by Dani Collins
‘This is Hester,’ Alek said briefly when they were back in the second lounge. ‘I’ll leave you to introduce your team. Please take good care of her.’ He sent her a small mocking smile and headed back to the front of the plane.
That was it? There were no instructions? She had no idea what she was supposed to do.
‘We’re here to help you, Ms Moss,’ Billie said confidently.
And there was indeed a team. A hairdresser, a make-up artist, a beautician and a tailor. They were doing a wonderful job of hiding their curiosity but it was so strong she could almost taste it.
‘Would you mind if we untie your hair?’
Hester paused. She had to trust Alek’s choice, and in their professionalism. ‘Of course.’ She pulled the elastic tie to free her ponytail. ‘I just need you to make me presentable as consort to the King.’
All four of them just stared at her, making her feel awkward.
‘That’s not going to be a problem,’ Billie replied after endless seconds. ‘Not a problem.’
She didn’t pretend she could reach for anything more than presentable. But she’d been around Princess Fiorella long enough to understand a few tricks. Tailored clothing and some polish could make her passable.
‘We have some dresses,’ Billie said. ‘Would you try them on first so I can make alterations while you’re with the beautician?’
‘Of course, thank you.’ Hester watched, stunned, as Billie unzipped several garment bags while Jon the hairdresser began laying out his tools on the table. ‘You must have run to get all this together so quickly.’
‘An assignment like this?’ A huge smile spread across Jon’s face. ‘Once in a lifetime.’
Once in a lifetime was right. And it was an assignment for her as much as it was for them. She could learn to do what was necessary, she could even excel in some areas. But she definitely needed help with this. She’d never had the desire to look good before; frankly she’d never wanted people to notice her. Blending in was safer. Hiding was safer still.
But now people were going to be looking so she needed armour. That was what clothing and make-up could be, right?
Hester spent the best part of an hour turning this way and that and holding still while Billie pinned her waist and hem. The fabrics were so soft and sleek, slowly her trepidation ebbed and she actually began to enjoy herself.
‘Now I have your measurements, I can get you some more when we land in Triscari,’ Billie said.
Hester glanced at the pile of clothes laid out on the table. ‘Do I need more?’
‘Much more.’ Billie swiftly hung the dresses. ‘It’s not all photo shoots and public engagements. You’ll still have day-to-day life at the palace.’
Hester bit back a nervous giggle. It sounded fantastical and her usual navy utility trousers weren’t exactly palace proper. ‘Okay, some more casual items would be wonderful. And…’ she fought back her blush ‘…perhaps some new underwear.’
‘Leave it with me.’ Billie smiled.
Hester smiled shyly. As the beautician waxed, plucked, buffed and massaged her, hours of flight time passed by and she was able to avoid conversation by studying the information on the tablet Alek had given her. Wrapped in a white fluffy robe, she sat in one of the chairs in the boardroom while Jon settled a towel around her shoulders.
She’d never coloured her hair or had any sort of stylish cut because she’d never been able to afford it. So now she sat still for hours as Jon and his assistant hovered over her while Billie hand-sewed alterations to the stunning dresses.
‘Okay,’ Jon said. ‘Take as long as you like in the shower and then we’ll get to drying it.’
‘Shower? Seriously?’ On an airplane?
‘Apparently so.’ Jon grinned. ‘I’ve been in some planes…but this?’
The biggest and the best. She bit back her grimace.
As she dressed, Hester tried not to wonder what Alek would think of her make-over. He didn’t need to find her attractive. She just needed to pass inspection.
But inside, she felt oddly different. There was something sensual about her smooth skin, rendered silky by the luxuriant lotions the beautician had rubbed in. For the first time in her life she felt pampered—almost precious.
* * *
Alek sprawled back in the recliner, absurdly satisfied with the day’s events. He’d gone from frustrated and angry to being in complete control of the situation. Flying off last minute to vent to Fi after another monster row with his chief advisor, Marc, had turned out to be the best idea he’d ever had.
He’d forgotten all about his sister’s prim secretary but she was perfect for this assignment. It didn’t matter if she wasn’t the most beautiful bride the world had ever seen because she was, after all, the one student his father had approved of. Back when Alek had been fighting to get his irascible control-freak father to allow Fiorella to study overseas, he’d come up with the idea of having an approved older student act as a mentor. His father had selected Hester from the pile of student records. So what better temporary wife could Alek produce now? The irony of it delighted him. And not having any emotional entanglement would make this ‘marriage’ wonderfully straightforward.
Though her determined reserve still fuelled his curiosity. He suspected she was more inexperienced than he’d first realised, but she had a smart head on her shoulders and it was insulting of him to think she couldn’t handle this. She was a tough, brave little cookie.
His curiosity deepened as he wondered what personal fire she’d been through to make her so. Because there had to have been something. Why else had she been less than enthusiastic to invite what little family she had left?
He thought again about that barren little bedroom. There was minimalist simplicity and there was plain sad. He knew she had no education debt because she’d been on a scholarship and worked her way through her degree. She was clearly frugal and knew how to live on only a little. Yet she’d wanted a bundle of money in a hurry. Maybe one day she’d tell him why. Though he had the extraordinary inclination to make her tell him sooner. How would he get her to do that? She was so reticent he’d have to tease it out of her. He eased further back in the chair, enjoying the possibilities when the door opened. He glanced up as a goddess walked into his lounge.
Hester Moss.
At least he thought it was Hester. His brain had suddenly been starved of oxygen and he had to blink a couple of times and force his slack jaw actually to suck in a hit of air before he could quite believe his eyes.
‘Do I pass?’ She gestured to her outfit in an offhand way, her gaze not quite meeting his. ‘Am I ready for the media onslaught?’
Her glasses were gone. Her hair was loose. Her baggy, boring clothing had hopefully been consigned to an incinerator because he only wanted her to wear items that fitted her as gorgeously as this dress did. He noticed all these things, but somehow he couldn’t actually think. He could only stare.
Her expression pinched. ‘That much of a difference, huh?’
‘We’re arriving early—they won’t get much in the way of pictures,’ he muttered almost incoherently before clearing his throat and reaching for his glass of water.
‘Are you saying I just sat through an hour-long hair-drying session for nothing?’ She finally looked him directly in the eyes.
‘Not for nothing.’ Oddly breathless, he detangled the tie in his tongue. ‘I think it looks lovely.’
‘Oh, that makes it so worth it.’ She sat down in the recliner next to his. ‘Lovely.’
He grinned, appreciating the lick of sarcasm in her tone. He’d deserved it with that inane comment, but he could hardly be honest. He didn’t even want to face that raw and uncontrollable response himself.
Her unruffled composure had swiftly returned and he ached to scrape away that thin veneer because the leonine spark in her eyes a second ago had looked—
> ‘Can you see without the glasses?’ he muttered.
‘Well enough. Just don’t ask me to read my own handwriting,’ she quipped.
He stared, leaning closer. ‘Your eyelashes are—’
‘Weird. I know.’
Her increase in visible tension was so small you’d have to be paying close attention to notice. Fortunately, Alek was paying extremely close attention.
‘It’s a genetic thing,’ she said dismissively, but intriguingly her fingers had curled into fists. ‘Don’t pull an eyelash out to check they’re real.’
As if he’d ever think to do that. Whoever would? ‘I believe you.’ He forced his stiff face into a smile.
Had someone done that to her in the past? He blinked in disbelief. They really were the thickest, most lush lashes he’d ever seen. ‘And your transformation hasn’t been a waste of time. We need a portrait shot to go with the media release.’
‘You want to take that now?’ She looked startled. ‘You have a professional photographer on board too, don’t you?’ She nodded to herself. ‘Unreal.’
He chuckled, appreciating the light relief. ‘You’ll get used to it.’
He buzzed for the photographer, who bounded in with more enthusiasm than usual and keenly listened as Alek explained what he wanted.
‘Okay, we can use the white background over here,’ the photographer said. ‘What about the engagement ring?’
‘We’ll display that later,’ Alek answered swiftly. ‘Work around it for now.’
‘We can do head and shoulders, but then some relaxed shots—more modern, arty, from the side—’
‘Whatever you think,’ Alek interrupted. ‘Just get them as quickly as you can.’
Hester looked so stiff and uncomfortable, Alek had to suppress both his smile and frustration. He could think of one way of helping her relax but he didn’t think she’d appreciate it. Besides, he’d ruled that out, hadn’t he? He’d glibly assured her that of course he could be celibate for a year.
A year. The term hit him with the force of an asteroid.
‘You will get used to it, Hester,’ he repeated to reassure her.
But he was the one facing the grim reality of his impetuous decision. No sex. No touching. Just a measly two kisses—what did he think he was, twelve? And did he really think he was in ‘complete control’ of the situation? Because somehow, something had changed. It had only been a few hours and he was already seeing Hester in a new light. Was he so shallow it was all about the make-over? Or, worse, was it a case of wanting what was off limits—as if he were some spoilt child?
But as he stood next to her his temperature rose. He never sweated through photo sessions; he was too used to them. But she was close enough for him to catch her scent and she seemed to be glowing and it wasn’t just the make-up. His fingers itched to touch and see if her skin was as silky soft as it looked.
‘Can we try it with you looking at each other?’ The photographer sounded frazzled. ‘Um…yes, like that.’
Alek gazed at her upturned face. He couldn’t think for the life of him why he’d thought her anything less than stunning. She wasn’t just beautiful, she was striking. Her golden eyes with those incredible lashes? Her lush pouting lips? That infuriating serenity and stillness of her very self? He couldn’t resist putting a careful hand on her waist and drawing her a little closer. He heard the slight catch in her breath but she didn’t frown.
‘Better,’ the photographer muttered. ‘Do you think you might be able to smile?’
Alek glanced up from his appallingly lustful stare at her lips to her eyes and amusement flashed between them. He chuckled the same split second she did. And there it was—that soft, enchanting smile he’d not seen enough of. A hot, raw tsunami swept through him at the sight. He wanted more of it.
‘Yes!’
Now the photographer sounded far too ecstatic for Alek’s liking.
‘We’ll get changed for the next few shots.’ He wanted to be alone with her. He wanted to make her smile again and he didn’t want witnesses.
‘Good idea.’ Hester bit her lip and walked from the room.
Alek automatically followed her into the bedroom, unbuttoning his shirt as he went. ‘What colour are—?’
‘Oh!’ She started and then stared bug-eyed at his chest.
Her eyes grew so round he almost preened as he shrugged his shirt all the way off.
‘Is there a problem?’ He couldn’t help teasing her. But he was beginning to realise the real problem was all his.
No sex for a year?
‘I n-need to get changed,’ she stammered.
‘So get changed.’ With exaggerated civility he bowed and then turned his back to her and unlocked the wardrobe for a fresh shirt.
‘This is your bedroom?’ she choked. ‘I’m so sorry, I didn’t realise when we put all the clothes…’
‘I don’t mind, Hester.’
But it was obvious she minded very much. All that efficient poise of hers had vanished and he couldn’t help enjoying the moment. It was because of him.
‘Let me know when it’s safe to turn around again,’ he offered with a self-mocking smile. He’d prove his ‘gentleman’ credentials—to himself as much as to her.
The following silence was appallingly long. He waited, his new shirt buttoned up all the damn way, for what felt like decades for her to give him the all-clear.
‘Um…’ She finally coughed. ‘Would you mind helping me with the zip?’
Oh, was that the problem? ‘Sure.’ Smothering a laugh, he turned, only to freeze at the sight of her smooth bare back. A gorgeous expanse of creamy skin was edged by the curling sweep of her voluminous golden brown hair—inviting him closer, to touch. Instead he carefully took the dress in the tips of his fingers so as not to inadvertently touch her skin. To prove his restraint to himself. Slowly he pulled the zip up, hiding her from his hungry eyes again. The desire to lean closer, to touch where he had no permission, almost overwhelmed him. By the time he finished the simple task he could barely breathe. He stepped back, coldly furious with himself. Damn if he didn’t need to clear his head.
At that moment she turned and he glimpsed fire gleaming in her eyes. That barely hidden blaze of desire slammed the brakes on his breathing all over again.
‘You look…’ He couldn’t think of an adjective—he could only think of action. Impossible action.
‘Let’s finish this,’ she muttered, quickly turning to leave the room.
‘Right.’ He’d never been rendered speechless before and it took him several minutes to catch his breath. Several minutes in which he had to look into a camera and smile as if this were the happiest day of his life. And then he just gave up. ‘Give us a second.’
He took Hester by the hand and walked her down to the other end of the lounge.
‘You get sick of it,’ she said.
‘Utterly,’ he admitted, so happy to see her sweet smile flash instantly.
‘It must be intense, knowing absolutely everyone around is watching you all the time.’
‘You learn to tune it out.’
‘And pretend it’s normal?’ She glanced away, her smile impish as she took in the artwork adorning the plane’s interior. ‘As if any of this is normal?’
‘Well…’ he shrugged ‘…it is normal for me.’ He nudged her chin so she looked back at him. ‘It bothers you?’
To his gratification, she leaned a little closer as she shook her head, her gaze locked on his.
‘That looks amazing.’ A masculine voice interrupted from a distance.
Alek froze. He’d completely forgotten the photographer was still down the other end of the lounge. The startled look in Hester’s face revealed she’d forgotten too and the half-laugh that escaped from her glossy pout was the sexiest thing he’d ever heard. Smiling back, he pulled her c
lose on pure instinct. The temptation to test the softness of her lips stormed through his reason. Time stopped as he stared into her eyes, trying to read her soft heat and stillness. Could he coax her into—?
‘So perfect,’ the photographer muttered.
‘Enough,’ Alek snapped, enraged by the second intrusion. ‘We’ll be landing soon.’ He dragged in a calming breath to recover his temper.
But it was too late. Hester had already pulled free and that fragile promise was lost.
The photographer quickly retreated to the rear of the plane.
‘Everyone will assume this marriage is only because of the coronation requirement.’ Her cheeks were still flushed as she sat in the seat and picked up that damn tablet again. He wished he’d never given it to her. ‘Do you think it’s really necessary for us to try to sell this as a love match?’
‘You don’t want to be treated as a joke. I have no desire for that either.’ Oddly he felt more responsibility about that now. A flicker of protectiveness towards her had surged. ‘I think we can pull it off. Who’s to say it’s not so?’
She hesitated. ‘Okay, but the agreement is just between us. Not written down anywhere. I don’t want lawyers getting involved and leaking information.’
‘You trust that I won’t renege on our deal?’
‘You have more to lose than I do.’ She leaned back into the corner of her chair, still staring at the tablet screen. ‘Your reputation actually matters.’
She determinedly studied the information he’d put together for her to do a good job. Yet at the same time, she was determined not to care what anyone thought. Not even him. She seemed to care, yet not.
Intrigued, he studied her. Even in that gorgeous green silk dress, she reminded him of a little sparrow, carefully not taking up too much space in case she was chased away. Only taking crumbs and not demanding anything more. Why was that? Why wasn’t she close to her family? Why had she not invited any friends to the wedding? It puzzled him because she was kind. Her friendliness to that feral cat showed that. And more telling, was her relationship with Fi. Fiorella, for all her faults, was a good judge of character. And it wasn’t that she hadn’t wanted to lose Hester as her assistant. It was that she’d been concerned for her. Was that because Fi saw vulnerability beneath that serenity as well?