Now that she knew of Alex’s future plans, Dottie had to focus on the additional goal to pursue for his daughter. She needed to help prepare Zoe for the next phase in her life and—
“My, my. What have we here?”
A male voice Dottie didn’t recognize broke in on her thoughts. She turned her head to discover another extremely attractive man with black hair standing at the end of the line. Almost the same height as Alex, he bore a superficial resemblance to him, but his features were less rugged. The brothers could be the same age, which she estimated to be early to mid-thirties.
When she realized it was Crown Prince Stasio, she curtsied. “Welcome home, Your Highness.”
He flashed her an infectious smile. “You don’t need to do that around me. My little brother told me you’re working with Zoe. That makes us all family. Did anyone ever tell you you’re very easy on the eyes?” His were black, too. “Alex held back on that pertinent fact.”
What a tease he was! “Zoe told me you were funny. I think she’s right.”
The crown prince laughed. She noticed he had a fabulous tan. “Tell me about yourself. Where have you been hiding all my life?” He was incorrigible and so different from Alex, who was more serious minded. Of the two, Dottie privately thought that Zoe’s father seemed much more the natural ruler of their country.
“I’m from New York.”
His eyes narrowed. “Coming to Hellenica must feel like you dropped off the edge of the planet, right?”
“It’s paradise here.”
“It is now that I’ve got my little Zoe to dance with.” He reached over and picked up his niece. After they hugged, he set her down again. “Come on. I’m going to spin you around the ballroom.”
Zoe’s smile lit up for real as he whirled her away. Dancing lessons hadn’t been wasted on her either. She moved like a royal princess who was years older, capturing everyone’s attention. People started clapping. Dottie couldn’t have been prouder of her if she’d been Zoe’s real mother.
While she watched, she felt a strong hand slip around her waist. The next thing she knew Alex had drawn her into his arms. His wonderful, clean male scent and the brush of his legs against hers sent sparks of electricity through her system. In her heels, she was a little taller and felt like their bodies had been made for each other.
“Why won’t you look at me?” he whispered. “Everyone’s going to think you don’t like me.”
“I’m trying to concentrate on our dancing. It’s been a long time.” The soft rock had a hypnotizing effect on her. She could stay like this for hours, almost but not quite embracing him.
“For me, too. I’ve been waiting ages to get you in my arms like this. If it’s in plain sight of our guests, so be it. You feel good to me, Dottie. So damn good you’re in danger of being carried off. Only my princely duty keeps me from doing what I feel like doing.”
Ah … Before Zoe’s revelations in the bedroom tonight, Dottie might have allowed herself to be carried away. The clamorings of her body had come to painful life and only he could assuage them.
“I understand. That’s why I’m going to say good-night after this dance. There are other female guests in the ballroom no doubt waiting for their turn around the floor with you. You’re a terrific dancer, by the way.”
“There’s only one woman I want to be with tonight and she’s right here within kissing distance. You could have no idea the willpower it’s taking not to taste that tempting mouth of yours.” He spoke with an intensity that made her legs go weak. “While we were out at the pool, I would have pulled you in if Zoe hadn’t been with us.”
“It’s a good thing you didn’t. Otherwise your daughter will be more confused than ever when she sees you ask Princess Genevieve to dance.”
His body stiffened. She’d hit a nerve, but he had no clue it had pierced her to the depths. “I know you well enough to realize you had a deliberate reason for bringing up her name. Why did you do it?”
Dottie’s heart died a little because the music had stopped, bringing those thrilling moments in his arms to an end. She lifted her head and looked at him for the first time since they’d entered the ballroom. “When you put Zoe to bed tonight, she’ll tell you. Thank you for an enchanting evening, Your Highness. I won’t forget. See you in the morning.”
She eased out of his arms and walked out of the ballroom. But the second she reached the staircase, she raced up the steps and ran the rest of the way to her room.
“Dot,” Zoe called to her the next morning as she and her father came into the classroom. “Look at this?” She held up a CD.
“What’s on it?”
“It’s a surprise. Put it in your laptop,” said Alex.
After giving him a curious glance, Dottie walked around to the end of the table and put it in. After a moment they could all see last night’s events at the party on the screen, complete with the music. There she was enclosed in Alex’s arms. Princess Genevieve would not have been happy.
Whoever had taken the video had caught everything, including what went on after Dottie had left the ballroom. Her throat swelled with emotion as she watched Alex dance with his daughter. If he’d asked Princess Genevieve to dance, that portion hadn’t been put on the CD.
She smiled at Zoe. “You’re so lucky to have a video of your first party. Did you love it?”
“Yes!” There weren’t any shadows in the little girl’s eyes. Whatever conversation had taken place between father and daughter at bedtime, she looked happy. “Uncle Stasi told me I could stand on his feet while he danced with me. He made me laugh.”
“The crown prince is a real character.” Her gaze swerved to Alex. “He made me laugh, as well. I’ve decided you and your brother must have given certain people some nervous moments when you were younger.”
Alex’s grin turned her heart right over. “Our parents particularly. My brother was upset you left the party before he could dance with you.”
“Maybe that was for the best. My high heels might have hurt the tops of his feet.”
At that remark both he and Zoe laughed. Dottie was enjoying this too much and suggested they get started on the morning lesson.
They worked in harmony until Alex said it was time for lunch by the pool. After they’d finished eating, Zoe ran into the cabana to get into her swimsuit. Dottie took advantage of the time they were alone to talk to him.
“I’m glad we’re by ourselves for a minute. I want to discuss Zoe’s preschool situation and wondered how you’d feel if I went with her to class in the morning. You know, just to prop up her confidence. We’ll come back here for lunch and enjoy our afternoon session with her out here. What do you think?”
He sipped his coffee. “That’s an excellent suggestion. Otherwise she’ll keep putting off wanting to go back.”
“Exactly.”
Alex released a sigh. “Since our talk about her friends, I’ve worried about her being away from the other children this long.”
Dottie was glad they were on her same wavelength. “Is there any particular child she’s close to at school?”
Their gazes held. “Not that she has mentioned. As you know, school hasn’t been her best experience.”
“Then