Aunt Zoe was in Switzerland, but she’d left instructions with her staff that her house was always available to the royal family. After Stefan’s security finished securing the seaside home, Eve and Stefan walked inside. The two-story foyer featured large windows, an unusual chandelier of crystal and copper, and a double staircase.
“It’s beautiful,” she said.
“Yes,” Stefan agreed and extended his hand to her. “But upstairs is better.” He led the way upstairs and down a hallway to a den with a swirling paddle fan overhead, white cushy-looking furniture, a bar and kitchen.
“Aunt Zoe designed it all. It’s a hobby for her. She also has homes in Switzerland, Bellagio and Manhattan,” he said.
“Sounds like she’s a woman on the move,” Eve said. “And very talented.”
“You like it?” he asked.
“It’s luxurious, but soothing at the same time. I just probably wouldn’t go with a white couch. I’d be afraid of getting it dirty.” She laughed. “No. I’d definitely get it dirty.”
He liked the way she enjoyed the house and saw herself in it with a modification. “It’s nice being with a woman who’s not so—” He paused. “Overly fashion conscious.”
She smiled. “Or prissy.”
He smiled in return. “That word didn’t occur to me.”
“Bet it will now,” she said.
He swallowed a chuckle. “You still haven’t seen the best part. Come on,” he said and led her through the glass doors to the expansive balcony with two chaise longues, a table with an umbrella, and a view of the hippest beach in Chantaine. The music of an American R&B band rose from just beneath them.
She tilted her head quizzically. “That sounds awfully familiar. Are they a cover band for … “ She glanced over the balcony. “Americans? Here in Chantaine?”
He shook his head, amused again. “We have many American visitors every year. Some Americans like it here, Eve.”
“Well, of course they do,” she said. “I just didn’t expect to see one of my favorite R&B bands playing on one of Chantaine’s beaches.”
“Think about it. You play a lot of cities and concert halls. Then you get a chance to play in paradise, all expenses paid.”
“How come you never see these gigs listed on the band website?” she asked.
“Privacy’s also one of our charms.”
“Hmm. Maybe it shouldn’t be,” she said.
“What do you mean?” he asked, unable to conceal a trace of indignation. “Part of Chantaine’s attraction is that we’re not overexposed.”
“I hate to bust your ego, but before I met your sister Tina, I didn’t know Chantaine existed. Granted, I’m not a world traveler, but I’m college educated and always got As in Geography. If Chantaine’s economy is suffering, maybe it’s time to let the cat of the bag about what a great place this is.”
“It’s a delicate balance,” he said. “The advisers and state officials can’t agree.”
“Makes you wish you were the boss of everything,” she said and smiled.
“Enough about business. Let’s enjoy the music,” he said, joining her at the balcony railing.
“And the ocean breeze,” she said, lifting her chin and closing her eyes.
He skimmed his hand down the inside of her arm. “And the company. Would you like a drink?”
Her eyes flashed open, and she leaned close to him, and she whispered, “Are you sure we should raid your aunt’s liquor cabinet?”
Stefan laughed, full and hard, at the ridiculous question. He hadn’t laughed this hard in a long time. The notion that his aunt would be upset at his use of anything in her home was ridiculous. He led Eve inside to the bar. “I’ll replace anything we use,” he assured her. “What’s your pleasure?”
“I’m not a big drinker,” she said, looking at the rows of liquor, but stopped when she saw a bottle of bourbon. “But I could sip on a Texas Rose.”
“What’s that?” he asked.
She gave a mock gasp. “You mean I know something you don’t?”
“What’s in it?” he asked. “I’ll fix it.”
“You?” she asked, her eyes rounded in surprise. “I thought you had staff for everything.”
“I do, but that doesn’t mean I can’t do most of what my staff can do,” he said. “Why do you think I fired so many stable masters?”
She winced. “That’s scary.”
“Ingredients,” he demanded and stepped behind the bar.
“I’ve only had it a few times,” she said. “Bourbon, orange juice, cherry liquor … and champagne.”
He lifted an eyebrow, but grabbed the bourbon from the second shelf. The bottle was dusty. “Prissy drink.”
“Maybe,” she said. “But if you drink it, too, you can always say you’ve had a Texas Rose.”
Stefan paused as he pulled out a chilled can of orange juice and met her gaze. “I’ve never needed to embellish my successes.”
“There’s always a first,” she returned and pulled her long bangs behind her ear.
Her ears were naked except for silver studs. It struck him that he would love to see her dripping with Chantaine’s royal family’s jewels … and nothing else. He felt himself grow hard and ground his teeth. On impulse he mixed two drinks at once, then poured the liquid into two glasses filled with ice. Walking from behind the bar, he gave Eve her glass and lifted his. “To a Texas Rose,” he said, “transplanted to Chantaine.”
She clicked his glass with hers and took a sip. “Not bad for a prince,” she said.
Stefan resisted the urge to seduce her to lie down on one of those white couches and make wild, crazy love with her. “Let’s go outside, Madamoiselle Texas Rose,” he said and guided her to the balcony again.
They stood at the balcony and she sipped her drink, the wind lifting her hair from her shoulders. Stefan slid his arm around her waist. “You’re homesick,” he said. “What do you miss most?”
“You weren’t supposed to notice,” she said, giving a soft smile as she looked at him. “I was trying not to let it show.”
“You didn’t answer my question. What do you miss most?” he asked.
“The familiarity, my aunt, barbecue. This isn’t my turf,” she said.
“It will be,” he said. “It won’t take long. Chantaine is small compared to Texas.”
“But complex and still very foreign to me,” she said.
“That will change soon enough.”
“If you say so,” she said.
The doubt in her voice surprised him. She was usually so confident, so ready to come back at him. “What made you question your ability?”
“Today shook me a little,” she confessed.
“Franz?” he said and gave a short laugh. “He’s a necessary nuisance. This won’t be your last run-in with him.”
She made a face. “I’d like it to be. I didn’t know whether I would be staying or going.”
“You’re