Page 59 of Not-So-Perfect Princess
An image of Julianna’s twinkling blue eyes, her smiling mouth and her sunburned nose formed in his mind. At least that picture was more innocent than others he’d imagined.
He laughed.
“Care to let me in on the joke?”
Alejandro’s heart lurched. He could recognize Julianna’s melodic voice anywhere.
He whipped around to face the dock. The beam of light from her headlamp blinded him. He shielded his eyes. “You’re here early.”
She removed her headlamp, turned it off and shoved it in her pocket. “Couldn’t sleep.”
Her, too. Alejandro doubted for the same reasons as him.
Lust probably wasn’t in the innocent princess’s vocabulary. Not that anyone would mistake Julianna for anything but a too thin, gawky teen in those baggy clothes.
Anyone, except him.
He saw a beautiful woman who was willing to disguise herself to experience a taste of freedom. She’d grabbed the golden ring with both hands and wasn’t going to let go until she had to. Julianna was…special. He’d never met a woman like her. If only…
Don’t go there. He’d decided what he needed to do once she married. But she was here now.
Alejandro shifted his weight. He needed some distance. “I’m going to get the sails.”
He stepped below deck without waiting for her to respond. He didn’t want to care what she said.
A musty scent filled his nostrils. He’d always found familiarity in the smell, but he would have rather breathed in Julianna’s sweet fragrance. Her usual scent when she wasn’t pretending to be a teenage boy.
He shook his head. She’d gotten under his skin. He needed to get her out of there.
Alejandro felt a presence behind him. He didn’t need to turn around to know who it was. “Julianna.”
“I’ll help you.”
“Thanks.” He faced her. The sails, equipment and slope of the hull didn’t leave a lot of room. With her down here, the space felt more cramped. Or maybe he was more aware of her. “But I’ve got them.”
“We’ll have things ready for the crew faster with two pairs of hands.”
He’d said something similar to her after their first sail together. That seemed like a lifetime ago.
The boat tilted to one side, as if hit by a mischievous wind or a powerful surge.
Julianna widened her stance.
The boat jolted and leaned the opposite way. Jules flew into Alejandro. He caught her, as he had in the foyer that first morning when she’d arrived at the palace.
He stared down at her face. Her body pressed against his. “The princess is in my arms yet again.”
She was nothing like the woman he’d held then. Or maybe she’d taken off the mask and allowed her true self to show. Whichever, he didn’t want to let her go. His arms tightened around her.
Attraction sizzled. A need burned deep within him. He fought against the ache with every ounce of self-control he had.
The race began tomorrow. The royal wedding would occur next week. She would be out of his life…
The same longing he felt filled Julianna’s eyes. Her lips parted.
A sense of urgency drove him. He lowered his mouth to hers, capturing her lips with a kiss.
She gasped, but didn’t back away.
His lips ran over hers, tasting and soaking up her sweetness. He knew he was crossing the line.
What he was doing was wrong on so many levels. But he didn’t care. Maybe he’d care later, but at this moment the kiss consumed him. She consumed him.
Julianna arched toward him, her breasts pressing against his chest, her arms entwining around his chest. She opened her mouth further, deepening the kiss. Her eagerness thrilled him. Blood roared through his veins. He pulled her closer, until he felt the rapid beat of her heart.
His tongue explored her mouth with abandon, burning with her sweet heat. Sensation pulsated wildly through him. Passion grew. Self-control slipped.
A soft moan escaped her throat. So sexy.
Alejandro wanted more. He wanted all of her. But he’d take whatever she was willing to give him.
He leaned back against the sail bags, pulling her with him. His hands cupped her round bottom. Fabric bunched. Too much clothing was in the way.
Alejandro slid his hand under her jacket and…
Voices sounded above them.
