She threw up her hands in disgust. “Because I’m a lady. I’m sure you are aware there is a double standard about what is acceptable for men and women in the public eye, especially royalty. But it’s not even about that or him. He’s not the reason I can’t stay with you.”
I would never, ever understand women. I shouldn’t even bother trying. “Then what’s the reason?”
She cast a downward glance, and her voice lowered to a whisper. “You will laugh at me.”
I took her hand. “I promise I won’t laugh. Just tell me.”
“Fine.” She let out an audible exhale. “I’ve never stayed overnight with any man.” She shrugged her shoulders and looked down. “Or even been alone with one. I usually have a chaperone, but I didn’t let her come with me on this trip.”
Laughing wasn’t even an option as my jaw dropped in full shock and disbelief.
Was she for real? Had never been alone with a man?
“How old are you?”
“Twenty-two. And a half. You?”
“Twenty-seven.” I lifted her chin to stare into her eyes. She didn’t look away. “Babe, are you telling me you’re a virgin?”
Her cheeks flushed. “Not that it’s any of your business at all, but yes, I am. It is what is expected of me. Actually, I think it’s quite romantic, saving myself for marriage. It will make my wedding night special. I’ve only ever wanted to sleep with one man—my husband. Give myself completely to him and him alone. Forever.”
What the—?
My stone-cold heart skipped a beat.
A virgin? A princess? A virgin princess? Had I won the lottery? Was this really happening to me?
How was this even possible? I’d never met any woman in her twenties who was still a virgin.
But Giselle was royalty. Standard rules didn’t apply.
Maybe I was on some type of hidden camera show. Or maybe this was some sort of cruel joke my buddies had set up to prank me. Tonight was too good to be true.
But I knew there were no cameras around; I had already scanned my surroundings. And my buddies were way too wrapped up enjoying their own lives to pull off something like this, especially in a foreign country with a real-life princess.
Maybe this was just my lucky day.
And this night was getting better and better.
Virgins usually held no appeal for me. I’d always been drawn to sexually confident and free women—women whom I could fuck and forget. The responsibility of taking a girl’s virginity would weigh too heavily on my conscience. At least that was what I’d always assumed up until now.
But I’d never been with a virgin, and the more I thought about it, the more I liked the idea. An innocent girl whom I could teach. A girl whom I knew had only been touched by me was surprisingly attractive.
My cock became rock hard in anticipation.
I would be her first lover. She would remember me forever.
What would it be like to be the first man to suck on her nipples? Be the first man to lick her pussy, fuck her, make her come for me and only me?
I’m going to find out.
Time to lay out my cards. There was no holding back; I was all in.
“Sweetheart, I’m not going to touch you unless you want me to; I’m not that kind of guy. I won’t take advantage of you.”
And I meant it. If she didn’t want me, I’d back the hell off.
If.
“Why should I trust you? You’ve probably been with hundreds of women.”
I wasn’t going to lie. “My past doesn’t matter. I live my life by a code—I serve with honor and integrity on and off the battlefield. If I have to, I’ll stand watch outside your room, so you feel comfortable. I don’t need to sleep—during Hell Week, I only slept four hours in a total of five days.”
“Really? That’s insane.”
“Yeah, it was. But worth it. I survived and became a SEAL. And now I know I can do anything I put my mind to. And right now, that’s protecting you. I’m not walking away until I know you’re safe. I’ll never forgive myself if something happens to you.”
Her eyes widened, and she softened toward me. She rubbed my shoulder, her fingernails tracing my muscles.
Yup, I was in.
“Wow. You would really do that for me? Why?”
I nodded. “Yes, I would. It’s my duty to protect you because tonight you have no one else to do it. Look, I’m booked into a bed-and-breakfast a block away. I’m sure your château is some fancy five-star hotel, but that’s not how I roll. I don’t feel comfortable having you stay somewhere else alone until I know you’ll be traveling with someone who can protect you. You’ll be safe with me, safer than you will be by yourself. So, what’s it going to be?”
She swallowed hard. Those lips could suck on my cock, swallow down . . . Damn, I couldn’t wait. I’d been deployed for seven months and hadn’t been with a woman since before I went to Iraq. Just sleeping in the same room with a beautiful woman would be a welcome change from camping next to my Teammates, even if she made me stay on the floor.
“Okay, but only because it’s late, and I don’t want to call and wake my father.”
Score. “Good choice.” That was easier than I’d thought it would be.
A small part of me knew I hadn’t invited her to stay with me just because I wanted to seduce her; I truly wanted to make sure she was safe. But now that she’d agreed, I was going to have some fun.
I put my arm around her shoulders. “Come on, Princess, let’s go check-in.” I looked around the cobblestone street. “Do you think there’s a market open?”
She cocked her head. “Why? Do you need something?”
“Just peas. I’m going to place some under the mattress to verify your identity.”
She laughed. “You’re quite the comedian, Ryan. What I want to know is if you’re going to slay any dragons for me?”
I pulled her into my arms, her scent intoxicating. “I’ve slain men far more dangerous than dragons, sweetheart.” And I had. “I’ll do anything for you.”
I kissed her again, probing her fiery mouth with my tongue, drunk on her sweetness.
Her soft lips welcomed me, and I was lost in her. She pulled away, and my heart raced. I couldn’t wait to get her alone and see how far she’d go with me, but I would not force myself on her. I wouldn’t touch her if she didn’t want me.
But judging by the way she’d just kissed me, I was confident that she already did.
I grabbed our luggage, and we walked toward the bed-and-breakfast.
The thought crossed my mind that a few centuries ago if I’d met a princess, I would’ve just kidnapped her, claimed her as mine, killed my enemies in battle, and been crowned king.
Ah, the good old days.
Who said I couldn’t turn back the hands of time? I was a SEAL, the ultimate warrior. No one would stop me from getting what I wanted.
And I wanted this princess.
Chapter 4
Giselle
MY LIPS BURNED HOT. HIS mouth, his tongue, his heat. I had never in my life known that a kiss could ignite me like this.
But the cool breeze dampened the flame.
As we walked down the street, the desire to flee threatened to overtake me entirely. My heart pounded, and sweat beaded on my forehead. What if Ryan was a serial killer? Or a rapist? How utterly naïve was I? Even though he had tackled the man who’d mugged me, and shown me his military ID, that didn’t mean he was a good man.
But when I was with him, I didn’t worry about my safety. As stupid as that sounded, I would rather be with him than be alone at the château. And the thought of checking in now without any documents and money was dreadful. I did not want to call my father and have him say he told me so.
It was only for one night.
Ryan had correctly guessed that I’d been booked into a five-star hotel. I’d considered arguing with him, insisting on having him stay there with me, but then gossip would start about me spending the night with a handsome
stranger. That was definitely publicity I didn’t need. Though I didn’t love my fiancé, I had no desire to disgrace him, my father, or my country. The press would never let me hear the end of it.
He easily found the entrance to the bed-and-breakfast as if he had stayed here before. La Maison Chantal was on the outskirts of town. Before we went inside, he took my hand in his. A jolt surged through my body at the stark contrast of his rough, tanned skin against my delicate, pale hand.
“Do you need to wear a disguise? Or I can give you some cash, you can check in alone, and I can sneak up to your bedroom later.” He playfully tugged on my hair. “You’re a princess—I could climb up your hair.”
“Charming. No, I should be fine, since this bed-and-breakfast is tucked away. I’ll just use my best American accent. If we tell the owners we’re married, I doubt they will question it.”
He stroked my arm. “Married? I haven’t even fucked you yet.”
The hair on my arm prickled my skin. The way he said yet riled me, as if sleeping with him was inevitable, which it most certainly was not. His voice was so deep and dirty, raw, and masculine. So unlike that of the men I’d been around my entire life. “Nor will you ever, sir. You can introduce me as Audrey.”
He didn’t seem to get my Roman Holiday reference. He’d probably never seen or heard of that movie, my personal favorite.
And I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that I may have even prayed to meet some handsome stranger and travel uninhibited on my final trip as a single woman. One memory of a passionate affair to last me through what would most likely be a loveless marriage. But in my fantasies, the object of my affection had been a cultured gentleman, well-read and worldly, not a crass Navy SEAL with an incredible body, dirty mouth, and a filthy mind.
He led me inside the white doors. The walls were made out of brick, and a gold chandelier hung low from the ceiling, almost hitting Ryan’s head. A vase of fresh-cut flowers was perched on an entry table, and there was a crackling blaze in the hearth. A small sitting area was filled with books. It was as if I was walking into an old family friend’s home. I adored this charming place on sight.
An older silver-haired lady wearing a white scarf greeted us. “Bonjour.”
Ryan briefly smiled, revealing his deep dimples. “Hi. My wife and I have a reservation. Mr. and Mrs. Shelton.” He squeezed me in his arms in a complete embrace, our chests flush together. I could feel his heart beating strongly. I resisted the voice in my head that told me to pull away, especially since he smelled incredible. Not of expensive cologne and aged cognac, no. Woodsy, earthy. Like he had just chopped wood in a forest and bathed in a babbling brook.
Naked. What would he look like naked? I forced that image out of my head.
“Bienvenue à Bayeux. Is this your honeymoon?”
Ryan’s hand dropped from my shoulders and gripped my waist possessively, and I forced a smile, my body melting from his touch. “Sure is. I can’t wait to get her alone.”
I stepped on his foot, but he didn’t even flinch.
Ugh, I was doomed.
“Oh, we love newlyweds.” She handed us a large metal key, and we followed her up the stairs where she showed us to our room. “I’ll be sure to give you lovebirds plenty of privacy. Breakfast is served every morning at nine, or I can prepare a tray for your room. And there is a computer in the lobby with free Internet.”
Ryan moved our luggage into the room, and then thanked her, and she left.
Before I could say a word, Ryan lifted me up and carried me over the threshold.
Like a bride.
I laughed. Would my fiancé even be able to pick me up?
Ryan placed me on the bed, and I looked around the room. It was small but cozy, with a tiny fireplace and a large bay window. Soft mauve wallpaper adorned the walls, and a queen-size bed made of cherry wood stood in the center.
A quick scan revealed there was no sofa for me to sleep on. Would he keep his promise to sleep on the floor? Or would we share the bed?
He shut the door and gave me that cocky smirk. Damn him.
“That was lovely. You didn’t have to put on a show for her sake, though. You could’ve just said we were married.”
Ryan let out a laugh. He flopped down onto the bed and relaxed next to me, and I couldn’t help studying his chiseled body. A black T-shirt clung to his massive chest, and I had to look away from the tight denim fabric covering his crotch. I’d never been alone with a man who was not related to me, not even my fiancé. Nerves made me involuntarily shiver.
His gaze burned into me, and I could feel his eyes staring at my chest. “I still can’t believe you thought it was a good idea to travel alone. Not too smart, Princess. You know there are terrorists everywhere working on blowing places up.”
I shook my head. “You Americans are always so paranoid. I believe in enjoying my life and not living in fear.”
That sounded good in theory…
But what would it be like if I was left alone? If I had no one?
If I was stuck in a loveless marriage?
“A fucking princess. What a trip. I’ve never met a princess, though I’ve met the president’s daughter.”
I didn’t know whether or not to believe him, but since I was stuck in this room with this stranger, I decided to give him the benefit of the doubt. “Well, then we do have something in common. I’ve met Ava as well. She’s a cool girl.” I felt a twinge of jealousy. Ava was both beautiful and accomplished. Had he kissed her, too?
I shook my head. None of my business.
I decided to change the subject. “So, why are you traveling alone?”
“Because I’ve been stuck in hell with a platoon of sixteen men for the last seven months. I need some downtime. Alone.”
I couldn’t even fathom what being at war was like. I wanted to ask him questions, but it would be rude. He’d already admitted to me that he’d killed men—he probably didn’t want to talk about it. “What made you choose Bayeux?”
“I wanted to see the Normandy beaches.”
Most Americans would choose to visit my country and watch the drag races or head into Paris to see the Eiffel Tower. “Are you a history buff?”
“War history.”
“Interesting choice. It seems to me that if you spent all your life engaged in combat, you wouldn’t want to spend your free time visiting battle sites. But you will love Normandy. I’d be happy to give you a tour.”
The second those words left my lips, my belly knotted with regret. How foolish I must’ve sounded—agreeing to stay in this man’s room, offering to travel to Normandy with him. I was acting like a desperate teenager.
Of course he wouldn’t want some pathetic virgin princess hanging around him on his European adventure. I’d seen enough of these American men traveling alone in my country. Sleeping with a different girl every night, partying at the clubs, getting drunk. What a wild life.
What would it be like to live my life on my own terms? Indulge in my fantasies of freedom without fearing any repercussions?
He moved closer to me. “I’d like that.”
Oh, God—he really wanted to?
No, I couldn’t. This arrangement was only for one night. After tomorrow, it would be best for both of us if we never saw each other again.
I needed a good night’s sleep. Hopefully, I would behave more appropriately and be able to think more rationally tomorrow.
“I’m sure you’re tired from traveling all day. We should get some rest.”
“Yeah, I’m beat. I’m going to take a shower.”
A shower? He would be naked with only a thin wall separating us. The water spraying his incredible chest. Maybe he would leave the door open, and I could steal a peek.
I tried not to think about how much I was dying to know what he looked like naked.
I had to get out of this room before I did something ridiculous.
“Okay, I’ll just wait in the lobby until you are done. There’s a library downstairs; I’l
l choose a book and read by the fire.”
He grabbed my wrist. “No, you won’t. You’re a princess. Don’t you realize you could get kidnapped and held for ransom? I’m not letting you out of this room until you get copies of your identification, some money, and I return you safely to your hotel. And you should travel with protection.”
I was regretting my decision to stay with him. He was treating me like a helpless child. Just like my father did. “Are you offering your services, Mr. SEAL? Who do you think you are, anyway? My father? I’ll be fine downstairs. I’m an adult.”
“An adult who was mugged. Not to mention, you’re gorgeous. You’ll stand out too much. I don’t know who else is in this place. And I’d be happy to be your bodyguard.”
Did he really think I was gorgeous? Over the years, I’d almost come to believe all the nasty tabloid comments about me. Princesses should be lithe, elegant, flawless. I was none of those things.
He grabbed some clothes and a little black bag out of his pack, then winked at me. “I’ll only be a few minutes. Don’t move, unless,” he leaned close and whispered in my ear, “you want to join me.”
Yes, I do!
“I most certainly do not.”
He grinned and then went into the bathroom and shut the door. The pipes rattled as the water turned on, and I imagined him getting in, his naked body glistening under the water.
I couldn’t wait to tell my cousin Lucia about this night. Lucia was a wild one. If she knew I was in a room with a hot Navy SEAL, she’d be horribly disappointed if I didn’t hook up with him.
But that wasn’t going to happen. Ever.
I glanced down at the phone in the room. I should call my father just in case he contacted the hotel after not being able to reach me on my cell. Ugh, I didn’t want to alarm him. But if I didn’t call him to check-in, he would be even more worried.
What to do, what to do…
The water was still running, so I decided to make a break for it. I grabbed the key, snuck out of the room, raced down the stairs, and found the computer desk. I logged in and sent a quick email to my father.
The Princess and The SEAL Page 3
