Page 40 of The Prince Who Loved Me

Why she wasn’t with him.

He sat with Thomasina at an outdoor café a few blocks from the gallery. Dinner went as expected, with her wanting him as a patron for some of her artists. He appreciated her direct approach of the subject. Most people danced around it, hoping he would offer without them actually saying anything. Thomasina got it out of the way, and then they enjoyed a nice dinner.

“Come visit again before you leave town,” Thomasina said as they were parting ways. “I want to dig deeper into that creative mind of yours.”

He gave her a nod. “I’ve enjoyed meeting you, too.”

The hotel Massimo reserved was only a couple of blocks away from the café, so Sebastien decided to walk instead of calling Loïc for a ride. Soon people were mumbling and pointing as he walked by. Damn. He should have brought a hat, or sunglasses, or something. Thankfully no one knew where he was staying.

Photo flashes blinded him as soon as he stepped into the lobby. What the hell? His people were usually very good about keeping his whereabouts private.

That also might explain why his phone had started lighting up.

He turned to go back outside, but the doors were blocked by people with cameras and cell phones. He might have to make a run for it, across the expanse of white floor and – not up the stairs, where more people stood along the railing.

Soon his men buffered him on both sides and escortedhim to the elevator through the throngs of paparazzi eager for a piece of him.

“Your Highness!”

“Who’s the woman?”

“Why did you leave Miami?”

“Marry me, Sebastien!”

A pair of pink panties landed on the floor in front of him. He stepped over them and kept walking.

“Sebastien! Look this way.”

Not happening. He lowered his head down until the doors closed behind them, echoes of women professing their undying love echoing around him.

“That didn’t take long,” he said.

“Sorry, sir. We didn’t see this in enough time.” Loïc held out his phone with picture of him and Thomasina on a celebrity web site. He sat in the outdoor café, smiling at Thomasina, who grinned back at him. They looked very much like a smitten couple on a date. It didn’t take much brain power to track down the hotel from there. There were probably photographers staking out the other high-end hotels nearby as well.

Had Brandi seen this?

Not that it mattered.

At least the hotel staff had kept the photogs off his floor. He waited while Massimo opened the door to his suite and did a quick survey of the room before allowing Sebastien to move past the threshold. A bottle of champagne waited on the counter, courtesy of the hotel staff who wanted to suck up to royalty.

Sebastien didn’t mind.

He tossed his phone to Loïc. “See if anyone important messaged.”

He went into the primary bedroom and kicked off his shoes, then washed his face at the porcelain sink before returning to the common room. The light blue sofa lookedinviting and he sat down to listen to his bodyman.

“His Majesty, with a note from Her Majesty, Princess Manan, and Princess Violeta. Warning you to be careful.”

Because he was five and not over thirty. Served in military. Been on his own for ten years. “Vi didn’t warn me to be careful.”

Massimo confirmed the statement with a small tilt to his lips. The phone rang as Massimo was holding it. “It’s the gallery curator.”

Sebastien held out his hand and the man passed him his phone. “’allo.”

“Well, you’ve certainly added some excitement to my life,” Thomasina said dryly.

“Should I apologize?”