Renee had been out on her balcony taking in the view of the river, her mind on Marco’s kiss. She’d heard her door close and went back inside to find rows of dresses that had appeared like magic. Renee chose a summer dress of dark green that hugged her curves.

Excited, she knocked on the adjoining door between her and Kristin’s room.

"Come in!" Kristin called.

She saw that Kristin had even more of the designer dresses to choose from. Her best friend looked beautiful and romantic in a cream dress with pink flowers. "Are you feeling like a princess yet?"

"No." Kristin seemed uncertain about her role with Antonio, if she agreed to marriage. She gestured to the racks of lace. "This is the stuff dreams are made of."

"Dreams and love both exist if you just listen. Kristin, when is the last time you did anything for yourself?"

Kristin crossed her arms, a frown on her face. "I don't know."

"Oh, hon." Her friend had been unhappy at her job, constantly striving to be the best. Her parents had drummed it into her that success could only be earned by hard work. And yet here she was now, ready to become a princess. Before Renee could say anything else, there was a knock on Kristin’s bedroom door. For a split second, Renee hoped it was Marco, though she was in the wrong room for that to matter.

All afternoon, she'd kept her promise, and Marco’s mind-numbing kiss a secret.

A young, dark-haired maid entered, her head lowered. She announced, "His Royal Highness has requested an audience with both of you in the great hall."

"We're coming!" Renee waved at the maid, who nodded and slipped deferentially out of the chamber to wait outside the door. If her friend found romance, Renee might find a good time. "Kristin, are you ready?"

"Yeah, let's go."

Was it wrong to want another chance to taste heaven?

Renee tried to stay at the same pace with the maid, who kept trying to be in front. Kristin was right behind them. Soon it became a race to see who would walk the fastest. Renee's heart started pumping with adrenaline and she inched out the maid until she walked into the room and saw Antonio. Marco was not there so she backed out and let Kristin pass.

Renee whispered to the maid, "What's your name?"

"Anise, Miss."

Renee gave the maid a smile and followed her friend into the gilded ballroom of a royal palace. The chandelier was the centerpiece and the floors were polished. At the end, she saw a huge red velvet curtain that divided the room. She assumed if the curtain was pulled back, the space doubled—she’d read about it in her history books.

Kristin looked up at the prince who was clearly into her. Renee backed away, but then saw Marco walk in with another man.

Marco stopped mid-stride the moment their gazes met and straightened his shirt collar. Antonio made introductions, as if she and Marco hadn't met yet. "Kristin, Ms. Brown, meet my brother, Marco. And this is his friend, Victor Amadeus."

Renee saw the sparkle in Marco's gaze when she bowed her head. "Your Highness."

Marco stepped closer to Renee and placed his hand on her back. "None of that." Her head shot up and she stared at his strong profile. His hand gently rubbed the silky fabric above her tailbone. "I'm the spare of the spare and my title is just a formality. You are both royal guests of our house and I expect you to call me Marco."

Of course, he hadn't mentioned their secret kiss. The secret made it hotter. The air around her hummed with energy. Kristin asked, "How is your father?"

"Getting better," Antonio said.

"Good." Renee clasped her hands so that she wouldn’t reach for Marco.

Antonio spoke in a cultured voice, "Kristin, I was hoping you were free for lunch?"

"She's free!" Renee answered for her friend. Maybe the date with Marco might start earlier. She should probably clamp down on her enthusiasm, but she couldn't help it.

"Renee..." Kristin started but then turned to Antonio. "Yes, I'd love to go."

Good. Renee wasn't being a bad friend because her libido was out of control near Marco—Kristin wanted to get to know Antonio better.

"My mother has invited you both for a formal family dinner," Antonio said. "She's offered her assistance in ensuring that you're properly attired."

"The dresses—thank you." This was like a dream.

Marco whispered, "Would you like to get out of here and spend the day with me? I can take you through the maze outside."

"Absolutely," Renee answered.

Without another word, Marco escorted Renee toward the patio area. The lush green of the garden complemented the slow-moving silver-blue river. Far off in the distance majestic mountains with white peaks loomed.

Marco's friend, Victor, walked out of the side door without a goodbye. What was his problem?

Before she could ask, Marco said, "The afternoon sun makes your hair shimmer with gold. You are beautiful, Renee."

A sultry laugh escaped her throat. Renee pressed her back to the panel door while he leaned against the other. She wasn't a good flirt in a crowd, but Kristin and Antonio had already left the balloon. She heard the lock of closing doors. "You're normally surrounded in pictures by truly gorgeous women, but thank you for the compliment."

"Renee." He offered his hand. She took it and energy coursed through her. He lifted her fingers to his lips. "I don't notice most of the women around me. You sparkle like a star in the night sky that guided me home in another life."

"Now that is poetry, though a little outrageous." She sighed and reached out to fix his slightly crooked collar.

He wrapped his arms around her waist. "Do you like poetry?"

"It's like seduction, I think." She stopped pretending with his collar. Instead she pressed her hands to his rock hard chest and prayed he'd kiss her again. Her lips tingled for more.

He traced her back, holding her gaze. "Seduction is an interesting word coming from an innocent school teacher."

A slow smile curved on her lips. He must have asked his brother about her because she hadn't told him her profession. "It's not like I'll be packing you in my suitcase to bring home. Are you going to call parents of students I've not met yet and tell them I'm flirting with a sexy prince?"

His right eyebrow lifted. "So you are flirting with me?"

"Absolutely."

His lips covered hers with masculine heat that made her weak at the knees. He'd help her forget rules and lists and just live in the moment. He pulled her closer and she could feel the outline of his desire. "We could go to my room and order room service and skip the maze."

Even one night would be worth it. So when she married someone her parents approved of, she could close her eyes and remember this, remember him. She squeezed his shoulder in agreement. "Now that sounds like a plan."

He took her hand and led her upstairs. No one saw them or interrupted their progress. They passed a green hall that was similar to the blue one near her room and went through a large oak door. She was inside Marco’s royal chambers. The four-poster wooden bed must be hand-carved, she noticed, the blue and white comforter soft and inviting. She swallowed and heard the door close behind them.

This was it. Her one night with the prince. She unfastened the single button on the back of her neck which loosened the silky fabric.

Marco’s warm hands brushed against her spine and she arched her back to let him unzip her dark green dress. His fingers made her body tremble with excitement. At the cool rush of air on her bare skin, she turned and kissed him while unfastening each pearl button of his shirt until she’d exposed the broad expanse of golden, muscular chest. "How are you this hard, everywhere?" Warmth flowed through her.

"You haven't even felt the better half of me yet." His slight five o'clock shadow tickled her throat as he kissed her and helped her out of the dress.

"Mmhmm." She stepped toward the bed.

He took off his pants in one swift move. As she lowered onto the bed, she threw off her bra and panties while he moved her legs, so he could reach down and kiss her intimately.

As she arched, she felt like she was in heaven itself. A place where dreams come true.