Page 55 of Claimed By the Crown Prince

‘A storm! We have to close all the doors and shutters downstairs!’

Dax welcomed the distraction, he hadn’t even noticed that it had started to rain. He told himself he must be losing it. This tropical island paradise and the best sex he’d ever had were a potent combination for inducing crazy thoughts. Not real. Crazy.

Dax followed as Laia ran downstairs and started to pull the shutters and heavy blinds closed against the rain that was quickly turning torrential. He did the same on the other side of the room.

They met in the middle, and as soon as the room was protected against the rain he took her lapels in his hands and pulled her towards him. She went willingly, cleaving against him in a way that made his blood hum.

He smiled. ‘You like storms?’

‘I love them. They’re so...awe-inspiring. Especially here. It feels like the world is ending, but it’ll blow over in a few hours.’

It was almost as dark as night now. The storm was creating an otherworldly atmosphere. Dax had never particularly liked storms—too reminiscent of the emotional storms of his childhood. But this one was okay.

Because of Laia.

Impulsively he said, ‘I’d like to take you out to dinner.’

Laia went very still. Did he actually mean take heroutfor dinner? In the real world? Where there were other people and regular restaurants and...?

It couldn’t happen.

Laia imagined a scenario where she was out with Dax and the immediate frenzy of press attention.

‘Dax... I don’t know if that’s—’

‘I don’t mean out there.’ He jerked his head sideways to indicate beyond the villa. This island. This bubble. ‘I meant here. Now. I hear there’s a fabulous restaurant called La Permata? Maybe you’ve heard of it?’

Laia was surprised by the strength of the disappointment she felt. But she forced a smile. This could not extend beyond the island. They both knew that. Time was slipping away from them like sand in a glass. This time tomorrow they wouldn’t even—

She shut that line of thought down and put her head on one side and pretended to consider. ‘I think I’ve heard of it... It’s renowned for its eclectic menu and the novelty factor of using amateur chefs.’

‘The very one. So, will you? Come to dinner with me?’

Laia’s heart beat fast. ‘What’s the dress code?’

Dax looked affronted. ‘Why, black tie, of course.’

Laia’s heart thumped even faster at this side of Dax. Romantic.

She said, ‘Then, yes, I would love to accept your invitation.’

Later that evening the storm had passed, as Laia had predicted. The sky was clear again, stars twinkling. There was a delicious feeling of freshness in the air and the earth smelled damp and rich from the rain. The heat wasn’t as oppressive.

Laia was in her own bedroom. She’d showered and was in a robe looking for a dress.Black tie.It was ridiculous, really. But all Laia could think about right now was that memory of meeting Dax for the first time. When she’d been sixteen and had felt so gauche and fussy.

She realised she was living out the fantasy she’d harboured since that day. Since she’d looked at all those pictures of him with beautiful woman after beautiful woman.

She went into the dressing room and almost immediately a shimmering blue-green material caught her eye. She pulled it out. It was a maxi-dress. The simplicity of it appealed to her. It was backless. There was a silken ribbon that tied around her neck, holding the dress up, the ends trailing down her bare back. It fell in a swathe of greens and blues and teal colours down to her feet and it shimmered when she moved.

She hadn’t worn jewellery since being on the island, but now she picked out some gold hoops for her ears and a gold bangle that sat on her upper arm. A gold signet ring for her little finger.

She pulled her hair back and up into a messy bun, leaving tendrils down around her face. She put on some make-up—only enough to take away the naked look. A dusting of green and gold eyeshadow. She didn’t need blusher. Just thinking about the last few hours spent in bed made her blush. Some powder. A slick of flesh-coloured lipstick. Eyeliner and mascara.

She looked at herself in the mirror. After not wearing make-up for days, she felt like a clown. Did she measure up to the other women that Dax had been with? She hated this insecure, needy side of herself. But maybe this was what a passionate relationship did to you?

There was a knock on the door. ‘Ready when you are.’

Laia called out, ‘Okay...’ but it sounded husky.