Princess (American Princess #1)(3)
Author: Courtney Cole

“Sydney, it is not appropriate for Randall Ross’ daughter to eat pizza on the floor.”

She rolled her eyes as she returned to her pizza, sucking the hot cheese into her mouth.  If she had a dollar for every time she was referred to as “Randall Ross’ daughter,” she would be a millionaire in her own right.

Christian laughed.

“We couldn’t have done a lot of things at your house today, Syd.  This is only the least of it.  But since my parents are out of town…”  His voice trailed off huskily as he reached over and slid his hand up the shirt she was wearing.  It was his and hung on her like a baggy knee-length dress, giving him ample room to maneuver underneath it. 

She pushed his hand away.

“Again?  I think not.  I have to replenish my energy.  Just because you’re tireless, doesn’t mean everyone in this room is.”

She batted her eyes playfully at him as she inhaled her second slice of pizza, enjoying the forbidden grease and cheese combination.  The carb count alone would be enough to give her mother a heart attack.  But Sydney couldn’t help but love it.  No one in their right mind could ever say that Chicago had bad pizza.

“You know,” Christian said thoughtfully as he watched her eat, “I think you’re the first girl I’ve ever dated that actually eats in front of me.  And you eat a lot.  I don’t know how you stay so skinny!”  He leaned toward her.  “Except for here.  And here.”  He brushed against her curves with his hand.

“Christian!  Is that all you ever think about?” she demanded in mock exasperation, knocking his hand away.

He just laughed. They both knew full well that she was far from aggravated; that it was only a matter of time before her appetite was sated and she responded to him again.

“Why, yes.  Yes, it is.  But at least I’m honest.” Christian’s face was impish as his cobalt eyes twinkled at her.  Those were eyes that a girl could get lost in.  She sighed.

“Yes, at least you’re honest.  Now calm yourself down and let me eat!  Take a cold shower or something.”

They were both laughing until a third, unexpected voice startled them both.

“Mr. Price?!”

The Price’s housekeeper was frozen in the arched doorway with a look of utter shock on her creased face.  Sydney couldn’t help but giggle.  And then she was promptly embarrassed as she remembered that she was only wearing Christian’s shirt.  She immediately looked down to make sure that her rump was covered, tugging on the hem a little bit just to be on the safe side.  This was one situation in which her long legs were not a blessing.

“Hi, Fran.  Miss Ross here couldn’t wait to get to the table, so we decided to eat right here. She’s got a very voracious appetite.”

He waggled his eyebrows at his double meaning and Sydney’s cheeks burned.  Christian’s humor was apparent and Sydney just hoped that Fran hadn’t caught the entendre.

“Don’t stare, Fran.  You don’t want to make her uncomfortable.”

He winked at the maid, who was still staring at them in cliché-like astonishment. Her mouth was even hanging open a little bit. Sydney hid another giggle.  She couldn’t help it. She laughed when she was nervous. It had gotten her into trouble more than a few times in her life.

“And I don’t think my father needs to hear about this, don’t you agree?  In fact, why don’t you take the rest of the evening off?  You deserve it. You work too hard. And have I mentioned that you look beautiful today?”

Christian winked again and Fran shook her head, finally smiling at him, even though having a half-dressed girl in the house was clearly against the rules.  Even if the girl was Sydney Ross.  Actually, probably especially then. His parents wouldn’t want him involved in any kind of political scandal.

“Mr. Price, your shenanigans are going to get me fired yet!”

The disgruntled housekeeper turned on her heel and left the room, her gray curls still shaking and muttering under her breath, but leaving them alone.  Christian turned to Sydney with a perfectly straight face.

“Is shenanigans a word?” he asked her and then grinned.

Sydney shook her head, even though she couldn’t help but smile at the same time. Christian’s humor was infectious.

“You know, this does put her in a tough spot.  You really could get her fired one of these days and I’m sure she needs her job.  I should go.”  She started to get up.

He grabbed her arm.  “No, don’t.  You know she’s been with us forever.  My parents would never fire her and she won’t bother us again tonight.  Please?  Stay a while longer?”

His eyes were beseeching and Sydney felt herself relent.  Once again.  She couldn’t seem to help herself.  She wasn’t good at telling him no.  She let herself sink back onto the floor.

“How do you know that she won’t bother us again tonight?  How many other girls have you had here like this?”

Sydney was only half-joking.  Christian definitely had a reputation for being a playboy.  That was something she had been quite aware of when she started dating him. For some reason, it had been part of the allure… to see if she could get him and keep him.  It hadn’t taken her long, which surprised her.  And they had been together for five months now, a record for both of them.

“What?” His voice was full of exaggerated innocence.  “Me?  You’ve got to be kidding.  Sydney, you’re my first.”

The over-emphasized expression of outrage on his face cracked her up and she reached over to trail her fingers through his dark hair, which he interpreted as an open invitation and moved closer to her. She promptly shrugged out of his reach.

“Um, right.  Seriously.  How many other girls has Fran seen you with?”

“Well, that’s a difficult question, really.  She’s getting older and her eyesight is getting bad…” He stopped talking as he pushed her over and gently pinned her down, nuzzling the side of her neck.  “Besides, that doesn’t matter anymore.  I’m with you now. And you smell really good…what is that?  Chanel no. 5?” His voice trailed off as he kissed further down on her neck.

“Close.  It’s Chanel Mademoiselle and it matters to me, Christian.  You were my first.  Girls always remember that.  It’s special.  I want you to remember me, too.  I don’t want to be just another girl that Fran walked in on.” She sighed as he nuzzled even further down on her neck toward her br**sts.   “I can’t focus if you keep doing that.”