So, no matter how much of a hottie Prince Marcus was, she didn’t have time to go out for drinks with him. She had to buckle down and get working on the logistics for the shelter so she could make this project the success she needed it to be.
When Kyra was finished arranging her things, the prince was still hanging around.
“So you’re from Atlanta?” he asked.
“Born and raised,” she said.
“A Southern girl,” he said.
“Through and through.”
“The accent’s great.”
Every time she travelled people remarked on her accent. To her, Marcus was the one who had the accent. “Thanks,” she said to him and started out of the boardroom. He followed.
“How’s your hotel?” he asked.
This prince seemed hell-bent on making conversation. Kyra didn’t want to be rude, but she wasn’t much for small talk.
“The hotel is quite comfortable, thanks for asking.”
“Good,” he said. “My family is always concerned that guests to Sovalon have a positive experience while they’re visiting.”
“So far so good.” Was he going to walk her all the way out of the building?
“How have you found the kingdom so far?”
“Great,” Kyra responded. As she scrolled to the Uber app on her phone, she went on without thinking. “I haven’t really seen much of Sovalon yet. I only just arrived last night.”
Marcus’s eyes lit up.
Shoot! Shoot! Shoot!
Why had she said that? If those words weren’t a total in for Marcus to invite her on a tour—
“How about a tour?” he asked.
Of course he asked. And, damn if he wasn’t charming, this Prince Marcus with his deep dark eyes begging to get under her skin.
But she had to stay professional. She couldn’t afford to let her attraction get in the way of her work.
She smiled apologetically at him.
“I really need to get back to my room. I’ve got a lot of work to get through tonight, especially since I’m expecting visitors tomorrow,” she said. “My sister and niece are flying in for a visit while I’m here.”
Before Lance fell ill, he’d insisted that the company fly his wife and son over for a stay. When the trip was transferred to Kyra, the company offered her the extra tickets and the two-bedroom suite. She’d been flooded with relief at the opportunity to fly her family out to be with her. Her younger sister was a single mom, trying her best to raise Ava on her own. Kyra had helped Maggie out ever since Ava was born, and they had never been apart for a long period of time. She’d been worried about how Maggie would manage without her.
“Well, if you’ve got guests coming tomorrow, looks like tonight’s the night,” Marcus said.
Kyra shot him a confused look.
“This may be the last chance you get for a night out to see the city.” A gorgeous smile played along his lips. He winked at her, and a chill ran across her arms. “I don’t mean to talk myself up, but I’m a pretty good tour guide.”
Kyra laughed at his forwardness and couldn’t help but flirt back. She grinned and raised her eyebrows. “Oh really? Why is that?”
“Well, being that I’m a prince and all, I can get in places most people can’t.” He locked arms with her, as if she’d already agreed.
This man could charm the habit off a nun.
“What do you say?” Marcus asked, leaning his head close to hers. “One night of fun?”
Kyra’s heart raced at the nearness of him. He smelled like minty mouthwash and woodsy cologne, and the broody danger in his eyes excited her.
“Oh, all right. Why not?” she said. She hadn’t been out in ages. She worked constantly, and when she wasn’t working, she was helping out with Ava. She was in Europe of all places, and a prince wanted to show her around. She deserved one night to relax.
Marcus held a hand out to Kyra and she took it. A chill ran up her arm at his touch. Damn, he was hot. “I’d love for you to be my tour guide, Marcus. And since you’re offering, I’ll take that drink as well.”
“Perfect,” he said and leaned in to whisper in her ear. “You won’t regret it.”
And she didn’t.
Several drinks later, Kyra and Marcus sat close to each other at a bar in the City Center. He’d shown her around the capital, including taking her to a few historic buildings. Kyra not only enjoyed her Sovalon excursion but found herself enjoying Marcus’s company on many levels.
As they laughed together at the bar, Marcus’s hand slid over her knee. Her bare skin sizzled at his touch.
“Thanks for showing me the town,” she said, the buzz of alcohol and attraction streaming through her blood.
“Thanks for coming,” he said.
Marcus took a swallow of his gin and tonic, and Kyra found herself transfixed on his mouth, wanting to kiss him, to taste him.
“Want to get out of here?” she asked, her voice sultry.
Without breaking eye contact with her, Marcus nodded.
The minute his limo’s door closed, his hungry lips were on her mouth, on her neck, kissing her cleavage, making her sigh in anticipation of what would come next. By the time they reached the hotel room, Kyra could hardly wait to get his clothes off so she could return the favor.
Thoughts of work and responsibility faded.
Pleasure ruled.
Hours later, as Kyra lay in Marcus’s arms, she smiled to herself, fully sated. Prince Marcus not only knew how to charm a woman, but he delivered in the area of satisfaction as well. The man did not disappoint.
What a way to kick-start the business trip.
With a good old-fashioned one-night-stand to rev her engine.
Marcus was just what she’d needed.
For one night of fun. And then back to her regularly scheduled life tomorrow.
2
At six o’clock, the alarm woke Kyra from a sound sleep. At first, she was confused as to where she was then remembered that she was in Sovalon and that she’d just shared a very hot night with Prince Marcus. He’d left shortly after their encounter, which was fine with her. It was a one-night fling, one she’d thoroughly enjoyed, but no more than that.
She strode to the luxurious bathroom and stared at her reflection in the mirror.
“No regrets here,” she said out loud, even as she reminded herself silently that it couldn’t happen again. Work had to come first from now on. As attractive as Marcus was, she couldn’t let him distract her.
An hour and a half later, she slid into an Uber and dialed her sister’s number. She wanted to wish Maggie safe travels before she boarded the plane.
“How are things going there?” her sister asked.
“There’s a lot of work to be done, but it’s going to be great,” Kyra told her, leaving out any mention of her night with Marcus. Maggie didn’t need to know every ounce of her business. “If I knock this project out, I’m sure to get the promotion.”
“We’ll try our best to stay out of your way.”
“Why would you say that, Mags? I’m so excited for you and Ava to be here.”
But if Kyra was honest, she was a bit nervous about being able to balance work with her sister’s visit. She really needed to concentrate on the project. Still, if Maggie and Ava weren’t coming, she’d be so worried about them being by themselves at home, she’d probably be less likely to focus here.
“Be safe, Mags, and I’ll see you soon.”
Kyra hung up and exited the car. As she headed into the center, she thought of how responsible she felt for her sister and niece. Maggie had always jumped from man to man, job to job and had always landed in Kyra’s reassuring arms—never more so than when she got pregnant. Kyra was more like a mother to Maggie and Ava than anything else. Their own mother helped as much as she could, but she’d already raised Kyra and Maggie on her own, their father having walked out on them when they were too young to remember him. Kyra didn’t want her mother to have to deal with any m
ore responsibility, so she’d taken on being there for Maggie and Ava.
That’s why it was so important that Kyra excel in her career. She’d seen the sacrifices her mother had made and didn’t want her family to have to struggle any longer. Money may not be able to buy everything, but it could make life easier. Kyra took pride in how hard she worked at her career, especially since she truly loved the work of helping people.
She headed to the boardroom, where she was the first person to arrive, and took a seat at the table, her eyes drifting to the seat where Marcus had sat yesterday. Her thoughts danced away from her, recalling the way his hands felt on her body.
“Oh, no you don’t,” she whispered to herself in the empty boardroom. That train is not returning to this station. Time to buckle down.
A few people began to trickle in, and Dr. Meriter approached her.
“Good morning, Kyra,” he said. “Now that you’ve had a little time to settle in, I hope you’ve been able to see some of our beautiful capital.
“Oh, I have, and it’s lovely,” she said a little too enthusiastically. She cleared her throat and managed a flustered smile.
“Great,” he replied and called the meeting to order.
Still no sign of Marcus, but as it was, that was totally okay with Kyra. It would be less of a distraction if he didn’t show for the day.
To Kyra’s misfortune, Marcus did show. Twenty minutes into the meeting, he pushed through the door, his hair still wet and his gorgeous face looking freshly scrubbed. His woodsy cologne filtered through the air, filling her senses with memories of their hot night.
“Sorry I’m late,” he said and flashed a smile that sent Kyra’s heart into flutters.
She pinched her leg beneath the table and told herself to focus on the meeting. If she wanted that promotion, she needed to get her head out of the clouds and into the game.
* * *
As Marcus settled into his chair at the long boardroom table, he felt all eyes on him, judging him for his tardiness. A twinge of guilt passed through him. Maybe his father was right. Maybe he was just a playboy. He hadn’t even made it twenty-four hours on the new job before getting distracted—first by the gorgeous woman who also happened to be his colleague, then by spending such a passionate night with her that he accidentally overslept.
But maybe last night was just one last hurrah. Resisting Kyra Rogers would only be a growing problem for him. Better to get her out of his system straight away.
And he had.
Right?
He stole a glance at her from across the table. She looked perfectly professional, not like the woman who’d had wild sex with him for hours the night before. As she concentrated on Meriter’s presentation, her wiry curls fell over the side of her creamy dark cheeks, making him want to run his fingers through her hair, to touch her face… and more of her.
Okay, maybe she wasn’t out of his system. If he was honest with himself, she was all he’d thought about this morning.
He forced himself to focus. His old man would be pissed off when he found out about Marcus being late, and Meriter would surely spill the beans. Marcus had to buckle down. He’d had his fun, but the fun would have to be put on hold for the time being. His inheritance and his position in the kingdom were at stake. For the rest of the morning, he worked diligently to be attentive and on task, to answer questions, and to provide input. He even impressed himself.
At mid-morning break, Marcus decided to approach Kyra and lay things out between them. That way, it wouldn’t be uncomfortable moving forward professionally.
“I really enjoyed spending last night with you, Kyra,” he said.
She smiled, and his pulse quickened. “It was fun, but—”
“It can happen again?” he asked, both joking and hopeful at once.
Kyra shook her head and looked at him seriously. “I think we’d be better off keeping things professional between us from now on.”
Marcus nodded. “You’re probably right.”
“I’m glad we agree,” she said. “I’m going to get some coffee before we start up again.”
Marcus watched her walk over to the coffeemaker, her curvy hips swaying as if there was a song playing in her mind. His eyes roamed over her luscious body.
Kyra may have been right that it was best to keep their hands off of each other, but as far as he was concerned, resisting the temptation she presented was going to be hard.
He watched her bend down to pick up a stirrer she’d dropped on the floor, his gaze fixed on the ass he’d held onto for dear life the night before.
It was going to be damn hard.
3
“Wow, this place is swanky,” Maggie said as she inspected Kyra’s hotel suite. “I’ll take the master bedroom,” she joked.
Kyra laughed and patted her younger sister on the shoulder. “You and Ava will most definitely be sleeping in the second room.”
“So not only are they putting your family up for a visit during this work trip, but they’ve got you booked in a suite,” Maggie said. “Damn, girl, can I get a job at your company?”
Kyra was tickled watching her sister and niece remark on every luxury at the hotel from the stocked mini-fridge in the sitting room to the bidet in the bathroom.
“You do what with that little toilet, Auntie Kyra?” Ava asked with a horrified look on her face, backing away before Kyra could answer and then asking, “Will you help me unpack my suitcase?”
Kyra tousled Ava’s curls, ones that were so much like her own. “I sure will, baby girl.” She picked up Ava’s bag, feigning a struggle and laid it on the bed.
“What do you have in that bag?” she joked. “Rocks?”
“Pandy,” Ava said and pulled out her favorite stuffed panda. The animal was ratty and discolored but obviously well-loved.
“Pandy wanted to check out Sovalon, huh?” Kyra asked her grinning niece.
“I want to check out Sovalon,” Maggie said. She bounced onto the bed. “How’s the nightlife, sis?”
Kyra’s steamy night with Marcus flashed behind her eye in swatches of hot skin and full lips.
“Oh, it’s okay.” Kyra cleared her throat, hoping her sister wouldn’t catch on that she was hiding something.
Maggie got up and went to the mirror. She began primping. “I might have to check it out if you’re okay to keep Ava for the night.”
Of course Maggie wanted to party. “I’m fine keeping Ava, but you have to remember you’re in another country,” she warned her sister. “You can’t go out and get sloshed. You don’t know the laws here—you could end up in a lot of trouble.”
Maggie released a throaty laugh and plopped back onto the bed.
“Look at my big sister acting like she’s my mother,” she joked.
“Well, somebody has to keep tabs on you.” As usual, it was Kyra.
“Kyra,” Maggie argued. “I’m not a child anymore. I can’t even remember the last time I went out and got sloshed.” She made air quotes with her fingers and rolled her eyes. “I’ll be alright, won’t I, pumpkin?” she asked Ava.
“Yeah, Mommy,” Ava said.
Kyra’s phone buzzed with an incoming text. It was from Dr. Meriter to the members of the board.
The location we picked for the crisis shelter has major problems and the deal isn’t going to proceed. We will need a new location—fast. Start brainstorming and be ready to share ideas in the morning.
Kyra’s muscles tensed. This put them back at square one. Wistfully, she watched as Maggie bent over Ava and started tickling her. Ava giggled, and Maggie blew kisses on the little girl’s belly, making her laugh even harder. How nice it must be to have such a carefree life like Maggie’s, not having to take work home or worry about tomorrow’s meeting.
“Everything okay?” Maggie asked.
“Things have sort of blown up at work.” Kyra massaged her shoulders.
“Oh, that stinks.”
Kyra shrugged. “We’ll work it out.”
&nbs
p; It was just a setback. Her job was sometimes stressful, but ultimately, Kyra reminded herself, she loved her career. This was just a challenge, a chance to prove herself capable of problem-solving.
She grabbed her phone and texted Meriter back.
I’m on it.
She grabbed her laptop and got to work.
* * *
The next morning, Marcus arrived on time to the board meeting. He’d set his alarm the previous night, making sure he had time to spare in order to be punctual.
As he settled into his spot at the table, he noticed the room was buzzing with heated conversation. He approached the woman to the right of him.
“Hey, Arlene,” he said. “What’s going on?”
She looked at him strangely. “Didn’t you read your texts last night? The site fell through for the shelter.” She rolled her eyes. “Back to the drawing board, I guess. We have to figure out a new location.”
Marcus nodded silently, not bothering to correct her assumption. It wasn’t that he hadn’t checked his texts, it was that no one had sent him a message. Marcus surveyed the room and noticed that several small groups had gathered. Everyone was discussing the problem at hand, and he hadn’t even known there was a problem until two minutes ago.
Nobody had bothered texting him, because nobody took him seriously. He was only here to serve penance for his lifestyle.
The Kingdom’s Playboy Prince was in detention. It was humiliating.
Marcus was about to take a seat when Kyra sailed into the room, looking less than chipper. Her beautiful brown eyes had dark circles under them, as if she hadn’t slept. Marcus approached her.
“Are you alright?” he asked, then remembered that her guests had arrived yesterday. “Everything okay with your sister and niece?”
She ran a hand through her hair. “I’m just stressed about losing the shelter site,” she said. “There’s a lot riding on this project for me. If things go sideways, I stand to lose a lot.”
The Playboy Prince’s Pregnant American: Sovalon Royals Book Two Page 2