Page 36 of Royal Cocktail

She couldn’t hold back the laughter that bubbled up. “Glad to … hear that.”

“Are you with me?”

She nodded, her throat thick. “Always.”

They’d reached the hotel, and he led her inside, then to the small elevator bank. They rode up with Jürgen, fingers twined, and as soon as the car stopped, she took a step forward, eager to be alone with him in the room.

But then the doors slid open, and she was blinking as those same girls from the bar giggled and snapped photos. She had no idea how they’d discovered what floor he was on—they’d probably just guessed the penthouse—and they were breathless from what was undoubtedly a race up the stairs.

She froze, Leo’s hand tightening on hers as he stepped protectively in front of her.

Skye had no idea how he managed to get out so quickly, but Jürgen was not only already in the hallway, but he’d wrested the phones away from both the girls.

“Hey! You can’t do that!”

“This floor is for guests only.” He tapped on both screens, scowled, tapped some more, then handed the phones back. “Go,” he said. “Go now.”

One girl looked ready to protest, but the other took her arm and they raced toward the stairs.

“I deleted all photos from the bar until now,” Jürgen said. “But they’d already posted several. I can’t do anything about what’s already out there. This isn’t good, Sire.”

“I’ve been labeled as a bad boy prince at home for years. I’m just expanding my territory.”

“It’s not good for Skye,” Jürgen said.

Beside her, Leo sighed. “No. It’s not.” He dragged his fingers through his hair, looking defeated. As far as Skye was concerned, the look didn’t suit him at all.

“You should go,” he said. “Jürgen can walk you to your condo.”

“Leo, no.”

He shook his head, his expression miserable. “I can’t drag you into the spotlight on this. That would be like forcing you to live your worst nightmare.”

She shook her head. “No, you’re wrong. You’re my sweetest dream, Leo. That erases all the nightmares.”

He took her hand and gently kissed her fingertips. “I am so glad that we found each other again, but we both know it can’t last. It ends now, because I can’t stand the thought that you’ll be sacrificed on the altar of social media. I’m sorry, sweetheart. But you know I’m right.”

He turned to Jürgen. “Get her home safely.”

And then, his face colored with misery, the man she loved turned his back on her and disappeared into his suite.

Chapter Seventeen

“Come on,” Jürgen said, cocking his head toward the elevator.

Skye crossed her arms across her chest. “I don’t think so.”

“Skye. You heard His Highness. I’m to see you home.”

“You can’t … make me leave.”

His brows rose. The man was seriously good-looking, but also imposing as hell. Skye congratulated herself on not caving.

“I’m staying.”

“Don’t make me use force.”

“You wouldn’t dare.”