Dare Me

by Tara Wylde

  She lifts her head and her big blue eyes find mine. “This is your fault, you do realize that right?” she says accusingly.

  “I was a good girl with a flawless reputation before you wormed your way into my life.”

  “True.” I wind my arms around her bare mid-riff and kiss the spot behind her ear that always makes her shiver. “But you’re having more fun now.”

  She laughs, the sound going straight to my heart. “You’ve got a point.”

  I nip her shoulder. “I’m up for another round if you are.”

  “Tempting, but I can’t. Shelly and Tessa are waiting for me. Why are you here, anyway?”

  “I just wanted to spend some time with my wife. Since we got back, it seems like we’ve hardly seen each other.”

  It’s true. Between my fencing lessons and royal duties, and the way that Alexis has become obsessed with putting this museum together, it seems like the only time we’re together is late at night, in my bedroom, where we basically ravish each other before falling asleep, completely exhausted.

  The funny part is that, usually this kind of situation suits me perfectly, but now, whenever I’m not deeply engaged in something, I find my mind drifting back to Alexis – and missing her so much I ache.

  I long for the lazy days at the villa where we did nothing but make love, walk in the garden, eat bad food, read. I really miss the sound of Alexis’s laughter.

  It was that longing that made me cancel an appointment with my dad and hurry over here. My intention had been to take Alexis out to lunch, but the sight of her in the same bottom hugging jeans she’s wiggling into right now, and all thoughts of lunch fled my mind. In that moment, I’d been desperate for the feel of her around me.

  I hadn’t been able to stop myself.

  Alexis buttons her pants and reaches for her bra. Watching her put it on is nearly as much fun as taking it off. “I was hoping you’d join me for lunch.”

  “I can’t,” she pulls her shirt over her head. “I have to see what Tessa’s talking about.”

  “Oh.” Disappointment snakes through me. Until this moment I hadn’t realized just how much I’d been looking forward to simply talking to Alexis. “Mind if I come along?”

  “Oh, that’s a great idea. Then Shelly will really know what was happening in here.”

  I shrug. “It’s not like she hasn’t done it a time or two herself.”

  Alexis’s eyes widen. “Really, you’ve caught her?”

  “Not exactly.”

  Alexis bites her lip and seems to be debating something. “Do you know about her and-” she trails off.

  “Her maestro?” I button my pants and take Alexis’s hand in my own, lacing our fingers together and leading her from the office.

  “Yeah, I know they’re having an affair. Shelly’s not as discreet as she thinks she is.”

  “And you’re okay with it?”

  We turn down the hallway and walk towards the room where Tessa catalogs the antiques and other treasures, and I think about her question.

  “I don’t like the guy. I think he’s a slimy weasel who’s always working an angle, but Shelly’s an adult and free to make her own decisions, both good and bad.”

  Alexis slants me a warm look and squeezes my hand. “That’s a very progressive attitude. I’m impressed.”

  We pass a group of construction workers who are standing next to a large window and trying to decide if the cracked glass is worth repairing.

  “I do my best. Speaking of my sister, Shelly’s one of the reasons I’m here.”

  “Okay.”

  “I don’t know if she mentioned it or not, but some family friends are hosting a big black-tie garden party that’s designed to help raise money for the local youth symphony so they can go on an international tour. Shelly’s part of the board and she’s sitting in with the kids, accompanying them on the piano.”

  Alexis bites her lower lips and searches her memory banks. “She might have said something about it, I’m not sure.”

  “It’s tomorrow night and I thought we should go.”

  Alexis stumbles. “Really? And you’re just now telling me.”

  “I wasn’t planning on attending, but it would be a low key, pleasant way for you to make your first public appearance as my wife.”

  Plus, I happened to get a glimpse of the fancy dress Shelly’s personal stylist has picked out for Alexis and can't wait to see how she'll look in it – and more importantly how she'll look when I slowly peel it off her body.

  “I guess that sounds reasonable.”

  “Great, it’s a date. Be ready to leave at eight tomorrow night.”

  I lead her into the room. Tessa and Shelly hunch over a computer, their brows furrowed. Alexis hurries over to them. “What happened.”

  “Lucas,” Shelly grins at me. “When did you get here.”

  “Couple of minutes ago.”

  “Really,” she and Tessa exchange amused glances. “Because I could have sworn I saw you pull in to the parking lot well over a half an hour ago.”

  “You must have been mistaken.”

  “Alexis,” Tessa’s voice shakes with laughter. “Shelly said you stubbed your toe, but I can’t help noticing that you’re not limping.”

  Alexis turns beat red and points at the computer. “What’s going on. Shelly mentioned lost paintings?”

  Tessa slides over so Alexis can crouch beside her chair. I walk around behind them and look at the screen.

  “Three small Viscargeo miniature paintings have just disappeared,” Tessa explains.

  Alexis leans close to the screen and reads the information Tessa had already entered into the computer. “That’s impossible. They must have been misplaced.”

  Tessa shakes her head and points to a low, sturdy table. “No, they were right there. I was working with them. I left the room for a few minutes and they were gone. Someone took them.”

  “But who? We keep this room locked up tight.”

  Shelly raises an eyebrow. “Really, you honestly think so?”

  Tessa and Alexis stare at her and she laughs harshly.

  “Wow! You’re good about locking up when you’re going to be gone for a few hours, but when you just step out, you never lock the door, I’ve been in on three different occasions when you didn’t even bother shutting the door, even though no one was in here watching over the stuff.”

  Tessa and Alexis look at one another and deflate.

  Tessa runs a hand through her long hair. “You told me that there’s been someone working their way through Europe, robbing private collections. Looks like we’ve been hit.”

  “It’d be easy for the thief to get in here. All they’d have to do is pose as one of the construction workers we’ve hired,” Alexis says, her face crestfallen.

  Tessa picks up her cell phone. “I’ll call the police.”

  My stomach flops over and cold sweat runs down my spine. Alexis is here, sometimes alone, all day and often long into the evening. What would happen if she accidently stumbled upon the thief while they were in the act of liberating some of the valuables. Most art and antique thieves aren’t violent, but there’s always exceptions.

  The idea of Alexis’s life being in danger …

  I touch her shoulder and she turns to me. “I have to make some phone calls. I’ll be in the hallway if you need anything.”

  Alexis

  Since meeting Lucas, I’ve seen him in suits, workout clothes, fencing clothes, and casual clothes, and couldn’t have said which is my favorite, but looking at him now, dressed in a perfectly tailored black tuxedo with matching bow tie at his throat, I know that this is my favorite.

  The only time he comes close to looking even more delicious is when he’s naked. But I get to see that every day. This, on the other hand? It’s a sheer delight.

  I step out of the small room I use as my own dressing room and try not to feel self-conscious. Lucas whistles and I blush.

  I run my hands down the side of the dress.
“You don’t think it’s too much?” The pale blue dress hugs my curves and dips low over my breasts, leaving little to imagination.

  Lucas stalks towards me, desire burning in his eyes. “Sheer perfection.”

  He slides a finger under my chin and leans close. My eyes flutter close. My lips part for the anticipated kiss.

  “No, no, no!” Rick Evans, Shelly’s stylist who generously agreed to help me get ready for tonight’s event, races out of the dressing room and practically launches himself at us. “No kissing. Smudges the lipstick and I won’t stand for that.”

  Lucas backs up and holds up his hands. “Fine, I won’t kiss her. At least not yet.” He says it ominously, as though it’s a threat.

  But he doesn’t scare me. Oh no.

  “And you,” Rick turns on me. “No biting your lips or rubbing your eyes. There’s going to be lots of media and photographs at this party and I won’t have anyone say that Rick Evans sent out a woman in smudged makeup.”

  Lucas rocks back on his heels and takes in every aspect of my appearance, from my hair which falls in big, loose curls around my shoulders to the elegant blue pumps on my feet.

  “Absolutely divine,” he murmurs. He removes a long black box from his pocket. “But there’s something missing.”

  He opens the box and I gasp. Inside are a pair of perfect, tear drop diamond earrings and a matching necklace.

  “They’re beautiful.” I gasp.

  “For a stunning lady.” He leans in close and nuzzles my hair out of the way before placing a light kiss behind my ear.

  I sigh and lean into him.

  “No,” Rick squawks. “What did I tell you? No make-up smudging hanky-panky until after the party.”

  I laugh as Lucas drapes the heavy necklace around my throat and slips the earrings into place.

  “I love them. Thank you.”

  “Those aren’t the only surprise I’ve got for you,” he says in a silky tone.

  He takes my hand and leads me from the room while Rick retreats to my dressing room to tidy up the mess that was made while preparing me for my first official outing as Princess Alexis.

  Outside of the room, a large man with very little neck, a shaved head, a serious expression, and pretty blue eyes snaps to attention.

  Lucas stops in front of him and nods. “Alexis, this is Christopher. He’s one of two bodyguards I’ve hired to look after you.”

  “A bodyguard?”

  Lucas nods.

  “Not only do I not want one, but I don’t need one.” I pause, my mind scrambling. I’ve managed to go through my entire life without a guard by my side and I can’t think of any reason why I should start now!

  “Not that I’m not sure you’re wonderful at your job,” I quickly tell Christopher, “it’s just that I think your time would be better served watching over someone who is actually in trouble.”

  “Alexis, you’re a princess. Of course you need one.” Lucas is using his patient tone. I HATE that tone.

  “I’ve been a princess for weeks, and haven’t used one. Your sister is a princess and she doesn’t have one. The same is true of your mother.”

  “You’re wrong.”

  I float a brow and cross my arms over my chest waiting for him to continue. This should be good.

  “Both Shelly and my mother have bodyguards, they just happen to be so discreet that you never notice them. And you’ve been trailed by a retired soldier as well.”

  Hold up a minute … “What do you mean, I’ve been trailed?”

  “They’ve been keeping an eye on you ever since we got married. Everyone in my family has someone.”

  “I haven’t seen anybody.”

  “Because they’re very good at their job. The idea is that they’re close enough to step in if there’s a problem, but far enough away they don’t intrude on our lives.

  I’m not happy, but this isn’t an argument I want to have right now.

  “And what about him?” I point at Christopher, who looks like he’s doing his best to become a part of the wall.

  “I want someone closer to you. The fact that those small paintings were stolen while you and Tessa were both there means that your life could be in jeopardy. I want someone who’s close enough to save you if you come face to face with the thief. I’ve already arranged for a guy to stay at the museum full time, and a pair of guards have been assigned to Tessa.”

  I open my mouth to say something, but before the words form, Christopher speaks up.

  “Ma’am, I understand why you might have some concerns about my being here,” he says in a soft, polite tone that seems at odds with his massive muscles.

  “If I was in your position, I’d doubt I’d be very happy either, but think about it this way. If I’m with you and we do happen to find these thieves, there’s a good chance that my being there will result in them getting caught.”

  His words stop my objections in their metaphorical tracks. He has a point, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it.

  Lucas decides to capitalize in my hesitation. He turns me to face him and grasps both of my upper arms and looks at me with sad eyes. “Alexis, please,” he says in a soft voice. His fingers rub my bare flesh and my resolve softens. Funny, that.

  “For me.”

  It’s not like I have much of a choice in the matter. “Fine,” I huff. I’m not quite ready to give up the fight.

  “But we’ll discuss the matter later…”

  Alexis

  The dinner party is held in the garden of one of the prettiest houses I’ve ever had the pleasure of seeing. It’s like walking into the middle of a children’s fairytale story.

  Trees and tables are covered with shiny bits of streamers and cloth. Millions of tiny white twinkle lights illuminate the place.

  Best of all, are the large white rabbits that roam loose, hopping and playing near the guests feet.

  The children’s orchestra, accompanied by Shelly on a gleaming white baby grand piano, occupy a large gazebo. In keeping with the magical fairytale theme, they play music that feature both recognizable Disney tunes as well as some old Sinatra pieces. It whistles through the air in the background.

  Lucas hands me a small China plate that’s overflowing with tiny finger foods. “Impressed?”

  “Very much so.” I bite into a small cracker that’s covered with some sort of cheese spread and nearly roll my eyes, with delight.

  “Oh my God, this is good.”

  I swallow the rest of the cracker and reach for a second one. “Remind me to stay far away from the appetizer table, or I’ll run the risk of exploding right out of this dress.”

  Lucas’s eyes drop to my cleavage. “Sounds … Appealing.”

  I grin. He might not have much of a sense of humor, but every once in a while, he manages to say or do something that amuses me. It’s better than nothing.

  “It won’t be the fun kind of explosion,” I tell him. I finish the other cracker and swear I feel my waistline swelling against the confines of my gown. I’ve definitely had enough.

  I hand my plate to a passing waiter and lean into Lucas. He wraps his arm around me. If feels good, like we’re a normal couple.

  Out of the corner of my eye I catch sight of Christopher doing his best to stay out of the way. A normal couple who’s every move is watched, I think darkly to myself.

  Still, I’m not going to let that spoil my mood.

  I snuggle closer to Lucas. “So, what’s the deal with all the rabbits? Are they just here for ambiance, or are they regular fixtures?”

  “Regular fixture. Martha Hembroke, that’s her over there,” Lucas gestures towards a short round woman with graying hairs and a laughing mouth who is engaged in an animated conversation with a man in a military uniform.

  “She’s always had rabbits and is active in many of the local and national rabbit breeding organizations. She often lets them run loose in the garden, but this is the first time they’ve ever attended a party – at least to the best of my knowle
dge.”

  The symphony launches into an old standard, a song I remember hearing Fred Astaire sing while he danced with Ginger Rogers.

  Lucas takes my hand. “May I have this dance?”

  He sweeps me into his arms and we slowly sway together. I close my eyes, resting my cheek against his chest and feel his strong, steady heart beat as I lose myself in his touch and in his scent.

  For the first time since marrying him, I feel like a princess.

  Alexis

  Growing up, if I’d ever allowed myself a few spare minutes to day dream about what life would be like if I was a princess, I know that this very moment, would have been it.

  If this was a movie scene, the credits would roll and the audience would start filing out of the theatre. Content that the couple on the screen was going to live happily ever after. Maybe, if I close my eyes and wish really hard …

  “Excuse me, may I cut in.”

  The unwelcome intrusion jolts me from my fantasy. Lucas stops moving and turns to the man who tapped his shoulder.

  The man isn't quite as gorgeous as Lucas, but he comes in at a close second. His thick sand colored hair is a bit longer than is usually acceptable in polite society, the ends brushing against his color. His deep-set hazel eyes are sad – almost soulful.

  They half remind me of the angst poetry I’d spent hours reading my freshman year of college. The man's slim navy blue tuxedo emphasizes a long, whip thin body.

  "Duran," Lucas says tightly.

  "Prince Lucas, it's only fair that you allow me the pleasure of a single dance with your wife. After all, you have a whole lifetime with her, while I will only have as long as the dance should happen to last."

  The man's thick French accent and dramatic gestures would have been right at home in a 19th-century court. Somehow, he manages to take what should sound like a cheesy, over dramatic speech and turn it into a romantic story.

  Lucas grinds his teeth together. "Alexis, meet Duran Perren. Shelly's piano Maestro."