cheeks though Lindsay’s was compliments of the champagne.

      She shot him a sideways glance, a question in her pretty baby blue eyes.

      He realized she’d asked a question. “Sorry. I got lost in looking at you.”

      A flush added to the red in her cheeks and a hand pushed at the pins in her hair. “I asked if you preferred the comedy or the World War One drama.” She turned back to the screen, fidgeted with the buttons. “But maybe I should just go back to my seat.”

      “No. Stay. This is my celebration, after all.”

      She glanced at him through lush lashes. “Okay, but you’ll have to behave.”

      “I’ll have you know my mother raised me to be a gentleman.”

      “Uh-huh.” She made the decision for them with the push of a button. “That might be reassuring, except I doubt you’ve been under your mother’s influence for quite some time.”

      He grinned and reached up to turn off the overhead light. “Very astute, Ms. Reeves.”

      * * *

      Lindsay came awake to the rare sense of being wrapped in warm, male arms. She shot straight up in her seat, startling the man she cuddled against. His whiskey-brown eyes opened and blinked at her, the heat in his slumberous gaze rolling through her like liquid fire.

      Escape. Now. The words were like a beeping alarm going off in her head.

      “Can you let me out?” She pushed away from him, gaining a few inches and hopefully reinforcing the message to move. Now.

      “Is the movie over?” He reined her in with an easy strength. His broad chest lifted under her as he inhaled a huge breath and then let it go in a yawn.

      “Yes. This was fun.” Too much fun. Time to get back to the real world. “But I need to get past you.” He tucked a piece of her hair behind her ear instead of moving. The heat of his touch called for desperate measures. “I’ve got to pee.”

      He blinked. Then the corner of his mouth tipped up and he stood. “Me, too.” He helped her up and gestured for her to go first.

      “You go ahead,” she urged him. “I want to grab a few things to freshen up with.”

      “Good idea.” He opened the overhead compartment and grabbed a small bag. “Can I help you get anything?”

      “Thank you, no.” She waited until he wandered off to gather what she needed from her tote.

      The attendants had performed her turndown service so both beds were down for the night. She automatically checked the garment bag holding the royal wedding dress. It lay nicely in place, undisturbed since the last time she checked. She bent to retrieve her tote from

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