Page 12 of The Princess and the SEAL

He shut the door and gave me that cocky smirk. Damn him.

“That was lovely. You didn’t have to put on a show for her sake, though. You could’ve just said we were married.”

Ryan let out a laugh. He flopped down onto the bed and relaxed next to me, and I couldn’t help studying his chiseled body. A black T-shirt clung to his massive chest, and I had to look away from the tight denim fabric covering his crotch. I’d never been alone with a man who was not related to me, not even my fiancé. Nerves made me involuntarily shiver.

His gaze burned into me, and I could feel his eyes staring at my chest. “I still can’t believe you thought it was a good idea to travel alone. Not too smart, Princess. You know there are terrorists everywhere working on blowing places up.”

I shook my head. “You Americans are always so paranoid. I believe in enjoying my life and not living in fear.”

That sounded good in theory…

But what would it be like if I was left alone? If I had no one?

If I was stuck in a loveless marriage?

“A fucking princess. What a trip. I’ve never met a princess, though I’ve met the president’s daughter.”

I didn’t know whether or not to believe him, but since I was stuck in this room with this stranger, I decided to give him the benefit of the doubt. “Well, then we do have something in common. I’ve met Ava as well. She’s a cool girl.” I felt a twinge of jealousy. Ava was both beautiful and accomplished. Had he kissed her, too?

I shook my head. None of my business.

I decided to change the subject. “So, why are you traveling alone?”

“Because I’ve been stuck in hell with a platoon of sixteen men for the last seven months. I need some downtime. Alone.”

I couldn’t even fathom what being at war was like. I wanted to ask him questions, but it would be rude. He’d already admitted to me that he’d killed men—he probably didn’t want to talk about it. “What made you choose Bayeux?”

“I wanted to see the Normandy beaches.”

Most Americans would choose to visit my country and watch the drag races or head into Paris to see the Eiffel Tower. “Are you a history buff?”

“War history.”

“Interesting choice. It seems to me that if you spent all your life engaged in combat, you wouldn’t want to spend your free time visiting battle sites. But you will love Normandy. I’d be happy to give you a tour.”

The second those words left my lips, my belly knotted with regret. How foolish I must’ve sounded—agreeing to stay in this man’s room, offering to travel to Normandy with him. I was acting like a desperate teenager.

Of course he wouldn’t want some pathetic virgin princess hanging around him on his European adventure. I’d seen enough of these American men traveling alone in my country. Sleeping with a different girl every night, partying at the clubs, getting drunk. What a wild life.

What would it be like to live my life on my own terms? Indulge in my fantasies of freedom without fearing any repercussions?

He moved closer to me. “I’d like that.”

Oh, God—he really wanted to?

No, I couldn’t. This arrangement was only for one night. After tomorrow, it would be best for both of us if we never saw each other again.

I needed a good night’s sleep. Hopefully, I would behave more appropriately and be able to think more rationally tomorrow.

“I’m sure you’re tired from traveling all day. We should get some rest.”

“Yeah, I’m beat. I’m going to take a shower.”

A shower? He would be naked with only a thin wall separating us. The water spraying his incredible chest. Maybe he would leave the door open, and I could steal a peek.

I tried not to think about how much I was dying to know what he looked like naked.

I had to get out of this room before I did something ridiculous.