3. DANTE

That’s what I get for losing my temper – I run headlong into some poor woman who happens to be standing in my way. I should have been looking where I was going, not glaring back at Carlo, as I walked through the door.

“Oh!” she yelps as we make contact. She’s solid enough that I don’t knock her straight to the floor, but I’m a pretty big guy, so I send her reeling backwards. But before she goes, my pecs get a very personal, very wet introduction to her breasts through the thin silk of my shirt.

As she recovers her footing, my eyes can’t help but wander over those breasts, perfectly delineated under the wet satin. But those blue globes quickly give way to the pale clarity of her sky-blue eyes. I’ve never seen such a shade, like the lagoon of a white sand beach under a blazing tropical sun.

Suddenly her face goes nearly as red as her stunning hair, and her arms quickly cross over her chest. I’ve embarrassed her.

Good work, Your Highness. How very princely of you.

“Amanda!”

Maria rushes to the woman – obviously named Amanda – and lays a concerned hand on her shoulder.

“Are you all right?” Maria asks.

“Yes,” says Amanda. “I’m so sorry, that was very clumsy of me.”

My stomach sinks as Maria’s fiery eyes turn to me.

“Don’t be silly,” she says with a glare. “It was entirely the prince’s fault. Isn’t that right, Your Highness?”

My manners finally kick in and I rush to fill the gap between us. I take Amanda’s hand, careful not to pull her folded arm away from her breasts. The breasts I suddenly want very much to see again…

Stop it! You’re a prince, for God’s sake!

“Of course it is,” I say, pressing my lips against the back of her hand. “Please forgive me. Are you all right? Should I call someone to attend to you?”

Amanda’s cheeks glow even redder in contrast to her porcelain skin.

“I’m fine,” she says with a forced smile. “They grow us tough down in Montana.”

Her eyes widen as if she’s shocked by her own words.

“Well,” I say, locking my eyes on her ethereal blue ones. “If there are more like you there, I very much look forward to visiting Montana one day.”

Smooth. The funny thing is, I didn’t even think about it before I said it. Either I’m so well trained at this that I do it automatically, or I actually meant it.

What does it say about my lifestyle that I don’t even know the difference between the two anymore? In any case, Maria seems to approve, so that much is all right with the world.

“Well, since you’ve already met, I suppose I should introduce you,” Maria says with a chuckle. “Prince Dante, this is Amanda Sparks. She’s the protocol expert in charge of planning your birthday celebration. We discussed her hiring last week.”

We did?

“Of course,” I say. “How could I possibly forget? I’m very pleased to have you at the helm of such an important event. Maria told me you’re extremely talented.”

I assume she did, anyway. I can’t be expected to remember every single thing Maria tells me. I do recall her saying I had to be there; if I wasn’t, she’d make sure they never found my body.

Of course, if I’d met with Amanda in person, the memory would be etched in my mind…

Her eyes continue to avoid mine, though. I’ve really spooked her. Dammit, sometimes I forget how intimidating it can be when people meet me. Especially Americans, for some reason. I guess because they’re unfamiliar with the idea of royalty. If they only knew how lucky they are.

“It’s an amazing opportunity,” Amanda says quietly. “I’m very grateful that Maria has so much confidence in me.”

“It’s well deserved, I’m sure.”

“Very much so,” says Maria. “And I’ll take that as your agreement that Ms. Sparks has the final say on the project. So much easier than going back and forth on every detail with you, wouldn’t you say?”

“Absolutely.”

The last thing I want is to be mired in the details of my birthday party. Especially since it’s about to turn into a royal wedding. I hope. If it doesn’t, I might as well kiss this castle good-bye.

Would that really be so bad?

“Can we assume you’re over your, ah, difficulties in there?” Emilio asks from the corner of the room. I didn’t even see him until now.

Now it’s my turn to go red. That outburst was beneath my dignity.

Actually, now that I think about it, screw that. If I hadn’t screamed the way I did, I might have dropped dead from sheer frustration. I mean, come on! What normal person has ever had to deal with shit like that in their life? Marry a virgin – publicly – or lose everything. Oh, and by the way, you have two weeks to take care of this.

Aaand I’m back in my black mood again. But, consummate actor that I am, I don’t let it show on my face.

“I’m absolutely mortified by my behavior,” I lie.

“I’ve apologized to Carlo.” Another lie.

“And I hope you will forgive me as well.” The truth. As far as Amanda is concerned, anyway. Maria and Emilio can suck it up – they live off my money.

Amanda smiles, and it’s like someone lit a lamp in a dark room.

“Nothing to forgive,” she says. “I’ve heard a lot worse from my dad at branding time.”

I look at her curiously, as do Maria and Emilio. Amanda returns our looks with a nervous one of her own.

“We, uh, own a cattle ranch,” she says, obviously self-conscious. “In Montana. We have to brand the cattle. With a branding iron.”

She pantomimes holding something in her hand and shoving it forwards.

“You know,” she says. “Pssssshhhh.”

She’s utterly adorable, but unfortunately, I’ve got other things on my mind.

“That sounds like something I’d like to see someday,” I say. “Now, I’m afraid my cousin and I have an urgent matter to attend to, so if you ladies will excuse us, we’ll leave you to your business.”

I turn to Maria, who’s giving me a look that says we’re going to talk about all this later. That’s fine with me – I need to talk with her. But not right now.

“Please give the children my best,” I say.

I’m sure that sounds cold to Amanda, but Maria knows it’s my code. I’m telling her to tuck in Oriana and Vito for me, kiss them goodnight and go through our nightly ritual with them. I try not to spend more nights away from them than I absolutely have to, but sometimes I just don’t have a choice. Like now.

“Of course,” Maria nods, but then halts me with a raised palm. “One thing before you go. You’re giving Ms. Sparks full authority over the celebration, yes?”

“Of course.”

“All right, then, on your way.”

I chew my tongue. If it was just the two of us, and if I didn’t love her like family, I’d be giving Maria a piece of my mind over that. As it is, we have to maintain our dignity. Plus, I don’t really give a fuck about the party and I really do want to get out of here.

Amanda looks unsure of what to do, so I reach for her hand again. This time she forgets all about her blouse and gives me another much-appreciated glance at her breasts.

“A great pleasure, Ms. Sparks,” I say, kissing her hand. “I hope to see you again very soon.”

She blushes and – I’m not kidding – curtsies. Her pale eyes are practically glowing.

“Thank you, Your Highness. The pleasure was all mine.”

I smile one more time and stride for the door, grabbing Emilio by the arm as I do. He turns and bids the women a quick goodbye as we disappear into the hallway beyond,

“What’s so urgent?” he asks as he double-times to keep up with me. “And what was that outburst all about?”

“We’re going to Monte Carlo,” I growl. “I’ll tell you the rest on the plane.”