Her Royal Bodyguard

by Natasha Moore

  “She’s pretty as a princess,” someone called out from across the room.

  Angelina stiffened and Rico wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed the top of her head, trying to calm her obvious nerves without drawing any attention. He threw a discreet glance to the other side of the dining room, but he couldn’t tell which of the three men at the table had spoken.

  “Just goes to prove the man has good taste,” Marco said lightly.

  “He’s not bad on the eyes either,” a woman with long white hair at the bar said, sending a playful grin in his direction.

  “Yes, they are a most beautiful couple and I invited them here so we can toast to their marriage,” Marco replied. He gestured to the tall man behind the bar. “Tonio, drinks for everyone!”

  Rico and the princess were ushered over to a table for four near the bar. Rico chose the chair with its back to the wall, so that the doorway was in clear view. The princess’s eyes were a little wide, her expression unsure as she sat down beside him. She’d probably never been in a local bar like this, surrounded by outspoken people who dressed without feeling any need to impress. He caught the princess’s hand under the table and gave it a squeeze.

  It seemed as if everyone in the room was talking over each other. Rico got the impression that this was a group of regulars and they all liked to talk. Whether they ever listened to each other was another story.

  Marco came over to the table with three long glasses of spumante. The sparkling wine looked inviting and refreshing. With a broad smile, he handed them each a glass, then, still standing, raised his glass high. “To Rico and Lucia! May their future together be long and happy.”

  Everyone in the place repeated the toast and drank deeply. The princess caught Rico’s gaze and he could tell she was uncomfortable. Rico understood why she felt guilty for the deception, but he wouldn’t regret doing whatever it took to keep her safe. He tapped his glass lightly against hers and they drank.

  “How long are you staying in Tuscora?” Marco asked after he took a seat at the table with them.

  “We’re not sure,” Rico replied cautiously.

  “We’re trying not to plan too far ahead,” the princess said with a little smile. “A honeymoon should be spontaneous, don’t you think?”

  “Absolutely,” Marco replied. He leaned in close and winked. “Like that kiss on the sidewalk?”

  The princess’s cheeks grew pink but Rico just shrugged. “I admit I am overwhelmed by this woman who agreed to become my wife.” He put his hand over hers on the table. “I find it difficult to keep my hands to myself.”

  “I don’t want you to keep your hands to yourself,” she said softly.

  Marco’s laughter boomed around the room. “I like this woman.”

  “I like you too,” she replied.

  “Son, this is a woman to keep around.”

  Rico cleared his throat, glanced at the princess but she was staring into the bubbles in her glass as her cheeks turned a pretty pink again.

  “Marco, you’ve embarrassed the girl,” the white-haired woman at the bar said.

  “Bah! She captured this big tough guy. She must be a strong woman too.” A wicked grin appeared on Marco’s face. “And of course she has to know how strong she is. Just ask my Gina!”

  Laughter burst out around the room again. His wife walked in at that moment and everyone called out to her.

  “There’s my strong woman!” Marco shouted. He rose, arms outstretched. “Come to your man.”

  Gina narrowed her eyes. “How much have you had to drink?” But she walked into his arms and kissed him soundly.

  Rico had never thought much about getting married, of having a partner with whom to share his life. His job was dangerous. It took up most of his time. He’d convinced himself he didn’t need more than an occasional woman to slake his physical needs.

  But something about seeing loving couples like his aunt and uncle, like Marco and Gina, couples who had been together for many years, made him wonder if he might be missing something. He glanced over to the princess and saw that she was studying the older couple as well. He squeezed her hand and she glanced at him and smiled.

  He slid his hand off hers and picked up his glass. Once he got his security business up and running, he’d look for a woman. Someone graceful and gracious. Someone stubborn and passionate too. A strong woman like…

  No. It would do no good to even think it.

  Even if he imagined he might actually get married at some point, it would never be to the princess of Mezzano.

  From a young age, his parents had warned him not to get too close to the royal family. He and Vittorio were the same age and had often run around together while they were growing up. They both had grown up in the royal palace, but the entire apartment in the staff’s wing where Rico had lived with his parents and sister was smaller than the crown prince’s personal suite.

  Vittorio had remained Rico’s friend, but they had never been equals. The older they’d gotten, the clearer that had become. Vittorio would always be his prince and his employer. Well, not his employer much longer.

  Rico glanced over at the princess, chatting happily with Gina. Angelina was lovely, passionate, strong. He desired her so much he could barely breathe sometimes, but he could never agree to her request to take her to bed. She wasn’t a woman with whom he could toy. And she was also not a woman with whom he could have a future.

  He would never be Angelina’s equal.

  By the time they left the bar, Angelina was feeling the effects of too much wine and too much laughter. No, not too much laughter, could there ever be too much laughter? But after enjoying herself immensely with these people she’d never met before, sitting so close to Rico whom she still didn’t really know, she was confused. It couldn’t be just the wine.

  How could she have had more fun this afternoon than she remembered ever having with any of her friends back home?

  She stumbled a little in her heels when they crossed the street. Rico kept a hold on her even as his gaze continued to sweep the street, watching the people strolling the sidewalk, the cars driving by.

  “Are you all right?” he asked, his arm around her waist, his warm breath brushing against her cheek.

  “Fine. Just a little…”

  “Drunk?”

  His amusement irritated her. She’d noticed he’d switched to coffee after that first glass, like a responsible bodyguard should. They’d shared a hearty sandwich a little while ago, but she probably shouldn’t have had that last glass of wine.

  Angelina leaned her head back to look up at him and wobbled again. She grasped his arm. “Tipsy. That’s all. I can handle wine. I drink it all the time.”

  “Of course.” But he held her tighter and she couldn’t be sorry about that.

  They walked together in an easy silence then, their strides seeming to find a comfortable rhythm. Her hip was pressed against his, her breast pushed against his side. Her body felt loose and warm. The lack of sleep from the all-night drive was catching up with her and she knew Rico must be feeling it too. Still, she longed to be able to walk with him, just like this, all night long.

  When they reached the villa, she said, “Rico?”

  They stopped in the middle of the empty courtyard and somehow she was in his arms. “Yes, amore?”

  “I had a really good time today.”

  His wide smile made her even warmer. “I’m glad. I enjoyed myself as well.”

  “Do you think we’re safe here in Tuscora?” she asked softly.

  He pulled her in close and brushed his lips against her ear. “I will not let my guard down, of course, but yes, I think we are safe here.”

  She let out a sigh of relief. “I’m glad. It’s exhausting to be on edge all the time. I don’t know how you do it.”

  Rico shrugged. “It’s all in what we are used to, I imagine. I find it difficult to relax. I can’t let myself relax when someone’s safety depends on me.”

  Shadows were leng
thening around them. They’d spent a much longer time with the friendly people at the bar than she’d thought. Angelina studied Rico’s face, saw the dark smudges under his eyes. “You need to get some sleep.”

  “I’m used to pulling all-nighters.”

  “Still.” She took his arm and led him up the stairs and into the apartment. She’d hoped to seduce him tonight but knew now that she shouldn’t push him. Not tonight when they were both so very weary.

  But if not tonight, then when?

  Angelina locked the door behind them and then turned to Rico. He must have been more tired than he admitted because he didn’t stop her when she took his hand and led him into the bedroom.

  She slid her hands beneath the shoulders of the black jacket he wore over a soft gray button-down shirt. Before she could slip his jacket off with fingers that only slightly trembled, he stopped her, wrapping his fingers around her wrists.

  “Your Highness…”

  “A few minutes ago I was your amore,” she reminded him. She didn’t remove her hands from his firm shoulders. His warmth seeped through the shirt into her palms.

  “We were outside,” he said, his voice infuriatingly calm.

  “And now we are inside. Away from prying eyes. Away from curious ears.” She pushed the jacket off his shoulders and he released her wrists to let it fall to the floor. “Inside this apartment it is just you and me.”

  His hands came up to grasp her arms now. He may have intended to push her away, but he didn’t. “Princess…”

  “No!” she snapped. “While we are in Tuscora, I am not a princess. You are not my bodyguard.” Didn’t he understand? “You are a man. I am a woman.”

  His jaw tightened. So did his fingers. “I am well aware that you are a woman. But you are still my princess.”

  She slid one hand up to cup his rugged jaw. “And you are the man I trust more than any other.”

  “Your Highness…”

  “Don’t call me that! I am more than my title.” She was the one to push him away now. She turned and crossed to the other side of the room, but it was only a few steps. She whirled around to face him, the bed between them. “Don’t you understand? I want to be more than my title.” She spread her arms, feeling more vulnerable than she ever had before. “I am a woman, Rico. I am Angelina.”

  He didn’t speak at first. Just looked at her, perhaps seeing her, really seeing her for the first time. Angelina’s heart raced as she waited for him to come to her. Or walk away.

  Rico let out a long, ragged breath and then took slow steps across the room, around the foot of the bed, stopping in front of her. “Angelina,” he whispered before he stepped into her arms and lowered his lips to hers.

  This kiss was different than any other she’d experienced. This brush of lips on lips was soft and purposeful, slow and thoughtful. Then the quick nip of teeth on her bottom lip made her gasp and his tongue slid in to claim her.

  Her arms found their way around his neck. Her hip found his erection and when she pressed against him, it rode the soft spot between her hip bone and abdomen. Her sex clenched and tingled. Her heart rode the nerves that scrambled in her stomach but that didn’t stop her from wanting more. So much more.

  They were so close to that soft-looking bed. Could they really end up tangled together on the wide mattress tonight? She wanted him so badly. Wanted to experience the passion that could flare between a man and a woman. The passion people wrote stories about. The passion that started wars and forged families.

  Then Rico lifted his lips and she whimpered, the needy sound louder than their ragged breathing. She wanted to experience passion with him. He sent her a pained smile, then rested his forehead against hers.

  “Angelina,” Rico said softly, “you are a desirable woman. Have no doubt about it. My attraction to you has tested my strength for months now.”

  Months? He’d been attracted to her for months? The thought made her smile for a moment, but then it slid off her face. By the tone of his voice, she could tell he wasn’t happy about it. She sighed softly as she realized this evening would most likely not end with them tangled together on the wide, soft mattress.

  “You have tempted me to the end of my resistance, so I will not lie to you and say I don’t yearn to take you on this bed. I also won’t lie to you and declare that it will never happen.” Rico stepped away from her then, just far enough to put the corner of the bed between them. “But it will not happen tonight. You are tired and you’ve had too much wine. I will not take advantage of you.”

  She let her hand brush over the soft duvet cover, never taking her eyes from his. “And if I want you to take advantage?”

  “You say that now, but you may feel differently in the morning. I’m not willing to take that chance.” He bowed his head, but he was smart enough to not speak her title out loud, although she didn’t doubt he said it in his head. “Good night. Sleep well. I will let you know if I hear anything of importance from the palace.”

  Before she could say anything more, Rico turned and walked out of the bedroom, closing the door softly behind him. Angelina sank onto the mattress, desire for him still rushing through her system. She wanted to be angry at him. To wave her arms and tell him there was no reason to wait. To shout at him to take her now.

  Angelina knew she’d been clumsy in her attempt at seduction, but if she sat back and did nothing, she’d return to the palace innocent and restless and eager for the first man who put his hands on her. And she didn’t want that. She wanted her first time to be with someone she trusted. She wanted her first time to be with Rico.

  But she also knew he was right. She was exhausted. She was perhaps a little drunk. She understood why he couldn’t trust the things she was saying, the way she was asking for him to take her to bed. In the morning, she would likely be glad, but at this moment she was very sorry that Rico was an honorable man.

  Even though Rico had not slept in two days, he didn’t fall asleep for a long time. His aroused body yearned for relief more than his tired brain cried for rest. The sofa in the living room pulled out into a double bed, but he was certain it was nowhere near as comfortable as the king-sized bed on the other side of the closed door. And it was much lonelier.

  Rico sat up and turned on the lamp on the end table. He’d checked no less than ten minutes before, but still he picked up his phone to make sure there hadn’t been a message from Tony telling him they’d caught the person responsible for the kidnapping attempt. It would be the only thing to save him.

  Of course, there was no message.

  Had he actually told his princess, the woman he was charged to protect, that he might have sex with her? How could he even consider taking her innocence? It was out of the question. He was more honorable than that.

  But then he remembered the feel of her body against his. The young princess had indeed grown up. Princess Angelina had a mind of her own. She was smart and funny, and he enjoyed her company.

  He could still taste her lips. Hear the ring of her laughter and the need for him in her voice. He’d taken on violent criminals in hand-to-hand combat, but walking away from Angelina tonight was one of the most difficult things he’d ever done.

  This was his last job for the royal family. Then he would be leaving the palace and would probably never see the princess again. At least not close. Not like this. Never like this.

  Rico tossed the phone back onto the table, stretched back out on the thin mattress and prayed for sleep. He was going to need to be well-rested and on his toes when the morning came. And if Angelina asked him to take her to bed again, he honestly had no idea how he would respond.

  When his phone woke him up the next morning, he still had no idea.

  Chapter Seven

  “Tell us about your job at the palace,” Rosa said as they dished up a breakfast Angelina had no stomach for. “Your parents seem to think that anything to do with the palace and the royal family is no big deal. Of course, they have been in the palace for over thirty
years. But here in Tuscora, we are so removed from palace life that we tend to think life there is more like a fairy tale.”

  Angelina and Rico hadn’t spoken much to each other since they woke up to the news that both Enzo and Donato were awake and able to talk about the kidnapping attempt. Apparently the road had been partially blocked by a large black sedan, staged to look as if it had broken down. But as soon as the princess’s vehicle stopped and Enzo stepped out to see if he could help, several men with weapons poured out. Someone shouted that they wanted the princess, but Enzo hadn’t waited to find out who sent them. When he’d tried to get back inside the vehicle, they’d opened fire.

  Flashbacks of the shooting that followed, the blood and the fear and the pain in Enzo’s eyes made Angelina shiver. She’d lost her appetite, but politely nibbled on the food in front of her.

  “I head up Prince Vittorio’s protection detail,” Rico replied to his aunt’s question. He shrugged as if it was no big deal, but Angelina knew it was huge. She knew how hard he worked and the time he put into the job. She knew she might not be alive if not for him and the security team he supervised.

  “He’s being modest,” she told his family. “He’s also in charge of palace security. He coordinates all the teams and oversees their training and duties. That’s on top of traveling all over the world with the prince.”

  “Oh my,” Rosa replied. “I see your new bride is very proud of you, Rico. We are too. It sounds like very important work.”

  “That doesn’t leave you very much time to spend with Lucia, does it?” Maria asked softly.

  Rico turned to look at Angelina. His dark gaze made her shiver. “No.” That one hard word seemed to answer more than Maria’s simple question.

  “Well, Lucia will be moving into the palace with you now, won’t she?” Maria went on. Then she threw Rico a sly grin. “If she hasn’t already moved in with you.”

  Giuseppe frowned. “Maria, where are your manners?”

  Maria’s eyes sparkled even as she said, “I’m sorry. But you will be moving in with Rico at the palace, won’t you, Lucia?”