We’re well hidden behind the tablecloth, which reaches all the way to the floor. I struggle to get myself put back together, and William just lies there for a moment, apparently struggling to breathe.

“At least zip up your pants.” My tone is hushed—it sounds like the fire brigade is on the other side of the room, but it’s hard to be sure. I don’t really want them seeing me here at all, and I certainly don’t want them seeing the two of us here in our current state of undress.

He blinks at me a few times before he finally pulls his pants to his waist, zipping them up and fastening the button.

We wait there for what seems an eternity. Someone walks past us several times, but no one ever looks under the tablecloth.

“I don’t think we have a fire here,” a man says. “It looks like someone might have pulled an alarm. We’ll have to see if anyone was filming. Maybe we can catch the bastard who caused all this water damage.”

Another person makes a sound of agreement and they both walk in the direction of the exit.

We wait another five minutes or so before I finally poke my head from beneath the cloth. I turn back to William. “They’re gone.”

“Good.” He takes my hand in his and helps me get out from under the table. As soon as we’ve stood, he pulls me into his arms again. “Now, I believe we had some business we need to finish.”

I shake my head. “Not here, we don’t.”

“You didn’t seem so opposed a few minutes ago.”

“That was a few minutes ago. I’m definitely opposed now.” In fact, I have no idea what’s come over me. I’ve never even considered having sex in public before—and certainly not in a place this public.

“Then we should return to our suite and finish what we started.” The grin on his face almost makes me acquiesce.

It’s difficult to hide my own grin. “Well, as delightful as that sounds, we first have to finish what we started before that.”

His eyebrows draw together for a moment as if he doesn’t understand what I’m saying.

“The conference, William. I can’t just leave—”

“The conference will be fine without you, Justine. And if I find you’ve even spoken to that man—”

“Pardon me?” I place my hands on my hips. “Are you threatening me?”

“Not at all. Just warning you that if you should choose to engage with that man again, I’ll not be held responsible for my actions. I do believe I’m capable of a lot more than setting off some sprinklers.”

I can’t help but smile. Even though his actions are a little misguided, I know he’s doing everything because of his feelings for me.

But I still shake my head. “I do not understand you at all, Your Highness. I just made love to you in a conference hall—”

“I would hardly call that lovemaking, Princess.” He snickers. “That was a good, old-fashioned fucking—”

My smile falls instantly away. “I give up.” I throw my hands in the air as I head for the exit.

“Princess, wait.” He jogs after me. “I was kidding. Just…kidding.”

“And once again, your jokes are funny only to you.” I roll my eyes. “Perhaps you should keep your jokes out of the bedroom, Your Highness.”

“I should point out, we are not in a bedroom—”

“You are not scoring any points right now, William.” I frown at him. “Why does everything have to be such a joke to you?”

“I’m sorry.” He reaches out and takes me by the hand. “I am. Truly. I don’t…I don’t know what comes over me when I’m with you.”

I can’t help but feel a rush of…something at his words. “Some need to make an ass of yourself?”

He nods. “Yes. That’s exactly it. I’m just not certain what it is or why I’m doing it.”

“I see. Well, maybe you need to do the opposite of whatever it is in your head telling you to say the ridiculous things you say.” I also can’t help but think of what Sophia said to me last night. He’s in love with you.

“That might not be such a bad idea.” He grins again. “Because right now, my mind is saying that I need to tell you that I know there’s a restroom just through those doors.” He points to the exit just ahead of us. “And that I believe I’d like to bend you over the counter and have you watch in the mirror as I fuck you from behind.”

Heat rushes straight to my center and it’s all I can do not to jump into his arms and allow him to do whatever he pleases with me.

I stare at him for a few moments instead, another smile forming on my lips. “I wouldn’t be opposed to that. But I’d prefer it if we did it in our own suite and not in a public restroom.”

His cheeks turn a shade of red I can’t name. “You’re serious?”

“Yes.” I stare at him again for a second. “Does that surprise you?”

“I… Yes.” The goofy grin has fallen from his face, replaced by an expression I don’t recognize. “Justine…”

“I enjoy sex more than you might imagine, Your Highness. And like I told you earlier, I haven’t had any in a long while.”

“Yes.” He falls silent for a long moment. “You did tell me.”

I nod. “You’re very good at it.”

“And you…” He clears his throat. “I really don’t want to talk about it. I don’t want to think about where you…learned certain things.”

I sigh. “Do you honestly believe I want to think about where you learned certain things?” I shake my head. “Can’t we be adults about this? You had sex with other women before I knew you.”

“Yes. Women being the operative word in your sentence. Multiple women. Not…not one.”

My gaze narrows. “It really bothers you that much that I’ve only had sex with one man?”

He nods. “I suppose it does.”

“You’re going to have to get over it. Unless you want me to fuck someone else now. Which I’m guessing by our earlier conversation that you do not.”

“No. No, I do not.” His face flushes again. “It’s just…I’m having a difficult time imagining you with that man—”

“Why are you imagining me with him at all?” My lip curls with my disgust. “I have no desire in the world to imagine you with anyone but me. I can’t believe you would feel any differently.”

“You…” He grins. “You imagine me with you?”

My face begins to burn. “Yes, Your Highness. I imagine you with me. Is that so wrong? To fantasize about my husband?”

“What is it you fantasize about?”

I shake my head, but again, I can’t help but smile at his words. “Not here. Not now. Not after the stunt you just pulled.” I motion to the wall where he’d been standing during James’s speech. “What you just pulled.”

“I’ll pay for the damage to the hall—”

“That isn’t necessary. You know that.” I frown at him again. “But this jealousy thing needs to stop.”

He nods. “I know. I know. And it will. As soon as James Camden is far, far from Rosvalia, I promise you’ll never hear another word about it again.”

I stare at him for another long moment before giving him a curt nod.

He takes me by the elbow and begins to lead me out the door.

Many of the conference attendees have gathered near the sidewalk, but it also appears many of them have called it a day and have gone back to their rooms. We’re barely off the path from the conference hall when I feel a hand on my shoulder.

I turn, expecting it to be James, but it isn’t. It’s Carter, my friend from college. He grins as he runs a hand through his sandy hair, his green eyes gazing down at me as he gives me a huge grin.

Without thinking, I jump into his arms, giving him a huge hug. This is the man who saved my life—perhaps not literally, but he certainly saved me from myself. I finally pull away from him after several seconds.

“You’re wet,” Carter says.

And apparently also without thinking, William plants a fist in the man’s jaw not a moment later.