The clock on the mantel indicated it was well after midnight. Cynthia glanced out of the window, a small smile crept onto her face; the snow had not begun. With a little luck we can get out of here before the storm hit, she thought. Well at the very least, she would let the catering staff leave within the hour. Stepping back into the grand ballroom of the mansion that was still filled with dignitaries, politicians and their wives, she looked around the room, a little angry with herself. Since her friend, Ashley’s wedding, Cynthia Thornton promised herself she would no longer settle for just any man. She wanted the love of her life. No longer would she jump in bed with anyone other than whoever he may be. She was never one to believe in happily ever after or love at first sight. However, since her friends Tracy, Ashley and Rosaline had married the loves of their lives, she wanted the same, no matter how long it took him to come along. That was two years ago and the only prospect she had was Prince LaVere’ Ashro of Emure. Yes, a true Prince and she still had doubts.
With all that said, she wanted to kick herself as she stood in the doorway looking around the room for the tall, ruggedly handsome man in a uniform who had been exchanging glances with her all night. She knew those glances—received them every time, yes, every time she walked into a room where the male population existed. All of her one hundred ten pounds, five feet six inch natural reddish brown hair, caramel skin, hazel eyes and voluptuous behind, made the “you look good” glances a norm in her life. But the glances from this man indicate he wanted to devour her in a very intimate way. That mere fact should have her running in the other direction, not trying to seek this man out. She could still feel the intensity of his glance in the pit of her stomach, which was inconveniently traveling to the area below her navel.
If this were any other client, she would let her assistants handle the closing and leave, before she would allow herself to forget about her promise to wait for Mr. Right. However, this was The Brooks. Avery and Gwendolyn Brooks was one of the most powerful political families in the country, in addition to being her friend Ashley’s in-laws. With the potential for more business, there was no way she would not see this function to the end.
Cynthia put the man in the uniform and Prince LaVere’ out her mind, put on her most professional smile and began to mix in with the crowd. Part of her job as an event planner was to ensure everyone was enjoying themselves and on this particular occasion, to keep the host, James and Ashley Brooks, abreast of the impending weather condition. It was early November and the prediction of a major snowstorm had some a little on edge.
Walking over to the mantel where the couple was standing in a virtual who’s who in politics Cynthia could feel James’ eyes on her as she whispered in Ashley’s ear. She knew he was wondering what kind of trouble she was getting his wife into, now. Cynthia and her friends’ husbands had a love hate relationship. Their wives loved her and they, in turn hated her. Always one to stir up trouble Cynthia stood and gave James a wicked wink just as Ashley began to walk away with her. James put his hands around her waist to delay her departure. “Where do you think you’re going?” he whispered. “You know I like having you by my side.”
Ashley kissed his cheek and smiled. “I’m going to check on the weather, handsome, I’ll be right back.”
“I’ll go with you,” James replied quickly.
“No, stay here and talk with LaVere’. I won’t be gone long.”
The man next to James smiled warmly at Cynthia, who, from what he could read in her face, was enjoying the banter going on between the couple. If he was not mistaken, she was deliberately egging James’ anger on with her facial expressions. It was apparent the three were very close friends from the looks they shared. “Oh James, for goodness sake she is not going to break walking from here to the window. Get a grip.” Cynthia said in a joking tone.
“Are you offering your neck?” James asked in a not too gentle tone.
Ashley put one hand on James chest and the other on Cynthia’s shoulder and stepped between the two, “Okay, on the count of three, break and go to your opposing corners.”
Prince LaVere’ laughed and patted James on his shoulders, “James, my friend, I like your wife and her friend, whom, I have not had the pleasure of dancing with this evening.”
Prince LaVere’ remembered meeting the hazel eyed beauty at James and Ashley’s wedding the previous summer. To this day, he had a difficult time forgetting the smooth silk feel of her skin when he held her hand. Nor could he forget the dazzling smile he received when he helped her up from a fall.
“You don’t want to get that close—she is the devil’s spawn,” James replied with a curt smile.
“James!” Ashley exclaimed.
James took a sip of his drink, and gave Ashley a questioning glance. “Well she is, isn’t she?”
Cynthia smiled, and then turned to the Prince, “Please forgive us. We both love Ashley, but have different opinions on her activities. I believe she is very capable of walking a mere ten feet to the window. While James believes she should not take any steps at all.” She turned to Ashley, “Does he carry you to the bathroom and sit on the toilet with you?”
The Prince laughed along with Ashley and the other people standing around, however, it took a moment for James to see the humor in the comment. James smiled and threw up his hands, “I give up,” he kissed Ashley before she walked away.
“James,” LaVere’ smiled at his college friend, “it’s good to see you so happy. A good woman can do that for a man.”
Shaking his head James smiled, “I never thought it could happen, but I am a happy man. Ashley and the twins make my life worth living.”
“Spoken like a man in love.” Hearing Cynthia laugh, LaVere’ looked in the direction of the women who had gathered by the window on the opposite side of the room. He cleared his throat and turned to James. “Now would you extend the opportunity to your friend?” he asked as he pointed towards Cynthia.
James looked over at Cynthia, Ashley and their friend Rosaline who had joined them at the window and shook his head. “I don’t want to jeopardize our friendship by doing that.”
LaVere’ smiled, “Something that exquisite cannot be that bad,” he replied while watching every move Cynthia made.
James took another sip of his drink, “Believe me, it can,” he mumbled to himself.
Ashley, Cynthia and Rosaline, looked out the window as the snow began to fall. “I have the kitchen clean and all the items packed in the vans. If we leave now everyone should make it home before the storm gets too bad,” Rosaline stated. Cynthia could always depend on Rosaline handling the kitchen. Besides being business partners, they had been friends for years. The two worked together in one capacity or another since college. Cynthia handled organizing the parties while Rosaline Taylor-Marable handled the food and everything in the background. Then two years ago their friend, Tracy put together a business plan for them. Their company TNT Event Planning has been growing ever since.
“Well, I’ll have the valet bring the guest vehicles around for departure. Is anyone staying the night?” Cynthia asked Ashley.
“LaVere’ and his security staff will stay tonight,” Ashley replied. “Oh, and you are welcome to stay if you like.”
“We’ll see. I want to make sure everyone is gone and the area is cleared out before I leave. But I’ll let you know,” Cynthia replied as she surveyed the room to determine the time it would take to clear things out.
“I’m sure LaVere’ would be pleased if you stayed,” Ashley smiled.
Rosaline looked from Ashley to Cynthia. “Who’s LaVere’?”
Ashley turned Rosaline around by the shoulders until she was facing James and LaVere’.
“The man standing next to James, who has been asking about Cynthia since the wedding, is the one and only Prince LaVere’ Ashro of Emure.”
“Oh my, he’s a prince?” Rosaline smiled.
“A damn good looking one at that,” Ashley grinned.
Rosaline looked at Cynthia with a questioning eye. “He’s about six feet tall, handsome and a prince and you haven’t jumped on that?”
Cynthia looked over at the man standing next to James and smiled. “Actually, he is six-one, one hundred and ninety pounds, coal black eyes, third in line for the throne, has unlimited financial security and the look of royalty,” she shrugged indifference and looked away. “However, I took a vow of celibacy, remember. If he is not offering marriage I’m not interested.” Ashley and Rosaline looked at each other and began to laugh so hard, you would have thought a comedian had just delivered the punch line to his best joke. With hands on hips, Cynthia turned to her to friends, and gave them a look that made both of them stand up straight. “I don’t see anything funny about wanting to wait for the right man. You did,” she pointed to Rosaline “and so did you,” she said to Ashley. “Why is me waiting so funny?”
“Well maybe the fact that you have already slept with half of America. This is your chance to start on another country,” Rosaline snickered.
“Are you calling me a whore?” Cynthia asked angrily.
“No,” Rosaline replied quickly, “girl, you know I know better. But you have been around a stadium or two.”
“Three, four, five, six of them at least and that’s just counting the ball players,” Ashley teased.
Raising her chin high, “Well, that was then, this is now,” Cynthia replied. “I don’t wish to live my life that way anymore. Can’t a person change?”
“Sure they can,” Rosaline sympathized with her friend.
“Of course,” Ashley chimed in as she looked over at Rosaline who was shaking her head.
Cynthia caught the look, sighed and pointed her finger at them, “You know what? Both of you can kiss my natural ….”
“Ladies,” James interrupted just before Cynthia could complete her statement. “I believe I lost my manners earlier. This is my friend Prince LaVere’ Ashro. LaVere’, allow me to introduce Rosaline Taylor-Marble and you remember Cynthia Thornton. She is the one that fell all over herself the first time you two met at the wedding.”
“Prince Ashro,” Rosaline extended her hand. Taking it, he kissed the back and turned his attention to Cynthia.
Cynthia smiled as she extended her hand. “It’s a pleasure to see you again Prince Ashro.”
“It’s LaVere’ and the pleasure is mine,” he replied as his lips lingered on her hand.
Cynthia saw the look in his eyes and recognized it immediately, he wanted her, but she was no longer interested in the one nightstand game. She gently pulled her hand away and smile. “I hope you are enjoying your stay.”
The action of Cynthia pulling her hand away did not get past LaVere’. “I’m enjoying it more with each moment I spend in your presence. Will you be staying the night?”
Eyebrows went up on every face, Rosaline, Ashley and James. They each turned to Cynthia. Who smiled sweetly, “Thank you for the compliment, but no I will be leaving with the other guest, which we need to see to.” Addressing the group she smiled, “Would you excuse us?” She then turned to Rosaline, “Let’s take care of the guest,” she said as the two walked away.
“That was a rather hasty retreat,” LaVere’ smiled as he watched the two women walk away.
“Count it as a blessing,” James murmured as he took a sip from the drink in his hand.
Ashley frowned at her husband then turned to LaVere’. “Cynthia has a lot on her mind this evening. She is concerned with getting everyone on their way and home safely before the storm hits.”
“Thank you for trying to smooth my ego, but I am not deterred. I’m sure Ms. Thornton and I will see each other again—soon.” He was going to make sure of it.
♡♡♡
Prince LaVere’ stood at the window where he watched Cynthia drive away earlier. He smiled at the audacity of the young beauty. She is pretentious, that’s for sure. Nevertheless, like all the rest she can be tamed. He sat in a chair near the fireplace in the guest suite of the home of Avery and Gwendolyn Brooks. He attended Harvard graduate school with their son James and they became close friends. Over the past years James and LaVere’ shared good times and bad in their individual lives. LaVere’ was the reprieve for James during the time of his divorce and his brother’s deception. James stayed in his country, Emure, until he was sure how he would go on with his life. Of course, those plans changed once he met Ashley.
As for LaVere’, it was James who assisted him in negotiations that gained economic stability for his country. Now, he wondered if James would be willing to assist in a different type of negotiations. For some time now, his father has pushed for him and his brothers to marry and extend the royal family’s bloodline. As the youngest of three sons and one daughter, the pressure was not as great, but it was unmistakably present. There was one thing LaVere’ knew for sure. He did not want an arranged marriage. He wanted to select the woman that would become his wife. A woman his equal in intelligence and determination, but one that understood her place was to stand beside him and support him. In his mind, that woman was Cynthia Thornton.
LaVere’ understood the women in America were different from the women in his county. Women from here were use to having their say, doing as they please, and going at will. While the women in his country knew their place, did not speak out of turn and did not go anywhere unaccompanied by a male. Women here did not have to have a man, and made sure men knew that. Women in his country were the property of men, and the men made sure everyone knew that.
Although he liked the customs of his country, LaVere’ wanted to see progression in the area of acceptance. He knew, without a doubt his older brother, Aswan, who was next in line for the throne, would not take steps on his own to liberate all within his country. However, with a little persuasion, he was sure once his older brother became king, all social classes and women would become somewhat liberated.
LaVere’ stood to refill his empty glass with the very smooth cognac, James had left with him. His mind returned to Cynthia. She has the spirit to change a country, he smiled. The self assurance she displayed each time he saw her, demonstrated she would be able to stand up to the scrutiny she was sure to encounter, whenever she attempted to do those things she was accustomed too. She had the right amount of spiciness, spirit and compassion. He laughed thinking how his compatriots would react to Cynthia and her antics.
There was a knock on the door. LaVere’ continued to enjoy his drink as Charles, James’s butler opened the door. James and Ashley stood there in what seemed to be a confrontation and looked as though Ashley was winning.
“LaVere’ please excuse the interruption,” James said as he entered the suite with Ashley closely in tow. “There’s been an accident.”
LaVere’ sat his glass on the bar and walked towards the distraught couple. “What happened?”
Ashley did not give James an opportunity to respond, “Cynthia was in a car accident on her way home. We’re on our way to the hospital to check on her.”
“We regret having to leave you here alone but Ashley is determined to go,” James explained as he looked over his shoulder at his wife’s anxious retreat, and then turned back to LaVere’. He exhaled, “I love that woman but I swear she is going to be the death of me.”
LaVere’ nodded his head signifying his understanding, but at the moment, his concern was with Cynthia. “Allow me to tag along. I would like to know that she is alright.”
“Sure, I asked Charles to have the car pulled around. Meet us downstairs in five minutes.”
“I’m ready now,” he said as he grabbed his coat from the closet.
James gave an exasperating look, “You are as bad as Ashley.”