I find Alexis sitting on the terrace. A tall, glass of freshly squeezed orange juice rests on the table beside her and she's holding a tablet.

"Good morning," I say as I take the seat beside her. "I missed you."

It's true. In just the five days we've been here, I've grown accustomed to feeling her in the bed beside me when I wake up.

This morning, rolling over and not seeing her pretty face and mussed hair had shocked me. I didn't like it. It takes all of my self-control to resist the urge to demand that she not get out of bed before me.

Ever again.

I guess correctly that even as a joke, that would go over like a proverbial lead balloon.

That's something else I've learned these past few days. Alexis does what she likes, when she likes, how she likes it. I can cajole, coax, and nudge her towards things, but when it comes to orders, she digs in her heels and refuses to budge.

It’s… more to me. It’s exciting in ways I can’t put into words.

She gives me a side eye. "You missed me, or you missed fun time in the shower?"

To hear her talk now, you'd never know that Alexis just five days ago, gave her virginity to me on the floor of a converted barn. Five days in my company and she’s not only a great deal more sexually experienced, but she's also a damn sight more confident about her sexuality.

Still there are ways and places I can take a she hasn't even begun to comprehend. I'm looking forward to expanding her education.

One such option comes to mind.

I lean close and brush a light kiss across the side of her jaw, delighting in the way she shivers and how her eyes narrow to slits. I love how the slightest touch, in just the right spot, turns her on.

"Both. But since you weren't around to enjoy the shower, I'm thinking we can try some new games ... in the pool."

Even as I say the words, I picture her braced against the side of the pool, the sun streaming down on her face. The bottom half of her swimsuit hanging off on ankle as she wraps her shapely legs around me and I envelop myself in her heat.

My cock twitches, demanding to turn fantasy into reality.

I pull away from Alexis and ignore the rush of desire. I'm fast becoming addicted to her and that's not something I can afford. After all, she'll be leaving, walking away from me forever, in just a few months.

The thought cools my blood. Turns it to ice. I direct my attention to the tablet she's holding.

"Good book." I'd learned that Alexis shared my love for all things Stephen King.

She shakes her head. "No. Since we're going back tomorrow, I wanted to check out how Tessa is getting on with the museum."

"And?"

"I'm starting to wonder if she'll even want me around. She's gotten so much done without me! Not only has she found a building, but she's already spoken to a few different curators who are interested in taking over once we get things up and running, and she's shipped a few of the bronze statues to an expert who will validate their authenticity and value them for us."

"Impressive." I reach for the tablet. "Did she mention which building?"

The capital is full of some gorgeous old buildings, most of which I imagine would do nicely for a museum. Unfortunately, most are also located in the rougher parts of town.

Before Alexis starts spending all her time there, I not only want to get all the security features up and running, I also want to enlist a full-time security team to watch over it and Alexis while she's there. During these last few days, she's become important to me. I'll do everything in my considerable power to keep her safe.

I look at the screen and freeze. Instead of a picture of a grand old building or a chatty email, I find myself looking at a very official government report.

"What's this?"

"Nothing." Alexis snatches the tablet from me and holds down the power button.

"Alexis, I'm a crown prince. I know what government papers look like and I saw that it was from Interpol. What's going on?"

The idea that Alexis could be a government spy flits through my mind. I promptly dismiss it.

Alexis picks up her glass and takes her time drinking her orange juice. When she's done, she looks at me and sighs. "You're not going to let this go, are you?"

I shake my head. She's not the only one who can be stubborn.

“There have been some thefts lately. Mostly artwork and antiques."

"Okay, and you're involved in the investigation? Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because I'm not. The only reason I even know anything about the thefts is because a one of a kind glass chandelier that was stolen. Since I'm one of the world's only experts on antique glass, the contacted me for information, nothing more."

"What kind of information?"

"The value of the chandelier – and if I knew anyone who would be interested in purchasing it. I provided them with a list of names of people they can contact, though I doubt it will do any good. The size of the chandelier makes it impossible to do much with. Even if the thieves find a buyer, they'll have a bitch of a time trying to transport it."

"It looked a bit more extensive than that."

Alexis bites her lip and stands up. "Let's take a walk."

"Only if you agree to tell me everything."

The corners of Alexis's mouth tip up in an impish smile that never fails to make something deep within me smile. "Promise."

Hands entwined, we walk side by side down the path that leads to the Rivera, before making a hard right and turning into one of the rose gardens.

Every few feet Alexis stops to admire a bloom.

"Oh, look at that." Alexis points at an Osiris blue butterfly that's pollinating a red poppy. "I wish I'd grabbed my camera."

Startled by her voice, the small butterfly flexes it's wings and takes flight, but instead of flying away from us, it sweeps towards us, landing for a moment on the front of Alexis's shirt before once again taking wing.

Alexis laughs and my heart seizes.

I've never heard anyone laugh as much as Alexis, and she laughs at just about everything. It's one of the many things I’ve discovered about her after a day or two here. Once she relaxed around me, she could no longer contain her laughter. Each time I hear it, the world becomes just a little bit brighter.

Whenever she turns that beautiful smile on me, I feel ten feet tall.

I lean close and steal a kiss, trying to take just a little of that sweet laughter into me so I can use it to warm up after she's gone.

She blinks up at me. "What was that for?"

"It felt right."

"I'll say," Alexis murmurs. "You should do it again?" She tilts her head up towards me and closes her eyes.

"Maybe later," I tell her. "Right now, you're going to tell me about this thing with Interpol."

Alexis sighs. "Fine. But I wasn't kidding when I said there wasn't much to tell. The only thing I've managed to get out of Interpol is a list of what's been taken and where's it's been taken from." Her brow furrows.

"And that bothers you. Have some of your clients been victims?"

If so and the press gets wind of it ... oh boy.

"No." She hesitates a moment. "What I can't figure out is why nothing has been taken from anyone in Moravia. There are addresses of rich collectors losing items all over Europe. Moravia is the only country where nothings happen. Why?"

"Maybe it has."

Alexis skids to a stop and looks at me sharply. "What do you mean? Do you know something?"

"No, but you've seen all the stuff my family has in the castle, and quite honestly, unless something holds some sentimental value to one of us, we don't pay much attention to those kinds of things. I think that's why mom decided to do something with the antiques and got in touch with you in the first place. It's a wonder none of the servants have robbed us blind. It's possible the thief has been there and taken off with what they wanted and we just haven't found out about it yet."

Alexis chews on her lower lip and considers my words. "Maybe, but I don't think so."

I lean against a young tree and cross my arms over my chest. "Okay, Sherlock. Let's hear your hypothesis."

"I think the thieves are based in Moravia, and that they don't want to dirty their own backyard. By not taking anything in the country, there's little chance that anyone from Interpol will snoop around and accidently stumble across them."

Something in her tone sets off a warning bell in the back of my mind and I straighten. "No."

Her eyes widen. "No?"

"No," I use my royal, I'll-listen-to-no-arguments voice. "Under no circumstances are you to try investigating this thing."

If Alexis had hackles they'd be raised. "Look buster, if you're giving me an order ..."

"Not an order." I stroke her cheek with finger tips. Her eyelids lower and she leans into my touch. "I'm begging you to stay out of it. Please, for my sake and yours ... Please."

"Well, since you ask so nicely. I promise. It's not like I'd even know where to start looking. I've only ever dealt with legit clients."

"Excellent." I make a mental note to speak to a few people, professionals, and have them explore the case. They’ll have more freedom than an agency like Interpol.

I step off the path and into a wilder part of the garden. "Now, there's this spot I've been wanting to show you. You’re going to love it."

While staying here, Alexis and I have made love in many different place and tried an assortment of positions, each one more memorable than the last, but we’ve yet to take our carnal games outside. Today, while enjoying my pool fantasy, I realized that I've yet to make her come while the sun shone on her pretty face.

It’s an oversight I intend to correct – and I know just the place for it.

I lead her to a small hill I discovered the first time I explored the property.

Short, soft, sweet smelling grass grows in a thick carpet. The scent of fresh rose blooms colors the air, and the gurgle and chatter of the nearby Riviera adds to the ambiance. Trees and shrubs surround the space, hiding us from anyone who may float past the property.

I turn to Alexis, my eyes alight with desire.

She shakes her head and backs away.

What the … every other time she’s been more than willing so why not now.

The corners of her mouth tip up in a smile that’s both sweet and sassy. “It’s my turn to play.