Chapter 7 #2
He lifted her off her feet, holding her easily against his body, and making her realize just how much bigger he was than her.
And how that made her feel safe and protected.
Sadly, he broke the kiss, and set her on her feet.
Sofie licked her lips, waiting for her head to clear.
He tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. “For the record, you’re welcome.”
She smiled.
“Sofie—” He sucked in a breath. “You should be with some prince. Some guy who can give you everything.”
Her smile morphed into a scowl. “That’s hogwash.”
“You’re a princess, you’re meant to be in a palace.”
She growled. “A prince like my ex, Crispin? Who cheated on me? Who dragged me to nightclub openings and parties I had no interest in attending? Who doesn’t work, doesn’t achieve anything, who just uses people, and goes on ski trips or rents yachts?”
Rome’s lips flattened. “No, not like that.”
“Being royal doesn’t make someone special, or a good person, Rome.”
He touched her jaw. “Okay, beautiful. I’m sorry.”
“I don’t want to hear any more about princes.”
“Okay. Now, let’s go. I’ve got just enough time to feed you some lunch before you have to be at the photo shoot.”
* * *
Rome stayed close to Sofia as they walked up the steps of City Hall.
The massive, grand building was a Beaux-Arts monument, with a long and varied history. They stepped inside. It was even grander than the outside, with marble everywhere. The magnificent, arched windows let in lots of light.
“Oh, it’s stunning,” she murmured.
Rome counted people on the mezzanine level above, along with lights and other photo shoot equipment. He also noted the Norcross guards stationed at the stairs leading up. One caught his eye and gave him a nod.
The jewelry for the shoot had already been brought here under heavy guard. Rome had planned out every detail of the security himself.
A woman jogged down the stairs toward them. “Princess Sofia.”
The woman was tall, with long legs clad in dark jeans. She had an attractive face, with eyes that were different colors—one brown and one green. Her long, black hair was pulled back in a ponytail. A camera hung around her neck.
“Dani!” Sofie cried. “It is so lovely to see you again.”
The women embraced.
Sofie stepped back. “This is Rome, my bodyguard. Rome, this is Dani Navarro Ward. A brilliant photographer.” Sofie squeezed the woman’s hand.
“Thanks for doing this.” Sofie looked back at Rome.
“Dani is primarily a landscape photographer. She travels the world taking pictures of exotic, beautiful locations.”
A man followed the woman down the stairs at a slower pace. Rome tensed. He recognized former military when he saw it. His gaze met the other man’s blue one. This guy had been special forces, for sure. He had a rangy body, dark hair that was overdue for a cut, and scruff on his hard jaw.
Rome frowned. The guy looked familiar.
“Sofia, you’ve never met my husband. Cal, this is Princess Sofia of Caldova. Sofie, my hubby, Callum Ward.”
“Nice to meet you, Callum.”
“It’s Cal, please.”
“And this is Rome Nash, my bodyguard,” Sofie said.
Rome straightened. “Ward? Treasure Hunter Security? You must be Declan’s brother.”
The man lifted his chin. “Yeah. Nash. You from Norcross Security?”
Rome nodded and shook the man’s hand. “I know Dec. Good SEAL.”
Callum smiled. “He was. Now he’s running THS, keeping his wife happy, and spoiling his daughter.”
“I’ve heard good things about Treasure Hunter Security.”
“We keep busy. We’re mostly all former SEALs. And I hear good things about Norcross.”
Rome inclined his head. “We’re mostly all former Ghost Ops. And we keep busy, too.”
“If you badasses are finished communing,” Dani said dryly, “we have photos to take.”
Sofie shot Rome a smile, and headed up the stairs arm in arm with Dani.
At the top, Rome stayed to the side, watching carefully.
He glanced down at the main floor. People were coming in and out of the main doors of City Hall.
He would have preferred to shut off public access completely, but they didn’t have that luxury.
Still, he had guards stationed at all the entrances to the mezzanine level.
Sofie disappeared behind a large folding screen. Dani checked her cameras and equipment. An assistant brought things around for Sofia. Cal Ward perched on a large box, watching the comings and goings.
A fur rug was laid out on the stone floor—it was beige and fluffy. Dani set a silver umbrella thing by the rug, then fiddled with her camera.
One of the guards brought a heavy-duty case over. He clicked the locks and opened it.
Hell . Rome wasn’t into jewelry, but these pieces were impressive.
There were diamonds—a lot of diamonds—and other jewels. There were earrings, necklaces and tiaras.
Behind the screen, he heard Sofie laughing with a hairstylist. A few minutes later, she stepped out.
Every muscle in Rome’s body tensed.
She was wearing a black fur coat, although, knowing Sofie, it wasn’t made of real fur.
Her hair was piled up with a plait circling her head. It vaguely made him think she was a winter Viking princess. It looked like she had no makeup on her face; her skin and lips were dewy, and her eyes were smoky.
“Here you go, Your Highness.” An assistant held up a diamond-and-ruby necklace. The earrings were next, and Sofie carefully fastened them in her earlobes.
“Gorgeous,” Dani breathed. “Okay, Sofie let’s start over here against the railing.”
Sofie moved over and leaned against the stone railing. She let the coat fall open.
She wore a column of silver underneath. The dress hugged her gentle curves and made her look like a glittering statue. The neckline dipped low, showing the creamy swells of her breasts. Rome squeezed his hands together, his knuckles tight.
She posed, looking into the camera.
Dani took some shots, then checked the screen. “Gorgeous.” She took some more with Sofie smiling, frowning, looking away from the camera.
“Absolutely gorgeous,” Dani said. “Let’s change up the jewelry.”
Next was a delicate-looking tiara, and some dangly, sparkling earrings that Rome knew must be diamonds.
Sofie ditched the coat and her shoes. They did some walking shots next, with her laughing, the light catching the jewelry.
“We have to hurry, Sofie,” Dani said. “Storm clouds are moving in, so we’ll lose the light soon.”
“Okay.”
The next shots of her, she was perched on a bench, the huge, arched windows behind her. This time, she had sapphires in her ears, at her wrists, and at her neckline.
She was so beautiful.
Rome knew her real beauty was within. That smile, her generosity, the way she thought of others, and still grieved for her lost friend.
Sofie was easy to be with. Rome didn’t like loads of people close, up in his space. He liked his solitude.
He got on well with all his Norcross buddies, and he also liked the women that some of them had claimed. At least, he liked them in small doses, but they were all good women.
“Okay, let’s get the last shot done.” Dani clapped her hands.
Sofie was back behind the folding screen. She came out in the fur coat again.
She had diamond studs in her ears. Big ones. And a necklace of pink-and-white diamonds draped around her neck. It looked stunning with her hair.
“Can you lie on the rug,” Dani said.
Sofie dropped gracefully onto the fur rug. Dani arranged her.
“Hey, that’s a nasty bruise on your leg,” Dani said, her voice full of concern.
“Sorry,” Sofie said. “I bumped something.”
The photographer waved the makeup artist over. “No problem. It can be hidden.”
Rome frowned. How the hell had she gotten the bruises?
When Dani and her assistant stepped back, he couldn’t breathe, all his thoughts scattering. He felt like there was a rock on his chest.
Sofie was sprawled on her back. The fur coat covered a lot of her, but not all. Her shoulders were bare, as were the tops of her breasts, and he could see the necklace resting there, supposed to grab the eye, but all he saw was her skin.
Her slim legs were bare, resting on the fur. She looked like she’d been ravished by a warrior king, and left sprawled in the furs. What was she wearing under that coat? Was she naked?
“Beautiful.” Dani moved around, the camera clicking. “So sexy, Sofie.”
Sofie smiled—a mysterious half smile. Like a woman who knew a secret.
She shifted, tilting her head back and her gaze met Rome’s.
“Perfect, Sofie. Imagine you’re a queen, and your king will be back soon.”
Her legs moved restlessly. Her glossy lips parted.
“Hmm, no, not your king,” Dani said. “Your captain of the guard. Ready to do your bidding.”
Rome saw need in Sofie’s eyes. Desire was like a vicious punch to his gut.
He normally had rock-steady control. He liked women just fine, but he never kept any around long. And he’d never felt a desperate need for any of them.
But this one…
What he felt for her was a fucking inferno.
“Not sure you should be looking at your charge like that.”
Rome barely controlled a jolt.
Damn, Callum Ward had snuck up on him. He didn’t look at the former SEAL, but kept his gaze on Sofie and grunted. He didn’t need the reminder.
Cal gave a low chuckle. “I fell for Dani on a job. We were in the middle of the Cambodian jungle, being chased by black-market antiquities thieves.”
Now Rome looked at the man. Cal was watching his wife with a warm expression.
“Couldn’t have stopped falling for her if I tried. Hell, I didn’t want to try by the end. She’s the best thing that ever happened to me.” Cal’s gaze met Rome’s. “Protect your princess, Nash, and don’t be an idiot.”
Cal moved to help Dani with some equipment.
There was a boom of thunder from outside.
“That’s a wrap,” Dani called.
Applause broke out.
“Well done, Your Highness.” Dani helped Sofie up.
Sofie pulled the coat around her and smiled. “You make it easy.” She glanced at Rome, then disappeared behind the screen.
Helpless to stop the urge, Rome followed. He scanned the space, ensuring the guards were all in place and everything was in order.
When he paused at the screen, Sofie turned.
She was still clad in the fur coat.
He just stared at her.
“Rome.”
“What’s under that?” he said between gritted teeth.
She gave him a faint smile. “Not much.”
“Fuck,” he muttered.
“Did you like the jewelry?”
“Barely saw it. Your skin is prettier.”
She flushed. “I like your skin better.”
“Sofie—” Need pounded through his bloodstream. He was conscious of the people moving around on the other side of the screen.
She parted the coat a little and his gut tightened. His cock was as hard as a rock.
She wasn’t wearing a bra, and he saw the inner curves of her breasts, her flat belly, the twinkle of her piercing, and tiny, gossamer panties in pale pink.
“Sofie,” he breathed.
“I ache for you, Rome. So much.”
With a growl, he stepped forward. He slipped an arm around her and pulled her close.
The coat opened more, those pretty breasts topped with pink nipples displayed to him.
The last of his restraint evaporated.
He cupped her breast, his thumb flicking over her nipple. It hardened for him. His hands were large, but her breast filled his palm just fine.
Sofie bit her lip and moaned softly.
“Damn you for being so beautiful,” he growled.
“ Please .” She arched her back.
He kissed her, feeling a deep, primitive need to stamp his ownership on her. He opened his mouth on hers, tongue thrusting deep. He was lost, and fuck, he didn’t want to be found. He used his tongue to tease, taste, and stroke every part of her delectable mouth.
He dragged his lips down her neck, peppering her skin with kisses.
She shivered.
“I love when you do that,” he said. “When your body shows me how much you want me.”
She moaned, her nails biting into his shoulders.
Finally, he closed his mouth over one nipple.
“ Rome ,” she panted.
Someone dropped something on the other side of the screen with a clatter.
“Crap, sorry,” someone yelled out. “It’s okay, I’ve got it.”
Rome lifted his head. Sofie blinked, eyes dazed.
Hell . He had his mouth on a naked princess in the middle of a photo shoot.
“Get dressed.” He set her down.
She blew out a breath. “Dressed?”
His lips twitched. “In clothes.”
She grabbed the lapels of the fur coat. “I know what it means, Rome Nash. Your kisses aren’t that brain scrambling.”
“Really? Do I need to kiss you again?”
Her brown gaze dropped to his lips. “Maybe?”
He rubbed his thumb along her jaw. “Later.”
“You promise?”
His gut throbbed at the need in her voice. “Yes. Now get dressed, beautiful.”
She nodded.
As he left her to change, more thunder sounded outside. Rain spattered against the windows.
Rome shoved his hands into the pockets of his pants.
It was time to admit that, right or wrong, he wanted Princess Sofia of Caldova.
And he wasn’t going to let anything—not their roles, her stalker, or crazed fans—stop him from claiming her.