Page 20 of Regally Binding

“A couple more days stuck with a sexy bodyguard in a beautiful hotel room. You poor thing,” Isla teased.

Steve rolled his eyes. “What Isla means is, how was it speaking to the King? You’ve always said your family is the pub, but you could have a real family, a real grandad.”

Liss swallowed as she considered her answer. “It felt nice. It was like we had this connection even though we were virtual strangers.”

Steve smiled. “We’ve watched you long for a family since we’ve known you.”

“But I have you guys.”

“And we’ll always be here for you, but it’s nice that you might have family too.”

“But does that mean you’ll have to ditch your old life?” Isla asked.

“I don’t think I have to be a princess where I leave my life completely. But I don’t want to do anything that might cause problems in this relationship with Archibald.” It was like Liss’s lunch was curdling in her stomach. She was desperate for a family, but saying she didn’t want to be a princess might ruin that.

“No matter what, you’ll have an awesome time going to balls and meeting all sorts of people as well as various duties, like opening…toilets?” Isla’s legs jiggled.

Liss laughed. “I didn’t tell you everything that was said when I was at the palace.”

Steve leaned in closer.

“Make sure you describe everything Marianne was wearing for Steve here.”

Steve glared.

It was nice having her friends visit, even if it made her more anxious about her future.

Liss hugged Steve and Isla hard. Steve whispered, “I want the best for you, Liss. I know I’m an arse sometimes, but I care about you.”

Liss chuckled. “I know you do. Friends forever, yeah?”

“Forever,” Steve replied, squeezing her extra tight. “And I’ll look after the pub for you.”

Bear had returned, and she could feel his eyes on her back.

“I nearly forgot,” Isla exclaimed as Steve reached for the lift button. She dragged a plastic bag out of her handbag and shoved it in Liss’s hands. “That should help your boredom.”

As Isla and Steve entered the lift, Isla’s eyes twinkled. Steve waved. He’d been the friend she remembered. The three of them had shared memories of their favourite nights out and some of their best pub stories all afternoon.

“What’s in the bag?” Bear asked when they were alone again.

Liss handed it to him as she sipped another coffee he’d made for her. “It feels like a book. It’s nice to have a distraction from the royal stuff.” She added “and from you” in her head.

He cleared his throat noisily. “Hence the yoga. Will you be doing that again?” Bear said, referring to the yoga video she’d attempted that morning as he worked in the suite. He opened the bag. “Oh, hello. This book should keep you busy.”

Liss’s eyes were wide and her mouth dropped open when he held up the book like a prize. On the cover was a semi-naked guy. As she read the title, she squealed. Liss yanked the book out ofhis hand and rushed to her room. Suddenly, she stopped. “I’m not running to my room because I need to read it.”

“Of course not, Princess.” Her body flamed with need and embarrassment. “What was the title? I wasn’t sure if I saw it before you had to bolt to your room to read it or whatever else you might need to do there.”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“Tell me anyway,” he said. His voice was gravelly, and Liss turned around even though she knew it would do more harm than good. His eyes twinkled as they dipped to the book and then back to her flushed face. “I want to know what you might read alone in that bed.”

She looked at the book even though the title was seared into her memory. Her mouth was dry as she replied, “It’s calledThe Princess’s Sexy Bodyguard.”

“Don’t suppose you also want to read the blurb to me?” His voice was so deep that it made her body vibrate.

“No, I don’t,” she replied as she ran to her room to the sound of his chuckles. Fucking Isla and her sexy books.

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