Chapter 12
She sensed his volcanic mood the second he stepped inside the salon. A mother knows her son, and she had been privy to the intimate embrace between him and Antoinette. She had also watched him staring after her vehicle, a lost and completely confused look on his face.
"Mother." He strode straight to the cabinet and jabbed at the button. Barely waiting for it to glide silently out, he grabbed a bottle of whiskey and poured a generous amount into a glass. "I apologize." He walked over to sit on a chair in front of the desk. "I never asked about your trip."
Hiding her amusement at his abrupt tone, she opened her mouth, prepared to launch into a full detailed description, but he did not allow her. "I suppose you know that we've been together. Your assistant and I."
Schooling her expression, she nodded. "I've heard the rumors."
"Do you also know that she's gone on a date?" he rasped.
"She said she's going to a movie and then dinner after. I believe they're showing-"
"She wants us to remain a secret. So, basically, she uses me for sex and then sees this other man." He tossed back half the liquor in the glass and lunged to his feet to start prowling. "I told you to fire him."
"Which is not going to happen." She watched him curiously. "She's allowed to have friends."
"He wants to be more than friends." He wandered over to the window to stare out broodingly. "I'm supposed to stay here and cool my heels while I wait for her. I am the goddamned prince; I deserve some respect." He ranted bitterly. Whirling around, he pinned her with an accusatory stare.
"You brought her here. It's your bloody fault that I'm going through this, this hell. I want you to fire her. Perhaps if she's back in her country, I will forget about her. This yearning I have for her, this ridiculous addiction to her will eventually fade. Christ!" He drank some more and came to sit back down.
"I don't know what the bloody hell to do. I should go out with someone. Make sure it's documented. Gabriella is still in town and there's Selena." Leaning back, he stretched his legs out.
"But I keep thinking it wouldn't make a damn difference to her. It's humiliating. I feel like a beggar pleading for her attention." His expression was bleak.
"Darling, I have a question for you."
His eyes snapped open and he stared at her frowningly as if belatedly remembering that she was in the room.
"What?"
"Are you in love with her? Señorita Carter. Is that what's bothering you?"
"That's ridiculous! I-" Realization slammed into him like a thunderbolt and had him blinking. It would explain the seesaw of emotions running through him. The highs and lows and the sick feeling in the pit of his stomach. His heartbeat accelerated whenever she was near and when she was not, he felt hollow and alone.
He had fallen in love for the first time in his life and he did not bloody like it. The emotions made him feel vulnerable and weak. He was a prince. He was not supposed to be privy to such an emotion. He didn't want it. And worse, it was for a woman who clearly told him she wanted nothing more than a physical relationship.
"Tomas?"
Tossing back the drink, he contemplated the wisdom of having another glass.
"I'm in love with her," he said slowly, expression bleak. "God help me. I'm in love with her."
A pleased smile touched Queen Sofia's lips. "What are you going to do about it?"
He stared at her. "Not a bloody thing."
His mother tutted. "I never pegged you for a coward." Ignoring the narrowing of his eyes, she continued. "I understand perfectly why she would not want to have anything to do with you. She was cheated on by the man she was about to marry. It's hard for her to trust again, and with your reputation it's even worse."
"So far, you've highlighted the problems," he pointed out grimly. "Would you now care to offer a solution?"
She smiled serenely as she folded her hands on the desk. "Woo her."
"Excuse me?"
Her smile widened. "You have charm in spades. Use them on her, show her that you're interested in her. And refuse to take no for an answer. Turn things up and make it impossible for her to ignore you."
He stared at her uncertainly as hope blossomed inside his chest.
