Rich, Rugged...Royal

“So why would money be an issue?”

“I don’t know.” Sara gave a shrug. “We didn’t get into his personal life. But a few things he said led me to believe he’s watching his pennies. It struck me as odd at the time because the clothes he wore were very stylish and definitely not off the rack.”

“Sounds like my kind of guy,” Lauren mused. Though the man would only be living under her roof and they wouldn’t necessarily have to be friends, it was reassuring to know they shared a love of nice clothes. “When do you think I could meet him?”

Sara’s eyes widened and she lifted a hand in a gesture of greeting. “How about right now?”

“Now?”

“He just walked through the front door.”

Lauren swiveled in her chair. Her heart stopped at the sight of the tall, broad-shouldered man making his way to their table.

“Alex,” she breathed the word, feeling suddenly light-headed.

Chapter Three

Lauren saw the flash of recognition in Alex’s eyes and the watchful look that replaced the smile he’d bestowed on Sara.

“What a surprise.” Sara’s smile widened as he drew close and she gestured to the empty chair at their table. “Won’t you join us?”

“I’d love to.” Casting Lauren a questioning glance, Alex pulled out a chair and took a seat.

He was absolutely gorgeous. The cream-colored button-up shirt accentuated his tan and made his eyes look even darker. His brown dress pants were definitely hand-tailored and, if she wasn’t mistaken, the belt encircling his waist cost more than all the clothes in her sack combined.

As she’d relived their night together in her memory, Lauren had convinced herself that he couldn’t have been as handsome as she’d remembered. She’d decided that the late hour, the wine and the stress had clouded her recollection. But she’d been wrong. His features were chiseled, his nose long and aristocratic. His chin was strong and his lips perfectly sculpted.

His sun-streaked brown hair gleamed in the coffee shop’s subdued lighting. He wore it conservatively short but it was thick and wavy and almost begged for her fingers to run through the strands again.

“Alex, this is my good friend, Lauren Carlyle,” Sara said. “Lauren, Alexander Gabrielle. Alex is coordinating my European tour.”

Lauren met Alex’s gaze. From the watchful look in his eyes, she knew that he was willing to take his lead from her. It didn’t take even a second for her to decide how to handle the situation.

“You look familiar.” Lauren extended her hand. “Didn’t we dance together a couple of times at Melanie’s wedding?”

“I think you’re right.” He grasped her hand and brought it to his lips. “Enchanté.”

She shivered as he placed a kiss on the back of her hand, feeling her cheeks redden.

“I should have warned you, Lauren.” Sara laughed, a silvery tinkle that reminded Lauren of tiny bells. “Alex is very European.”

Lauren widened her gaze, truly surprised. “You’re not American?”

He smiled and gestured for the waiter, ordering an espresso before turning his attention back to her. “Actually I have dual citizenship. My father is American while my mother is a citizen of Carpegnia.”

“Carpegnia?” Though Lauren knew the location of practically every Nordstrom store in the United States, geography had never been her strong point. “Is that in the Mediterranean?”

Alex nodded. “Off the southern coast of France.”

“But you don’t have an accent,” Lauren said.

He smiled. “Sometimes I do.”

Ma chérie.

When they’d made love, he’d whispered the words over and over. Lauren took a deep breath. “So you speak English and French?”

“Along with several other languages,” he said as if it were no big deal.

“When I interviewed Alex, I knew he was just what I was looking for,” Sara said. “Not only is he fluent in all those languages, he’s very familiar with Europe.”

“I know it intimately,” Alex said. Was it only her imagination or had his deep, sensual voice lingered on the last word?

Lauren’s heart skipped a beat but she cast him a warning glance. Sara was smart and if he wasn’t careful, she’d catch on that her new employee and her old friend knew each other better than they were letting on.

“Your espresso, sir.” The waiter placed the cup before Alex, smiled and turned on his heel.

“Lauren is in the market for a roommate,” Sara said as soon as the waiter left. “She asked if I knew anyone who might be interested and I mentioned you were looking.”

“Roommate?” That cute little dimple she remembered so well flashed in Alex’s cheek, and Lauren decided she’d be safer with Jack the Ripper under her roof.

“It’s very small,” Lauren said.

“Your town house is spacious,” Sara protested. “And quite lovely.”

“We’d be tripping all over each other,” Lauren added.

“I don’t mind being close.” Alex took another sip of his espresso but mischief gleamed in his eye. “Not at all.”

Sara’s brows pulled together in puzzlement and Lauren kicked Alex under the table.

“The extra bedroom and bathroom are in the basement,” Lauren said.

Actually, the downstairs area was light and airy with huge daylight windows. But there was no need for Alex to know that.

“Sounds cozy.” Alex didn’t appear the least bit dissuaded. “I like cozy.”

He winced as the pointed toe of her shoe connected with his shin once again.

“I’m sorry, but I just noticed the time.” Sara pushed back her chair and rose to her feet. “I have to pick up the baby.”

Alex rose to his feet. “Are we still on for seven?”

Sara hesitated a fraction of a second. “Absolutely.”

Lauren hid a smile. It was obvious that her friend had completely forgotten the plans. Since her baby had been born, Sara’s already hectic schedule had kicked into overdrive and she’d confided in Lauren that half the time she didn’t know whether she was coming or going.

Sara shifted her gaze. “Lauren, I’d love to have you join us. Sal’s mother sent over some lasagna this morning and I’ll probably just throw together a salad. You haven’t been over in forever. Please say you’ll come.”