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“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 of making headlines. I guess I never saw the urgency.”
“That settles it then.”
“What?” I ask.
“It’s time to get you laid, Your Highness,” she says dramatically as she lifts her tea cup 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 with my friends, openly discussing the idea of having sex with someone 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 To say she holds somewhat outdated views on female sexuality and empowerment would be putting it mildly.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 is snug around 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 rather attractive, 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.”
“Me?” He chokes on his tea.
“Why not?”
“Don’t get me wrong,” he continues once he gets over his coughing fit. “I’m bloody flattered. Any other time, I’d haul your beautiful ass into the nearest dark corner to have my wicked 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 don’t have feelings for. 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 that teems with people enjoying the beautiful summer weather along the picturesque canals. The fragrant 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 with 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 flush. 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.
Instead, it’s the memory of Creed’s body pressed against mine after I ran into him mere days ago. About the way his hands clutched my hips. About the way my heart felt like it was about to burst through my chest, my body reacting in a way it never had to another person before.
I knew going into 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 always found him attractive. You’d have to be blind not to.
Dark hair. Even darker eyes. Square jaw. Full lips. Angled cheek bones. 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.
Even with several yards separating us, I can’t control the heat prickling my skin, my pulse increasing, breathing growing ragged.
“What is it?” Marius follows my line of sight to see what’s stolen my attention. It’s silent for a moment before he slams his hand on the table. “That’s bloody perfect!”
