“I don’t want to get married right now. Kaled still has five unmarried sisters besides me . . .Why me?”
“He’s worried about your future.”
“Don’t start sounding like my mother. You, of all people, know I dream of marrying for love. And even if the possibility is small, I won’t give up that easily.”
“Forgive me. You’re right. But if you want my opinion, just have dinner with the prince. If nothing comes of it, at least you’ll have made a friend.”
“I’ll think about it, but don’t tell Kaled, or he’ll start planning things. I have to go. I love you.”
“Love you too.”
Three weeks later
“This new wardrobe you helped me choose feels so daring.”
“It’s modern. You’re gorgeous, but you needed to highlight your sensuality more.”
“Are you saying I dressed like an old woman?”
“No, but your choices weren’t exactly . . .charming. You’re stunning, Jazmina. And even more beautiful wearing my designs,” she says, referring to the silver-and-amethyst bracelet. “It looks perfect with that sexy purple dress.”
“I thought we’d go to a hotel first, but Rodrick said his staff will take our luggage and we’ll go straight to the yacht,” I say, checking myself in the mirror.
I have to admit Josephine has great taste. I feel like a princess . . .oops. Iama princess.
“I prefer it that way. I’m excited! This is the coolest thing I’ve done since coming to Europe.”
“I thought I was enthusiastic about life, but you beat me a thousand times over.”
“I savor every second. When I die, hopefully in a very long time, I want someone to look at my grave and say:‘Wow, she really lived.’”
I laugh out loud.
Josephine has made my life lighter, a good surprise from fate.
The doorbell rings, and I’m not shocked the doorman didn’t announce Rodrick. Even though he’s never been here, I don’t doubt he knows every detail about where I live.
“Go open it. I’ll touch up my makeup.” She slips into the bathroom.
My heart hammers so hard it almost bruises my ribs. My legs turn to jelly as I walk.
I grip the doorknob and inhale deeply. It’s the first time we’ve seen each other in person since Scotland.
When I open the door, memory loses badly to reality.
He’s breathtaking. Dressed in all black, a shadow of stubble sharpening his devastating chin, and finally, those incredible blue eyes that look straight through me.
Chapter 21
I thought I was ready to see her again.
Taking her to Scotland was a mistake, because Jazmina has always been a temptation for me. From the day I saw her dancing on top of the table on Vicenzzo’s yacht, I wanted her.
That doesn’t mean I’d ever seduce the sister of one of my closest friends, but I’m no hypocrite. There’s something about this girl that drives my system insane.
Maybe it’s everything about her, because besides being beautiful, she smells good and feels soft.
And though I’ve never spent time replaying nights with my women, I can’t get out of my head what it felt like to have her sleeping in my arms that night.