and the role her ancestors had played over the centuries. Then, because he was so curious, he had investigated other royal households in Lichtenstein, Spain, Denmark and the United Kingdom. On the surface, none of them appeared to be as strict as Challoner but then, he didn’t know what happened behind the closed palace doors.
“I was thinking how lovely you look,” he said and meant it. He was tired and knew he would suffer from jet lag and yet Lara was perfect, her features serene, her hair and makeup understated and elegant.
“You’re very forthright. It embarrasses me.” Faint color kissed her cheeks.
“Don’t worry. I’ll behave myself in front of your family.”
“I think you should relax and be yourself, Jack.”
He grinned. “If that was the case, I wouldn’t be able to keep my hands off you and would ravish you on the banquet table in front of everyone.”
She surprised him by giggling as her cheeks grew pinker. “Have you forgiven me for getting you into this mess?”
“Lara, it’s not a mess. It’s a holiday, so don’t worry about me.” He caught her hand and lifted it to his lips. “It will do me good to behave myself for a change.”
~ * ~
A flurry of snowflakes greeted Lara as she emerged from the aircraft on the private runway a few miles from the palace and the city of Challoner. She quickly descended the steps to the tarmac and entered the waiting limousine, which carried the royal standard. Jack was close behind her and the length of his thigh touched hers as they settled into their seats in the back of the vehicle. There was a partition separating them from the driver allowing them privacy.
He shook the snow from his hair. “Phew. What a welcome. It’s freezing out there.”
She flicked back the hood of her white fake fur coat. Her throat was strangely tight and her eyes stung with unshed tears. She was home. For all that she had thought about coming home and the duties this involved in the role of a royal princess, she had missed Challoner and particularly missed her family. Soon she would see them.
“I told you it was winter,” she managed to reply, swallowing the sudden emotion.
His dark head touched her blonde one for a moment and her heart began to pound. “Yes, but you didn’t tell me it was going to be this cold, princess,” he whispered. Was he going to kiss her? No. He was drawing away.
“Jack, hold me for a moment. I’m nervous,” she whispered back. Had she really said that aloud? She couldn’t believe it.
His arms instantly surrounded her and pulled her to his chest as his head rested on hers. “Why? Are your parents so intimidating?”
“No. But then I’ve never brought a lover home to meet them before.”
“I’m glad to hear it.”
She looked up at him, his sensual mouth so close. She needed him. Needed his strength and confidence but, mostly his physical presence.
He must have sensed it as his long fingers cupped her jaw and his tongue traced the soft fullness of her lips. His kiss, as his mouth moved over hers, was warm and firm. When he drew back, she was on fire from his touch.
“That will have to suffice for a while.” He smiled.
Too overcome to reply, she turned to look out the window. How could she have asked him to hold her? It was as if she lost control every time he came near. Perhaps he had cast a spell on her when they were on the island in the fairy tale cottage. It had been such a magical place, she would believe anything.
The snow had eased and she peered at the familiar countryside as the car made its stately way to the palace. The media hadn’t been informed of her arrival and she knew this was what her parents and the palace officials had wanted. She and Jack would be smuggled into the palace, surrounded by security guards and Jack’s strange visit would begin.
Thirty minutes later, the vehicle stopped in front of the Challoner palace. She greeted her aide, Rudolf Meinhart, and her maid, Greta, and introduced them
“I was thinking how lovely you look,” he said and meant it. He was tired and knew he would suffer from jet lag and yet Lara was perfect, her features serene, her hair and makeup understated and elegant.
“You’re very forthright. It embarrasses me.” Faint color kissed her cheeks.
“Don’t worry. I’ll behave myself in front of your family.”
“I think you should relax and be yourself, Jack.”
He grinned. “If that was the case, I wouldn’t be able to keep my hands off you and would ravish you on the banquet table in front of everyone.”
She surprised him by giggling as her cheeks grew pinker. “Have you forgiven me for getting you into this mess?”
“Lara, it’s not a mess. It’s a holiday, so don’t worry about me.” He caught her hand and lifted it to his lips. “It will do me good to behave myself for a change.”
~ * ~
A flurry of snowflakes greeted Lara as she emerged from the aircraft on the private runway a few miles from the palace and the city of Challoner. She quickly descended the steps to the tarmac and entered the waiting limousine, which carried the royal standard. Jack was close behind her and the length of his thigh touched hers as they settled into their seats in the back of the vehicle. There was a partition separating them from the driver allowing them privacy.
He shook the snow from his hair. “Phew. What a welcome. It’s freezing out there.”
She flicked back the hood of her white fake fur coat. Her throat was strangely tight and her eyes stung with unshed tears. She was home. For all that she had thought about coming home and the duties this involved in the role of a royal princess, she had missed Challoner and particularly missed her family. Soon she would see them.
“I told you it was winter,” she managed to reply, swallowing the sudden emotion.
His dark head touched her blonde one for a moment and her heart began to pound. “Yes, but you didn’t tell me it was going to be this cold, princess,” he whispered. Was he going to kiss her? No. He was drawing away.
“Jack, hold me for a moment. I’m nervous,” she whispered back. Had she really said that aloud? She couldn’t believe it.
His arms instantly surrounded her and pulled her to his chest as his head rested on hers. “Why? Are your parents so intimidating?”
“No. But then I’ve never brought a lover home to meet them before.”
“I’m glad to hear it.”
She looked up at him, his sensual mouth so close. She needed him. Needed his strength and confidence but, mostly his physical presence.
He must have sensed it as his long fingers cupped her jaw and his tongue traced the soft fullness of her lips. His kiss, as his mouth moved over hers, was warm and firm. When he drew back, she was on fire from his touch.
“That will have to suffice for a while.” He smiled.
Too overcome to reply, she turned to look out the window. How could she have asked him to hold her? It was as if she lost control every time he came near. Perhaps he had cast a spell on her when they were on the island in the fairy tale cottage. It had been such a magical place, she would believe anything.
The snow had eased and she peered at the familiar countryside as the car made its stately way to the palace. The media hadn’t been informed of her arrival and she knew this was what her parents and the palace officials had wanted. She and Jack would be smuggled into the palace, surrounded by security guards and Jack’s strange visit would begin.
Thirty minutes later, the vehicle stopped in front of the Challoner palace. She greeted her aide, Rudolf Meinhart, and her maid, Greta, and introduced them
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