Page 31 of Royally Tempted

They had a car take me back to my apartment, even if I joked first about Ryker flying me there.

“Definitely a subtle move, having the royal helicopter land outside your front door,” Landon had grinned.

“The front door? Oh, I’ll want a roof landing or nothing at all.”

He’d kissed me before helping me into the car and closing the door. As it happens, Ryker himselfdidend up chauffeuring me - behind the wheel of the Bentley this time instead of the cockpit of a helicopter.

“Thank you, by the way,” he growled as we left the palace grounds, his eyes darting to the backseat.

I smiled curiously, still feeling the heat on my face.

“For?”

“For making them smile.” He shook his head. “I’ve known those three boys since they were little, and their father quite well even before that. Losing him was…”

Ryker trailed off, shaking his head.

“It was rough on all of us, but it was devastating for them. To see them smile again, well, that’s a beautiful thing.”

I grinned, biting my lip as my face flushed.

“What I’m about to ask you isn’t how I’d normally address a lady, and I’m sure their highnesses wouldn’t exactly be thrilled to hear me ask it, but, I’m going to anyways.”

I swallowed thickly as his eyes met mine again in the rearview mirror, his gaze hardening.

“Are you just out to get something from them? Money? Fame? Scandal?”

I was shaking my head before he was even done.

“Not a chance,” I whispered fiercely. “All I want from them isthem.”

Ryker’s eyes met mine, his look still stiff.

“Say it one more time.”

This time, I smiled, the emotions flooding through me.

“All I want is them.”

Ryker’s firm, squared jaw suddenly broke into a huge smile, and the steeliness evaporated from his eyes as they suddenly shined.

“Do I pass the test?”

He chuckled deeply and warming, nodding as he grinned at me

“With flying colors, my dear. I’m sorry I had to ask, I just-”

“You care about them.”

“That I do.”

I leaned forward in my seat, smiling from ear to ear.

“So do I.”

Ryker winked at me in the rearview mirror.

“It’s going to be a pleasure having you around, Ms. Wright.”

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