Her hair twisted up, yet in a neat bun resting on her head like a golden crown. Wisps of hair curled around her cheeks and neck.
I enlarged the picture to inspect her features. Her blue eyes were bright and hopeful.
And those lips?
Soft and pink.
She didn't look twenty-eight. That facade of sweetness and innocence didn't fool me.
No. She was an experienced little minx—a tease.
I trailed my finger slowly along the screen, tracing the curve of her mouth.
All that sweetness. And no idea how dangerous it was to look like that.
Soon, she’d understand.
When she was full of my seed and ready to bear my fruit, nine months later.
I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, but it didn't help. All I could picture was Lucia Hart, heavy from carrying my child, and nothing had ever felt more right than that image.
Chapter 8
Lucia
My head bounced between Allison and Evelyn like a ping pong ball. The pair had to be pranking me.
Evelyn waggled her perfectly plucked brows. “So, you wanna tell us why His Royal Highness has requested you to go with him to Paris?” she said, nudging Allison’s elbow like I was blind.
“I don’t even want to know. I’ll be grateful for the break with Monica,” Allison muttered, stabbing a chip so violently it flew off her plate and onto her tray.
“This is what he’s driven me to. Deep-fried carbs.”
“Apparently he told Monica that it would be helpful, since you dealt with the original proposal,” Evelyn said—stirring more than just her soup.
“Guys, I don’t have a clue. The man barely spoke to me,” I said, dunking a chunk of crusty bread into my potato and leek soup.
“Why don’t you see if you can persuade him to switch posts?” Allison asked, the hope in her eyes practically glowing. “I’m telling you, ladies, I’m too menopausal for his shit. He needs a professional nanny, not a PA.”
I couldn’t stop the giggle. She wasn’t far from the truth.
“I heard a rumour—”
“Stop it, Evelyn. I don’t want to know any more about the Anti-Christ,” Allison snapped.
I kicked Evelyn under the table. “Take a good look—that’ll be you in a few years.”
She shot me a glare, but it was worth it.
?? ?? ??
To: Lucia Hart
From: Allison Durant
Subject:? Paris Trip – Buckle Up, Babe
Hey Lucia,
