Kristin placed her blue cloth napkin on the table and smiled at the waitress who took away the empty dessert plate. Antonio had been attentive and sweet the entire meal. Through salad, pasta and chocolate cake—now she was hungry for more than food.

She ignored the buzz in her veins that begged for alone time where he might kiss her. The problem with a restaurant was they were in public and people stared at both of them. “I’m surprised no one is asking for your autograph or trying to get a picture with you.”

The server came to refill their waters. “The village is quite used to me at this point and my people respect my privacy as I respect theirs. Being royal is around-the-clock lifestyle, but then Jaka, the owner, of this restaurant also has around the clock responsibilities.”

Antonio stopped the server and asked, “Before you go, do you like working here?”

The waitress kept her head down but nodded at the same time. “Your Highness, Jaka has trained me in service, paying me so that I can support my family in the village. We are all voting for you to continue your reign.” She held the water pitcher tight in her hands. “Under the communist regime, I was stuck in the countryside, unable to support myself or my family on the allotted land no matter how hard I worked.”

Antonio nodded and gave her that royal smile of his that included that dimple. “Please send Jaka our regards.”

The food had been a mix of Italian-ish spices, and some new to her palate. She picked up her glass and folded her other hand over her knee so she wouldn’t touch Antonio. "Yes. Lunch was great."

He paid the bill. She gulped her water. Once he was done, he stood and offered his hand. "I want to show you something."

"Okay. Let's go." She jumped out of her seat to follow, and quickly walked beside him again. His hand in hers felt right. Every part of her body urged her to say yes and marry him. Renee was right in that she shouldn't doubt herself. She'd lose the chance of a lifetime, but more important, she had to listen to her heart.

Over the last three months she’d studied up on Antonio and she’d slowly fallen for his smiles, his charity work, his philosophy. Now she saw how kind he truly was in person. Perhaps her crush on him was transforming to something more.

He guided her to the village retaining wall and then down a dirt path that went toward a stand of oak trees. "The village was charming."

“It is home…”

The farther away from the village, the bustling town center was replaced with birds chirping in the trees. She squeezed his hand. "Where are we going?"

He pointed past a tree, not that she could see anything. "A spot I have claimed as my own since we moved here."

Her eyes widened. “How long ago was that?”

“Well it’s over ten years now, since my father was brought back as the king.” He jetted them off in a new direction that seemed untouched.

Her feet crunched into the grass as they went off the path. She stayed close to him as they walked into the darker forest. "That sounds interesting."

He held back a branch for her to pass by. "I think so. This way."

"This is the same wall that is part of the village?" She studied the white stone. They could probably have stayed on the path, but the shortcut through the woods made her more aware of him.

He pushed open a gate and led her to a massive oak door that he unlocked and then pocketed the key. "Yes. Centuries ago, we had guards stationed at various checkpoints in case there was an attack on our village."

He pushed open the wooden door that looked medieval, complete with iron brackets. "And now?"

"We have satellites and drones." He winked and went inside the dark room. She took a deep breath and thanked her lucky stars she’d trusted him enough to follow him into the woods—this place was living history. She followed him and blinked in the darkness. She heard the sound of a switch and then light illuminated from a central overhead chandelier. Clearly the people in Avce loved the light fixtures. The couch and living area all housed furniture she’d seen in museum showrooms.

Antonio said, "Anyhow, this is where the guard would have been stationed."

She stared at the rustic decor and the chunky, masculine furniture. The walls were clean and the hall had a scent of a hunting lodge, all dust and earth. "What is it used for now?"

He scooted two chairs together and dusted off the brown leather couch. "Right now, not much. When we give tours this might be a good place to start, but we don't have much of a tourist industry set up yet—my brothers are against this idea. They like having our own space, but I want to bring commerce to the town."

“It truly is beautiful.” He straightened and she tilted her head. He’d taken off his tailored suit jacket before leaving the palace. His black slacks and polo shirt placed him in the wrong century for the guardhouse, and yet he still fit here. He was so tall that his brown hair nearly touched the chandelier. He truly was handsome and this felt secluded. "So, is this your favorite spot?"

He tugged her arm toward a door, which opened to a huge empty room that wasn't in use at all. He flipped on a light and said, "Almost. Come over here."

"Where are we?" She looked around the space.

"This is where the guards ate together, trained together. It's the old barracks, though there was a woman murdered right here over 200 years ago.”

“What happened?” She peeked over her shoulder but saw no obvious ghost.

He stilled and looked around the room. “My great, great grandmother was murdered in this room by a man who was after her throne.”

Perhaps the people wanted their freedom from tyranny and rules of kings. Her own father would never approve of the decadence. “What happened?”

Antonio crossed his arms and stared at the chandelier. “She was a widow and her son was less than five. A fortune hunter thought she was easy prey until she said no to his proposal. She came here for protection, but found all her guards dead from poison. Then when she fired her gun at the villain, he killed her.”

She shook her head and backed out of the room. "At least her son was okay."

“He was well guarded in the palace.” He closed the door to the grand hall and they returned to the large open space with the hunting lodge feel. "So, the communist rulers ignored this place, but my brothers and I loved being together here since we moved and lost our friends in England."

She noticed two other closed doors but avoided asking what the rooms were used for. She glanced at the two straight-backed chairs, an old brown couch and a large red armchair with thick cushions and a slightly sagging seat positioned in front of a large fireplace. She pressed her lips together and walked toward the couch. "Who gets the big chair?"

He laughed as she sat, then he joined her. "When I’m here by myself, I can read by the fire, though when my brothers come it's whoever gets here first that claims the throne."

He said throne like it was an in-family joke, though the red armchair had thick cushions and was probably comfortable. "It's nice."

He leaned backward on the couch and stretched his arm behind her. "This is also the only place I know where servants aren't watching me and I can really be alone."

She blinked and gazed into his eyes as her heart began to beat a little faster. "So no one will come in?"

He leaned forward and cupped her face in his hands. "No. All during lunch I was thinking of a place where I could do this."

His kiss left her body with tingles of anticipation. She wanted him, but he ended the moment too fast. She licked her lips. "What a good idea."

He let her go and folded his hands together. "How can I convince you to marry me?"

Throw out the contract terms. She blinked, not voicing those words, but she placed her hand on his arm and asked, "Why did you stop, you know, when we were kissing on the plane?"

He took a deep breath and held up two fingers. "Two things."

Her pulse quickened and she scooted closer to him. She'd been ready to make love on the flight. She tightened her grip around his arm. "Which are?"

His slightly calloused fingers brushed against her arm and left a trail of electric need in its path. He tugged her closer to him as if they were discussing something secret and forbidden. "Renee was downstairs, and when I make love to you, I don't want to be interrupted."

Ohh. True. Renee probably would have heard something. Though luxurious, it was still a plane. She hadn't even thought about it because she was too wrapped up in him. She nodded, "And two?"

He reached out and brushed her hair back from her face. "Two is that I don't want a one-night-stand with you. I asked you to marry me."

Now she'd had less than four boyfriends in her life, and none of them had left her with spine-tingling, must know more about him, sensations. All had been sweet but she couldn't remember a single name at this moment. Her body needed Antonio’s touch. Her cheeks flushed. "It's sexy to be wanted, to know you want marriage, but I'd also like to know we're a match. Physically."

"Attraction is a good thing." He lowered his head.

She closed her eyes and pressed her lips out for a kiss.

He didn't disappoint. His touch sent awareness through every cell inside her. She ached for him. After a few minutes of intense kisses she climbed on top of his lap with her knees on either side of his hips, so she could be nose-to-nose with him, again. Her dress inched up her thighs, baring her skin.

Wind rustled branches outside, but inside she was warm and toasty in his arms. He rested his hands on her hips and once the kiss ended said, "Shall we get you out of your clothes?"

Agreed. She didn't have to say anything. Instead she stood, but he reached under her legs, swept her off her feet, and carried her into the other room.

She gazed at a full-size four poster bed with an emerald silk comforter, a nightstand and a dark wood dresser beneath a curtained window. In the next room, she spotted a gleaming white bathroom that seemed modern, not that she intended to check right now. This retreat of his was complete with everything. She hugged him closer.

---

Speechless at the hunger in his gaze, her breath caught as she stood before him so his eyes could undress her first.

He took off his shoes and polo. She toed off her flats. He wagged his finger for her to stay close. "Come here."

Her body was already his so it was time to show him her feelings too. She wrapped her arms around his waist, but then he said, "Take off your clothes...slowly."

In this moment she felt powerful. Sensual. Desired. She played with the hem of her dress, slowly revealing more leg, hip, stomach and breast as she pulled it over her head. Every cell in her body felt alive as she knew he watched her. His shortened breaths when he saw her in her black lace bra and panties made every second worth savoring.

He traced her skin and it felt like she was a flower about to bloom. He stared at her breasts and said, "Take that off. I want to see all of you."

"Likewise," she said and he tugged his slacks off and threw them in one perfect swift motion.

She unclasped her bra and her breasts stayed pert for his every attention.

He stroked her nipples. His touch was at first light but became firm. She studied his body, muscles all over, her breasts heavy with need. "Look at me," he insisted.

She stared into his eyes, brown with flecks of green. The sensation of being his and enjoying every second coursed through her veins. “Take me, Antonio.”

He kissed her neck and she backed up toward the bed, her legs bumping the mattress. She put her arms around his shoulders and felt his hands on her hips, and knew without a doubt she'd say yes. I will marry you.