I didn’t have to ask what he’d meant by that. I hadn’t stayed the night on Crellesia because we’d been leaving the following morning. I felt bad abandoning my friends but I also knew Hannah would smack me if I passed up a night with a hottie prince.
“Okay.” My voice cracked.
“See you soon.”
I hopped out of bed as soon as the call ended and jumped into the shower. I wasn’t sure what kind of place he was taking me for dinner, so I chose to wear a casual outfit of cream linen pants with a flowy white button-down. It was hot here and tropical, and it seemed right.
When Hannah and Mark came by at about five, they both smiled.
“I see the prince called,” Hannah said.
“He did, is it okay?”
Mark was the one to answer. “Actually, we were coming here to ask if it was okay if Hannah and I had a date night.”
I was instantly relieved. “That’s perfect.”
“Works out great.” Mark grinned. “Have a good night. Text us if you’re in a bind or need a rescue.”
“Will do. Have fun, lovebirds.”
Hannah gave me a peck on the cheek and I watched as the two of them walked hand in hand down the hallway.
At six on the dot, there was a knock on the door. I opened it and beamed. Julian was wearing a rather casual outfit himself and looked mouthwatering.
“So punctual…and hot. Can I say that? Is it proper?”
He stepped into the room and closed the door on his security. I opened my mouth to tell him to let them in, but his lips were on me, and I suddenly didn’t care for words anymore.
He cradled my head in his hands and licked inside my mouth. He fucking devoured every breath, and I was happy to give it to him.
When we parted, his lips shone and his eyes sparkled. “You look hot too.”
I laughed. “Glad you think so.”
“Perhaps we stay in, then?”
I slid my hands across his very defined chest. “Hmm…I am hungry, though.”
He smirked. “I have the perfect idea.” He took my hand, and we exited the hotel room.
I didn’t know what Julian had planned but as long as it meant time with him, I couldn’t have cared less. There were some paparazzi outside the hotel, but he told me to keep my head bowed. Fortunately, with Julian at my side, I didn’t trip.
“They follow me everywhere. I hope this isn’t a problem for you?”
I shook my head. “They don’t care about me; it’s mostly you.”
He narrowed his eyes as we drove off. “You matter, Wynn.”
“Oh, I know I do, but in terms of the people here, they are more curious about you.”
“Which in turn means you.”
I wasn’t sure I believed that. No reports of me had been seen, and I knew there were press at the state dinner thing. At no point as I’d waited on the docks, gone to the café, or checked in to the hotel had anyone stopped me. But I’d let Julian believe people cared about me.
“Where are we going?”
His upset washed away with my question. “Someplace we can eat and just be.”
