Bride Fit for a Prince

by Rebecca Winters

  I do. Your praise has already gone to my head like the strong liqueur I drank a little while ago.

  She’d been clutching the bar so hard, she’d made the end of it soft. Quickly she put it down on top of the covers. “All I seem to be doing tonight is thanking you.”

  “You don’t hear me complaining, do you?”

  “No. Of course not.”

  He rose to his full intimidating height. “For some time I’ve been pestered by various editors of cycling magazines around the world to let them do an article. Luca has been pushing me as well.”

  “I understand why you haven’t.” Her voice shook. “Trust me on that one.”

  His eyes narrowed on her features. “If I didn’t, I wouldn’t have let you near the bike that I sense in my gut is going to make Luca’s fortune all over again. Little did you know your words were prophetic when you called it a secret weapon.”

  “I knew,” she defended quietly, capturing his gaze. “That bike is revolutionary. It must be galling for you to realize that the only thing those editors really want is the exclusive story about the man who didn’t want to be prince. They know it will sell millions of copies. What fools they are not to understand that you’ll never give them what they want.”

  “Not that story certainly,” he concurred. “But with your help, I can promote our new product line without bringing my past into it.”

  My help?

  How many times had Callie fought Nicco, only to cave in because she was too in love with him to do anything that would separate her from him. If she didn’t stop this madness now, she would be in pain for the rest of her life. Look what had happened because she’d listened to Ann!

  This film is going to launch my career, Callie. That’s why you have to help me out.

  “I’m afraid helping you market your new line of motorcycles falls outside the parameters of the original marriage contract, Nicco.”

  If she sounded spiteful and immature, so be it. Callie was fighting for a tiny piece of her soul—if there was one left which she strongly doubted.

  “No problem,” he replied unruffled. “What I had in mind will occur after I accompany you back to the States.”

  His declaration gave her her first inkling that maybe he was having as difficult a time as she was at the thought of separation. If that was the case, she was going to make him say the words.

  “W-why would you do that?”

  “To get a picture of you zooming around a farmer’s field on the Strada 100 with your medical bag and your braid flying. That image of you has crystallized certain ideas for an article which has been floating around in my brain. At last I know how to proceed.”

  Dear God. And here she’d thought…

  “So that’s the favor? To pose on my bike for you?”

  One black brow gave a sardonic lift. “While you’re making your rounds, the cameraman will shoot pictures. You’ll never know he’s there.”

  Her eyes smarted. She looked away.

  Why couldn’t you have loved me, Nicco?

  “For several years now I’ve wanted to honor Ernesto and Luca in an innovative way, taking them through the war years to today. The essence of the article will be to show their impact not only on the motorcycle racing world, but on society in general. A picture of a modern-day American vet on one of Ernesto’s old models will reinforce the idea that they’re built to last forever.

  “Your coming to Italy in the place of your sister must have been fate. I’ll know the right photo when I see it.”

  Recovering as fast as she could she said, “You mean the one where the bike and I are covered in mud.”

  “Something like that.” The amusement in his eyes was like another fiery salvo to her heart which was bleeding profusely. “The caption will read, ‘Even a mad vet from Prunedale, California, U.S.A., can’t do without her Strada 100.’”

  Callie lowered her head. She had to admit his idea was pure genius.

  There’d been a blanket of secrecy surrounding the shutdown of the Danelli factory. Whichever cycling magazine was given the honor of publishing the news of its spectacular comeback would be making their own fortune on that particular issue.

  She was about to say that Jerry would go into cardiac arrest when he discovered the bike he’d sold her had appeared on the front cover. But remembering Nicco’s reaction the last time her neighbor’s name was mentioned, she thought the better of it.

  “There’s no question I’m a huge Danelli-Strada fan, so I tell you what—” She raised her head to eye him directly.

  “After I’m back home, the cameraman can contact me at the hospital and we’ll go from there. Your presence won’t be needed. Like you, I always keep my promises.”

  “I’m glad to hear it, but there won’t be an exclusive unless I oversee every aspect of the article including the shoots. In any event, you’ll still be my wife.”

  “What on earth are you talking about?” she cried. “I distinctly remember the marriage contract stating that after thirty days either party could get a divorce, no questions asked.”

  “Your memory is excellent,” he said in a patronizing tone. “However it didn’t state how long it would take for the divorce to be granted. That’s up to one of our Italian judges to decide.”

  “Surely the Tescotti name will ensure a swift resolution.”

  “One can hope.”

  She gritted her teeth. “What are you implying?”

  “Only that our courts are backed up. Until it’s official, you’ll continue to be my responsibility.”

  “Don’t worry, Nicco. With an ocean between us, you’ll be able to carry on as if our marriage had never taken place.” As for me, I have absolutely no idea how I’m going to survive.

  “If I weren’t a former prince, I’d do just that. But there’s a protocol every Tescotti husband must follow. Until a decree of divorcement is handed down, you’re automatically granted my physical protection.”

  “I don’t need it,” she bit out in a withering tone.

  He looked at her through shuttered eyes. “Nevertheless, I refuse to be the only Tescotti to shirk his marital obligation. So it appears you and I will be living together in California until our marriage is dissolved.”

  “But that’s crazy!”

  “Nevertheless that’s the way things are.” His hands had gone to his hips in a purely male stance. He was so desirable to her, she couldn’t think straight around him. “I had the impression you couldn’t wait to see Chloe and get back to your practice.”

  “I can’t!” she replied honestly. Every second spent in his company at this point was killing her. If he followed her home…

  “What happened to the business about the piece of gossip you were going to give the press? The one about the heartbroken prince whose wife left him because of irreconcilable differences to do with their nationalities?”

  “That plan hasn’t changed. As soon as my parents see it, they’ll try to reach me. Enzo will tell them I’ve followed you to Prunedale to try to salvage our marriage.”

  By now she was terrified. “You can’t just leave your job!”

  “The laptop is a great invention. While you’re otherwise occupied with your vet duties, I’ll work.”

  She was desperate to find a way out of this new crisis. “The room behind the hospital isn’t big enough for two people.”

  “My barge was smaller.”

  The barge…

  “Valentino will be devastated when you leave.”

  “He’s happy enough at the farmhouse with the Cozzas when I have to be away.”

  She clutched the covers in a death grip. “Nicco—I don’t want you there.”

  “I know you don’t.” His voice grated. “Just remember it was love for my brother that produced this situation in the first place. If I’m not mistaken, it was love for your sister that consigned you to your fate. A little patience and this game will play itself out.”

  “It’s a terrible game.” Her voice shook.
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  “Perhaps now you’re beginning to understand a portion of the prince’s burden as he looked out his tower window.”

  Her breath caught. “A portion— What’s the rest?”

  He ignored her and reached for the other robe. “After I’ve showered, I’ll sleep on the couch.”

  She sat up. “Why won’t you answer me?”

  “It isn’t anything for you to worry about.” His inscrutable expression left her the slightest bit uneasy.

  “You’ve just said the very thing guaranteed to make anyone worry. Nicco? Is there something wrong with you?”

  He slowed his steps to the bathroom. “Is it the doctor in you asking that question?”

  “Maybe. The thought just occurred to me that maybe you had another reason for refusing the throne, one your parents don’t know about yet.”

  “And what would that be pray tell?” he mocked.

  “A degenerating illness perhaps? One which decided you against marriage so you wouldn’t bring unbearable pain to the woman you loved.”

  “That’s an interesting theory. If it were the case, why would it matter to you?”

  “I am a human being,” she said in an uneven voice. “Under such circumstances, no one should be alone.”

  “I’m not alone right now.”

  “Don’t tease about this! I’m talking about a companion who will always be there for you.”

  “Are you saying that you’re willing to take on the job?”

  Staggered by excruciating pain at the very thought of him suffering she blurted, “Tell me the truth! Do you have an illness?”

  “I’m afraid we all have to face death at some point.”

  Compelled by a force beyond her control, she slid out of bed and ran over to him. Her hands gripped his strong upper arms. “Please don’t put up a front with me, Nicco. I can’t bear it.”

  “I had no idea you cared this much,” he murmured.

  “Stop it!”

  “Stop what?”

  “Don’t mock everything I say. For once in your life be serious with me.”

  There was a sharp intake of breath. “Is this serious enough for you?” Even as he asked the question, his head descended and he covered her mouth with his own, drawing the very breath from her trembling body.

  Starved for his kiss, she wrapped her arms around his neck, loving the freedom to get as close to him as possible.

  “Callie—” she heard him cry as he drew her against his hard-muscled physique. With a palpable hunger that seemed to match hers, he swept her away to a place she’d never been before, not even in her dreams.

  Somehow they’d graduated to the bed. Tangled in his arms and legs, she pulled his head back down, offering him everything she had to give, wanting this ecstasy to go on and on.

  This was rapture beyond comprehension. When he finally released her mouth enough for her to breathe again, she groaned in protest.

  “Don’t stop, Nicco. I’m here for you. You don’t have to worry about being alone.”

  He buried his face in her neck. “Would you go so far as to have my baby?”

  “If it would bring you happiness, then yes,” she whispered without hesitation. Oh, yes.

  His mouth roved over her face, kissing her eyelids, her nose, her avid mouth. “You’re an extraordinary woman.”

  I’m a woman in love, Nicco.

  “I wonder if your answer would be the same if you knew my problem wasn’t going to lead to an early death.”

  It took a moment for his comment to penetrate her brain. Still caught in the throes of passion, she was slow to react.

  “You mean you don’t have an incurable disease or anything close to it.” How could she have been so stupid as to let this happen? Now he could be in no doubt how much she loved him.

  Pushing him away with all her strength, she jumped off the bed.

  He sprang to his feet. “I never said I did.”

  She fastened the belt of her robe tighter. “No. You simply let me go on assuming as much.”

  His white smile was too much. “I couldn’t help it. I’ve never known anyone with such a strong sense of self-sacrifice. I’m beginning to understand how your sister was able to manipulate you into coming in her place.”

  “Damn you, Nicco,” she whispered out of lips swollen by his kisses.

  “Are you really going to tell me you didn’t find our experience as delightful as I did?”

  Callie swung the other way, needing to do something with her chaotic emotions. She searched the covers for her chocolate bar.

  “Brief as it was, it exceeded all my expectations,” he murmured. “In fact I was so enthralled, I came painfully close to forgetting you were prepared to give me a child out of pity rather than love.”

  “You’ve made your point, Nicco!” she snapped before biting into a section.

  “I must confess that in your arms just now, there came a moment when it was difficult to tell the difference,” he persisted in torturing her.

  Before she could countenance it, his arms reached around her from behind. He lifted the bar she was still holding and took a bite.

  “Um. That tastes almost as luscious as you do.” He planted another seductive kiss on the side of her neck before disappearing into the bathroom.

  Tears poured down her cheeks unchecked.

  I’ll never let you make a fool of me again, Nicco.

  While he was in the shower, she found Nicco’s cell phone and made a credit card call to Ann who would just be getting up.

  Half a dozen Italian news reporters were stuffed inside Nicco’s small apartment, filling it to maximum capacity. Valentino walked back and forth in front of the couch where Callie sat next to Nicco whose arm held her firmly around the shoulders.

  By tacit agreement they’d both dressed for this interview in the clothes they’d been wearing to work. They consisted of jeans and pullovers.

  Nicco acted the devoted husband in front of other people. He knew better than to play the passionate lover.

  Since that ghastly experience in Locarno, there’d been no more physical contact except for now, and of course on the back of his bike. No more talks about magazine articles. Nothing about the future. She’d told him a visit to his parents was out of the question.

  One week to go and she’d be back in California with Nicco. She couldn’t wait for the surprise she had in store for him. Until then she would leave the direction of this interview in his hands. It was vital they protect Enzo.

  “Why don’t each of you ask a question in turn, starting with you,” Nicco suggested. He nodded to the man on the end chair.

  The reporter cleared his throat. “Everyone wants to know how you two met.”

  “My brother saw her first while he was on a recent visit to the United States. Upon his return, he showed me her picture. When I remarked on her attractiveness, he told me she was coming to Italy with every intention of buying a motorcycle. Would I help out?

  “Since I design them for a living, naturally I told him I’d be only too happy to oblige. She expected to see my brother at the airport. Instead she got me. I’ve been her captive ever since.”

  Nicco was so good it was terrifying.

  The next reporter was a woman. She smiled at Callie. “What did you think when you first met the former prince?”

  “That he was dark and dangerous. I found out my instincts were right the moment he kidnapped me on his motorcycle.”

  “But you didn’t really mind,” said the third reporter.

  “He redeemed himself to some extent when I realized he could ride as well as design a bike. Cycling is one of my hobbies.”

  “What actually made you decide on marrying him so soon after meeting him?”

  Nicco had been caressing the back of her neck, but the last question caused his hand to still on her heated flesh.

  “Valentino.”

  At the mention of his name, the dog plopped his head on her knee. She scratched behind his ears. “This gorgeous f
ellow stole my heart.”

  “My wife’s a veterinarian with a thriving practice back in California,” Nicco confided, squeezing her neck gently.

  Callie cupped the dog’s jowls. “With those adoring eyes, who could resist you?”

  “How will you handle your marriage when you both have careers on two continents?”

  Another round of questions had started. Nicco took the initiative.

  “We’re still on our honeymoon and haven’t ironed everything out yet.”

  That was the understatement of a lifetime.

  The only woman journalist spoke up once more. “How does it feel to be married to a prince?”

  Callie took a deep breath. “If we’d married before Nicco renounced his title, I might be able to answer that question. As it is, I can only tell you how it feels to be married to a man who works eight to six at his office.

  “We have to adhere to a strict budget because any money Nicco makes he puts back in the company. He’s teaching me how to cook and we both take care of Valentino. If there’s any free time, we ride our bikes.”

  The same woman leaned forward with a twinkle in her eye. “What’s he really like?” Callie couldn’t help but like her.

  “His sense of humor can be infuriating. He always has an answer for everything, yet manages to make the most ludicrous explanation sound plausible.”

  “You’re describing my husband,” the journalist muttered.

  They both laughed.

  Another reporter who hadn’t cracked a smile turned to Nicco. “You were once betrothed to Princess Benedetta. Rumor has it she never married because you broke her heart.”

  Callie had been prepared to be nice, but with that reporter’s unwise comment, the gauntlet had been thrown down. She was prepared to answer it for her husband.

  “That’s a lovely romantic notion perpetrated by members of the media who must keep the speculation going to sell papers,” Callie interjected boldly. “If there’s any truth to the rumor, then she’s to be pitied for never having had the gumption to move on with her life.”

  By the indignant look in the reporter’s eye, she’d angered him with her answer which had been meant for Nicco.

  “So, Signora Tescotti—if it turns out the former prince were to break your heart, you, like many of your American compatriots, wouldn’t have any trouble replacing him.”