Jenneca tossed her phone on the bed. Her mother was already settled and sleeping in the room next door. But Jenneca needed a moment to process all that was happening. The man she had dreamed of being with for her whole life, Tripp Valdez, Prince of Torren, wanted to sit in the palace hot tubs right now, with her. After he rescued her and her mother from a tropical storm. She fell back onto her bead, staring at the gilded ceiling. And his voice. Mmm. She wanted to call him back just to hear him answer. So deep, gentle, the memory of it rumbled through, sending shivers down her neck.

She pulled on her sexiest suit, even though she told herself over and over again she was not a royal groupie. She was not trying to capture a prince. She hadn’t packed anything particularly fun, just more sensible for a ski trip, but she used what she had. Then she threw on her little dress cover-up. She washed her face, put on some waterproof mascara, and brushed her teeth. Put her hair on top of her head, checked her legs for prickly hairs. She was ready when she heard a knock on her door.

She opened it to find Tripp waiting, wearing a pair of swim shorts and a towel over his shoulder. For a moment she couldn’t say a word. He was magnificent. His chest nice and rounded, toned, his stomach tight down to his shorts. She laughed at his feet. “Socks?”

She loved a man in crisp white socks, but he looked funny with the bathing suit and socks.

He grinned, an adorable sheepish looking expression. “I don’t like to walk around in bare feet.”

She closed the door behind her and couldn’t resist slipping her hand into his that hung down by his side. “Thank you, Tripp. I don’t know what we would have done if you hadn’t driven by right when you did. Your family are like angels from heaven. We are so thankful.”

“I am happy you were home, you must have left on an early flight.”

“I did. We made the last commercial flight that wasn’t canceled, I heard.”

“It’s pretty bad out there. Tomorrow’s gonna be a struggle for many. We’ve got the whole family working in different parts of the island.” His face lined with worry.

“Would you rather get some sleep? That sounds hard, Tripp.”

“What? No way. This is the best part of my day.”

Her face warmed. “Mine too.”

“So I’m doing well. Best part of your day. So far, I’m better than an early, crowded commercial flight out of Austria, huge tropical storm, the destruction of your roof, and a house fire.”

She laughed. “Yes, you are way better than all of that.”

She swung his hand in hers, and she enjoyed the carefree wonder the motion created in her heart. Even though she knew Tripp would be facing sobering, difficult circumstances tomorrow, they both would be, she determined to make tonight enjoyable. Being trapped inside the palace with a prince didn’t seem like a groupie thing to do. It seemed very human and real, and his efforts to help her nearly overwhelmed her with his kindness. “You know, you really are the best family. We Falunas have been blessed to know the Valdez royals all these generations.”

He squeezed her hand. “And us, you. Sometime while you’re here we should look at the books, all the ancient records and early photographs of our families and the many baked goods you have provided the palace.”

She laughed. “I think only you and I would find such a search interesting.” She coughed. “Or maybe only me, and you are being a gentleman.”

“No, believe me when I say that I have gained a sudden interest in the Falunas and their bakery, and most especially their daughter.”

She felt her face heat more. Could any of this really be happening? Even with a shop destroyed past her ability to repair it, a mother who was not healing fast enough, she felt strength in his support and in his promise to help. She didn’t like to be the receiver of so much charity without an ability to repay. “How about we work out some kind of agreement with the palace to help pay back your help.”

He nodded. “Sure, of course. We can talk about it. But now, I just want to relax.” His wide smile warmed her heart. When Tripp smiled, the world joined him.

“You’re on.”

He opened a set of double doors and she sucked in her breath. “This is beautiful!”

“Thank you. Not quite the hotel but…”

“So much better than the hotel.” She paused. Dared she continue? She took in his profile and decided. “The company is especially better.”

His eyes flicked to hers. “Glad to hear it.” He stood taller and she could have sworn all his muscles expanded.

She bit her cheek so she wouldn’t laugh at his rooster like posturing.

“Jorge Guntheim might be on the German ski team but he’s got nothing on my….” He paused and frowned. “Well, he’s got nothing.” Then he grinned again and Jenneca thought her heart might stop at how handsome he looked.

The Valdez hot tubs were more like pools of water, like a row of natural hot springs. They were flat against the pool deck and steaming with a delicious heat. She removed her cover and placed it and her towel on her chair.

Tripp had gone quiet, and she felt his gaze, but she didn’t know what to do about it. At last she braved a glance in his direction.

He held a hand out to her. She stepped to him. His naked chest inches from her, her breath coming short, she looked up into his face. His eyes were intense. He ran a finger along her collar bone and down her shoulder. She shivered under his touch. “You are a beautiful woman.”

She swallowed.

“But I knew that the first moment I saw you behind the counter in your bakery. I am attracted to that woman, and this one, and the one who would rescue me on the slopes and the one who can do a flip off a snow bank…and, well all of the ones I haven’t discovered yet.”

She held up her hand. “Alright. As much as I enjoy hearing you say all these things, now I’m embarrassed.”

“So she’s humble as well.” He eyed her with a new sense of praise and she had to turn from him.

“Ok, let’s get in that water. My body is still sore from our week.”

He held her hand and they stepped down together into the closest pool. The water swirled around her in a softness that caressed her skin. “Oh, it’s lovely, are these salt water pools?”

“They are, and mineral, our own blend. They’re actually good for your skin.”

She sunk in and let the water lap up against her chin. The jets turned on, and she almost groaned in happiness. “I could get used to this.”

Tripp was quiet again so she opened her eyes. “I could too.” He sat, near enough but not touching. He shifted so that his face was closer, his lips almost near enough to kiss. “I could definitely treasure Jenneca Faluna here in my home. Every. Day.” His eyes spoke their sincerity, so she believed him.

“Well, I don’t think the store will be fixed tomorrow so we have some time.” She tried to lighten the intensity. He seemed sincere. She didn’t know what to do with his sudden intensity.

“We will get the bakery up and running as soon as we can. And make the most of our time here too.” He leaned his head back and lifted his toes out of the water. “So, tell me about your store. Why are you worried about it?” He lifted his chin. “I mean, before a tree fell through your roof.”

The heat of the water, the relaxing jets, barreling into her sore and tired muscles, the kindness and interest of the man at her side. She felt like talking.

“We are struggling financially.”

“What? Stefano’s? Impossible.”

She laughed. “It’s true. My brothers have no interest in the place and it’s been up to my mom these last few years. She refuses to franchise…”

“Ah. I can see how that would make things difficult. You are somewhat isolated here in our village.” He sat up, “But you are a historic landmark of our country. You’ve been around almost as long as the crown itself. Torren wouldn’t be Torren without Stefano’s.”

She grinned. “I appreciate your love of tradition. I’m passionate about it myself. That’s why I came back…”

He sat back in the water and reached for her hand. His fingertips brushed across her thighs, sending zings of electricity through her. “You left training with the team to help your mom.”

She nodded, then realized his eyes were closed so she spoke aloud even though there was a growing lump in her throat. “I did. But I have to go back. Coach said I’d lose my place on the team if I don’t fit in more training hours.” She swallowed, suddenly the lump in her throat grew sharp. “And now that the store is damaged…”

He squeezed her hand. “We will take care of this. Like I said, it’s a historic landmark.” His voice grew quiet. “I’d like to do much more than help restore Stefano’s and support the village. Everyone’s been so good to us, keeping out the press, perhaps you all have lost what you could have gained in publicity and sales.”

She considered the idea and then grunted. “I think it may have helped us more than hurt. There is a sense of elite specialty products among the shops. The other owners franchise and do internet orders. We just have to get with the times I guess.”

He chuckled. “Would your Crumpets taste as good shipped?”

“And there you’ve hit on the Faluna pride. None of us wants to sell anything less delicious than a fresh-from-the-oven product. And we don’t trust anyone else to be able to follow our recipes either.”

He squeezed her hand. “And that’s where we might need to do some convincing with your mother.” He raised an eyebrow. “And her daughter. You’re a Faluna as much as she is.”

She felt her face warm. “It’s true. I am. But I see we can’t continue how we are.”

He moved closer. “We will figure it out. I’d like to help you with this. My mother will care just as much as me, you know. None of us want to see Stefano’s go away.”

She reached up and wiped a tear with her other wet hand, then she laughed. “My mother was right about one thing.”

“Oh, and what’s that?” His warm eyes twinkled at her and she couldn’t understand how she could be so lucky, to sit here with such a man, to receive his help.

“She said the royal family would never let us go under.”

He beamed with pride. “And she’s right. I can’t tell you how happy that makes me that our citizens would have that much trust in us.”

She scooted closer to him, overcome with gratitude. Their thighs pressed together. She reached across him to hold on to the cement at his other side and turned to face him, bubbles rising up between them, tickling her neck and under her arms. She floated to his front, her face moving closer as she balanced the movement of the water pushing against her. “Tripp, you are so wonderful I don’t know how I can thank you.” She smiled up at him, their noses almost touching as her body floated out behind her. Suddenly she didn’t care how much of a groupie she appeared to be, she was so taken in by Tripp, so attracted to his goodness, and so very grateful for all that he was offering. She looked down at his wide and inviting lips. Perhaps she should just tilt her head…

His eyes grew uncomfortable. “No, Jenneca. I would never offer any of these things and expect payment…of any kind.” He shifted away.

At first confused, then Jenneca pushed backwards away from him, horrified. “No, Tripp, that’s not what I meant at all.” How could he think she would cheapen herself in that way? She liked him and thought that he liked her also.

“Oh, you weren’t coming on to me?” His face blushed a bright red.

And it was her turn to flush red, because of course she had been coming on to him. But he obviously was not interested in her in that way. And now she felt cheap. But she laughed it off, because she had to. She forced a casual tone. “No, Tripp, no. I guess I just got caught up in the moment, and I am very grateful. Whatever I can do to repay you...” She stopped, mortified, “But not whatever, I mean. Whatever respectable thing I can do.” This was only getting worse. “I’m sorry, Tripp. I’m just going to stop talking right now.”

He nodded. “Yeah.” Then he cleared his throat. “Um. Look, Jenneca.”

She stood. “No, it’s ok. I’m tired. I think I’ll just call it a night.”

“Oh, ok. Sure.” He seemed uncertain. “Maybe I’ll see you tomorrow? We have a lot to do.”

So now he wanted her out of the way. “Of course.” She stepped up out of the pool, dabbed herself dry and slipped her dress over her head.

The last she saw of Tripp, he had sunk lower in the water and was staring up at the ceiling.