Page 32 of The Princess and the SEAL

Chapter 13

Giselle

THE NEXT MORNING I WOKE refreshed and ready to face the day. I felt awful that the bellman had asked Ryan to stay in a separate room, but it had given me the space I’d needed to think. And after taking some time alone, I was confident that traveling with Ryan was the best decision I had made recently. I needed this excursion. And for now, I needed him.

I just hoped Ryan wasn’t having second thoughts about traveling with me. I wouldn’t blame him if he was. I couldn’t help but feel like I was ruining his vacation.

But today, I would make it up to him. I had the full day planned. We were going to see the Normandy beaches. I had already arranged for a tour guide and limousine to take us.

I ordered a full breakfast to the room and got ready. I picked the prettiest sundress I had packed, curled my hair, and put on my makeup. I was full of joy for no reason at all; all I knew was that I wanted to get pretty for Ryan.

I was about to leave the room and knock on his door when I heard a rap on my own. It was probably room service.

I pulled open the door—but it wasn’t room service. It was Ryan, who looked as handsome as ever.

Except for that scowl on his handsome face.

“Good morning. Why are you so sour?”

“Why did you open the door? You didn’t even ask who it was? I could’ve been some stalker.”

Ah, Ryan. “You are so paranoid. We are in a safe hotel, and no one knows I’m staying here beside you and my father and the staff. Anyway, I thought it was room service; I ordered breakfast. Come inside.”

“Are you sure? Your father won’t be too mad if I’m alone with you, will he? I can wait in my room. Or even in the lobby, if you’d prefer.”

His condescending tone didn’t go unnoticed by me. “Stop, Ryan. I’m sorry about that. But I do think it’s for the better. We really shouldn’t be spending the night together. It is inappropriate.”

Ryan smirked and then pulled me into his arms. “So that’s it, huh? I’m just your bodyguard now?”

My heart beat strongly. I should say yes, that was all he was. That was the honorable thing to do.

But I didn’t want to be honorable; I wanted to be bad. “No, Ryan, that’s not it.” I tilted my head, offering myself to him, and he didn’t hesitate to kiss me.

He slammed the door shut and pressed my back against the wall, kissing me like he had been dreaming of kissing me all night.

Had he?

He hiked up my dress, and his hand gripped my thigh. “I missed you.”

“I missed you, too.”

This passion and heat were unreal. I had always believed this kind of chemistry only existed in movies.

I was glad I was wrong.

Ryan’s hands were sneaking up my dress when there was another knock at the door.

“Room service.”

Ryan grunted and then released me. I straightened out my clothes and peeped in the mirror—I had lipstick smeared on my face—the truth about my bodyguard written all over my face. How embarrassing.

Ryan opened the door, grabbed the trays from the guy, and placed everything at the table.

His eyes widened when he saw the food. I had ordered almost everything on the menu because I wasn’t sure what Ryan liked. I hoped he didn’t think I was showing off—I didn’t know how else to repay his kindness.

Ryan shoveled some eggs on his plate and doused them with hot sauce while I poured him coffee.

After a few bites of food, he seemed to relax. He winked at me. “So what do you want to do today, babe?”