Demetrius crossed his muscular arms. âPerhaps hiring you was a mistakeââ
âNoââ Zoe bit back her next words, but it was too late. Demetriusâs brows had lifted at her sudden outburst.
âI mean, we have an agreement in writing.â
âAnd you didnât think that I would leave myself a loopholeâa way out if the need arose?â
Who was this man? And what had happened to the laid-back Demetrius?
Her gut told her to get out now. That she was getting in far too deep with a man who still had a hold on her heart.
To complicate matters further, she had no job to return to. Sheâd already resigned from her position as interior designer for the islandâs most prominent furniture store. And most importantly this job paid wellâwell enough to pay her motherâs bills.
Zoe was stuck.
âYou still havenât answered my question. Why did you hire me?â She watched him carefully, not sure what sort of reaction to expect.
âI wanted the best for this job. And you are the best on the island.â
Was he serious? He thought she was the best? A warmth swirled in her chest and rose to warm her cheeks. Their gazes connected and held. Her heart thudded harder, faster. She refused to acknowledge that his words meant anything to her. She was over him. Past him.
âSo you just expect us to work together like ⦠like nothing ever happened?â
CHAPTER ONE
THE PLAN WAS in motion.
Though suddenly, it didnât sound like such a good idea.
Demetrius Castanavo, the Crown Prince of the Mirraccino Islands, shrugged off the worrisome feeling as he stepped out of the air-conditioned black limousine. Nothing was going to go wrong. He glanced at the clear blue sky, appreciating this last bit of good weather before it cooled down in the weeks leading up to Christmas.
Demetrius buttoned his charcoal-gray suit jacket, gave each sleeve a tug and then straightened his shoulders. Today he must look his best. It was imperative.
A bright camera flash momentarily blinded him.
He blinked, regaining his focus. The media coverage had begun. He restrained a sigh. Instead he lifted his chin and forced his lips into a well-practiced smile.
Demetrius, the royal playboy, was no more. His days of nonchalance and bucking the system were over. Now he was intent on becoming a proper and worthy heir to the Mirraccino throne. It was, after all, his birthrightâwhether he desired it or not.
And now he was about to participate in a very important interview that would help shape his new, improved public imageâone he hoped would sway the residents of the Mirraccino nation to support his inevitable rise to the throne.
His gaze settled on an impressive set of steps that led to a historic mansion. At the top was an expansive landing with large, white columns amid the backdrop of blue shuttered windows. The place was a timeless beauty. He was glad they were going to save this building by revitalizing it.
There was just one snag in his well-thought-out planâZoe.
His estranged wife.
But that situation would be resolved soonâvery soon.
The head of his security detail leaned in close and whispered, âThe reporter is waiting for you on the landing, Your Royal Highness.â
Demetrius shoved the disturbing thoughts of his estranged wife to the back of his mind. Heâd deal with her tomorrow. âGood. As soon as I meet with him, we have to get moving if weâre going to stay on schedule today.â
âSir, the reporter, itâs a woman.â
âSì. I remember now.â Demetrius needed to keep his head in this game instead of wondering how Zoe would react when she saw him again.
Demetrius swiftly climbed the steps that fanned out, covering a large area while adding to the buildingâs charm. Heâd definitely made the right decision by insisting the all-access ramp be constructed on the side of the building, readily accessible yet not losing the buildingâs aesthetic appeal.
His vision was to marry the buildingâs beauty with functionality. They were doing well with the functionality. The beauty would be Zoeâs area of expertise. And tomorrow would be her first day on the job.