Page 42 of The Princess and the SEAL

Chapter 17

Giselle

“RYAN! WAIT!” I SCREAMED AS I raced after him. I kicked off my heels and tried to catch up, but he was almost half a street ahead. Wow, he ran fast.

I kept sprinting and finally got closer to him. “Please, Ryan, let’s talk.”

He finally turned to me, his face flushed, his eyes wide. “What? What do you want to talk about? How you’re about to marry a guy who doesn’t even respect you? Wants me to ‘break you in’ What kind of man says that? What a worthless piece of shit.”

I glowered at him in the moonlight. “You’re one to talk. You said you’ve been with hundreds of women. You are no better than he is.”

“Fuck you, Giselle. How dare you say that? Yes, I am better than him. My previous women wanted nothing more than I did. They were hookups, one-night stands. They meant nothing to me, and I meant nothing to them. I’ve never had a girlfriend—I’ve spent more time with you than I have with any other girl.”

“More time? Less than a week?”

“Yes, smartass, less than a week. And I would never, ever want to share you. Just the thought of that sleazy motherfucker touching you makes me want to kill him.”

His lip trembled, and I could see his breath in the air. “You care that much about me?”

He looked at his shoes. “Yeah. I guess I do.”

“I do, too.”

“It doesn’t matter anyway. I’m leaving tomorrow.”

There was an awkward pause. Then a crazy idea hit me.

“Well, maybe I could go with you.”

His eyes met mine. “With me? To San Diego?”

“Yes. Why not? I have another week of vacation. I’ve always wanted to visit the West Coast.”

He gritted his teeth. “What’s the point, Giselle? We should end it here. Now. I’ll just call your dad and get Henri to watch you. Nothing good can come of this affair. Let’s just call a spade a spade and go our own ways.”

I touched his face, trying to bring him back to me. “But I don’t want to. I like you.”

He stared at me, and I felt him coming back to me. “I like you, too. But we have nothing in common, and you’re about to marry that douche-canoe back there. I’m out.”

He turned and walked farther down the street, but I ran after him again.

I grabbed his shoulder. “No, listen. It will be fun. Why can’t we just enjoy the little time we have together?”

“Do you always get your way? Never mind. Don’t answer that.”

I pouted. I knew I was spoiled, but I wanted Ryan. “Fine, Ryan. I can call my father myself. But look me in the eyes, and tell me you never want to see me again. This is your last chance because I will be married next month. To Miguel. Say goodbye if you want, but leave me with no regrets.”

His eyes met mine.

Checkmate. Ryan wasn’t one to back down from a challenge.

“Fine. You win. Come back to San Diego with me. I’ll show you a good time.” He pulled me to him and held me close. “But I’m warning you, Princess—one more week with me, and you will never want to leave.”