Marcus’s eyes lit up.
Shoot! Shoot! Shoot!
Why had she said that? If those words weren’t a total in for Marcus to invite her on a tour—
“How about a tour?” he asked.
Of course he asked. And, damn if he wasn’t charming, this Prince Marcus with his deep dark eyes begging to get under her skin.
But she had to stay professional. She couldn’t afford to let her attraction get in the way of her work.
She smiled apologetically at him.
“I really need to get back to my room. I’ve got a lot of work to get through tonight, especially since I’m expecting visitors tomorrow,” she said. “My sister and niece are flying in for a visit while I’m here.”
Before Lance fell ill, he’d insisted that the company fly his wife and son over for a stay. When the trip was transferred to Kyra, the company offered her the extra tickets and the two-bedroom suite. She’d been flooded with relief at the opportunity to fly her family out to be with her. Her younger sister was a single mom, trying her best to raise Ava on her own. Kyra had helped Maggie out ever since Ava was born, and they had never been apart for a long period of time. She’d been worried about how Maggie would manage without her.
“Well, if you’ve got guests coming tomorrow, looks like tonight’s the night,” Marcus said.
Kyra shot him a confused look.
“This may be the last chance you get for a night out to see the city.” A gorgeous smile played along his lips. He winked at her, and a chill ran across her arms. “I don’t mean to talk myself up, but I’m a pretty good tour guide.”
Kyra laughed at his forwardness and couldn’t help but flirt back. She grinned and raised her eyebrows. “Oh really? Why is that?”
“Well, being that I’m a prince and all, I can get in places most people can’t.” He locked arms with her, as if she’d already agreed.
This man could charm the habit off a nun.
“What do you say?” Marcus asked, leaning his head close to hers. “One night of fun?”
Kyra’s heart raced at the nearness of him. He smelled like minty mouthwash and woodsy cologne, and the broody danger in his eyes excited her.
“Oh, all right. Why not?” she said. She hadn’t been out in ages. She worked constantly, and when she wasn’t working, she was helping out with Ava. She was in Europe of all places, and a prince wanted to show her around. She deserved one night to relax.
Marcus held a hand out to Kyra and she took it. A chill ran up her arm at his touch. Damn, he was hot. “I’d love for you to be my tour guide, Marcus. And since you’re offering, I’ll take that drink as well.”
“Perfect,” he said and leaned in to whisper in her ear. “You won’t regret it.”
And she didn’t.
Several drinks later, Kyra and Marcus sat close to each other at a bar in the City Center. He’d shown her around the capital, including taking her to a few historic buildings. Kyra not only enjoyed her Sovalon excursion but found herself enjoying Marcus’s company on many levels.
As they laughed together at the bar, Marcus’s hand slid over her knee. Her bare skin sizzled at his touch.
“Thanks for showing me the town,” she said, the buzz of alcohol and attraction streaming through her blood.
“Thanks for coming,” he said.
Marcus took a swallow of his gin and tonic, and Kyra found herself transfixed on his mouth, wanting to kiss him, to taste him.
“Want to get out of here?” she asked, her voice sultry.
Without breaking eye contact with her, Marcus nodded.
The minute his limo’s door closed, his hungry lips were on her mouth, on her neck, kissing her cleavage, making her sigh in anticipation of what would come next. By the time they reached the hotel room, Kyra could hardly wait to get his clothes off so she could return the favor.
Thoughts of work and responsibility faded.
Pleasure ruled.
Hours later, as Kyra lay in Marcus’s arms, she smiled to herself, fully sated. Prince Marcus not only knew how to charm a woman, but he delivered in the area of satisfaction as well. The man did not disappoint.
What a way to kick-start the business trip.
With a good old-fashioned one-night-stand to rev her engine.
Marcus was just what she’d needed.
For one night of fun. And then back to her regularly scheduled life tomorrow.
2
At six o’clock, the alarm woke Kyra from a sound sleep. At first, she was confused as to where she was then remembered that she was in Sovalon and that she’d just shared a very hot night with Prince Marcus. He’d left shortly after their encounter, which was fine with her. It was a one-night fling, one she’d thoroughly enjoyed, but no more than that.
She strode to the luxurious bathroom and stared at her reflection in the mirror.
“No regrets here,” she said out loud, even as she reminded herself silently that it couldn’t happen again. Work had to come first from now on. As attractive as Marcus was, she couldn’t let him distract her.
An hour and a half later, she slid into an Uber and dialed her sister’s number. She wanted to wish Maggie safe travels before she boarded the plane.
“How are things going there?” her sister asked.
“There’s a lot of work to be done, but it’s going to be great,” Kyra told her, leaving out any mention of her night with Marcus. Maggie didn’t need to know every ounce of her business. “If I knock this project out, I’m sure to get the promotion.”
“We’ll try our best to stay out of your way.”
“Why would you say that, Mags? I’m so excited for you and Ava to be here.”
But if Kyra was honest, she was a bit nervous about being able to balance work with her sister’s visit. She really needed to concentrate on the project. Still, if Maggie and Ava weren’t coming, she’d be so worried about them being by themselves at home, she’d probably be less likely to focus here.
“Be safe, Mags, and I’ll see you soon.”
Kyra hung up and exited the car. As she headed into the center, she thought of how responsible she felt for her sister and niece. Maggie had always jumped from man to man, job to job and had always landed in Kyra’s reassuring arms—never more so than when she got pregnant. Kyra was more like a mother to Maggie and Ava than anything else. Their own mother helped as much as she could, but she’d already raised Kyra and Maggie on her own, their father having walked out on them when they were too young to remember him. Kyra didn’t want her mother to have to deal with any more responsibility, so she’d taken on being there for Maggie and Ava.
That’s why it was so important that Kyra excel in her career. She’d seen the sacrifices her mother had made and didn’t want her family to have to struggle any longer. Money may not be able to buy everything, but it could make life easier. Kyra took pride in how hard she worked at her career, especially since she truly loved the work of helping people.
She headed to the boardroom, where she was the first person to arrive, and took a seat at the table, her eyes drifting to the seat where Marcus had sat yesterday. Her thoughts danced away from her, recalling the way his hands felt on her body.