That was what she was thinking of when the moment broke up. Artur waved off the cameras, said something to Inga, and turned away, back toward Amy.
She felt herself straighten as he came closer, and the look on his face…oh, it made her pulse race.
“You look beautiful,” Artur said. “In the sun like this—I never want to forget the sight.”
“Oh, that’s—that’s kind.” Amy found herself blushing. She might as well be naked in front of him, for all she could hide the way she felt.
“Would you do me a great honor?” Artur held out his arm.
“What’s that?” She took his arm, laughing.
“Ride the Ferris wheel with me.”
It was a giant thing, towering over the rest of the fair, and Amy hesitated.
“I’ve been assured that the safety is top-notch,” coaxed Artur. And it would be nice, wouldn’t it, to soar over everything with the breeze in her hair?
“It would be my pleasure.”
Within minutes, they were in a car headed toward the top of the wheel. From here, the fair looked tiny and quaint beneath them, the red and white flags flying above the attractions, fluttering in the wind.
“This is what I wanted out of today.” Artur said the words softly into her ear, his arm around her shoulders.
That was when she felt it.
A kick.
And a sturdy one, not the gentle flutter of a bubble popping, not something that could easily be mistaken for something else. A real kick.
“I just felt the baby,” she said, her breath short. “I mean—I really felt her.”
“You did?” Artur’s eyes were bright. “Can I?”
Amy took his hand and guided it to her belly. “Here. Just—just wait.”
They were both totally still as the car crested the top of the wheel and started its descent.
Another kick.
Artur gasped. They were almost to the ground, and he didn’t move his hand. His face was the picture of awe and fatherly delight. “Oh my god,” he said, his voice full of emotion. “That’s incredible. That’s just—” There was another kick. Amy laughed.
“She’s a strong one,” she said. For some reason, the moment had her eyes brimming with tears. She flicked them away.
That was how they spent the rest of the ride. Every kick brought more and more joy to Artur’s face until they were both laughing, unable to catch their breaths.
“Look at you,” she said. “You’re so—you’re so—”
“I’m over the moon,” he said. “I’m simply over the moon.”
So was she, even though things were complicated, even though things still hadn’t become clear between the two of them. It didn’t seem to matter, there on that Ferris wheel, with their daughter kicking away underneath Artur’s hand.
That first kick—Amy would remember it for the rest of her life. The shock on his face. The surprise. The delight. She wished she had a photo.
She had no idea that it had all been caught on camera.
11
It was far too early in the morning to be awake.
Amy stretched in bed, her body aching. It seemed a little silly, to be this worn-out by a couple of weeks of traveling, but here she was, pregnant and tired. Honestly, it was a surprise how tired she felt. She’d hit the ground running after college, and life in New York City never truly slowed down. She’d loved that pace.
Now she wanted a nap all the time.
And if she was being truthful, it wasn’t even that early. She’d had grand plans to go to the gym in the hotel this morning, but it was after eight and she was only now giving up the snooze button.
There was a full day ahead of her, so she hauled herself out of bed and into the shower, trying her best to ignore the nagging nervousness that had settled in the pit of her gut. It was the last stop on the tour, and the one she’d been dreading since it began.
Not because of the location—no. As tired as she was, Amy could appreciate the beautiful old city and the palace it had been built around. Here in the center of the country, they were visiting a property that was technically still part of the royal family’s holdings, but it was administered by another noble family and used for big events. One glance at the grounds from the front entrance would tell even a casual observer that it was ripe for weddings, and, in fact, it was Stolvenia’s most popular wedding destination. You couldn’t get a booking for three years.
Not that Amy needed a booking. It was true that Artur had been pretty insistent about not dating on the trip, but she didn’t necessarily think that meant he was going to repeat his marriage proposal to her.
Today, Amy was more worried that he might swing in the opposite direction.
She stepped out of the shower, toweled off, and set about drying and styling her hair.
The fact was, Tatyana Morozov was perfect.
Amy had been no slouch when it came to planning the dates, but now that the day had come...
Had she done her job too well? Tatyana was not only beautiful. She was not only beloved by the press. She was not only funny and smart. She had not only started one but two philanthropic organizations—one that raised funds to renovate homes and public buildings for people with disabilities, and another that offered tutoring and career mentorship for teenage girls.
All that, and she had been Artur’s high school sweetheart.
The two of them would already have a natural chemistry. He’d seemed to be able to charm all the women so far, but Tatyana would be a different story entirely.
Amy pulled on a coral maternity dress and a pair of low pumps, studying herself in the mirror. She looked as chic as she could. She looked good. But would it be good enough to outshine Tatyana?
Amy laughed out loud. The point was to not outshine Tatyana. Her job was to blend into the background while she set Artur up with a woman who would be perfect for the public spotlight and help to repair relations between the royal family and the people of Stolvenia. Amy couldn’t do that. Did she even want to?
She wanted to lie in bed next to Artur and run her fingers down the ridges of his abs. That’s what she wanted to do.
But that didn’t matter when there was a day ahead of her crowded with things she needed to accomplish.
There was nothing left to do but face it.
They’d have meetings and tours of the palace in the morning, then lunch, and then a break to prepare for the gala. The gala would only highlight all the brilliant work Tatyana had done while also raising funds for her charities. She’d be a shining star, beginning with the photo op Amy had planned for the opening ceremony.
It had seemed like such a good idea when she planned it.
* * *
Nothing seemed like a good idea by four o’clock.
Amy had showered again, since touring the palace and grounds had been more of a workout than she’d anticipated. Wrapped in one of the hotel’s fluffy robes, Amy sprawled on the sectional in front of the balcony doors.
There. Now that she’d caught her breath, she could cancel her appointment with the hair stylist. She’d hired one for the event, knowing that it would be the most photographed two hours of the tour, but no.
She wasn’t going to go.
Her soul lightened at the thought of not having to see Artur and Tatyana together any more. She didn’t have to go. This would be about Artur and Tatyana, who had chatted like old friends all day. They’d be perfect for the party without her supervision. But where was her phone?
Amy stood up from the sectional and spotted it on a side table across the room.
A soft knock sounded at the door.
“Be right there,” she called.
Amy pulled the door open to reveal none other than Artur. The grin on his face when he saw her gave her a full-body blush.
She opened the door wide. “Coming by for some last-minute PR tips?”
He laughed. “Hardly. I wanted to see if you were still getting ready.”
Amy grabbed her phone
from the table and went back over to the sectional, sitting down with her legs primly crossed. “We have another hour, but since you mention it, I decided not to go.”
Artur crossed in front of her, the smile still playing across his face. “But you must. The most gorgeous woman ever to grace Stolvenia has to appear at this event. You know that.”
She scoffed, rolling her eyes. “Yes. Me, the white whale.” It was meant to be a joke, but her tone made Artur’s expression shift into something more serious.
He knelt down in front of her and ran his palms up her bare legs and under the robe. “There’s not a whale in sight. Only the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”
“Artur, you don’t have to say that to me.” Amy had been trying to keep this embarrassing feeling at bay, but now it swept over her. “We’ve both been standing next to Tatyana all day. She’s the one who should be at the party with you.”
Artur didn’t answer. He had pushed up the robe a few inches and was staring down at Amy’s thighs, running his palms over the smooth skin. He made a low noise in the back of his throat. “You’re a masterpiece.”
She put a hand out to stop him, and he caught it midway and brought it to his lips. “You don’t have time,” she protested. “And I’m—”
“Let’s see how you are,” he said, his eyes darkening. He slipped a hand farther up under the robe. Amy’s body reacted to his touch, her nipples tightening under the fabric and heat gathering between her legs. By the time he reached all the way up her thigh, she was more than a little wet. “Oh yes.” He stroked his fingers between her legs and Amy let her head fall back on the sectional.
“You shouldn’t,” she said, not meaning it at all.
“I must.”
Artur unwrapped the robe from her body like he was opening the greatest gift of his life. She could see from the front of his pants that he was reveling in the sight of her, and it sent a burst of pride rushing through her. All the insecurity she’d felt all day melted away under the heat of his gaze.
“Let me—” His voice was thick.
She spread her legs, arching her back.
Amy had never seen a man reach for his belt as fast as Artur did in that moment. He was naked before she could count to three, climbing between her legs and lowering his face to hers. God, it felt so good to be devoured by a man with strong hands and a perfect body, with eyes like Artur’s...it felt good to be held by him, and touched by him.
Her own desire ran down the inside of her thighs as Artur positioned himself above her, pressing kisses to her shoulders, her neck, her lips. He drew her bottom lip between his teeth and she shivered. And when he pushed inside her—
She didn’t care if anyone heard the sounds she made. No. She felt like a queen, like a goddess, and Artur felt like a king moving between her legs, strong and powerful, taking her as if she was his to have forever and ever and ever...
He fit his hand between their bodies to tease at her clit, urging her on. “Come for me, you gorgeous thing, come—”
And she did. Once, then twice, and when Artur coaxed the third orgasm from her, she thought she might fly away from the surface of the earth and all the way into space. It was all she could do to hold on tight as he rode her through his own release.
It took a moment for them to come down.
Artur ran a hand through her hair. “I want a photo of you like this.”
“Like this?” She laughed. “No, I’m a mess.”
“You’re the best kind of mess with your pink cheeks, all sexed-up and satisfied.”
She was satisfied, and for a moment she saw herself the way he must...and wow. What had she been worried about?
“Come with me,” Artur said. “Don’t stay alone in your room for the gala. It’s the last event of the trip, and you should be there. You deserve to be there. At my side.”
She shook her head, tracing his perfect lips with her fingertip. “I am not coming as your date. Don’t you remember? You’re not dating anyone on this trip.”
“Except for you.” He looked down between them and grinned. “And I wouldn’t exactly call this dating.”
“I’ll go,” she said finally. “But only as a member of your entourage. You’re the one who needs to be in the spotlight.”
“Is that so?” Artur looked down at her, hazel eyes fiery. “Well. In that case, you need some more attention.”
They didn’t speak again for a long time.
12
Amy couldn’t have hoped for things to go better at the gala. She felt light as a feather, despite the fact that her belly seemed to have grown another inch overnight. The tour was going to end with a bang, not with a whimper.
And it had helped—more than she ever wanted to admit—that Artur and Tatyana split off soon after they were finished with press interviews. Everyone in the room wanted a moment of Tatyana’s time, and Artur was talking with everyone. He looked...thoughtful, earnest—no sign of the playboy prince. Amy thought she might burst with pride.
She swung by to hear him in mid-conversation with the highest-ranking official in the area.
“—quarterly meetings?” Artur was saying. “Face-to-face if possible, but if not, some kind of digital solution might be more than—”
Her stomach growled. There hadn’t been time for a snack after Artur was finished with her, and the food at the gala looked out of this world. Her first stop was the cookie table. It was at least ten feet long and practically creaking under the weight of all the desserts. Amy took a small plate in her hand, knowing even then that she’d want more than could fit on that small porcelain circle, and surveyed the options.
She was debating between a blonde and a brownie when she caught a glimpse of...a little boy.
He was sitting behind the table in a chair that looked like he’d dragged it into the small alcove in the wall. His face was in shadow, but the moment he turned his head, Amy recognized him. It was Ruslan, Artur’s nine-year-old cousin. She’d seen him in press photos of the family during her research. His mother was the much-younger sister of Artur’s late mother. Amy took a quick glance around. She didn’t see her in the crowd, though she could still be nearby.
Amy looked back at the boy, who was wearing such a long face it tugged at her heart. She maneuvered her belly around behind the table. His eyes, hazel like Artur’s, came up to meet hers, then went back to the floor.
“Ruslan, isn’t it?” She lowered the plate down to his eye level. “Would you like any dessert?”
He shrugged. “I’ve already eaten so much of it that my stomach hurts.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” Amy couldn’t bear the thought of squatting down, but she leaned against the wall. “Are you all right otherwise?”
He sighed. “I’m just not made to be royal.” The frown on his face deepened. “I don’t want to shake people’s hands. I don’t want to kiss anyone’s babies. And I don’t want to have my picture taken.” Just then, a camera flashed across the room. “The flashes hurt my eyes,” he grumbled.
Amy surveyed the room one more time. Sure, it was full of adults, but— “Is it so terrible?” she asked. “Parties like this can be a little boring, but—”
Ruslan huffed. “How would you like it if everyone stared at you wherever you went? People with cameras follow us just because strangers want to know everything we do. They even write articles about my footie practices. They put pictures of my mom in there. Or me. It’s horrible.”
“I...can’t argue with that.” Amy’s heart ached for him. “You know, if you wanted to grab a few more cookies and get out of here, I’d keep a lookout.” This seemed risky the moment she said it, but it didn’t matter. Ruslan stared straight ahead.
“It won’t work. Someone is always watching. They’ll follow me and take me back to my mom.” He looked longingly at the tablecloth, like he wished he could crawl under it.
Amy reached down and patted his shoulder. “Feel better, Ruslan,” she said. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.” A
rtur would know what to do, wouldn’t he? “Will you still be here?”
He just gave another shrug, dragging the toes of his shoes across the carpet.
* * *
He’d missed Tatyana.
It bothered him that it was true, but Artur had to admit it, if only to himself. He enjoyed her company. He’d thought of her as smart and beautiful in high school, but now he saw the truth: she was downright brilliant.
These thoughts went through his mind as he talked to one of the bigger donors. Amy had reminded him to pay special attention to a number of people at the gala, and he felt like he’d been talking nonstop for the better part of ninety minutes. Or, if not talking, listening as hard as he could among all the chatter.
Tatyana never seemed to struggle with it for a moment. She moved around the room like she owned it, never lacking something to say or a solution to a problem.
It wasn’t as if he wanted a relationship with her, Artur thought as he spotted a flash of her red dress through the crowd. They had decided long ago that they made better friends. But she had ideas. She knew how to get this society crowd behind one of her plans—and when it came time to put in the labor, she was willing to roll up her sleeves and help.
Tatyana appeared at his elbow while he was still thinking about her.
“How’s it going?” She looked pink-cheeked and happy, in her element at the gala. “You’ve really been working the room.”
He couldn’t help but mirror her happy smile. “There are many people here with excellent ideas about how we can improve relations between the citizens and the royal family. I’m trying to drink in as much of it as possible.”
“Maybe you should think about having a real drink, before you get parched.” Tatyana’s eyes sparkled. “Shall I get us something from the bar?”
European Billionaire Beaus: The Complete Series Page 18