Would he recognize her despite her new haircut and cinnamon color? Probably.
If he did, their carefully laid plans might incinerate here and now.
Chapter Six
The sight of the distinguished-looking gentleman made Francine instantly pale. She turned her back on the new arrival as vivid panic registered in her expression.
Thinking quickly, Raphael grabbed her, swung her around to block her with his body and put his back to the man. He lowered his head and pressed his lips to hers in a kiss he hoped would conceal her identity. It was not a chore to kiss Francine. Seconds into the passionate display, Raphael forgot why he was doing it.
“Say there,” the gentleman said, sounding both disgruntled and amused. “Your room is merely steps away. Take advantage of it, why don’t you?”
He harrumphed and then muttered, “Young people these days. No sense of propriety.” A few moments later, Raphael heard the man harrumph again, but it sounded like he’d moved further down the hall.
Raphael stopped kissing Francine and checked to ensure the man was leaving.
He looked into Francine’s dazed eyes. “Are you okay?”
“I think so. That was close.”
Seeing her freshly kissed lips made him want to kiss her again. He held himself in check. “Who is that man?”
“Uncle Bandore. He was very close to our family growing up. I’m not even sure he’s related by blood, but I was afraid he’d recognize me and the jig would be up before we even stepped foot into the wedding venue.”
“Good thing I kissed you.”
“Good thing.”
Raphael gestured for her to enter their suite as he took the key and compensated the porter. He closed the door and followed Francine into a stately living room that held enough furniture to fill her entire apartment and have enough left over to store in her garage.
He wanted her to be impressed. She deserved it.
“This place is amazing,” Francine said. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“That’s surprising.”
She sent him a dazzling smile. “Don’t get me wrong. I’ve stayed in some really nice places, but this is truly fit for a king.”
“Or a princess, in this case.”
Francine tilted her head to one side. “Oh, I’m no princess.”
He shrugged. “You should be treated like one.”
“You’re very sweet.”
“What would you like to do next?”
“Kiss you some more in our lodging fit for kings and princesses.”
“That’s a given. What about dinner? And after dinner? Should we attend a museum to pass the time tonight? The theater? What is my lady’s pleasure?”
“How about dinner in our room tonight, since I want my arrival at the wedding to be a surprise and Uncle Bandore—gossip tsar of the galaxy—is right next door. As for later,” she said with a meaningfully pause, “I’m sure we can think ofsomethingto do here in this luxurious room.”
Raphael stopped mid-stride. He could think of lots of somethings to do. What didshehave in mind?
Her lashes lowered in a sultry expression. “I mean, to the world around us, we are engaged to be married, aren’t we?”
