Carolyn Zane - Of Royal Blood

“We shall.”

Marie-Claire whooped in surprise as he took her by the waist and stepped into the pool’s knee-deep water. Her gown ballooned on the surface before it sank to swirl about her ankles. Sebastian drew her close and they began to move about their watery dance floor.

Laughing, she leaned away from him so that she could better see his handsome face. This was a moment she would forever remember, she promised herself. Full of hope and possibilities. A veritable dream come to life.

Playfully, he swung her away from him and back again, then bent her low in a dip that had her giddy laughter ringing out. Their spontaneous hilarity caused those who loitered on the verandah to smile with indulgence as the king’s youngest daughter frolicked in the fountain with St. Michel’s most eligible bachelor. As the tempo of the music increased, so did their silly antics.

Sebastian lifted Marie-Claire in his arms and spun until they were both dizzy and in danger of tipping into the drink.

“You’re going to soak us!” Marie-Claire clutched his neck for dear life and wished the ebullient feelings that bubbled into her throat would last forever.

Neither seemed to notice that the music had stopped.

“Don’t look now,” Sebastian set her down and pulled her up against the solid wall of his chest, “but we’re pretty much wet.”

Pretending to pout, Marie-Claire leaned sideways. She paused to study her voluminous skirts, hanging heavy against her legs. “I can’t go back in now.”

“We’d get the floor all wet.”

“People might fall.”

“You’ll let me know if you’re thinking of shucking your dress for a skinny dip?” Grin teasing, he cupped her cheek in his palm.

“Will I ever live that night down?”

“You haven’t yet. Not in my mind.” Their noses grazed as he looked deeply into her eyes. Marie-Claire could feel his warm breath against her lips as he spoke. “Even when you were gone away to school, you were never far from my thoughts.”

“I know. It was the same for me.”

“You were so young.”

“Yes, I was.” More than once it had occurred to Marie-Claire that Sebastian could so easily have taken advantage of her foolish crush when she was but a child. But he hadn’t. He was an honorable man, and that was only one of the myriad qualities that attracted her. “But I’m not anymore.”

“No. You’re not.” The muscles in his jaw worked as his thoughts seemed to race back over the years. “Waiting for you to grow up has been tedious. I knew any involvement for us before you were of legal age could have caused problems for your father. But—” On a heavy sigh, his eyes slid closed. “For so long, I’ve wondered…and wanted….”

By now, his lips were brushing hers as he spoke and so it was only a matter of allowing himself to finally indulge in the guilty pleasure of their heretofore forbidden kiss. Ever so slightly, he leaned forward until his lips covered hers in a touch so gossamer, Marie-Claire was tempted to wonder if she was dreaming.

That was all it took for the glowing embers to flare to life.

Immediately, the kiss became heated. Sebastian’s arms circled her waist, pulling her closer as his mouth closed over hers. The years of waiting and wondering were over and it was with relief and complete exhilaration that their mouths, their bodies, their souls, came together.

The kiss deepened, and, laboring in sync, their lungs heaved, and their hearts pounded. They struggled to quench their insatiable urge to get closer to each other. To know each other. To learn what they’d wanted to discover for the past five years.

Marie-Claire wound her fingers into the silky soft hair at his nape as he bent to nuzzle her neck and kiss the spot where her shoulder met her neck. A hot blaze shivered down her spine and coiled deep in her belly. In great waves, gooseflesh raced across her body and she gasped at the onslaught. She could hear the thunder of her pulse and wondered how long her heart could take such exertion.

It felt so natural, standing here, being kissed by Sebastian LeMarc. It was as if they had some kind of history together that transcended time. And space. And logic. They were each one half of the other. Whole only when they were together.

And they’d known it that night, five years ago.

Sebastian held Marie-Claire’s face in both hands and pulled his mouth away from hers, a fraction. “What are we going to do?”

“Marie-Claire!”

“We’ve been found out.” Sebastian kissed her hard, then took a step back.

Marie-Claire groaned. “My sister, Ariane. Do you think if we ignore her, she’ll go away?”

“Likely not. She sounds upset.”

Marie-Claire bristled. “I don’t know why. I’m old enough to take care of myself. No doubt she saw us and wants to remind me to appear disinterested.”

Sebastian grinned. “She’s too late.”

“We could run,” she suggested hopefully.

“Your skirts are too heavy. I’d have to carry you on my back. It would slow me down, but we might stand a chance if we bolt for it now.”

Marie-Claire giggled.

“Marie-Claire! Marie-Claire! Come quickly! It’s Papa! He’s collapsed!”

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