Her surprised gaze met his. His heart pounded in his chest. But there was something more in her gaze. Interest. Excitement. Desire.
The fact that he could still turn her on sent the blood roaring through his veins, drowning out his common sense. Long-denied desire drove him onward. One thing that couldn’t be denied was that they had chemistry. They should have a warning sign—combustible when mixed.
With each twist of her hair, her face moved closer. He would show her what she’d given up. He’d remind her that all of this could have been hers if only she’d believed in them—if only she’d loved him.
A noise in the hallway caused her to jump back. He reluctantly relinquished his hold on her hair, allowing her to straighten. He tried to tell himself that it was for the best, but a sense of regret churned in his gut.
He cleared his throat as he tried to remember where they’d left off. “What about this gray-blue color? I like it.”
There was an unmistakable pause before Zoe spoke. “That is a bit dark and you have to realize the darker the shade, the smaller the space will appear. Why don’t you see what you like on this page?” She adjusted the computer so that it displayed dozens of much lighter shades of blue. “Trust me. They’ll appear darker on the wall.”
This time instead of hovering, she stepped back, giving him space. Though he knew it was for the best, he missed that brief moment where they’d recaptured a bit of the past. He’d have to be more alert going forward. Things were already complicated enough between them.
For the next hour, they went over the various shades, mixing and matching. There was even a slick computer software program that let her slip the colors into the basic layout of the common rooms. It gave them a better idea of what it would look like in real life. But Zoe insisted there was nothing like seeing it in person with the natural light bouncing off the walls. He took her word for it. They agreed to wait until then to make the final decisions.
* * *
Two full days had passed. And she still had a job.
Zoe smiled.
This arrangement, though a bit bizarre working with her ex, just might work out in the end.
After a long day at the palace offices, Zoe had Demetrius’s car drop her off at the market so she could pick up some food for dinner—not that she had much appetite these days. It seemed her stomach was forever filled with the sensation of a swarm of fluttering butterflies. She hoped a salad might pique her appetite.
Armed with fresh fruit, vegetables and some still-warm-from-the-oven bread, she walked toward her apartment. Ever since she’d left the market, something hadn’t felt right. Zoe glanced over her shoulder.
Nothing out of the ordinary.
Still, the little hairs on Zoe’s arms remained lifted.
She picked up her pace. At an intersection, she paused and glanced back. Her gaze met a set of dark, menacing eyes. The creepy reporter. Her heart lurched.
Though he didn’t approach her, there was something threatening about the way he looked at her. There was no point calling for help. What would she say? He looked at her the wrong way?
The best thing she could do was keep moving. It wasn’t much farther to her apartment. Hopefully she’d lose him. Her feet moved rapidly along the sidewalk. She refused to glance back again. She was making too much of seeing the reporter. Still, she recalled his eerie words about finding out her secrets. What secrets? About her mother? Demetrius?
Zoe rushed across the street. Her apartment building was in the next block. Though she’d promised herself she wouldn’t, she paused and glanced back. The street was busy as people rushed home to their families. She didn’t see any sign of the reporter. She breathed a sigh of relief. Perhaps it’d just been a coincidence.
Once safely in her apartment, she did something she didn’t normally do—locked her door. She rushed to the kitchen window and peered out. She searched up the street. Nothing. Down the street. Nothing.
Get a grip. You’re imagining things.
And then she saw him across the street. He emerged from between the buildings. The breath caught in her throat. He leaned back against the bakery and pointed his camera up at her. She ducked out of sight. Hastily, she closed the kitchen curtains.
What do I do now?
She rushed to put her groceries in the fridge, having lost any bit of hunger she may have had. She thought of calling Demetrius, but what would she say? Some guy was following her? Would Demetrius believe her? And after the way she’d walked out of their marriage, why should he care?
Knock. Knock.
Zoe jumped.
She moved to the window and peeked out. The reporter was gone.
Knock. Knock.
Or was he?
* * *
It was time they talked.
And Zoe had given him the perfect excuse.
Demetrius glanced down at her leather-bound day planner. She always had it close at hand, marking every meeting and deadline in it. She impressed him with her attention to detail. He knew that he could have left the planner on her desk till the morning, but he liked having an excuse to visit her at home—especially if her mother answered the door.
He’d knocked twice but still no one answered the door. That was strange. He’d thought he’d overheard her mention to Annabelle that she was planning to stay in and make a salad—not that he’d stuck around eavesdropping. Perhaps she’d decided it was easier to eat out. That would be just his luck.
Unwilling to give up the thought of seeing her—of finally gaining some answers about the annulment—he knocked one last time.
“Go away!”
What?
“Zoe? Open the door.”
“If you don’t leave, I’m calling the polizia.”
The polizia?
What is going on?
“Zoe, it’s me. Demetrius. Open up.”
There was the sound of footsteps. Then a pause as he felt her gaze through the peephole. Followed by the click of the lock. At last the door swung open. A pale-faced Zoe stood there.
“I...I wasn’t expecting you.” Her gaze didn’t quite reach his.
“Obviously. Who did you think I was?”
She shook her head and waved away his question. “It’s nothing.”
“It is quite obviously something. I insist you tell me.” Her face was devoid of color. Her eyes were filled with worry. He wasn’t leaving until he got to the bottom of what had her scared.
“Remember that reporter from the interview at the mansion? You know, the creepy one?”
He nodded, not liking the direction this conversation was going. “What did he do to you?”
She shook her head again. “Nothing.”
“You look awfully worked up for nothing. Tell me and let me be the judge.”
“It’s just that he’s been lurking around here, watching me and taking photos.”
Demetrius’s gut tightened. “And just now you thought he was knocking on your door?”
She shrugged.
“When’s the last time you saw him?”
“He followed me home from the market. I...I saw him out the kitchen window, standing across the street. He tried to take my picture, but I think I ducked before he could.”
Without waiting to be invited inside, Demetrius strode past Zoe toward the aforementioned window. This was his fault for thrusting her into the media spotlight. Now that she was working closely with him, the media would want to know everything about her. They would dissect her life, looking for a juicy piece of gossip.
Demetrius swept aside the curtain and peered out at the busy roadway. He didn’t see anyone acting suspicious. “Do you still see him?”
She moved to his side and gazed out at the numerous faces. “No. He disappeared just before you arrived. That’s
why I thought you were him.”
Demetrius let the curtain fall back into place. He glanced around, noticing the quietness. “Are you here alone?”
She nodded. “My mother is visiting a friend at the coast.”
“Well, you can’t stay here alone. Pack a bag. Tonight you’re staying at the palace.”
Her eyes grew round. “No, I can’t. I won’t.”
Why was she being difficult? This was for her own welfare. “You can and you will. I’m not leaving you here.”
“I’ll be safe. I’ll keep the door locked.” Her lips pressed into a firm line as her gaze took a defiant gleam.
He wasn’t going to let her have her way. Not this time. Not with her safety at stake. “Why are you being stubborn? It’s not like I’m asking you to return to the palace as my wife.”
Her chin lifted. “So far I’ve been lucky enough to avoid the king and his advisors. I won’t be able to do that if I’m living there. And...and I don’t want to deal with them. I didn’t exactly leave on the best of terms.”
Demetrius couldn’t argue that point. The king’s advisors were certain that she was a gold digger, but surprisingly the king had been quite reserved with his thoughts about Demetrius’s failed marriage. Maybe his father thought that he’d suffered enough without adding an “I told you so.”
Still, there had to be an alternative. A way to assure himself of her safety until the media set their sights on a new target. He rolled the options around in his mind.
“I have the perfect alternative.” Why he hadn’t thought of it in the first place was beyond him.
Her eyes widened with interest. “You do? What?”
“You’ll see. It’s not far from here.”
CHAPTER SIX
JUST AS DEMETRIUS had promised, his chauffeured car ushered them past the palace gates, beyond the palace itself and down a narrow lane Zoe didn’t even know existed. Unspoiled green foliage and wild flowers lined both sides of the roadway. They were heading far, far away from any curious eyes. It sure was a good thing that she knew Demetrius as well as she did. Otherwise, she would be wary of their isolated destination.
“Where are we going?” She turned to Demetrius as he continued to type response after response into his phone.
His fingers paused as he glanced out the window. “We’re almost there.”
“That doesn’t tell me anything.”
“Stop worrying. I’m certain you’ll approve.”
“And if I don’t?”
There was a moment of silence. “Then we’ll go back to your apartment.”
She didn’t believe it’d be that simple. Nothing was ever simple when it concerned this particular prince—this very sexy prince. “What’s the catch?”
“There isn’t one.” When she arched a brow at him, he sighed. “You don’t believe me?”
“Let’s just say I know you well enough to expect you not to give up so easily.”
Like when he’d proposed to her on a starlit night along the seashore. He refused to take any answer but her acceptance. Not that accepting a marriage proposal from a prince had been a hardship. In fact, in that moment, it had been quite the opposite.
Demetrius slipped his phone in his pocket. “There’s no catch.”
“I don’t believe you.”
Their gazes met and held as though in a struggle of wills. Demetrius was the first to turn away. “Before we go any further with this argument, see if this will calm your worries.”
When she turned to the window, her gaze landed upon a beautiful white beach house. It was like something out of a glossy magazine. The door and some of the trim was done in a light teal. The appearance was refreshing and welcoming. Was this part of the royal estate?
“It’s amazing.”
“I’m glad you like it.” A smile lifted his lips and eased the stress lines marring his face.
The car pulled to a stop and the driver got out to open her door for her. “If you want to go inside, ma’am, I’ll bring in your luggage.”
“Grazie.” She turned back as Demetrius alighted from the car. “Is there anyone here?”
He shook his head. “It’s all yours for as long as you need.”
Zoe made her way down the stone walkway, passing by a garden full of exotic foliage and blossoms from bright yellow and orange to pink and deep red. It was impossible not to fall in love with this place.
Anxious to see if the interior was as impressive as the exterior, she grasped the brass door handle and swung open the teal door. She stepped inside, greeted by a light-gray tiled foyer. The house had an open floor plan with a spacious kitchen that could be closed off by some teal shutters. The interior decor was of white walls and teal trim like the outside.
An abundance of open windows let the sea breeze filter through the house. She’d never been to such a charming place. When Demetrius said he’d take care of her, he hadn’t been kidding. This was her idea of paradise.
She moved to the wall of windows facing the Mediterranean. It was absolutely gorgeous. It didn’t matter how many times she looked out over the sea, she never tired of it. It would appear her mother wasn’t the only one having a seaside holiday of sorts.
Zoe heard footsteps behind her. “You can just set the bags by the door. I’ll get them—”
“Are you sure?”
That deep, rich voice sent a wave of delicious sensations coursing up her spine. It was most definitely not the driver. She spun around, finding Demetrius standing there holding her bags. “Sorry. I thought you were the driver.”
“I hope you’re not disappointed. I sent him away.”
“What? But why?” Being alone with the one man who could send her heart pounding with just a look was not a good thing. “I mean, I’m sure you have work to do.”
“I do. But first we have to talk.”
Talk? About what? She got the distinct impression from his serious expression that she wasn’t going to like what he had to say. Was he going to blame her for the nosy reporter sniffing around for gossip?
Demetrius cleared his throat. “But first, do you approve of your accommodations?”
“It’s absolutely amazing.” Zoe moved to his side and retrieved her luggage. She glanced up at him and her stomach quivered with excitement. They may no longer be a couple, but that didn’t mean she was immune to his charms. “I owe you an apology. I should have realized that you would have the perfect place in mind. Grazie.”
“You’re welcome. It’s the family’s escape from the palace life. A place where we can just be ourselves without the constant expectations that go along with royal life.”
“I feel safe here.” She glanced all around. “I can already imagine that I’ll be spending a lot of time out on the deck.”
“I’ve spent many hours there. It’s great for clearing your mind.”
“I’m sure it is.” Not anxious for the ominous talk, she said, “Well, I know you have things to do and I have to unpack, so I won’t keep you.”
“Not before we talk.”
Something told her that this much-changed prince didn’t normally have lapses in his schedule. Whatever he wanted to speak to her about must be important. Had something happened with the renovation?
She hoped not, for more than one reason. The South Shore revitalization project was a hard-fought-for and long-awaited improvement. And somehow, someway Zoe planned to get her mother a spot at the Residenza del Rosa. The doctor had warned that finding her mother appropriate accommodations needed to be a priority. The time for hesitating had passed.
Zoe set down her suitcase next to the couch. “What’s the matter? Has something happened at the mansion?”
Demetrius’s brows scrunched together. “Why would you think that?”
“It’s your tone
and...and your demeanor. You have something serious on you mind.”
“You’re right. I do. This conversation is long overdue.”
Her stomach churned. She forced her gaze to meet his. “What conversation?”
* * *
Demetrius raked his fingers through his hair. “I’ve been waiting for you to say something about it, but I’m so tired of playing these games with you.”
“What games? I haven’t been playing any games with you.”
“Sure you have. Why else wouldn’t you have signed the annulment papers?”
The whites of her eyes widened and her mouth gaped. Was she really going to try and act surprised? What did she hope to gain by acting all innocent?
All of his pent-up frustration came rushing to the surface. “Don’t look so shocked. I’m certain it comes as no surprise to you that we’re still husband and wife.”
“What? But...but that can’t be.”
“It can be when you don’t sign and return the annulment papers.”
“No, that isn’t right.” She pressed her fingers to her forehead as though she were trying to piece everything together.
Was she angling to garner his sympathy? Well, it wouldn’t work this time. Demetrius’s wounded pride refused to accept anything but a reasonable explanation. His ego hadn’t just been pricked. It had been slashed to ribbons. This had to stop. And it had to stop here.
He was on a roll now and he couldn’t stop. Not until she admitted what she wanted from him. Did she want more money? Or did she regret the way she’d trampled over their wedding vows on her way out the door? Did she want him back? The wondering and the not knowing had been nagging at him for months now. “Were you hoping for a bigger payday?”
“No!” Her gaze narrowed. “You know me better than that. I ripped up the check and mailed the papers back to you.”
“I don’t know what you did with the check or the papers, but I never received them.”
Her eyes filled with confusion. “Then...then that means we’re still married?”
He nodded. For the first time since the dreadful day when she walked out on him, he witnessed that same anguished look on her face. What was he supposed to make of it?
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