Cameo Appearance

While being blackmailed by her ex-boyfriend who wants to turn her in as the witness to a murder some five years before, Cameo Dreyden has done her best to put the incident behind her. When she finds out the creep is going public anyway, Cameo has no choice but to disappear to places unknown, with a prince who wants to make her his bride.

The South Pacific is as far away from the Unites States as she can find. Prince Reginald of Charmania whisks Cameo off her feet with a gentle but electrifying kiss, while battling demons of his own. The island nation needs a stable monarchy, because the threat of a takeover to get the newly discovered riches is imminent. Under the island's rules, since the king's ill, Prince Reginald has to marry to save his country, and Cameo's been chosen as future queen.

Surrounded in this idealistic fairy tale setting with castles, frolicking dolphins, and the promise of a life of luxury in exchange for her hand in marriage, Cameo couldn't possibly turn it down. However, she's torn between staying to save the monarchy and fleeing to save her life while sacrificing her heart.

Excerpt

Cameo Dreyden raised the bat in her hand and stared at the stranger who she was certain had been sent to kill her. No murderer's thug would kill her without a fight, especially not so early in the morning. "Out," she said with a determined voice. "Or you'll regret it. This is your last warning."

The stranger backed up, lifting his hands into the air as if to deflect a blow. "Don't kill me. I mean you no harm." His soft British accent filled the room.

She paused. She was such a sucker for British accents, but couldn't afford to back down. Her fingers tightened on the handle. "Who are you and what are you doing here?"

"I'm with—"

Cameo's roommate, Jane, rushed into the apartment carrying some bags. "What's going on? Cameo, why do you have a bat?"

The blond man turned toward Jane with his hands still lifted. "She thinks I'm a masher. Tell her who I am."

"He's—"

"Wait." Cameo held the bat in the air and watched her roommate, even though Jane was in front of her. "Why are you home so early? You shouldn't be here until tonight."

Jane put her hand on her hip. "I wanted to bring Reggie home to meet you." She pointed toward the stranger, who still looked horrified.

Cameo lowered the bat and returned it to the corner. "Sorry. I didn't know. I wasn't expecting anyone so early in the morning." She reached out and shook the man's hand, but he still looked a little shaken. "So, I take it you're Reggie and are dating Jane now? I thought—"

"Wrong," Jane said. "I'm still with Benson. I just wanted you to meet Reggie. He's a friend of mine…" She glanced at him. "…from work. Yeah, that's it. He works with me."

The very handsome blond-haired, blue-eyed man turned toward Jane. "No, I don't. I'm not even from the United States, but I am here on a mission."

"A mission?" Cameo returned to the kitchen, grabbed a bowl, a spoon, and a box of cereal. She put those things on the table, and then grabbed the milk from the fridge. "What's your mission in the States? Are you a spy or something?" She chuckled to herself while dumping cereal into the bowl. "I scared a spy with a bat. Hilarious."

"No, I'm a prince."

She spun toward him. "I scared a prince with a bat? Even funnier." She chuckled and put the spoon into the bowl.

Dressed in light-colored khaki pants, a dark blue polo shirt, and a black jacket, the man bowed slightly with a grin, his gaze on her face. "Prince Reginald at your service. But you can call me Reggie."

She watched him, stunned, and poured the milk into her bowl. "A prince? A real live prince in my apartment. That doesn't happen every day."

He had strong masculine features and slight dimples. She was a pushover for dimples, blue eyes, and a British accent. Since he was a prince, he really was someone to watch. Stunning. That was the only word for Prince Reginald. He had the whole package, from what she saw.