Since meeting Lucas, I’ve seen him in suits, workout clothes, fencing clothes, and casual clothes, and couldn’t have said which is my favorite, but looking at him now, dressed in a perfectly tailored black tuxedo with matching bow tie at his throat, I know that this is my favorite.

The only time he comes close to looking even more delicious is when he’s naked. But I get to see that every day. This, on the other hand? It’s a sheer delight.

I step out of the small room I use as my own dressing room and try not to feel self-conscious. Lucas whistles and I blush.

I run my hands down the side of the dress. “You don’t think it’s too much?” The pale blue dress hugs my curves and dips low over my breasts, leaving little to imagination.

Lucas stalks towards me, desire burning in his eyes. “Sheer perfection.”

He slides a finger under my chin and leans close. My eyes flutter close. My lips part for the anticipated kiss.

“No, no, no!” Rick Evans, Shelly’s stylist who generously agreed to help me get ready for tonight’s event, races out of the dressing room and practically launches himself at us. “No kissing. Smudges the lipstick and I won’t stand for that.”

Lucas backs up and holds up his hands. “Fine, I won’t kiss her. At least not yet.” He says it ominously, as though it’s a threat.

But he doesn’t scare me. Oh no.

“And you,” Rick turns on me. “No biting your lips or rubbing your eyes. There’s going to be lots of media and photographs at this party and I won’t have anyone say that Rick Evans sent out a woman in smudged makeup.”

Lucas rocks back on his heels and takes in every aspect of my appearance, from my hair which falls in big, loose curls around my shoulders to the elegant blue pumps on my feet.

“Absolutely divine,” he murmurs. He removes a long black box from his pocket. “But there’s something missing.”

He opens the box and I gasp. Inside are a pair of perfect, tear drop diamond earrings and a matching necklace.

“They’re beautiful.” I gasp.

“For a stunning lady.” He leans in close and nuzzles my hair out of the way before placing a light kiss behind my ear.

I sigh and lean into him.

“No,” Rick squawks. “What did I tell you? No make-up smudging hanky-panky until after the party.”

I laugh as Lucas drapes the heavy necklace around my throat and slips the earrings into place.

“I love them. Thank you.”

“Those aren’t the only surprise I’ve got for you,” he says in a silky tone.

He takes my hand and leads me from the room while Rick retreats to my dressing room to tidy up the mess that was made while preparing me for my first official outing as Princess Alexis.

Outside of the room, a large man with very little neck, a shaved head, a serious expression, and pretty blue eyes snaps to attention.

Lucas stops in front of him and nods. “Alexis, this is Christopher. He’s one of two bodyguards I’ve hired to look after you.”

“A bodyguard?”

Lucas nods.

“Not only do I not want one, but I don’t need one.” I pause, my mind scrambling. I’ve managed to go through my entire life without a guard by my side and I can’t think of any reason why I should start now!

“Not that I’m not sure you’re wonderful at your job,” I quickly tell Christopher, “it’s just that I think your time would be better served watching over someone who is actually in trouble.”

“Alexis, you’re a princess. Of course you need one.” Lucas is using his patient tone. I HATE that tone.

“I’ve been a princess for weeks, and haven’t used one. Your sister is a princess and she doesn’t have one. The same is true of your mother.”

“You’re wrong.”

I float a brow and cross my arms over my chest waiting for him to continue. This should be good.

“Both Shelly and my mother have bodyguards, they just happen to be so discreet that you never notice them. And you’ve been trailed by a retired soldier as well.”

Hold up a minute … “What do you mean, I’ve been trailed?”

“They’ve been keeping an eye on you ever since we got married. Everyone in my family has someone.”

“I haven’t seen anybody.”

“Because they’re very good at their job. The idea is that they’re close enough to step in if there’s a problem, but far enough away they don’t intrude on our lives.

I’m not happy, but this isn’t an argument I want to have right now.

“And what about him?” I point at Christopher, who looks like he’s doing his best to become a part of the wall.

“I want someone closer to you. The fact that those small paintings were stolen while you and Tessa were both there means that your life could be in jeopardy. I want someone who’s close enough to save you if you come face to face with the thief. I’ve already arranged for a guy to stay at the museum full time, and a pair of guards have been assigned to Tessa.”

I open my mouth to say something, but before the words form, Christopher speaks up.

“Ma’am, I understand why you might have some concerns about my being here,” he says in a soft, polite tone that seems at odds with his massive muscles.

“If I was in your position, I’d doubt I’d be very happy either, but think about it this way. If I’m with you and we do happen to find these thieves, there’s a good chance that my being there will result in them getting caught.”

His words stop my objections in their metaphorical tracks. He has a point, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it.

Lucas decides to capitalize in my hesitation. He turns me to face him and grasps both of my upper arms and looks at me with sad eyes. “Alexis, please,” he says in a soft voice. His fingers rub my bare flesh and my resolve softens. Funny, that.

“For me.”

It’s not like I have much of a choice in the matter. “Fine,” I huff. I’m not quite ready to give up the fight.

“But we’ll discuss the matter later…”