I kissed him again and then wiped the tears from my face. "Goodbye, Gabe."

  He inclined his head. "Goodbye, Alix. I'll see you soon."

  I shook my head. "I do love your eternal optimism."

  And I left him there, shirtless and looking delicious, and smelling like spices and mint. I had to go, or I would never leave him. As it was, my parents had already called twice. I sent the calls to voice mail. I'd have a lot of explaining to do, and then very likely, my cousin would call. He might even send his very sweet wife to check on me. Like a subtle reminder that I was to follow the rules. At the doorway, I paused. Every cell in my body was desperate to return to him. Instead, I forced myself to step over the threshold and keep walking, down the hall, toward the steps that would lead me to the pier. I didn't get to live that freedom life. I had a different life entirely.

  Chapter Eleven

  Alix

  There was hell to pay.

  The moment I set foot onto the property, the guards converged. So many of them. At first glance, there were ten of them, all looking all the way pissed off. I looked to Sam, our head of security, and I sighed. "How bad is it?"

  He, however, was not looking at me. He was looking at the dusty taxi I'd taken from the pier. "Did you arrive in a taxi?"

  "Sam, I know how it looks. And I know how you like to tussle. But I'm here safe and sound, and nothing bad happened to me. So, how bad is it?"

  "Your parents are none too pleased. And you are in a significant amount of trouble."

  All the guards backed off, giving me room. "I know. I know. At least I called and told you where I was. I didn't let you think I'd been kidnapped, right?"

  He scowled. "Yes, but none of us could get to you. Unless, of course, we took the helicopter, but you specifically said that you didn't want that."

  "No, I didn't. I would have been humiliated."

  "Then exactly how are we supposed to keep you safe?" he admonished me gently.

  He wasn’t wrong. "I see your point, I just… Once I was on the yacht, it seemed prudent to stay."

  Bullshit. I’d wanted some freedom. His face softened. Sam was middle-aged and completely bald. I think partially by choice, but partially because he'd seen the writing on the wall once his hairline receded, so he preemptively shaved it all off.

  While he was over forty, his body was still packed with muscle. He was stockily built, but there wasn’t an ounce of fat on him. There was no softness anywhere. He was strong. Tight. Those hard muscles, paired with hard blue eyes that were shrewd and assessing, made him intimidating as hell. But I knew he had a soft spot for me. "Are you all right, Your Highness?"

  I didn’t like that I’d worried everyone. "Yes, Sam, but like I said, can you please call me Alix?"

  I'd been trying to get him to call me Alix since I was ten. He'd been one of the few to come with us from Winston Isles. "Not going to happen, Your Highness."

  As we approached the main house, the guards peeled off one by one and disappeared. They were watching, it was just that I would never see them.

  I saw my mother first. And of course, with her came a flurry of activity. "Oh my God, you are the most infuriating, ungrateful—"

  I put a hand up. "Mum, I'm exhausted. So I'm going to have a shower, wash my hair, and change my clothes. And then I'm going to eat something. While I was well fed on the yacht, I haven't had breakfast today. And then you, me, and Dad, and Sam, I assume, are going to calmly discuss the punishment. Someone shall keep an eye on me at all times to make sure I don't even go a foot off the property. I understand."

  By then my dad had come into the room, and my parents exchanged glances over my head. My mother shook her head at me. "You think this is a joke. You're a princess of the Winston Isles. Anything could happen to you."

  "You think I don't know that? Yes, I was with a friend, but the whole scenario of what happened, how it happened… it was terrifying. I wish I'd never gone."

  That was a lie. I only wished I didn't have this feeling now. The one of having left someone behind. It was terrible. I missed him already.

  You have his number. Just call him.

  I knew I would never use it.

  She frowned at me. "Why does your hair look like that? Honestly, Alix, it's like you don't care the paparazzi could find you. You know these people are ruthless."

  "Yes, mother."

  Ten minutes later, I was in my room and blissfully alone. I had to meet several servants along the way though. A whole staff set aside just to cater to me. I couldn’t count the number of times I had longed to be normal, to see what it was like to be bored, to have to pay bills, and just to live my life. To get hobbies. I did feel passionate about some of my mum's charity projects. But primarily, I just wanted to live a normal life.

  A couple of hours later, I had showered and changed my clothes, and I started to feel more like myself. As if someone had opened the closet and pulled out my former self, the suit that I wore every day and slipped it back on. Zipping it up tight.

  I found my mother in her sunroom. "Mum, if you want to talk, we can talk. But before you get started and I know Sam is going to get started, I didn't go out with any guards. Elena’s were there until she sent them home. Yes, dangerous. But once again, I argue that nobody cares who I am, and I know that's not an argument that really holds a lot of water here—"

  My mother put a hand up. "Sweetheart, I'm exhausted. I'm worried to death about you.”

  "Yes, I know. I’m sorry I've given you so much trouble. Please, don't call Sebastian. It's not that serious. It won't happen again. I promise."

  "Yes, well, we need to be sure of that."

  "Mum, at this rate, you might as well just give up and let me go back to the Winston Isles."

  "I'm not letting you go back anywhere. Sure, Tristan has been treated well. But you're different. You are royal. I mean, so is he, but he was chasing a woman. You have prospects. You don't have to return there."

  "Oh my God, Mum, I don't want prospects. Aren't you bored sitting in this castle, only leaving for charity events? By yourself. Always, by yourself, because where the hell is Dad?"

  I knew where he really was. He'd found a local woman, and he spend more of his time there than here with us.

  "You will never understand duty. But we don't have time to argue about that right now. You've been assigned a new guard. Someone who's to be your shadow through and through. It will be a two-person position, but he's the primary."

  "I really don't need that."

  "I argue that you do. You're twenty years old. Soon, you'll have your inheritance, and then you can petition Sebastian yourself. But until that day, I call the shots. And I'd like you to have a new guard, so come and meet him."

  She stood, and I could see it then, how pale she was, gaunt. I'd made her worry. Even though I'd called. Even though I had returned safely, she was still racked with anxiety and worry. I had done that. Not on purpose, but I’d still been responsible. "Mum, I'm so sorry. I didn't know, and it was a whole ordeal to come off the boat and not stay."

  She wiped the tears streaming down her face. "I want you to live, Alix. I do. It's just… After everything we've gone through the last couple of years, I just want to keep you safe the best way we possibly can."

  I followed her out into the receiving room of the main living quarters that served as her office. She pushed the door open to let me go first, and I saw him right away. Tall. Strong shoulders. Very broad. Dark hair, cut neat and trimmed well above his collar. The twinge of pain was so fierce I placed a hand on my stomach to comfort the twisting. Fuck, I missed him. Already. I had caught a case of feelings, and I had no idea what to do with it. He turned slowly to face us, and when his profile came into view, I gasped, because I'd been staring at that profile as often as possible for the last two days. I didn't say a word. Instead, I stood there stock-still. In front of me was Gabe Turner.

  My mother stepped forward and smiled at him. "Mr. Turner, we are so excited that you are on loan to us. When there's an exchange of military from London, they usually go straight to the Winston Isles. We are honored that you came here instead."

  He dropped his head in a slight bow. "The assignment was one I'm very excited about." And then his gaze flickered to me.

  I balled my hands into fists and waited for his response, his reaction, his acknowledgment that we knew each other. But when his gaze met mine, there was no warmth, no love, none of the things I'd felt over the last couple of days. He was a blank slate.

  My mother introduced me. "This is your assignment. My daughter, Alix. Alix, this is Gabe. He'll be looking after you from now on. Every time you take a step, he will be right there with you."

  I lifted my gaze to his, and every moment from the last two days imprinted on my soul. Him carrying me out of that club, putting me on the back of his motorcycle, stuffing my helmet on for me. The feel of him. The way he tasted. The way he moaned. The way he wanted me. Except now, he was in a suit, looking every bit the bodyguard that he was. "Your Highness, it'll be my pleasure to serve you."

  And I couldn't help it; I ran.

  Chapter Twelve

  Gabe

  I couldn't remember the last time I'd run that fast. Alix was surprisingly quick.

  Meeting her mother had been a bit of surprise because the older woman I had seen was a version of the girl I'd been pining for over the last twenty-four hours. Older, yes. Lighter hair. But the face. It had been Alix in thirty years. And I'd been so confused.

  And then Alix walked in, and I realized the reason for the similarities, the reason she couldn't be with me, or at least thought she couldn't. She was a fucking princess.

  Through the palace, we'd bolted. I darted left, following her tracks out into some kind of garden. And then we were in the maze. Alix, I now realized, had been a competitive runner. An equestrian. All the things her mother had told me about her came to me as I followed her, and now I was seeing the evidence.

  I kept her within sight ahead. Through the maze, she darted back and forth, trying to lose me, but she didn't seem to realize that we were directly attuned to each other. I could have found her in this thing in the dark. Because I was this close to her and now, and I wasn't going to let her go. She didn't stop running until she was in the center. And when I reached her, she whirled on me. "What the fuck are you doing here? You lying sack of—"

  She aimed a hit for my face. I deflected it easily and caught her arm, shoving it behind her back as I pulled her close. "Easy does it, princess."

  "You fucking knew. You knew. I hate you. Was I marked the whole time? Did she hire you? Were you following me?"

  The emotions skipped through my heart one by one as I realized it was more than she thought I had lied to her. She thought I had been deliberately deceptive when I slept with her. Fuck me.

  "No. I'm going to let you go, Alix." I released her and stepped back. "I didn't know. I thought you were a beautiful girl in a club who needed help."

  Alix paced back and forth. "This whole time… God, I'm such an idiot."

  "How was I supposed to know, Alix? You didn't tell me your last name."

  Her brow furrowed at that. "You must have seen the tabloids or something. God, I am so stupid."

  All I could do was let her rant, and rave, and pace. And she admonished herself for not having seen the supposed ruse. As she lamented all the mistakes she'd made, I had to wait. And when she was finally calm, I approached her slowly and then took her hand and placed it on my heart. "Look me in the eyes and tell me you really believe I deceived you. I didn't even know who I'd be guarding. I just knew that it was a position as a palace Royal Guard. Part of the exchange with the UK and Winston Isles. My former commander, Roone Ainsley, had gotten me in. I didn't know who you were. You were just a pretty girl with a heart-stopping smile. That's it. Nothing sinister."

  I could see when she started to believe me. Because after all, why would I lie? It wouldn't make any sense. Well, unless I was a master manipulator and all-around sleazeball. And I'm sure she'd had her fill of those.

  "I just— No, I really can't have you. For twenty-four hours I've been trying to think of ways that I could make this work, ways where my title would not get in the way, and I just I couldn't think of anything. And now here you are, and you are my guard, for fuck's sake."

  "Well, this certainly is a surprise. You recognize you look exactly like your mother? I was convinced I was losing it. Hallucinating. Putting your visage on every woman I saw."

  "What are we supposed to do? I'll just go and tell them that I don't accept you."

  "Why would you say that?"

  "Gabe, we slept together. You can't guard me."

  "Why not? Why not?"

  Her mouth opened. And then closed. And then opened again. "You are obviously very good at your job. You took good care of me. So, it's not that. It's just… It's even more complicated now. I’m under scrutiny all the time.”

  “Alix, I didn’t lie.”

  She deflated. "I know. I'm sorry I said that."

  "I have missed you. I can see your pulse right there." I traced a thumb over her pulse point on her neck. "I can see how much you want me. When have you ever given yourself anything you wanted?"

  She sucked on her bottom lip. "Gabe, it was hard enough walking away from you once. I'm not sure I can do it again. Your career, and my life, and…"

  "I know how to be discreet. You are the princess. My job is to keep you safe. Which, consequently, lines up with everything that I want. Your safety. And you. So however I can have you, I want you."

  "You say that now, but someone's going to find out and—"

  "Well then, why don't we disclose it?"

  Her eyes went wide. "What?”

  “Not some public, splashy thing that would likely embarrass you."

  She shook her head. "What a word, embarrassment? But—"

  "No, I mean, like just to people who need to know. My boss, your mother, whoever. You just tell them that we have already met and what you want. You might be surprised and they'd let you have it."

  "You wouldn't care?"

  I shrugged. "It's been twenty-four hours that I thought I couldn't have you. Yeah, I kept telling myself that you would call, that you would see we could do this, but I was freaking out. And now, I see it can work. So if I can have what I want, I deserve to be happy. We can hide it, if you want, but I know that will make you comfortable. So, you and I, however you want to do this, I'm in. I'm here. Who you are isn't a complication for me. We just have to be a little more discreet about the dates I want to take you on. But we can still do all those things. See the city, and others, and travel, and all of the things that you love. Do you want me?"

  Her voice was soft as she lifted her sharp gaze to mine. "I do. But I can’t have you.” She turned to leave, and I caught her wrist.

  Alix

  His fingers made contact with my wrist, and something snapped in me.

  This time it was me seeking his mouth. This time it was me yanking him down to my lips and kissing him like I’d die if I didn’t.

  We were a tangle of lips and teeth and needy, greedy hands tearing at clothing. I felt possessed. I’d never been this out of control before. Never this desperate. Never more willing to risk everything to have something I wanted. Something that was solely mine.

  We tumbled to the grass, tugging at clothing and nipping as we went. I threaded my fingers into the silk of his hair and pulled him down to my mouth again.

  His kiss was hot, and when his mouth opened over mine, a moan ripped from my throat. The slide of his tongue stroking against my own sent a shiver through me.

  Between my legs, I pulsed with need. Gabe rocked his hips against mine, triggering the fluttering in my stomach and the ache in my breasts. I needed him closer. Inside me. Part of me.

  Strong calloused hands I’d missed in the twenty-four hours we were apart, slid up under my skirt. When his fingers reached my panties, he tore his lips from mine. “Alix, your knickers are so wet for me.”

  His fingers shook, and his pupils were so dilated only a golden ring of silver blue rimmed the outside.

  His fingers slipped purposefully under the elastic. “You’re so slick.” I couldn’t hold back the helpless noise I made.

  With a growl, he hooked his thumbs in the flimsy fabric and tore.

  Then he kissed me fiercely, and I was lost. Lost to the slide of his tongue and the exploration of his hands and fingers. Teasing my clit, cupping my breast, pinching my nipples.

  He impatiently wedged his erection against my pussy as he leaned in to kiss me again.

  I couldn’t even imagine what we looked like, and I didn’t care. For once I gave not one damn about appearances. Gabe was all that mattered.

  His firm lips dragged over my mouth and jaw and throat then moved down to my breast, sucking my nipple through the silk of my bra, and then back up to my mouth. With every movement, his swollen cock rubbed against my clit, and I had to bite my lip to keep from shouting.

  “You’re so fucking wet,” he murmured, rocking against me. The crown of his erection making a home for himself at my wet opening.

  “Oh, my God, Gabe,” I murmured, my belly quivering.

  And at the same time, he muttered, “Holy shit!”

  Our gazes met fiercely, and with one thrust he was home.

  He lifted his head, his silky hair tumbling in his eyes as he stared down at me. “Fucking hell, Alix.” He was trembling. His entire body was shaking. “I’m clean,” he said, dropping his forehead to mine. His voice was low, his body unmoving.

  “I know. You wouldn’t have been hired without a clean bill of health.” I swallowed hard, knowing the unspoken question. “I’m on birth control.”

  That was all he needed to start moving with hard steady thrusts. My fingers dug into his shoulders as I gave into rush and the ride, like he was perfectly calibrated for me.

  “Gabe.”

  “I know love. I know.” His hand came down between us, his fingers finding my clit easily. The climax was abrupt, sharp, wonderful. I dug my fingers into his hair and pulled him down to me as my orgasm broke against his talented touch and around his cock. I gasped into his ear as my pussy fluttered and fluttered and fluttered.