To Steal a Prince by Cora Caraway Page A

with, and how long they’ve lasted here. But I don’t have the nerve. I don’t want to hear how he’s had countless other conquests. I don’t need to know how much curvier they were than I am, how much better they were in bed.
    “Are your parents still in California?”
    Whipping around, I frown at him. “Why?”
    “I just wondered if they’ve ever visited here. They must be missing you.”
    He looks uncomfortable. I realize that I’m being way too defensive for such a simple question, but it did come out of nowhere. Relaxing my shoulders, I try to release some tension.
    “We don’t speak much anymore. They were very upset that I left.” That’s enough of the truth for now.
    “I’m sorry. It’s hard to lose a parent, no matter what the circumstances.”
    I slip down until the water laps my eyelashes. This isn’t turning out to be the romantic scene I’d envisioned when we first stripped off our clothes. I must be the only woman in the world who would mope when pulled into a pool by a half-naked prince. And he’s gallant through it all. I want to sink to the bottom and not bother coming back up for air.
    “Let’s switch to a lighter topic,” Damon says. “Is there anything you’d like to do in our city? I’m a magnificent tour guide. I’ve played the nanny for countless foreign dignitaries.”
    I imagine him pushing a wizened diplomat around in a stroller, and have to smile.
    “You’ve already sampled our museums,” he teases, “and our auto scene.”
    I’d dunk him if I didn’t richly deserve the ribbing. “I always like beaches. You’d think I’d have gotten enough of them on the cruise ship, but it was mostly boring ocean. I had to work on the ship when we were in port, so even though we anchored at many world-class beaches, I never got to feel the sand between my toes.”
    “The beach? That can be arranged. I can take you there tomorrow. I’ll tell Nic to make arrangements.”
    That’s the last person I want to see right now. “Don’t have him do anything on my account. I wouldn’t want to make more work for him.”
    “You know what? Forget Nic. Let’s go now.” Damon sets his hands on the pool’s edge, ready to lift himself out.
    “No, not yet. There’s something I want to do first.”
    He turns. “And what’s that?”
    Now I have to, before I lose my nerve. I push off the clear wall, gliding across the pool to him. I don’t aim to land beside him. I aim to land in his arms.
    He looks surprised, but readies to catch me. I must have misjudged my strength, because I crash into him. Damon laughs, hooking my legs up over his waist. Instinctively, I wrap my arms around him and press myself against him. His skin is hot despite the cool water. I can’t believe we’re this close.
    It feels like my heart might beat out of my chest. Damon looks into my eyes. This is my moment. Now or never.
    I touch my lips to his. They’re so soft, so infinitely kissable. Damon responds, his mouth needy on mine, as if this is the last kiss he’ll ever get. I put a hand to his chest, and feel his heart beating like a drum. I’m thrilled that he wants me too. I don’t care what I am to him right now, or desire to label this strange relationship. All I want is to live in this electric moment, arching toward him with every fiber of my being.
    Damon draws away, panting. “I was hoping that’s what you wanted to do.”
    I reward him with another kiss. In this long, lovely moment, he is mine, all mine. I have my lips in his, my hand tangled in his hair, my thighs squeezing his hips. Pressing my hand to his chest, I dig my fingers into his skin. His heart speeds, and mine responds in kind. His lips pull me into him, and I lose all desire to escape.
    We finally come up for air. Damon dabs away a drop of water that slides down my temple. Sighing, I lie my head on his strong shoulder. Damon cradles me against him. The only sound in the room is the river running into our oasis.
    The prince tucks a wet