I squeeze my eyes shut and conjure up an image of myself kissing Snorty's cute puppy nose.
I’m desperate to imagine anything other than the lips of the man who's haunted my thoughts—mostly vengeful ones—for the last four years.
Rio's lips barely graze mine at first, sending a tingle through my lady parts that makes my toes curl inside my shoes.
Then his lips press closer, just enough to make me want more.
I catch the faint taste of mint on his breath as he deepens the kiss slightly. His hand comes up to rest at the nape of my neck.
When he finally pulls away, I have to stop myself from swaying forward to follow his mouth.
My body betrays me with a longing I thought I'd buried years ago.
“Nice to see you two bonding so well,” Prince Michael says with a bright smile. “Now why don’t you have a seat, Maddie?”
I sit beside Steven.
Snorty curls into my lap while I pull out my notebook. It's a small two-ring binder with a ballerina on the cover.
I catch Rio looking at me as I open it but can’t read his expression.
“Now then,” Prince Michael continues, “I’m glad you agreed to accommodate us in this way.”
“What are my responsibilities exactly? Steven didn’t tell me much.”
“It's quite simple,” Prince Michael says diplomatically. “You must act like you’re Rio’s fiancée. And that you're madly in love with him.”
The purple-clad manager turns to Rio. “That goes for you, too, Rio. Got it?"
"Got it," Rio says, adding a yawn for effect.
"Now Maddie," Prince Michael says. “I have a special image consultant arriving any minute. He’ll take you shopping.”
“Shopping?”
“Then when you return, he'll coach both you and Rio on how to handle questions reporters might pose to you at the press conference later this afternoon."
I fold my arms over my chest.
“Thanks for thinking of me. But I don’t think I need a new wardrobe. I brought enough clothes.”
"For a schoolmarm," Rio scoffs, in that seductive low voice.
“Antoine's an international fashion consultant. And a public relations expert. He'll know how to give you the 'required look' for the weekend's activities," Prince Michael says. "Any other questions?”
“Just one. The suite was lovely. And large. It's for all of us, right?"
“No,” Prince Michael says. “It’s just for you and Rio.”
Under the table, Rio brushes the top of my shoe with his. I jerk my foot back.
“The contracts are here. Please sign them.” Prince Michael says, placing a stack of papers in front of me. I squint at the dense, tiny print.
Then I take a close look at the contract. The words are scrunched together. The overlong, complicated sentences blur before me.
“I'm a teacher, not a lawyer. I don't speak legalese. What does it even say? Does it say I have to sleep with Rio anywhere? Because if it does?—”
“What you and Rio do behind closed doors is your business,” Prince Michael replies smoothly. "Now, if you’ll sign these, we’ll reconvene at four for the press conference.”
