Her Royal Masquerade (Her Royal Romance) Read online

  Vittorio swept his gaze over her. “And it would truly be a shame to cover the amazing view I have at this moment.”

  She let her hair fall down her back. “I suspect you have had a lot of practice with those charming lines,” Mia said, letting the amusement show in her voice. Still, she soaked up the compliment, let the pleasure flow over her like a warm spring rain.

  He took her hand, lifted it to his lips. This time the kiss to the back of her bare hand sent fireworks bursting through her system. “It’s only the truth, Birgitte.”

  Hearing her cousin’s name fall from Vittorio’s lips was like a handful of snow smacking her in the face. Of course. She had to remember she wasn’t Mia Holmberg tonight. She’d almost forgotten she was playing a part. Still, she lifted a skeptical brow at his words, they were so foreign to those she usually heard.

  “You will find that I always speak the truth,” he said. “I despise lies and deception. I have heard and seen too many of them during my years in the palace. Too many people say one thing to my face and another behind my back. I speak only the truth when I say that I am so glad you accepted our invitation to my father’s birthday celebration and that I find you incredibly attractive. I would never lie to you.”

  Mia shuddered at his words. She couldn’t let him discover her deception. He would never understand. It was time to put some distance between them, even though her body cried out at the thought. How could she react so strongly to him so quickly? She’d have to excuse herself to go to the ladies and then she’d fade into the background. He’d be so busy with the celebration and his responsibilities that he’d forget all about her.

  And that would be a shame. Because she’d never forget him or the incredible way he’d made her feel.

  Vittorio sensed the moment Birgitte began to pull back. She hadn’t tugged her hand from his, but she might as well have. Perhaps he’d come on too strongly, too quickly. Just because he’d been looking forward to meeting her didn’t mean she’d be instantly interested in him. Still…he knew she was attracted to him. He’d heard the huskiness in her voice. Felt her arousal in the way her body melted against his.

  What had happened to change that?

  He was about to ask when his brother, Stefano, stuck his head out the door. “There you are. Come in. Papa is here.” Vittorio nodded. He squeezed Birgitte’s hand. “Come.” She hesitated and he frowned. “What is wrong?”

  She took a step back, her hand slipping from his. “You go on ahead,” she said. “I’ll be in shortly.”

  He schooled his expression so that his impatience didn’t show. “I don’t have time for this now, but we will talk later.” They had much to discuss. His future, and the future of Mezzano, depended upon it. “Come in soon. I want my father to meet you.”

  “Of course.” She reached up to hesitantly touch his face, then quickly drew back her hand. “I won’t leave without giving him my best wishes.”

  He cuffed her wrist with his fingers. “You will not leave without speaking with me.”

  Her eyes flashed. Her chin lifted. “I will leave when I’m ready.”

  He released her wrist, stroked her hand as he let her go. He didn’t want to let her go.

  “Birgitte, what is wrong?”

  She looked past his shoulder, into the ballroom. “You better go in. They’re waiting for you.”

  Vittorio wanted to grab her shoulders, shake her out of this strange, distant mood she was suddenly in. Instead he nodded, turned on his heel and left her behind. If not for her promise to pay her respects to his father, he’d be afraid he’d never see her again.

  His father was already settled in the place of honor. The dress uniform he was so proud to wear hung on his thin frame. Vittorio’s heart hurt to see the former general of the Mezzanoan army this way, to see his father becoming weaker with each day that passed. Stefano and their sister, Angelina, were already at his side and Vittorio hurried to join them.

  By the time the line of well-wishers thinned out, he could tell the king was growing tired.

  Still he smiled and spoke with every single person as if each was the most important one there.

  Never the most patient of men, it was something Vittorio hoped to one day emulate.

  The person he considered the most important guest here tonight finally approached the throne. Vittorio felt as if it had been hours since he’d last seen her. Days since he’d last held her in his arms. Her platinum hair fell smooth and silky around her face and down her back. The ball gown hugged her body the way he wished to. She was smiling and chatting with the people in the line around her.

  Yes. He’d made the right choice. Regardless of her reputation elsewhere, Birgitte was a gracious princess when the situation required it. Tonight proved that. And that was aside from the incredible attraction between them. What could be better for his future?

  From his position on the raised platform he focused for a moment or two on the shadow of her cleavage teasing him beneath that beautiful gown. She didn’t threaten to spill out of her neckline like most of the women here tonight. Still, Vittorio thought Birgitte looked lovelier, sexier, than any woman he’d ever known. He ached to have her beneath him, to taste her lips and bury himself in her soft body. He almost groaned out loud. He had to stop thinking about the beautiful princess in his bed until they could be alone.

  It was finally her turn. Vittorio stepped down from the dais to take her hand. She smiled but didn’t meet his eyes, focusing instead on his father.

  “I’d like to present Princess Birgitte from Stagatland,” Vittorio said.

  Birgitte curtsied. “Your Majesty, I am so pleased to meet you, especially on the occasion of your birthday.”

  King Alberto smiled more brightly than any other time tonight, or did Vittorio only want to think that was the case? “Ah, this is the lovely princess I’ve been hearing about.” His father held out his hand to her. Vittorio tried not to take note of the slight shake. Birgitte took the king’s hand and allowed herself to be drawn closer to the throne.

  “Your Majesty?” she asked, returning his smile. “Dare I ask what you’ve heard about me?”

  His father chuckled lightly and Vittorio thought there might have been a little more color in his cheeks. “I was told there was a beautiful princess here with white hair and a blue dress who danced with my eldest son and complimented my musicians and made everyone in the room smile.”

  Birgitte’s cheeks grew pink. How delightful that she could still blush. “How could everyone not smile with the wonderful music here tonight?” she said, addressing the king. She had yet to look at Vittorio. “And on such a special occasion. It is a night for smiles, is it not?”

  “Indeed, it is,” his father replied. He glanced quickly to Vittorio, raised one brow, and then turned his attention back to Birgitte.

  “Birgitte has taken a special interest in our music,” Vittorio said.

  “And a special interest in our brother,” Angelina interjected, a mischievous grin on her face.

  There was that blush on Birgitte’s face again. Vittorio had not seen anything lovelier. He reached out and brushed a finger lightly over his sister’s nose, a gesture he’d adopted over the years. “Brat.”

  “I’m only stating the truth,” Angie told him. She smiled at Birgitte. “Hi. I’m Angelina. I am so pleased to meet you.”

  “And I’m Stefano,” his brother was quick to say. “I’m the younger, more handsome prince.”

  Birgitte laughed lightly. “Pleased to meet you both.” She appeared uneasy, however, as she looked over her shoulder at the handful of people waiting behind her. Didn’t she realize she could stay here as long as the royal family wished it? “I’ll move on. A wonderful birthday to you, Your Majesty. Thank you for inviting me.”

  Vittorio caught her elbow as she walked away. Just the touch of her bare skin beneath his fingers made his body harden. If he were honest, he’d been hard since she walked into the ballroom tonight. “This way.” He steered her toward
the door they’d used earlier. He had to get her alone, away from curious eyes and ears.

  She pulled out of his grasp, slowly so as not to draw attention and Vittorio had to release his hold on her. “Don’t you have to stay with your family?”

  “They’ll be fine without me.” He slid his arm around her waist, pulled her close. The press of her body against his was enough to kick up his heartbeat and send his arousal soaring even higher. “We have to talk.” He drew her across the floor and out the door. The evening air hadn’t cooled at all. Neither had he. He couldn’t even remember the words he’d planned to say, the logical argument he’d prepared.

  This time when she pulled out of his embrace it was with surprising force. She whirled around to face him. “What do we have to talk about now?”

  “You. In my bed. Tonight.”

  Chapter Three

  The commanding tone of Vittorio’s voice shouldn’t have sent a primal thrill coursing through Mia’s body. Her breasts grew heavy. Her nipples prickled. She hoped the fabric of the gown was stiff enough to hide her reaction. How could she think calmly, rationally, when her body was ready to welcome him without another word?

  “Is that supposed to be seductive?” Mia scoffed, her voice not as steady as she would have liked. “Because it’s not working.”

  “You want seduction, cara?” He was upon her in only a couple steps, pressing her against the outside wall. He cupped one aching breast with his hand and her body arched into his touch. “What need is there for sweet words when our bodies already know what they want?”

  Mia’s blood pulsed so heavily in her head, it was difficult to hear his words, sweet or otherwise. It was even more difficult to think. “You think I want to have sex with you? We’ve only shared a couple dances. We’ve only known each other a few hours.”

  “Time is not important,” he said, pressing his hard arousal against her hip. “Your body calls to me as mine calls to you. That is all that matters.”

  His hand continued to gently knead her breast and Mia had to stifle the moan that threatened to escape her parted lips. How could he do this to her? How could he make her want what she couldn’t have? He wasn’t touching her, Mia. He was touching Birgitte. He wanted to have sex with a princess.

  Her hands flew up to rest against his hard, hot chest. She’d intended to push him away, but somehow her fingers curled into his shirt, gathering the crisp fabric in her fists. “You presume, Vittorio.”

  She had to be strong. She had to resist. “Of course, I find you attractive,” she went on, her voice sharp. “Any woman here would. I’m certain you’re well aware of your appeal.”

  “I don’t care what any other woman thinks. You are the only one who matters to me.”

  If only that were the truth.

  No! She didn’t want to matter to him. What was she thinking? He was a prince. A prince who was going to be king someday. The last thing she’d ever want to be was a real, full time princess. And the thought that she’d be a queen? It was laughable. But Mia wasn’t laughing now. Her body was crying for this man, this prince. She had to stay strong.

  “Just because I’m attracted to you doesn’t mean I want to have sex with you.”

  Vittorio’s chuckle was dark, dangerous. He shifted his body so that one hard thigh pressed between her legs. Her body betrayed her yet again by rocking her hips, pressing that yearning part of her against him. “Your words say one thing, cara, but your body says something else.”

  “We haven’t even kissed.” The protest was a weak one to be sure, but they were moving too fast. Rushing toward something she was afraid to embrace.

  “A kiss is a prerequisite to sex?” he asked, amused. “If that is so, then I’ll remind you of the kiss we shared on the dance floor.”

  “What kiss?” She forced a light laugh. “Oh, that little brush of lips in full view of the entire room? You call that a—”

  Vittorio cupped the back of her neck, tugged her forward and crushed his lips to hers.

  Heat. He tasted like rich, sweet heat, a treat for the senses. A promise of erotic pleasures to come. Mia opened to him on a moan, letting him invade her with his probing tongue, letting him devour her where she stood. She sank against him and he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her tight against his hard, hot body. He was burning her alive.

  Her hands were trapped between their bodies, still holding tight to his shirt. He dragged her higher, rubbing her against his rigid shaft as he lifted her off her toes. Still he fed on her mouth, stroking her tongue with his, nibbling on her lips. She was breathless when he finally lifted his mouth from hers and let her body slide back down so her feet were once again on solid ground. Her arms fell limply to her sides.

  Vittorio cupped her face, stared at her with his beautiful, dark eyes. “Oh, Birgitte, I must have you.”

  What did it matter what name he called her? It would be her body he touched. Her body he claimed. When would Mia ever have another chance to be made love to by a handsome prince? To have this ache relieved by such an accomplished lover? She’d be gone in the morning and he’d never know the woman he took to his bed wasn’t the real princess of Stagatland. He held out his hand to her. “Come to my bed, cara. Say you’ll be mine tonight.”

  She nodded and his smile lit up his face. He took her hand and led her back into the ballroom. “I must talk to a few people and make sure everything is taken care of before I leave. I won’t be long.”

  “Vittorio.” He paused in his long strides across the ballroom. “It’s okay,” she told him.

  “We have all night.”

  His eyes flashed. “The night will be not be long enough if we do not start soon.”

  She smiled, trembled at his smooth, sweet words. “Do what you have to do. I’ll sit here and wait for you.” She gestured to one of the empty tables at the edge of the dance floor. As she looked around, she could see that the crowd was thinning. It must have been later than she thought.

  Vittorio nodded, pulled her in for a quick kiss and then held out a chair for her. “I’ll be back as soon as I can. Don’t go anywhere.”

  “I won’t.” Now that she’d made up her mind to do this, Mia was as eager as he was. Arousal sang through her veins and anticipation made the song even sweeter. She watched him cross the room and speak to a group of men in the corner.

  “May I keep you company?”

  Mia looked up and saw Vittorio’s sister, Angelina, standing there. “Of course. Please.”

  Angelina was as lovely as her brothers were handsome. The Mezzano royal family obviously had some excellent genes. The princess couldn’t be more than twenty-one, bright and friendly. “Did you have a good time tonight?” she asked politely. Her dark hair was piled high on her head. Now that she was closer, Mia could admire the diamond tiara sparkling amid her brunette curls.

  “I had a very good time,” Mia replied. “Thank you again for inviting me.”

  “Well, I know you’re used to more exciting venues than this.” Angelina blushed as if she hadn’t meant to say the words aloud. “Sorry. I know I shouldn’t pay any attention to the tabloids, but I can’t deny I like to keep track of what other princesses are doing. There aren’t a lot of us, you know, out of all the women in the world.”

  “I hadn’t thought about it. I suppose you’re right.”

  “Papa would be so upset if I acted as you do.” Her hand flew to cover her mouth. “Oh and that sounded terrible. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to say I think there’s anything wrong with enjoying yourself.” Angelina sighed lightly. “Dancing and parties and lots of boyfriends. I think it would be so much fun.” She smiled shyly. “Don’t tell my brother I said that. He would be horrified to think that his little sister is grown up and has a mind of her own. This is just between us, princess to princess.”

  Oh boy. “I won’t tell him. I’m sure you must have plenty to do here in Mezzano.”

  Angelina wrinkled her pretty nose. “Yeah, you know, princess things. Speak to grou
ps. Christen ships and shopping centers. Play hostess at all the official functions. It gets a little boring after a while.”

  Vittorio was speaking with the musicians who were packing up. He glanced her way and winked. Her chest filled with pleasure. Mia turned her attention back to Angelina. “No boyfriends in the picture?”

  “No, I haven’t met any princes or dukes or anything that I can imagine spending the rest of my life with.”

  “Surely there are some attractive young men here in Mezzano you could spend time with.”

  Angelina propped her elbows on the table and cradled her chin in her hands. “But what if things got serious? What if I fell in love with one of them? It would be too heartbreaking.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Why take a chance I’d fall for someone I could never marry.”

  Mia froze. What was she saying? “I don’t understand. Mezzano royalty has to marry other royalty?”

  “Of course. That’s why I think it’s so wonderful that my brother met you. I can see he really likes you. If the two of you fell in love, you could get married.”

  Mia took a deep breath and tried to calm her galloping heart. Good thing she wasn’t planning on falling in love with the handsome prince. “I didn’t realize,” she said vaguely. She searched out Vittorio. He was over by the empty throne, talking with a tall bald man. “In Stagatland, that is not the case. In fact, the queen does not have royal blood. My grandfather is a baker. But the king, when he was a young prince, fell in love with her when he went to the bakery and she always saved the best pastries for him.” Mia had heard the story hundreds of times. “They were able to marry. And now she is queen.”

  “That’s a wonderful story. I don’t suppose you have a brother?”

  “No. I’m an only child, I’m afraid.”

  Her dark eyes sparkled. “I hope you and Vittorio fall in love and get married and then I would be your sister. And Stefano would be your brother.”

  Mia was surprised by a sudden prickle of tears. Had she actually held some kernel of hope that something could grow out of this attraction she and Vittorio felt for each other? That was crazy. And now she knew it was impossible. “Angelina, I only met Vittorio tonight.”