Royally Romanced by Marie Donovan Page A

could go for hours, judging from what was poking her through his pants. But, oh, what was she missing tonight? Stupid high-powered bride.
    It took all of her willpower to decline his offer but she needed to be alert for her appointment since that bride was a live wire at best and out-of-control crazy at worst. “I’m sorry I can’t go to the hotel with you, but I have to get at least a few hours’ sleep. My client is difficult and I need my wits about me.”
    He flopped back onto the car seat. “Duty first. Unfortunately I understand.”
    “Thank you.” She cupped his jaw and kissed him slowly and passionately until they were both breathing hard again.
    He suddenly jerked away from her. “Stop that. Or else I will not wait until tomorrow.”
    Renata grinned. “It is tomorrow. Almost one-thirty.”
    “Ah, better. Then I will see you later today. That sounds much better.” He programmed his number into her phone and took her number. “That is my private line. Only my family and my personal assistant have that number.”
    “Wow.” She checked her phone’s display and he had programmed his name in as G.
    He smiled at her. “We try to guard our privacy but it doesn’t always work out.”
    “I won’t let this fall into the wrong hands,” she promised.
    “I know you won’t.” He kissed the tip of her nose, surprising Renata with the pure affection behind the gesture.
    Her surroundings finally caught her eye. “Oh, we’re a block from my place. Turn left at the next light.” She directed Giorgio and he relayed the directions to his driver.
    “I’m going to ask you to park here around the corner. Many of my neighbors are elderly insomniacs and me pulling up in a limo this time of night will only further convince them I’m a woman of dubious morals.”
    “I will testify on your behalf that your morals are not nearly as dubious as I would prefer.”
    She choked with laughter and slapped him in the chest. “Somehow I don’t think they would believe you.” He looked dangerously sexy with his shirt yanked out of his waistband, his hair mussed and a glittering look of barely suppressed lust in his green eyes.
    “Pity.” The limo stopped and he handed her out of the door. “I will walk you to your door.”
    Her neighborhood was fairly safe but she wanted to drag out every moment with him that she could. He constantly glanced around them and inspected her dark exterior basement entrance for any stray wino or mugger. The only man she wanted to take advantage of her was standing beside her. “All clear.”
    She unlocked her door and was struck by a weird wave of awkwardness. “Well…thank you for everything.” That should cover it. Wedding dresses, art museums, chili dogs, heavy petting in the limo backseat—what a wild day.
    He drew her into his arms. “Don’t thank me, Renata. I owe you much more than a dinner. Your dress has made Stefania extremely happy and meeting you has made me extremely happy, as well.” He lowered his head and kissed her lips softly. “Until later, Renata. I’ll call you later in the morning after your appointment.”
    She hated to leave him but a big yawn escaped her mouth.
    Giorgio smiled and shooed her into her place. “Go, get some sleep. I can take a hint.”
    “Fine.” She floated into the tiny entryway and locked the door behind her. Once he was sure she was tucked away, he gave a wave and took the steps two at a time up to street level.
    Renata glided to her bathroom and gazed at her reflection. Her hair was tousled, her blouse was buttoned crookedly and her face was flushed. So was her mouth, her lipstick smeared.
    She grinned. Giorgio was a man who kept his promises. Given enough time and effort, he had smeared her smear-proof lipstick.

5
     
    G IORGIO WET HIS HANDKERCHIEF and cleaned his mouth of traces of Renata’s lipstick, a wide smile reflected in the small mirror in the backseat. The day certainly hadn’t turned out the way he’d expected, but he took