Free Royal Bachelor by Trudi Torres Page A

anything but be herself, soft, silky, smelling of apples. Gods above. What will happen if she seduced him? His life was already plotted before him. Certainly the royal blood could use an infusion from abroad, but how could he ask her to take up a lifestyle that even he disliked? He would grow old in his throne room, dreaming of the girl who got away. Well, he was resolved to create some good memories if they were all he would have of her.
    He forced his mind away from the sweet smell of Alice and the curious way she stared at him with those grey eyes. He had to get a grip on himself. He thought instead of something far less pleasant, such as Jules and his SpongeBob boxers. But he caught himself still remembering the feel of Alice’s arms and breasts.
    Oh, bollocks. Jules and his SpongeBob boxers. Jules in a thong. Jules sunbathing with Mrs. Meyers, the housekeeper at one of the cottages. With a shudder of revulsion Luke was free to leave the water closet.
    When he went out, Alice was with the others on the balcony. They were all eating the sandwiches, even Alfred, defying Luke as always. Jules looked friendly rather than stern, his lips curled in a genuine half-smile rather than in displeasure.
    “Are there still any for me?” Luke said.
    Alice looked up at him with a smile and it was all he could do not to swoop down and nuzzle that neck. “Here,” she said, pushing her plate in front of the only remaining chair around the small wrought-iron and glass table. “I’ve eaten my fill. I claimed these for you to save them from Jules’s huge appetite.”
    This sent Luke and Alfred into guffaws, because the real Jules hardly ate anything, not in front of them.
    “I have to go anyway,” said Alice, and Luke immediately stopped laughing. Alice stood up. “I’m enjoying myself but I have chores and Sunday stuff to do.”
    Jules had risen as soon as Alice did. Now he took Alice’s hand and bowed over it. “May I be of assistance?”
    “Oh, thank you, no. I can manage.”
    “It was a pleasure to meet you, Miss Martelli.”
    “The pleasure was all mine, Mr. Neville.”
    Jules looked startled at the comeback. And then he smiled. Luke deftly pulled Alice out of there before Alfred could reach for her, leaving the bugger to simply call out, “See you again soon, Alice!”
    In the living room, Luke slid his hand from her arm to her hand. “Do you have to go? You haven’t seen my bedroom yet.”
    Alice laughed, already in her pretty lavender coat. “What a line! By all means, let me see it.” She freed her hand and unceremoniously went to his room. She flung the door open and then stood at the doorway with arms akimbo. “Yes, inspection passed, I think. You make your bed?”
    “Of course I make my bed, ma’am.”
    She nodded and closed the door. He was living out of steamer trunks in a bachelor pad. It told her a little, but not enough. “You talked about cleaning services as if you haven’t ever done dishes your whole life.” She paused and eyed him contemplatively from across the room. “You probably haven’t.”
    “No,” he answered honestly, and left it at that.
    “Oh. Neither have I. Too many books, so little time. That’s what dishwashers are for anyway.”
    He really could adore this woman. He crossed the distance between them in a few strides and stopped when she had to tilt her face up at him, those delicious lips so close, so tempting. “When can I see you again?”
    “Come to Strand. You can see me there,” she said jokingly.
    “Can I kiss you?”
    She kissed his neck. Reached up and touched her lips warmly to the skin over his pulse, as though he were an apple she was preparing to bite. He wouldn’t mind if she did.
    And then she smiled and went out the door.
    He stood there like a dolt for a few seconds before coming to and running after her. “I’ll walk you home!”
    “It’s all right, Luke. I still have to go somewhere.” She waved. He waved back stupidly.
    He went back inside the