Free Resisting Alexandre (Knight Security 0.5) by Carole Mortimer Page B

Androcco. “He’s older than you, right?”
    “By one year. But my father was the eldest brother and Uncle Frederic the spare.”
    “Does that really still apply? An heir and a spare?” she explained as Alexandre looked at her questioningly.
    “Oh yes.” He sighed. “You would be surprised at the amount of rules and pomp still attached to royalty, even a minor principality such as my own.”
    She wouldn’t, actually. She was occasionally called upon to do her duty as Lady Anastazia Carmichael, daughter of the Duke of Warminster, and appear at a Royal Garden Party or some other formal occasion. Not too often, thank goodness.
    “What happened last night with Ash and your friend Lissa?”
    She glanced across at Alexandre. “You haven’t spoken to Ash today?”
    “Oh, I’ve spoken to him.” Alexandre sat forward to top up their wineglasses. “Ash isn’t saying anything.”
    Well, that was something. At least Asher didn’t appear to be the type of man who would totally humiliate Lissa by discussing his conquests with other men.
    Stazzi grimaced. “Lissa doesn’t want to talk about it or him.”
    He frowned. “I’m sorry.”
    “It isn’t your fault.”
    “But I introduced the two of them.”
    “And Lissa would be the first one to tell you she’s a big girl now and quite capable of making her own mistakes without help from anyone else.” In fact, that was exactly what Lissa had told Stazzi during their last telephone call just after six o’clock this evening.
    “It went that well, hm?”
    “I believe so, yes. Now, which film are we going to watch?” She deliberately changed the subject. Lissa might take responsibility for her mistakes, but Stazzi wasn’t about to discuss this one with a third party. Even Alexandre. Maybe especially with Alexandre, as he was such a close friend of Ash’s.
    The change of subject led to another heated discussion regarding the merits of the newest superhero film or a comedy. Stazzi won, removing her boots before she and Alexandre sat together on one of the sofas in front of the television, the lights turned down as they watched the superheroes once again save the day.
    “You just wanted to look at that guy’s abs,” Alexandre commented dryly once the credits were rolling.
    “And?”
    “And nothing.” He chuckled at Anastazia’s expression of “duh.”
    “There was humor in it too,” she defended. “I distinctly heard you laugh a few times.”
    She had, yes, but that was mainly because Alexandre was totally relaxed in her company, and he had also enjoyed sitting back and watching her enjoyment of the movie. He had a private cinema in the palace in Androcco, could watch any film he wanted whenever he wanted, but this, here and now with Anastazia, was the most fun he’d had in… Well, in two years, to be exact.
    She was also far more relaxed in his company this evening.
    “Can I kiss you?”
    Stazzi instantly tensed. Not because she didn’t want Alexandre to kiss her. But because she did. Even more so after spending such a relaxed evening with him. She really wasn’t sure it was a good idea to have him kiss her too.
    And who decided that everything I do has to be a good idea?
    She liked Alexandre. Maybe a little more than liked him after spending such an easygoing evening with him. But as long as she didn’t allow herself to get too carried away with the moment, where was the harm in a kiss? Or two?  Alexandre had kissed her good night outside her apartment building last night before he left, and it hadn’t turned her into the wanton she had become in the back of the limousine.
    Maybe that was because of all those bodyguards standing only feet away? Bodyguards that were nowhere near this evening…
    She dismissed those warnings as she turned toward him. “Yes. Please.”

Chapter 8
    Alexandre’s breath caught in his throat as he shifted along the sofa until he sat close enough to Anastazia to place his hands against her cheeks. He lifted her face up to