I couldn't breathe. My heart was pounding, my blood roaring in my ears. All of that, however, was secondary to her. Every place our bodies touched, my skin hummed. I was more aware of her than I'd ever been of anyone else in my life. I rolled us onto our side without pulling out of her. I wanted to stay as close to her as possible, keep us joined until I had no choice but to let her go.

It was foolish, I knew, to allow myself to get so attached. She'd made it clear that there could never be anything between us, that when she left, I'd never see her again. Drawing this out would only make it that much harder when she had to go. I couldn't help myself though. I'd told her that I wanted her, but that word seemed inadequate to describe what I felt towards her. She was a craving, an addiction. Every moment I spent with her just fed the habit. I couldn't be near her without needing to touch her. Despite that, it wasn't only physical. I wanted to make her smile, protect her from everything and everyone who would hurt her.

“You're thinking.” Nami pushed hair back from my face. “I must not have been very good if you can think so soon after.”

I took her face between my hands. “I'm thinking about you. Only you.” I kissed her fiercely, trying to put all the things I was feeling into that one action. I couldn't tell her because I didn't understand it myself, but I wanted her to know.

A knock at the door interrupted us and I frowned. I rolled over, reluctantly leaving her warm embrace. I grabbed my pants and pulled them on, grimacing as the jeans chafed my cock. I headed out to the main area as I zipped up.

“Who is it?” I called as the person knocked again.

“Mr. Stirling, it's the hotel manager.”

Well that couldn't be good. The only times I'd ever seen a manager come to a room was when someone had done something stupid or trashed it. Since I'd done neither, I had a feeling it could only be one thing. And, I guess, technically, I had done something stupid.

“Reed.” Nami's voice was soft behind me. “Is it them?”

I glanced over my shoulder and saw that she had the bed sheet wrapped around her. My stomach tightened at the sight. She was covered, but I knew she wasn't wearing anything under that sheet. Nothing but the mark I'd left on her breast.

“Mr. Stirling, there are two gentlemen out here who wish to speak with you and your lady friend.”

I could tell by his tone that he wasn't happy with me. He sounded polite enough, but I'd spent hours in hotels like this and could tell the difference between professionally polite and genuine cordiality, even in heavily accented English. I didn't answer, looking to Nami to see what she wanted to do.

“Let them in,” she said. She straightened, shoulders back and chin up. The vulnerability she'd had with me was gone. Whoever her parents had brought her up to be, that's who she was now.

“Just a minute,” I said as I turned back towards the door. I took a deep breath and opened the door.

I stepped back so that I was at Nami's side, not touching, but close enough to make it clear she was with me. I knew she'd said that her bodyguards wouldn't hurt her, but I wasn't entirely sure I trusted them. The impression I'd gotten from Nami had been that she'd never really done anything like this before, which meant she couldn't know how they'd react, not really. And I'd be damned if I let anyone lay a finger on her.

The manager came in first, the expression on his face carefully blank. I had no doubt he'd seen much worse than this. Following him were Tomas and Kai. Even though they didn't really look alike – aside from their bulk – I didn't know which one was which. They weren't wearing blank expressions. They were pissed. I automatically took a step forward and to the side, shielding Nami. I caught a glimpse of surprise on their faces, but it passed quickly.

“It's okay, Reed,” Nami said. She put her hand on my arm as she stepped up next to me. “Tomas and Kai won’t hurt me.”

My hands curled into fists, but I didn't argue with her. I'd let her believe it, but if either one of them came near her, they'd have to go through me first.

“We have spoken with your father.” One of the men spoke to her as if I wasn't even there. His voice was surprisingly soft for such a large man. “We told him that we experienced some technical difficulties that delayed our flight.” He glared at me. “But we must go. Now.”

Nami slid her hand down my arm until she reached my hand. Her fingers threaded between mine. “And if I do not wish to leave right now?”

The other one spoke, his voice apologetic, but firm. “Then we will involve the police.”

“The police?” Nami echoed. “What are you talking about, Kai?”

Kai looked at me, his gaze anything but friendly. “We will tell the police that this American kidnapped you and violated you.”

My mouth dropped open. Was he serious?

“You cannot do that.” Her hand squeezed mine. “I went with him willingly. I will not support your story.”

“You will have no choice.” The one who must've been Tomas spoke up. “The media will pick up the story and your only options will be to confess the truth to the world or go along with the lie.”

I found my voice. “I don't know who you two think you are, but I'm not some nobody. My family has money and influence too. I'll have the best lawyer in Venice on my side and I won't just refute the charges, I'll file lawsuits against both of you for defamation of character.”

The look Kai gave me told me clearly that he thought me beneath him, no matter what I'd just said.

“Can I speak with you for a moment?” I turned my back on the bodyguards and looked down at Nami. “Privately.”

She looked at Tomas and Kai. “Give us a moment.” When they didn't move, her voice hardened. “Now.”

Neither one of them looked happy, but they stepped back into the hallway and closed the door behind them. I had no doubt they'd taken up their post there, ready to do whatever was necessary to get Nami home.

“I'm sorry, Reed,” she apologized. “I never thought things would go this far.”

I made a dismissive gesture. “You don't have to go with them, Nami. I'll protect you. Let them try to get me arrested. I wasn't kidding when I said I could have the best lawyer in the city. And that's not counting the American lawyers my parents would send as soon as I called home.” I took both of her hands. “I'm sure my family knows people here that will make a big enough fuss that nothing will happen to me.”

“But they're right,” she said. Her smile was sad. “If the press picked up the story, I would have only two choices. One, to hurt you and lie, or two, tell the truth and ruin my family.”

My heart gave a painful thud. “Admitting to being with me would ruin your family?”

She raised our hands and kissed my knuckles. “Admitting to what happened between us would. Maybe not ruin, but certainly harm.”

“I thought you said your parents weren't that old-fashioned.”

“You don't understand.”

The words were gentle, but they sparked my temper.

“What do you mean I don't understand? I'm probably the only person who can come close to understanding. I know what it's like to have parents pressuring you to do what they want you to do. Mine forced me into an arranged marriage, for fuck's sake!” My voice was rising and I struggled to keep it down. I wasn't angry with her, not really. I was angry at the circumstances, the stupid little things that were keeping us apart. Her family. Her sense of duty.

“No, Reed.” She pulled her hands out of my grasp and took a step back. She took a deep breath, a resigned look on her face. “You don't understand because my parents aren't some rich family with a business they want me to run.”

I looked at her, confused. Had she lied to me? Was she trying to scam me? Get money from my family? A thousand possibilities ran through my head, each one worse than the last. Were my instincts with women that awful? Granted, Piper was as good as I'd thought she was, just not the right girl for me. Britni, I'd known she wasn't the kind of woman I wanted. Maybe it wasn't bad instincts, but rather bad luck.

Then Nami said the last thing I expected.

“Reed, I'm a princess.”