Chapter 11

Chapter

Eleven

Chalisa felta little thrill mixed with annoyance at Aiden's obvious jealousy of Jagger. She should've used that jealousy to get closer to him then reassured him with her kiss that she would never want anyone but him.

And she couldn't have him.

She slept fitfully, nervous about everything that would happen on Friday. She didn't doubt Aiden could perform brilliantly, but she feared she'd be so dismal at every event that she'd lose the million dollars by herself. Maybe Jagger or Hays would be subpar on a horse and she could beat them at jousting. She smiled to herself. They could walk their horse down the list, gently poke her shield with their lance and knock her off her horse.

Waking early on Friday morning, she prayed, took a long shower, stretched her sore muscles, and prayed again.

When she walked out into the main area in a pink T-shirt and fitted black running pants, Aiden waited for her. His simple gray T-shirt and joggers showed off all his lovely muscles. He looked incredible. The bruise on his cheek and his bicep made him look even tougher, proving he was more than willing to take a hit for her. He was the Bionic Man, but he could bruise. She only hoped he was right that his bones couldn't break.

Even with all their training the past few days, she couldn't wrap her mind around competing in the events she'd watched Kingston and the other Magnites and guests participate in many times. It would be worth it for the million dollars to help many people receive health care, but it was terrifying.

She'd been consumed this week with the man standing across the living area from her, she hadn't fully allowed herself to dwell on how humiliating and painful today was going to be. Maybe it was for the best. Worrying wouldn't have accomplished much more than giving her an ulcer.

"Good morning." He smiled brilliantly at her. "Did you sleep well?"

"No." She shook her head. "You?"

He also shook his head, still smiling at her. "You look absolutely gorgeous."

Her own smile grew. "Not sure that's going to help me win any events."

Striding toward her, he was the epitome of charming security expert. To her, he was much more enchanting than James Bond.

Aiden took her hand, and she thrilled at the contact with him. "You'll distract those idiots from the events with your beauty, but I'm not certain I like that."

She laughed.

"Love …" He drew her hand to his lips and brushed her knuckles with his soft, warm lips. Her breath caught and her entire body tingled. "I'm sorry I acted like a jealous idiot last night."

She cupped his jaw with her palm, liking the short hair shadowing it "You're forgiven."

He tugged her closer and released her hand. She wrapped her arms around his neck and his palms encompassed her lower back.

Staring into his blue eyes, she admitted, "Aiden, I will always forgive you. I just want to love you." She could hardly believe her boldness, but it was a day to be bold. She may get killed in the joust.

"Chalisa." Aiden's jaw went slack, and he shook his head. "I don't deserve you forgiving me or loving me."

She didn't love that response. "Regardless, you will always have both from me." It was a pledge from her to him and it was sincere. She would love him as long as she lived and she would forgive him of anything and everything.

Aiden's eyes looked bright, as if filled with emotion. She'd never seen that from him and suspected no one else ever had either.

"You are the most angelic sweetheart on this earth," he said fervently. "If I could change my life path, I would do nothing but stay by your side and kiss you every free moment of the day."

Emotion sprang to Chalisa's own eyes. He meant his words. Sadly … "But you can't change your life path?"

His body went stiff against hers. "Would you have me break an oath and a deathbed promise?"

"No. I know how loyal and true you are, and I would never want to change that." She swallowed hard. "I just don't know how to reconcile that we'll never be together."

"I can't … if I think about being apart from you … I want to cry." Instead of tearing up, he smirked at her.

Chalisa didn't mind him turning to teasing. She loved every expression he made and understood he needed to keep some walls up.

"Nobody but Ike has ever seen me cry, and those were tears of frustration at myself the last time he beat me in a sparring match."

She trailed her hands up his neck and he visibly trembled at her touch. It was odd how he was in her power yet he'd never be in her power.

"How old were you?" she asked.

"Sixteen."

"You haven't lost a fight since you were sixteen?"

"No, ma'am." His charming smirk was full of himself, and she loved it.

She looked him over. "You are the bionic man, aren't you?"

"Yes, ma'am."

She wished he could be her man, but he couldn't.

"Is it wrong to savor this time we have together?" she asked him. She didn't want him to pull away, but she had to know his parameters. Her heart was going to break in two when he left her. No matter what, she wouldn't regret any moment they had together.

"Maybe," he admitted. "But you know my life path so at least I don't feel like I'm hiding anything from you."

She nodded. She appreciated his honesty and it broke her heart at the same time.

"Of course you are so nurturing and remarkable," Aiden continued, his blue eyes full of respect and appreciation for her. "That you not only understand my purpose, but you are willing to forgive me and you still love me. I can't tell you what that means to me, what you mean to me."

Chalisa's lip trembled. She wanted to nurture, trust, and love him, but she wanted to be with him to do all three.

Aiden didn't waste any more time talking. He bent and kissed her. The kiss consumed her, and she gave herself to him, heart, body, and soul. Aiden could never truly be hers—there was no solution for that—but that wouldn't stop her from loving him and cherishing each moment.

He cradled her close and tantalizingly continued to inspire and lift her through his luscious kisses. Chalisa was lost and found in his arms. How could they ever be ripped apart?

They kissed until a loud rap came on their door.

Aiden released her but took her hand. "Duty calls, eh?"

"Duty stinks."

He laughed, but there was too much truth to her statement. His duty would keep them apart. It stunk horribly.

They walked to the door and Aiden swung it wide.

Kingston was hulking and looking irritated. "You two ready?"

"To destroy some SEALs? Always." Aiden winked at her.

"Good. I heard one of them was hitting on Chalisa."

"I'll demolish him for it. Don't worry," Aiden said.

"Oh my." Chalisa laughed and shook her head. His jealousy and overprotectiveness of her was endearing.

Kingston gave her a side hug. "I've already warned those two what will happen if they injure my sister-in-law."

Aiden's hand tightened around hers. "Good. I'll add a second warning."

"Perfect." Kingston smiled at Aiden.

Chalisa's heart missed a beat. Kingston approved of Aiden now. These two tough men both wanted to protect her. But it wouldn't matter come Monday. She'd be back in California working at the hospital and her centers, her family would be here on Magna, and Aiden would be gone forever.

They walked together down to breakfast. Luckily, the SEALs, Mercedes, and Shawn were not there.

Everybody was in high spirits, teasing and laughing. Except for her mom and Reagan. She understood their worries. She didn't think either of the men would try to hurt her, but they had to beat her at the joust, sword-fighting, and hand-to-hand combat somehow.

Aiden never left her side and often reassured her with a touch or a look. Even still, she could hardly eat a few bites and her nerves reached a frenzied pitch when they all proceeded to the stadium. The Magnum family surrounded her and Aiden. The princes and princesses all cheered as if they'd already won.

The royals peeled off to go to their seats, calling encouragement and well-wishes. Her mom and Reagan hugged her, and she got a squeeze from Hope. People from Magna were pouring into the arena. She would fail before a huge crowd.

"Please be careful," her mom begged.

"Of course." But it wasn't really her being careful that was the issue.

Chalisa's stomach churned, and she wished she hadn't eaten anything. Aiden and Kingston escorted her to the building attached to the stadium that had a weight room, the stables, some military offices and meeting rooms, and the equipment rooms.

Jagger and Hays were walking out of the equipment room with Mercedes and Shawn. Jagger was already outfitted in armor and a helmet, the visor open. Hays carried his own armor.

"There they are." Mercedes grinned and waved both hands. She looked very pale and thin this morning. Maybe she had nerves like Chalisa.

"Good morning," Aiden said.

"Morning," Hays said, tilting his chin as his arms were full.

"Chalisa." Mercedes rushed to her and took her hands. "I'm nervous about you doing these events, but Prince Alaric assured me they can protect you with extra padding in your armor."

"It'll be all right," Shawn assured her. "Julie and I have planned this all out and the prince and the general know what they're doing."

"Hays and I will make certain we don't hurt you," Jagger said, giving Chalisa an encouraging smile and nod.

"That's wise of you, Lemuel." Aiden put a protective arm around her and pulled her close. "If you so much as scratch Chalisa, I will thrash you worse than I'm already planning to."

Hays laughed at that. "Good luck."

"Luck has nothing to do with it," Aiden said confidently.

"We'll see." Jagger winked at her and strutted past them as if the heavy armor weighed nothing.

Aiden tensed against her side, and she thought he'd go after Jagger.

"Let's suit up," Kingston said gruffly, tilting his head to the side.

Aiden directed her after Kingston.

"Good luck," Mercedes called.

"Thank you," Chalisa and Aiden said together.

Alaric and Kingston were both in the equipment room, and before Chalisa knew it, she was padded up and stuffed into armor, wearing a padded helmet.

"I can hardly move," she complained to Kingston. She'd worn armor for her training, but it hadn't been lined with padding.

He shrugged. "You'll be safe. You'll do the joust and sword fight against Captain Lemuel first and then take off the armor for target shooting, archery, and hand to hand combat. Then you'll get back in the armor and switch opponents."

He started tugging her toward the stables. Aiden was right there, holding his own armor. He grinned at her stiff-legged walk.

"Prince Alaric?" he asked. "Can you carry my armor?"

"Sure." Prince Alaric took Aiden's armor.

Aiden turned to Chalisa and swept her off the ground and against his chest. "You make even bulky armor look good."

"You realize that just negated every compliment you've ever given me." Chalisa couldn't even wrap her arms around him, but it was touching that he'd carry her all suited up.

"Not a chance. I've never given such sincere compliments as I have to you." He lowered his voice, leaned in, and whispered in her ear, "Because you are the most genuine, kind, and exquisite woman in the world."

Chalisa wanted to tease with him more. She really wanted to be out of this armor and in his arms, all alone, in their suite. That's what she'd focus on throughout this tough day. The reward of kissing him tonight.

He carried her easily to the stables and helped her swing up onto her horse, Jersey. The horse was trained to joust with a smaller person on his back. At least that was what Kingston had told her. Settled into the saddle, the armor didn't feel as cumbersome.

"All right, love." Aiden grinned up at her. "Time to destroy Captain Lemuel. Then I can give you a kiss to celebrate."

"Can you kiss me even if I lose?"

He chuckled at that. "I think that can be arranged."

"Now I have all the motivation I need."

"That's right."

Kingston solemnly placed Jersey's reins in Aiden's outstretched hand. Aiden nodded to him and guided Chalisa out of the stables and toward the back entrance of the stadium. Kingston walked on the other side of the horse. Alaric, Stuart, and Wes flanked them.

It would've been an impressive procession of tough, accomplished, handsome, and brave men, if Chalisa had been perched on the horse wearing a beautiful dress. But no, she was in padded armor and probably looked absolutely ridiculous, despite Aiden's kind words.

Aiden. She glanced down at him, and he gave her a reassuring smile. "You're going to be brilliant."

Her nerves settled …

… until they passed through the portal underneath the stadium's grandstands and she heard the rumble of many voices and saw the shadows and forms of a packed stadium through the bleachers. Everyone in Magna apparently had nothing better to do today than watch her be humiliated and beaten at every event. She tasted bile and clung to the saddle horn with her gloved hands.

Alaric set Aiden's armor to the side, and they proceeded into the stadium.

"And now!" Crown Prince Quinn's voice roared through the sound system. "The contestants we've all been waiting for. Captain Aiden Porter and our very own Chalisa Anderson!"

The crowd roared and surged to their feet.

Aiden grinned at her as he strode farther into the stadium, escorting her on Jersey's back and raising his free arm in the air.

Chalisa glanced around in wonder. She recognized many of the people in the stands from her visits here and the times she'd worked in Dr. Grace's clinic and served these very people.

Everybody from sweet old ladies to laughing toddlers were clapping and cheering for her. She hadn't even done anything yet, but somehow she felt strong and loved. She lifted both gloved hands in the air and waved and smiled.

Aiden directed her over toward the lists where the jousting was set up. As the crowd settled, Prince Quinn announced the various events and schedule for the day.

Aiden beamed up at her. "You've already won all of our hearts, love. Give it your best. It's all going to work out perfectly."

Chalisa's throat was thick with emotion as she stared down into his blue eyes. She believed him that the competition would work out. She didn't think Jagger or Hays would try to hurt her, and she knew the people of Magna loved her like one of their own.

Did Aiden love her?

Even if he did, nothing between them could ever work out perfectly.

He'd still have to walk away.