USA TODAY bestselling author Lynn Raye Harris reveals the shocking consequences of what happens when the Prince from innocent Charlotte Bailyâs past comes knocking in this digital exclusive!
Ever since Prince Luca de Santis crushed Charlotte Baileyâs young heart and walked away, sheâs sworn off menâwho needs the heartache? So ten years later, coming face-to-face with him is a total shockâbut not as electrifying as the instant jolt of heat his touch sends sizzling through her body...
Charlotte canât turn down the once-in-a-lifetime chance to rekindle their passion, even if royal duty means that their scorching-hot fling canât last forever...Until her baby bombshell lands Charlotte and the Prince in a whole heap of royal trouble!
Donât miss the other titles in this fantastic collection that celebrates Royal Babies all over the world!
CHAPTER ONE
âWOW. IâLL TAKE the one in the center.â
Charlotte swung around to face Heather, her employer at Livingston Designs. Sheâd been putting the finishing touches on the centerpiece for the head table and not paying much attention to Heatherâs chatter about her latest date.
âOne in the center of what?â Charlotte glanced down at her handiwork. The dinner tonight was the capstone in a three-day tech conference and Charlotte hadâvery cleverly, she thoughtâused company logos and swag to punctuate her designs. Tucked in amongst the profusion of blooms and ribbons, the logos and items were a natural part of the display without being overt.
It wasnât as fun as the time sheâd designed centerpieces for a romance readersâ luncheon, but it was good. Except Heather wasnât looking at the displays.
Charlotte followed her gaze to the group of men who stood in the entrance.
âThe tall, dark and handsome one,â Heather said. âThe one who comes with a crown.â
âA crown?â Charlotte didnât see anyone special, but then she really didnât see anybody at all. Sheâd been wearing her glasses in order to work with the displays. They were for close-up viewing only. She snatched them off and peered at the group.
Her heart began to thrum a crazy rhythm as the men shifted. One man definitely stood out from the crowd.
Heather was grinning at her. âYes, that one. Luca De Santis, the Crown Prince of Iria. The tall, seriously yummy one.â
Charlotteâs heart did a slow dive into her stomach. After all these years, there he was. The man sheâd once loved with all the young passion in her heart. The man sheâd thought loved her back equally as much.
Until the day his father had fired her mother and thrown them out of his life. Theyâd packed their belongings and fled from Iria like thieves in the night. Sheâd never heard from Luca again.
Charlotte licked suddenly dry lips. âWell, thatâs all the displays. I think I should get back to the office now.â
Heather frowned. âAre you well, Charlotte? You look...green.â
Charlotte put a hand to her head. âProbably just a touch of something. Iâll be fine once I get some fresh air.â
âSure, go on. Everything looks great, as always.â
Charlotte grabbed her purse and coat and made for the entrance. She kept her head down, intent on skirting the group of men. But she couldnât resist one final glance at the man commanding all the attention in their midst.
He was more handsome than ever. A man now, not a nineteen-year-old boy. Sheâd seen his pictures in the tabloids from time to time, but those photos hadnât prepared her for the sheer gorgeousness of grown-up Luca in real life.
He turned his head at that precise moment, his gaze sliding across the gatheringâand colliding with hers.
His spectacular green eyes narrowed. He said something to the group, and then he was moving, right toward her.
Charlotte put her head down and practically ran from the room. She couldnât face him, couldnât stand before him and pretend like they were just old friends and nothing had ever happened between them.
Heâd been her first kiss, her first loveâand her first lover. Theyâd had one night together, one gorgeous wonderful night when sheâd been starry-eyed and in such deep love. She could still remember how it had felt to be the woman heâd wanted. The amazing, gut churning butterflies as heâd kissed her and told her she was the only one for him.
From his bedroom window, the Irian night had spilled across the bay like a glittering lace veil. Everything had been perfect. Sheâd given herself to him, and sheâd been certain he felt as she did.
But then...nothing. Her mother had lost her job the next day and that was it.
Luca had not fought for her. He had not come for her. He had not defied a soul for her.
It had taken her a very long time to realize how naïve sheâd been. He hadnât loved her. He was a prince, an entitled being whoâd taken her adoration as his due. Heâd lied to her and used her and forgotten all about her.