ZANDER was elated he actually had a way to reach Andi without pulling Pippa into things. The last thing he wanted to do was further complicate this already-complicated relationship. Plus he didn’t want Pippa giving him a heap of shit for his behavior.
He quickly pulled up the naked picture text. Cara, he typed, thinking that was sweeter than just saying hello. After all, he’d spent half the night going at it with her; he needed to step it up a notch.
Lorenzo had convinced Zander that he needed a big gesture to woo her because she was going to be teeming with rage after he up and evaporated like he did. Every guy knows that’s a dick move, especially with someone whom you’re interested in getting to know better.
I’d hoped to get back to you before you woke up that morning, but things got complicated, he wrote. First off, I’m so sorry to have left as I did. I would have woken you, but you were so peacefully asleep I didn’t have the heart to.
I never pay attention to the family schedule, and I’d completely forgotten I was committed to a breakfast my mother had demanded that I attend. Trust me, she is one person I know not to make mad. I’d promised to be there, and an hour before I was due I was nowhere to be found. She practically yelled through my phone text at me (I can show you—it was all in caps, I swear it!). I raced out of that house so fast, and I only had my keys and my phone and nothing to leave a note with. Plus the room was pitch-black.
Zander took a moment to gather his thoughts. This was so unlike him to ramble on like this. Maybe it would be easier to call. But of course she’d probably refuse his call.
And then I tried to reach Pippa, but she didn’t answer her phone. Besides, I was worried you wouldn’t want Pippa to know what happened, so that made me nervous. But then Lorenzo (you remember him, from Roma?) reminded me that I already had your number! Sorry, it’s because I texted my picture to my phone from yours (I never had my own copy! I thought it would be funny to keep. Maybe that wasn’t such a great idea.). Now please, don’t get all wildcat on me about that. What’s done is done, and if I could take it back I would. But then I’d also not have your number. So it all worked out, and here I am. At your disposal (as long as you don’t dispose of me).
Andi, I had a fantastic time with you last night. I honestly can’t stop thinking about you. I wanted to see if I could persuade you to give me another chance (because right now I know you’ve cursed me out—and I’ll expect you to make a donation to the swear jar my mother has installed in the palace because of my own propensity to swear a little too often). I’ve arranged a little getaway. Just you and me. I’m not going to tell you any details, but rather I hope you’ll just throw your reservations out the window and say yes and agree to join me. I promise I won’t do anything stupid and I won’t embarrass you or abandon you or make you angry. Pretty please with sugar on top and a cherry too?
As soon as you say yes, I’ll be at Pippa’s place to get you in thirty minutes’ time. In fact, I might just come now and not give you a chance to say no. Even though this time I won’t force you to dance with me. It’s your choice whether or not you want to.
He reread his text about ten times before he hit Send. And he knew if she said no, he’d be out at Pippa’s house throwing stones up against the bedroom window to lure her out anyhow.
~*~
“Don’t get all wildcat on me,” Andi read aloud.
“Wildcat?” Pippa asked.
“It’s something he called me when we danced together. I guess I was a bit ferocious toward the man.”
“That’s okay. A little ferocity will do him good. Keep reading.”
Andi was reluctant to read aloud in case he made any too-personal references, but she continued anyway. “I promise I won’t do anything stupid and I won’t embarrass you or abandon you or make you angry.”
“Oh, man. I think you’ve caught the tiger by the tail.” Pippa beamed broadly.
“What do you mean?”
“Zander. I have never seen him besotted like this. He is wooing you, my dear. That is so not Zander. Don’t get me wrong, he’s a great guy. But he’s never needed to work hard when it comes to women. Clearly he’s stepping up his game for you. You’re making the man squirm. That’s so awesome!”
Andi finished reading the text, then set the phone down and took a deep breath.
“I don’t even have anything to bring if I went. All my things are sweaty and dirty and super casual. I don’t have prince-like outfits.”
“Oh please. Zander doesn’t want to see clothes on you anyhow. By the way, I don’t want him throwing rocks at my windows. My father would freak out. Which means you’re going.” She stood up and tugged on her friend’s arm. “Andiamo. Let’s go. We are packing a bag for you.”
“Wait a minute! I’ve got to tell him something!”
“Tell him to get his royal butt over here, pronto!”
~*~
Zander couldn’t drive fast enough to Pippa’s place and pulled up in record time. Which sort of backfired, because while Andi was still getting ready, Pippa was ready and willing to grill her friend—just what Zander needed.
“So, Zander,” Pippa said while they waited in the kitchen. “As currently the sole guardian of our friend Andi, I’d like to know what your intentions are?”
Zander looked at her, wide-eyed. “You’re serious?”
She pushed her hands up against his shoulders. “God, no! Just giving you some shit. You deserve it after pulling a runner like you did!”
“I did not pull a runner,” he said. “I was trying to save my hide, and I had no way to leave a message. If you’d answered your damned phone, I wouldn’t have had to crawl back begging for mercy.”
“Oh is that what you call it? I think the term is more like skulking,” a voice nearby said.
Zander turned to see Andi, radiantly beautiful in a cute baby blue sailor-striped sundress, her blond hair swinging behind her. The dress matched those eyes of hers that made him swoon.
Zander broke into a broad smile and pressed his hands to his heart dramatically. “Cara mia,” he said. “I’m so very sorry for that. Forgiven?”
Andi squinted her eyes at him and pursed her lips. “Hmmm,” she said, crossing her arms over her chest and tapping her toe. “What do you think, Pippa? Should I cut him some slack?”
“Tell him the price is dear.”
“Yeah? You think I should hold out for special treatment?”
“Without doubt,” she said. “I think this should include a new wardrobe, some fabulous dinners out, perhaps also a spa resort for several days.”
“I like the way you think,” And said, laughing. “So, is it a deal?”
Zander held his hands up in surrender. “Whatever the lady says.” He bowed before her and swept his arm in a flourish.
“Ah, so the prince bows to you, rather than the other way around!” Pippa said. “I’m impressed, Andi. You’ve clearly bewitched the man. Whatever your powers, they seem to be working.”
Andi just shrugged and lifted her hands, palms up. “Hell if I know.”
Zander looked at his watch. “We’re on the clock, so let’s get going or we’ll be late!”
“Late for what?” Pippa asked.
“Not for you to know. Although you’ll find out soon enough.”
“Oh, really? Now I’m intrigued,” she said.
Zander grabbed hold of Andi’s hand and walked her to his waiting car. He opened the door, ushered her into the front seat, then loaded her bag—borrowed along with the clothes from Pippa—into the trunk. He got in the car and pulled out, continuing along the coastal road, headed toward the mountains.
“So you don’t have a driver?” Andi asked, surprised.
“Occasionally I do, but honestly, I’d rather drive myself.”
“And bodyguards? You had those two beefy men with you at the nightclub.”
“It depends where I am and what I’m doing. In large crowds my mother insists we be covered. But because I don’t really count—
“Stop that. Of course you count.”
“Because my brother will eventually rule Monaforte, I’m off the hook, which means I have far more flexibility in my life. He can’t fly under the radar quite as easily as I can.”
“Though you sometimes make it impossible to be ignored.”
Zander laughed. “Ha! Yes, I suppose you could say that. Perhaps not intentionally, but sometimes I just do things, and sometimes those things kind of blow up.”
“Like Vegas.”
“Wellll... I wouldn’t say that blew up in that it was a bad thing. But rather it was maybe not such a great idea for the palace publicity machine.”
It was Andi’s turn to laugh. “Ya think? So like a guy to understate that.”
“What I mean is it was a crazy amount of fun. Maybe not really a good idea to do, but at the time it was insane.”
“You’re insane,” she said, poking her finger into his side.
“Takes one to know one.”
“Likely so,” she said. “Otherwise why would I drop everything and go off with the likes of you?”
“Because I’m so handsome? Or because I drove you wild in bed?”
“More like on the couch,” she said. “And that is definitely a selling point in your corner.”
She cocked her head and smiled, and Zander took a cue and placed his hand on the top of her thigh when he wasn’t changing gears.
Andi felt her pulse quicken as she thought about his hands on her last night. “You’re tempting fate with your hand there.”
“Oh? I thought I was about to feel you up.”
She blurted out a laugh. “Subtle, you are. Though I wouldn’t object, your honor. As long as you tell me where we’re going.”
“All I will say is we’re heading to the Monafortian Alps. Once there, you’ll figure things out.”
“I think we can rule out skiing, being that it’s summertime.”
Zander pretended to lock his lips and toss out the key. “Nothing more from me. Well, at least no information.” He winked at her as his hand moved between her legs. Andi’s breathing grew louder and she spread her legs to give him better access.
Zander moved her dress out of the way and his fingers slipped beneath her panties to find her already wet. Andi was almost embarrassed to be so obvious, but then again, nah. As Zander moved his fingers deftly over her, she closed her eyes and just soaked in the feel of him coupled with a flood memories of last night swimming in her head. She moaned softly and then much louder as she came with about as little effort as humanly needed.
Zander kept his hand there for a minute more, then glanced over at a most sated Andi, licked his fingers, and smiled.