smile widened as she thought of him. “He’s big, strong, protective. He saw the real me from the first moment we met.”
“Rome?” her father said. “Rome Nash? Your bodyguard from Norcross Security?”
Sofie pulled in a breath. “Yes.”
Her father scowled. “This is highly improper. He has an excellent resume and I know he was a special forces soldier, but bodyguards do not get personally involved with the people they’re protecting.”
“Ooh,” Caro said. “That’s much better than a movie star.”
Rome walked in and Sofia waved him over.
He stopped behind her, resting his hands on her shoulders and squeezed. He sat down beside her.
“I’m Rome Nash.” His voice was its usual deep rumble.
On-screen, her mother’s and Caro’s mouths dropped open.
“Mr. Nash,” her father said.
“Your Highness.” Rome inclined his head.
“It is against protocol for a bodyguard to get personally involved with his charge, Mr. Nash.”
“I’m aware of that. I struggled with it for a while.” Rome squeezed Sofie’s hand. “But I couldn’t keep my distance from Sofie. I think I started falling for her from the first time I saw her.”
She softened. “Rome.”
“My God, our little girl is in love, Nicholas. It’s right there on her face.” Sofie’s mother clasped her hands together, smiling.
“Prince Nicholas,” Rome said, “the fact of the matter is, how I feel about Sofie makes me more protective of her. I’d fight the entire world to keep her safe.”
Sofie leaned into him. Then she heard a sniffle and looked back at the screen. “Caro, are you crying?”
“No.” Caro dashed away the tears on her cheeks. “I’m just so happy.”
Rome gave a bemused shake of his head.
“Papa, Rome and I don’t want to be living in different countries. I love San Francisco and I love his friends.”
Her father shifted. “You have royal duties—”
Sofie opened her mouth.
Then her father held up a hand. “Which can be scaled back and altered.”
Her pulse leaped and this time she squeezed Rome’s fingers. “Thank you, Papa.”
“As the new Caldovan ambassador to the Americas, you can take on the bulk of the North and South American duties.”
Excitement whipped through her. “It would be my honor to do that. And I can expand my charity work here as well.”
“And when you’re required here in Europe—” her father’s gaze moved to Rome “—I’m certain you’ll have your own personal bodyguard to accompany you.”
Rome nodded. “I’d like to be in charge of all Sofie’s security.”
The prince nodded. “Norcross Security does excellent work. I’ll speak with Mr. Norcross about a special contract.”
They talked some more, and her parents and Caro planned to come out to San Francisco to visit soon.
After the call ended, Sofie jumped to her feet and spun in a circle. “I’m so happy.” She felt so light. She threw herself into Rome’s arms.
He carried her to the couch, and sat down with her straddling him. She pressed her lips to his.
“Mmm.” Her man could really kiss. She shivered.
“There it is.” He cupped her ass and things got heated. “Let’s go upstairs.”
She tugged at his shirt. She needed skin. “Here.”
The doorbell rang.
“Damn.” Frowning, Rome pulled out his phone and looked at the screen. He growled. “I’m surprised it took them this long.”
“Who?”
“The gang’s here to check on you.” He cupped her cheek. “Later, we’ll have time for the two of us.”
She smiled and shimmied against the hard bulge beneath her, enjoying his low groan. “I’ll be counting down.”
Rome went and opened the front door.
Their friends poured in.
“We brought ribs for lunch,” Gia called out. Saxon was holding several grocery bags.
“I’ve got beer.” Vander cradled a box under one arm.
“We brought the wine,” Harlow announced.
Haven smiled. “Rhys and I made salads. Okay, we bought salads from the store.”
Rome’s mom and sister entered. Lia winked. “I brought an appetite.”
As Rome slid an arm around Sofie, the two women smiled at them, happiness in their eyes.
Friends. Love. Laughter.
Sofie looked up. Rome’s green gaze was on her.
She was happy beyond words.
“Can you die from happiness?” she asked.
“Nope.” He nipped her lips. “Buckle up, Princess, because there’s lots more happiness ahead for you.”
I hope you enjoyed Sofie and Rome’s story!
Stay tuned for more Norcross Security stories coming later in 2021 (and yes, that includes Vander’s story!)
Want to know more about the Billionaire Bachelors of New York? Then keep an eye out for the upcoming Billionaire Heists trilogy. The first book, Stealing from Mr. Rich (Zane Roth’s story) will be out next month on May 25th.
Keen to learn more about photographer Dani Navarro Ward and her former Navy SEAL husband, Callum Ward? Then check out