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Macey used their momentum to keep them rolling to his back. She lay on top of him and said in a breathy, husky, enticing voice, “Pinned. I think I won this round.”
Ray could’ve physically moved, but emotionally he was flattened to the dust. The pressure of her on top of him, her gorgeous smile, her dark eyes flashing enticingly. If she’d planned her takedown, it was effective. This woman could win any battle with him.
“That’s my girl,” T crowed.
His brother lifted Macey off of Ray and up into the air as the men cheered.
Ray sprung to his feet, but only because he had to keep his pride and his leadership with his men intact. He was out of breath, angry at his brother, enthralled with Macey, and needing to play it cool so word didn’t spread from his men and throughout the country that General Raymond August was a pouty loser enthralled with his brother’s fiancée.
He smiled and laughed with everyone about Macey taking him down as he took off his gloves, tugged his shirt back on, and caught her sneaking a look at him. T helped Macey remove her gloves and slip into her shirt. Ray’s neck muscles and fists clenched.
The crowd dispersed at Chad’s command to get back to their duties. Macey and T walked arm in arm to the helicopter as Ray tried not to stare at them and be jealous, his eyes darting around at his army instead. That gave him a great view to see many of his men unable to keep their eyes off of her.
If T wanted to put a bigger target on his own back, he’d done it. These men were honorable, but most of them were single and knew perfection when they saw it. Placing a woman like Macey in front of them was not smart. If any of them were the ones threatening their crown prince, this would push them to the next level. Maybe that was T’s plan. Draw the ‘Enforcer’ out? Ray had no idea and was chafing to get his brother alone.
They went on a long helicopter ride with Chad at the controls. He was an experienced pilot and despite T’s teasing about his friend’s piloting skills it was a smooth ride. T pointed out half the country from the aerial view, leaning over Macey as she was next to the window. Ray tried not to flinch every time his brother brushed against her.
T bragged to Macey about their natural protection from the Alps framing their country on every side except the northern border with Germany that was patrolled heavily by Ray’s border control division. They showed her the castle and their beautiful valley, the lake, and the mountains from above. T even pointed out Curtis’s cabin high in the mountains. Macey was surprised how big and nice it was. Chad flew back south and showed her the iron mines that had made Augustine wealthy. With wise management and a variety of investments that had been initially funded by mine money they could easily provide for the royal family, the military, governmental jobs, and cover most of the expenses other countries taxed their people for.
Macey oohed and ahhed and was delightful as always. Ray wasn’t upset at her. He was livid with his brother.
They finally got back to the military base and then into the car. Macey let T drive home. Ray wanted to demand answers as soon as the three of them were alone, but Macey preempted him with, “Thank you for letting me pin you, Ray. T promised me cookie dough ice cream with homemade hot fudge and the entire spa to myself tonight.”
That explained why she’d gone for the fight. Maybe she needed some alone time and some ice cream?
“You let her win?” T raised his eyebrows at him in the rearview mirror. His look wasn’t surprised; it was smug, as if he was winning. Ray would take his brother by surprise and show him smug and what winning meant. When they were alone.
“No, I didn’t,” Ray admitted. “She took me by surprise.” He could’ve easily gotten out of her ‘pin,’ but he’d had no desire to.
“You’re an amazing fighter and incredibly strong,” Macey said, not looking at him but studying the winding road.
“Thank you,” Ray managed, suddenly breathless and not caring about anything except Macey thinking he was amazing and incredible. He was soaring, on top of the world. He caught another smirk from T and the feeling settled.
The rest of the drive home was quiet. They parked and walked Macey to her room.
“Thank you for an unbelievable day,” she said to both of them. If only Ray could take her in his arms and make it an even more unbelievable day.
“You’re welcome,” they both said at the same time.
Ray shot his brother an annoyed look.
“Are you skipping dinner for your spa time?” T asked.
“Yes.” She smiled brightly. “Who needs healthy food when you’ve got ice cream, automated massage beds, a hot bath with massagers, and an entire pool to yourself?”
Ray wondered if she was looking forward to some alone time. From what she’d told him, she was more of a recluse. This job was asking a lot of her. He didn’t think anybody but him knew it was a challenge and that she truly thought of herself as a ‘nerd’ and hadn’t just been teasing at the press conference. She seemed to be a natural around everyone from the prime minister to a new army recruit.
“If you get hungry, there’s ‘real’ food in the family area, or the kitchen always has food,” T told her. “I’ll make sure your ice cream is delivered.”
“Thank you.” She lifted a hand and slipped into her room.
When the door closed, Ray glanced at his twin. T was watching him with a sneaky grin.
Ray was about done with his antics. He shoved his brother toward his suite.
“What?” T asked, all innocence, as if that could get him out of a cussing—or a thumping. Ray hadn’t decided which. Probably both.
Ray gestured and strode into the room. As soon as the door was shut, he whirled on T. “You idiot. What were you thinking? We don’t want anybody knowing Macey is a skilled fighter.” Or knowing that Ray couldn’t stay away from her. “You put a target on your back today. Most of our military is probably gunning to take you out so they can have a chance with your fiancée.” That was over the top, but Ray didn’t like all those men knowing how incredible she was.
