The prince came to his feet the same time she did.
“T-thank you, and I’m sorry.”
The prince only nodded.
She turned to go and walked on shaking legs. A moment later, she almost stumbled, with the prince suddenly walking next to her.
Gah!
Was all this stealth taught only in billionaire school?
Fawn reached for the knob, not realizing that the prince had done the same thing, too.
Their hands touched, the prince’s hand settling over hers.
Oh.
And just like that, it came flying back to her. Every embarrassing memory that almost felt too indecent, too hot—-
The prince’s hand tightened over hers just as he moved closer, and she swallowed a strangled gasp when she felt his heat and hardness pressing against her from behind.
“I hope you learned your lesson, too, parthena mou.” He was so dangerously close it was almost like his lips were kissing her hair with every word he spoke.
Her knees knocked against each other. “W-what lesson?” She had a desperate urge to run away, but she couldn’t, knowing that if she moved, it would mean feeling more of the prince’s body.
And she didn’t – couldn’t – risk that.
Not now.
Not ever.
“The need to follow me without question of course.”
Oh.
She could feel the prince moving, and then his mouth was once again temptingly close to her ear.
“Because if you don’t—-”
Aaaaah.
His mouth was touching her ear.
“I’ll have to punish you.”
She couldn’t take it anymore, jerking against him as she turned the knob. As she fled, she felt the prince’s gaze following her, taunting her, promising her—-
It didn’t matter what the prince wished to promise.
She grabbed the ring under her shirt and squeezed it hard.
Grant. Grant. Grant.
FAWN SMILED IN RELIEF as Grant shut the door for her and went around the car to get to the driver’s seat. It had been three days since she had gone AWOL from her job, and even now she couldn’t think about the prince without cringing.
Why had she never felt the same thing with Grant? Did it mean she wasn’t really in love with Grant, or was it because he was the Prince of Darkness that her body couldn’t help reacting that way?
Grant joined her inside the car then, and Fawn forced herself to set aside all thoughts as her fiancé turned to her, saying huskily, “I missed you, luv.”
His smile was both dazzling and familiar at the same time, and the sight filled her heart with so much love and happiness she almost cried.
“I miss you, too,” she whispered shakily, and when he lowered his head to kiss her, she closed her eyes as she lifted her mouth to his.
This was the man she had loved her whole life, she told herself as Grant nibbled playfully on her lips.
Whatever happened between her and the prince – it was merely an abnormality, a freakish incident that would never happen again.
Never.
Her fingers sank in his ash blond hair as she surrendered herself to his kiss.
Pulling away, Grant said hoarsely, “You seem different than usual.”
She stiffened, unable to help thinking the worst. She fought to keep her voice steady as she asked, “In w-what way?”
“I’m not certain.” His hungry gaze roamed over her, and Fawn tried not to cringe at the way he licked his lips while his gaze lingered on her breasts. Instead of feeling desirable, she almost felt—-
Fawn mentally shook her head.
Stop it, Fawn.
This was the prince’s fault. What he did – or rather, what almost happened between them – was still messing with her head, and that was the only reason why she was feeling so strange.
Grant touched her cheek, saying huskily, “Are you finally ready?”
She hesitated.
His face hardened.
“Grant—-”
Pulling away, he started to drive without looking at her.
“Grant—-”
“I’m sick of the way you keep playing hot and cold.”
His tone was almost vicious, and it stunned and hurt her.
“How long are you going to lead me on?”
“I’m not—-” Grant’s phone, mounted on the dashboard, suddenly started to ring, and she fell silent. She saw him frown and since he was still driving, she asked tentatively, “Do you want me to answer it for you?”
But Grant rejected the olive branch she was offering, saying brusquely, “It’s unimportant.” He canceled the call.
It rang again almost right after, and glancing at the screen, she saw it was the polo team’s vice captain calling. “Are you sure you won’t take that?”
“I said it’s okay,” Grant snapped.
She fell silent.
A moment later, and Grant reached for her hand, squeezing it as he said tiredly, “I’m sorry.”
“I’m sorry, too.” But what they were apologizing for?
“It’s just been a really long day.”
She nodded.
“Let’s not talk about me, though. How have you been? How’s it working for the so-called prince?”
And there was the opening she needed.
Fawn said slowly, “Actually, I was thinking I might take you up on your offer.”
“What offer?” Grant sounded bemused.
“You know...” She smiled at him awkwardly. “Working at your company?”
“I see.”
Fawn blinked, taken aback by the lack of enthusiasm in Grant’s tone. “I guess...the job’s no longer available?”
“It is, but things turned out to be more complicated than I thought.” The lights turned red, allowing Grant to look at her as he slowed the car to a stop. “I talked to our branch manager here about you working for us, and he says it might set a bad example, like management playing favorites.”
“Oh.”
“I know you could prove to them that you deserve whatever job I give you, but even so, I don’t feel good about exposing you to that kind of situation.” A crooked smile touched his lips as he admitted, “If I ever hear someone trying to bully you, I don’t think I can be held liable for what I’d do.”
Fawn nodded in understanding, knowing from experience that Grant’s temper could be nasty when provoked. She smiled at him reassuringly, saying, “I get it.” And she did, but what was she to do now?
THE PRINCE DESCENDED the stairs with his gaze trained on the reports the FBI
