by Donna Alward
She’d never been one for Disney movies, but the recent remake of Beauty and the Beast meant that she was familiar with the iconic gown.
“Do you really like it?”
Her heart melted. “Of course I do, pequeña.”
“Will you put it on? I want to see!” Emilia’s dancing from foot to foot had turned to full on jumping.
Stephani looked at Lucy. “Did you feed her candy for the whole flight?”
Lucy laughed. “No. I might have, but Brody would have killed me. Max, you give Stephani your gift now. Emilia, Stephani can try the dress on later.”
“Aww.” Emilia pouted, but Max stepped forward and took a little bag from behind his back.
She opened it and found an adorable Christmas ornament of the castle.
“It’s Sleeping Beauty’s Castle,” he informed her. “It has sixteen turrets. Our castle only has four.”
“Dios mío! Sixteen!” She turned the figure over in her hands. “Gracias, Max. I’ll put it on my tree this year.” Then she looked up at Alex. “Did you have a good time, Alex?”
He nodded, then grinned at Max. “Max and I went on rides. Emilia did at first but then she got sick.”
“Only because I ate pizza first!”
“We all had pizza,” Max pointed out. “You were the only one who—”
“Okay, we get the idea,” Lucy interjected, still trying not to snicker.
Emilia looked up at Stephani with pleading eyes. “Tía Stephani, will you please put on the dress? I want to see so bad.”
How could she resist? There were no further meetings or visits scheduled for the day, so it wasn’t like anyone outside the family would walk in. And Raoul was downtown. “I’ll put it on, but just for a minute, okay? I’m supposed to be working.”
She came out of the staff bathroom five minutes later, feeling ridiculous but knowing she’d do just about anything to see the smile on Emilia’s lips. The poor child had spent months with barely a smile. It was only when Rose had come to the household that she’d perked up. Now she laughed and played as before, with only moments of somberness when they spoke of Ceci.
“Here I come,” she announced, thankful that the dress was at least of a decent quality. The skirt swooped around her ankles and she’d put her hair up in a loose bun, holding it with the golden ribbon that had been attached to the dress.
“Tía Stephani! That’s so pretty! Isn’t it pretty, Tía Lucy?” Emilia was nearly beside herself, and Stephani felt both girlish and silly. She turned in a circle for Emilia’s benefit. “What do you think? Do I look like Belle?”
“Very much,” came a deep voice.
She froze, her mouth falling open as she looked up and found Raoul standing behind Lucy and the boys.
“Papa!” Emilia forgot all about Stephani and rushed to her father. “We’re home!”
He scooped her up in his arms. “So I see. And looking like you had a wonderful time.” His gaze settled on Stephani again. “And you brought Tía Stephani a dress?”
Emilia nodded. “Yes, Belle’s dress! Because Tío Diego says you are always grouchy and a beast to work for. And that Tía Stephani deserves a medal for working for you.” She wiggled in his arms. “We got you something, too, but it’s upstairs.”
Stephani tried not to laugh. The description sounded precisely like something Diego would say.
“Hmm. I think I’m going to have a chat with Tío Diego.”
Emilia’s face fell. “Uh-oh. Am I in trouble?”
He kissed her cheek. “Not at all. Were you good for Tía Lucy?”
She nodded. He looked down at the boys. “And you two? Did you have fun?”
“The rides were the best,” Alex said. “And the fireworks.”
“I liked everything,” Max stated firmly. “We should have a Disneyland here, Papa. But the castle would need more turrets.”
Raoul laughed, and so did Stephani, though she was still feeling conspicuous in the dress. “Well, I don’t think we can turn this place into Disneyland, but there might be some exciting things in store for Marazur.”
Stephani met his gaze. “The meeting went well?”
He nodded. “Very. There’s a lot I want to talk over with you.”
Lucy stepped in. “That’s our cue. Come on, kids. Let’s go up and have something to eat. We’ll see your papa at dinner tonight.”
“Aww,” Max grumbled. “I wanted to show Papa my light sabre.”
Raoul knelt down in front of his son. “We’ll have dinner, and then I’ll come up and you can show me everything you got and tell me all about your trip.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.” He held out his hand for a fist bump.
Max grinned and bumped it back, then turned to his cousin. “Come on, Alex. I bet Señora Ortiz made cake.”
They dashed off, Emilia not far behind. Raoul looked at Lucy. “Does he always think with his stomach?”
She laughed. “They both do. Alex is even worse.”
“Thank you, Luce. For taking them. They needed it, and I haven’t done something fun like that with them for a long time.”
“It was my pleasure.” She looked over at Stephani. “No hard feelings about the dress? Emilia was pretty single-minded about it, and I didn’t have the heart to say no.”
Stephani laughed. “No hard feelings. Though I don’t think I’ll be wearing it to the next state dinner.”
“Aw, why not?” Lucy teased, and threw Stephani a wink. “I’d better go after them or they’ll stuff their faces full of cake and spoil their dinner.”
When she was gone, Stephani made for the bathroom to change back into her work clothes. But Raoul’s warm voice stopped her.
“Where are you going?”
She looked over her shoulder. “To change.”
“I think you should leave it on.” His lips held a twitch of humor. “Belle.”
“Don’t be silly.” She was embarrassed, but at the same time, she liked a teasing Raoul. It was a side that she’d glimpsed often when he’d been happy before, but one that had been absent for months. She’d missed it.
“I’m not silly.” He stepped forward and reached for her hand, then tugged it, spinning her into a dance hold. “Now, I’ve watched a few of these movies from time to time, and it seems to me that when the dress appears, it’s usually a dance scene.”
“Yes, and usually at a ball. This is an office.”
“But also a castle. And I am el príncipe, am I not?” He pulled her close. “Should I put on my official sash and medals?”
She swallowed tightly. “Raoul . . .”
He started humming, and moved his feet. “A ball gown is made for a dance, is it not?”
She had no choice but to follow. She took little steps until he spun her around, and her stride accommodated the movement naturally. A smile played on her lips as he kept humming, something she didn’t recognize but she suspected was slightly out of tune. “Now who’s being silly?” she asked, then caught her breath as the spun her under his arm, her skirt swishing behind.
“I am. Because I solved a problem today.” He pulled her back in, close to his chest. “We both want a chance to explore this without family interference, and I found the perfect solution.”
She lifted her eyebrows. “You did?”
He nodded. “Remember when I suggested you needed a vacation at the wedding? It’s all set. We’re going to the Riviera.”
Her feet stopped moving. “We are?” Confusion rushed through her veins, cramping her chest. “You mean France? When?”
“I’ve been officially invited. The resort developer we’ve been working with has several properties on the Riviera and has offered to host us for a week. It’s a chance to see the things that are working there, what we’d like to do differently, meet with his development team about potential designs, and run figures. It’s a working trip, but you have to admit, the location is second-to-none and naturally, I’ll need an assistant.”
It wouldn�
�t be the first time she’d traveled with him on a business trip. But to use it as a smokescreen for their relationship . . .
“It feels a little clandestine, doesn’t it?” Maybe it was wrong, but the idea of it was a teensy bit exhilarating. She’d always been a rule follower. Crossing her t’s and dotting her i’s, making sure protocol was followed to the letter.
“A bit. But no one will give it a second glance, and it gives us a little time. Not much, but a little.” He reached for her hand. “Just last night my father was asking who I was with and why I wasn’t reachable. Diego called and wondered why I wasn’t here. The children missed saying good night to me. Forgive me, Steph, but when do I get to have a little freedom? When do I get a chance to do something without it being on someone’s daily agenda? It’s not a perfect solution, but it’s the best one that will prevent a lot of intrusive questions.”
The idea of spending a few days in a five-star resort on the Med wasn’t a hardship. Particularly spending it with Raoul. “How long would we be gone?”
“Just short of a week. We’d leave the day after tomorrow. I still have to take a security detail. I’m sorry about that, but I’ll take Marco to be our driver and have him choose a few people from the team.”
“I can be ready by then. I’ll delegate some of the work from here to Sofia. It gives her an undue burden, though.”
“It’s only a week.” He squeezed her fingers. “But you’ll come?”
She met his gaze and shrugged, feeling ridiculous once again in the rustling, golden gown. “I work for you. You say I go, I go.”
But he shook his head. “No, Stephani. Not this time. I’m asking you to go with me. Not commanding.”
Why did he have to be so perfect? “All right, then. I’ll go. I’ll work on a handover for Sofia tomorrow and pack tomorrow night. And I guess I’ll reschedule your appointments for the next week.”
“Perfect.”
She pulled her fingers from his grasp. “Now may I please change out of this dress? And get back to doing my job?”
“By all means.”
She was nearly to the bathroom when he called out behind her, “That’s a great color on you, by the way.”
Her cheeks flamed the whole way to the door.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
This business trip wasn’t like any other she’d taken with Raoul before. They boarded the royal jet and zipped off at mid-morning, after saying goodbye to the children.
Normally, they’d have coffee on the plane, go over the itinerary and any documents that needed reviewing before any meetings or engagements.
Instead, Raoul popped a bottle of champagne and presented a plate of pastries and fruit for them to munch on as they made the short flight. She’d spoken to the resort owner’s assistant yesterday and had discovered that Raoul had been given a suite and that her smaller suite was next door to his. She was glad to have her own space; not only was their relationship not at a “share rooms” level, but for discretion’s sake, this was better.
“You’re quiet,” he said, as he topped up her champagne glass. “We’re spending a week away in one of the most glamorous places in the world. I thought you’d be happier. You’ve needed a vacation for a long time, Steph.”
She looked up at him. “I’m sorry. I’ve just been deep in thought, that’s all.” A smile touched her lips. “Confession. I’ve never been to Cannes, or Nice, or Monte Carlo.”
“I haven’t been there in years, either. I’m looking forward to it.” He leaned back in his chair. “Perhaps we can head over to Monte Carlo, play a little roulette or try the dice.”
She chuckled. “Now you’re getting carried away.”
“When was the last time you took a real holiday?”
They both knew the answer to that. The job was a busy one, and had only gotten more so in the months since the accident and Raoul had been deep in his grief. Then there was the whole incident with Diego’s former assistant, and training Sofia . . .
“Still,” she said, reaching for a piece of melon. “That might be a little conspicuous. Isn’t the idea to fly under the radar?”
Raoul grabbed a plump berry and popped it in his mouth. “Let’s keep an open mind, then. We’ve got a basic itinerary, but there are lots of windows of opportunity for . . . other activities.”
Her cheeks heated, and she looked out the window at the layer of clouds beneath the plane. She was sure he hadn’t meant any innuendo, because that wasn’t his style. Still, intentional or not, the possibilities were before them. There were no meddling family members around now. It was just the two of them.
Marco popped in from the cockpit, where he’d been sitting with the flight crew. “Excuse me, sir. I thought we could go over the transportation arrangements one final time before we land.”
“Certainly, Marco.”
While the two of them talked, Stephani looked out the window. They’d started a slow descent, and the clouds got closer, then they were in them, the wing disappearing in a swirly, soft mess. A minute later and the clouds were above, and little drops of moisture showed on the window. A spring shower? The coastline was visible now, and it wouldn’t be long before they arrived at the Nice airport and then the short drive to their hotel.
“We’ll be on the ground soon.” Raoul’s voice broke through her thoughts. “It’s cloudy now, but the forecast is good for the rest of the week.” His smile was wide. “And despite your protests, I do have a few little surprises up my sleeve.”
Warmth spread through her body at the intimate way he looked at her. Maybe part of her problem today was that this didn’t seem like it should be real. She’d wished for this for so long, it had become a dream that played on a continuous loop in her head, but one she’d been sure she would never have. Now she felt as if she might wake up at any moment, or that the tenuous grip she had on the future she wanted could slip out of her grasp at any moment.
He cared about her. He wanted her. Both of those had been impossible only a few weeks ago. Was it possible that he could fall in love with her, too? Or was that a wish too far?
They landed with a small bump and a smooth glide down the runway. For better or worse, they were here. And in a week they’d likely know which direction their relationship would take.
* * *
Raoul watched as Stephani surfaced through the clear water of his personal pool. He ran a hand over his chin, a familiar tension taking over his body. She was more beautiful than she realized. She wore these conservative, totally appropriate suits and dresses to the office. She was impeccably dressed for every official engagement. But the aqua-colored bikini revealed honey-gold skin that he longed to touch. And so far he hadn’t, even though they’d been here two days already.
She rested her arms on the edge of the pool. “You coming in?” she invited, water glistening on her lashes. “It’s lovely.”
“I thought I might. A morning swim is a nice way to start the day.”
So is something else, he thought to himself, but didn’t say it. Clearly the chemistry between them was good. The dinner at her apartment had made that plain. This trip was for more. It was about compatibility. About romance.
She smiled. “Join me. We have time before today’s meetings.”
He’d intended to anyway, so he untied his robe and dropped it on a nearby chaise, then stepped down into the cool water of the pool.
Her smile widened and she pushed away from the side, floating on her back. He couldn’t look away from the twin points her breasts made out of the water, or the way her long, dark hair spread out around her. Watching her the last two days had been gratifying to say the least. She greeted every little thing with wonder, even though opulence was no stranger to her. She’d sighed with happiness at her suite, even though it was only half the size of his. The balconies outside the rooms looked over the cerulean sea, and she couldn’t seem to get enough. They lived in their own corner of paradise, but Stephani was anything but blasé.
She was appreciative. S
he found enjoyment in the smallest things. She reminded him of what it was to take pleasure in moments, something that hadn’t happened in a long, long time.
They had only kissed since arriving, sweet little stolen kisses. They hadn’t slept together, and even so, Raoul was starting to feel as if she was giving him back himself.
“Where did you go? You’re lost in your head.”
He blinked and met her gaze. “Sorry. Just thinking.”
“Well, don’t hurt yourself.”
He smiled. “I like it when you tease me.”
“It’s easier when we’re not in the office. I wouldn’t want to be insubordinate.” She flashed him a saucy grin, then dove under the water, giving her toes a little flip that splashed water up and over his face and chest.
Scamp.
He got the rest of the way in and swam a bit, though it wasn’t big enough of a pool for him to do laps or anything. Still, it was refreshing, and he got the pleasure of being near Stephani. Once he reached out and pulled her close, felt her cool skin rub up against his. He kissed her and then let her go, but the hazy look in her eyes told him all he needed to know. Maybe later. He had something special planned, in her suite where she’d be sure to have privacy.
“We should probably get ready for the day,” she said, rather reluctantly, he thought.
“If you want to take some extra time, why don’t you? I can handle this one.”
She shook her head. “No, I want to be there. I’m being indulged sufficiently, Your Highness.” She put a sassy little inflection on the title. “The least I can do is my job.”
“Fair enough.” He moved to the steps and got out, dripping water while reaching for a towel. She followed behind, and he swallowed at the sight of her skin glistening with water, then the way she efficiently used the white towel to dry off.
She paused and looked out over the terrace. “It’s beautiful here, isn’t it? I mean, I spend the majority of my time in a palace, but this . . . maybe I needed a vacation more than I thought.”