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It’s not like she hadn’t dealt with her share of bodyguards. She was a celebrity in America. But the more famous she became, the less she could depend on the disguises she’d used when she wanted to go out and enjoy her own company. She’d needed some sort of protection. It’s the reason she kept Antoine, her personal security, on her payroll.
But safeguarding a royal was on another level.
Jay’s personal security had traveled to the States with him, as members of the royal family were never without protection. The mantra “from cradle to grave” had been mentioned on more than one occasion. As an explanation.
And a warning?
“We’re next,” Tasha said.
From the corner of her eye, Dani noted Jay’s right knee bouncing and, just like that, her own anxiety vanished. In the three weeks Jameson had been in the States with her, they’d kept a pretty low profile, holing up in a spectacular oceanfront home in Carmel, about five hours north of L.A. The days seemed to pass in a hazy orgasmic glow filled with great food, even better sex, and hours spent talking, listening to music, and watching tv and movies. Basically, getting to know each other. It had been Primrose Park, the U.S. edition.
But this was their first public outing since Jameson had defied the queen and declared to the world their love for each other, and Dani, despite protesting way too much, had been nervous. But while her anxiety was new, Jameson had been dealing with his own issues for decades. To say he had a contentious relationship with the press was like saying Beyonce had only been slightly irked by Becky. His father, Prince Richard, had spent a lot of time living his life in a way that the press had found... intriguing... and they loved hassling his family. When his father had been killed with his mistress in a helicopter crash, the press coverage had been constant and harassing. Jameson had never forgiven them for the way they’d treated him and his mother, and as a result, he’d sworn off his royal duties and retreated further into his world of books. It wasn’t until earlier this year, when the queen made him the face of the Royal Tribute in Honor of Prince John, that he’d stepped back—albeit reluctantly—into the spotlight.
Between the two of them, he should’ve been the one to claim nervousness, not her.
She placed a hand on his thigh and felt the steely muscle flex against her palm. “Thank you for doing this.”
His anxious movement stilled. “Of course.”
“I know you hate it.”
“But it’s important to you,” he said, not denying her assertion. “And if it’s important to you, it’s important to me.”
The car eased to a stop.
“Let’s do this!” Tasha said, already exiting the vehicle.
“Just remember, you don’t have to answer any questions. You don’t even have to be in the pictures if you don’t want to. Tasha can take you a back way and we can meet in the—”
“Dani.” His calm voice cut through the angst she was rebuilding. “I’m here for you and with you. However you want me.”
“Thank you,” she said, yielding to the need to kiss him, but remembering and stopping at the last minute.
Your lipstick.
His door opened and the cheers, yelling, honking of horns, and discordant sounds of traffic invaded their peaceful cocoon. Jay’s royal protection officer, Roy, was there, his head on a swivel, searching out any possible dangers with Terminator-like efficiency.
Jameson squeezed her hand. “I’ll see you in five seconds.”
And then it was quiet again. She took the moment to compose herself.
You did it. They tried to come for you, and they missed. You’re on the verge of getting everything you’ve worked for.
Despite the odds and naysayers, Dani had created Mela-Skin, her own skin-care line geared specifically toward women of color. It had been an immediate success and she’d been close to signing a contract with Genesis, one of the world’s largest cosmetics and personal-care companies, when a fraudulent post from Samantha Banks, a fame-seeking pop star, had placed Dani in a negative light and that deal in jeopardy. But Dani hadn’t given up. She’d reclaimed her name and found the love of her life.
She looked up, meeting the eye of the driver in his rearview mirror. He smiled and nodded.
You got this, sis.
The unspoken but recognizable affirmation bolstered her and, responding in kind, she straightened. She knew who she was and what it had taken to get here. And she wouldn’t let anything, or anyone, stand in her way.
Her door opened and she briefly saw a tall man in a dark gray suit and light blue tie who held his hand out to indicate she wait. And then, true to his word, Jay was there, elegant in a classic black tuxedo. Although Dani loved everything about Jameson, she couldn’t deny that in the beginning, it’d been lust at first sight. Six three with dark wavy hair, blue eyes, a straight nose, chiseled jaw, and firm kissable lips, he looked every inch the Prince Charming he actually was.
If Prince Charming were also a university professor.
If all professors looked like him, she would’ve been willing to get not only her bachelor’s degree, but also her associate, master’s, a doctorate, her teaching certification, a heating and cooling certificate, and whatever else was available.
The roar when she stepped out of the full-size black SUV was deafening. A large number of people occupied risers that had been erected around the theater. More stood behind the barriers that ran along the length of the red carpet.
