Chapter 3 #2
No! No…no…no. Surely not. I draw in a breath, and his scent—dark, smoky and rich, like the smell of fine, worn leather, spiked with something sensual and slightly animalistic—confirms to me that I have not made a mistake.
This is him. The man I met at the nightclub last night.
The man I called my husband. The one who I kissed.
And to whom I’d have happily given myself, except I came to my senses and fled the scene. And now, he’s here. And he’s my—
"Personal protection specialist." Ryot bows to the king. "That’s what I prefer to be called, Your Highness.”
My father seems taken aback, then nods. "Of course." He looks Ryot up and down. "You’re Arthur Davenport’s grandson and Quentin Davenport’s nephew."
Ah, so he’s part of the Davenport clan? They’re one of the leading and most powerful business families in the country. So, what’s he doing, working as a bodyguard? It’s not for the money, that’s for sure.
"I’d prefer to stand on my own merit," he retorts.
My father looks at Ryot as if seeing him for the first time and nods. "You have impressive credentials. You’ve been awarded the King’s Commendation for Valuable Service, as well as the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross, and the Military Cross."
Ryot sets his jaw. "Those who died in battle deserve it more, Sir."
Whoa, not only is he the most charismatic man I’ve come across, but he’s also humble when it comes to his achievements? He seems too good to be true. I narrow my gaze on him.
My father regards him with a considering expression. "Can you protect my daughter?"
Ryot tilts his head. “As long as I’m the princess’ close protection officer, nothing and no one will get past me."
Is it my imagination, or was there a hard note to his tone when he said princess?
Also, there is no doubt in my mind, he means it.
So long as he’s guarding me, I’m safe. Funny how, I don’t know this man, but I already trust his ability to keep me unharmed.
And it has nothing to do with the fact that I know how it feels to be held against his wide, firm, muscled chest. Also, why am I thinking of that encounter?
I risk a glance in his direction then wish I hadn’t because, oh my god, he’s every bit as devastating as I remember him to be.
Green eyes, which seem almost hazel today, and remind me of the mesmerizing patterns on a snake’s coils—he’s just as dangerous; I need to watch myself with him.
There’s a confidence that clings to him, a dominance that shimmers in the air about him, a self-assurance that's almost annoying because I recognize it well. It’s the confidence that comes with breeding.
With being born into a family that confers status on you.
With not being used to taking no for an answer.
With a trust, an unshakeable belief that you can have anything you want.
Only, he’s not going to control me. And I don’t want him as my bodyguard. The thought of this man who I’m so attracted to, in such close proximity to me? It both scares me and excites me. But I’m not a pushover.
I’m the Princess of Verenza and I, too, will get my way.
"I already have a security team," I try to reason with my father.
But he ignores me. He and Ryot are locked in some kind of staring match.
They’re taking each other’s measure. At least, my father is.
Ryot’s spine is upright. His face could be carved out of marble, given how smooth his forehead is, how unmoving his expression is.
And that absolute rigidity in his stance is a dead giveaway that he’s ex-military.
I didn’t spot it the first time I saw him; I was too taken in by his good looks.
Now, I can't not see it. And now that I know his background, I can see the experiences he’s lived through in the shadows that cling to his eyes.
It speaks of nightmares he’s faced and conquered. It signals that there’s more to this man than being the scion of a well-known family and having the right blood line with all of the privileges that come from growing up as part of the upper class. None of which I knew when I met him last night.
I was drawn to him. There was this intense chemistry between us which surprised me.
I wanted him enough that I would've let him bend me over and take me right there in that alley. I was sure I’d never see him again.
Yet here he is. To say I’m shocked is putting it mildly.
This is the epitome of a cruel joke the universe is playing on me.
Then my father nods, as if he’s come to a decision. An understanding seems to pass between them.
Ryot’s face is expressionless. It’s my father who walks to me and takes my hand in his.
"I will not compromise on your safety. You’re my daughter, the light of my life.
I could not bear it if anything were to happen to you.
I need to ensure you’re secure, and Ryot comes highly recommended. I believe he will keep you safe.”
I search my father’s features and see the worry in his eyes. The plea in his gaze, more than anything, renders all my protests moot. As a last resort, I throw up my hands. "You just met him, and you trust him for this job?"
My father looks past me and exchanges another look with Ryot. A small smile curves my father’s features. "I couldn’t have survived this long without sizing up someone in seconds. Besides, his track record in the military speaks for itself."
His words remind me of how Ryot protected me against the creep in the bar yesterday. My father’s instincts are right. How can I argue with that? But I have to try. “I already have a security team guarding me,” I remind him.
“They don’t have the experience Ryot has.” My father’s gaze grows resolute. “With his level of training and background in the Royal Marines, he’ll provide a level of safe keeping which will allow me to rest assured.”
Damn. It’s true, my existing security team is not the most competent.
It’s how I managed to evade them and get to the bar yesterday.
The tension radiating from Ryot tells me he’s thinking the same thing.
Thankfully, he stays quiet. Which means, if he becomes my bodyguard, he already has something on me.
Which puts me at a disadvantage, and which I don’t appreciate at all.
I firm my lips and decide to try to dissuade my father one last time.
"But Papa, you barely know him." I clasp my fingers together. "Are you sure this is a wise decision?"
Before my father can reply, Ryot draws himself up to his full height. "Your father is a good judge of character. He knows, I'll put my life on the line before I let anything happen to you, Princess."