“Spina bifida,” Roderick murmurs, reading the words printed on the sign prominently displayed in the hotel lobby. “What’s that?”

“It’s a birth defect that impacts the spine,” Tim, our personal walking encyclopedia supplies. “I think it’s genetic, but don’t quote me on that.”

Roderick reads the rest of the sign and pats his back pocket. “Been a while since I’ve been to a bachelorette auction. Hope I brought enough cash.”

I shoot him a dark look. “You’re not here to bid on women. You’re here to help me talk this con artist of an antiques dealer into leaving the country.”

I glance at Tim who is openly checking out a long-legged red head in a short green dress. “You too.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” Roderick says, but I can tell his heart isn’t in it. He’s also ogling the red head and trying to decide how much money he’s willing to spend in order to keep her away from Tim.

“That shouldn’t take long. Just pull your ‘I’m a billionaire prince and you’re a peon’ routine and she should flee pretty quickly. It’s always worked before.”

“Yeah,” Tim agrees, “but this time we have the added challenge of trying to figure out a way to do it that doesn’t piss off the queen.”

I tune them out and look for the hotel manager who was supposed to set aside a space for a private meeting.

I have mixed feelings about this meeting. There’s something about her that gets under my skin and I do want her out of my country, but after looking her up via the internet, I can’t fault her credentials. Yes, she’s young, especially considering that most of the people in her profession already have one foot in the grave, but she’s not only highly qualified, she’s also well respected. And everything she said about those glass sculptures was spot on.

I don’t like her, but I can’t help thinking about the way she looked when she held that butterfly.

There was so much passion and awe in that expression. It was the same type of passion I feel whenever I fence. In that moment, she’d been the most beautiful woman I’d ever laid eyes on.

Between my money and my title, any woman who catches my eye happily jumps into my bed, but not once has anyone ever looked at me like Alexis Tate looked at that butterfly. I can’t stop thinking about what it would feel like to be on the receiving end of that same passion.

A pair of women sitting at the end of the bar catch my eye.

One is gorgeous brunette who manages to make a sweater dress and pair of black leggings look like the height of fashion. A short, curvy woman leans against the bar beside her. My eyes slide up the long length of shapely leg the short red skirt leaves bare, past the curve of her hip, pauses a moment on a magnificent bosom that’s expertly displayed, and lands on a face that’s pale beneath the expertly applied make-up.

Shit! It’s the same damn face I haven’t been able to rid from my thoughts since I first saw it.

If she’d been done up like she is now, instead of looking like a school girl, I would have been nicer to her.

I take a second peek at her perfect neckline. My cock can’t help but twitch appreciatively.

A lot nicer.

Tim follows the direction of my gaze and lets out a low appreciative whistle. “She’s got to be one of the people going up on the auction block tonight.”

“Don’t know,” I say. Suddenly I don’t want him or Roderick with me for this meeting.

“How about you guys figure out the bidding process and save me a seat.”

“But I thought you wanted our help?”

My mind spins. “Let me talk to her by myself. If that doesn’t go well, I’ll call you guys in.”

“Are you sure?” Roderick asks.

‘It’s royal business so it’s only fair I should handle it.”

As friends, they might have pressed the issue, but as my subjects they know better.

They hold their positions and watch as I wind my way through the crowd, avoiding making eye contact with anyone by keeping my gaze locked on my target. Beckett, my long-time body guard, follows close at my heels, not letting anyone approach me from behind.

“Ms. Tate,” I stop just a little too close to her. Once again, the sweet smell of strawberries assaults my senses. “I believe we have a meeting.”

Alexis grabs the glass of red wine sitting on the bar and downs the entire thing in one long swallow. I watch and can’t help wondering what those lips would feel like while wrapped around my cock.

Something brushes my arm, and I reluctantly drag my attention away from Alexis and focus on her companion.

Her mouth tips up in an amused smirk. While she’s not exactly the movie star beautiful, this girl is truly lovely and despite being dressed down compared to most of the other young women in the lobby, she has that extra special quality that makes her stand out.

If she wasn’t next to suddenly drop dead gorgeous Alexis, I would have made a move on her.

“Prince Lucas?”

I nod and she extends a hand which I take. “Tessa Baker, Alexis’s business partner. We spoke to the manager and arranged to use a small conference room just off this lobby. He offered something quieter but it’s important for Alexis and I stick close to the action since Alexis is taking part in tonight’s auction and will need to be told when it’s her turn. I hope you don’t mind, it’s for a good cause.”

“It’s fine.” I step back, giving Tessa enough room to slide off the bar stool. “Lead the way.”

She hooks an arm around Alexis’s silk clad waist and leads her towards a doorway near the back of the lobby. I follow a few paces behind and enjoy the way the silk hugs the curve of Alexis’ rear and how her hips sway.

With each step, the idea of working closely with her to establish a museum becomes much more appealing.