Royal Seducer / Bossman Billionaire: Royal Seducer

And she did own herself. Despite everything that had happened, she was in control of her own life. Her own destiny. And she intended to keep it that way.

The path ended and the gardens opened up to a rocky bluff that seemed to stretch for miles in either direction. Over its edge was nothing but cloudless sky and calm blue ocean, and farther in the distance, the coast of Morgan Isle. Fishing boats dotted the expanse that lay between the two islands, and closer to the Morgan Isle shore she could just make out the luxury craft common to the tourist trade.

She toed closer to the edge and peeked over the side, to the jagged rocks below. It was a long way down. At least three or four stories, with no discernible beach that she could make out in either direction. She looked back at Chris. “Is there a path down?”

He shook his head. “Not for miles. It’s a straight drop down to the water. Tactically speaking, it was the perfect place for my ancestors to build the castle. Invading forces would have been forced to dock their ships miles down the coast.”

She leaned farther over, trying to see the sharp incline of the cliff wall.

“Be careful,” he said, concern in his voice.

“I’m always careful.” At least, almost always.

“Not afraid of heights, I guess.”

She shrugged and backed away from the edge. “Not afraid of anything, really.”

He regarded her curiously. “Everyone is afraid of something.”

She though about it for a moment, then said, “Centipedes.”

He grinned. “Centipedes?”

“All those legs.” She shuddered. “They give me a serious case of the creeps.”

“Well, then, you have nothing to fear here,” he said, offering his arm and leading her back toward the castle. “We don’t see many centipedes.”

There was one other thing she feared. Feared it more than a stampede of creepy centipedes.

She was afraid she might fall for Prince Christian. Then get her heart broken as she had so many times before.

Chapter Three

Chris and Melissa strolled slowly back to the castle, she a soft and comfortable presence beside him. They chatted about the weather and the flowers and the different crops they grew on the island. She had an insatiable curiosity about practically everything, and always looked genuinely interested in his answers and explanations. But when he led her past the shrubbery maze, her eyes all but shimmered with excitement. She stopped him just outside the entrance. “It’s taller than it looks from the air.”

“Three meters, give or take,” Chris said. “It takes an entire crew a full day to manicure.”

“I’m sure it’s worth it.”

“This maze has been standing here, unchanged, for hundreds of years.”

Her eyes filled with mischief. “Could we go inside?”

“You’d like me to lead you through?”

“Oh, no, I’ll figure it out myself.”

Chris looked at his watch. “Unfortunately, there’s no time. We’re to meet with my parents for drinks before supper.”

“How long does it usually take?”

“Drinks or supper?”

She laughed. “No, the maze.”

“If you know your way, not long. Ten minutes, maybe. For the novice, though, it’s easy to get turned around. I’ve seen people wander through there for hours.”

She shot him a cocky smile. “I’ll bet I could figure it out in no time.”

“It’s more confusing than you might think.”

“I have a very good sense of direction. And I like a challenge.”

He didn’t doubt that she did. She certainly had spunk. He liked that about her. In his opinion, it took a strong and independent woman to withstand a marriage of convenience. Melissa seemed to have what it would take. He hoped she felt the same way.

“Just in case, I think it should wait.”

She looked disappointed, but she didn’t push the issue. Duty was duty, and she seemed to embrace the concept. One more trait in her favor.

“Tomorrow, then?” she asked.

“Of course.”

She gazed up at him through a curtain of thick, dark lashes, a wicked smile teasing the corners of her lips. “You promise?”

“I’m a man of my word,” he said.

“I’m sure you’ve heard the saying ‘Chivalry is dead.’”

“Not on Morgan Isle it isn’t.” He gazed down at her, into the smoky depths of her eyes, and swore he could see a shadow of apprehension. Maybe even sorrow. Then it was gone.

Either he’d imagined it, or she wasn’t as tough as she wanted people to believe.

“Now,” he said, “are you ready to have drinks with my parents?”

“I guess so.” She took a long, deep breath, and blew it out. Then asked, “Anything I should know before-hand? It’s important that I make a good impression.”

“Just be yourself and I know they’ll find you as enchanting and interesting as I do.”

He could see from her smile that she appreciated his answer.

“I like you, Your Highness.”

He returned the smile. “I would have to say, that’s a very good thing.”

“Why is that?”

“Because, Princess, I like you, too.”