Christmas With a Prince by Nicole Burnham

Author:Nicole Burnham [Burnham, Nicole]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Literature & Fiction, Women's Fiction, Contemporary Women, Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Fiction, Holidays
Amazon: B00GPROMVA
Published: 2013-12-05T05:00:00+00:00

* * *

“The suitcase on the luggage stand would be mine. As would the clothing on the chair.”

If a voice could be encased in ice, surely there was a thick layer around Gabe’s as it reverberated against the room’s stone walls. He stared down at Holly, taking in the sight of her kneeling beside the bed, clutching the bottom of her red dress in an effort to maintain modesty even as shock sent her scrabbling to her feet.

“This is your room?” Even as she asked the question, she noted the hard set of Gabe's mouth, the angry flush of his skin, and the cold suspicion in his eyes, and knew it to be true.

“Yes. And that’s my key in the door.”

The heat of embarrassment flashed through her. She spun to face Stefano, who’d been rummaging in the room’s oversized armoire, to see him close the doors and calmly turn to face Gabe.

“Mind telling me why you’re here?” Gabe directed the question at her.

“We were looking for a gift for Ben and Chelsea. Stefano seems to remember” —she glared at the prince for confirmation— “hiding one in here.”

“What, using the key he swiped from where I’d left it with my champagne?” Gabe’s head whipped toward the prince. “I don’t think so.”

“My apologies, Gabriel.” Stefano shrugged as if he weren’t the least bit sorry, nor the least bit concerned about Gabe’s wrath. “I’m obviously not in the proper room.”

Before Holly could respond, Stefano slipped past Gabe and closed the door. Gabe lunged for the knob, only to be stopped by the heavy sound of the key being turned and the bolt sliding home.

“What the—” Gabe ground out a four-letter word as he tried the door to no avail. He eyed the lock for a lever that might open the door from the inside, then crouched to peek through the keyhole. Fists formed at his side as he stood, then pounded on the ancient oak hard enough to set Holly back a step. “Your Highness, with all due respect, open the damned door. Now.”

“Seems these locks do work from the outside. Good to know.” Stefano didn’t sound remotely bothered by Gabe’s threatening tone. “Expect me back in an hour. I’ll cover for you at the reception if you’re missed.”

“What? You’re…you’re locking us in here?” Dread filled Holly’s stomach as understanding took hold. He’d done this on purpose. Dragged her from the room across the hall into this one, then dawdled until Gabe appeared. “There wasn’t a gift, was there? Stefano!”

“Consider this my gift to you,” came the answer.

“He can’t really be doing this,” Gabe muttered, though the pounding of Stefano’s feet against the stairs indicated otherwise. “He stole my key. The damned prince stole…my…key!”

Shocked, Holly raced to the window. It took a moment for her to figure out how to twist the lock and release the lever so she could stick her head outside, but once she did, her only reward was a view of Stefano’s back as he took the path uphill in rapid strides.

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