Chapter 18
I really should’ve planned this trip better. Between the flight time and the difference in time zones, we landed at the Nice Côte d’Azur Airport at seven in the morning. Not very stealth or covert of me. And thanks to the American news coverage of our relationship, the press was waiting for us when we walked down the tarmac.
Fortunately, security as well as the chain-link fence keptthe press away from us, but I could still hear the telltaleclick, click, clickof countless shutters documenting our arrival. Despite the near darkness, both Hannah and I wore our sunglasses as we walked down the small staircase. The requisite sedan with tinted windows was waiting at the bottom of the stairs to take us home since we’d already gone through the Customs and Immigration checks onthe plane—one of the perks of being a royal.
Hannah gave a heavy sigh as the car pulled away. “Is it always like that?”
“No, that’s the special we-know-you’re-hiding-something welcome. This time courtesy of the American media. Usually my comings and goings don’t register with the local press, but given all the air time the Americans devoted to our relationship, they wanted to get a picture ofus together.”
“Yay. I feel so special.” Hannah’s expression contradicted her words and I laughed. Hannah laughed with me, then pulled on her dress, caught underneath her. “But thank you for urging me to change clothes. I guess showing up in wrinkled yoga pants isn’t acceptable when you’re traveling with royalty.”
“I just wanted you to make the best impression. Things like that matter to somepeople. Me, I couldn’t care less what you wear. Personally I prefer you with much, much less clothing.”
Hannah’s eyes darted to the back of our driver’s head. “Luc, please.”
“Relax. He’s not listening. He’s paid not to listen.”
“Yeah, that doesn’t exactly comfort me. I’d rather not hear about all the girls your staff has been paid not to notice.”
I threaded my fingers with Hannah’s and tuggeduntil she fell against my shoulder. “You are the first and only girl I have ever brought home.”
“Oh.”
“You’re different. You’ve made me different.”
Hannah buried her face in my shoulder, muffling her voice. “Luc. I don’t know what to say.”
“Say thank you.”
“Thank you.”
“Now give me a kiss.”
Hannah leaned up and gave me the sweetest, softest kiss.
I pulled back and rested my forehead againsthers. “Now take all your clothes off.”
“Luc! No.” Hannah pushed away from me with a huff, then rolled her eyes.
I laughed. “You can’t blame a guy for trying.”
“Yes, yes I can. And I do.” Hannah sat back in her seat and crossed her arms over her chest. “ ‘You’ve made me different.’Phffffffbt. Once a bad-boy prince, always a bad-boy prince.”
“Only with you,mon chou. Only with you.”
—
Oncewe got closer to Monaco and Le Rocher, I stopped kissing Hannah and started pointing out some landmarks to her.
“…and way down there is the port. The cliffside is covered in small, windy medieval lanes. I can’t wait to show you—” I broke off as I noticed that we’d missed the turn to my house. “Étienne? You missed the turnoff.”
“Non, monsieur.”Étienne’s eyes flicked to mine in the rearview mirror,then he continued in French. “His Highness wanted you to report straight to the palace when you arrived.”
I tipped my chin in acknowledgment, then asked in French, “And when was his order issued?”
Étienne’s eyes flicked to mine and then away. “Before we left Las Vegas,monsieur.”
“I see.” I sat back in my seat with a muttered curse. That son of a bitch had to try to control every aspect ofmy life like I was truculent teen who didn’t how to make a decision without involving his dick.
