Page 13 of The Princess and the SEAL

“Okay, I’ll just wait in the lobby until you are done. There’s a library downstairs; I’ll choose a book and read by the fire.”

He grabbed my wrist. “No, you won’t. You’re a princess. Don’t you realize you could get kidnapped and held for ransom? I’m not letting you out of this room until you get copies of your identification, some money, and I return you safely to your hotel. And you should travel with protection.”

I was regretting my decision to stay with him. He was treating me like a helpless child. Just like my father did. “Are you offering your services, Mr. SEAL? Who do you think you are, anyway? My father? I’ll be fine downstairs. I’m an adult.”

“An adult who was mugged. Not to mention, you’re gorgeous. You’ll stand out too much. I don’t know who else is in this place. And I’d be happy to be your bodyguard.”

Did he really think I was gorgeous? Over the years, I’d almost come to believe all the nasty tabloid comments about me. Princesses should be lithe, elegant, flawless. I was none of those things.

He grabbed some clothes and a little black bag out of his pack, then winked at me. “I’ll only be a few minutes. Don’t move, unless,” he leaned close and whispered in my ear, “you want to join me.”

Yes, I do!

“I most certainly do not.”

He grinned and then went into the bathroom and shut the door. The pipes rattled as the water turned on, and I imagined him getting in, his naked body glistening under the water.

I couldn’t wait to tell my cousin Lucia about this night. Lucia was a wild one. If she knew I was in a room with a hot Navy SEAL, she’d be horribly disappointed if I didn’t hook up with him.

But that wasn’t going to happen. Ever.

I glanced down at the phone in the room. I should call my father just in case he contacted the hotel after not being able to reach me on my cell. Ugh, I didn’t want to alarm him. But if I didn’t call him to check-in, he would be even more worried.

What to do, what to do…

The water was still running, so I decided to make a break for it. I grabbed the key, snuck out of the room, raced down the stairs, and found the computer desk. I logged in and sent a quick email to my father.

Papa,

I have arrived safely in Bayeux but have unfortunately lost my phone. Luckily, I ran into an old friend from university, and she graciously allowed me to stay with her at a bed-and-breakfast in town. Could you please overnight copies of my identification and my credit cards to my hotel? I’ll pick them up tomorrow. Please don’t worry about me—I’m safe. I’ll call you tomorrow.

Love,

Giselle

Sent.

Ugh, I hated to lie to him, but if I told him the truth, he would freak out. Tomorrow, when I said goodbye to Ryan, I would go to my hotel and call my father.

And try to forget this night ever happened.

I ran back up the stairs, and luckily for me, Ryan was still in the bathroom.

A few minutes later, he emerged.

My mouth gaped.

Good Lord, he was hot. His huge chest tapered down to a narrow waist above the visible line of his boxers, peeking out of his pajama pants. The scent of cologne filled the air.

He gave a slight smirk and asked, “Would you be more comfortable if I put on a shirt?”

I shook my head no, unable to speak, afraid the only thing that would come out of my mouth would be drool.

“Good. Normally I sleep naked, but since you’re a virgin and all, I didn’t want to scare you.”

“How considerate of you.” I tried not to stare at all the tattoos covering his broad chest.

“Your turn, Princess.”

The way he said “Princess” sounded illicit. Usually, I hated the term, but from those lips, it evoked a sense of sex.

I slowly removed my jewelry and placed it in the first drawer of the nightstand, next to a copy of the Bible. Guilt consumed me as if the good book could tell how much I wanted to sin. I quickly shut the drawer.

I grabbed my nightgown and toiletries from my luggage and locked myself in the bathroom. As I jumped in the shower, and the water hit my bare body, I kept reminding myself that only a few minutes ago, Ryan had been naked right where I stood now. Had he fantasized about me while he was in here?

What would it be like to lose my virginity to this warrior?

I couldn’t help wondering if this night was the beginning of a love affair. An affair to remember.

A love to forget.