LITMIR.BIZ

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turned and started through the patio doors, but Luc reached out, grabbing her arm to halt her exit. Her eyes darted down to his hand, then back up to his face, but he didn’t release her.

      “Why is this particular charity so important to you?” he asked. “You mention it so often. If you give me the name, I’ll send as much money as you want me to.”

      Her eyes softened, filled with a sadness he hadn’t seen there before. “Money isn’t what I wanted.”

      Slipping from his grasp, she headed down the stairs toward the beach. Money wasn’t what she wanted? Had he ever heard a woman say that before? Surely any organization could benefit from a sizable donation.

      Kate was always surprising him with what came out of her mouth. She seemed to enjoy a good verbal sparring as much as he did. But something about the cause she kept bringing up was bothering him. Obviously, this was something near and dear to her, and she didn’t feel like opening up about it. She’d worked for him for a year, but he’d known her longer than that, though they didn’t exactly hang in the same circles. Didn’t she trust him enough to disclose her wishes?

      Luc shook his head as he watched her walk along the shoreline. The woman was mesmerizing from so many different angles, and it was a damn shame she was his assistant, because having her in his bed would certainly help take the edge off this title-throne nightmare.

      Glancing up at the sky, he noticed the clouds growing darker. A storm was on the horizon and he knew how much Kate loved Mother Nature’s wrath. She’d always been fascinated by the sheer power, she’d told him once. And that summed Kate up in a nutshell. She was fierce, moved with efficiency and had everyone taking notice.

      Part of him wanted to worry, but he knew she’d be back soon, most likely to watch the storm from her own balcony. Luc still took a seat on his patio to wait for her, because they weren’t done discussing this charity business. She was hiding something and he wanted to know what it was. Why was this mysterious organization such a secret? And why did discussing it make her so sad and closed off?

      He sank down onto the cushioned bench beside the infinity pool. Everything about this outdoor living space was perfect and exactly what he would’ve chosen for himself. From the stone kitchen for entertaining to the wide, cushioned benches and chaise lounges by the pool, Luc loved all the richness this space offered.

      Glancing down the beach where Kate had set out, he found he couldn’t see her any longer and wondered when she’d start heading back. Ominous clouds blanketed the sky, rumbles of thunder filling the previous silence.

      When the first fat drop of rain hit his cheek, Luc continued to stare in the direction she’d gone. Since when did he give anyone such power over his mind? He didn’t like this. Not one bit.

      He was next in line for the throne, for pity’s sake. How could his hormones be led around so easily by one petite, curvy woman, and how the hell could he still want her after months and months of ignoring the fact?

      This pull was strong, no doubt, but Luc just had to be stronger. There was no room for lust here. He wouldn’t risk his family’s stellar reputation, or his ascension to the throne, just because he was hot for his assistant.

      * * *

      The wild, furious storm had been magnificent, one of the best she’d seen in a long time. Kate had meant to get back to the house before the weather got too bad, but she’d ended up finding a cove to wait it out in and couldn’t resist staying outside. She’d been shielded from the elements, but she’d gotten drenched before she could get hunkered down.

      With her dress plastered to her skin, she headed back toward the guesthouse. Even being soaking wet and a bit chilly from the breeze caressing her damp skin didn’t dim her mood. She had to walk up the steps to Luc’s patio in order to reach the path to her place. Noticing a light on the dock and lights on either side of the patio doors, she realized she’d been gone longer than she’d intended. It was clearly very dark and not because of the storm.

      “Where the hell were you?”

      Startled, Kate jumped back at the sound of Luc’s angry, harsh tone. He stood in the doorway to his living area, wearing the same clothes as he had before, but now his hair stood on end, as if he’d run his fingers through it multiple times.

      “Excuse me?” She stepped closer to him, taking in his flared nostrils, clenched jaw and the firm line of his mouth. “I told you I was going for a walk. I wasn’t sure I had to check in, Dad.”

      Luc’s lips thinned even more. “That storm was nasty. I assumed you’d have enough sense to come back. What the hell were you thinking?”

      The fact he’d waited for her warmed something in her, but the way he looked as if he was ready to throttle her had her defensive side trumping all other feelings. This had nothing to do with lust or sexual chemistry.

      “I purposely left the palace, the guards and everyone to get away from my troubles,” he went on, his voice laced with irritation. “You’re here to help me figure this whole mess out. But if you can’t be responsible, you can either go back to the palace or I’ll call in one of my guards to stay here and make sure you’re safe.”

      Kate laughed. “You’re being ridiculous. I’m a big girl, you know. I was perfectly fine and I sure as hell don’t need a keeper. Next thing you know you’ll be calling my parents.”

      With her father being head of security and her mother the clothing designer and seamstress for the family, Kate had been surrounded by royalty her entire life...just without a title of her own. Oh, wait, she was an assistant. Equally as glamorous as queen, princess or duchess.

      Actually, she liked being behind the scenes. She had an important role that allowed her to travel, make great money and do some good without being in the limelight. And she would continue to try to persuade Luc to visit the orphanage so close to her heart. They’d taken care of her there, had loved her and sheltered her until she was adopted. Now she was in a position to return some of their generosity.

      “Your father would agree with me.” Luc stepped forward, closing the gap between them as he gripped her arm. “Don’t go anywhere without your phone again. Anything could’ve happened to you.”

      “You can admit you were worried without going all Neanderthal on me, Your Highness.” She jerked from his grasp, but he only stepped closer when she moved back. “What is your problem? I was out, I’m back. Don’t be so grouchy because you can’t admit you were scared.”

      “Scared?” he repeated, leaning in so close she could feel his warm breath on her face, see the gold flecks in those dark eyes. “I wasn’t scared. I was angry that you were being negligent.”

      Kate really wasn’t in the mood to be yelled at by her boss. She didn’t deserve to be on the receiving end of his wrath when the issue he had was clearly with himself.

      Her soggy dress needed to go, and she would give anything to soak in a hot bubble bath in that sunken garden tub in her master bathroom. She only hoped it worked. She hadn’t tested it yet, and the sink in her kitchen was a bit leaky...

      “I’m heading home.” Kate waved a hand in the air to dismiss him and this absurd conversation. “We can talk tomorrow when you’ve cooled off.”

      The instant she turned away, she found herself being jerked back around. “I’m getting real sick of you manhandling—”

      His lips were on hers, his hands gripping the sides of her face, holding her firmly in place as he coaxed her lips apart. There was nothing she could do but revel in the fact that Prince Lucas Silva was one potent man and quite possibly the best kisser she’d ever experienced.

      And he was most definitely an experience. Those strong hands framed her face as his tongue danced with hers. Kate brought her hands up, wrapping them around his wrists. She had no clue if she should stop this before it got out of hand or hang on for the ride, since he’d fueled her every fantasy for so long.

      Arching

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