"It's not-"
"A date." He patted her hand lightly. They had the place to themselves mostly because of the weather. "I'm hoping eventually to wear you down."
"Luther-"
"I'll try not to mention it again," he promised.
Sighing softly, she realized her time had run out. "It's been a lovely evening."
"It's late." He squeezed her hand. "Are you sure you can drive home?"
She sent him an amused glance. "The five glasses or was it four? Anyway, the alcohol has worn off and I'm perfectly capable of driving home."
"I just want to make sure. These roads can be treacherous at night."
"Thanks for the concern."
"Mind if I ask you something?" he murmured as they made their way back to where she had parked.
"Not at all."
He waited until she had unlocked the door. "The prince seemed quite taken with you."
It took a supreme amount of will and self-control to keep her face neutral and her tone light.
"Where's the question?"
"Is he?"
"Don't be ridiculous!" Closing her eyes briefly, she forced herself to calm down. "He's the prince."
"And still a man who appreciates beauty." He opened the door and waited for her to slide in behind the wheel. "He has a reputation."
"I know that and this conversation is bordering on insane. Prince Tomas is no more interested in me than I am in him. We're poles apart and even if that were not the case, like I told you, I'm not looking for a relationship." She managed a smile as she gunned the engine. "Thanks for a very pleasant night out."
"I hope we will do it again soon." He gave her a disarming smile, no doubt to make up for upsetting her. "And this time, I'll live up to my promise."
With a wave, she drove away.
*****
Telling herself it was not disappointment she felt when she made her way inside and he was not waiting for her, she marched along the quiet hallway and up the stairs. After all that, the confrontation at the gallery, demanding, no, threatening to find her if she was not here at a certain time. After all of that, he was tucked securely into some other woman's bed. Bastard! she thought as she swung open the doors and walked through the sitting room and into her bedroom. And froze.
"I hope you don't mind that I've made myself comfortable." The prince, wearing a black silk robe, was lounging on her bed with pillows propped up behind his head. "I figured you would come home when you're good and ready." His eyes roamed over her face, a glint of amusement in the green depths. "I'm not even upset that you've kept me waiting. I realize with you, I'm going to have to be patient."
His deep, slightly accented voice snapped her out of her dazed astonishment.
"You presumed an awful lot. I almost decided to spend the night at Luther's."
He merely lifted one thick brow, his amusement evident.
"Is that right?"
She actually thought about stamping her foot in frustration. The man was too arrogant for words.
"Yes! I told you we're involved."
"What stopped you from er- spending the night? Could it be the thought that I was here waiting for you to warm my bed?"
