by Amelia Wilde
“Could something like that still work today?”
Cal’s eyes narrow, and he lifts his wine glass, taking a sip. “If Hubert were still in power it’s conceivable. Still, he’d have to change Rowan’s mind about such a unification, and my brother would die before he’d sell out Monagasco.”
Distracted, I stare at my colorful plate. My mind is desperate for a solution. Is it possible Reggie’s found a way around these obstacles—or he’s working on one?
“Is that why you rode with him today?” Cal’s voice has changed. It sounds harder. “Are you in league with my uncle to overthrow the government?”
My eyes fly to his. He’s watching me closely, and my forehead tightens. What would he say if I told him that’s exactly what brought me to his country? I was in league with Reggie to prevent Rowan being crowned king, thereby assuring his enemies control of the government.
Oh god. My insides die.
“What?” I manage a laugh, but it sounds off, even to me. “Why would you say something so crazy?”
Cal’s eyebrows lower, and for the first time since I’ve known him, a fierce light enters his eyes. MacCallam Lockwood Tate is an ass-kicker.
“You’re asking a strange line of questions, Zee. What’s this about?”
Sitting up straight, I place the chopsticks on the side of my plate, forcing my practiced brain to calm. It’s not the first time I’ve been in a tough situation. Poker face returned, I find a believable cover story.
“I was only thinking… if I leave, your uncle will be kicked out again.” Reaching for my glass, I take a slow sip of wine, careful to keep my hands from trembling. Focus on the story. “He doesn’t want to leave his home. I guess I was trying to help him find a way to stay. If whatever he was trying to do before is impossible now, then Rowan can allow him to come back. Right?”
Cal’s muscles visibly relax. He gives me a half-smile as he returns to how we’ve always been with each other. I let out a controlled breath. That was too fucking close. I can’t let Cal figure out why I’m really here before I have something to make up for what I’ve done. I’ve got to find my gift of atonement before he ever uncovers the truth about Ava and me, or he’ll never forgive me.
It’s a long shot he’ll forgive me, period, but I can’t think that way. I can’t let him go without a fight.
“I don’t know if Rowan will ever forgive our uncle for what he did.” His voice is quiet, controlled. “If Reggie wants to stay in Monagasco, you should let him work it out on his own.”
“You’re right,” I say, happy to move away from the subject. “We don’t have to talk about it anymore.”
He does a little wave. “I’ll sign the bill, and we can head back to the estate. There are still a few hours of sunlight left.”
Our eyes meet, and I reach across to hold his hand briefly. “I’m sorry if I spoiled our dinner with all my questions.”
“You can make it up to my by going to the gala tomorrow night.”
He turns his hand over so our palms touch, our fingers lace. It’s so warm and perfect. All I can think about is our bodies meeting in the same way and how good it always feels.
“I’ll go.” I can’t tell him no, and I will do everything in my power to make this right. After that, I know what I have to do.
Rowan
Ava is in my arms, her soft breasts flat against my chest. Her slim arms are around my neck, and her eyes close as I rock into her. Her dark hair swirls around us in the water like a cape. She’s so beautiful, and my cock is deep between her thighs. I can only let go as waves of pleasure roll over us.
With every thrust of my hips, her inner muscles clench, and she exhales a soft moan. I’m so close to finishing, my balls ache. A tilt of her chin, and our mouths unite, tongues sliding together. She tastes like the strawberries I fed her along with our champagne, and she feels like fucking heaven—hot, clenching, dick-massaging heaven.
“Rowan,” she whispers softly. “Please.”
“Please?” I take another hit off her luscious lips.
“Move me,” she sighs, and I slide my hands down to her ass, gripping it and pulling her harder against my hips, scrubbing her clit against my body.
I’m rewarded with a renewed eruption of clenching muscles around my shaft, and I have to grind my teeth to keep from coming. I continue moving her, harder, faster until her thighs flex at my waist. Her nails grip into the skin of my shoulder, and I’m no longer setting the pace. She’s riding me, getting off on my cock. It’s so damn good, I can’t hold back anymore.
“Fuck, Ava,” I groan, holding her upper back, trying to keep myself anchored on this planet with only her for support.
My dick pulses again and again, filling her, and she’s riding, trembling until she breaks. I feel her entire body tense, and a low moan cracks with her voice.
“Yes,” she gasps, bucking against my hips. “That’s it.”
She’s smiling, but her eyes are still closed. Her arms are tight around my neck, and her body moves slower, coming down as a beautiful flush spreads across her breasts.
“Look at me,” I say, catching her chin as I give the low command.
“Hm,” she smiles, blinking those beautiful eyes open.
I can’t help it, I kiss her again, pulling her tongue into my mouth. Devouring her sweetness, causing her to moan again, another little spasm around my dick. Pulling back, I give her lip a teasing nibble, and she sighs.
“So good,” she says, leaning her head against her arms, which are still tight around my neck.
My thoughts move to what we’ve done several times over the last few days. Her body is fantastic, and I’ve become somewhat obsessed with her. I haven’t been as careful as I normally would.
“I’m sorry I haven’t been more vigilant about protection.”
Her brow lines, and her head rises. “I hadn’t really thought about it either. But you don’t have to worry. Technically, you’re my first real lover.”
I touch her chin and the warmth in my chest could only be tempered by my determination to avenge her past.
“You don’t have to explain. I trust you.” Or, more accurately, I’m so fucking horny for this woman, I’ve become completely reckless.
I think about the other possibility of what we’ve done, and strangely it doesn’t bother me. An unexpected wave of satisfaction fills me at the idea of Ava’s belly round with my child.
“I’m on the pill,” she adds, killing that fantasy.
It’s a good thing. I need to get my head straight about this woman. We’ve only known each other a short time. As future king, I have to be more deliberate and responsible about my decisions.
Still, Ava is something special. I love every conversation we’ve had. I love how well our bodies work together, and I can’t forget my feelings on the track today seeing her walking out to greet me.
“You don’t have to worry.” I hold her a little closer to my chest. “I’m clean. I haven’t been with anyone in a long time.”
Those last words, added as an afterthought, cause me to remember my lonely existence before this beautiful creature appeared. I didn’t even realize what I was missing.
“Why were you alone?” Her voice is soft, and her legs are loose around my waist.
We’re floating in the pleasant water, luxuriating in the calm of afterglow.
I think about her question. “I don’t know exactly. My father died, and I felt I had to focus on getting up to speed, proving I was ready to take his place.”
“Does running the country mean you can’t have a girlfriend?”
“No.” I smile and touch her beautiful face. “It just means people always want something. Everyone has an agenda. It’s hard to know who to trust.”
She leans her cheek into my hand. “I tried to stay away from you, you know.”
“I suppose that’s what made me want you more.”
“Is it?”
“No.” I can’t lie to her now. “That night in the moonli
ght, when you were alone, watching the waves and quoting Robert Frost. It was exactly what I was doing in my mind. Looking at the waves and wishing I could run away.”
Her expression changes, and she places her slim fingers along my jawline. “We both want freedom? Shouldn’t you already have it?”
My arms tighten around her. “I’m pretty sure I know what I want.”
“Me too.”
Our eyes mix and mingle, emerald green and ocean blue. I can’t help feeling we were meant to find each other. Our paths were destined to cross. Passionate preference, such as love at first sight…
She kisses me roughly, holding her body to mine as if she’s afraid I’ll disappear. “I always want to remember this,” she says.
I’ll never forget it.
“Go with me to the gala tomorrow. It’s the kickoff to all the race events. After it, I’ll be slammed with time trials and practice runs. I’ll have to keep things going with the cabinet. I’m afraid for a few days, I won’t be able to see you like this.”
She doesn’t hesitate. “I would love to go with you.”
“We might be hounded by photographers. I hope you don’t mind having your photograph plastered all over the damn place.”
“I don’t mind. I don’t really notice them anymore when we’re together.”
Sliding my fingers along her hairline, I think about my decisions, about what my mother wants, about what’s good for the country. I think about Ava being here on a holiday, the possibility that her visit will end and she’ll leave. A hollow feeling burns in my stomach.
“After the race, I’d like to talk to you about something.”
She smiles. “You could talk to me now. I’m here.”
Turning her body, I pull her back to my chest and wrap my arms around her waist. My chin is on her shoulder, and I look out at the horizon. I think about the future and what I want.
“After the race,” I say.
Her fingers thread with mine, and I know what I want. I know for the first time, and I feel complete.
19
Complications
Zelda
It’s after ten when Ava and I return to our suite at the Fontaine. It’s been several days since we slept in our own beds alone, but I’m thankful for the break and the chance to strategize. She’s worried.
“What happened today, Zee? What is Reggie going to do?”
I go quickly to the television and turn it on, but it’s no help. The local news is in French. I recognize locations. Many streets will begin closing tomorrow to prepare for the race. The gala is tomorrow night, and locals will be out to watch the racers and the nobility and to cheer for their favorites.
Walking quickly to the door, I pick up the newspaper still rolled from this morning. Again, I can’t read it.
“If only I’d learned French,” I say through an exasperated exhale.
“What are you thinking?” Ava’s right with me, following me through the room.
I walk back to the sofa and drop into the cushions, thinking.
“Oh! I wish you’d tell me something!” Ava’s shouting now, and I look up at her. Her dark hair is in beachy waves, and she’s still in that white dress from earlier at the track.
“What did you say?” I confess, I’ve been too distracted to listen.
“What happened today? What did Reggie say? What are you planning to do?!”
Holding out my hand, I reach for her to sit beside me on the sofa. “It’s not good.” I feel her tense, and I know this is hard for her to hear.
“Reggie was at the track today. He knows you and Rowan are seeing each other. He probably knew before—hell, it’s probably why he even showed up today. To bust us.”
“What’s he going to do?” Her voice wavers, and I know she’s feeling that same sickening fear I felt earlier at the thought of Cal finding out what I’d done. Only her fears are for Rowan.
“He wants us to keep him posted about the prince. He wants to know what he’s doing, where he’s going, then he’ll allow us to stay here.”
“But I never know what he’s doing or where he’s going. He doesn’t tell me those things!” I can see the panic in her eyes, and I want to soothe her.
At the same time, I know how swift Rowan’s judgment can be. She’s right to be afraid.
“It’s going to be okay, Ava-bug. Do you trust me?” I expect her to say yes like she always does, like we’ve always been in the past.
Instead she says one word, “How?”
Pushing off the couch, I start to pace. “I don’t know.”
“Oh, Jesus!” She leans forward pushing her face in her hands. “He’s going to hate me. He’ll never look at me again! And after everything we’ve said… Everything we’ve done!”
That does it. I rush to kneel in front of her, pulling her hands into mine. “Look at me! I’m not going to let that happen. I’ve seen Rowan with you. He’s in love with you. He’ll give you the kind of life you deserve.”
Her eyes go round. “He’s not in love with me. We’ve never said—”
“Feelings like that don’t have to be said. They’re apparent for everyone with eyes to see them. He cares about you, and I won’t let my mistake spoil that for you. If anyone deserves a fairytale ending, it’s you.”
“But what about you? What about Cal?” She’s blinking fast. “I’ve never seen you so happy. Not ever! It’s the first time you haven’t always been planning and calculating and looking for the next job. It’s the first time you’ve smiled!”
Standing, I force myself to calm. This isn’t about me. “We’ve had money, Ava. Money is why I’m smiling.”
“That’s bullshit!” she shouts, and I feel my jaw hit the floor.
“Ava!” I’ve never heard her lose it this way.
“I’m not going to let you sit here and say these things. You’re happy here. It’s not just me!”
“You’d have to be an idiot not to be happy here! Of course I’m happy here, but that’s not the point!”
“Then what is the point?”
Clearing my throat, I walk over to the wet bar for a bottle of water. “The point is I took this job. I sat on that boat and shook hands with the devil. You’re here because I never leave you behind.”
She’s listening, but her dark brows are pulled together. She’s looking for any chance to argue with me on this, but I won’t let her. I twist the top off the water bottle and take a sip, calming my thoughts as well as my voice.
“I’m going to find out what Reggie’s up to,” I continue. “I’m going to see if there’s any way to redeem what I’ve done. There probably isn’t. I’m going to have to be the villain in this story.”
“You’re not!” Her voice breaks, and unshed tears are in her eyes.
“I am, Ava-bug. I agreed to come here and lie to Rowan. I didn’t expect to meet Cal, but I definitely came here intending to hurt Rowan.”
She’s off the sofa now, crossing the room to stand in front of me. “From the start, we said we would stop it, we’d walk away if we found out Reggie was tricking us. We can just walk away!”
“Yes, but walking away means walking all the way away—all the way back to Florida.” Her chin drops, and I know her heart is breaking. My heart is breaking for both of us. “I’ll walk away,” I say. “I’m doing my best to find any way for you to stay.”
Her face snaps up, and again her forehead is lined. “What are you saying?”
“I’m going to figure out what Reggie wants. I’m convinced he’s here to finish what he started when Rowan kicked him out…”
“And?”
“And if I can beat him to it, whatever it is—if I can warn Cal or Rowan, maybe they’ll feel… A little less like punishing and more like forgiving.”
Her breathing picks up, and I can see that tiny glimmer of hope growing in her eyes. She’ll always trust me, and I take that responsibility very seriously.
“Then we can stay?” she whispers.
“I hope so.” I
nod as I start to pace again, thinking. “I hope Rowan will believe me when I tell him you had nothing to do with this scheme. You were only here because I wouldn’t leave you behind.”
“I’m sure he will—he’ll forgive you. Rowan is really kind and gentle.”
Glancing up at her, I can’t help a skeptical grin. “Rowan is not kind and gentle. He’s powerful and tough, and from what I’ve heard, he’s pretty ruthless when it comes to handling people who cross him.”
She frowns as if I’m describing someone she doesn’t know. “He’s focused, and he takes his position very seriously, but he’s not ruthless.”
Walking back to her, I put an arm around her shoulders. “That right there is why I’m doing this. If that man is so sweet to you that you don’t even notice what a badass he is, I’m going to find a way for you to stay together. I promise I will.”
Her shoulders fall, and she lets out a slow exhale. “I can’t argue with you anymore. I’m too tired.”
I laugh and give her side a little poke. “Somebody’s been having sex all evening.”
“Shut up. I’m going to take a shower.”
“No more gushing about having sex with a king?”
“Goodnight, Zelda!” she calls waving over her shoulder at me.
“That’s a switch!” I call after her. My phone buzzes on the counter, and I laugh as I walk over to pick it up.
Wish you were here. No one to criticize the horrifying movie choices I’m making.
“MacCallam Lockwood Tate,” I whisper, unable to stop a smile.
What are you watching? I text back.
Come back and I’ll show you.
Have work to do. Tell me.
Work? You’re on a holiday.
Chewing my lip, I decide to give him a little insight into my plans. Trying to find a way to stay longer.
In that case, I’ll survive my poor entertainment choices.
Smiling, I walk over to sit on the sofa. Resting my head on my hand, I wipe the stubborn tear from my eye and force myself to have hope. Touching the screen quickly, I text, What have you chosen this time?