Chapter 5
Chapter Five
S ofie climbed out of Rome’s SUV and smiled.
“Come on.” She jogged toward the door.
“Slow down.” He grabbed her arm. “We’re undercover, remember?”
She nodded. She preferred going out without the fanfare. In her leggings and her light, zip-up sweater, no one would recognize her. She also had a ball cap pulled low over her face, with her hair tucked up inside.
She looked like any other California girl. The thought made her ridiculously happy.
Some young men walked past, jostling her. Rome pulled her close and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
Her pulse tripped. It was like they were just a normal couple. Sofia had never just wandered the streets with a man.
“Relax,” he rumbled.
She swallowed. “I’m relaxed.” She wrapped an arm around his waist.
“I’m not sure you know the meaning of the word.”
“I’m going to get the avocado ice cream.”
Rome’s nose twitched. “Avocado ice cream?”
With a smile, she leaned into him. “Rome, it’s delicious . You have to try it.”
His lips quirked.
She grinned. “Oh, my God. You do smile.”
His smile widened. “Yeah.”
She felt like she’d won a prize. “It’s a nice smile.”
His gaze traced her face.
Her pulse sped up, and she struggled for some control. Then the line moved, and they stepped into the store.
Sofie looked at all the flavors, then ordered her avocado in a cone. Rome ordered Mexican chocolate.
“Chocolate.” She shook her head.
“I’m traditional.”
She licked her ice cream and moaned. When she opened her eyes, he was staring at her lips.
She sucked in a breath, and then his gaze moved to her eyes.
Heat pooled in her belly. “Rome—”
“You want any chocolate?” His voice was gruff.
She shook her head. “No, but you have to try the avocado.” She swiped her finger through it and held up her hand.
She was sure he’d shake his head, but instead, his fingers wrapped around her wrist and pulled her hand to his mouth.
Oh. God . The flutters in her belly went wild.
He licked the ice cream off, his tongue touching the tip of her finger.
She felt that between her legs. “ Rome .” Her voice was a husky whisper.
“You’re right. It’s good.” Flames danced in his eyes.
“Rome, I—” She dragged in a breath. “I really want to kiss you.”
Her words broke the spell and his face shuttered. He stepped back, leaving her feeling bereft.
“This isn’t happening. It can’t happen.”
All the fizzy feelings in her crashed to her feet. “I know.”
“Sofia, I’m in charge of your safety. I can’t afford to be distracted, or focused on other things.”
“Right.” She hated that her voice was shaky.
She heard him bite out a curse. “You’re a beautiful woman…”
She winced.
He released a breath. “I mean it.”
“I get it, Rome.” She pulled all her embarrassment and disappointment into a tight ball in her belly. “Let’s go, and just enjoy our ice cream.”
She shoved out the door.
“Hey.” He grabbed her arm. “Stay beside me.” He pulled her close again.
Torture . Sofie wished he really wanted her close, not just because she was his job. She licked her ice cream, but now it was tasteless.
“Rome?” a deep, throaty female voice said.
They both looked up.
Sofie’s heart shriveled. A gorgeous African-American woman stood in front of them. She was nearly six feet tall, statuesque, with curves for days. She had a beautiful face, and shining, dark skin, topped with a head full of glorious, black curls.
She smiled at Rome like she’d just won the lottery.
“Tara,” Rome said. “It’s been a long time.”
“Too long.” Totally ignoring Sofie, the woman leaned in and kissed his cheek. Then she glanced at Sofie and blinked. “Oh, hi.”
“Hello.”
“Tara, this is a friend of mine.” Rome paused. “Sam.”
“Nice to meet you.” Tara looked back at Rome. “You look great.”
“You too.” He glanced down at Sofie. “Tara is a private investigator.”
So, beautiful, smart, and badass. Sharp pricks poked Sofie in the belly. The woman was gorgeous, vibrant.
Tara talked, mentioning some joint friends they shared. She put a hand on Rome’s arm. They looked gorgeous together, and worked in similar businesses.
Sofie glanced away, feeling miserable.
She stared off into the distance. It was stupid to have even considered for a second that Rome would break the rules for her.
He could have this smiling, beautiful woman who could do whatever she wanted, whenever she wanted to.
Sofie was bound by the chains of duty and position, whether she liked it or not.
She usually never resented her royal status. Being part of the Caldovan royal family was a part of who she was. She loved serving her country and her people.
With the added mission of tracking down the people who’d hurt Tori, her life was full.
She realized her avocado ice cream was melting and she had no desire to eat it. Her throat felt like it was filled with sawdust.
“I’m just going to throw this in the trash.” She pulled away from Rome.
She saw him frown at her half-eaten cone. She tossed it out. She just wanted to get back to the house and be alone.
She had work to do.
Turning, she saw Rome smiling at the tall, gorgeous Tara, just as the woman slipped her card into his pocket.
“Call me when you’re free.”
Ugh . Sofie pasted a smile on her face. “I’ll wait in the car. It was a pleasure to meet you, Tara.”
“Sam—” Rome reached for her, but Sofie dodged.
“Take your time,” she told them.
She hurried to the SUV, taking a few deep breaths. It was so silly to weave fantasies about a man she barely knew.
A man who was being paid to be with her.
“Hey.” Rome appeared, pressing her against the SUV. “What was that?”
“What was what?”
“Rushing off. You didn’t finish the ice cream that you so desperately wanted.”
She sighed. This wasn’t his fault. She massaged her temple. “I’m just tired. I guess jet lag is hitting me after all.”
He eyed her, and she got the impression he didn’t believe her. She forced herself to meet his gaze.
“Okay,” he said slowly. He bleeped the locks and opened her door.
She climbed in and stared out the window while he slid behind the steering wheel. She unzipped her sweater, toying with the zipper to keep her hands busy.
This was a good reminder that Sofie was here for more important things than parties and men.
She had a job to do.
She’d promised Victoria, standing over her grave, that she’d get justice for her friend.
The doors locked with a click, but Rome didn’t start the SUV.
“Okay, now tell me what’s going on?” he said.
She tensed. “Nothing. Can we just go?”
“No.”
Sofie huffed out a breath. “I liked your girlfriend.”
“Tara? She’s not my girlfriend. She’s the ex of an old military buddy.”
Well, Tara was angling for some Rome in her life. “She’s gorgeous. You guys suit.” Sofie looked out the window.
“I’m not interested in Tara.”
Sofie felt him eyeing her. She made an unconvinced sound.
Fingers gripped her chin and turned her to face him. “You jealous, Princess?”
She glared at him. “Are you enjoying this?”
“A little.” He paused. “I haven’t been interested in anyone else for several months now, because my head’s been filled with a beautiful princess who’s way out of my league.”
Sofie gasped, then sucked in an unsteady breath. The air in the vehicle thickened.
“A princess who kissed me, and left me with the smallest taste of her. One that’s been driving me fucking crazy.”
Oh. God . Her pulse jittered. “You…didn’t kiss me back. I was embarrassed. I thought—”
Rome sucked in a breath. “We should go.”
She bit her lip and nodded. “That’s the sensible thing to do.”
“Yeah.” But he didn’t start the SUV.
“Rome—”
They both moved at the same time. Sofie practically leaped over the center console, but Rome’s muscled arms were there, wrapping around her.
She saw the scorching hot glint in his eyes before his mouth crashed down on hers.
Oh .
Oh, boy.
One kiss wouldn’t be enough.
Sofie leaned into him and moaned. Rome’s tongue slid into her mouth, his hand cupping the back of her head. He was thorough, like he wanted to absorb every bit of her.
“You taste so good,” he growled.
She scraped her hands over his short hair, trying to get closer. “Kiss me,” she panted.
“I am.”
“ More .”
His lips took hers, and the kiss deepened, sensations bombarding her. She felt like she was drowning and she never wanted to come up for air. A groan rumbled through him, thrilling her, and his arms tightened on her. Then he tore his mouth off hers, trailing lower down her neck.
Oh . She arched up. His lips traced along the neckline of her sports top. Her nipples were hard beads under the soft fabric. Desire was an insistent throb between her legs.
A car pulled in to park beside them and Rome lifted his head.
Sofie panted, her hands tightening on him. “Is this where you freak out and tell me this was a mistake?”
He sighed. His hand slid up her jaw, his thumb brushing her kiss-swollen lips. “It was a mistake, but I’m not sorry.”
Thank God.
“But you aren’t safe here, and I need to get you home. You have interview calls soon.”
They stared at each other.
“Later…we’ll talk,” he said.
A little ball of warmth bloomed in her chest. “Talk. Okay.”
He settled her back in her seat, and she zipped up her sweater and pulled her belt on.
She kept glancing his way. Desire made it hard to think. She desperately wanted to touch him again.
Suddenly, Rome reached out and turned up the radio. It was a news report.
“A daring jewelry heist in broad daylight today will leave the upcoming Glittering Court jewelry exhibition short some gems.”
Sofie gasped. The words were like a bucket of cold water to the face.
They’d struck. The Black Fox gang had slunk out of the shadows. And while the jewels were being transported. So brazen.
She listened, gripping the edge of her seat.
“Sounds like some of your exhibition jewels are missing,” Rome said.
“It’s terrible,” she said.
But her mind was already whirling.
She needed to get them back. Which meant sneaking out from under her bodyguard’s watchful eye.