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“Seriously?” Harriet shoots back, eyes wide.
“It’s kind of hard to lose your v-card when you’re sleeping in tents on a humanitarian mission,” I remind them of how I spent my first three years following graduation from secondary school.
“But you spent the past four years at university in Paris,” Marius states.
“You can’t tell me the opportunity didn’t present itself there.” Harriet grabs a petit fours off the plate on the center of the table, taking a bite. “The French invented casual sex. And, in my experience, multiple orgasms.”
“It’s not that easy for me. People know who I am. If I were to get involved with anyone, even casually, it has the potential to make headlines. Because of that, I never saw the urgency.”
“That settles it then.”
“What?” I ask.
“It’s time you got laid,” she declares as she lifts her teacup to her mouth, her movements exhibiting all the etiquette she grew up with, considering her family also has noble blood.
“So… What? Am I just supposed to go up to someone and ask them to fuck me?”
My grandmother would have a heart attack if she found out I was sitting at a sidewalk café, openly discussing the idea of having sex before marriage. To say she holds somewhat outdated views on female sexuality and empowerment would be putting it mildly.
“Your Highness!” Marius brings his hand to his chest, feigning shock. “Such language!”
“I hear much worse coming out of that mouth on a regular basis, Mari.”
“True.” He winks. “And I don’t think you can go up to just anyone. It needs to be someone you trust. Someone who won’t go to the bloody pappos with the story.”
I scan Marius’ frame, everything about his physique impressive, thanks to his Norwegian roots. His polo shirt hugs his chest and biceps, giving way to muscled forearms. His blond hair is disheveled in a sexy way, blue eyes glimmering in the sun. With a tanned complexion and square jawline, he’s quite handsome, even more so now that he’s in his mid-twenties. I imagine he’s broken his fair share of hearts since I’ve been away.
“How about you?” I ask nonchalantly. “I trust you.”
He chokes on his tea, eyes wide. After a moment, he sputters, “Me?”
“Why not?”
He clears his throat several times before continuing. “Don’t get me wrong. I’m bloody flattered. Any other time, I’d haul your beautiful arse into the nearest dark corner to have my way with you.” He grins lasciviously, waggling his brows. “But I’m not meant to be your first. That’s too important to waste on someone you’re not attracted to. At least not like that.”
“Then who do you suggest? Hate to break it to you, but the list of people I trust is quite short. Apart from my brother, you’re the only member of the opposite sex on it.”
“There’s got to be someone else out there.” Harriet scans the sidewalk teeming with people enjoying the beautiful summer weather along the picturesque canals. The aroma of flowers, mixed with delicious smells from the nearby cafés fills the air. “Maybe a tourist who doesn’t realize there are countries other than England that have royalty.”
“But what if he eventually does? It’ll be this huge scandal. Not to mention, the entire world would find out I was still a virgin at almost twenty-five. No thank you. It’s embarrassing enough to admit it to you two, and you know how much I adore you both.”
“I can’t argue with that,” Marius replies as he stares into the distance, deep in thought.
I do the same, watching all the passersby, when a familiar figure comes into focus, causing my cheeks to heat. Not because of the way his shirt clings to his chest and arms. Or the definition in his legs as his feet hit the pavement, one after another in quick succession. Or the intense concentration on his chiseled face as he runs along the canals, making it look so effortless.
No. It’s the memory of Creed’s body pressed against mine after I ran into him mere days ago. The way his hands clutched my hips. The way my heart felt like it was about to burst through my chest, my body reacting in a way it never had before.
I knew enlisting in the military would change his physique, just as it had my brother. Hell, just as it had Creed’s own brother, who’s been my chief protection officer these past few years.
I hadn’t expected Creed to look that good, though.
I’ve always found him attractive. I’d have to be blind not to.
Tall stature that even towers over my own five-nine frame. Dark hair. Even darker eyes. Square jaw. Full lips. Angled cheekbones. And a smile that’s equal parts sexy and mysterious.
But this more mature version of Creed is something else altogether.
My reaction to him is something else altogether.
