The Prince's Special Bride (Royal Romance #1)

Chapter 3

Marie brushed over her white capris and pink halter-neck top, wondering again whether she'd picked the right outfit. Something told her that Liv and her brother were not used to casual clothes. Then again, her friend had made it clear that she wanted to ditch whatever burdening responsibilities she had and really live for a day.

"You can do this," she whispered to herself. Truth be told, she was keen on this day off. She couldn't remember the last time she'd enjoyed a real break, especially with someone not tied to the hotel.

She walked over to the front desk to exchange greetings with the staff and make sure that her arrangements for today were in place. They had agreed to meet at the restaurant with the breakfast buffet, so she strode over. She'd had a few bites to eat at her room, giving herself a mental pep talk that Liv's handsome but also irritatingly cool and formal brother shouldn't change a thing about how she would go about today. Still, she'd fallen asleep with thoughts about him, about the weird pull she felt towards him.

Of course she wasn't immune to handsome men, and working in the hotel trade—especially at night—meant that she had a fair share of male guests come on to her, but she took care not to cross the line. She had flirted a little here and there, had tried her hand at two serious relationships with members of staff and then given up on those. Maybe her expectations were too high. Or maybe she was just strange...but she'd never felt the unsettling quiver she'd felt when first laying eyes on Christian.

Marie lifted her head from the white, warm sand to search the restaurant for her two guests, and stopped short in mid-step. Liv wore her outfit from yesterday, paired with sunglasses, and she was tucking into a huge stack of pancakes, a plate of exotic fruits still untouched. Next to her sat her brother, hardly recognizable in a cobalt blue T-shirt with the hotel's logo and black Bermuda shorts, both clearly from one of the shops on the resort. He wore sunglasses too, and he sat there with his arms folded across his chest, staring disapprovingly. Her mouth watered at the sight of his well-defined biceps, but the rigid set of his jaw made her realize again that he didn't support what they were doing.

"Good morning," she said tentatively after she'd walked over.

Liv smiled at her. She ditched her pancake, grabbing a piece of watermelon instead.

"Good morning. Please sit. Did you have breakfast?"

Marie nodded and sat down opposite her, aware of Christian's gaze on her despite the tinted glasses. He inclined his head slightly in her direction. "Good morning."

His sister elbowed him in the ribs not so discreetly, making Marie suppress a grin. His smile looked somewhat strained.

"Tea? Coffee? Would you care to join us for anything?" he asked, his tone marginally warmer.

"No, thanks. I'm fine." Damn, his voice was sexy.

She watched Liv manage to look graceful even while gobbling pieces of watermelon, papaya, banana and pineapple, all the while aware of the silence hanging between them and of Christian looking uncomfortable.

She couldn't stop herself from quipping, "Eat up, you're going to need the energy."

Liv's smile only grew wider. "I certainly hope so. What's on our agenda?"

Marie lapsed into organizer mode, something that came naturally to her. "I thought we'd start nice and slow with a catamaran ride so you get a feel of the sea. Then we can either snorkel, or if you're daring we can dive. There's lots more watersport to follow."

Christian fiddled with the neatly folded serviette on the table. "Really, Olivia, have you thought this true? It's been years since you last spent some time in the water."