“Why are you so nervous about whatever is on that sim card?”
“What are you talking about?” I didn’t need to see the color of her face to know she’d turned a lovely shade of rose.
“You seemed very interested in what the photographer might have captured on his lens the night before you left.”
“Nothing worthwhile.”
I pushed her against the side of the building, planting my hands on either side of her. She slouched against the stone, even being daring by propping one foot on the surface. “You’re lying.”
“Now, why would you make such an accusation?”
“Because,” I said as I ran my finger under her chin. “As you said yourself, I know almost all your dirty little secrets. So confess.”
When she tried to slide under my arm, I prevented her from doing so. The frustration on her face was adorable. “Fine. I did a little strip tease.”
“What?”
“Don’t rub it in.”
Rearing back, I rubbed my jaw, a strange feeling of true jealousy disturbing. “For a man you didn’t know?”
The little brat tried to turn her head, which I captured with my fingers, forcing her to look me in the eyes. “You’re impossible.” But this time, she didn’t try to pull away.
“Noted.” By the fact she suddenly couldn’t look me in the eye brought a laugh. “You thought I was outside.”
“Well, you were. Weren’t you?”
“That’s beside the point.”
“Is it? No wonder Peter Kendall was fully aroused when I found him, and very angry when I’d snatched his camera.”
“He was not.” Huffing, she managed to push me hard enough I was forced to take a step away, still laughing.
“Trust me. He was.”
“You are so infuriating. You had better make sure those pictures never see the light of day.” She stormed off, even cursing under her breath. This time in French. A little habit when the Prince family was flustered.
“I’ll do my best. But remember, princess, you’ll owe me a favor or two.”
“Over your dead body. You’ve never learned any manners.”
Teasing her brought me great joy since she’d been the mistress of doing so for years and I’d been hesitant in what was said back to her. No longer. I fell into step with her, remaining quiet.
After a few seconds, she finally tossed me a look. “You really are terrible.”
“So you’ve told me. But you’re wrong about one thing. I did learn manners. My mother was insistent. She was the one whoinflicted punishment, which is why I know discipline can work.” If she caught my insinuation, I couldn’t tell given the volley of curse words.
We walked in silence while she fumed, her steps finally slowing. I dared put my arm around her, more to annoy her to no end, but she didn’t fight me. We settled into a rhythm, enjoying the nightlife, the sights and sounds of the city.
“I’m sorry about your parents.”
Hearing the sadness in her voice had a calming effect on me. We’d spend the day together, pretending as if we were a couple taking a vacation. We’d gone to the beach and other than the day before when I’d found her lounging in the sun at a popular resort, I couldn’t remember the last time I’d enjoyed spending time in the sun let alone doing so beside the ocean waters.
She’d even dared me to come into the water with her, teasing me relentlessly until she’d managed to pull me under just as a wave swept over us.
While she’d laughed, I’d experienced a moment of frustration, which of course had driven her into another rush of laughter that had encouraged me to tackle her into the surf. Kissing her had been the only thing I could do.
Now I had my arm around her waist as we headed down the crowded street, the festival-like atmosphere surprisingly relaxing. Maybe that’s why I didn’t mind sharing what had been one of two painful moments of my life.