“But the little I know of you, I realize that you aren't going to allow that to stand in your way,” Tiana said with a wise smile.
“You're a smart woman,” Donna told her with a grin.
*****
“You have an open invitation to come back whenever you like,” Francesco said, holding her hand in both of his. “Just say the word.”
“Thank you, Prince. You aren't just another hot and rich royal, but you're also a sweetheart.” She moved closer and kissed him full on the lips, causing him to blink at her. She moved over to King Eduardo and didn't see the anger that flashed across Thomas’ face as he stood with Tiana.
“I really enjoyed the visit, your highness,” she told King Eduardo.
“And we enjoyed your company tremendously, my dear.” He gave her a warm hug. “I second my son’s invitation. Please free to come back any time.”
Tiana linked her hand through her arm and walked with her a few feet away. “That kiss on my husband’s mouth—”
“Too much?” Donna asked anxiously.
“Just enough.” Tiana squeezed her arm. “I expect progress reports weekly.”
“I intend to deliver.” She hugged the woman. “Thanks, my friend.”
*****
He had his head buried in his laptop the minute they got on the plane. All through the ride to the airport he had his head turned away from her and didn't speak a word to her, except to tell her briefly that the flight wouldn't take off for a few minutes. Now they were in the air and he still hadn't said anything to her. Ever since they'd made love, he'd hardly spoken to her; as if he was blaming her for what they'd done and the passion of it.
With a careless shrug, she took out a kindle she'd received from Tiana as a gift and selecting a novel, started to read until she was engrossed. She was lying on the sofa with her shoes off and a blanket thrown over the bottom half of her body, her interest in the book she was reading.
He kept glancing at her surreptitiously, when he was sure that she wasn't looking at him. He couldn't concentrate on the report he was reading. There were several emails to be answered and a document he had to read for a meeting as soon as the offices opened on January 2nd,, but he wasn't getting anywhere with that because he was too highly aware of her presence a few feet away. He'd felt the violent emotion surging through his body when she touched her lips to Francesco and had wanted to lash out at his friend. It had startled him and confused him and had made him very angry. She turned in the sofa and he swung his gaze back to the document he'd been reading for the past fifteen minutes. She didn't seem to be affected by his coldness and lack of conversation.
Chapter 7
“I think you should wear this,” he said formally as he came into her bedroom. They'd come back from their ‘honeymoon’ four days ago and he'd practically ignored her, delving into work and even going so far as to go into the office for several hours a day. She'd been left to her own devices and had wandered around the suite that she shared with him, rearranging things to suit herself. They shared a suite but not a bedroom and she was beginning to think that she was going to have to do something about it. At the dinner table whenever they were together with his mother and sister, he was polite and participated in the conversation, but nothing more.
He would wish her goodnight and go into his bedroom. His mother and sister more or less ignored her, and she was beginning to feel like persona non grata in the manor. She'd explored the place and admired the quiet luxury and had even ventured outside in the icy cold for a few hours as she took walks to clear her head. But the barrier he'd erected between them was going to come tumbling down pretty soon and that was a promise she made to herself. She met his gaze in the full-length mirror, admiring the burgundy sweater he was wearing over a light pink shirt. It was the New Year’s Eve gala that was being held at one of his hotels, their first official outing as a couple. She'd chosen a rose-pink gown which left her shoulders bare and flowed straight to her ankles. Her thick shoulder-length dark hair was piled on top of her head, with several strands around her face.
“What is it?”
He opened the box to reveal a dazzling emerald necklace and matching drop earrings. “They're lovely,” she told him quietly as he took the necklace out of the box and handed it to her.
“Would you put it on?” She didn't give him time to say no as she turned her back to him. He hesitated a moment and putting the box onto the table, he reached around to put the necklace around her throat. His fingers brushed against her as he secured the clasp, sending shivers all over her body. She stiffened slightly and felt when his touch lingered. For a moment he spread his fingers over her shoulders, his touch soft. His eyes met hers in the mirror and held. Donna held her breath and wondered if he would put aside his reservations and kiss her. But he broke contact and stepped away from her. “It’s an heirloom and goes with the rings.” He told her a little hoarsely, shoving his hands into his pockets. “Try your best not to lose it.”
She took the earrings out and secured them in her lobes before turning to face him. “What do you think?”
He shrugged carelessly. “You'll do.” He took his hands from his pockets and looked at his watch. “Mother and Talia are waiting in the living room.”
“We're traveling together. Whoopee!” she said sarcastically as she went to get her jacket.
His lips twitched into a smile that she didn't notice, and he watched as she buttoned up her jacket. He'd almost given into the urge to kiss her. The feeling had been so strong that he'd had to physically stop himself from doing so.
“I'm ready,” she announced as she picked up the tiny clutch that went with the outfit. “By the way, you look very dashing.”
“Thank you,” he told her formally.
*****
Donna subconsciously clutched his arm as they stepped into the well-lit lobby of the five-star Hoffman Hotel. He turned his head to look at her and saw the uncertainty on her face. “They're just people,” he murmured softly.
“Easy for you to say,” she muttered and taking a deep breath, let go of him as the girl came over to take their coats. His mother and sister had gone in ahead of them. For the entire drive to the hotel, they'd barely spoken a word to her, but she'd preferred it that way. He took her hand in his as they made their way into the sumptuous ballroom where the gala was being held. The room was practically filled already, swelling with dazzling colors from the gowns of the women who were present. Soft music filled the air, competing with the sound of laughter and swell of conversation going on. Waiters weaved their way around the room with glasses of bubbly.
“We should go and mingle,” he suggested.
She nodded as she looked around the room. “I see some familiar faces.”
“Leesa and the gang. You want to go and join them?”
“I do.”
As they made their way across the room, a striking black-haired woman cut into their path. Donna didn't need to be introduced to her to know who she was, and for the first time in a very long time, she felt insecure. Caroline Schaeffer was slender, and her perfect white skin was showed off in the emerald green dress she had on. Diamonds dripped from her lobes and around her throat and her perfectly made up face was turned up to the man she'd been in a relationship a few short weeks earlier, before it had been cut short.