Alexander & Rebecca (Royals of Valleria #1) (13 page)

Marcello gave Alex a shrewd look. “That may be a bit extreme. So far, the perpetrators have stayed within the palace walls.”

“Do it. Wouldn’t Cat tell you to do it anyway, once she finds out?”

Marcello sighed, then nodded. “You’re right. I was hoping to find some evidence in the sweep that could give us a more definitive answer, but nothing yet. I’ll have a team sweep her house in a couple hours; I want the palace secure first. Does she know about the extra security?”

“Yes, we told her this morning.”

“Good. I let the rest of our unruly siblings know we’ve heightened security but not the details. They’ve been pestering me all day with questions,” Marcello said as he lifted out his phone, which buzzed with another message. “Arianna this time.”

Alex smiled, despite the seriousness of the conversation. “I can’t tell you how happy I am that none of them are bothering me right now.”

Marcello scoffed. “Bother the ‘future king’? Please. They’ll pester you in person, like they always do. They know you and father are always too busy to answer their messages anyway, unless it’s work-related.”

Alex frowned at that. Thinking back, he realized that only Cat and Marcello really contacted him regularly. When had that happened? He wasn’t sure he liked it. “I don’t mind if they ‘bother’ me, Marcello. They’re my family.”

After a moment, Marcello said, “I’ll let them know. Be careful what you wish for, though. In the meantime, I’ll let you know if the sweeps turn up anything.”

Alex looked at the black and white photos in front of him, and stared at Rebecca’s figure. The woman he loved may now be caught in the middle of this. His stomach clenched at the thought of her hurt. He wondered if the threats were coming from someone who knew about their relationship though, since it was barely twenty-four hours old, he could not see how that was the case.

“Do you see something useful?” Marcello asked.

Should Alex tell Marcello about Rebecca? After barely a moment, he decided against it. He’d find out soon, but not yet. Alex needed more time with her first, and they both needed more time for them to realize what they could be to one another.

“No,” Alex said finally. “I’m very concerned, though. I don’t want Rebecca or anyone else harmed.”

“None of us do. We’re working day and night on this.” When his phone buzzed again, he sighed. “Lorenzo this time. I’d better go and see our parents about this latest development.”

“Come on,” Alex said as he secured the photos in his desk. “We’ll talk to Papa together, then you can follow-up with Mama on your own.”

“Coward.”

“Absolutely. I’m not ashamed to say that I’m a grown man still afraid of his mother.”

“I’ll let the press know.”

Alex chuckled as he led Marcello to the secret corridor that joined Alex’s office to Gabriel’s. “Go ahead. I don’t think they’d be all that surprised, to be honest.”

Rebecca stirred the soup bubbling on the stove one more time before turning the heat to low. Her face was flushed, her hair a little frizzy from the heat in the kitchen, and she’d given up on wearing her heels hours ago and was currently barefoot.

The clock had begun creeping faster and faster towards eight, much faster than her movements could compensate for. Though dinner was almost ready - Masillian fare in the form of the traditional two-course Bouillabaisse, she was still nervous.

Preparations for dinner had taken longer than expected, so she’d had no time to shower and change as she’d hoped to. Instead, she placed a bottle of Sauvignon-Blanc in the fridge to go with the meal and shuffled quickly into her bedroom.

Her apartment tonight seemed unbearably small. She worried what Alex might think of it, as someone used to the broad spaces of the palace. She worried what he may think of her second-hand furniture, well-worn plates, and mildly peeling paint. She didn’t mind any of it; to her, this apartment was a sense of freedom and independence she never thought she’d have. However, she still worried what a member of the royal family may think of it all.

She quickly stripped down to her underwear, a simple set of black bra and panties. She wished she had something more alluring, full of sheer lace and ribbons, but she’d never needed it before. She reminded herself that she may not need it tonight, either.

She used a washcloth to give herself a quick clean in lieu of a shower, and washed her face. She reapplied some basic makeup, ran a swift brush through her hair, added a spritz of perfume, and then ran into her closet for something to wear.

A dot of panic crossed her face as she looked at her meager wardrobe. Most of her outfits were made for work, or casual weekends helping her father in the royal gardens. Deciding against putting on her work clothes again, she picked out the one dress she hoped would work. It was a basic knee-length black dress, with thin straps and a flared skirt. She slipped it on and strode back to the kitchen.

She’d just given the soup another stir when a knock came at the door. She knew it was either the security agent or Alex. After a look through the peephole, she saw Alex and her heart stuttered.

She slowly opened the door, swallowing as she took in the sight of him. He was speaking quietly to the security agent, until he caught sight of her. He’d changed as well, into a dark suit and tie, and she was lost in him already.

“Rebecca,” he said softly. “Thank you for meeting me to discuss my surprise for Catharine.”

Rebecca, remembering her place, curtsied quickly and said, “Of course, Your Highness. Please come inside.” She stepped aside to let him in. As soon as she closed the door, he pulled her into his arms and against his hard body. She gasped just before his lips descended upon hers.

His kiss was hard and unyielding, full of the passion that was alluded to but not yet promised for the night ahead. When she pulled away for air, his face dropped to her neck and pressed a soft kiss.

“I’m sorry,” he said.

“Sorry?”

“Not about the kiss,” he said as he locked eyes with her. “I’m sorry you had to lie about why we’re here together.”

“Oh. That’s not so much. I expected it anyway. My neighbors must have been curious to see you arrive, at any rate.”

Alex’s hands caressed her back as he said, “Your neighbors are out for the evening. They’ve won a free dinner at a restaurant on the other side of town.”

Rebecca smiled. “That’s convenient.”

“Isn’t it though?”

“Someone else on the street may have seen you. I’ve been getting calls from neighbors about the extra security agents anyway.”

Alex frowned. “I certainly didn’t expect that to happen, but I’m glad they’re just outside in case you need them.”

A timer dinged from the kitchen. “Oh!” Rebecca said as she pushed out of his arms and headed for the stove. “I almost forgot about dinner.”

“You cooked?” he asked as he watched her long legs and bare feet hurry away. “I’m impressed.”

“It’s not so much,” she said as she brought out two bowls of soup. “I mean, it’s not very fancy or anything.”

He stopped her on the way back to the kitchen and took her face in his hands. He pressed a soft kiss to her forehead and said, “It’s wonderful. I can’t believe you cooked for me. No one’s ever cooked for me before, except Coco.”

Irrational jealousy brewed within her. “Coco?”

“The palace chef. She’s about Nonna’s age, but still as spry as she was in my youth.”

Embarrassment replaced jealousy. Rebecca smiled and covered his wrists with her hands. “I hope you enjoy it then.” Feeling brave, she lifted up on her tiptoes and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek. His eyes smoldered so she took a step back. She may want him, but she didn’t just spend a few hours cooking to have her effort go to waste.

“Let me get the rest. Please, sit down,” she said as she disappeared into the kitchen again.

“May I help you with anything?”

“No, no,” she said as she came back out with the wine. “Unless you wouldn’t mind opening up the wine?”

“Of course,” he said as he took the bottle and their fingers brushed against each other. She could have sworn she felt a spark when they did.

“Your apartment’s lovely, Rebecca,” he called from the dining room and she felt ridiculously pleased at the compliment.

“You’re not just saying that?”

“Total honesty, remember? I meant what I said. The apartment reflects you, and it’s just lovely.”

“Thank you,” she said as she came back out with the platter of fish and potatoes.

“I must say, darling, that as much I enjoy the way you look in heels, I enjoy you out of them just as much.”

“What?” she asked as she looked down and realized with some horror she had forgotten to put on shoes. Distracted by this revelation, the plate began to slip from her hands. “Oh no,” she said just as Alex came over and grabbed it before it fell. Nary a potato was put out of place.

“I’m so sorry. I’m just so clumsy,” she said and scurried away to her bedroom. Would she never stop making a fool of herself?

As she slipped on a pair of black heels, Alex came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. His broad hands were splayed against her stomach and she an urge to suck in her belly.

“Rebecca, you’re not clumsy. And I told you, I find your bare feet sexy.” He kissed behind her ear. “In fact, I find a great deal about you very sexy.”

He kissed the side of her neck, and after a few moments she tilted her head to give him better access. “I love your body, all curves and endless legs.” One of his hands trailed from her stomach, to her hip, and over her thigh. “I love your skin, so soft and sweet.” He dropped a kiss to her nape. “I love your scent, which is strong and soft at the same time.” He took a deep breath in, as if smelling her. “It drives me fucking crazy sometimes.”

Rebecca swallowed. “It does?”

“God, yes. At night, my dreams are filled with you and your scent. Tonight, it’s not a dream because you’re finally here in my arms.” He kissed her along her spine, between her shoulder blades, and lower under he met the edge of her dress.

She could tell he wanted to unzip her and peel the fabric away, but instead he sighed and held her tighter. She could feel him aroused behind her, and even in her inexperience knew how much he must be fighting for control.

“Later,” he whispered against her ear before turning her in his arms. “Let’s eat,” he said as he took her hand and they walked the short distance back to the table.

“It smells delicious,” he said after helping her sit down. “Bouillabaisse is one of my favorite dishes.”

“Really?”

Alex smiled. “Yes. We spent many a summer in Masillia and often had it as children. It brings back good memories.”

“I’m glad,” she said as she stirred her soup. “I wasn’t sure what to make.”

Alex ate a spoonful of soup and immediately said, “This is delicious, Rebecca. I think you’re underestimating your talent.”

She flushed. “Thank you,” she said and ate a spoonful herself.

“It’s as authentic as the ones we ate growing up, using fresh fish caught off the Masillian coast.”

Unused to compliments by men, much less royal men with an interest in her, she just smiled and ate another spoonful.

After a few more minutes of eating, he said, “Tell me something about yourself, Rebecca.”

“What would you like to know?”

“We’ve almost grown up together, yet I feel as though they’re so much about you still to learn.”

“I suppose that’s true.”

“Then let’s start with something easy. Do you enjoy working for Cat?”

“Yes,” Rebecca said with genuine smile. “It’s challenging and exciting. I never expected to attain such a valuable position. I assumed I’d just work for my father, and one day take over his position. I still don’t know why the Princess was so keen on the idea.”

“Confession time,” Alex said as he put his spoon down in his empty bowl. “I’m afraid that was my doing.”

“Yours?” she asked, as her spoon paused in mid-bite, then lowered to bowl. “How?”

“I encouraged Papa to start the Youth of the Palace Grounds Initiative, to give children of palace workers enhanced education and training, if they wanted it. However, I must add that it was your parents who placed you in the program; I had nothing to do with that.”

“Yes, that’s true. I owe a lot to my parents, I know. They were very encouraging. I often wonder who will take over for my father when he retires.” She gave Alex a long look. “How old were you when you thought of that initiative?”

Alex shrugged. “I wasn’t yet a teenager, I think. But I’d seen how some of the other palace children were struggling, and it didn’t seem right. If Papa hadn’t liked the idea, he wouldn’t have gone forward with it. As ideas go, it wasn’t a bad one.”

“No, not at all. I know a lot of the other kids who benefitted from it, at least in the early days. You were preparing to be a king even then, weren’t you?” she asked as she removed their empty bowls and began to serve the fish and potatoes. “When did you first realize you would be king?”

“Do you know that no one’s ever asked me that before?”

“I’m sorry,” she said blushing. “I didn’t mean to speak out of turn.”

He took her hand in his and kissed it. “I didn’t say I minded the question, did I? I’m actually pleased you asked it.”

“Oh,” she said as he kissed her hand once more before letting go to pick up his silverware and take a bite.

“I’m not sure how old I was. I was very young, though. I realized we were a different sort of family, and I could tell that just in the differences between us and the other palace children.” He paused to take another bite, then continued. “I never really understood until our nanny one day made a comment when I was acting out. ‘You can’t act like if you’re to be the king one day’, she said.”

“No one had ever mentioned it before?” she asked as she took a bite herself of the flaky fish.

Alex shook his head. “So I went to my Papa that evening and asked him what our nanny had meant. He smiled and talked to me very seriously about who he was and what I would one day be.”

Alex paused to take another forkful and remember. “I could tell he’d wanted to avoid the conversation a little longer; it’s hard to be a child when you find out you’re going to lead a country one day.”

“It sounds as though King Gabriel wanted you to enjoy a happy childhood.”