Page 30 of The Reluctant Wife

"I’ve never seen it from this viewpoint before," I whisper.

"It’s a secret," he says in a soft voice.

"Thanks for sharing it with me." For some reason, tears drum at the backs of my eyes, and I blink them away. I don’t know why I’m feeling this emotional. Maybe, it’s the fact that the spectacle of the London bridge is so breathtaking? Or it’s that he was thoughtful enough to arrange for me to see it? "It’s beautiful." I whisper.

"It is."

Something in his voice makes me shoot a sharp glance in his direction, and our gazes hold. And connect.

Instantly, the air between us heats. My heart seems to descend to the space between my legs, the pulse loud and insistent. I sway toward him, and Ryot… He leans in. He lowers his head, I raise mine, when footsteps sound.

"Good to see you, Ryot."

I spring back, but not before I catch the annoyance and the disappointment on Ryot’s face. It’s my only consolation for not being able to see that kiss through to fruition. I turn to find a tall man with dark hair and intense features looking between us.

"Princess Aurelia." He bows. "James Hamilton, at your service."

He turns to Ryot, then closes the distance to him and slaps him on the shoulder. "Davenport, about time you crawled out of the hole you've been hiding in."

Ryot jerks his chin, then the two of them shake hands. "Thanks for doing this on such short notice."

"Anything for you, man."

A glance passes between the two, then it’s James’ turn to nod. He turns to me. "Ready for dinner?"

15

Ryot

"You got a Michelin-starred chef to cook for us?" She glances toward the kitchen where James has disappeared.

"He’s a good friend of my brother, Knox. They served together in the Marines."

I’ll also admit that it was a spur-of-the-moment decision. When I realized how at the end of her tether she was, I knew I had to get her out. I spoke with James during the time it took her to get dressed. And it didn’t hurt that she took longer than I specified. It gave James enough time to get himself and his staff over to the apartment to set up the table and get the food organized.

I pull out a chair. She walks over, places her purse on the table and slides into the chair, her movements graceful. I scoot her forward, make sure she’s comfortable, then walk around to take my own chair.

Cole, who followed us in, nods in my direction. He steps out then shuts the door behind himself as he leaves. I know heand Brian are standing guard outside. Given there have been no other incidents since that last threat and since I’m in the room with the princess, we agreed she should be safe, at least for the next few hours. I have to admit I’m happy to have some privacy with her.

She glances around the space with an appreciative sigh. "This is a beautiful spot and the view—" She shakes her head. "It’s incredible. Who does this place belong to?"

When I don’t answer, she turns to me, understanding filtering into her eyes. "It’s yours."

I nod. "I bought it with the money I saved up when I was in the Marines. I haven’t gotten around to furnishing it though.”

She looks at me with curiosity. "You didn’t want to use your family’s money?"

"Does that surprise you?"

She shakes her head. "It makes me jealous of you."

"Why’s that?" I frown.

"I’d give anything to be able to have a normal job, earn my living, and be independent. But unlike you, being part of the Royal Family comes with a set of responsibilities which I cannot run away from."

"You could leave if you wanted." I reach for the jug of water between us and fill up her glass, then mine.

"Thanks." She reaches for her glass of water and takes a sip before setting it down. "You mean, turn my back on my father and brothers, and my country?" She blows out a breath. "The thought has occurred to me more times than I can count, but"—she taps her fingertip against the glass—"my mother made me promise I wouldn't let down the House of Verenza. So"—she looks at the still empty wine glass—"anything else I can drink?"

---