The Prince's Housekeeper Bride by Carol Marinelli Read Free Book Online

You need a little rest.”
    Rest ! Alisa managed a wry smile at Bella’s innocent statement. Benito’s eyes had been on her all morning. Unshaven, dressed in black jeans and a black T-shirt, he looked so sleek and brooding, so taut with tension she could feel the restless male energy that filled the room. Bed maybe on his agenda for her but sleeping certainly wasn’t!
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    It felt surreal having the front door opened for her. A butler she didn’t recognize led her straight to the royal bedroom.
    â€œAlberto is spending time with his wife,” Benito explained.
    Bizarre, too, to sit shivering on the edge of his chaise lounge as Bianca ran her a long, hot bath.
    â€œI thought she had been fired.”
    â€œI had her reinstated.” Benito answered.
    â€œYou seem to have taken on a lot of charity cases.” Alisa’s smile was tight.
    â€œThere is much to put right.”
    Alisa didn’t dwell on his statement as she headed for the bathroom. Grateful to peel off the rags Bella had bought her to change into, she was not too tired to be mortified at her own reflection—her hair was still stiff with lacquer from Saturday’s ball, and her eyes were two black circles of exhaustion and old makeup.
    The oiled, scented water was blissful on her tired, aching body—too soothing, though, Alisa thought wearily. She was nowhere near ready for the sexual marathon Benito clearly had in mind. She wished she could recapture the fervor that had gripped her on the boat, reminding herself over and over that, in a few moments, she would be in the arms of the man she loved.
    Levering herself out of the bath and bypassing the vast bath sheet and robe that had carefully been laid out for her, she instead wrapped herself in a small towel. Combing her hair, squirting scent on her neck and bosom, Alisa took a deep breath and prayed that today her goods were, for Benito, good enough.
    â€œThank you.” He was still standing where she had left him, his eyes looking somewhere over her shoulder as she crossed the room toward him. “Thank you for taking such good care of Marietta…” Nervously she stood in front of him, wishing he would take the lead and take her in his arms, but knowing it was probably her turn to now. “For taking such good care of me.”
    On tiptoes, she pressed her lips to his, closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around his neck, wishing he would reciprocate, wishing he wouldn’t make this so dammed hard. Drawing on ten minutes’ experience, she tried to duplicate their past kiss, her tongue probing his lips, trying to part his rigid mouth.
    â€œStop!” His voice was sharp. Two hands grabbed at her wrists and pulled them down to her side. “The guest room is being prepared, clothes are being bought for you now. Put on your robe, and I will summon the butler.”
    â€œI don’t understand…” Alisa said. “I thought you wanted—”
    â€œI don’t want duty.” He was practically shouting, his hands on her shoulders literally shaking her with frustration. “This is no way for a prince’s bride to behave….”
    â€œBride?” She laughed, actually laughed, at the impossibility of it.
    â€œI told you I wanted to talk, I told you—”
    â€œYou were going to ask me to be your wife?”
    â€œWhat did you think I was going to ask?” He shook his head in exasperation. “I know I have been a selfish. I know I am spoiled and careless with people. I understand your doubt. All I can promise is that I will change, that I see now that I have ignored the true duties in being royal. I want you beside me, Alisa. I want you to show me what is wrong and right—to make things better. I will move to Niroli if that is your concern…I will arrange Marietta’s care, Bella’s surgery…“
    She could scarcely take it in. Benito wasn’t offering her his dregs. He