"Adjacent room," I replied, indicating a door to the right of hers. "An internal door connects the rooms, and you can lock it from your side."
Our eyes met for a moment, the implications hanging unspoken between us. One door, easily opened. One step across a threshold, and everything would change again.
"I think I'll change and go down to the beach," she said, breaking the charged silence. "It seems a shame to waste the sunshine."
I nodded, forcing my mind back to security protocols. "I'll do a perimeter check first. The cove is private, but I want to ensure there are no boats nearby or unexpected visitors."
While she unpacked, I swept the grounds methodically, checking sight lines, access points, potential weaknesses in our security setup. The location was naturally defensible—rocky cliffs on three sides, limited beach access, clear views of approaching vessels.
Still, I left nothing to chance, particularly with the news from Bellavista and its implications for Evangeline's future.
When I returned to the house, I found her on the terrace, ready for the beach.
And every carefully constructed barrier I'd built threatened to crumble instantly.
She wore a simple white bikini, a sheer cover-up doing little to conceal the curves beneath. Her blonde hair was loose around her shoulders, her skin already glowing in the Mediterranean sun. She looked younger somehow—more the young woman she was than the princess she had to be.
"All clear?" She asked, seemingly unaware of the effect she was having on me.
I cleared my throat and forced my eyes to remain on her face. "Yes. The beach area is secure for you, Your Highness."
"You're not changing?" She gestured to my tactical pants and button-down shirt, entirely inappropriate for the beach.
"I'm on duty," I reminded her, my voice perhaps sharper than intended.
She shrugged, turning toward the stone steps that led down to the cove. "Suit yourself."
I followed, keeping a professional distance despite the way her hips moved, inspiring and dominating completely unprofessional thoughts. This was going to be the hardest assignment of my career—not because of external threats, but because of the internal war between duty and desire.
At the beach, Evangeline spread a towel on the sand and settled down with a book. I positioned myself several yards away, close enough to protect her if needed but far enough to maintain my sanity. From this vantage point, I could scan the horizon for approaching boats while also monitoring the path from the house—the only land approach to the cove.
My phone vibrated in my pocket. Rupert, checking in as promised.
"How's Sicily, brother?" he asked when I answered, his voice cheerful. "Enjoying the Mediterranean sunshine with your princess?"
"She's not my princess," I replied automatically, glancing toward where Evangeline had now stretched out on her stomach, the book forgotten as she dozed in the sun. " Everything is strictly professional."
"Right," Rupert drawled, the smirk obvious in his voice. "That's why you sound like you're slowly being tortured."
I turned away, lowering my voice. "It's a job, Rupert. Nothing more! "
"Keep telling yourself that." He paused. "Spencer's been asking about you. Says you haven't returned his calls."
"I've been busy. Security arrangements for this trip were complex."
"Complex enough to avoid talking to your own brother? The Prime Minister of Britain, I might add."
I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. "What does he want?"
"To know if you're bringing your princess to the charity gala next month. He knows you went back to her after the news broke about Viktor Kozlov. Apparently, having royalty attend would boost the profile considerably."
"She's not attending any galas," I said firmly. "She's here to work at a veterinary practice, not for social engagements." My collar was gathering heat, not the result of being out in the sun or on the beach.
"That's not what I asked, though, is it?" Rupert's voice turned serious. "I asked if you're bringing her. As in, are you together? Because from where I'm standing, you sound like a man who's fallen hard and is fighting like hell against it."
I glanced back at Evangeline, watching the gentle rise and fall of her breathing, the way sunlight glinted off the small of her back. "I haven't fallen for her."
"Liar."
