Forbidden King (Princes of Avce Book 9) Read online

  Until ten minutes ago, he hadn’t thought of Anna as someone he’d be with, which probably made him a snob. He’d noticed her curves, but never once spent any time imagining the color of her nipples underneath her bra. Now the question hung in his brain as he stared at her shoe on the hardwood floor and asked, “Why did you say yes?”

  Anna too looked down and then she tucked her foot behind her calf as she struggled for words. Finally she said, “Because… being a queen would be a dream.”

  Was there to be total truth between them? Beauty and trust were a rare combination. He traced the edge of his desk with the heel of his palm. “Even though you know about Francesca?”

  She let out a deep breath and met his gaze without blinking. “You don’t love her, Sire.”

  Anna sounded so sure. So had his parents. They were right, but he hadn’t claimed otherwise. “How do you know that?”

  Her light brown brow rose as if he’d said something silly. “Because you wouldn’t have paid her to stay away.”

  Ouch. And she was right. Anna had ensured that Francesca deposited the check she’d filled out on his behalf. His shoulders relaxed as he nodded. “Anna, maybe you and my parents are right about Francesca and me, but agreeing to marry me is a bit of leap. I expected you to laugh in my face and tell me you had a boyfriend.”

  She glanced at his shoulder now as she almost whispered, “I’ve never laughed at you, Sire, and I have no boyfriend.”

  Good. He didn’t need to share her, and that pleased him. Now that Anna was a possibility, he noticed the fullness of her lower lip. He looked again. Anna had the potential to be absolutely stunning. He placed one hand next to hers. “Anna, I’ve never seen you with your hair out of that bun.”

  She reached behind her head and gave him the stare she gave him when handing over a report. No-nonsense. “Do you want me to take my hair down, Your Highness?”

  He shifted toward her and nodded. Brown, yes, but how long? Would it be soft, or coarse? “Yes, let’s see it.”

  She lightly chewed on her lower lip and took out pins. Then she unwound her hair from a tight circle and removed an elastic.

  He stared in fascination as her hair was lighter brown than he’d thought. It cascaded down her neck, straight at her shoulder blade as she shook it out and said, “It’s a bit of a mess.”

  Or bed-ready. His fingers ached to run his hands through the strands.

  Perhaps his mother had hired Anna for him last year, hoping he’d take her. And he’d been the fool that let social status and castle politics blind him. Leo stared at her lightly pink mouth—he knew she wore ChapStick she kept on her desk. “No, no. You look kissable.”

  He came closer to steal a taste. She pressed her hand to his chest as she lowered her lashes, “Your Highness…”

  His lips were a fraction of a centimeter from her as he said in a low voice, “We’ll be expected to have children. I’d like to know what my future wife kisses like.”

  She closed her eyes and offered her parted lips when she said, “If you want…”

  “I want.” He wrapped his arms around her back, tugging her closer.

  She let out a sigh and then he kissed her strawberry ChapStick.

  Anna’s kiss was sweet, almost innocent, though her hands wrapped around his shoulders, letting him know she wanted him back.

  Leo deepened the kiss, picking up her leg and depositing it on his so her chest was pressed against his, despite the clothes.

  He ran his hands through her silky hair—it was oh, so soft.

  Her moan encouraged him, but he stopped himself.

  The last thing the world press needed to see was her bruised lips from too many kisses.

  After tomorrow, after the wedding, no one would see them for a while.

  He could take his time then.

  He fixed his shirt as he stood from the desk, handing her the shoe she’d dropped. She slipped it on and tried to straighten her hair as she asked, “Is that all, Your Highness?”

  If they continued, he’d strip her bare, right here, and not care if he took her where he normally read over reports and had her fetching his coffee. He adjusted his jacket and motioned toward the door. “Better get going to my mother’s tailor.”

  “I’ll file this on my way out.” She picked up the report on trees that had dropped to the ground somewhere in their kiss. She hugged the papers. “I will speak to my grandmother tonight.”

  He tilted his head and stared at Anna, unsure what the problem might be. He was the future king. “Won’t she approve?”

  She shook her head and shrugged. “Probably not, at least not right away, but I’ll handle it. We can marry in the morning.”

  Why would anyone refuse his offer? Anna’s grandmother must be interesting.

  He didn’t say anything and she sashayed toward the door. He called out to her curvy backside, “Anna, wait.”

  She turned around and lowered her head again like they were still boss and employee as she asked, “Yes, Your Highness?”

  He crossed the room and lifted her chin. Once she stared at him, the memory of her kiss lingering on his lips, he said, “Call me Leo or Leopoldo from now on.”

  She let out a sigh. “I…”

  Her voice had trailed off, and whatever she intended to say was gone. He didn’t want to let her go and he ran his hands through her mane of hair, all waves from the bun. “Anna, next time we meet it will be our wedding. I promise that I’ll be less in crisis-mode and more of a gentleman.”

  She turned her head like she’d kiss his hand that touched her. “You’re always a gentleman, Your High… Leo.”

  The way she said his name made him pause. He kissed her cheek, and then stepped back. “See you tomorrow then, for our wedding.”

  Without another word, she left. He watched the door close and only in the silence did he finally think.

  Tomorrow was his wedding day. And somehow he had a bride he both desired and never expected. A few hours ago all of this seemed absolutely impossible, but now he’d spend the night wondering if that strawberry taste was all over her bare skin or just on her pink lips.

  He reached onto her desk and picked up her ChapStick, tucking it in his pocket.

  Chapter 2

  For the first time in the past year since Anna Camila Bruno left the palace grounds to drive home after work, she hummed the entire way. She didn’t touch her horn; traffic on the twisting two-lane asphalt road was light despite the hour.

  She felt at peace with the world, like nothing could pierce through her bubble as she went over and over Leopoldo’s marriage proposal. Anna, well aware of the law and that his thirtieth birthday was fast approaching, had even set him up on dates with noble ladies, but he’d rebelled.

  So when he’d asked her, her heart had almost stopped.

  She touched her mouth, knowing she hadn’t imagined that kiss.

  No man had ever made her veins buzz--and Leopoldo wasn’t just a man, but the Prince of Avce, next in line for king.

  She half expected to arrive at her grandmother’s condo and for a camera crew to yell out ‘gotchya’ like a prank television show.

  Her, married to Leopoldo?

  After her parents’ boat had capsized and they’d drowned while she’d been away at college, Anna Camila hadn’t truly hoped for anything, other than her next vacation.

  Leo could have asked one of his models that he enjoyed spending time with to marry him but for some reason he’d ignored physical attributes and asked her. Not that she was ugly, but she wasn’t a heart-stopping beauty. Starting tomorrow that kiss might happen every day for the rest of her life!

  Her lips tingled at the idea and she laughed aloud as she turned into her grandmother’s retirement community, where she and Maria shared a two-bedroom condo. She parked, the white-washed palace, blue flags flapping in the wind, visible against the aqua sky just starting to turn a myriad of colors now that evening approached.

  Today she was late as the tailor had take
n her measurements and showed her various fabrics to choose for a wedding dress. Then she’d hand-picked the best of the office personnel for her position and spoke with her new replacement, Pierre Lievre. When Leo was in town, Anna would work late, so she didn’t worry that her grandmother was concerned by her delay.

  Tomorrow, she would not only work at the palace, but live there.

  She entered and put her shoes into the closet by the front door. The house smelled like garlic chicken and lemon sauce. Not only was her grandmother home, but she’d cooked one of Anna’s favorites.

  She put her pocketbook in her room, still in a daze, and then joined Grandma Maria on the balcony. Her grandmother rocked in her chair, her eye on the castle in the distance and the mountains even farther out of the city. From the fourth floor of their building, they had one of the better views.

  Closing the screen door behind her, Anna met Maria’s welcoming gaze and said, “Grandma, I’m getting married.”

  Grandma put her hand to her thick belly and laughed as if Anna had told a joke. “Why don’t you get us some tea and we’ll talk about it.”

  Fair. She’d expected her grandmother to laugh. The idea of Anna, who wasn’t even dating, getting married was funny. Anna with Leopoldo was surreal but true. She put her hand on the screen door. “Okay, I’ll get the pot started, but Grandma, you have hair and makeup appointments tomorrow.”

  “Our monthly visit at the salon is weeks away.”

  “I moved it up and we’re being treated at the palace.”

  “You must have gotten a bonus and they don’t want to pay you in cash for the extra work you do.” Grandma rolled her eyes and wiped a tear of mirth from her rosy cheek. “Still, I don’t need that much fuss on these grays.”

  Anna headed inside and filled the electric kettle, then washed tea leaves in the pot. She hummed as she waited for the water to boil, then she poured it into the pot, and set it on the gas stove.

  Anna opened the screen door to the balcony and stuck her head out. “I’m marrying Leopoldo Aussa, the next king of Avce.”

  Her grandma chuckled and snapped her fingers as she shook her head. “Now that sounds like a tale I can’t wait to hear. Get the biscuits from the fridge.”

  Maria wasn’t really listening. Anna had a hum in her heart and a spark in her step as she returned with a plate from the refrigerator. “Grandma, here’s your cookie.”

  Her grandmother pouted like she’d just been caught as she said, “It’s not-”

  Anna laughed and interrupted her grandma. “Chocolate chip anything is not a biscuit.”

  Grandma nibbled on her cookie while Anna sat back in her own chair and just smiled at her until the cookie disappeared entirely. Grandma loved her sweets. Who would play this game with her once Anna was gone? Maria said, “You’re in a mood tonight.”

  The silence of the evening broke when the kettle whistled. Anna hopped up. “The tea is ready. I hope you are when I give you the cup. My wedding is tomorrow.”

  Her grandmother rocked and selected another cookie as Anna went inside to prepare the tea.

  Tomorrow she would become a princess, and future queen. Nights like this were now over, unless Maria came to the castle. What would Leopoldo say to that?

  Anna set the tea on a tray and walked out with the cups. As she handed the tea to her grandmother, Grandma glanced at her and said, “Interesting. I’m starting to believe the story you came in with.”

  Anna put sugar and milk beside Maria. The best way to get her grandmother on board was to make this sound like there was no wiggle room. So, Anna schooled her expressions as she said, “Here’s your tea. I was telling the truth. I’m marrying Leopoldo. Tomorrow.”

  “His birthday is approaching.” Her grandmother fixed her tea like this was a normal every-day event. “He’s settled on you?”

  Anna Camila’s lips pursed and her pulse spiked. She wasn’t entirely useless. She had talents, and for the past year he’d listened to her which was more than her last boyfriend had done. “Why would he be settling on me?”

  “We both know you weren’t on the agenda yesterday and his birthday is just around the corner.” Grandma eyed her with a knowing gaze. “You’re a better choice than that model he was in the newspapers with. No quality with that one.”

  Francesca had seen a good-looking prince and wanted a chance. Perhaps if Anna hadn’t been so dependent on her salary this past year, she’d have worn tighter clothes and strutted around the office so Leopoldo would notice her. Instead she’d made herself indispensable in other ways.

  What would life be like without worrying about her paycheck? It was a strange notion, as Anna had never thought about this. She noticed another small chip in the base of the tea cup and sighed. “We’re not better than anyone else, Grandma.”

  Her grandmother shrugged. “True. I’m only saying that Francesca would sell her own soul to get what she wants.”

  Neither one of them knew the model. Anna had given her a check on Leopoldo’s behalf, but that minute wasn’t enough to judge a life. Anna crossed her legs and let the evening air calm her. “You don’t even know her.”

  Her grandmother raised her eyebrow. “Why are you defending the woman who wants to marry your fiancé? Or are you only marrying him for his title?”

  The sting of that comment pierced her skin. Anna placed her hand on her heart. “I’m… I don’t know, other than I don’t want you talking bad about anyone. And I’m not…”

  Maria put her cup down and folded her hands together like she was praying in church. “I’m seventy years old. I’ve lived my life, girl. I can say what I want and you should too. What good is a queen who doesn’t speak up?”

  Her heart trembled. She was attracted to Leopoldo. His shoulders were made to rest her head against. She imagined his handsome face as he leaned down to kiss her senselessly, every day. His kiss lingered on her lips even now, causing a small tingle. She hoped she wasn’t blushing though her face felt hot as she shook her head. “I still hope you’ll be nice.”

  Maria scooted her rocker closer, ignoring the sunset that turned the sky almost completely pink as she said, “I’ll be nice when you say ‘I do’ for the world to see—but only after you tell me why you said yes to this.”

  “Thank you.” Anna brushed her hair behind her ear. “I said yes when Leopoldo asked because yeah, I like him.” On most days he brought her a coffee into the meetings for his agenda and asked her opinion on what to do, which he then followed. He gave her a sense that her words and opinions mattered. “He’s easy to work with and even easier on the eyes.”

  “So not for the crown then.” Maria pushed her rocker back, picked up her tea and nodded like everything was settled. Her sharp gaze made Anna straighten. “How did this happen? You’ve been polishing his shoes for a year now. What changed?”

  Anna’s nose curled as she imagined actually polishing Leopoldo’s black leather loafers. Slightly defensive, she said, “I never once polished his shoes.”

  “Humph.” Her grandmother pointed toward the living room inside, and the television. “I saw you holding his loafers.”

  Oh goodness. Would that news clip play on TV tomorrow when she wore a dress she hadn’t picked out as the side-by-side comparison of a true royal, and his personal secretary? “He needed to get off his horse and visit the ambassador whose son had just died. I was being expedient. I didn’t know the polo team was being filmed.”

  Her grandmother’s gaze narrowed. “Holding his shoes was just as bad.”

  Being helpful wasn’t a horrible thing—and she was paid very well. “It is not the same thing.”

  Her grandmother sipped her tea. “Mmhmm. So, what changed?”

  Anna sat back and took in the glorious moment when the sun disappeared. “The king and queen, I think.”

  “What?” Her grandmother stopped rocking.

  How had that caught Grandma’s attention? Tomorrow Anna would wear a white dress to the church Leo’s ancestors had built with
their bare hands, or at least the frame of it, and vow to be a faithful wife.

  The vaulted ceilings would echo the trumpets and for once the joyous wedding bells would be for her.

  She took another drink of her tea, then looked into the amber liquid as she said, “Leopoldo walked into my office with the king and queen. They’d had an appointment in the throne room and then they were all together. How could I say no when the royal family was united?”

  Maria snapped her fingers and rocked again. “So the queen finally held up her promise to your mother.”

  What promise? Her mother had been an amazing woman, but no lady of the peerage. She and Grandma hadn’t talked about her parents since she’d moved in with her grandmother after college. Their funeral had all been one big blur where her grandmother kept her close, but now… finally? Her mother, with the same light brown hair and brown eyes as Anna, who loved to laugh and joke, and resembled a younger version of her grandmother, seemed like she was on the balcony with them. Anna’s voice cracked as she asked, “Wait? What?”

  Maria picked up another cookie and stared at it. “Before your mother died, she was childhood friends with Queen Anastasia. Both those girls swore they’d be sisters one day though your mother was common. In picking you, she keeps her promise to watch out for you.”

  The current Queen had been born a duke’s daughter. Everyone knew that, but her mother’s friend and a promise? Anna raised her eyebrows. Leo hated how his parents manipulated him and she wondered if she should call this off and let Leopoldo marry Francesca. But he didn’t love the model, so she shook her head like that might free her doubts. “I don’t need-”

  “You do,” Maria interrupted and Anna quieted down. “You’ve cared for Leopoldo since you first started work with him at his office. Don’t lie to me. You found every excuse for a year to please that man. He leaned on you to get off his horse as you held his shoes—caught on television.”

  Maria saw things clearer than she’d imagined. Anna’s face heated. “I don’t lie, Grandma.”

  Maria’s voice was almost a whisper as she said, “So you admit you love him for more than his good looks or his future throne?”