Page 58 of Cooper

We take sips of our champagne and stare across the table at each other for what feels like both a few seconds and twenty years.

“There are a lot of details we probably need to discuss,” he says, after an eternity of eye gazing that leaves me breathless, “but not tonight. Tonight is date night.”

“At the Eiffel Tower,” I say, unable to keep the excitement from my voice.

“You have no idea how hard it’s been to keep this a secret,” he says.

“I had no idea. You’re sneaky.”

He chuckles. “Only when it comes to surprises. The rest of the time I’m pretty much an open book.”

“Have you told your mother? “I ask curiously.

“About my uncertain plans for the future? No. But I’ve told her all about you.”

I flush with pleasure. “You have?! What have you told her?”

“That you’re smart, and beautiful, and badass as hell.”

I’m falling hard for this guy.

And I suddenly feel a twinge of guilt.

“I haven’t told my family about you,” I admit, quietly.

He doesn’t seem upset, merely watching me curiously. “How come?”

“They already hate everything about my new life as a Royal Protector. Telling them I have an American boyfriend would just rub salt in the wound.”

“You’ve mentioned many times how old-school they are,” he says, “so it makes sense that you wouldn’t say anything until we get more serious.” He pauses. “But we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.”

“We’re still very new, and I understand that. And though living together is pretty serious, the only thing that’s serious to my parents is putting a ring on my finger. I’m not complaining, I’m just explaining to you how they think.”

To his credit, he doesn’t seem fazed by that at all. “The idea of putting a ring on your finger if we get to that point doesn’t scare me at all,” he says.

The happiness that spreads through me at his words is becoming frighteningly familiar. He’s truly the most amazing guy I’ve ever met. “There’s no rush,” I say softly. “We’re still getting to know each other and finding our footing as a couple. I just don’t want you to feel bad that I don’t tell my family about you. Well, I’ll tell Femke. She’ll find the whole thing scandalous.”

“Scandalous?” he asks, his eyes glinting with humor.

“Oh, you know, living in sin, premarital sex, and fornicating with an American. That’s like the trifecta of immoral behavior to Limaji parents.” There’s a beat of silence before we both dissolve into laughter.

He holds up his glass again. “To immoral behavior.”

* * *

The feelingof giddiness from our Eiffel Tower dinner stays with me the following day. Casey, Shannon, and I spend the afternoon having professional hair and makeup done. There’s a brief security meeting to discuss a few contingencies should anything go wrong at the event tonight before I head back to the suite to get dressed while Cooper stays behind to deal with a malfunctioning earpiece.

I can’t wait for him to see me in the gown Casey and I picked out. He’s seen me in a dress a couple of times at this point, but never in a full-length, curve-hugging gown like the one I’m wearing tonight. It’s deep red, off the shoulder, with a slit up my left thigh. My thigh holster goes on my right leg, so it’s well hidden. I also have a knife taped inside the boning of the dress between my breasts.

This is my first time doing an event this formal, so some of this is new to me. I’m a little bit nervous, but not because I’m worried I can’t do my job. It’s more about being in the middle of such a high-profile affair. This is an annual gala, hosted by the King of Bristol Island. He and his wife, Queen Celine, are good friends of Erik and Casey and they spend a lot of time together. It’s also a charity fundraiser, and most of the attendees are European royalty and notable people.

That part is a little intimidating too. Officially, I’m not here as Casey’s bodyguard. They prefer that it appears I’m merely part of her inner circle. Should anyone ask me directly, my cover story is that I’m a Limaji heiress. That’s the other reason why they wanted Cooper to come with me as my date.

I step into the high-heeled sandals that go with the dress, and for a moment I almost believe that I’m actually a Limaji heiress. Sometimes my life feels surreal. My mother would definitely not approve of the dress I’m wearing, and that makes me giggle. I hear the lock disengage and turn just as Cooper comes into the room. He looks up and freezes.

“Wow.” He stares at me like he’s never seen me before. “I don’t know whether to throw you up against the wall or just stand here and gape at you. I’m pretty sure there’s no one here as beautiful as you are tonight.”

“You like the dress?” I ask.

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