His Forbidden Princess (6 page)

“A working relationship?”

“Yes. A
friendly
working relationship.”

This was dangerous territory. She was vulnerable and emotional and Ian was in a

heightened alpha state. But being in his arms felt good. It felt so good.

“I should change,” she said, lifting her face to his. “I’m sorry for being so familiar with you.”

But he held on and so did she. All Sofie could think was how much she’d missed him.

Not only as a man she loved, but as her friend. The time they spent together before becoming romantically involved was some of the best of her life.

Finally stepping back from him, because she was at risk of kissing him senseless, Sofie wiped her eyes and used the distance to talk some sense into herself. His hands went back in his pockets and a sad grin teased his mouth. Ian missed her, too. She could feel it, but starting something now would be as foolish as the relationship they started when they were at university.

It was out of the question.

“I’ll see you downstairs. Take your time.”

He left then, leaving Sofie with her thoughts, desires, and her still very broken heart.

“You could have told me you were bringing home a princess.”

Ian stepped into the large country kitchen where his uncle was at the stove turning chicken in a pan. “I didn’t know you’d be here or I would have.”

“Jesus, Ian. A princess? Is she the girl who broke your heart when you were at school in England.”

“Yup. But I don’t want to talk about it.” Grabbing a beer from the fridge he turned and faced the man who helped raise him. The one who had endured his own troubled romantic past.

“Since she’s here and she needs protection, you’re damn well going to tell me about it. I mean I heard what happened to her family today. Is she handling it okay?”

“For now, she is. It’s just the tip of the iceberg. There was almost an attack on her at the same time as the rest of her family. We were lucky on this side of the pond, but her sister’s been hurt. That’s why she didn’t go home or stay with her people. There’s someone on the inside feeding the insurgents information.”

“Crap. So no one knows you’re here with her?”

“Her father knows, in addition to a couple of people at the Bureau and one at State.”

“Damn. I saw her get out of the car and I wondered what kind of shit you’d gotten

yourself into. She’s a beauty, though.”

He couldn’t disagree. “She’s even prettier on the inside.”

“And based on that look in your eyes, my boy…” Uncle John said as he poured sauce

over the chicken, “...you are a total goner.”

Again, Ian couldn’t disagree, but this time he changed the subject. “She’s very out of her element; she’s afraid.”

“Understandable. What about you?”

He took a long pull on his beer. “The bastards almost killed her whole family.” If the shooter who was in town to take her out hadn’t gotten caught in traffic, God knew what would have happened. “They have two of the three drivers from the attempted hit on her parents and sister. We’re hoping we can get some intel on the guy we have in custody. We don’t think he was alone.”

“There’s someone else looking for me?”

Damn. There she was, standing in the doorway. Of all the things she had to overhear, it had to be that.

“Ian?” If Sofie was only a little afraid before, she was terrified after overhearing him and his uncle talking. “Someone’s still out there? The person in jail wasn’t alone?”

Going to her, he guided her into the kitchen and hoped some simple reassurance would calm her down. “You’re safe here. No one is going to find you.”

She leveled her magical hazel eyes on Uncle John. “But you know who I am. If you

know why wouldn’t anyone else? So much for your
theory
, Special Agent Stuart.” She might have been upset, but that didn’t stop her from dressing him down.

“I was stationed at The Hague, Your Highness,” his uncle jumped in. “You and I have never met, but we’ve crossed paths.”

Sofie had been through about all she could take. Every movement was strained, every blink pushed back a tear. Ian set a glass of red wine in front of her and she sipped it gratefully.

“I don’t know what to do. Everything I know has been turned upside down.”

Crouching in front of her, Ian was just as frustrated. He had no answers to give. “Eat something, get a good night’s sleep. Tomorrow you’ll have a better handle on how you’re feeling.”

She nodded, helpless, but not giving in. He could see the fierce resolve in her eyes. She always found that inner grace, the will to stand up and do something, no matter how small.

“Can I help with anything?” she asked uneasily.

“Nope. We’re all done.” Uncle John replied. “Just have to set the table.”

Sofie stood, drew in a breath, and pasted a determined expression on her face. “Show me the china, then.”

Just like always, the thoughts that ran around her head late at night were the worst. The loneliness amplified all the mistakes, all the missing pieces of her life. She sat on the deck outside her room, knowing this was a huge security breach, but the cool air off the bay was a comfort. It smelled of salt, but the way her skin prickled, it felt the same as the breezes that came off the mountains and through the valleys back home. She sniffled and blotted her eyes, not knowing exactly why she was crying. There were at least three reasons…her family, the personal danger she faced, and Ian. She had to trust the authorities with her safety and the safety of her family, but Ian was all on her. She wasn’t truthful with him all those years ago, she didn’t stand up for him with her family, and she’d lost him as a result.

But the bastard had ended their relationship with the most hurtful words—harsh, horrible things that made her hate him.

Sofie hated him for about fifteen minutes and then she just hated that she’d never see him again.

Muffling her tears and sniffles, she didn’t want anyone to hear her, not that anyone could, but Sofie hated crying. At that point, it was the only thing to do, her only release. She was scared and overwhelmed and when she looked up from her self-pity, he was here.

Her breath shuddered.

“Come on inside. It’s cold.”

He’d heard her.
Of course he did.
His room was right next to hers. He had windows.

“No,” she replied.

“Sofie, come on. I know it’s pretty isolated here, but let’s not take unnecessary chances.”

“I’m so sick of this. Of living in a bubble. Of worrying about every move, every person who comes around me.”

“I know. You were sick of it a long time ago.” She was. He knew that better than anyone.

“And isn’t that the rub. It’s gotten so people want me dead. People I don’t know, who I might have tried to help at some point…they want me dead. They’re going to find us, Ian.”

He pulled her up and nudged her back inside. “I know you’re frustrated, but you have to be smart. You’ve always wanted to be normal, here’s your chance.”

“Normal? I’m a target!” she cried. “Am I just supposed to go on like nothing’s

happened?”

Ian’s hand came up and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “Nothing will happen. Not while I’m around.”

The light from the waning moon shone through her window and highlighted the planes

and hollows of Ian’s face. This man was so much more than she even deserved. Selfless, kind, and brave, she’d never really believed she deserved Ian Stuart—then or now. Overcome, as the new and old feelings collided, Sofie stood on her toes and kissed his lips. Softly, innocently. It was a kiss to seal their partnership, cement their friendship, and remind him of all they were to each other. Of all they might be. Sofie had decided to let herself dream.

“Oh, Jesus, Sofie. Why did you do that?”

“I wanted to. If I’m going to be your girlfriend, Ian Stuart, I’m suppose I’m going to have to act like one.” Locking her arms around his neck, it was time for more than a peck on the mouth.

So much for that friendly working relationship.

“This view is stunning. I don’t know how you ever leave this place.”

Ian looked up from his computer and saw Sofie standing by the back door of the house, dressed in white shorts and a simple pink top. Her dark, chestnut-colored hair was pulled off her face, she wasn’t wearing a shred of make-up, and the gold flecks in her olive colored eyes reflected the sun, focusing across the back lawn toward the bay.

The house had about two hundred feet of waterfront. It wasn’t a beach but there was a bulkhead with a dock and the layout of the house and grounds made people think of a movie set.

The house, the land, the feel of the place was a showpiece. It kind of amazed Ian that this was his family’s home. His mother had been a teacher, his father a cop, Uncle John had been in the Army, and his father’s other three brothers owned a hardware store in one of the North Fork towns. But time had most definitely been on their side. The house was proof that some things required a great deal of patience.

“It’s very relaxing,” he responded. The smile on her face was real, and after what

happened twenty-four hours before, he considered her easy manner a step in the right direction.

When she turned those eyes on him, however, when her expression softened, he knew they were both heading down a road that could only lead to more complications. After she kissed him last night, Ian promised himself he’d stay cool, stay professional. There was no other choice. If he lost his objectivity, she’d be more at risk and that wasn’t acceptable.

“Would you like some coffee or tea? There are bagels in the kitchen.”

“Thanks. I’ll help myself. I want to take this in for a bit.” She walked off the patio and toward the water, her strides long and purposeful, and her ponytail swinging happily behind her.

His uncle joined him at the table and both of them were watching Sofie. Uncle John’s gaze was purposeful, protective. Ian just couldn’t get enough of her.

“So, I talked to a buddy of mine at NATO. The shit going down over there is not good.

You didn’t tell me the whole story.”

He hadn’t. “She may not be able to go home. It looks like the nationalists have convinced enough members of parliament to request the royal family to go into exile. No one on that front is advocating violence, in fact they’re condemning it, but all it takes are a few fanatics to scare people.”

“The country is torn,” his uncle added. “The general population loves the queen. I don’t understand how they’re getting so much traction for the separation from the royal family.” His uncle sighed. He’d seen his share of governments in turmoil. Often it was Uncle John, or men like him, called on to protect those who couldn’t protect themselves. “Are you going to tell her?

If it’s going to come from anyone, it should come from you.”

Ian shook his head. “It’s going to have to come from her family. Not me. We’re getting her a secure phone so she can stay in touch.”

“Right. Her family. I guess.” Uncle John stood and took a long, deep breath of salt air.

“You remember my buddy, Lou Bruno?”

“Sure. He has the big fishing boat? Right?”

“Yup. It’s down in Florida right now. I was going to fly down and help him drive it back.

Planned on leaving in a few days.”

“You’re leaving?”

“Well, that’s why I’m bringing it up. Is it a problem? If you need me to stay, I will.”

“No,” Ian did believe they were safe on the island. He didn’t need his uncle to stay. No doubt he’d provide an effective buffer between him and Sofie, but it wasn’t a reason to ask him to stay. “I’m just surprised. Last night you were talking about sandbagging the place like some kind of military bunker, now you’re leaving?”

“If you want me to stay, I will. Let me know. Making sandbags is always a good time.”

His uncle walked into the house and left Ian staring at his retreating form. “Jesus Christ,”

he said. It was no wonder his uncle never married. He couldn’t stay in one place for more than a few days. The man had the attention span of a chipmunk. But this time it wasn’t Uncle John’s attention span, or lack of one, that was the problem. This was him thinking Ian needed to be alone with the princess. He wanted to tell his uncle that alone or not, nothing was going to change. This wasn’t some romantic getaway. The trip was about keeping her out of harm's way.

Sofie was coming toward him, still looking like a college girl, not the next ruler of her nation. “I think I’ll get some breakfast, and then, maybe we can do a little exploring?”

“You feel up to going out?”

She nodded and a grin teased the corner of her mouth. “I’d love to check out some of the vineyards we passed while we were on our way here.”

“How about we stay local today, and check out the North Fork in a few days.” He should tell her about his uncle’s change of plans. Considering how things went between the two of them late last night, they needed some ground rules. “Could you sit down for a second?”

“Of course. Is there something on your mind?” Her eyes had narrowed as she sat, curious about what he needed to say. Maybe even a little suspicious. “I’m listening.”

“We have to talk about last night.” He didn’t want to talk about it, but there wasn’t any avoiding it. Already he could tell this conversation was not going to go well. The sudden shift in her posture, the set of her jaw, told Ian he was in a heap of trouble before he said a word.

“Last night? What about it?”

“Yeah,” he rubbed his hands over his thighs. Shit. Why was he nervous? “Like you said, we need to establish a friendly working relationship. I think we have to set some ground rules so situations like the one that happened in your room, don’t happen again.”

“Was that a situation? I thought it was a kiss? And it was lovely.”

“It was more than one, and if I hadn’t put on the brakes, it could have developed into more.”

“And if anything developed between us that would be a problem.” She snapped.

Yeah, she was pissed. But he couldn’t let that stop him. “That’s right and I’m sure you understand why. We know from past experience that your position and my position don’t mix.”