His Forbidden Princess (11 page)

“You’re projecting and you can’t do that. It’s a waste of energy.”

“Maybe so, but it’s all I can do when people are keeping secrets from me. People I want to trust, but now know I can’t.”

This time there was no glancing around, no questions. Sofie nailed him with her gaze and expected him to explain himself.

“You’ve been keeping things from me, Special Agent Stuart.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he confessed. “I have.”

Unexpectedly, she stood and walked to the bulkhead. If she moved an inch, she’d be in the bay. The sky was pink, glowing, as the sun came up. A sign of the coming storm. But Sofie, for all her emotion, was calm because she knew exactly where she stood. “I didn’t think you would actually lie to me, Ian.”

“I didn’t lie,” he said coming to her side. “I didn’t tell you everything, but I didn’t lie.”

“Are we going to go round and round about this? I’m not a child.” She faced him and poked her index finger into his chest. She was angry, and he supposed he deserved it. “You didn’t tell me about my family,” she snapped. “Why not? Did you think I was too weak or fragile for the truth?”

Grabbing her hand and holding her palm flat over his heart was a mistake he might

regret. Everything in him responded to her. “Never, in all the time I’ve known you, have I ever thought you were anything but strong, smart, and compassionate. But I wanted to protect you, to give you a break from something you couldn’t control. I’m sorry.”

Tears spilled out of her eyes and down her cheeks, big fat tears. Frustrated because her pain was so real, so raw, Ian did the only thing he could. He pulled her in and held her.

“Please don’t cry. Please.” Her body was small against his, but as always, she fit like she was made for him. Her skin was chilled and damp from being outside, but inside, there was a warm heart that worried for the people she loved. It was that big, loving heart that made Sofie who she was, and the woman he’d never stopped loving.

That was at the root of everything over the past few days. When he saw she was in

trouble, he reacted. His instinct to protect her outweighed any professional considerations and it may have gotten Ian in over his head, but he didn’t care. Seeing her tears, feeling her body shake completely, unraveled him.

“Oh, Ian,” she gulped. “What’s going to happen to us? We have nothing. What will we do?”

“I wish I had a simple answer, but your family will have support. They already do from relatives and people who are loyal to them. From what I understand, other governments are offering protection, or asylum. Every one of you will land on your feet, whether you are in Aubonne or not.”

“But my h-h-home. I have no home. I talked to my father, and he sounds so defeated. My mother must be crushed. My sister…” Her voice was small, weak, and Ian’s heart broke for her.

“I wish I could help.” He looked down into her perfect face, an angel’s face, letting his feelings rule him for only the third time in his life. Ian leaned in and touched his lips to hers.

Sofie clutched his shirt, holding on to him like an anchor in the coming storm. He kissed her, swallowing each of her sobs, and wishing he could take all of her sadness and his worry on himself. “It’s going to be okay, I promise. It will.”

“Keep kissing me, Ian. Just keep kissing me. It’s the only thing I want to feel right now.”

Lifting her into his arms, Ian carried her into the house, doing what she asked and not breaking the kiss until he set her on the kitchen counter. The drive to protect her was primal, a force he’d only felt the first time they made love, when she became his, and he became hers.

Their hearts, minds, and bodies were matched. “God,” he held her close. “I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you, too. I just want to be with you. That’s all I’ve wanted since I met you.”

Her hand stroked his face and her head dropped on his shoulder. “I don’t know where I’m going, or what’s going to happen next. Please don’t tell me we can’t be together. Even for now. I need you. Just love me for now.”

Without any hesitation, Ian said what he’d wanted to say since she blew back into his life.

“I’ll love you forever, Sofie.”

“I’ve done nothing to deserve you, but I need you. And I don’t need you for protection. I just need you.”

“You have me.” She’d always had him.

“Take me to bed, Ian. Love me so I can forget everything else. So you’re the only thing on my mind. That’s what I want.”

He held her face in his hands--her beautiful, sweet face, and nodded. Knowing he should keep his professional distance, knowing there may be no chance for them to have a future, she needed him, and while his life may not be in danger, Ian needed Sofie. Needed her light to keep him from losing any more of himself.

She wrapped her legs and arms around him as he lifted her, carrying her through the house. This was where they belonged. If only circumstances were different, he could see them here, spending summers with their family—their children.

“I’m cold,” she said nuzzling and nipping at his neck.

“You’re clothes are wet. We’ll fix that as soon as we get upstairs.”

Sofie’s eyes met his and she smiled before laying a soft kiss on his lips. “I’ve been thinking about this moment for eight years. You’re all I want, Ian. Palaces and politics were never important, only you were important.”

“You have me now,” he reminded her as he sat on his bed. “You always have.”

Having tossed and turned all night long, Sofie finally left her bed an hour before the sunrise. It had taken time, lying alone in the dark to process the news. Her family, her home, none of it was certain anymore. She’d always had a place in the world, now she didn’t know who she was.

But as she lay thinking, her mind kept drifting to Ian. Strong, honest, and so much what she wanted. She’d given him up once for her family and country, but not again. If the situation on Aubonne settled down, she would still choose to be with him. If that wasn’t acceptable to her family and the parliament, the country would do without her. She would not live without Ian ever again.

When she’d stood at the edge of the property with the water slapping at the bulkhead, Sofie looked east toward Europe and then back at the house where the man she loved was asleep.

So much had happened. So many decisions had been made on her behalf, and many of those decisions had been mistakes. Ian was the one she most regretted. So from this point forward, since nothing was certain, Sofie was going to make her own choices. If her life was going to down the crapper, she was going to be responsible for it.

Not wanting to wait another second, she reached between them as they sat on his bed and she pulled her t-shirt overhead and gasped a little as her chilled skin touched his. Ian was always so warm; his body radiated the most amazing heat. When they’d been dating, one of her favorite things was to curl against him on a chilly night, and let his body work its magic.

Linking her hands behind his neck she pressed her breasts against him, getting a much appreciated moan. “God, Sofie, I love how you feel.” He kissed her, hungry and rough, with his mouth open, his tongue searching for hers and his teeth nipping her lips.

He nudged her feet to the floor and stood her up in front of him. She was naked to the waist and when Ian pulled the drawstring on her pajama bottom she realized she would soon by without clothes altogether. And nothing thrilled her more.

Easing her pants down, Ian’s thumbs grazed over her mound and found the sensitive spot between her legs. It wouldn’t be long before she came apart, but Sofie had a feeling that was exactly Ian’s intent. His hands caressed and stroked her, his beard made her skin scream with sensation. His eyes smiled every time he looked up, and when he pulled her close, his mouth and tongue teased her warm, wet center. There was no defense over what he was doing and her body stopped doing anything predictable. When her knees buckled because of his ministrations, Ian held her up. “Ian, don’t stop. Oh, my God.”

“Not a chance.” The tingling, the heat, the little burning shots, which teased every nerve ending were nothing short of a miracle. Her muscles contracted and spasmed. Sofie arched, and bucked her hips. With his hands planted firmly on her ass, Ian didn’t let her go; he pulled her closer continuing to work his magic as she came undone.

He didn’t let her regain her wits before flipping her onto her back in his big bed and hovering over her. “You look so beautiful, Sofie. I’m going to make you come again and again.

Even if we’re apart, you’re never going to want anyone else but me. I love you. I love you so much.”

“I’ve never wanted anyone else, only you. I love you, my darling, and if I have my way, we’ll never have to be apart.”

He brushed a lock of hair from her face and “What do you mean?”

“I can’t control what happens with my family and my country. As long as they’re safe, I don’t care about the throne. I’m not losing you again because of my “station” in life. I choose you and as long as you choose me, we will be together.”

Ian kissed her, and kissed her again, kicking off his sweat pants and climbing into bed.

His hand stoked her—shoulder to waist to hip—and Sofie’s body was ready for him already. He lowered his mouth to her breasts, gently sucking one nipple then another. “I love touching you. I love talking to you, being with you. I haven’t ever slept well, but the nights we’ve been together, even without sex, have been the only nights I slept peacefully.”

Sofie remembered the nights at her flat when they fell asleep watching a film, or doing schoolwork, and she felt herself smile at the thought. They were sweet, perfect memories they would carry with them forever.

“When I’m with you, Sofia, I’m happy. Of course, I choose you.”

Sofie didn’t think she could hold him any tighter, but she did, wrapping her arms around his neck and drawing him to her. He’d just made her the happiest woman on the earth.

“But I have to know, are you sure? I do think your family will be back in Aubonne

before the year is over. What will that mean for us?”

Reaching down, Sofie touched his very impressive erection, and he sucked in an audible breath. “Christ,” he hissed.

“It means, if you are willing to be part of that life, you’ll one day be making love to the queen.”

He hesitated for a second and then nodded. “Alright then, I guess I’d better start

practicing on the princess.”

To the princess’s great pleasure, Special Agent Stuart did just that.

Pressing Sofie into the mattress, Ian thought about her words, that she’d be willing to fight to be with him. “I never thought we’d be together again.”

“Neither did I,” she said. “Nothing was the same after I left. I just couldn’t ever be happy again.”

He kissed her deep, his tongue invading the sweet recesses of her mouth as she moved beneath him and pulled him close. She was responsive and ready, even after the climax she’d just experienced. Reaching out, Ian grabbed the condom he’d dropped on the nightstand, rolled it on, and positioned himself to enter her.

“Sofie, look at me. I want to see your eyes.”

Fluttering open, the gold-green of her eyes flashed in the morning light, and Sofie smiled at him. It was perfect, beautiful, and just like always he felt it right in his heart. She meant everything to him.

“Go slow, please,” she said softly.

He raised himself up. “Okay. Are you alright?”

“Yes, it’s just…I mean…”

“What is it, baby?” He didn’t want to say she looked worried, but something was on her mind. “You can tell me anything. Just get it out there.”

She locked her eyes on him and blinked back the threatening tears. “It’s only been you, Ian.”

“What?” He was wondering if he heard her right. If she meant what he thought she

meant. “No one else?”

She shrugged, her eyes still on his. “Only you.”

“Oh, Sofie. How is that possible?”

“I’m yours, Ian. I always will be”

This woman, so beautiful and so worldly, was giving herself to him. She could be the leader of her country someday, a player on the world stage, a philanthropist, and an activist, and she chose him—a kid who grew up in the suburbs of New York City. A man who went to war.

“I love you, and I’ll be careful with your body and your heart. Always. Now tell me again you’re sure?”

She nodded, holding him tight, caressing the length of his back, Ian could feel her need.

Slowly, he began to enter her. Each inch he was conscious of the softness, the heat.

“Ian. It’s good. It’s so good.” Her hands slid down his back, cupping his ass, pulling him closer as she pulled her legs up to give him a better angle.

“I don’t want to hurt you.” His breath was short, strained because he was holding back.

“You won’t.” Sofie lifted her head and nipped his jaw, gently kissed his lips. “Be inside me.” Her words were carried on a puff of air, and Ian did what she asked.

Slowly and deliberately, he thought only of her pleasure, her desires. Her little moans, the look in her eyes, the short breaths told him she was feeling good and loving it.

Finally, he was fully inside her and when Ian moved, she did too, matching his strokes with her own thrusts, holding him as close as she could, pulling him in and finally letting go at the same time.

The connection he felt to this woman was one that lifetimes were made of. He knew, whatever decision she made, Ian would never be the same man without her.

Keeping his eyes on Sofie’s face, Ian didn’t know if there was anything as exciting as watching the woman you loved in the throes of an orgasm. She was still holding him, her arms securely wrapped around his neck, she kissed him soundly when she finally settled down.

They were still joined, but Ian didn’t want to move. He just wanted savor the closeness he’d missed since he lost her.

Sofie wasn’t just his girlfriend or his lover eight years ago, she was his best friend, and there had never been anyone who understood him quite the way she did.

Slipping out of her, Ian enjoyed the dreamy look on her face. She was happy, satisfied and he knew he could look at her face every day for the rest of his life and never tire of it.