“He used me to get to my boss, and when I figured it out, he said he wanted to marry me.” She shook her head. Though it had been years, it still hurt. “It was ridiculous how simple he thought I was. It taught me never, ever mix business with pleasure.”
He said, “Humph. I learned that lesson the hard way too.”
“You did?”
“It’s why Prince Alex hates me and why I also have a very strict policy about not mixing business with pleasure.”
“That should make tonight easier. I don’t want anything from you beyond what we’ve already agreed to.” She laughed lightly. “Except maybe a good time. I haven’t been out in forever.”
He nodded. The stern expression on his face softened. She swore he almost smiled.
“At the end of the evening, I’ll take back the bracelet.”
She said, “Good,” but she got a weird feeling, as if there was some kind of subtext to everything he said, and she didn’t have the code for it.
The inside of the car grew silent again. She wondered what had happened to him that he’d learned the lesson, especially since it involved Prince Alex. Had the prince approached him for a favor? Or used him? She couldn’t picture Prince Alex using anybody. Ever. It didn’t make sense.
She waited a minute, hoping Dean would resume the conversation and explain, but of course he didn’t. Curiosity wouldn’t let her brain rest. And the limo was so quiet. Too quiet.
“So what happened?”
He peered over at her. “Excuse me?”
“What happened? Who used you?”
“I don’t talk about my private life.”
“You might not, but knowing why Prince Alex dislikes you would really help me when I have to explain to the princess that I approached you.”
His gaze swung to hers. She didn’t know if it was surprise or annoyance she heard in his voice when he said, “Princess Eva didn’t send you?”
She shook her head. “It just didn’t seem right that you weren’t on the list of companies to try to woo to our country. Grennady is desperate to bring jobs for young people. And here you were with this great company and nobody was showing you what we had to offer. I was trying to do something good. I didn’t know Prince Alex doesn’t like you. When Princess Eva finds out I approached you, I’m screwed.”
“Maybe you shouldn’t tell her.”
She shook her head. “Not telling her would be a lie of omission. I can’t be dishonest.”
His eyes narrowed as he studied her face. “Which means you knew you’d be telling them eventually. So you probably had an explanation in mind. Why not use that?”
She shrugged. “My endgame was to be able to tell them you’d be visiting in January to consider our country as the new home for your company. And they’d be so happy that they’d be glad I took the risk.”
“I’m not coming to your country.”
“Well, I know that now. And I know that has something to do with your feud with Prince Alex—”
“It’s not a feud. He doesn’t like me.”
“Well, that’s just shocking, considering your sparkling personality and all.”
He laughed. “As if Alex Sancho is better.”
“He adores my princess. He works as hard as any employee in the palace. He’s kind to the staff. So, yeah. He’s a good guy.”
Dean sniffed. “He might be the happiest prince in the world now, but he wasn’t always a good guy.”
“I know that at one time he was sort of a playboy, gambler. I’m guessing the same is true with you. That you weren’t always this dry and stuffy. I’m guessing that whatever happened between you and Alex, it happened when you were young—” she sneaked a peek at him “—and foolish.”
He grimaced. “I was foolish, all right.”
She groaned. “Tell me, so I know how to apologize to the princess and her husband for overstepping.”
“Just say you’re sorry.”
“Please.”
“No.”
CHAPTER FOUR
THE NOTE OF finality in Dean’s voice told Kristen the conversation was over. To seal the deal, his phone rang.