3. Chapter 3
~LIAM~
S he’s the sexiest damn thing I’ve ever seen in my whole godforsaken life. Even with the tousled hair and smeared makeup. And in that barely-there outfit, it’s taking all the strength in me not to reach out and touch her soft skin.
But she’s off-limits. Without a doubt, no questions asked, off-limits.
“Wait.” Eleanor’s head whips up, and she stares at me with wide, hopeful eyes. “Did you end up saying yes?”
I slowly shake my head from side to side. “No.”
She lets her head fall back again and mutters, “Damn.”
“Eleanor—”
“No.” She holds up a hand and lifts her head so she can level me with narrowed blue eyes. “We’re talking about sex and nakedness. I think you can call me Ellie. Not Your Highness or Princess or Eleanor.”
“Ellie.” I clear my throat. “You don’t really want what you’re asking.”
She smirks and pulls a knee up to her chest. For protection or because of nervousness, I’m not sure. “Because I’m young, and I don’t know my own mind?”
This is a trick question. “No, because you don’t know me , and I’m telling you, I’m not the man who should be teaching you about these things. You should find someone kinder, softer. Gentler.”
“Well, that sounds bloody boring,” she counters and then tips her head to the side. “I may be inexperienced, but I’m not stupid, Liam. I’m old enough to know myself and what I want.”
“And you think that’s me.”
She licks her lips, and it’s almost my undoing. Ellie has the kind of lips you don’t just want to kiss. You want to explore them. Bite. Sink in and live there for a few good hours because the glories that a man is sure to discover and experience are endless.
Her curves turn me inside out. Her hair is thick and begs to be twisted around my fingers.
And that view I got of her bare back last night kept me up into the wee hours of the morning with a hard-on that rivaled granite.
I want her.
But I’m not right for her. That I know for sure. I’ve seen too much. Done horrible things.
None of that should ever touch her.
Ellie leans forward and keeps her eyes steady on mine. “I haven’t made it a secret since the day I met you that I find you attractive, Liam. Yes, I want you. But I’m not a child, and you said no. So, the answer is no. Don’t worry, we won’t have any issues.”
That’s the right answer. I should nod and go about my day, leave it in the past, forget it ever happened.
But I can’t ignore the look of hurt in her eyes. She’s put on a brave face, but I see the pain all the same.
I don’t want to hurt Ellie—or anyone for that matter. But I’m not the right man for her to tumble into bed with.
I have a job to do.
“I have a nail appointment in an hour,” she says, ending the conversation. “I’ll be down in forty-five minutes.”
She’s dismissed me. I nod and stand, then walk toward the stairs leading down to the door.
“She okay?”
I turn to find Nina smiling, holding a basket of pastries.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Well, I have a headache the size of Beverly Hills,” she says with a wince. “That’ll teach me to drink too much wine. Muffin?”
“No, thanks.”
“I wish you guys would eat more,” she mutters as she walks through the door. Before it closes, I hear her call out, “I bring food!”
I have things to do in headquarters before I take Ellie to her appointment. I need to consult with Charles on a few things, and I have some paperwork to see to.
But Ellie is always at the forefront of my mind.
“Oh, what a cute little shop,” Ellie says as I park in front of a salon called The Style Studio . It’s next door to Asana Yoga Studio, with a girly front window full of fussy things and signs advertising hair, nails, and lash services. “I never get to go out for this kind of thing. My nail and hair techs always come to the palace for me. This is a treat.”
“What do people do to their lashes?” I can’t help but ask.
“Extensions, lifting, color,” Ellie lists as she gathers her bag, and I get out to then open her door. She smiles up at me. “Do you like mine?”
“Your lashes?”
“Yes.” She flutters them for my benefit.
“They’re not real?”
She chuckles and shrugs a shoulder. “Well, mine are in there, but I do have extensions. I keep them light and natural, but it’s awesome because I rarely have to wear mascara, and if I don’t want to wear makeup at all, it’s no big deal.”
I stare at her, blinking slowly.
“I’ve lost you,” she guesses.
“Being a woman is damn complicated.”
Ellie laughs at me, and I hold the salon door open for her. We both walk in.
It smells like chemicals. Music plays through invisible speakers. There are four hair stations, two nail stations, and a receptionist’s desk.
“I’m Ellie,” Ellie tells the receptionist.
“Of course. Welcome, Your Highness.” The young girl smiles politely. “I have you down for a manicure and a blowout.”
“That’s right.”
I step back and keep an eye on the shop as Ellie’s shown to a seat at one of the nail stations.
Aspen Calhoun, the new owner of Drips & Sips, is getting her hair cut nearby and smiles and says hello to Ellie. They’re deep in conversation when I see my cousin, Lauren, walk through a door in the back of the room.
“Liam,” she says with a happy smile and offers me a hug. “Let me just pay for my facial, and we’ll chat.”
Lauren turns to the receptionist, settles her bill, and then turns back to me. “Let’s step out.”
I glance around the room once more. “I’ll be right outside,” I say to Ellie, who eyes Lauren but nods to me.
I follow my cousin out to the sidewalk. It’s warm again today, but the walk is covered, making it comfortable.
“I’ve barely seen you since you moved here,” Lauren says.
“It’s been busy, working for the royal family and all that.” I reach out and tug on a strand of her hair, the way I’ve done since we were kids. “How are you?”
“I’m great. Layla is starting school this fall, and Asa is going to preschool a few days, as well, so I’ll have some quiet time to write.”
“And how’s Ty?”
Lauren married Ty almost six years ago. I like him a lot. Much better than her bastard of a first husband.
“Busy. His law practice is doing better than ever.”
“I’m glad you’re doing so well. You deserve it.”
“Now, tell me about you.”
I frown. “You know everything. I work. That’s it.”
“And her?” Lauren gestures at the window to where Ellie is sitting inside.
“She’s my job.”
“Well, the way she looked me over just now tells me she’d like to be more than that.”
I shake my head. “That’s not how it is.”
Lauren pats my shoulder. “I know. You’re stubborn and have a ridiculous work ethic. But don’t forget to actually live your life, Liam. You know better than anyone how short it can be.”
In more ways than I want to admit or think about.
“Come to dinner at our house,” Lauren suggests.
“I’m stuck to her like glue for the next month. There’s no time off.”
She rolls her eyes. “Bring her with you. I’m sure she’s nice, and our house is safe. Well, from assassins anyway. I can’t guarantee you won’t step on a lego.”
“Liam.”
Ty hurries up beside Lauren, slips his arm around her waist, and holds his hand out for mine.
“Hey, good to see you.”
“We’re grabbing lunch,” Ty says. “Join us?”
“I’m working,” I reply. “But thanks.”
“I told him he should come by for dinner,” Lauren says. “And I also told him to bring Princess Eleanor with him.”
Ty’s eyebrows climb. “Sure. Anytime. We’re grilling steaks tomorrow night. Come on over.”
“I’ll think about it.”
That’s code for no.
Not that I care if my family meets Ellie. That’s not it at all. But I don’t want her to think it’s a date.
We’re not dating.
“There’s no thinking. You’re coming.” Lauren pats my shoulder again. “See you tomorrow. Six o’clock. If you don’t show up, I’ll come find you.”
“I don’t remember you being such a bully.”
My cousin laughs. “I miss you. So, come to dinner. Okay?”
I nod, not wanting to say yes when I can’t make any promises.
I stay outside after Lauren and Ty leave, keeping an eye on the passersby, breathing in the fresh, summer air.
I love Cunningham Falls. My great-grandfather helped to establish the town more than a hundred years ago. My father and Lauren’s father are—or were —brothers. Lauren’s parents died ten years ago, and it was a hard blow to our entire family.
Although my parents moved my sister and me away from Cunningham Falls when we were young so my dad could pursue a job in Seattle, we came back here every summer. For three glorious months, we lived at Lauren’s house, swam in Whitetail Lake, and rode our bikes all over town.
I knew that once I was out of the Army, I’d move here someday. It’s where I seem to be the most at peace. And for a man who barely remembers what that feels like, it’s absolute heaven.
“All done,” Ellie announces as she walks through the door. “I just met the most wonderful women. Aspen owns Drips & Sips, and she’s so funny. Just lovely. I wish my hair was naturally red like hers.
“She introduced me to her hairstylist, Monica, and my nail girl is Natasha. They’re all so nice. I’m absolutely coming back here. It’s brilliant.”
“I’m glad you had a good time.”
“Who was the woman you were talking to?”
I open the car door for her, then climb into the driver’s seat.
“Not that it’s any of my business,” she adds. “Forget I asked.”
I should. I should forget she asked and let her think Lauren is someone I’m interested in.
But I’m not a liar.
“That was my cousin, Lauren.”
Ellie’s eyes widen. “Oh, I would have loved to meet her.”
“Well, you might get the chance.” I tell her about the dinner invitation.
“Of course, you should go,” she says.
“I’m working. With you.”
“I’m safe at home,” she argues. “You can certainly take a few hours off to enjoy your family. You can’t work twenty-four hours a day, and the last time I checked, no one requires that of you.”
She’s not wrong. But I don’t trust anyone to protect Ellie the way I can.
“But since she invited me, I’d like to come along.”
And there it is.
“Are you sure?”
“Oh, absolutely. What should I take as a hostess gift? Flowers seem impersonal, but I don’t know her yet. Perhaps a bouquet and a nice bottle of wine. I’ll see what Sebastian has in the wine cellar.”
I’m absolutely not dating her. I refuse to touch her.
But she’s coming to meet my family.
Fucking perfect.
“Don’t take me home yet,” Ellie says, surprising me.
“Where do you want to go?”
“Let’s go for a walk,” she suggests.
“You’re not really wearing hiking shoes.”
“I said a walk, not a hike.”
Pioneer Park, over by Lauren’s house, has paved walking paths that should be fine on Ellie’s feet, so I turn toward that side of town. I park in the lot and open her door for her.
“I’ll be close,” I say.
“Come walk with me, Liam,” she replies. “It’s just a bloody stroll.”
I fall into step next to her, my eyes always skimming over the people nearby, the vehicles in the lot, looking for anything suspicious.
“We’re in a park in Montana,” Ellie says with a sigh. “I hardly think someone will try to kidnap or harm me here.”
“You never know,” I mutter. “I’m doing my job.”
“I know. And I’m grateful. Did anyone tell you that I was almost kidnapped when I was very young?”
My gaze snaps down to hers. “No.”
“I was a toddler, so I don’t remember the incident. I’m told that the family was walking amongst the crowd for my father’s birthday celebration. Shaking hands and saying hello, that sort of thing. All very normal.”
For a royal, yes, I’m sure it is normal.
“I don’t know how, but apparently, someone took my hand and pulled me into the crowd. It happened quickly, and with the bodies of people packed so tight, the security detail couldn’t see me.
“It was a full-on panic. The rest of the family was immediately rushed back to the palace, but my father refused to go with them. He was absolutely determined to help look for me, which I’m sure only angered the guards.”
“Without a doubt,” I agree. “But he’s a father, and I understand him wanting to get to you.”
“Me, too. They found me less than ten minutes later, being carried to a vehicle only a few blocks away. A citizen saw me and started yelling, alerting the others.”
“I hope they got a reward.”
“He’s my father’s chef now,” Ellie says with a bright smile. “Has been for twenty-three years. They became good friends.”
The king is a good man. I’ve only spoken with him over the phone, and usually during times of stress, but he’s been kind to me. Firm. Fair.
I respect him.
Suddenly, Ellie’s phone dings, and she pulls it out of her purse to check it.
“What a bloody idiot,” she mutters and shoves her phone back into the bag without replying. “In my experience, men are just horrible creatures.”
Don’t ask. Don’t ask.
Do. Not. Ask.
“What’s wrong?”
Why the fuck did I ask?
“That was Beauregard Hattenham. An absolute bore of a man with meaty hands. He asked me to marry him last week.”
I stop walking and frown down at her. “ Marry him?”
“As if I would,” she mutters, still walking. “He doesn’t love me. He doesn’t even like me.”
“Surely, he must if he asked you to marry him.”
“He told me,” she insists. “Said straight out that ours wouldn’t be a love match, but with his appropriate bloodlines , we should get married. He’s an earl. And if he wasn’t such a jerk, it might have worked. But Beau likes to bully. He’s mean. He sneers and judges and told me I’d need to have a boob job.”
“What the fuck’s wrong with your boobs?”
“Exactly,” she says. “Not a thing. They may be on the smaller side, but I don’t have a large frame.”
“There’s nothing wrong with your body,” I grumble, ready to tear Beauregard Hatten shit apart.
“Thank you.” She sighs, shaking her head. “But it’s nothing new. The men I meet don’t want me. They want the Crown. Alistair, a man I saw for over a year, insisted that if I’d just get pregnant, everything would be fine. The only thing fine in that scenario would be for Alistair’s benefit. If I were pregnant, I would be forced to marry him, and he’d become a member of the royal family.”
“Christ.”
“There was no way I was going to sleep with him. He was slobbery and had sweaty hands.”
She’s met assholes. No wonder she’s a virgin. I’m proud of her for not letting any of those morons touch her.
“It’s exhausting,” she admits as we wander down the path that leads to the bridge near Lauren’s house. “Maybe I should just sleep with one of them and get it over with.”
“No.”
We walk to the top of the bridge, and Ellie leans against the side, looking down at the water.
“You don’t want to sleep with those bozos.”
She shrugs. “Perhaps joining a convent is the way to go.”
I chuckle and turn her toward me, calling myself an absolute fool.
I can’t believe I’m about to say this.
I must have a screw loose. I need therapy. A bullet to the head.
“I’ll do it.”
Her eyes widen in surprise. “You’ll do what?”
“I’ll be the one to show you the ropes when it comes to sex.” I let myself touch her and brush a strand of hair off her cheek. “But we’ll do it my way.”
“I don’t want you to agree because you pity me.”
I sigh in frustration. Jesus, this woman would drive a saint to drink.
“I don’t pity you.” I take my hand away and watch as she swallows hard, listening carefully. “I like you. And, damn it, I’m attracted to you.”
“I knew it,” she whispers. “I knew it wasn’t one-sided.”
“There will be rules, though.”
“Of course.” She stands up straight and squares her shoulders.
“No one can know. And, no, it’s not because I’m ashamed. I can’t lose my job.”
“Agreed. It’s a secret. It’s no one’s business anyway.”
“I’ll teach you on my schedule, and my way.”
“I’m the student.” She nods and licks her lips. I see her skin has broken out in goose bumps.
“The rest, we’ll make up as we go.”
“That’s reasonable.”
I glance around, relieved when I see that we’re alone. I know this is a stupid move. Someone could be hiding, taking photos.
But against my better judgement, I lean in, cornering her against the rail of the bridge.
I’m not touching her, but I can feel the warmth of her skin. Her breath comes faster, making her chest rise and fall with her heavy breathing. Her blue eyes are intent on mine as I lean closer, bringing my lips within an inch of hers.
Our breath mingles, and hers catches as her eyes drop to my lips.
It’s a long moment of intense sexual tension so thick you could cut it with a knife.
“Lesson one,” I murmur, “anticipation is everything.”
And with that, I back away and walk down the bridge toward the car. When she doesn’t follow, I turn to look at her.
“Are you coming?”
“Soon,” she says as she finally moves her feet in my direction. “I’m hoping to very soon.”
Holy hell, I’m an idiot for agreeing to this.