Prince of Midtown / Marriage, Manhattan Style. Jennifer Lewis

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СКАЧАТЬ a laugh. “You’re craving corn dogs and apple pie?”

      “Something like that. I bet you’re tired of being hit on by swarthy Mediterranean men.”

      “Not at all. The Caspians I’ve met have been very polite and charming.”

      “Carrying a torch for your prince, are you?” Senator Kendrick’s salt-and-pepper eyebrow lifted.

      “What?”

      “I suppose all silly young girls fill their heads with fantasies of crowns and coronets. An American senator has a good deal more power than a tin-pot monarch.”

      “I imagine that’s a matter of opinion.”

      Her stomach knotted. It would be tough to swim for shore in the long dress. She’d lost sight of Sebastian, too. He’d gone into one of the shops.

      She decided to redirect the conversation. “What do you think about mandatory school testing? Do you think it ensures an even playing field, or do you think it makes teachers gear lessons too much toward the tests?”

      Senator Kendrick threw his head back and guffawed with laughter. “I came here to get away from all that claptrap and political bull. Now I’m sailing on a boat with a beautiful blonde and she wants to bend my ear about education? I feel as if I’m back in New York.”

      The disgust in his voice made her eyes widen. She thought she caught a whiff of something on his breath, too. Whiskey?

      She gathered her skirt about her knees and groped for a good excuse to leave the intimate seating.

      “Where do you think you’re going?”

      “I’d like to take a walk on the deck.”

      “It’s a small yacht. There’s barely room to take three steps.” His pale eyes narrowed. He leaned over her and trapped her with his arm by placing his hand on the armrest on the far side of her. “I can think of some far more interesting things to do.”

       He’s going to kiss me.

      The thought rushed Tessa’s brain as his pursed lips rushed her mouth.

      Instinct kicked in. Since she couldn’t pull back, she whipped forward and smashed him in the nose with her forehead. She was on her feet and back on the deck in seconds. A young male sailor knelt nearby, winding some rope.

      Senator Kendrick appeared around the sail, rubbing his nose. He glared at her. “Don’t get the wrong idea.”

      “Don’t worry, I didn’t.” She stood with her hands on her hips.

      Now that her adrenaline was flowing she’d like him to try that again. She’d enjoy pitching him into the drink.

      Maybe he read her mind, because he disappeared down some stairs into the belly of the boat.

      She dusted her hands, which felt oddly satisfying. Hopefully her forehead wouldn’t bruise. What a jerk! Did he think she’d want to kiss him?

      She suspected he didn’t spare a thought for what she wanted. She was a nobody. An assistant. A pretty, emptyheaded bimbo to toy with.

      The disturbing part was that she didn’t want to tell Sebastian. He was obviously pleased to have important American visitors come to his country and she didn’t want to spoil it for him.

      It seemed an eternity before Sebastian finally appeared, his gondola laden with shiny bags from the boutiques.

      Sebastian was all smiles as he helped Charmaine Kendrick back onto the boat. Tessa’s heart squeezed with pity for the woman married to such a—

      Now, now. She was the assistant to a prince. Nice girls didn’t use words like that.

      The senator—and she used the word loosely—must have been watching from below, because he came on the deck as soon as they arrived. He marched right past Tessa without looking at her.

      “Did you buy some beautiful things, my dear?” He kissed his wife’s cheek. “You know I want you to have everything your heart desires.”

      To make up for your cheating louse of a husband. Tessa could barely keep a straight face. Just the sight of the man made her flesh crawl.

      “Tessa.” Sebastian’s voice in her ear made her jump. “Are you okay?” He murmured it low.

      “Sure. I’m fine.” Her attempt at bright and breezy came out rather stiff.

      Sebastian shot a glance at the senator, who was “oohing” over some shimmery red number his wife pulled from a striped bag. “Seriously, you don’t look yourself.” His dark eyes filled with concern as he looked at her again.

      Her stomach tangled. Should she tell him?

      For all she knew her revelation might start an international incident. And she didn’t want anything else to spoil this beautiful day. She was pretty sure the senator would turn tail and run as soon as she and the prince left the boat.

      “I guess I don’t have my sea legs yet.” She glanced at the mirror-calm water of the harbor and swallowed.

      “In that case, we must get you back on solid ground.”

      Senator Kendrick clapped a jovial hand on Sebastian’s shoulder. Was his nose looking a tad swollen? “As I said, we’ve got a full itinerary. Our captain informed me that we must set sail before noon or we’ll never make Piraeus in time.”

      He shot an icy glance at Tessa. She lifted her chin.

      Yes. Definitely swollen. And a black eye seemed to be starting on the left side, too. Hah! Maybe he’d think twice before assaulting someone next time.

      Sebastian kissed Charmaine on the cheek and made her promise to come back. Tessa was relieved she wouldn’t be here when they did. She managed a curt goodbye to the man who’d spoiled her perfect morning.

      Back in the gondola, with Sebastian’s big, protective presence beside her, she shivered with relief.

      “Enough boating for you.” He leaned over the side and trailed his fingers in the water. “Warm. Want to take a dip?”

      “Right here?” Panic crept over her. “I don’t have a swimsuit with me.”

      “You didn’t bring one at all?”

      “No. I came here to study the files and help with the meeting, remember?”

      “Oh, yes. That.” He seemed to have genuinely forgotten. His eyes brightened. “We must find you a suit immediately.”

      He murmured instructions to the boatman. Spoken fast, the language was much harder to understand. She did catch the word Valentino.

      “I don’t need a Valentino swimsuit,” she protested. “Is there an ordinary clothes store where I could find a suit?”

      “What’s wrong with Valentino?” He raised a brow.

      “It’s СКАЧАТЬ