Chapter 20

TWENTY

Natalia

Paris has always been a bucket list destination for me. The kind of place you read about in books and see pictures of in movies. In some ways it doesn’t feel real that I’m not only here, but I’m here with Cooper.

The fact that I’m working or that this technically isn’t a vacation doesn’t even matter. Our suite overlooks the city, and I spent the first night in town gazing out at the view. The lights of the city give it an almost mystical feel and it’s hard not to get caught up in the romance of it all.

I should probably be more focused on security and how I’m going to keep Casey safe during the ball on Friday night, but it’s hard not to be a tiny bit giddy. Especially tonight. It turns out that Cooper got me a few hours off and we’re going to dinner. I assumed it would be somewhere nice, but when our driver drops us off adjacent to the Eiffel Tower, I stare at Cooper in confusion.

“What are we doing?” I ask.

He smiles, and I can’t help but take in how handsome he looks in a fitted, gray Armani suit, his blond hair slicked back. “Dinner at the Eiffel Tower,” he replies, sliding an arm around my waist.

“ At the Eiffel Tower?” I ask, gazing up at it in confusion. “You can do that?”

“I didn’t know you could, either,” he admits, “but I asked Sandor where I could take you for a romantic dinner and someone made the reservation for us.”

I stare at him in awe.

Who is this gorgeous, sexy, romantic man, and how did I get lucky enough to find him? I throw my arms around his neck and press my lips to his. “Thank you,” I whisper. “This is amazing.”

“You’re welcome. Now let’s go.”

We ride a strange funicular-type tram to the first level and step into a beautiful restaurant. “This is incredible,” I breathe, staring out at the lights of the city once again.

“It is,” he agrees.

We’re quiet for a few minutes, waiting for the waiter to pour us each a glass of champagne. Cooper lifts his glass. “A toast,” he says.

I meet his gaze across the table. “What are we drinking to?”

“To options for a bright future.”

“To options,” I say, cocking my head curiously. “Do we know what they are?”

“Well,” he says slowly. “You already know most of them. I could stay in the military. I could retire and go to work for any number of bodyguard and security firms in the U.S. I could join Louie at the NSA. Or…” He breaks off and meets my eyes.

“Or?” I frown.

“I’m considering the opportunity to become a Royal Protector.”

I blink. “You are?”

It takes a few seconds to process what he’s telling me.

“There’s a lot to it,” he continues quietly. “My CO sent me a message that they want to move me over to the training side of things… and while that’s an honor, it’s also boring as fuck. I want to be part of something I can sink my teeth into.”

“But?”

“Well, as you know, it’s a lifetime commitment. I have to become a Limaji citizen. I’d have to walk away from the marines and my country, and pledge allegiance to a royal family I don’t yet know much about. Not to mention learning another language, and a slew of other things I haven’t had time to think about yet.”

“It is a lot,” I acknowledge.

I have so many questions, but we still haven’t finished our toast. I clink my glass against his. “This is very exciting,” I say. “Even if you decide not to become a Royal Protector, you’re at a place in life where you can do almost anything. Not many people are afforded opportunities like that.”

“Agreed.”

We take sips of our champagne and stare across the table at each other for what feels like both a few seconds and twenty years.

“There are a lot of details we probably need to discuss,” he says, after an eternity of eye gazing that leaves me breathless, “but not tonight. Tonight is date night.”

“At the Eiffel Tower,” I say, unable to keep the excitement from my voice.

“You have no idea how hard it’s been to keep this a secret,” he says.

“I had no idea. You’re sneaky.”

He chuckles. “Only when it comes to surprises. The rest of the time I’m pretty much an open book.”

“Have you told your mother? “I ask curiously.

“About my uncertain plans for the future? No. But I’ve told her all about you.”

I flush with pleasure. “You have?! What have you told her?”

“That you’re smart, and beautiful, and badass as hell.”

I’m falling hard for this guy.

And I suddenly feel a twinge of guilt.

“I haven’t told my family about you,” I admit, quietly.

He doesn’t seem upset, merely watching me curiously. “How come?”

“They already hate everything about my new life as a Royal Protector. Telling them I have an American boyfriend would just rub salt in the wound.”

“You’ve mentioned many times how old-school they are,” he says, “so it makes sense that you wouldn’t say anything until we get more serious.” He pauses. “But we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.”

“We’re still very new, and I understand that. And though living together is pretty serious, the only thing that’s serious to my parents is putting a ring on my finger. I’m not complaining, I’m just explaining to you how they think.”

To his credit, he doesn’t seem fazed by that at all. “The idea of putting a ring on your finger if we get to that point doesn’t scare me at all,” he says.

The happiness that spreads through me at his words is becoming frighteningly familiar. He’s truly the most amazing guy I’ve ever met. “There’s no rush,” I say softly. “We’re still getting to know each other and finding our footing as a couple. I just don’t want you to feel bad that I don’t tell my family about you. Well, I’ll tell Femke. She’ll find the whole thing scandalous.”

“Scandalous?” he asks, his eyes glinting with humor.

“Oh, you know, living in sin, premarital sex, and fornicating with an American. That’s like the trifecta of immoral behavior to Limaji parents.” There’s a beat of silence before we both dissolve into laughter.

He holds up his glass again. “To immoral behavior.”

* * *

The feeling of giddiness from our Eiffel Tower dinner stays with me the following day. Casey, Shannon, and I spend the afternoon having professional hair and makeup done. There’s a brief security meeting to discuss a few contingencies should anything go wrong at the event tonight before I head back to the suite to get dressed while Cooper stays behind to deal with a malfunctioning earpiece.

I can’t wait for him to see me in the gown Casey and I picked out. He’s seen me in a dress a couple of times at this point, but never in a full-length, curve-hugging gown like the one I’m wearing tonight. It’s deep red, off the shoulder, with a slit up my left thigh. My thigh holster goes on my right leg, so it’s well hidden. I also have a knife taped inside the boning of the dress between my breasts.

This is my first time doing an event this formal, so some of this is new to me. I’m a little bit nervous, but not because I’m worried I can’t do my job. It’s more about being in the middle of such a high-profile affair. This is an annual gala, hosted by the King of Bristol Island. He and his wife, Queen Celine, are good friends of Erik and Casey and they spend a lot of time together. It’s also a charity fundraiser, and most of the attendees are European royalty and notable people.

That part is a little intimidating too. Officially, I’m not here as Casey’s bodyguard. They prefer that it appears I’m merely part of her inner circle. Should anyone ask me directly, my cover story is that I’m a Limaji heiress. That’s the other reason why they wanted Cooper to come with me as my date.

I step into the high-heeled sandals that go with the dress, and for a moment I almost believe that I’m actually a Limaji heiress. Sometimes my life feels surreal. My mother would definitely not approve of the dress I’m wearing, and that makes me giggle. I hear the lock disengage and turn just as Cooper comes into the room. He looks up and freezes.

“Wow.” He stares at me like he’s never seen me before. “I don’t know whether to throw you up against the wall or just stand here and gape at you. I’m pretty sure there’s no one here as beautiful as you are tonight.”

“You like the dress?” I ask.

“Like it?” He moves towards me slowly. “Baby, that is the single most gorgeous thing I’ve ever laid eyes on. Second only to seeing you naked.”

My cheeks warm as pleasure washes over me. “Thank you. You look pretty dashing in a tuxedo yourself.”

“Haven’t worn one since senior prom,” he says, “so I’m a little rusty.”

“You’re not rusty,” I say, my voice huskier than I intended. “Not even a little bit.”

We stare at each other for a moment, and I recognize the hunger in his eyes. “We have to go,” I say, quietly.

“Right,” he says, swallowing hard.

“We have tonight,” I whisper. “After, I mean.”

“Yes. Yes, we do.”

He takes my hand, and we step out into the hallway just as Ace and Shannon do. “I love your dress!” Shannon gushes to me.

“Everyone ready?” Joe steps into the hallway looking equally dapper in his black tuxedo.

“Where’s Daniil?” Ace asks, looking around.

“I’m here,” Daniil opens a door and steps out into the hallway with a gorgeous blonde I’ve never seen before on his arm. “Everyone, this is my date for the evening, Princess Alexandra of Bristol Island.”

Brief introductions are made, and Joe looks at his watch. “It’s time to pick up Erik and Casey. Remember, Erik and Casey will enter the ballroom first, followed by Daniil and Princess Alexandra, then Ace and Shannon, followed by Natalia and Cooper. I’ll pull up the rear. I’ll be in the ballroom on and off, but I’ll also be checking in with event security intermittently. If you need me, I’ll be available on comms. Any questions?”

Everyone shakes their heads, and we move down the hall to the Presidential Suite. Joe knocks, and a moment later Erik opens the door. “We need thirty seconds,” he says with a wry smile.

“Forty-five!” Casey’s lilting voice comes through the doorway.

Three minutes later, we’re in the executive elevator heading down to the ballroom.

Security is tight as we step out, but Erik seems completely at ease. He and Casey proceed through a private entrance, and it feels like there’s an explosion of flashbulbs as we walk into the ballroom.

“Jesus,” Cooper mutters under his breath. “Nobody warned me about the paparazzi.”

“Just smile,” I murmur. I slide my hand through his arm and try to look bored as the photographers call out to me. I’m an heiress, so I should be used to this, right? That makes me want to giggle, but I don’t of course. “Cocktail hour is from now until nine. Seating for dinner is at nine.”

“Why do rich people eat so late?” he murmurs in my ear.

“I wish I knew,” I respond.

A waiter approaches us with a tray of champagne flutes, but I shake my head. Protocol states that we cannot drink anything that isn’t poured from a bottle that’s opened in front of us when we’re at this type of event.

“Won’t it look weird that we’re not drinking?” Cooper asks me under his breath.

“Daniil will have a bartender open a brand-new bottle and pour glasses for all of us. Typically, one glass is the limit for when we’re working anyway, so savor it.”

He nods. “Understood.”

As promised, Daniil arrives a few minutes later with two glasses of champagne for us. “Try to look like you’re having fun,” he says, winking as he walks away.

“Are we allowed to dance?” Cooper asks me.

“Absolutely,” I respond. “Do you dance?”

“I can slow dance,” he says with a chuckle. “Though I’m not sure I can figure out a waltz or a tango.”

“If you like, I can teach you how to waltz at some point. I haven’t mastered the tango yet either.”

“Sounds like fun,” he responds, pulling me onto the dance floor.

“This might be the most fun I’ve ever had working,” I whisper.

“Ditto.” He brushes his lips across mine.

I don’t know if kissing is allowed while on duty.

I should probably find out before I do something to embarrass us.