Page 26 of Twins for the Secret Prince
“Not too cold?” He kissed her again and added, “I’m still worried that you caught a chill earlier because of me.”
Eva grinned. “I did catch a chill because of you. But I’m feeling much warmer now. From the inside out, you could say.”
They curled up together next to the fire, and Pete pulled Eva into his arms. “I’m so glad I got posted to your base,” he said happily.
“Me too,” Eva said, her eyes heavy.
“Eva,” he said, his voice soft and uncertain, “I just want you to know this isn’t something I do. I mean, I don’t make a habit of it.”
“What, spoon in front of fires with women you’ve just met?”
“Yes, exactly that. And all of the nice bits that happened before this.”
“Thank you for telling me that. And ditto.”
“That’s nice to know.” He was quiet for a few seconds and then added, “It must be terrible, being a woman in the military. You see the very worst in men, I’m sure.”
Unhappy images flashed through Eva’s mind of all of the times she’d faced unwelcome advances and worse. “I don’t know how different it is out there in civilian-world, but yes, constantly being outnumbered by men is difficult.”
“I don’t want you to think that my actions tonight were me trying to take advantage of the fact that we’re alone together. You’re sexy, and absolutely beautiful. Your body is a work of art.”
“Yours is pretty fine too, Pete.”
“I know,” he said, feigning seriousness, before breaking out in laughter. He bent to kiss her cheek. “Now get some sleep, Eva. You saved my life today. I’m never going to forget that.”
“Better not,” Eva said, smiling before falling into a deep, blissful sleep.
CHAPTER 9
PIETER
Pieter dreamed that he was back in Laagestein, at the royal family’s winter palace on the shores of frozen Lake Westemeer, the country’s largest lake. He was skating in the center of the lake, gliding along at a brisk pace, the frosty air nipping at his nose and ears. He was taking in the glorious view — the pine forests stretching as far as the eye could see, the snow-tipped hills in the distance — and thinking how this landscape was in his blood. To be back in Laagestein was to be back where he belonged.
Someone skated past him in a streak of color, disturbing his revelry. “Hey, slowpoke, get a move on! I’m going to beat you to the other side.” It was Eva, her rosy cheeks accentuated by her poppy-red padded coat. She was skating backwards, making it look easy.
“I didn’t realize we were competing,” Pieter said, smiling at her.
“It’s always a competition with me, baby,” she said, stretching her arms out to him.
Pieter grabbed her hands and together they spun around on the ice. Eva tipped her head back and laughed, a warm, full-bodied sound that made Pieter’s heart sing. “I love you, Eva Bailey,” he said, uttering the words he’d never before spoken to a woman. “I can’t believe how lucky I am, being married to you.”
Pieter woke with a start, breathing heavily. His arms were still wrapped around Eva, whose deep breathing told him she was still sound asleep. He was startled by the dream, perhaps even scared. After his protestations to his parents about settling down, that was exactly what he’d been about to do in the dream.
Dreams are fiction, not deep revelations about your subconscious,he told himself. He reasoned that his strong physical attraction to Eva, and the way it had played out the night before, had led him to dream what he had. It was nothing more than that.
But even as he dismissed his dream, he couldn’t deny that he had felt so happy, so completely sure that he had found his perfect match, a woman he couldn’t wait to spend the rest of his life with. In the cold light of dawn, he had to admit that Eva pretty muchwashis perfect woman. She was strong and courageous, and she understood how important the military life was to him because she felt exactly the same way. She was beautiful and sexy, and if last night had been anything to go by, she was completely relaxed about fulfilling her own physical desire.
Plus, she had saved his life, plain and simple. He doubted any other woman would be able to hold a candle to her.
Pieter found himself thinking about what it would be like if Eva came back to Laagestein with him. Getting married would satisfy his parents’ demands, restoring harmony where at present there was conflict and discord. Laagestein had much to recommendit. The country was beautiful, safe, clean, and the landscape was stunning. Marrying into the royal family would mean that Eva would never have to worry about money again. She’d enjoy a life of privilege like the one Pieter had been born into.
But there were some huge downsides, too. Eva had been born and raised in Alaska, which wasn’t exactly in close proximity to Laagestein. This was her home, and she might not be happy about leaving it. And Eva’s commitment to the military life was as strong as Pieter’s, so there was every chance she’d balk at the idea of leaving it. He had serious issues with his royal duties and obligations, but he’d had a lifetime to get used to them. Eva would be walking into such a life without any preparation.
She still didn’t even know his real name, let alone that he was a prince.
He buried his face in the small of her neck and breathed in her intoxicating scent. She smelled — impossibly, since they’d been in a landslide, a freezing cold river, and out in the wild all night — like caramel sauce and warm, buttered toast. She was, quite simply, amazing. He could hardly believe how strong his feelings for her were in such a short space of time.
A noise coming from somewhere above echoed off the rocks. “Sergeant Bailey! Sergeant Billings! Can you hear us?”
