Something clenched in his gut. Something harsher, more intense than lust.
He was a damn tolo. Fool. That was the only explanation for having these reactions after what she’d done to him. He needed to focus on the plan, the throne, the baby. Everything else—including his lustful feelings—would have to be put aside.
“I don’t trust you,” he countered. “There’s a difference.”
Those heavy lids shielded her dark eyes for a moment as she stared down to where his hands lay on her stomach.
“I didn’t trap you,” she whispered as her eyes drifted back up to his. “No matter what you think of me, I’d never do that to you or an innocent child.”
Luc swallowed as her hand settled over his. There was so much emotion in her eyes, so much he was too afraid to identify, because if he did, he’d start feeling more for her, and he refused to be played like a fantouche, a puppet, for a third time.
Pride and ego fueled his decisions. Power and control ran a close second. And all those things combined would get him everything he’d ever wanted...everything he was entitled to.
Luc shifted to sit up, but didn’t remove his hand, and for some asinine reason he didn’t break eye contact, either. Obviously, he was a glutton for punishment.
“I want you to move into the palace.”
Of course, he had bigger plans, but he had to ease her into this. She wasn’t the only one skilled at manipulation.
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”
She removed her hand from his, a silent plea for him to move, so he pulled back. The first slight dip in the plane’s decent reminded Luc he hadn’t fastened his seat belt because he’d been worried for her. He quickly buckled it, then turned his attention back to Kate.
“Why not?” he asked. “Moving into the palace is the ideal solution. We’ll be sharing responsibilities. I know we’ll hire a nanny, but I plan on being a hands-on dad.”
Kate shoved her hair away from her face. A thin sleep mark ran down her cheek. It made her seem so vulnerable, and it was all he could do not to touch her again. “What will happen when you want to actually marry someone? Are you going to explain to your bride that your baby mama is living there, too?”
Luc laughed. “That’s a pretty crass way to put it.”
Kate shrugged, lacing her fingers together as she glanced out the window. “I’m not sugarcoating this situation and neither should you.”
Luc didn’t say anything else. He would sway her with his actions, not his words. She would come to see that living with him, ultimately marrying him, would be the best way to approach their predicament. And when they married, she would be sleeping in his bed again. He’d make sure of it.
Now he just needed to get his hormones under control, because he was physically aching for her. Being near her now that he’d had her was pure hell. The woman was made for him. Nobody had ever matched him in the bedroom—or shower—the way she did.
Yet Kate was so much more than a sex partner. He’d discovered an emptiness in him now that they were back to keeping things professional. No matter the circumstances surrounding the false engagement, Luc couldn’t help but think back and realize those days spent on the island were some of the happiest of his life.
* * *
Kate had been to many royal events over the past year as an official employee of the Silva family. Before that, she’d seen enough to know that royalty never did anything halfway, especially when it came to weddings.
The ceremony uniting Darcy and Mikos Alexander had taken place earlier in the day, and now only the couple’s closest family and guests, of which there appeared to be several hundred, remained for the reception.
No expense had been spared for the event taking place both in the ballroom and out in the courtyard at the palace on Galini Isle, off the coast of Greece. Every stationary item was draped with something crystal, shimmering or sheer.
As she watched the bride and groom dance, Kate couldn’t help but smile. Mikos had lost his first wife suddenly, leaving him to care for their infant daughter alone. Needing a break, he’d gone to Los Angeles to get away and think. He’d hired Darcy to be his daughter’s nanny, and before long the two had fallen in love...even though Mikos had slightly deceived Darcy, because she’d had no idea he was royalty. Of course, none of that had made it to the press, but Kate knew the whole story from Luc.
Luc and Mikos had been best friends forever. Kate was quite familiar with Mikos and his brother, Stefan, who was also in attendance, with his stunning wife, Victoria.
Even if the crystal chandeliers, flawless ice sculptures, millions of clear twinkling lights and yards upon yards of sheer draping hadn’t screamed elegance and beauty, the gorgeous people milling about certainly would have.
This was definitely one of those times she was thankful her mother was the royal seamstress. By the time Luc had sprung the trip on her, Kate hadn’t had time to go shopping. So her mom had taken an old gown and made enough modifications to transform it into something lovely and totally unique. What had once been a simple, fitted silver dress was now unrecognizable. The sleeves had been removed and the top had been cut into a sweetheart neckline to give the allure of sexiness with a slight show of cleavage. Her mother had then had the brilliant idea of taking strands of clear beads and sewing them so they would drape across Kate’s arms, as if her straps had fallen and settled just above her biceps.
Kate actually felt beautiful in this dress, and judging from the way Luc had stared at her without saying a word when he’d come to get her for the wedding, she had to assume he thought she looked nice, as well.
She still couldn’t get the image out of her mind of him waking her for the landing. He’d been so close, staring at her as if he wanted to touch her, kiss her. Their chemistry wasn’t in question, that was obvious, but he clearly battled whether or not to act on it.
Maybe their time apart would have him coming around, to see that she truly wasn’t aiming for the crown. She sure as hell wasn’t Alana.