“Okay,” I say as I nod my head, now thinking how sad I’m going to be when he goes…and also noticing how wet I’m becoming in his grasp.
“Sleep well, beautiful.”
“I will, handsome,” I say.
“Until tomorrow I have something for you to remember me by.”
“After today how could I ever forget?”
“After this I know you never will.”
“After what?” I say feeling the excitement and does he ever deliver as he leans in close and without hesitation his lips come crashing down on mine and I melt into his arms.
CHAPTER 9
Leo
I lie in bed by myself wishing it wasn’t like this. For thirty-three years I’ve slept alone. First in my crib then in a bed, but it’s been my entire life.
No scandals, no nothing. That’s the way it is in my world. Everything is watched, monitored, scrutinized, just like my actions were today.
And I had to answer for my actions to the king.
“What was I thinking?”
“Who is she?”
“Have I lost my mind?”
“Did I forget who I am and my place in society?”
And those were just the ones I got before I even had a chance to answer.
My dad already had his people calling the photographers and the papers trying to do damage control. It wasn’t that he was against what I’d done, it was that he was against the way the media would handle it. He knows. I know too, but there was no stopping me. Not today. Not when it came to her.
Nothing could stop me when it comes to her. I mean I practically snapped on the guy selling the Picasso dresses today. I never get jealous. Never.
But I could feel the rage as he was looking at her. My Lily.
I’m even jealous of the guys working the nightshift of the hotel I put her in. They’re closer to her than I am, and I don’t like the thought of that. I don’t like anything coming between us. Since that first moment our bodies collided in the ocean all I’ve thought of are ways to keep her right by my side.
I want her by my side. I need her by my side.
And oh how I want her in my bed.
It was so hard leaving her there in her suite after that kiss. I just wanted to push my way into her room and show her exactly what it means to be mine.
Even the way I think has changed. And that has everything to do her she’s all I can think about. All I want to think about.
My desire for her is like a magnetic pull. I’m tempted to tie my bed sheets together and sneak out of the palace right now and go be with her.
I’d walk out the front door if I needed to, but it’s better if I exit without being seen, both inside and out.
I don’t want her to know. Not yet. I don’t want to burden her with my lifestyle. I want more time to show her this is very real for me as I know it is for her.
And I know once I make her mine our privacy will be gone forever.
Until then I just want to enjoy my life with her doing whatever we want, wherever we want, whenever we want. And somewhat counter-intuitively that involves me having to sneak around, so I don’t have to sneak around. It doesn’t make sense except that it does.
But after the taste of her sweet lips everything makes sense. All those cheesy romantic love songs you’d hear on the radio, or YouTube, or on MTV your entire life that always seemed silly, goofy, and completely overdone now seem like they weren’t even done with enough emotion. They were lacking in feeling…once you experience the real thing.
And she’s the real deal. The only one for me.
I grab my phone and look at the clock counting the seconds until I can be with her again. It was so great today being out without my phone. Just two people enjoying each other’s company.
But I need my phone now, but for a different reason. I’ll use it against those paparazzi photographers. And I’ll use it to walk right out the front gate tomorrow morning.
And by morning I mean before the crack of dawn, because I know I’m not about to fall asleep tonight, not with her on my mind.
And thoughts of our future. Our life together. Her innocence. Her honesty. Her realness.
And all those things that she has and all that she is will soon be mine.
And I’ll be hers.
Forever.
But tonight I had to be a gentleman. I had to let her get some rest after running her all around the island today and all the excitement she had leading up to that point.
But I don’t know how much longer I can be a gentleman.
All these feelings I’m feeling are completely foreign to me. Completely new.
I’m sailing in uncharted territory here, but soon these territories will be our lands because this prince has finally met his princess.
CHAPTER 10
Leo
I text my friend Antonio the second Lily excuses herself to use the ladies room at lunch.
Antonio is one of the only journalists in the world I trust. I texted my plans to him this morning and he’s been texting out fake sightings of us all day long, sending the paparazzi on a wild goose chase…far away from where we actually are.
And it’s allowed us to enjoy some absolutely perfect moments today.
Antonio called ahead and rented us a boat so we could row into the Caves of Drach, feeling the greenish light from below the water reflect up at us inside one of the most beautiful and under appreciated places on the island.
Then I captained another boat, this time a proper one, also rented by Antonio, and took us all the way over to Formentera off the coast of Ibiza. Formentera is full of celebrities this time of year and we didn’t pull the boat on shore until it was time to dock for lunch, instead swimming about one hundred meters from shore most of the day until it was time to island hop over to Menorca.
The sun has my Vitamin D levels through the roof making me desire her badly it took everything I had not to take her at so many different points during the day. The way she looked diving off the boat into the water. The way her body moved. The way her lips wrap around her food when she ate. And most importantly the way she smiles when she looks at me.
Damn she’s beautiful in every way and tonight she’ll be mine.
Which is exactly what I’m texting Antonio about right now.
Lock down a spot? I text.
You’re not going to believe this place. It’s booked under my name. Told them I wouldn’t bring any ID thought so just say my name and you’re in.
You’re the man, as in my best man when I marry this girl.
Whoa! You finally met the one?
No doubt. Will let you know. Thanks again, from both of us.
My pleasure. Looking forward to the wedding, unlike every single woman in Europe right now. lol
I don’t care about any other women though. I only care about one, the one I’m taking to the place Antonio reserved.
He knows people that work the travel department of his company than know more about the best hotels in the world than I ever could.
My phone vibrates and I click on the link.
Yeah, this is the place I say as I read the link he sent me.
It’s a review from The Telegraph U.K.’s website and if the picture itself wasn’t enough the description alone makes me want to get there immediately.
Cap Rocat
Cala Blava, Majorca, Spain
“ Luxurious and arresting Cap Rocat, formerly a 19th-century military fortress, has been imaginatively transformed into an exceptional boutique hotel with two pools and restaurants, and a sumptuous spa. Close to rugged coastline and woodland, it is an unparalleled haven of peace, offering complete privacy. “
9 / 10 - Location
Cap Rocat is situated on the edge of a nature reserve on its own private peninsula with panoramic views over Palma Bay. There are no nearby properties, affording it total tranquility with only the sound of the sea and birdsong for company. It is a 25-minute drive to Palma where there are plenty of shops, galle
ries and sights such as the Cathedral and Almudaina palace. Palma airport is just a 15-minute taxi ride away.
9 / 10 - Style & Character
Internationally renowned local architect, Antonio Obrador, has ingeniously converted this rambling, seemingly desolate and impenetrable sandstone military fort into a comfortable and chic living space. With its wide subterranean labyrinthine paths, grand stone bridge and giant crenelated gates it resembles a James Bond film set mixed with ancient Moorish citadel features. Natural stone, marble, timber ceilings and mellow lighting are combined with furnishings in neutral tones and bold-hued rugs to create a restful ambience.
9 / 10 - Services & Facilities
When guests arrive at the end of a long secluded track, a smiling multilingual greeter in white tunic and trousers directs them to the hotel entrance where a team awaits, offering a personalized warm welcome. Valet parking is on hand and guests are provided with refreshments. Service is understated and discreet with staff handling their tasks with effortless efficiency and always with a smile. At Cap Rocat nothing is too much trouble as the client is king.
Aside from the large infinity pool flanked by comfy loungers with on-site library for guest use, there is a 24-hour gym, private cinema, bar, shop, and a spa housed in a former limestone water deposit. Yoga, Pilates classes and personal training sessions are offered along with a raft of massages and ayurvedic treatments. The indulgent Hammam Ritual experience, involving hot steam, deep cleansing and massage with aromatic soap, is a must. The spa also includes a long and lean seawater pool with magnificent skylight. The hotel has created its own small sandy beach zone with direct access to the sea. Complimentary bikes and snorkeling equipment are available and countless choices of local excursions by land and sea.
9 / 10 - Rooms
There are 26 beautifully appointed suites and two rooms – most former military installations – situated in the extensive grounds. Each has a dreamy canopied day bed and private terraces that afford spectacular views to sea and adjacent forestland. Six suites – the Sentinels and Suite del Mar – include private plunge pools. Atmospheric rooms include comfortable sofas and armchairs in neutral shades offset by arched ceilings, soft textiles, historic seafaring monochrome images, and stone flooring. Four-poster beds are featured in some suites.
Aside from television, music system, coffee machine and minibar, cotton robes and slippers are provided along with exercise mat, and straw hat and basket for the beach. Bathrooms offer double basins, freestanding baths with relaxing salt selection, walk-in rain showers and amenities contained in pretty glass jars. Scented candles, room fragrance and flowers are a nice touch.
9 / 10 - Food & Drink
The hotel has two restaurants run by chef Victor García; smart La Fortaleza found in the main building and The Sea Club, an alfresco, relaxed affair located in an idyllic spot close by the sea. The latter serves freshly prepared fare cooked on a traditional Majorcan wood grill at lunchtime and in the evening. La Fortaleza opens for dinner and offers Mediterranean gastronomic cuisine using organic, locally sourced ingredients. Two exquisitely presented tasting menus are offered: the Majorcan option at €80 (£70) and a seven-course extravaganza at €90 (£80), or you can pick three plates. Delicious and flavorsome starters included baby sweet peas with bacon and egg yolk; main courses of Denton fish with finely sliced spring onions and Romescu sauce; and desserts such as Majorcan rubiol pastries. An impressive selection of wines is available including C'an Xicatlà, a limited-production, moreish local white wine.
A basket of breakfast goodies is driven by golf buggy to each room at a time to suit. Guests can dine on one of their private terraces overlooking the sea or in the cozy suites. A generous menu of egg and cooked dishes is available as well as fruit, pastries, yoghurts and cold meats and cheeses. Leaf tea is provided in teapots and coffee of choice is served. There's even a 'surprise menu' for the intrepid.
“What ‘cha looking at?”
I look up and see her there already back from the restroom.
“Oh, just another of the places left on our itinerary for today.”
“You mean there’s more?”
“Beautiful, when it comes to you I can’t get enough. I always want more.”
She leans down and kisses me in my seat.
I stand and push her chair back in as she seats herself.
Being a gentleman is expected of a prince, and I always try my best to be so.
But it’s something else entirely when I’m doing it for my lady. It makes me feel like even more of a man seeing her being treated like the most important woman in the world.
And she is, in my eyes that’s for sure.
And tonight my eyes are going to see her for the first time without that swimsuit, and she’s going to see even more of this man than she might be ready for.
Because I know I’m not going to be able control myself when I see her unclothed body there in front of me.
I owe her all the romance in the world, but I can only guarantee one thought will be on my mind.
Taking what’s mine and making her mine…forever.
CHAPTER 11
Lily
Somewhere between the fantastic Formentera and magical Menorca I fell in love.
And it wasn’t just the sea, sand, and sun.
It was him.
The way he’s always so in the moment of the current activity, but already has the next activity ready to go like it’s just something we do naturally.
And that’s why I’m in love. Everything feels so natural.
I never thought about being with an older guy but now it makes complete sense. I’m definitely not saying all older guys are the same, but Leo definitely displays the traits you would expect out of an older guy.
He’s calmer, likely because he’s already made it in life. He’s well-mannered, knowing not only how to treat a lady but also wait staff and service industry professionals. As someone who works in a kitchen and gets food sent back because it’s “cold” or some other reason that often happens because the customer spent fifteen minutes taking selfies with a steak or leaving Yelp reviews without actually taking a bite, I’m especially conscious of that.
And he’s elegant, something I’d heard about Europeans, but had no experience with.
And if the mainland of Spain is anything like this island…well, I’m not sure there’s any reason to go back home. Ever.
But only because of him.
But time is also running out. This unplanned and unexpected romantic rendezvous may turn out to be nothing more than that, but most importantly I’ve experienced love for the first time.
And as much as I want it to continue there are no guarantees. But I know I’m in love and judging by the erection he’s spent each of the last two days trying to conceal, he feels something too. I want to say he’s in love too, but I don’t want to speak for him. I want to hear it from his own lips in order to know it’s true. To believe my hunch might just be real.
Before these unbelievable three days come to a close.
Tomorrow is my final day so something will have to happen fast.
We ascend to the top of the mountain and he pulls the Vespa over to the side of the cliff top before helping me off. This is the part where I’d ask my companion if this area is safe, but never with this companion…with him.
He helps me remove my helmet and points to a flat rock surface.
“We must talk, before it’s too late,” he says.
I look in his eyes and see nervousness for the first time. It’s cute and it lets me know he’s human too. The way everything comes so naturally to him all the time I was starting to wonder if he was almost too perfect. But I like the emotion I’m seeing.
I just don’t know how much I’m going to like the words that follow.
CHAPTER 12
Leo
I take her hand and guide her to the flat rocky surface just next to the hotel. It’s close enough but private, that way I can speak with her
alone and after we can easily enter the hotel. I help her sit before joining her at her side. Where we belong…at each other’s sides.
“Are you having a good time here?” I begin.
“A great time. Thank you,” she says taking my arm and cuddling into me.
“Me too,” I say. “And that’s what I want to talk to you about.” I pause and she pulls back a bit so she can look into my eyes. I’m sure she can tell I’ve thought this through thoroughly, because I have, and that her answer means everything to me.
Possessive Prince: An Older Man Younger Woman Romance (A Man Who Knows What He Wants Book 66) Page 4