by Leslie North
Inside the boardroom, he slid into a chair at a long table that was filled with serious-looking individuals, each one studying a pile of papers in front of him or her. Marcus didn’t have papers to study. No one had bothered to send them to him.
He was about to lay his head on the table when a deep voice yanked him from his well of self-pity.
“Good morning, Prince Marcus.”
Marcus peered up into the face of Dr. James Meriter, president of the board. He stood from his chair and shook Meriter’s outstretched hand.
“Glad to be able to serve with you,” Marcus said, unsure of what to say. “This is a great project, a worthy cause.”
“Yes,” Meriter said tightly, his lips pursed, his eyes narrowed. “This is a serious undertaking. We are quite committed to creating a positive space for women and children who have been through tough times.”
“Of course,” Marcus replied. “Me too… I mean I’m committed as well.”
Meriter eyed him suspiciously. “Prince Marcus, with all due respect, I have to be honest and tell you your father confided in me that it was his idea to place you on this board, a way to teach you some responsibility.”
Marcus nodded. What was Meriter getting at?
“I do hope you’re earnest in your efforts here and that you will avoid behaviors that might shed a negative light on our project.”
Marcus felt fingers of aggravation crawl up his neck and onto his face. His fists curled, and he had to stifle the urge to snap back with a sharp retort. It was galling to be scolded like a schoolboy, but throwing a tantrum over it would just confirm the man’s poor opinion of him.
“You don’t have to worry, Dr. Meriter,” Marcus replied with all the self-control he could muster. “I’m all business on this project.”
“Good,” Meriter said, but he continued to eye Marcus suspiciously. Marcus wanted to punch him. It was bad enough he was stuck on this damn project, but now he had to put up with Meriter’s arrogant ass all day?
“We’re about to get started, everyone,” Meriter announced. “Please take your seats.”
As Marcus slunk back into his chair, the office door swung opened. A striking, dark-skinned woman about his age sailed into the room.
“Sorry I’m late,” she said to Meriter. Marcus noticed she had an American accent. Sexy.
“Miss Rogers, welcome,” Meriter said. “We’re so happy to have you with us.” He looked at his watch. “Seems to me you’re right on time.”
Amen to that, Marcus thought.
“Team, I’d like to take a moment to introduce our newest consultant.” Meriter gestured to the beautiful and professional-looking woman. “Kyra Rogers is with us all the way from Atlanta, Georgia. She’s got an impressive resume in social work and has served on several strategic boards like ours to oversee the creation of crisis shelters in the states.”
“Thank you, Dr. Meriter,” Kyra said and took her seat.
Meriter rambled on for a little while after that, updating everyone on where the project stood. Marcus tried to pay attention, but it was all so dry that he noticed even the others around him couldn’t keep their attention fully focused. Marcus let his mind wander until he heard that intriguing American voice again.
“I have some ideas, including partnering with local nonprofits to receive clothing and toy donations, as well as working with the Women’s Business Stars Association to procure interviews for our residents—things that will help our residents become independent and re-establish themselves as community members once they are ready.”
Just hearing Kyra’s voice had him engrossed in a way he hadn’t been for the whole meeting. Her Southern accent exuded warmth and intelligence, and he couldn’t stop listening. Suddenly, this project had become much more interesting.
On a whim, he decided to jump into the conversation.
“I have a friend who works in fashion merchandizing,” Marcus said. Several board members looked at him as if he had three heads. He knew they weren’t taking him seriously, but he went on. “I’m sure she would be thrilled to come in and help the women put together interview attire.”
At first no one said anything, but Kyra piped up.
“That’s a fantastic idea.” She smiled broadly at him. “We do something back home like this. Our residents are given the opportunity to come into a partnering resale shop, and someone is assigned to help them choose the right things. It’s like having a personal shopper for a few hours, and the women really feel valued afterwards. Not to mention, having the right clothes is a big help in making a woman feel confident and prepared for an interview.”
“I’m sure my friend would be willing to donate her time for something like that,” Marcus said, feeling that he’d been able to bring something constructive to the conversation.
“We should probably focus on funding for the structure now,” Meriter said. “We can come back to things like transition for the residents later. Clothes are a secondary concern compared to putting a roof over their heads.”
Marcus had no ideas for funding. He zoned out for a while until Kyra started talking again. “So, basically the funding for construction of the facility and its workings should be covered. We’ll need to start partnering with nonprofits for things like self-care products, food, personal care needs.”
“Local grocery stores,” Marcus interjected. “I’m sure if given the opportunity to donate, they would.”
Kyra beamed at him.
“I like the way your mind works, Mr. …” She paused and he filled in the blank.
“Marcus,” he replied and shot her a grin. “Marcus Ashton, third prince of Sovalon.”
She nodded. “Well, I like your approach of involving the community in this project. Community support is a huge factor when it comes to the success or failure of a place like the women’s shelter. Thanks so much for your input.”
“Happy to share it,” he said and grinned at her.
As the day dragged on, Marcus found himself unable to keep his eyes off of Kyra. He knew he was supposed to be keeping a low profile and avoiding any new romantic entanglements, but would it really be a crime to get to know the young American better? As board members began closing up shop for the evening, Marcus made his decision.
“Kyra.” He approached her as she packed up her things. She looked up at him and smiled, and he took note of her dark doe eyes. “I loved your ideas today,” he said. “It’s so refreshing to have you join us to share your expertise all the way from Georgia.” He tried to pronounce the state with a Southern twang, and she chuckled at his attempt.
“Glad to be here, Prince Marcus,” she said and eyed him pleasantly. “Or am I supposed to call you ‘your majesty’? I have to admit. I’ve never met a prince before.”
“Well, then today is your lucky day,” Marcus joked. “And please, call me Marcus. How about we get out of here and go out for a few drinks? We can get to know each other a bit better.”
A blush rose onto Kyra’s cheeks, making Marcus’s heart pound in his chest.
“I know a great place just around the corner from here.” He tossed his satchel over his shoulder and started for the door, expecting her to follow.
“It’s so kind of you to invite me, but I need to get back to my hotel,” she said. Was she rejecting him?
This was new.
Disappointment flooded over him. Most women he’d met jumped at the opportunity to join Marcus for anything—a drink, a good time. The fact that Kyra didn’t, made him want to get to know her even more.
Kyra tried to avoid Prince Marcus’s eyes and continued packing up her things. “I’m still a bit jet lagged, and I have a lot of work to do to get ready for tomorrow’s meeting.” As the words left her lips, she could feel the blush crawl up her neck and onto her cheeks, betraying that she wasn’t quite as calm and nonchalant as she was trying to appear.
“Oh,” he said, looking a bit taken aback.
“Thanks for the offer, though.”
She c
ouldn’t believe she’d just turned down an invitation from a prince.
An extremely sexy prince, for that matter.
But she’d had to. This trip to Europe was not a vacation. It was a chance to prove herself. She’d been waiting for months for the chance to show Lance, her boss, that she was worthy of a promotion at Lifestrings, the highly regarded social services consulting group she worked for back in the US. She’d never had an assignment this high profile before. In truth, she wasn’t supposed to have this assignment, which had originally gone to Lance. But when Lance fell ill, his supervisor had asked her to go instead. She knew the minute they asked her to go that this was it—her chance to prove herself.
So, no matter how much of a hottie Prince Marcus was, she didn’t have time to go out for drinks with him. She had to buckle down and get working on the logistics for the shelter so she could make this project the success she needed it to be.
When Kyra was finished arranging her things, the prince was still hanging around.
“So you’re from Atlanta?” he asked.
“Born and raised,” she said.
“A Southern girl,” he said.
“Through and through.”
“The accent’s great.”
Every time she travelled people remarked on her accent. To her, Marcus was the one who had the accent. “Thanks,” she said to him and started out of the boardroom. He followed.
“How’s your hotel?” he asked.
This prince seemed hell-bent on making conversation. Kyra didn’t want to be rude, but she wasn’t much for small talk.
“The hotel is quite comfortable, thanks for asking.”
“Good,” he said. “My family is always concerned that guests to Sovalon have a positive experience while they’re visiting.”
“So far so good.” Was he going to walk her all the way out of the building?
“How have you found the kingdom so far?”
“Great,” Kyra responded. As she scrolled to the Uber app on her phone, she went on without thinking. “I haven’t really seen much of Sovalon yet. I only just arrived last night.”
Marcus’s eyes lit up.
Shoot! Shoot! Shoot!
Why had she said that? If those words weren’t a total in for Marcus to invite her on a tour—
“How about a tour?” he asked.
Of course he asked. And, damn if he wasn’t charming, this Prince Marcus with his deep dark eyes begging to get under her skin.
But she had to stay professional. She couldn’t afford to let her attraction get in the way of her work.
She smiled apologetically at him.
“I really need to get back to my room. I’ve got a lot of work to get through tonight, especially since I’m expecting visitors tomorrow,” she said. “My sister and niece are flying in for a visit while I’m here.”
Before Lance fell ill, he’d insisted that the company fly his wife and son over for a stay. When the trip was transferred to Kyra, the company offered her the extra tickets and the two-bedroom suite. She’d been flooded with relief at the opportunity to fly her family out to be with her. Her younger sister was a single mom, trying her best to raise Ava on her own. Kyra had helped Maggie out ever since Ava was born, and they had never been apart for a long period of time. She’d been worried about how Maggie would manage without her.
“Well, if you’ve got guests coming tomorrow, looks like tonight’s the night,” Marcus said.
Kyra shot him a confused look.
“This may be the last chance you get for a night out to see the city.” A gorgeous smile played along his lips. He winked at her, and a chill ran across her arms. “I don’t mean to talk myself up, but I’m a pretty good tour guide.”
Kyra laughed at his forwardness and couldn’t help but flirt back. She grinned and raised her eyebrows. “Oh really? Why is that?”
“Well, being that I’m a prince and all, I can get in places most people can’t.” He locked arms with her, as if she’d already agreed.
This man could charm the habit off a nun.
“What do you say?” Marcus asked, leaning his head close to hers. “One night of fun?”
Kyra’s heart raced at the nearness of him. He smelled like minty mouthwash and woodsy cologne, and the broody danger in his eyes excited her.
“Oh, all right. Why not?” she said. She hadn’t been out in ages. She worked constantly, and when she wasn’t working, she was helping out with Ava. She was in Europe of all places, and a prince wanted to show her around. She deserved one night to relax.
Marcus held a hand out to Kyra and she took it. A chill ran up her arm at his touch. Damn, he was hot. “I’d love for you to be my tour guide, Marcus. And since you’re offering, I’ll take that drink as well.”
“Perfect,” he said and leaned in to whisper in her ear. “You won’t regret it.”
And she didn’t.
Several drinks later, Kyra and Marcus sat close to each other at a bar in the City Center. He’d shown her around the capital, including taking her to a few historic buildings. Kyra not only enjoyed her Sovalon excursion but found herself enjoying Marcus’s company on many levels.
As they laughed together at the bar, Marcus’s hand slid over her knee. Her bare skin sizzled at his touch.
“Thanks for showing me the town,” she said, the buzz of alcohol and attraction streaming through her blood.
“Thanks for coming,” he said.
Marcus took a swallow of his gin and tonic, and Kyra found herself transfixed on his mouth, wanting to kiss him, to taste him.
“Want to get out of here?” she asked, her voice sultry.
Without breaking eye contact with her, Marcus nodded.
The minute his limo’s door closed, his hungry lips were on her mouth, on her neck, kissing her cleavage, making her sigh in anticipation of what would come next. By the time they reached the hotel room, Kyra could hardly wait to get his clothes off so she could return the favor.
Thoughts of work and responsibility faded.
Pleasure ruled.
Hours later, as Kyra lay in Marcus’s arms, she smiled to herself, fully sated. Prince Marcus not only knew how to charm a woman, but he delivered in the area of satisfaction as well. The man did not disappoint.
What a way to kick-start the business trip.
With a good old-fashioned one-night-stand to rev her engine.
Marcus was just what she’d needed.
For one night of fun. And then back to her regularly scheduled life tomorrow.
2
At six o’clock, the alarm woke Kyra from a sound sleep. At first, she was confused as to where she was then remembered that she was in Sovalon and that she’d just shared a very hot night with Prince Marcus. He’d left shortly after their encounter, which was fine with her. It was a one-night fling, one she’d thoroughly enjoyed, but no more than that.
She strode to the luxurious bathroom and stared at her reflection in the mirror.
“No regrets here,” she said out loud, even as she reminded herself silently that it couldn’t happen again. Work had to come first from now on. As attractive as Marcus was, she couldn’t let him distract her.
An hour and a half later, she slid into an Uber and dialed her sister’s number. She wanted to wish Maggie safe travels before she boarded the plane.
“How are things going there?” her sister asked.
“There’s a lot of work to be done, but it’s going to be great,” Kyra told her, leaving out any mention of her night with Marcus. Maggie didn’t need to know every ounce of her business. “If I knock this project out, I’m sure to get the promotion.”
“We’ll try our best to stay out of your way.”
“Why would you say that, Mags? I’m so excited for you and Ava to be here.”
But if Kyra was honest, she was a bit nervous about being able to balance work with her sister’s visit. She really needed to concentrate on the project. Still, if Maggie and Ava weren’t coming, she’d be s
o worried about them being by themselves at home, she’d probably be less likely to focus here.
“Be safe, Mags, and I’ll see you soon.”
Kyra hung up and exited the car. As she headed into the center, she thought of how responsible she felt for her sister and niece. Maggie had always jumped from man to man, job to job and had always landed in Kyra’s reassuring arms—never more so than when she got pregnant. Kyra was more like a mother to Maggie and Ava than anything else. Their own mother helped as much as she could, but she’d already raised Kyra and Maggie on her own, their father having walked out on them when they were too young to remember him. Kyra didn’t want her mother to have to deal with any more responsibility, so she’d taken on being there for Maggie and Ava.
That’s why it was so important that Kyra excel in her career. She’d seen the sacrifices her mother had made and didn’t want her family to have to struggle any longer. Money may not be able to buy everything, but it could make life easier. Kyra took pride in how hard she worked at her career, especially since she truly loved the work of helping people.
She headed to the boardroom, where she was the first person to arrive, and took a seat at the table, her eyes drifting to the seat where Marcus had sat yesterday. Her thoughts danced away from her, recalling the way his hands felt on her body.
“Oh, no you don’t,” she whispered to herself in the empty boardroom. That train is not returning to this station. Time to buckle down.
A few people began to trickle in, and Dr. Meriter approached her.
“Good morning, Kyra,” he said. “Now that you’ve had a little time to settle in, I hope you’ve been able to see some of our beautiful capital.
“Oh, I have, and it’s lovely,” she said a little too enthusiastically. She cleared her throat and managed a flustered smile.
“Great,” he replied and called the meeting to order.
Still no sign of Marcus, but as it was, that was totally okay with Kyra. It would be less of a distraction if he didn’t show for the day.