That’s not what bothers me, though. Pain pierces my chest when I think of someone else being beside him after I leave. Will another woman take my place after this fake engagement is over?
Theo rustles beside me, blinking his eyes open. “What time is it?”
“You’ve been asleep for about three minutes.”
He chuckles, rubbing his face with his hand. “Felt like hours.”
“I think the food’s almost ready.”
I help the Prince to his feet, and then enjoy a quiet meal with him. I’ve noticed that since we’ve been at this villa, we’ve shared more silence than we did before. Even on the sailboat, when we were quiet, there was underlying tension.
Now, it’s just peaceful.
When dinner is over, I can tell that Theo’s tired. He dismisses the staff and then trudges up to the ensuite bathroom. We brush our teeth, and then I hover at the doorway, unsure whether or not he wants me to come into the bedroom with him.
Last night, we slept in the same bed, but then again, we’d just had sex. Today, there hasn’t been any of that.
Maybe Theo wants his privacy?
But after he pulls off his socks, he glances at me. “What are you doing standing in the doorway? Get over here.”
“I didn’t know if you’d want to sleep alone tonight. You look tired.”
“Being with you is better than being alone.” His eyes shine when he says the words. Simple words, but with rich meaning.
My heart thumps. It’s like it’s knocking against my bones, asking me to listen. Listen to the pulse thudding in my veins. Listen to the fickle, fragile organ in my chest as it tells me to let myself fall for Theo.
With a lump in my throat and my pulse quickening, I strip down to my underwear and slip under the covers. Theo groans as his head hits the pillow, and then extends his uninjured arm toward me.
“Get in here,” he groans, his eyelids already heavy. “This is your house.”
I snuggle into the Prince’s chest, letting out a sigh. My house. My home. The one place where I feel safe and welcome.
Theo’s arms.
The next morning, Theo is already awake when I get up. I find him in the kitchen, hanging up the phone. He flashes a smile before handing a steaming mug to me.
“Change of plans today.”
“Oh?” I sip the hot coffee. He put lots of cream and sugar in it, just the way I like it.
“We’re going to Wreck Island.”
“I thought we were supposed to stay here for three days and then go to Zander?”
“That’s why it’s called a change of plans.”
“Ha-ha,” I say sarcastically, rolling my eyes. I can’t hide my smile, though, and Theo lays a kiss on my temple. I turn to wrap my arms around his waist, angling my face up to his. “Didn’t know you were the spontaneous type.”
“Maybe you shouldn’t underestimate me.”
When his lips touch mine, a tendril of heat flames to life in my core. He never fails to make me feel alive. Womanly. Desired.
Seeing the look in my eye, Theo grins. He intertwines his fingers with mine and leads me to the sofa.
“Sit.”
Once again, I’m powerless to his commands. I sit down, my eyes glued to Theo’s face. A wicked flash crosses his eyes as his brows arch.
“Time for breakfast,” he grins. With one hand, he tugs at my panties. I help him get them off, then watch the Prince toss the scrap of fabric over his shoulder.
Giggling, I shimmy my hips down to the edge of the sofa and reach for the waistband of his boxers. Pushing my hand away, though, Theo shakes his head.
“Not this morning.”
“Why?” I whine, reaching for him.
“Because I’m your future King, and I said so.” He kneels on the floor in front of me, pushing my legs wide. For once, I don’t mind him pulling the King card. Propping his uninjured arm against my thigh, the Prince drops his head between my legs.
I gasp, closing my eyes. Heat explodes through my core, spreading heat throughout my body. I squeeze my legs against him and then stop when I feel him wince.
“Shoulder,” he says, his lips glistening with my wetness.
“Sorry,” I whisper.
Without answer, the Prince drops his lips to me again.
Sparks flame to life inside me. Desire and lust swirl in my center, coaxed out by the Prince’s touch. By his tongue. By his lips. By the fact that he seems to be enjoying this almost as much as I am.