as a sexual outlet, an escape, but he wouldn’t use his assistant...no matter how tempted he was.
Luc hadn’t tried hard enough to keep himself in check, which was the main problem. He was still reeling from the fact that Kate had stood at the base of the steps looking as if she might leap to the second floor and devour him if he even hinted he was ready. And misericórdia, mercy, he was ready for some no-strings affection. Still, not with his employee. How did this number-one rule keep slipping from his mind?
“You’re burned,” he replied, surprised when his tone came out stronger than he’d intended. “Looks like you should’ve taken your own advice about that sunscreen.”
With a defiant tilt of her chin, a familiar gesture he’d come to find amusing, she propped her hands on her hips, which did amazing things to the pull of the fabric across her chest. The woman was slowly killing him.
The no-dating-staff rule also covered no sleeping with staff. Damn it, he was a mess after Alana. More so than he feared if he was thinking even for a second of risking his family’s reputation, and his own reputation as a worthy king, by sleeping with Kate. Nothing good would come from his moment of weakness, and then he’d be out an amazing assistant, because he couldn’t allow her to work for him further. And she’d have a wealth of fodder for the press if she chose to turn against him.
That was precisely the reason he needed to keep his damn hands off his assistant.
“Maybe tomorrow we can rub it on each other, then,” she suggested with a mocking grin. “Anyway, back to the charity.”
Charity, the lesser of two evils when compared to rubbing sunscreen over her luscious curves... But he wasn’t getting into this discussion again. He sponsored several organizations financially, but his time wasn’t something he’d considered giving. The main reason being he didn’t like it when people in power used that type of opportunity as just another publicity stunt. Luc didn’t want to be that type of king...that is, if he actually got the crown.
“We need to figure out a plan to secure my title first,” he told Kate. “Everything else can wait.”
Pursing her lips, she nodded. Apparently, she was backing down, which was a first. She never shied away from an argument.
“You’re plotting something,” he said, narrowing his gaze. “You may as well tell me now.”
“I’m not plotting anything,” she replied, that sweet grin still in place, confirming his suspicion. “I’ve been thinking about your title, but I haven’t come up with a solid solution, other than a quick wedding, of course.”
She turned and started through the patio doors, but Luc reached out, grabbing her arm to halt her exit. Her eyes darted down to his hand, then back up to his face, but he didn’t release her.
“Why is this particular charity so important to you?” he asked. “You mention it so often. If you give me the name, I’ll send as much money as you want me to.”
Her eyes softened, filled with a sadness he hadn’t seen there before. “Money isn’t what I wanted.”
Slipping from his grasp, she headed down the stairs toward the beach. Money wasn’t what she wanted? Had he ever heard a woman say that before? Surely any organization could benefit from a sizable donation.
Kate was always surprising him with what came out of her mouth. She seemed to enjoy a good verbal sparring as much as he did. But something about the cause she kept bringing up was bothering him. Obviously, this was something near and dear to her, and she didn’t feel like opening up about it. She’d worked for him for a year, but he’d known her longer than that, though they didn’t exactly hang in the same circles. Didn’t she trust him enough to disclose her wishes?
Luc shook his head as he watched her walk along the shoreline. The woman was mesmerizing from so many different angles, and it was a damn shame she was his assistant, because having her in his bed would certainly help take the edge off this title-throne nightmare.
Glancing up at the sky, he noticed the clouds growing darker. A storm was on the horizon and he knew how much Kate loved Mother Nature’s wrath. She’d always been fascinated by the sheer power, she’d told him once. And that summed Kate up in a nutshell. She was fierce, moved with efficiency and had everyone taking notice.
Part of him wanted to worry, but he knew she’d be back soon, most likely to watch the storm from her own balcony. Luc still took a seat on his patio to wait for her, because they weren’t done discussing this charity business. She was hiding something and he wanted to know what it was. Why was this mysterious organization such a secret? And why did discussing it make her so sad and closed off?
He sank down onto the cushioned bench beside the infinity pool. Everything about this outdoor living space was perfect and exactly what he would’ve chosen for himself. From the stone kitchen for entertaining to the wide, cushioned benches and chaise lounges by the pool, Luc loved all the richness this space offered.
Glancing down the beach where Kate had set out, he found he couldn’t see her any longer and wondered when she’d start heading back. Ominous clouds blanketed the sky, rumbles of thunder filling the previous silence.
When the first fat drop of rain hit his cheek, Luc continued to stare in the direction she’d gone. Since when did he give anyone such power over his mind? He didn’t like this. Not one bit.
He was next in line for the throne, for pity’s sake. How could his hormones be led around so easily by one petite, curvy woman, and how the hell could he still want her after months and months of ignoring the fact?
This pull was strong, no doubt, but Luc just had to be stronger. There was no room for lust here. He wouldn’t risk his family’s stellar reputation, or his ascension to the throne, just because he was hot for his assistant.
* * *
The wild, furious storm had been magnificent, one of the best she’d seen in a long time. Kate had meant to get back to the house before the weather got too bad, but she’d ended up finding a cove to wait it out in and couldn’t resist staying outside. She’d been shielded from the elements, but she’d gotten drenched before she could get hunkered down.
With her dress plastered to her skin, she headed back toward the guesthouse. Even being soaking wet and a bit chilly from the breeze caressing her damp skin didn’t dim her mood. She had to walk up the steps to Luc’s patio in order to reach the path to her place. Noticing a light on the dock and lights on either side of the patio doors, she realized she’d been gone longer than she’d intended. It was clearly very dark and not because of the storm.
“Where the hell were you?”
Startled, Kate jumped back at the sound of Luc’s angry, harsh tone. He stood in the doorway to his living area, wearing the same clothes as he had before, but now his hair stood on end, as if he’d run his fingers through it multiple times.
“Excuse me?” She stepped closer to him, taking in his flared nostrils, clenched jaw and the firm line of his mouth. “I told you I was going for a walk. I wasn’t sure I had to check in, Dad.”
Luc’s lips thinned even more. “That storm was nasty. I assumed you’d have enough sense to come back. What the hell were you thinking?”
The fact he’d waited for her warmed something in her, but the way he looked as if he was ready to throttle her
