The Prince's Gamble by Caridad Pineiro

Author:Caridad Pineiro
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Published: 2012-11-12T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Kathleen took a long, surprised look at the image in the dressing room mirror.

Tatiana had been recruited to help her get ready for tonight’s introduction to Petrov. Alexander had invited him to one of the premier events, an exclusive invite-only wine tasting, being held at Russian Nights that evening, and since it was a formal affair, Kathleen had to be dressed for the occasion.

The form-fitting merlot-colored gown and three-inch heels from one of the casino’s designer shops that Kathleen was expected to wear hadn’t been enough to please Tatiana. Alexander’s sister had insisted on a full beauty treatment at the spa, including a facial, haircut, pedicure, and manicure.

The end result was a woman Kathleen didn’t recognize as she did a slow turn, stunned by the change. Liking it more than she thought she would, and yet discouraged as well.

This glamorous female in the mirror was the kind of woman Alexander would want in his life. A polished and primped and expensive woman. A woman she could never be, other than in her pose as the prince’s current lover.

“I’m not sure this is a good thing considering how dangerous it is for you,” Tatiana said, “but I think Alexander will have a stroke when he sees you and Petrov…let’s just say he’s got no pulse if he doesn’t notice you.” She stood to one side of the dressing room, a conflicted look on her attractive face. A face that reminded Kathleen way too much of Alexander’s, with its coloring and perceptive blue eyes.

“Our relationship is not what you think, Tatiana.”

“Sure, Kathleen. Keep on saying it and maybe it’ll be true,” Tatiana teased, but then her cell phone chirped and she excused herself to deal with the call.

Kathleen shook her head and with a last look in the mirror, made sure the wireless earpiece was securely placed. A sleek black clutch sat on a nearby settee. Kathleen grabbed it and the familiar weight of her small pistol tucked inside reassured her.

That pistol and her job were what she was. Not this glittering and almost unrecognizable version of herself in the mirror.

A knock came at the door and she called out, “Come in, Tatiana. I’m ready.”

When she turned, however, it was Alexander standing there. A dangerous gleam entered his gaze as it danced across the new haircut, make-up, and dress.

“Ready for what, I wonder?” The low tone of his voice was intimate. He stalked to her, one hand tucked into the black pants of his tuxedo and the other gripping a square velvet box. When he was barely a few inches away, he stopped.

With his nearness, and the high heels Tatiana had insisted on, her lips almost grazed Alexander’s chin. His warm breath spilled against her forehead. Needing distance, she took a wobbly step back. She so hated heels, and wondered how she would ever be able to last the night in such instruments of torture.

“Is it time to go?” she asked.

He grinned. “It is, but first…”

Raising the velvet box, he popped it open to display a ruby and diamond necklace with matching pendant earrings.

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