Page 4 of His Royal Request

“I’m so sorry.”

“Thank you.”

I scanned the room, a bit nervous. “So, you have a helicopter?”

He hesitated. “You heard that?”

I nodded and he gave a small smile as if he was embarrassed. “It’s my company’s but I have first priority overusing it.”

“Oh.” Right, of course. That was perfectly normal. Right? “What company do you work for?”

“LochEnergy.”

It sounded vaguely familiar. Maybe we’d talked about it in school.

“So, you’re heading back to Lochland soon?” I asked even though I’d just heard him say it.

“Yes, I have some obligations this weekend I need to be there for.” His eyes held mine and he seemed to be thinking. “I know we just met and you have no reason to trust me, but if you’d like I can take you to the Cliffs tomorrow and then drop you off in Galway.”

Everything I’d ever learned about stranger danger and not getting kidnapped in a foreign country ran through my mind, but something was telling me to trust this man. His eyes held nothing back and I could see the sincerity. I had absolutely zero reason to trust him, but my gut said to try.

My parents would kill me. If I didn't wind up dead on my own.

I narrowed my eyes. “I don’t mean to be rude, or turn down a generous offer—”

“—but I’m a complete stranger?” He finished for me.

I nodded.

“What if I told you we wouldn’t be alone?”

I knew I’d revealed my surprise when he laughed. “My assistant will be with us.”

“Your assistant?” Probably some beautiful woman.

He nodded and looked over my shoulder. I turned to see an older man with greying hair leaning up against the wall reading the paper. After a moment he glanced up, realized we were looking at him and gave me a small smile. He didn’t look like a murderer or accomplice. He looked like he had grandchildren at home. He was charming with his brown newsboy cap. I liked him instantly.

I turned back paused. “I don’t even know your name.”

He held out his hand, “Aiden Stewart.”

I shook it and smiled. “Charlie Avery.”

“That’s an unusual name…”

“For a girl?”

He nodded.

“It’s really Charlotte, but I’ve gone by Charlie my whole life. My mom’s favorite book had a heroine with the name Charlie and she loved it, but my dad wanted more to have a traditional name, so they compromised.”

“I like it.” He smiled, releasing those dimples again, and looked into my eyes. “So, do we have a deal, Charlie?”

I tried to play it cool but the way he said my name, low and velvety, melted my insides. I had to think clearly. I had no idea who this guy and his assistant were. I knew he was Lochish, worked at LochEnergy, talked sweetly to his mother, and loaned his helicopter to a woman in need. I hadn’t gotten any bad feelings about him, and my intuition was usually right.

Did I dare?

I could let my dad know I was taking a detour and make sure he could track me. Worst-case scenario, we get to the Cliffs and I find my own way to Galway. Best case, I get to see the cliffs and spend time with this man that sent my heart racing with each glance. The thought of leaving and having this be the end of my interaction with him wasn’t an option.