I’m almost positive that Alec blew off his entire afternoon schedule in exchange for a romp in bed with me. Something about it seems risky—isn’t he a prince? Doesn’t he have obligations? I quickly erase those thoughts as his hands caress my breasts, embrace my waist, and tease the folds between my legs.

After all, I’m the one who’s always been an advocate of doing what feels right.

Being with him feels so right.

I wish that being here, in Saintland, felt as perfect as driving through the countryside surrounding Sainthall.

But even when Alec masterfully works my body into an orgasm or three, something continues to nag at me.

What is causing the tension lines around his eyes?

When we were together in New York, he never seemed to worry about anything. He was free as a bird. The only constraints were the ones I put on the two of us, and now, looking back, I wish I hadn’t done that.

As Nate drives us through the streets of the city while the sun fades in a flush of brazen red and orange hues into the landscape for the night, I consider how best to broach this subject with him. It’s not that I’m having a bad time—far from it.

Maybe it’s the weight of his responsibilities now that he has returned to the kingdom.

I have no idea what it’s like to be a prince. It’s probably much more fun in my imagination than it is in real-life.

I take hold of his hand and scoot closer to him, the fine fabric of my dress gliding easily across the leather seats. When we were finished in bed—well, when we took a break in bed, I doubt we’ll ever truly be finished—Alec summoned my team together. They came rolling in as soon as I stepped out of the shower.

“Come in, come in,” he said, flashing his perfect smile. Soon the suite was filled with a playful banter as they went to work on adorning me for our dinner date.

He’s taking me to one of his favorite places. The dress code isn’t quite as stringent as the one at the Diamond Circle, but the dress I chose from the racks is still elegant and regal. I feel very Kate Middleton.

Once we’re seated at a private table overlooking the canal and our first glasses of wine have been poured, I look across the table to admire the hottest man I’ve ever laid eyes on.

“So,” I say, pausing to take a sip of my wine. “Are you planning to tell me what’s making you so tense?”

He laughs, leaning toward me. “How could I be tense after the afternoon we had?”

I can’t help but grin back at him. “You’ve been awfully busy since we landed here, and sometimes there’s a strained look in your eyes…”

Alec sighs a little, the light in his eyes dimming. “We’ve come to that crossing, haven’t we?”

“I did tell you about Michael. Trust me, I only talk about that when absolutely necessary.”

“All right. Fine. The truth is…” He looks down into his wine as he swirls it absentmindedly in his glass before drawing a long sip. “The truth is that my father isn’t very pleased with what I’ve done.”

“Going to New York?”

“That…and bringing back an American woman to…date.” The word “date” is a loaded term, encompassing everything we’ve done together and promising all the possibilities for the future.

I bite my lip and look down at the bread basket. It stings that Alec’s father has a problem with my presence here, but more than that, it doesn’t bode well for our future together. His father is the King of Saintland. He could have me deported at any time…and that’s when I realize that those plans are likely already in the works. Alec has been a prince all his life. The responsibilities would be nothing new, but a fight with his father over me would certainly be a recent development.

I could make it easier on everyone by simply going to the airport and booking a flight back to New York.

Even as I consider it, I know it’s not going to happen. With every conversation we have with one another and every minute we spend together, I feel more strongly that being with Alec is the right decision. The words flow easily between us. I find it easy to share things with him about my past that I thought would be difficult to talk about.

And because my feelings for him are growing every minute, it hurts that his family wants nothing to do with me.

The rational part of my mind intercedes. They don’t know you. If they knew you, they would love you, like he does.

These thoughts fly through my mind in a matter of moments, and I’m able to look back up into Alec’s eyes with a smile on my face.

“Your father and I haven’t been introduced.”

He throws his head back and laughs, then reaches across the table for my hand. “You’re right about that. I’m sure his feelings would be different if he knew you. But you know fathers. Stubborn mules, all of them.”

The joy and tenderness in his eyes when he looks at me…it’s enough to carry us through any bullshit with his father. My heart beats a little faster.

I’ve fallen. Hard.

* * *

After we finish our meal, Alec takes my hand as we stroll along the canal, watching the moonlight dance on the water’s surface.

“That’s a sight to see,” I say, twining my fingers through Alec’s.

“You’re a sight to see,” he says, wistfully looking into my eyes.

We haven’t been walking five minutes when running footsteps approach us from behind. I turn to see a pair of children, a boy and a girl—they can’t be older than seven or eight. Their parents, a young couple by the looks of them, are following along slowly behind them. The mother gives me a shy wave.

“Hello!” calls the boy, looking up at me. “Are you going to be the new princess?”

I laugh, but my cheeks flush red as I bend my knees so I’m on the same level as the boy. “Do you think the prince needs a princess?”

Alec’s chuckle tells me he approves of the idea.

“Will you sign your autograph?” pipes up the little girl, tight blonde curls bobbing, holding out a drugstore notebook and pen toward me.

“Of course I will. But I’m only a visitor from the United States. Are you sure you want my autograph?” I keep my tone light, but the sentiment gnaws me at my core. I’m not a princess, and despite how much I’m willing to fight for Alec, that could end up being our undoing.

“You’ll be a princess one day,” she says matter-of-factly.

“You’re very kind,” I say simply, taking her notebook and pen and signing my name in the prettiest handwriting I can. I also sign the boy’s notebook, and then Alec signs one for both of them as well, his name appearing as a regal scrawl next to mine on the page.

The parents approach and we exchange courteous introductions before they usher the two children away, chattering and pleased.

So that’s what it’s like to be royalty.

It’s not until we turn to go that I see the photographer standing across the road, his camera rapidly clicking photo after photo of us.