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“Forgive me, sir.” A man edged closer to them. “But it’s going to be dark soon and General Ray does not want you two exposed with only one guard.”
“We understand.” Tristan nodded to the man.
He turned her with his arm, took her hand, and they walked back toward the cottage. The guard stayed hidden, but Jennifer knew he was there. It brought back the worries about William and her parents.
“My dad asked me to go on a hike in the morning,” he told her. “With Curt, Aliya, and Philippe.”
“I’d love to go. If that’s okay,” she hastened to add. She’d love to meet Prince Curt’s sassy American bride and she loved hiking, especially with Tristan.
“We’ll make the arrangements to keep you safe.” He squeezed her hand and smiled at her.
They reached the villa far too quickly, and darkness crept in around them.
“Do you want to go in my room and … talk?” Tristan asked, leaning down to be closer to her.
“Yes, please.” Her heart hammered at what ‘talking’ might involve. His room was the only one Chad had removed the recording devices from.
They walked up to the door, typed in the code, and then went inside. One of the guards silently appeared in the doorframe and held up a hand to them. Tristan nodded.
Tristan told her stories about Sunny, Sophie’s daughter, as they walked into the main living area and tried to act casual. The guard returned and gave them another nod. He quietly let himself out and Tristan armed the security again.
They headed up to his room, and Jennifer’s nerves and anticipation ramped up. Her hand trembled slightly as he escorted her in and closed the door behind her.
“Would you like to sit and talk through … everything?” he asked, gesturing to a small love seat in the corner.
They could get cozy and chat and kiss. “Oh my, Mr. Crown Prince, what little discernment you have,” she teased, relieved to talk more openly and to realize she did trust him and believed that he hadn’t spit on true love.
His brow furrowed as if he wasn’t sure how to reply to that. “All the better to … misunderstand you with, my dear.”
Jennifer smiled and placed her palms on his chest. She could feel his heart racing out of control, and her smile broadened. This was her Big Bad Wolf. Hers alone. His heart raced for her. He declared fervently that he was hers and hers alone. She loved him.
“We are finally alone,” she said softly. “No one will interrupt us until at least six a.m. for the hike, and you owe me six failed kisses as far as I can count. There will be no talking until you remedy those failures.”
“Failed?” He looked put-out. “Interrupted, my dear. I have never failed at anything, and I especially won’t fail at kissing you very, very thoroughly.”
“Oh my, Mr. Crown Prince, what lovely intentions you have.”
He grinned and pulled her flush to him. “I have unimaginable and fabulous plans for you, Little Red Riding Hood.”
“Do these plans include kissing me for a scandalously long time?”
“Yes, my dear.”
“You really are the Big Bad Wolf.” She fluttered her eyelashes at him.
“I may be big, but I’m not bad, not at kissing my true love. I am in fact very, very good.”
“I’ll be the judge of that.”
Tristan let out a throaty growl befitting a wolf and not a crown prince at all. Then he bent close and captured her lips with his.
The kiss was everything she’d remembered about her Big Bad Wolf. His lips were still as persuasive and captivating, he still tasted of mint and happiness, and he still loved her. She swore she could feel it in their kiss.
This kiss, unlike their previous ones, also had a reconnection, a depth, a healing from their shared pain, and a longing born of so many dreary nights spent apart. They were finally together again. Jennifer would make the most of it. She was in her version of heaven. Tristan’s arms held her close to him while his lips tenderly manipulated hers. So much time lost and so much to make up for.
The kisses intensified and her legs threatened to give out. She was weak with love and yearning for Tristan, the only man who could capture and love her completely.
As if sensing how overcome she was, Tristan swept her off her feet and against his strong chest. She was safe and protected and loved.
