Page 18 of Incognito (Royally Reckless #1)

18

“ L et me get this straight. He’s taking you to a kid’s party?”

Ella shook her head, tore the top off a sugar sachet, and tipped the contents into her short black coffee. “For a prince, the guy has no idea how to impress a woman.”

“He’s not trying to impress me,” Natasha said, sipping her mocha cappuccino and sighing with pleasure.

Dante didn’t have to. He impressed her just by being him.

Last night had sealed it.

Apart from being one of the sexiest men to walk the planet, Dante didn’t have many faults. Polite, cultured, approachable, he made other men pale in comparison.

Then he pulled out the big guns, showing her his soft side for animals and toys. Not fair. If she hadn’t liked him before, she would’ve fallen for him the moment he picked up that adorable rabbit and cuddled it.

“I think it’s sweet he’s taking me to his nephew’s party,” she said, spooning the last of a chocolate cannelloni into her mouth and smiling like she’d just gone to heaven. She’d tasted all the desserts in Luigi’s range and every calorie-laden morsel was to die for.

“Whoa Hold on a sec. You didn’t tell me it was his nephew’s party?” Ella’s eyes narrowed in speculation. “That puts an entirely different slant on proceedings.”

“You make it sound like a law case,” Natasha said, not minding her friend’s interrogation one bit.

It was a gorgeous Melbourne day, the type of crisp spring day with a hint of chill in the air but a glorious sun to warm you. She’d just finished her third last shift as stand-in concierge, organised another payment to Clay, and the end of the week loomed, bringing her one step closer to saving Telford Towers with Dante’s help.

At last, her life seemed to be improving.

Though things could be better if Telford Towers were safe and Dante wasn’t a prince destined to ride off into the sunset in the not too distant future, but hey, no use wishing for the impossible.

She learned that a long time ago.

“Why do you think it’s a big deal he’s taking me to his nephew’s party?” Natasha lay down her fork and pushed away her plate, patting her stomach with a groan.

“Because it is.” Ella snapped her fingers like a magician conjuring up doves out of a hat. “He wants to introduce you to the family. That’s serious.”

Natasha rolled her eyes. “It’s his sister, not his entire family. And he’s only asking me to go to make sure nothing goes wrong with the animals or the jumping castle.”

Ella made a pfft sound. “He can pay anybody to do that.” She stirred her latte before taking a sip. “Want to know what I think?”

“I’m sure you’ll tell me anyway.”

“He wants to get the royal stamp of approval. You know, like having you vetted before taking any big steps.”

“You’re out of your mind,” Natasha muttered, hating the tiny, irrational surge of hope deep in her soul that her friend could be right.

She’d never been any good at playing the ‘what if’ game, but since she met Dante she’d found herself doing it all the time.

What if the attraction between them meant something?

What if it grew into something more?

What if fairytales did come true and she finally got the happily ever after she’d only ever dreamed about?

But ‘what ifs’ could be painful. They led to silly dreams and big letdowns. If anyone should know, she should.

Assessing her situation logically, the only big steps Dante would be taking would involve him heading to the airport and back to Calida in the near future.

Ella shrugged. “Hey, it’s just my opinion.”

Natasha stuck her tongue out. “I don’t need that sort of pressure. I’m just having fun with the guy, remember?”

“Uh-huh. Besides, you don’t need anyone’s stamp of approval. You’re fine just the way you are.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence.” Natasha grinned at Ella’s quick backtrack. “Being with Dante is fun and it’s been a long time since I’ve had any. So lighten up, will you?”

Appearing suitably chastised for all of two seconds, Ella took a few gulps of coffee, before murmuring, “The hot prince is taking big steps with you, babe. You’ll see.”

Natasha groaned and flung an empty sugar sachet and a scrunched napkin at her best friend, who ducked and laughed.

Ella had to be wrong. Dante introducing her to Gina and Paolo meant little. No big steps. Just a teeny-tiny one.

She couldn’t contemplate what it could mean if Ella was right.

No, Natasha would be safer sticking with her original theory. Dante needed her around as a pseudo-party planner, ensuring everything ran smoothly.

Besides, big steps led to big trampling, and she had no intention of getting caught underfoot of any guy ever again.

“This is why you wanted the gift delivered?”

Natasha cast a dubious glance at the gleaming motorcycle parked at the curb, its gleaming chrome in perfect contrast with the highly polished black paint.

Dante smiled and held out a helmet to her. “It’s the only way to travel,” he said, while she silently begged to differ. “Ever been on a motorbike before?”

She shook her head, not quite convinced she ever would. Though the bike seemed big it would be flimsy lined up against the cars, trucks, and SUVs on Melbourne’s busy roads.

“It’s easy,” he said. “Just hold on to me tight and you’ll be fine.”

Okay, he’d convinced her.

She may be afraid of big, mechanical things she couldn’t control, but the thought of being plastered against Dante’s back, with her arms wrapped tight around his waist, held a certain appeal.

Besides, what had happened to her ‘let’s have fun for now’ motto?

“Okay.” She slipped the helmet over her head, fiddling with the chin strap before Dante reached over and cinched it.

Her breath hitched as his fingers brushed the skin under her chin, the lightest of touches enough to send heat ripping through her body.

Her eyes closed involuntarily as she savoured the unusual sensation, the purely visceral reaction of a strong, uncontrollable attraction. She’d never experienced anything like it and it was heady stuff.

Dante touched her arm. “Are you sure you’re going to be okay? We can always take a cab.”

Natasha opened her eyes, her gaze connecting with Dante’s concerned one. “I’ll be fine. I haven’t had much to eat today, and just felt woozy for a second.”

She tried not to cringe at how pathetic she sounded but thankfully, he bought her spur of the moment excuse.

“Gina has catered enough food to feed the entire population of Calida, so we’ll get you something to eat when we arrive. Is that soon enough or would you prefer a quick snack before we go?”

“I’m fine, really,” she said, feeling increasingly guilty and finding it difficult not to laugh.

She’d told him she was hungry. Unfortunately, it wasn’t for food, and she wondered what he’d think if he knew he was the tastiest dish on her menu right now.

“Are you absolutely sure?”

She nodded and clambered aboard before she changed her mind. “I’m sure.”

Dante didn’t move, grinning at her like a loon. She guessed the sight of her perched on the back of a motorbike didn’t look as cool as she hoped. Thankfully, she’d worn black hipsters and a matching polo, but perhaps the buckled up salmon-pink trench coat was overkill?

Then again, it wasn’t her fault. She’d wanted to present a chic image to Gina and had expected a civilised mode of transport, not to play a biker chick for the afternoon.

Quelling her growing nerves with effort, she tilted her chin up. “Are you going to ride this thing or just look at it?”

Ignoring her brusqueness, his grin broadened as he climbed aboard, and that’s when the fun really started.

Dante ensured her arms were clasped firmly around his waist, and as she dug her fingers into the buttery soft leather of his jacket, a thrill of pure anticipation shot through her.

As he revved the engine and carefully pulled into traffic, Natasha closed her eyes and sent a silent prayer heavenward to be safe.

The bike shot forward, turned several corners, and hit the beach road curving along Port Phillip Bay, as equal parts excitement and trepidation made Natasha cling to Dante. Adrenalin coursed through her body and she’d never felt better, but she took her prayer one step further.

Let me be safe from falling for a guy like Dante.

Sadly, as the short ride between the hotel and his sister’s beachside mansion ended, she had a sinking feeling it might be too late.