Page 329 of Sweet Royal Romance Suspense

She whirled around. Anticipation shot through her, a surge of endorphins stronger than the applause of thousands of people.

“Jensen,” she breathed out, wishing there was something to lean against. It would be telling if she eased over to the castle wall or one of the shuttle vans for support.

His handsome face split in a welcoming smile. “You’re not leaving. Not without dancing with me first.”

It was both a statement and a question. He confidently didn’t think she’d leave and knew she’d longed to dance with him. Yet he was asking, making certain she’d give him a dance or two, because he was a gentleman and knew what she’d been through, knew she was damaged despite how successful she’d been.

How to respond? She had to show that she was strong and independent, not a hermit who had hidden from society for years, but it wouldn’t be out of line to let him know how very interested she was in him. Shelby was great, but that didn’t mean Livvy had to turn her dream man over to the lady.

Looking him over, her knees weakened and her stomach flip-flopped. He was too enticing for her to resist, and he’d come for her. She barely resisted clapping her hands in joy. Maybe all her long-held dreams regarding the luscious Chief Jensen were about to come true.

Chapter Two

Livvy’s heart raced as if she were about to perform a solo at the Palais Garnier in Paris. She stared at the ultra-handsome man of her every daydream. Coming to this wedding was completely worth it, and the smartest thing she’d ever done. The Chief Jensen Allendale wanted to dance with her. He’d followed her out of the gates. He wasn’t with the gorgeous, voluptuous, sweetheart American redhead.

“I don’t know.” She put a teasing inflection in her voice and tried to remember how to flirt. It’d been a hot minute. “Dancing with the chief of police. That’s a lot of pressure for a simple musician like me.”

Jensen eased closer, a twinkle in his dark eyes that made her stomach swirl with happy butterflies. “Don’t get caught up on my power, charisma, or confidence. You’re the most intriguing, accomplished, and beautiful musician in the world. I’m in awe of all you’ve accomplished, and I’d be blessed to dance with you.”

She smiled at his confidence and compliments. Normally she’d want to tease someone who said something like that, but his ‘power, charisma, and confidence’ were so alluring she didn’t want to change one thing about him.

Before she could think of a proper reply, he lowered his voice and eased closer. Her heart thumped out of control. Was he going to bypass dancing and go straight to kissing? Yes, please. “I love seeing you out in public like this. I know it’s been a while and you are incredibly brave. The Rindlesbachers haven’t made contact with you recently?”

She clutched her hands together and shook her head. His words registered fully and her heart and hopes both fell as flat as “Claire de Lune” played by a beginner.

He’d complimented her, but had he only come after her because of his job? When he’d visited her at her house, he’d been professional yet there’d been an underlying hint of interest in the depth of his dark gaze.

She’d never dared believe that anything could happen between her and the intriguing chief because of the nightmare with Treven and the fact that Jensen was completely out of her league.

“The emails still come in occasionally.” She forwarded them on to the police department but expected nothing to come from it. “Naomi and William are wanted fugitives. They wouldn’t waste their time with me.”

“I’m afraid their schemes to claim the throne won’t stop. They’ve always been fixated on you and your relation to Duke Burton. And we both know Treven has long been obsessed with you.”

She shuddered. Obsessed. A psychotic murderer. As a teenager, she’d found Treven’s interest flattering. He was a good-looking guy, and his parents had seemed impressive and successful. The more time she spent around him, however, the more she’d noticed inconsistencies in his moods, a cunning, almost evil look in his bluish-gray eyes, and bursts of bad temper that had scared her. She’d told her mum and dad she wanted nothing more to do with Treven and his parents. Her mum had initially been disappointed, but her dad admitted he’d recently overheard William saying that if only Elijah Moser wasn’t a black man, then Livvy’s royal blood would be untainted. Her dad hadn’t wanted to upset either of them with the slight at his race, but he felt as uncomfortable as Livvy did around the man. As soon as she and her mum both heard that, they were more motivated to cut any ties to the Rindlesbachers.

Eight years ago, shortly after her family had decided to stay away from the Rindlesbachers, Treven had found her coming out of class late one evening. He had pinned her against a brick wall and told her she would be his and no one else’s. His family needed her royal blood for their legitimate heirs and a strong alliance with Great Britain, and that was the only reason he hadn’t taken advantage of her yet. He had to be married to her before they ‘created ideal heirs.’ It was absolutely terrifying to see the craze in his bluish-gray eyes. The man was spoiled and insane. He’d finally walked away after promising he’d kill anyone else she dated. She’d gotten a restraining order against him the next day.

“My apologies.” Jensen’s gaze traveled over her face like the most tender of caresses. Just like that, her pulse sped up and liquid fire raced through her bloodstream. “Now is not the time to waste talking about such people. Not in this beautiful setting with an even more beautiful lady. Would you do me the honor of dancing with me?”

She’d seen him in his detective and chief roles and thought he was incredibly appealing, but seeing him with his guard down, asking her to dance and staring at her as if he were sincerely interested in her as a woman made her heart race out of control.

“I would absolutely love to,” she said softly.

His handsome face split into an irresistible grin. Livvy went absolutely weak in the knees. She’d never realized that wasn’t simply a cliché phrase. She tilted to the side.

Luckily, Jensen was right there to catch her. He wrapped his hands around her hips and steadied her. “All right then?”

“I will be when we’re dancing,” she whispered back.

His answering grin made everything all right in her world.

Livvy had no clue if the bride and groom were still dancing or what was happening with the wedding party. She and Jensen were sheltered from the crowd and most of the noise by the high stone walls surrounding the castle and courtyard. The melodious strains of “Tales from Vienna Woods” by Johann Strauss Jr floated out to them. It was the perfect waltz for a wedding dance.

Jensen cupped her waist firmly with one hand and clasped her other hand with his. His touch thrilled her—firm, yet tender. He pulled their joined hands to his firm chest as she wrapped her palm around the lovely muscles of his shoulder.

He slowly waltzed her further away from the gates and toward one of the trails leading up to the mountain. The music grew faint, but she didn’t care. Livvy’s entire life was music, but she found she didn’t need music right now. The very way Jensen moved and looked at her was musical and created a symphony in her mind. Their height discrepancy was less with her heels on, and she felt substantial, confident, and irreplaceable in his arms. She stared into Jensen’s mesmerizing dark gaze as the evening shadows deepened around them. She was in his arms and basically alone with the man she yearned for.

“Livvy …” His voice was deep, husky, inspiring.

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