He did like her. More than he should. He’d have to be careful not to damage her in his rescue mission.
“Tony is why I’m here. Ms. Reeves. I promise you, I’m going to do everything in my power to make sure this turns out right for him.”
“Okay, then.” Her posture relaxed slightly. “As long as we understand each other.”
“Understand this.” He wrapped his hands around her elbows, lifted her to her toes and slanted his mouth over hers.
She stiffened against him for the briefest moment, in the next all her luscious softness melted into him. She opened her mouth to his and the world dropped away. The sparkling-clean farmyard, chattering Midwest tourists and his majesty’s royal helicopter disappeared from his radar.
He’d meant the kiss to be a distraction, to focus her on his mythical seduction and away from his actual plan to change Tony’s mind about marrying Christina. And vice versa.
But all he knew in that moment, all he wanted to know, was the heated touch of the pixie coming apart in his arms. He wrapped her close, angling the kiss to a new depth. She tasted of berry jam and spicy woman. Her essence called to him, addled his senses until he craved nothing more than to sweep her into his arms and carry her up to their room.
Her arms were linked around his neck and he’d dragged her up his body so they were pressed together mouth to mouth, chest to chest, loins to loins. It wasn’t enough. It was too much.
Someone patted him on the arm. “You young ones need to take that upstairs.”
The world came crashing back. Zach slowly broke off the kiss. He lifted his head, opened his eyes. Passion-drenched pools of blue looked back at him. Her gaze moved to his mouth. A heavy sigh shifted her breasts against his chest. She looked back at him and blinked.
“You should put me down now.”
Yes, he should. The kiss had gotten way out of control and he needed to rein it in. “I don’t want to. Christina will understand if we’re an hour late.”
What was he saying? Get a grip, Sullivan.
“I won’t.” She pushed against him. “This was a mistake. And it won’t happen again.”
“Why not?” he demanded because that’s what he’d want to know if he were seriously pursuing her, which he wasn’t. She was too sweet, too genuine for him. He needed someone who knew the rules of non-commitment.
Still, when he set her on her feet, he took satisfaction in the fact he had to steady her for a moment.
“Because I’m a professional. Because you are the best man.”
“And you have a policy. You’re the boss, you can change policy.”
“Not a good idea.” She straightened her shirt, smoothing the fabric over her hips. “I have the policy for a reason. I’m the wedding planner. I’m not here to have fun. I’m here to work. You—” she swept him with a glance “—would be a distraction when I need all my wits about me.”
“Signor...” The pilot approached. “If you desire to stick to your flight plan, we should leave within the next fifteen minutes.”
“Thank you.”
“May I assist with the luggage?”
Glad to have this scene wrapping to a close, Zach met her gaze. “Are you ready?”
“I am.” She stepped back, composed herself. “I just need to grab my luggage and the wedding dress.” She headed into the house. “Do you think they’d mind if I took a few cornettos to go?”
Grinning, he followed her inside. He best be careful or this woman was going to turn him inside out.
* * *
Lindsay loved traveling by helicopter. She’d been a little nervous to start out with, afraid the heights might get to her. Nope. Whizzing through the air above the scenic vista gave her a thrill.
The helicopter flew over a meadow that looked like gold velvet. She pointed. “It’s beautiful. What crop is that?”
“No crop, signorina.” The pilot’s voice came over her headphones. “Sunflowers.”
“Sunflowers,” she breathed. She’d never seen a whole field of the big, cheerful flowers.
Zach tapped the pilot on the shoulder and he took them down and did a wide loop so she actually saw the flowers. She’d told Zach she wasn’t there to have fun, but, oh, she was.
That didn’t mean she could throw caution to the wind and jump into a summer fling. Her blood still thrummed from his embrace. It would have been so easy to let him seduce her. Except she couldn’t. She needed to grow a spine, put him in his place. The problem was she melted as soon as he touched her.
If she was honest, the physical attraction wasn’t what worried her. She liked him. Way too much for her peace of mind. That made the physical all the more tempting. She wanted love in her life but this was the wrong time, wrong place, wrong man.
Restraint came at a cost, but she wouldn’t jeopardize everything she’d built on an overload of hormones. She just needed to resist him for a few weeks and then she’d be back in Hollywood and he’d be back in Silicon Valley.
Zach pointed out the palace as they flew over Voti, Halencia’s capital city and Christina’s home. The big, yellow palace presented a majestic silhouette with its square shape and the round battlement towers at the corners. The notched alternate crenels screamed castle. The building had a strong, regal presence set on a shallow cliff side overlooking the sea on one side and the sprawling city of Voti on the other.
One of the towers had been converted into a heliport.
“Are we landing at the palace?” She spoke into the microphone attached to the headphones.
“Yes.” Zach nodded.
“So I’ll get a chance to meet Prince Antonio?”
Now he shook his head. “Sorry, he’s in meetings all day. We’ll be going straight down and out to a car waiting for us. We’ll be just in time for your one-thirty appointment with Christina.”
The helicopter made a wide turn then started its descent. Lindsay experienced her first anxious moments, seeing the land rush up to meet her. Without thinking, she reached out and grabbed Zach’s hand.
His warm grip wrapped around her fingers and gave a squeeze. She instantly relaxed, feeling grounded. Putting her stringent, no-fraternizing policy aside for a moment, she smiled at him. He’d been gentle and kind last night and was supportive now. No doubt he’d hate the description, but he was a genuinely good guy.
Even though she was essentially a stranger to him, Zach had gone over and beyond the call of duty.
She longed to see some of the interior of the palace, but a palace attendant met them and a very modern elevator took them straight down to the ground level. The attendant led them through a ten-foot portico, which he explained was the width of the castle walls.
Wow, Lindsay mouthed. Seriously, she felt like a little girl at Disneyland. She was so busy trying to see everything at once she nearly tripped over her own feet.
Zach grasped her elbow. Steadied her. “Careful, Tinkerbell.”
Caught gawking. But she couldn’t care. This was amazing. “We’re in a castle. Couldn’t I be Cinderella?”
He released her to tug on her straight ponytail. “No changing up now. Tinkerbell is a pixie, right?”
“She’s a fairy. And you need to stop. I’m not that short.”
“You’re a little bitty thing. With lots of spunk. Nothing bad about that.”
She rolled her eyes. “If you say so.” They exited onto a round driveway where a car and driver waited. She grabbed Zach’s arm to stop him. “Listen, you don’t need to come to my appointment with Christina. I can promise you’ll be monumentally bored. If you stay here, you may get a few minutes to visit with Antonio.”
“I want to come. It’ll be good to see Christina again and to let her know Antonio isn’t shirking his groom duties.” He waved the driver off and held the door open for her himself. “Besides
, I’m not hanging around hours just to get a few minutes of Tony’s time. We’ll connect soon enough.”
She should go through her notes on the ride through Voti to be prepared for the appointment. Should, but wouldn’t. The city was so charming, not a high-rise to be seen, and the buildings were bunched closely together, creating narrow lanes. The warmth of the earth tones and red-tiled roofs was like an architectural hug. She loved the bursts of color in hanging planters. And the odd little plazas they’d drive through that all had lovely little fountains.
Christina worked not far from the palace. All too soon the car pulled to a stop in front of a three-story building. Lovely, black, wrought-iron gates opened into a cobblestoned courtyard.
“Zach, Ms. Reeves, welcome.” The driver must have called ahead because Christina stepped forward to greet them.
She was tall—Lindsay’s notes read five nine and her subtle heels added a few inches to that—and stunning with creamy, olive skin and thick reddish-brown hair sleeked back in a French twist. She wore a fitted suit in cobalt blue.
Standing between her and Zach, Lindsay did feel short.
“Christina.” Zach wrapped her hand in both of his. “You haven’t changed a bit in four years.”
“You flatter me,” she said in perfect English, her accent charming. She led them through the courtyard and up a curving wrought-iron staircase to an office on the second floor. “We both know that’s not true. Thank goodness. I was barely out of school and quite shy.”
“And soon you’ll be the Queen of Halencia.”
Christina’s eyelashes flickered and she looked down as she waved them into seats. “I prefer to focus on one thing at a time. First there is the wedding.”
“Of course.”
“Thank you, Ms. Reeves, for coming so early to assist in the preparations. I originally intended to continue with the foundation on a part-time basis in their offices here in Halencia, but the prince’s advisors have convinced me I’ll be quite busy. It would be unfair to the foundation to hold a position and not be here to help. It is such a worthy endeavor. I would not want to hamper it in any way.”
“It’s important work. I’m sure, as the queen, your interest will be quite beneficial, so you’ll still be of help.”
“That’s kind of you to say.” Christina inclined her head.
A regal gesture if Lindsay had ever seen one. Maybe she’d been practicing.
Lindsay waved toward the open window. “You have a lovely view of the palace from here. It must be amazing to sit here and see your future beckoning for you.”
Christina’s smile slipped a little. “Yes. Quite amazing.”
“It’s a lot to think about, isn’t it?” Zach spoke softly. “All that you’re giving up. All that you’re taking on?”
Appalled at the questions that were sure to rattle the most confident of brides let alone one showing a slight nervousness, Lindsay sent him a quelling glance.
“I am at your disposal to assist in any way I can,” she advised her bride.
“You have been wonderful. My mind is just everywhere these days. I hope you do not mind taking on the bulk of the arrangements?”
“Of course. If we can just make some final decisions, I can take care of everything. Your attendants are all set, the dresses have been received and a first fitting completed. I just need to know your final thoughts on the flowers, the total head count and whether you want to do indoors or outdoors for the reception. I have some sketches for you to look at.” She passed a slim portfolio across the desk. “The palace wants to use the royal photographer, but I know some truly gifted wedding photographers if you decide you want a specialist.”
“I am sure the royal photographer will be fine. These are marvelous drawings, Ms. Reeves. Any of these settings will be wonderful.”
“Lindsay.” She gently corrected the soon-to-be princess, who seemed near tears as she looked at the reception scenes. Lindsay could tell she wasn’t going to get much more from the woman. “Every wedding should be special. What can I do to make your day special?”
“You have done so much already. I like the outdoors. I remember playing in the palazzo courtyard, pretending it was a palace. It seems appropriate.”
“Outdoors is a lovely choice. Regarding flowers, we passed a meadow of sunflowers on our way here today. Gold is one of the royal colors you listed. I wondered—”
“Sunflowers! Yes, I would love that. And roses, I think. You seem to know what I want better than I do.”
“I’ve done this for a long time. I’ll get the final head count from the palace contact. We’ve covered almost everything. But we never addressed if they do the traditional ‘something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue’ here in Halencia or if you even want to play along?”
“What is this tradition?” A frown furrowed her delicate brow.
“It’s just a fun tradition that originated in England. It represents continuity, promise of the future, borrowed happiness and love, purity and fidelity.”
“It sounds quite lovely. But I do not have any of these things.”
“The fun is in getting them. In America the items are often offered by friends and family. If you share you’re doing this, you’ll get everything you need and it will all have special meaning for you.”
“I know of something old.” She tapped a finger against her desk. “Yes, I would like to have it for the wedding. It is a brooch that has been in my father’s family for many years. It is said that those who wore the brooch at their wedding enjoyed many happy years together. Yes. I must have the brooch.”
“Sounds perfect.” Pleased to get a positive reaction and some enthusiasm from the bride, Lindsay made a note in her tablet.
“But I do not know where the brooch is.” Sadness drained the brief spark of light. “The women of my generation have not chosen to go with the old tradition. Do you think you can help me find it?” Christine’s eyes pleaded with Lindsay. “My grandmother or Aunt Pia might know who had it last.”
Goodness, Lindsay never liked to say no to a bride, but she couldn’t see how her schedule would accommodate hours on the phone tracking down a lost family jewel.
“Sure, we’ll be happy to locate it for you.”
Zach stole her opportunity to respond. But, sure, it was a good way to keep him occupied and out of her hair.
“We’re talking a few phone calls, right?”
Christina shook her head. “The older generation of women in my family are very traditional. They will not talk of such things to a stranger over the phone. And they will not talk to you alone, Zach.” She reached for a pen and paper. “I will write a letter you can take with you. Grazie, both of you.”
Oh, Zach, what had he got them into? The hope in Christina’s eyes prevented Lindsay from protesting time constraints.
“I wish I could give you more time but with learning the workings of the palace, I am a bit overwhelmed.” Christina handed Lindsay the letter she’d written. “With the two of you helping, I feel so much better.”
“I’m glad.” Lindsay tucked the letter into her tote.
“Lindsay, do you mind if I have a moment alone with Christina?” Zach made the quiet demand and tension instantly radiated from his companion.
“Of course.” Lindsay stood and offered her hand to Christina. “I’ll keep you apprised of the arrangements.”
“Thank you.” Christina used both hands to convey her urgency. “And the progress in locating the brooch.”
“Absolutely.” Lindsay smiled and turned away. With her back to Christina, Lindsay narrowed her eyes at him and mouthed the words, “Do not upset the bride.”
He maintained an impassive demeanor. “I’ll be along in a moment.”
Though Christina watched him expectantly, he waited for the distinct click o
f the door closing before he addressed her.
“I hope you’ll forgive my concern, but I noticed you seem unsettled.”
“I have much on my mind.”
“I understand. But I also know the circumstances of your...relationship with Antonio.” The situation warranted discretion on so many levels. “And I wonder if you’re having second thoughts?”
Her chin lifted in a defensive gesture. “No.”
“Perhaps you should.”
Surprise showed before she composed her features into a calm facade. “I can assure you I have considered the matter thoroughly. Did Antonio send you here to test me?”
“No. Tony has asked me to be his advocate in all things wedding related. I take my responsibilities seriously and when I look at this situation, I have to wonder what the two of you are thinking. Marriage is a binding, hopefully lifelong, commitment. The two of you barely know each other. No one would blame you if you changed your mind. Least of all Tony. He knows how much you’ve already sacrificed for your country.”
Her shoulders went back. “Has he changed his mind?”
It would be so easy to lie. To destroy the engagement with a bit of misdirection that resulted in an endless loop of he said, she said. But he had some honor. The decision to end it must be hers, Antonio’s or theirs together.
“No. He’s determined to see this through. He’s very grateful to you.”
She nodded as if his words affirmed something for her. “Thank you for your concern. There is much to adjust to, but I will honor my promise. In little over a month, I will marry Prince Antonio.”
CHAPTER SIX
LINDSAY WAS STILL puzzling over what Zach felt compelled to talk to Christina about in private as she climbed to her room on the third floor of Hotel de la Calanetti, a lovely boutique hotel situated on a hillside overlooking Monte Calanetti’s central courtyard.
Considering his opinion of lavish weddings and how unsettled Christina came across, leaving them alone together made Lindsay’s left eyebrow tick. He better not have caused trouble.
In retrospect she wished she’d waited to say goodbye to Christina until after he’d spoken to her. Then Lindsay might have learned what the discussion had been about. Or maybe not. The other woman’s natural poise hid a lot. Lindsay had been unable to tell if the woman was upset when she’d walked them out.
The Best Man & The Wedding Planner Page 7