Reluctantly Royal Read online

  Hannah’s face turned bright red as all our security guards patted their pants pockets until finally Nicolas came up with a two-cent coin. Hannah accepted it from him with a murmured “Merci.” Closing her eyes tightly, she turned her back to the fountain, then threw the coin over her shoulder where it landed with a soft plop. She kept her eyes closed for a moment or two longer before opening them and giving me a tremulous smile.

  I grabbed her hand and pulled her to me. “What’s wrong? I thought wishes were supposed to make you happy. Hopeful.”

  “It was. I am. I think I am, anyway.”

  But still I was suspicious. “What did you wish for?”

  “I can’t tell you.”

  “What? Why?”

  “Because then it won’t come true. Haven’t you ever heard that before?”

  I honestly couldn’t remember a time when I took a second and made a wish, let alone remembered the superstitions that went with it. Certainly not since I became an adult, and definitely not since my brother died. Waving a hand at Nicolas, I asked him in French for another coin. Hannah smiled as he passed the coin to me. Mimicking her stance, I closed my eyes and thought for a second. There were so many things I could wish for—my family, my country, myself—but deep in my heart there was only one thing at that moment I wanted most. Opening my eyes, I looked directly into Hannah’s, then threw my borrowed coin over my shoulder as I wished with all my might that Hannah’s wish would come true.

  “I want to ask what you wished for that would put that look on your face.” Hannah closed the distance between us with a smile. “But unlike some people, I know better.”

  “Thank you, mon chou.” I brushed the hair away from her eyes. “I can always count on you to keep me honest.” I gave her a gentle kiss, and we continued our tour of the gardens, hand in hand as our hips bumped compatibly against each other.

  After an afternoon of mind-blowing sex and a delicious meal served in our suite—there was no way I would let my brother separate us on opposite ends of the palace, or chance running into him in the dining room—I got up to paw through Hannah’s closet.

  “What are you doing?” Hannah rolled over in our bed and pushed herself up on one arm.

  “Did the other designer dresses that you didn’t pick for the banquet get packed up? Wait, never mind, here they are.” I grabbed five of the dresses and carried them over to the bed.

  “I take it we’re going out tonight?” Hannah asked with a laugh.

  “You want to see the sights, so I’m showing you my town my way. Pick something out and get ready. We leave in an hour.”

  “An hour? Really?”

  “What?”

  “I’m going to start a drinking game. Every time you say ‘We leave in an hour,’ take a drink.” Hannah stood up gloriously naked.

  I know she said something more, but I was spellbound by the way her tits swayed and bounced with her movements as she sorted through the pile of dresses. I about swallowed my tongue when she leaned over to look at some detail on one of the dresses and her thighs parted.

  “…don’t you think?”

  “Mmm-hmm.” If I tilted my head just slightly I could see—

  “Did you hear what I said?” Hannah looked at me over her shoulder, and I suddenly had a mental picture of taking her that way. Her on her knees in front of me. Her hair in my hand. Me thrusting until we were both—

  “Luc!” Hannah twirled around, holding a black dress in front of her like it was a shield. Or like I hadn’t spent the better part of an hour licking and kissing every part of her. “Seriously? We had sex ten minutes ago. You cannot be ready to go again.”

  I looked down at my lengthening dick, then smirked at Hannah. “Someone appears to disagree with you.”

  “Wha—no. You can’t give me an hour deadline to get ready for a black-tie whatever we’re going to and then horn in on my time.” She broke off her tirade and squealed when I rushed her.

  The dresses ended up in a tangled pile on the floor as Hannah moaned and clutched at my back. Her nails scored a path on my back as I kissed her. After a moment I pulled back slightly and muttered, “Fine. Your hour starts as soon as we’re done.”

  “That has to be the most romantic thing you’ve ever said to me.” Hannah smiled as she shook her head at me.

  “Screw the extra hour,” I said, right before I picked her up and threw her over my shoulder. Hannah squealed as I carried her to our huge shower. Then I proceeded to show her how princes multitasked.

  About an hour and half later, we were squeaky clean and dressed to impress. I had on the usual monkey suit, and Hannah dazzled in a short, black dress that clung to her slight curves and skimmed her legs above her knees. We were on our way out of the suite when I noticed something.

  “Wait, your bandage is loose. Do you want me to take it off for you?”

  Hannah slapped her hand over the spot and looked at me with wide eyes but didn’t say anything.

  I frowned. “Is that curling iron burn still bothering you? I could call the palace physician and—”

  “No!” Hannah backed away from me toward the bathroom behind her. “I mean, yes, it is bothering me, but no, I don’t need to see a doctor. I’m fine. It just needs time to heal. I’ll go put a new Band-Aid on it and then we can go.”

  “If you’re sure. It’s not a problem to call—”

  The bathroom door slammed shut and Hannah’s voice came through muffled. “No, no. It’s fine. I’ll just be a second.”

  I cooled my heels as I pondered the dichotomy of a woman who spent the better part of thirty minutes on her makeup and another forty on her hair, and yet didn’t notice the limp bandage on her neck. I don’t think I’d ever understand women.

  A minute later, Hannah exited the bathroom and gave me a bright smile. “All ready. Where are we going .anyway?”

  “The Monte Carlo Casino,” I answered absently as I examined her neck. The same spot was covered by a new and almost invisible small Band-Aid. “Are you sure you’re all right? It’s no trouble to call the doctor.”

  “I’m fine. Stop being silly.” Hannah looped her arm through mine. “The Monte Carlo Casino? Sounds glamorous.”

  “It is. Hence the dress code. If you’re ready, our ride is waiting out back.”

  “Out back.” Hannah laughed. “You make it sound like an alleyway and not a glamorous double staircase leading to the gardens.”

  “I’m ashamed to admit how long it took me to realize not everyone had maid service and a personal cook. Come on, let’s go gamble.”

  We met our security team and a short car ride later, we pulled up to the Monte Carlo Casino. I put my hand on Hannah’s arm. “Do not leave the vehicle until you see me in the doorway. Keep your eyes down to avoid the flashes and make sure to have a slight smile. Frowns never play well in the press. And whatever you do, do not let go of my hand.”

  “What—”

  “Relax. You’ll be fine.”

  I opened my door and jumped out. A clamor of voices, shouts, and camera clicks greeted me before I slammed my car door shut. Flanked by Dimitri and Nicolas, I crossed behind the sedan to Hannah’s side.

  “Prince Lucien!”

  “Prince Lucien!”

  “Lucien!”

  About a thousand different voices made it almost impossible to distinguish any single one, or even what they were shouting, aside from my name. Keeping my eyes down, I ignored them all and opened Hannah’s door. The camera flashes doubled, making the dusky light look almost like daytime. I bent down and held my hand out. “Deep breath.”

  Hannah smiled tremulously at me, then put her hand in mine and exited the vehicle. I tried to block the view of the crowd as she got out and stood in front of her as she tugged on her dress. The sound from the horde grew ridiculous.

  “Ready?” I mouthed to her.

  Hannah shrugged since conversation was impossible. Holding her hand in mine, I tipped my head at our security detail, then followed Dimitri toward the
casino doors.

  “Prince Lucien!”

  “Hannah!”

  “What’s it like to date a prince?”

  “Any comment on the pictures—” The rest of the question was lost in the cacophony of voices.

  Hannah’s stride paused for a second. I squeezed her hand in support, and she squeezed it back. It felt like the longest walk, but ten meters later we were safely inside the casino, leaving the shouts and most of the camera flashes behind.

  “Wow, is it always like that?” Hannah panted like she’d run a race. Or more likely held her breath while everyone and their brother took her picture.

  “No, that was in your honor. But I think we can relax. Now that they’ve got their picture of us together, the mayhem should abate some.”

  “Do you know what they meant about pictures? What pictures?”

  “I don’t know, mon chou, but there’s no point in worrying about it right now. Whatever it is, it’s out there. We can fix it tomorrow. Tonight we play.”

  Chapter 20

  A week later and I didn’t need to ask; I knew Hannah was miserable. I’d had to go back to work, and between all my duties, both in the guard and on the newly formed charity board in honor of Julien and mon Père, I’d hardly seen my girl over the past few days. She’d filled her time with sightseeing trips in the company of her security team. Unfortunately, we hadn’t had time yet to check out the local universities or find out what Hannah needed to do to enroll.

  The media coverage had only gotten worse since our casino night. Everyone wanted to know every detail about Hannah’s life and what made her worthy of a prince’s attention. It made me sick the way they’d dissected everything about her—her hair, her face, her clothing, her figure, all of it was up for public commentary. First it’d been favorable—“Copy Hannah’s departure look” kind of stuff—but inevitably the haters came out with their “She’s not good enough for a prince” bullshit. Hannah didn’t say much, but I could tell that it all hurt her deeply and left me feeling powerless to help her. The pictures the press had made such a big deal about at our casino night turned out to be from a friend’s bachelorette party that Hannah had attended. Regular, harmless stuff—mostly Hannah wearing the requisite dildo necklace—but they’d completely blown it out of proportion.

  I’d had the palace issue a public statement asking the press to give Hannah and her family the respect and peace they deserved, but it did little good. Actually, since such a statement had never been issued before, it seemed to double the press’s efforts in finding out everything they could. By issuing the statement I’d tacitly confirmed our relationship, and then the press became ravenous for whatever they could dig up on Hannah.

  And it hadn’t taken long for Hannah’s car accident and subsequent injury and rehabilitation to make the papers. Old friends were eager to dish the dirt on their friend. Hannah had been heartbroken at the betrayal.

  But the disclosure had done the impossible, and truly brought my mum onboard. I’d worried that her apology hadn’t been as heartfelt as I first thought, since Mum had avoided Hannah the first few days. But once the news of Hannah’s injury broke, she went out of her way to make Hannah feel welcome and give her a shoulder to lean on. Bastien, on the other hand, was MIA. Between government obligations and wedding planning, I hadn’t seen him since our row—which was fine by me. Until that bastard learned to loosen up, I didn’t want to spend any time with him, either.

  Everything came to a head at the charity ball we were to attend that night. Despite the fact that I’d spoken with my mum days before, when we arrived at the Greiner Forum there was no place for Hannah at our table.

  “I’m sure it’s an oversight, mon chou. I’ll get one of the staff to sort us out.” I kept my arm around Hannah, but I could see the stress in her eyes.

  She looked lovely tonight, dressed in one of the gowns she’d tried on in Las Vegas. The blood-red gown was striking and highlighted her long, wavy blond hair to perfection. But the little lines around her eyes and the way she kept biting her lower lip belied her air of ease. Hannah wasn’t comfortable. And ever since this morning, she’d been distant as well. I was hoping it was simply a case of homesickness, but I made a promise to myself to get to the bottom of it once the gala was over.

  I flagged a passing waiter and pointed out the seating error to him.

  “We need another setting at this table. I’m afraid my date’s seat has been overlooked.”

  “Oui, monsieur. Straight away.” The waiter bent almost in half with his effusive apologies and over-the-top bows.

  “Belay that order,” Bastien commanded from my side. “There has been no oversight. Ms. Allen is simply sitting at another table. If you’ll follow me, my dear.”

  Bastien attempted to take Hannah’s hand, but she tugged it away and took a step back from both of us.

  “That’s all right. If you’ll just tell me the table number, I’m sure I can find it myself, Your Highness,” Hannah said, looking anywhere but at either of us.

  I frowned. This didn’t make any sense. “Hannah should be sitting next to me. Not all alone at another table.”

  “She won’t be sitting all alone,” Bastien said. “There are nine other people at her table that will no doubt be happy to get to know her. You’re at table eighty-two. I believe it’s on the back wall over on the left side.”

  “This is ridiculous. There is no reason why we can’t get another chair and setting and—”

  “Shoehorn her in at our table?” Bastien finished with a look of haughty disdain. “This is what happens when you don’t give advance notice. The table assignments have been set for months. It would be beyond tacky to change things now at the last minute.”

  “It wasn’t the last minute. I told Mrs. Moreau two days ago.”

  “And two days ago she found a setting for Ms. Allen at table eighty-two.”

  “Fine, then I’ll join Hannah at table eighty-two.” I glared at my brother; the look of haughty disdain on his face had my hands itching to wipe it off. During her time in Monaco, Bastien hadn’t even tried to get to know Hannah. And judging by tonight, he was doing everything in his power to make sure she hated it here.

  “You can’t leave the head table, Luc. The main donor was promised a meal with royalty, so you must remain.”

  “Good thing we have a spare prince and princess to fill the void. I’m sure he’ll be happy to make due with two royals instead of three.”

  “Guys, guys!” Hannah raised her voice as she tugged on my hand. “It’s okay, Luc. I can sit at a table all by myself. It’s not like it’s forever. It’s just for the meal, right? I’ll be okay, and I’ll find you after.”

  I tossed her a disbelieving look. “It’s the opposite of all right. It’s wrong, and I’m embarrassed that my family is treating you this way, mon chou.”

  “Luc, it’s one meal. I think I can handle one meal by myself.”

  I searched her eyes for any hint of how she really felt, but there wasn’t a crack in her calm expression. She even smiled slightly to let me know I was being ridiculous.

  But I didn’t feel ridiculous. I felt pissed off as I left her at table eighty-two, surrounded by other people who didn’t bother to look up from their conversations and cliques. My anger grew as I watched her from the other side of the room as she picked at her salad, and shrugged helplessly as the woman on her left tried to talk to her. Judging by her wrinkled forehead, she had no idea what the emcee was saying, as he gave his speech in French. As the meal wore on, Hannah looked more miserable by the second.

  I felt the same. I didn’t participate in the conversation around me. I ignored the glares from my brother and the sympathetic looks from my mum. Like Hannah, I was miserable and counting the seconds until I could hold her in my arms and try to make up for this disastrous evening.

  My eyes were drawn to the empty chair next to Bastien, which had been reserved for his fiancée, Princess Helene. Minutes went by and the chair sat vacant. Finally
, during the entrée course, my brother looked up from his mobile and murmured something about Helene being unavoidably detained and unable to attend. I boiled with suppressed anger. That could’ve been a seat for Hannah next to me, and not an empty chair for Bastien’s ever-missing fiancée. I was half a second from retrieving Hannah from her table at the back when Lady Durant pressed her breasts against my arm.

  She breathed breathily in my ear. “I believe this is our dance?”

  I put some distance between myself and her bountiful breasts. “I’m sorry. I’m here with someone.”

  “No, silly.” Lady Durant laughed. “I won a dance with you in the silent auction. They just announced it.”

  I looked across the room to where Hannah’s sad expression had turned mutinous as she watched Lady Durant flirt with me. I shook my head. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I didn’t sign up for any auction.”

  “Of course not. I did. And I won.” Lady Durant grabbed my hand and tried to tug me up with her.

  “I’m sorry, Lucien,” Mum said from across the table. “I thought Aristide told you about the silent auction. Since Sébastien is engaged, we thought it best to enter your name as the prize in the silent auction this year.”

  I smiled tightly. “Aristide is no longer my assistant, Mum.”

  Mum’s eyes widened as her eyes bounced back and forth between me and Bastien. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know. He’s been around the palace, so I just assumed…”

  “Yes,” I said, as I rose to my feet at Lady Durant’s inelegant urging. “It seems several people do nothing but assume around here. If you’ll excuse me.”

  I walked onto the deserted center dance floor with Lady Durant. On cue, the orchestra began to play a sedate waltz. Holding Lady Durant loosely in my arms, I led her around the dance floor, keeping a respectful distance from her. It felt like she was chasing me; with every step she moved aggressively toward me, trying to close the distance between us.

  Gritting my teeth, I put space between our bodies and curbed the urge to leave her on the dance floor all by herself. This was for charity. I repeated the sentence like a mantra to get through the next few minutes.