Before long she had her packages. Raoul ushered her out to the street amidst a barrage of camera flashes. Some reporter in the crowd called out, “Prince Raoul? Is the rumor true that you’re not marrying Princess Sophie after all?”
Lee cringed, but he just smiled and waved before helping her into the car.
Once they were on their way, he glanced at her. “You couldn’t have gotten much sleep last night. I have to assume that’s the reason you wouldn’t give me a preview in the shop, so let’s get you home for a nap.”
“That sounds good.”
“I thought it would. You can sleep until seven-thirty. We have dinner reservations at the Alex at eight. Afterward, I’m planning to dance the night away with you.”
At the thought of being in his arms again she felt her heart take up a furious tattoo.
“Don’t look so alarmed,” he muttered. “It’s the thing to do at night in Zermatt.”
“I-I haven’t danced in a long time.” Her voice faltered.
“The place will be so packed all you’ll have to do is hold on to me and I’ll take care of the rest.”
That was what she was afraid of.
Six hours later, after a sumptuous dinner from the grill followed by champagne, Raoul guided her into a disco bar. It wasn’t Lee’s scene, but it was exactly the kind of place Sophie would have loved because the music ‘rocked’.
Once again Lee heard whispers as people recognized Raoul. The manager was all smiles and arranged the best table for them, but her companion seemed totally oblivious. He relieved her of the chic white wool dress coat he’d bought for her while she’d been in the fitting room.
In the next instant he spirited her on to the floor, drawing her arms behind his neck before sliding his hands around her hips to rest against her back.
There wasn’t a centimeter of air between them. Lee trembled so hard, he had to feel it. They might as well have been making love standing up.
“I told you there was nothing to this kind of dancing,” he said in a husky tone. The warmth of his breath on her temple shot sparks of desire through her system, electrifying her.
“You warned me it would be crowded, but I didn’t realize we wouldn’t be able to breathe.”
He chuckled softly. “That’s the whole idea.” His hands roved over her back where skin met skin. “Have I told you yet how sensational you look in this dress? I’m the envy of every man here.”
Lee had been thinking the same thing about Raoul. He looked drop-dead gorgeous in his tux, a breed apart from any other man. The women in the room couldn’t keep their eyes off him.
“Thank you for the compliment.”
She lost track of time as one dance turned into another. It was the only legitimate excuse she had to cling to him. But as the night worn on she realized this was too dangerous a game to play. It was vital she put distance between them.
“Raoul?”
“Umm?”
“Do you think we could leave now?”
“You’re not enjoying yourself?”
If only you knew.
“It’s not that, but I couldn’t sleep this afternoon and-”
“And now you’re exhausted. That’s fine. We’ll go.”
People made a path for him as he drew her through the crowd to the exit. Until more flashes went off, blinding her, she’d forgotten the paparazzi. They never let up, not even at two in the morning.
She was a throbbing mass of emotions on their drive back to the chalet. “Today has been like a page out of a fairy tale. I feel like Cinderella who got her dance with the Prince.” She had to keep things on a light note or she might break down and tell him how she really felt.
“How have you liked your role so far?”
He was letting her know not to get too carried away.
“Knowing it’s temporary, I’ll be honest and tell Your Highness that I’ve loved every second of it. But the thought of it being on a permanent basis is ludicrous. Your world and mine are so far apart as to be beyond comprehension.”
After the slightest hesitation she heard him say, “Nevertheless the enchantment isn’t over yet, and you still have both glass slippers.”
In other words, he intended for the public charade to go on through tomorrow night as well. But it wasn’t necessary. She was convinced they’d given the reporters more than enough material for Sophie’s family to call off the engagement. In one day Raoul had destroyed all the good he’d spent his life building.
As for Lee, any more time in his company would only bring about her final destruction. However, tonight was not the time to tell him she was through playing the role of his lover. Otherwise he’d insist on another one of his talks, where she always came out the loser. She couldn’t risk that.
Still high on the feel of his arms around her, Lee’s only salvation was to run inside when they arrived, and go to bed without stopping for a breath.
When they drew up behind the chalet, she saw another car parked there. Beyond it she spied Philippe, descending the outside staircase from the loft.
She heaved a sigh. “I’m glad your friends are home safely.”
“Me too,” Raoul murmured before levering himself from the car. As he came around to open her door she heard the two men greet each other.
Relieved because Raoul had been distracted for the moment, Lee nodded to Philippe, then slipped past them and darted into the house. She couldn’t reach her bedroom fast enough.
CHAPTER NINE
RAOUL let out a groan as he watched Lee’s whiteclad figure disappear in the darkness. This wasn’t how he’d planned the night to end. Inside he rebelled against Philippe’s timing until he saw the smile that lit up his friend’s face.
With it came the dawning realization of what it meant. Raoul’s heart did a violent kick. “The news is out?”
Philippe let go with a cry of excitement. “I not only heard it-I saw it with my own eyes on TV! It’s the major story on every network! They all say the same thing. ‘A beautiful blond American woman appears to have captured the heart of Prince Raoul. There’s no official word yet, but it’s rumored that he and Princess Sophie will not be getting married after all.’”
He clapped Raoul so hard on the shoulder he almost knocked him over. “When I think it was less than a week ago that I received a call from a man who sounded like he’d come to the end of his life. You’re no longer that person.”
They stared intently at each other in the moonlight. “No, I’m not.”
“Have you told Lee know how you feel about her yet?”
“If you’re talking physically, we almost lost it at Roger’s condo.”
“Things have progressed that far already?” Philippe asked incredulously.
Raoul nodded. “But the situation is complicated because I don’t know if I’m fighting the ghost of her dead fiancé.”
“Mon Dieu.”
“He was killed three years ago. At the moment she believes she’s doing all this for Sophie’s happiness.”
Philippe shook his head. “If ever two people looked like they were in love, it’s you and Lee. After what I saw on television tonight, your broken engagement is a fait accompli. I’m beyond happy for you. But what about your title? Is it in the past now too, my friend?”
“I have no idea.”
“It’s not a small thing you’ve done.” Philippe eyed him soulfully. “The main reason I came out here was to tell you your parents have been calling the chalet every half-hour since I arrived. Your father wants you to phone him no matter the hour. When I saw your cellphone on the dresser, I realized you’d left it home on purpose. He asked me to wait up for you.”
“I’ll call him.” Suddenly Raoul clasped his arm. “Thank you for being my friend. Without your inspiration, I would never have thought to ask Sophie to join me here. It has set a process in motion. I don’t know where it’s going to lead, but it has already changed my life. For that you have my undying gratitude.”