“They’re booked for the weekend.”

“They don’t have one extra room?” I looked at him and frowned.

“No.”

“What about another hotel?”

“The whole town is booked this weekend. There is some event.”

“Oh.” I bit my lower lip and looked at the bed again. “What are we going to do?”

“We’ve shared a bed before, Lola. Tell me you’re not scared of me?”

“Well, it’s not like you’re innocent.”

“I’m the big bad wolf?” He grinned, his teeth showing and making me shiver.

“You could be.”

“Are you a piggy or a girl in a red hood?”

“Which one would be safer with you?” I whispered.

“Neither.” His eyes laughed at me and he put his bag down. “Come now, Lola. We’re here to work. I shall not touch you, if you do not wish me to.”

“I don’t wish or want you to touch me.”

“That’s fine then.” He bowed his head. “Shall we go and look for some food? I’m feeling quite hungry.”

“Sounds good to me.” I replied as my stomach growled. “I’m really hungry.”

“What would you like? Escargot? Frog legs? Caviar?”

“Um, a steak would do fine.” I paused as I tried to think of my French. “Le beouf?”

“Boeuf?” He smiled at me and I rolled my eyes.

“You know what I mean. A big fat juicy steak.” I grabbed the door handle and opened it. “With pomme frites.”

“Yes, Lola. I’ll find you a nice piece of meat to chew on.” His voice was light as he followed me and I looked at him to see if he was teasing me. I tried to ignore the excitement roaring in my stomach at the thought of sleeping in the same bed as him. It would be delicious and it would be hard to keep my hands off of him. I really hoped that he didn’t sleep naked. Oh my God! What would I do if he slept in the nude? What if I felt him next to me? Would I be able to say no? I could still remember that it had felt like the first time we’d made love. It had been so passionate and intense. I could still remember what he felt like inside if me if I closed my eyes and concentrated hard. I let out a small sigh as I realized that I was in trouble.

“What’s wrong?” Xavier’s hands caressed my back and I froze.

“Nothing. Why?”

“You look troubled.”

“I’m fine.”

“Good, good.” He grabbed my hand and escorted me through the lobby of the hotel. “Tonight we shall eat and drink, and then tomorrow we shall go to Monet’s gardens.”

“Then what?”

“Then we can go to Mont St. Michel.”

“What’s that?”

“An old abbey.” He grinned. “I think you would like it.”

“Why is that?”

“Because you seem to be a girl that appreciates history and things of beauty.”

“Oh, thanks.” I answered slightly breathlessly, touched by his seemingly kind comments.

“Now let’s eat.”

“Mange.” I grinned at him and he laughed.

* * *

“Dinner was so delicious.” I grinned at him as we made our way back to the hotel.

“You seemed to enjoy the wine as well.” He held onto my arm tightly.

“It was superb.” I giggled, feeling slightly drunk in the night air.

“You should not have drunk so much.” He frowned as he escorted me to the hotel.

“Why?” I hiccupped. “I feel good.”

“I just don’t think—” His words were cut off by a crowd of photographers who started screaming as soon as we made our way to the entrance of the hotel. I looked up in a daze as lights started flashing in my face.

“Crown Prince Van Romerius, who is your companion?”

“Xavier, are you now engaged?”

“Prince, does your mother know you are dating a commoner?”

“Xavier, what are your intentions with this lady?”

The men kept shouting and flashing bright lights at us and I clung into Xavier’s arm as tightly as I could.

“What’s going on?” I whispered into his ear.

He looked back at me and frowned as I stumbled alongside him. Before I knew what was happening he’d grabbed me up into his arms and hurried into the hotel, muttering something under his breath.

“What’s going on?” I giggled as he carried me into the bedroom and placed me down on the ground.

“Did you not see the photographers, Lola?” He stood there staring at me with narrowed eyes.

“I see you in front of me.” I reached out to grab his shirt. “But I only see you.” I touched his chest and ran my fingers all the way to his waist. “I see a very hot you, but no photographers.”

“Lola, I think it’s time for you to go to bed.”

“You want to take me to bed?” I wiggled an eyebrow at him and then sighed as he took a step away from me.

“Don’t try and seduce me,” I giggled as I attempted to pull my shirt off.

“Dios mio, Lola.” Xavier sighed as he sat on the bed and stared at me. “You’re really drunk.”

“That’s not French,” I stumbled as I pointed at him.

“Do you need help?” His face was serious as he walked over to me.

“Help with what?”

“Undressing.”

“You just want me to take my clothes off.”

“I don’t seduce drunk women.” He frowned and grabbed my hands. “Come, let me help you.”

“I don’t need your help.” I pouted childishly and pushed him away. “Who were all those people taking my photo?”

“Your photo?” He cocked his head and smiled.

“Yes, there was like a hundred different men calling at me.” My hands flew to my forehead. “All those lights.”

“They were paparazzi,” Xavier frowned. “I have no idea how they know we are here.”

“I have no idea why the paparazzi are interested in me.” I shook my head and sat on the bed. “I’m not famous or anything.”

“They were there for me, Lola.” Xavier made a face and I frowned.

“Oh?”

“I’m a prince, remember?  I’m one of the most eligible bachelor princes in Europe.”

“Oh, yeah.” I made a face. “I almost forgot.” I lay back on the bed. “I just remembered that you were an inappropriate professor. I forgot you were an inappropriate prince as well.” I started laughing then. “I can’t believe you’re a prince.” I looked up at him and laughed.

“Why’s that?” He had a half smile on his face.

“You’re such as ass.” I laughed. “You have no people skills.”

“And you have so many, don’t you Lola?” He gave me a pointed look.

“Yes, I do.” I rolled over on my side and closed my eyes. “I’m a people person.”

“Hold on, sleepy. Let’s get you in your PJs.”

“You just want to touch me.” I mumbled sleepily as he pulled my top off.

“If that makes you feel better.” He reached for my pants and unzipped them.

“You just want to make love to me.” I mumbled as he pulled my pants down.

“Then you’re lucky you’re drunk.” His voice was serious.

“Hmm, your fingers feel soft.” I sighed as I felt his fingertips on my legs.

“Lola.” He groaned.

“Kiss me.” I moaned, my eyes closed. I was imagining myself entwined in his arms. “I want to feel you.”

“Where are your PJs, Lola?” He pulled away from me and I sighed.

“I’m cold. Touch me.”

“Lola, you’re sleeping. I guess they must be in your suitcase.”

“No, don’t go in.” I groaned thinking of the thongs.

“You can’t sleep in your underwear.” His voice was silky. “I’m not sure I can keep my hands off of you if you just have your underwear on.”

“It’s fine.” I mumbled, feeling myself start to drift off.

“I’ll let you sleep in my shirt.”

“Hmm.” I opened my eyes and saw him taking his shirt off, but I wasn’t able to keep them open for more than a few seconds.

“Put this on.” He pulled me up and put my arms into his shirt. I sighed contentedly and snuggled back into the bed and fell asleep.

* * *

I felt snug as a bug as I awoke. I was warm and fuzzy and I stretched languorously until I hit my hands hit something warm. I froze as I opened my eyes slowly. Oh God, Lola, what did you do? I tried to recall the previous evening, but all I could remember were the five courses we’d eaten and the copious amounts of wine.

I stared at Xavier’s sleeping face and his naked chest for a few seconds before checking to see what I was wearing. I looked down and saw that I was in his shirt, but I only sighed in relief when I felt my bra and panties on underneath. Phew.

“I could have taken them off if you’d wanted me to.” Xavier’s voice made me jump and I looked over at him with a flush.

“I didn’t want,” I snapped.

“I’m guessing drunk, happy Lola is gone?” He smiled at me as he stretched, and I tried not to stare at his pecs.

“I wasn’t drunk.” I pulled the sheet up to my waist and he laughed.

“Whatever you say.” His fingers reached over to me and ran down my cheek. “You look very beautiful in the morning.”

“Thank you,” I swallowed hard at stared at his face. His morning stubble was sexy as hell and his hair was unruly. I wanted to reach over and pat it down, but I didn’t.

“I could really kiss those juicy lips of yours right now.” He moved closer to me, and I found myself staring straight into his bright green irises.

“Please don’t,” I whispered as his lips crushed down on mine. He tasted warm and sweet and I melted against him. His fingers ran through my hair and I wrapped my arms around his waist. His tongue entered my mouth and I sucked it eagerly. All thoughts of him being an ass and this being an inappropriate moment fled my mind. When Xavier kissed me I felt like I was soaring in the air. There was no dislike or care about his superior attitude. All I felt was warmth and lust burning through to my soul. I needed to consume and be consumed by this man. I wanted to taste every inch of him. I wanted to feel every particle of skin. I wanted him to touch me all over until the shivering of my body erupted in a sea of emotion and pleasure.