Chapter 14

They went to Paris.

They went to the zoo.

Ginny had never been keen on zoos because the animals lived in captivity, but she’d never visited one with Lex. As the three of them wandered through the beautiful Parc Zoologique de Paris, he commented with surprising knowledge on the origins and habits of the animals. Outside the primates’ house, she shivered and said that monkeys gave her the creeps. He took her hand, dotting a kiss on her cheek. Right then, right there, Ginny decided that any destination was perfect if he were at her side.

Earlier that morning on the Leandres jet, as the staff served Norwegian smoked salmon with capers, cream cheese, and bagels—for Lex and Ginny alone—she’d made two game-changing self-realizations…the most important, but not very startling, that she was hopelessly and helplessly in love with Desjardins’ Prince Charming. The second, that she could quite easily become accustomed to this lifestyle.

“I’ll wait here while you two visit the primates.” Ginny patted a frescoed wrought iron park bench, glanced at the exhibit, and decided once again she simply wasn’t going inside.

“I’m okay until we reach the apes,” Eugenie said. “When we get to King Kong, I’ll come back and wait with you.”

“Later.” Ginny sank down onto the bench and into reverie, her thoughts spinning back to her first meeting with Eugenie. Those early morning hours with Lex replayed before her eyes as people walked by her, their faces unseen, their voices blending into the drone of bees on a hot July afternoon.

She glanced at her watch. Four. Five hours earlier, they’d arrived in the City of Lights. To sidestep reporters, they’d boarded a cab to his sister’s condo. Time in fairytales passed with the speed of light. As if they’d teleported, suddenly, Lex was extending his hand to help her down from the car. When their fingers met, an electric thrill zipped through her—a wonderful shivery tingling over her entire body. She longed to throw her arms around his waist, hold him tight, and halt time. No mortal should be this happy!

Holding hands like lovers, they entered the opulent foyer. The floors were an expanse rosy marble, the art and furniture expensive spelled with a modern accent. Ginny felt a little humble and a lot out of place as they approached a stainless-steel desk and a smiling receptionist with an elaborate rose-gold logo on the lapel of her whiter than white suit.

Lex mesmerized the corporate mannequin with a smile. “We’re here to see The Princess Eugenie, but she didn’t answer when I rang her mobile.”

“You’re her brother.” It wasn’t a question. The woman—all six feet of her long, lean, and darkly beautiful self—stood. “I’ll take you up myself.”

With a hand at her waist, Lex escorted Ginny to the elevators. Etched in the stainless steel doors was the same brand the receptionist wore. They mounted an empty car, and the doors closed silently. Apprehension prickled her skin. His sister was another challenge. On the two occasions they’d met, the princess had been friendly. This time, the setting was radically different. Ginny was to share a guest room with her brother.

Her handsome prince held the elevator door for her to disembark. “You’ll like Eugenie. I know she’ll like you. She tolerated Ingrid.” He made a comical face. “Everyone in my family tolerated Ingrid.”

With a final long, admiring look at Lex, the receptionist left them at Eugenie’s door. The moment of reckoning had arrived.

To stall time, Ginny asked, “What did you think of the receptionist?”

“I was disappointed. I’d hoped for an android,” he said. “A hotel in Japan employs android receptionists. Why not France? The setting is perfect.”

She gave an exaggerated shrug. “Are you sure she wasn’t android?”

“You have a point.” He touched her hand, sending another shockwave through her. “Don’t be nervous. Eugenie is looking forward to spending time with us.”

“I’m not nervous. I’m petrified. What if she doesn’t like me?”

“She will.” He rang the bell and stood back, his arms crossed at the wrists.

Ginny swallowed hard, gulping down her heart. Footsteps sounded behind the plain but elegant door. In the light streaming from the glass wall at the end of the corridor, the brass fittings gleamed rose-gold. The lock clicked. The door glided open. Ginny glanced at Lex. He winked, the comforting smile still curving his sensual mouth. What was she doing traipsing around with royalty? A fragment of a long-ago conversation with Chrissy floated into her mind. It really wasn’t that long since she’d gazed out her friend’s window and said, “I’m the peasant.” Those words came back to haunt her when she least needed them.

“Lex.” The princess embraced her brother, kissing his cheek.

Ginny concentrated on not turning to stone and forced herself to breathe. Should she curtsey? She knew nothing of royal etiquette.

Eugenie faced her. “Hi, Ginny.” She darted a kiss to her cheek. “It will be nice to finally get a chance to talk. Welcome to Paris.” She gestured behind her, then stood aside for them to enter. “Welcome to my humble abode. Come.”

The apartment wasn’t the royal palace, but it was nowhere near humble. His sister had played on the rosy theme of the building, decorating in soft mauves and pale pinks with white pine furnishings. Paintings of Paris in coordinating pastels, framed in pewter, looked original.

“By local Parisian artists,” Eugenie said when she saw Ginny studying the art. “Most of them unknown. I like unknowns.”

“My sister aspires to be one,” Lex said.

Ginny smiled at their hostess. “A painter?”

He winked. “No, an unknown.”

“Don’t listen to him.” Eugenie had mock punched her brother’s arm. “He has an annoying habit of telling the truth. Let’s hurry to the zoo. We can spend the day there.”

***

Ginny looked up from her reverie as Eugenie emerged from the primate exhibit, waved, and trotted to the bench where she sat, sun warm on her back. “How was King Kong?”

“I didn’t stay for Kong. Actually, I wanted to talk to you…alone. May I?” Eugenie dropped onto the bench beside her.

“Alone? That sounds ominous.” Ginny tensed, turning to look at Eugenie. Was this when it all fell apart? Right here in front of the monkey house. Maybe, his sister had been acting all morning and didn’t like her at all.

“It was a good thought.” Eugenie pointed at Lex striding toward them. “I guess he was afraid to leave you alone with me.”

Ginny forced a laugh. “Should he be?”

“You’re safe with me.” The other woman touched her hand. “Hello, Mr. Sweetness and Light. Why don’t you go do whatever guys do while we have a girl talk?”

He arched a brow.

Eugenie made a show of flouncing around to face Ginny, holding a pretend microphone to her mouth. “Do you like my brother? He likes you.”

Ginny’s endangered heart lurched. How was she supposed to answer that question? Eugenie had kiddingly asked as if they were five years old, but his sister was dead serious. And Lex stood at her elbow, looking down.

Using his hip, Lex urged them along on the bench. Leaning across Ginny, he said, “I can handle this without your help, sister-dear.”

Ginny wanted to kiss him. For more reasons than one. He looked mischievous as a darling little boy, but he’d rescued her before she made a fool of herself. What was she doing sitting between the Prince and Princess of Desjardins? She hadn’t spent her life learning how to react in all sorts of situations. Had Eugenie intentionally tried to embarrass her?

Eugenie shouldered back on the bench. “I can see he refuses to leave. What shall we talk about if we can’t talk about him?”

“Do I need to change for dinner?” Ginny asked…for something to say.

“I plan to. Our reservations aren’t until nine.” His sister tilted her head, studying Ginny. “Women don’t tend to like me.” She sat back, her blue eyes amused.

“I’m the only woman on this bench, and I like you.” Ginny reached up to stroke Lex’s hair behind his ear, but realized they were probably being watched by a camera’s eye somewhere. “Let’s talk about him anyway.”

“You’ve done well, Lex.” Eugenie smiled, not the stage smile Ginny had seen before, but a smile that reached her light blue eyes. “A thousand-fold improvement on the blonde witch. I compliment you on your taste. She’s also very pretty.”

“Thank you, I’m glad you approve.” He hugged Ginny closer to his side. “You can start talking about me now. I value your opinions.”

“We were only going to say the nicest possible things, weren’t we, Ginny?”

“How could we say anything without it being a compliment.” Ginny exaggerated the wink she targeted at his sister.

“Exactly.” Eugenie nodded solemnly. “Nothing but the truth.”

They both laughed, and Lex rolled his big, baby blues.

Eugenie stood. “I know it’s out of character for me to leave before the zoo closes, but a cocktail somewhere is calling my name.”

“What’s on for tonight?” Lex got to his feet as if he were eager to leave.

“Graverobbing.” Eugenie linked arms with her brother, waited for Ginny to do the same.

“Excellent.” Lex waited for several passersby, then steered them into the exodus. “Ginny plans to be a doctor. She can use a few corpses to dissect.”

Ginny snapped her fingers. “I left my shovel at home.” She glanced to her left at Lex’s sister. “I was apprehensive of meeting you, Eugenie. I wasn’t sure you’d like me.”

“How not? You’re a cool cookie taking on the world singlehandedly. I’m not sure he’s,” Eugenie nodded at her brother, “worth all the trouble.”

“Oh, he is.” Ginny smiled up at Lex.

His sister arched her brows. “You have no idea what that means yet.”

“Eugenie.” Lex’s tone warned, and for the next four minutes until they reached the gates with everyone else, they sank to silence.

As they swaggered three abreast from the park, sheet lightning glazed the sky, the pop of flashbulbs illuminating their path.

***

Alexander’s POV

After a pleasant dinner of country French cuisine, Eugenie had planned a lightning tour of the City of Lights by car. Her new car, but when the mist turned to rain, she asked me to drive. The girls waited under the restaurant’s green-striped awning while I fetched the Land Rover. Walking alone in the hustle, bustle, and excitement of a major city was so different for me that it was thrilling and appeased the demon who craved escape. My life consisted of almost constant companionship from breakfasting with my family to dining with them in the evening. At home, such a wild bid for freedom would never have succeeded.

My joy in freedom was short lived. As I reached Eugenie’s vehicle, three men in dark suits, cameras drawn and aimed, cornered me. Flashes popped, blinding me. Perhaps, lately I’d spent too much time with Eugenie and her rebellious spirit had possessed me, but I was outraged. No one should be subjected to such bold disregard for his privacy.

I’d never been overtly rude to the press before, but shielding my eyes from the glare, I rounded on them. “Stop with the bloody flashes,” and when they continued their relentless advance, I shouted, “Out of my way.”

One wielded a video recorder and shoved the instrument near my face. “Prince Alexander, are you in Paris visiting your sister?”

I almost snapped a hot retort but managed to control my temper.

Another reporter shouldered his comrade aside, shouting, “Prince, who’s the redhead?”

Anger scorched hot, my skin burning. My hands balled into fists at my side, car keys biting my palm. “That, sir, is none of your affair. Kindly stand aside unless you harbor a death wish. I’m driving out of here, and anyone attempting to stand in my way will be run down.”

I shouldered aside the reporter who’d asked about Ginny. I’d always accepted this as an unpleasant part of my duties but dragging Ginny into their creepy peep show was beyond the last straw. As the others closed ranks, I gritted out, “Stand aside.”

Flashes continued to explode, shooting bright spots. One reporter spoke hurriedly into his mobile as I jumped into the car. All three gave me a wide birth when the engine sprang to life. I maneuvered the SUV away from the curb, glanced into the rearview. As I edged forward, the man on his cell wandered into my path. I beeped the Land Rover’s horn. He spun, targeting the car, and fired his flash straight through the windshield.

“You bastard,” I muttered and eased the gas pedal toward the floor. The car leapt forward.

The man didn’t move, and I had to hit the brakes.

He threw back his head and laughed.

Okay, this one had a death wish. I glanced in my mirrors, found a break in traffic, and whipped around the idiot, missing him with room to spare, but I doubted not that tomorrow the headlines would read, “Prince Tries to Run Down Reporter.”

When I roared onto the light-dazzled boulevard, my hands still shook with outrage. I glanced at my watch. Five minutes later, I swung the SUV to the curb in front of the restaurant. Ginny and my sister dashed from beneath the awning, shielding their heads from a sudden shower. I reached across the console and opened the door for Ginny to hop into the front seat while Eugenie jumped into the back.

My sister tapped my shoulder. “Took you long enough. Stop for a nightcap on the way?” She shook her head, raindrops spattering me.

I glanced in the rearview. “I had a quick drink with the reporters lying in wait by your car.”

Beside me, Ginny frowned, shaking her head in sympathy.

“Damn. Time to change cars yet again.” Eugenie gripped both headrests. “I can’t tell you how many cars I’ve had, Ginny. I’ve only owned this one a month. I really like it, especially the dark green exterior. Peeping Frickin’ Toms.”

“The color is British Racing Green.” I glanced in the wing mirror, signaled a lane change, and aimed the car on the route to the Arch de Triumph.

Eugenie sat forward, resting her folded arms on the back of Ginny’s seat. “My brother is always ready and spot-on in the car edification department.”

Ginny turned her head, and their beautiful faces were inches apart, a cameo moment. “I’m into cars, too, but I don’t know as much about them as Lex.”

My sister laughed and swept a hand through her hair. “Don’t flatter him. He’s impossible already.” She tugged on my ear. “Aren’t you?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” I frowned.

“You wouldn’t,” Eugenie said. “Ginny, what would you like to do tomorrow, or have you already made plans, Lex?”

“Sightsee, I suppose.” I slowed the car to point as we passed the famous landmark. “Ladies and Ladies, on your right, is The Arc de Triomphe de l’Etoile, honoring those who fought and died for France in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic wars. The names and generals are inscribed on its inner and outer surfaces. Beneath is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from World War I.”

“Not only is he a know-it-all about cars, but he’s also a tour guide as well,” Eugenie muttered.

After the neck craning and ahhs, Ginny returned to my sister’s earlier question about tomorrow’s activities. “Since the media seems to be on the trail, let’s stay in tomorrow. We can drink Mimosas while we cook breakfast. I can boil an egg. We can spend the day getting to know each other. Paris is near Desjardins. I can always visit Paris again and sightsee.”

“Excellent idea.” Eugenie patted Ginny’s shoulder. My sister wasn’t a touchy-feely person. This gesture was quite surprising for her. “I like you more by the minute, Miss MacDonald. BTW, I’ve been meaning to tell you that your hair is beautiful.”

I glanced at Ginny, traced her immaculate jaw with my fingertip. “I like her more by the moment as well.”

“I’ll take it you agree to our plan for tomorrow.” Eugenie looked down at her phone. “Heavy rains are predicted. You can watch the rain through my rose-colored glasses. In the rain, the view out the walls is dynamite. And very romantic. We can flip the AC to subzero and build a fire.” She tugged at my sleeve. “Turn here.”

“Do as I say not do as I do.” I spun the wheel right, and the vehicle slid around the turn, tires grappling at the damp tarmac. “More notice is required, sister-mine. We almost missed that one. Where are we going?”

“Not do as I do indeed.” Eugenie tapped the back of my head. “I thought you were going to wreck my car.”

“Nowhere near.” I cupped my hand to my ear. “Now, where are we going? I must have missed it.”

“Like you almost missed the turn.” My sister pointed out the windshield. “We’re driving by the Eiffel Tower, then visiting my favorite grocery to stock up on supplies for tomorrow.”

From the misty window screen of a British Racing Green Land Rover, followed by three cars at every turn, we gave my redhead an abbreviated tour of the Paris sights. She was then exposed to shopping in France, a distinct treat. Our devoted friends followed in the grocers, snapping shots from one aisle over. As we drove from the new parking garage near the grocers, they fell in behind.

For once in my life, I actually hated being who I was.

Reaching Eugenie’s condo at midnight, we handed the car over to the valet and dashed into the foyer, intent on shaking our pursuers. There was no awning. The building rose from the ground, soaring upward. Slightly damp, we hopped into an elevator that, as luck would have it, arrived on the first floor as we halted at its elaborate doors. I glanced over my shoulder. No newsmen yet, but I didn’t believe we’d escaped that easily.

One. Two. Three. All aboard. I punched the button. Whoosh, we were on the fifteenth floor. The doors snapped open like a racecourse starting gate. It must have been comical to see us disembark like fine racehorses leaping into a dead run. We rushed along the corridor lit by artsy wall sconces, their ivory light bleaching the girl’s faces. Behind us, I heard the elevator’s computer voice announce, “Fifteenth Floor” again. Eugenie’s shoe slipped, and she collided with the door, jamming her plastic key into the lock. The green light flashed. My sister jumped inside her condo, holding the door for Ginny. I brought up the rear, as voices sounded at the far end of the hallway.

Laughing, I leaned against the locked door. “That was close. Do you think they’ll knock on the door?”

The girls joined in my laughter, and we laughed until we were breathless. I slid down the door and plopped on the wide-planked floor. Ginny and Eugenie flopped on the sofa.

“I’ve never had to run from anyone before.” Ginny stretched her long legs in front of her. “I felt like I was running for my life.”

I remembered Alex Marchbanks’ painted-on jeans. Big difference. I was dying to peel the denim off Ginny’s pert ass.

“No, only your reputation.” Eugenie hopped to her feet, sashayed across the room to the bar. “Night cap or are you two anxious for bed?” Her tone confirmed the innuendo. My sister thought I wanted to tuck Ginny between the sheets. Hands on her hips, she grinned at me.

“A very quick drink, perhaps.” I glanced at Ginny to see how this banter between siblings affected her and was more than pleased by what I saw.

Ginny gave a long, languid stretch, pointing her breasts at me. Her nipples were clearly visible through her damp shirt. “I’m ready for bed,” she covered a yawn with her hand, “but I can wait a few. Need some help?” She rose gracefully, reminding me that to be a princess all she lacked was a crown. “In fact, sit down, Eugenie. I’m the peasant here. You’re the princess. I’ll serve.”

Only a crown, Ginny. Only a crown.