Prince of Midtown / Marriage, Manhattan Style: Prince of Midtown

“And scanty evening wear is something I never say no to.” Senator Kendrick’s tanned face eased into a grin.

The senator begged off going ashore with them and asked Tessa to keep him company while Sebastian took Mrs. Kendrick to the stores in his gondola.

Tessa didn’t mind. She’d rather sit on a yacht and watch the water than shop any day. And if she remembered right, Senator Kendrick was a keen supporter of spending for education, a cause she held dear.

He guided her to the front of the yacht, where two padded seats looked out over the prow. She eased herself in next to him.

“So, you’re Stone’s assistant?”

“Yes.” She turned to Kendrick with a smile. “I’m here to organize a meeting.”

“Working for royalty must be rather bizarre for a girl used to American democracy.” He puffed his athletic chest inside his lemon polo shirt.

“It was a bit strange at first, but I don’t think much about it. The people of Caspia seem very content with their royal family.”

“I don’t suppose they have much choice.” Senator Kendrick leaned in. His grin gave her a close-up of his blazing white teeth. There was something weird about his skin. Smooth and shiny, it looked like the skin of someone who’d had dermabrasion to erase wrinkles.

She looked over to the quay, where Sebastian was helping Mrs. Kendrick out onto the stone sidewalk that flanked the row of luxury boutiques.

“You’re a quiet one, aren’t you?”

“I guess I’m just dazzled by the view.” His pale blue eyes fixed on hers. “I’m rather dazzled by it myself.”

Something about the way he stared at her made Tessa’s stomach tighten.

“Too much foreign food and foreign scenery makes me pine for a little taste of home.” He leaned in so close that his freckled arm brushed against hers. Her hairs stood on end.

She forced a laugh. “You’re craving corn dogs and apple pie?”

“Something like that. I bet you’re tired of being hit on by swarthy Mediterranean men.”

“Not at all. The Caspians I’ve met have been very polite and charming.”

“Carrying a torch for your prince, are you?” Senator Kendrick’s salt-and-pepper eyebrow lifted.

“What?”

“I suppose all silly young girls fill their heads with fantasies of crowns and coronets. An American senator has a good deal more power than a tin-pot monarch.”

“I imagine that’s a matter of opinion.”

Her stomach knotted. It would be tough to swim for shore in the long dress. She’d lost sight of Sebastian, too. He’d gone into one of the shops.

She decided to redirect the conversation. “What do you think about mandatory school testing? Do you think it ensures an even playing field, or do you think it makes teachers gear lessons too much toward the tests?”

Senator Kendrick threw his head back and guffawed with laughter. “I came here to get away from all that claptrap and political bull. Now I’m sailing on a boat with a beautiful blonde and she wants to bend my ear about education? I feel as if I’m back in New York.”

The disgust in his voice made her eyes widen. She thought she caught a whiff of something on his breath, too. Whiskey?

She gathered her skirt about her knees and groped for a good excuse to leave the intimate seating.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

“I’d like to take a walk on the deck.”

“It’s a small yacht. There’s barely room to take three steps.” His pale eyes narrowed. He leaned over her and trapped her with his arm by placing his hand on the armrest on the far side of her. “I can think of some far more interesting things to do.”

He’s going to kiss me.

The thought rushed Tessa’s brain as his pursed lips rushed her mouth.

Instinct kicked in. Since she couldn’t pull back, she whipped forward and smashed him in the nose with her forehead. She was on her feet and back on the deck in seconds. A young male sailor knelt nearby, winding some rope.

Senator Kendrick appeared around the sail, rubbing his nose. He glared at her. “Don’t get the wrong idea.”

“Don’t worry, I didn’t.” She stood with her hands on her hips.

Now that her adrenaline was flowing she’d like him to try that again. She’d enjoy pitching him into the drink.

Maybe he read her mind, because he disappeared down some stairs into the belly of the boat.

She dusted her hands, which felt oddly satisfying. Hopefully her forehead wouldn’t bruise. What a jerk! Did he think she’d want to kiss him?

She suspected he didn’t spare a thought for what she wanted. She was a nobody. An assistant. A pretty, emptyheaded bimbo to toy with.

The disturbing part was that she didn’t want to tell Sebastian. He was obviously pleased to have important American visitors come to his country and she didn’t want to spoil it for him.

It seemed an eternity before Sebastian finally appeared, his gondola laden with shiny bags from the boutiques.

Sebastian was all smiles as he helped Charmaine Kendrick back onto the boat. Tessa’s heart squeezed with pity for the woman married to such a—

Now, now. She was the assistant to a prince. Nice girls didn’t use words like that.

The senator—and she used the word loosely—must have been watching from below, because he came on the deck as soon as they arrived. He marched right past Tessa without looking at her.

“Did you buy some beautiful things, my dear?” He kissed his wife’s cheek. “You know I want you to have everything your heart desires.”

To make up for your cheating louse of a husband. Tessa could barely keep a straight face. Just the sight of the man made her flesh crawl.

“Tessa.” Sebastian’s voice in her ear made her jump. “Are you okay?” He murmured it low.

“Sure. I’m fine.” Her attempt at bright and breezy came out rather stiff.

Sebastian shot a glance at the senator, who was “oohing” over some shimmery red number his wife pulled from a striped bag. “Seriously, you don’t look yourself.” His dark eyes filled with concern as he looked at her again.

Her stomach tangled. Should she tell him?

For all she knew her revelation might start an international incident. And she didn’t want anything else to spoil this beautiful day. She was pretty sure the senator would turn tail and run as soon as she and the prince left the boat.