Julian didn’t talk much, but he was smiling and waving at people. Some asked for an autograph and others for a selfie. It had to be taxing to have to be so “on” all the time, and it got me thinking. If I agreed to this life with him, and that was a hugeif, wouldn’t this be my life too? Would I be able to simply go into a bookstore and not be approached?
“I’m going to go up to the counter and get an iced coffee, do you two want anything?” Hannah offered.
“I’d appreciate one as well,” Julian answered, and I also wanted one.
“’Kay, be right back.”
I wanted to talk to Julian about last night, the sex, the everything. I’d never been with someone so dominant in my life, and I was shocked by how much I loved it. But there wasn’t an opportunity; either Hannah was nearby or there were swarms of people.
I reached over and placed my hand on top of his. He brought our hands to his mouth and kissed the palm of my hand…of course, that was the moment I heard a bunch of cameras clicking. I sighed.
“I’m not doing a great job of convincing you to be with me with all these people around, am I?”
I chuckled. “I’ll admit, this is a lot and stresses me out. I’m not particularly graceful, and I just feel like every mistake I make will be broadcast everywhere. Though since being with you, I haven’t stumbled much.”
“I want to lie and tell you that would never happen, but I can’t.” He leaned closer, and I met him halfway; there were only a few inches between our faces. “There are perks, though, ones that outweigh all this chaos.”
“Is that right?” I spoke low so no one could hear. “Perks like what happened last night?”
His grin formed slowly and damn, he was sexy. “That’s one, but I’d be that way with you even if I wasn’t a prince.”
“Hmm…well, then, Your Highness, do tell me the perks.”
His tongue swiped along his bottom lip, and my cock twitched. This man was dangerous in so many ways. He opened his mouth to answer when a shout and the sound of glass shattering pulled our attention away.
I turned and saw Hannah on the floor, glass surrounding her. “What the hell!” I shot out of my chair and went to rush to her only to be pulled back by Julian. I didn’t get a chance to get upset because he was charging over to where she was and grabbing some guy by the throat and slamming him against the wall.
“Julian,” I yelled, conflicted to go to him and stop him or help Hannah. Once I saw there was blood on her cheek I chose the latter. “You’re hurt.”
“I’m fine.” She jerked her chin. “He’s gonna kill that guy.”
As if they’d been summoned, the doors opened and the café was swarmed with security. One of them was trying to get Julian off the man, the others ready to continue where Julian left off.
“They have it covered; let me see your cheek. What happened?”
“I was waiting for our drinks, and this guy came to the counter and asked if I was with Prince Julian. I said we were acquaintances and that I was hanging out with him today.”
I took an offered wet cloth and dabbed her cheek when Julian kneeled beside me.
“We can get you to a doctor.”
“I don’t need a doctor.”
“Continue with your story,” I urged.
“Then the guy started saying the prince wasn’t a good man and did bad things. I thought he was one of those lunatic fansor whatever. I responded that the prince had been wonderful during our stay and that I didn’t wish to speak to him any longer. That’s when he went nuts. Grabbed the glass bowl with the sugars and slammed it on to the counter. I guess a piece of glass hit my face.”
“The face bleeds a lot, but it does appear to be small.” Julian handed me a Band-Aid—I guessed one of the baristas had gotten it for him.
“What happened to the guy?” I couldn’t see him in there anymore.
“My security is handling it. How about we get Hannah to the castle?”
I nodded, and the two of us helped her up. “I can walk.” She laughed. “But thank you.”
Julian’s security was in full force as we exited the café. They made a clear path for us back to the vehicle, and soon we were driving away to Julian’s.
“Mark’s gonna freak out.” Hannah was staring at her reflection in a small mirror she grabbed from her purse.
