His Princess in the Making by Melissa James Page A

inspirational.”
    He grinned back and bowed. “I live to serve, Rip, my royal friend.”
    Charlie threw a paper clip at him. “I’m off to Malascos tonight. It’s not like anyone needs me here at the moment. With His Majesty’s forty-fifth celebrations in swing, I only seem to be in the way.” He pulled a face. “I’ll be back for the party, of course. I have to show my face, if nothing else is needed.”
    So things still weren’t right between Charlie and Jazmine. He’d have to make time for Charlie soon. He’d hoped they could work it out if left alone. God knew he had his hands full trying to find a way to gain Giulia’s trust. Without that, all the wanting in the world was useless.
    “What can I do to help?”
    Her soft voice, with the slightest touch of kitten-purring, made him realise they were alone. Did she know she only had that intimate touch to her when no one else was around? “You did it already.” He looked over his shoulder at her with the smile he only ever gave her, the smile he only felt when he was with her. “You turned my thoughts to reality by convincing the King I’m something more than the man who wants to take you away. You showed him that I care about this place.”
    She took a step towards him, her face wise, lovely and so uncertain. “All I did was to show him the truth. Your plan was wonderful, Toby. You showed the King you care about Hellenia.”
    Her hair was tumbling to her shoulders, as she always had it when she was off the princess leash. Her eyes were locked on his mouth, deep, sleepy pools he wanted to lie down in. Her sweet mouth trembled.
    She wants me. And even though he’d known that truth for days, every time he saw it again his body ached and throbbed, and a streak of white-hot heat ran through him like jagged lightning. She still wants me after all these years. I didn’t destroy it…
    “Both are the truth, my Giulia. I do care about Hellenia—and I want you.” He didn’t move, but willed her closer with smile, eyes and heart. Come to me, my beloved girl. Come to me and touch me.
    Her lush mouth parted. Her tongue ran over her top lip, slightly fuller than the bottom one; delicious. Edible. He’d ached to nibble on that lip for years.
    Soon. Soon…
    “Princess Giulia, the King would like to see you at your earliest convenience.”
    As if she’d awakened from a dream, she blinked, and her head snapped round to where her new PA, Lady Olga Kanakarides, had spoken. “I’ll come now.”
    As she passed him, he willed himself to be still, to let her go. He had to wait, even though it felt like that was all he ever did.
    His patience was rewarded this time. At the door, she turned and gave him a slumberous smile. The smile of a woman almost ready to understand that the man she was smiling for wanted her.
    Then the smile faltered; she turned back to the world outside this room and the delicate magic of one moment in time faded as a star at sunrise.
    Whatever secrets were inside her remained locked there. For now.
    The Wedding of His Royal Highness, Crown Prince
Kyriacos to Her Royal Highness, Princess Jazmine

    “I’d like to ask the bride and groom to take the floor for the traditional bridal waltz. Prince Kyriacos personally chose the song, and wishes to dedicate it to his bride.” In his combined duties of best man and master of ceremonies, Toby smiled and made a sweeping motion with his hand. He had the knack of royal behaviour down pat, despite not having the bloodline. He seemed to fit in with the beautiful people of Europe with no apparent effort.
    Did nothing faze him, ever?
    Lia smiled as she watched her brother Charlie take his bride’s hand and lead her to the dance floor. Beneath her outward serenity, though, her heart was beating hard and fast. As maid of honour, she naturally must waltz with the best man.
    She’d be in his arms for the first time in weeks, since the first day he’d arrived.
    Though he’d touched her and told her how much he