Since we were still wearing our clothes from the afternoon at Jax’s parents’ house, we stopped at Selfridges to get something new to wear to dinner. It was a super-luxurious department store, and Jax made sure I was pampered properly as he went to pick out a suit, and I was treated to a blowout, a manicure, and a brand-new dress with matching heels and accessories. Jax even had the concierge send our dirty clothes out to be dry-cleaned and delivered to our hotel in the countryside. By the time we arrived at the restaurant to meet Emmy and Charlie, we looked like a million bucks. Which was just as well, because I quickly realized that there was a huge difference between the movie-star treatment and the royal treatment. One was amazing. The other was out of this world.

We were escorted into the restaurant by a cadre of bodyguards, only to find the place empty—except for the table where Emmy and Charlie sat. Behind them was a row of waiters, clearly waiting just for us.

“Hey!” Emmy leapt up and came to hug us. “It’s so great to see you, Penny, and meet you, Jax.”

“You too,” he said, kissing her cheek.

I greeted Emmy warmly, then turned to greet one of the fricking princes of England. Charlie gave me a big smile and swept me up in a hug of his own, surprising me. He greeted Jax with a friendly slap on the shoulder.

“I love your movies, mate,” he said cheerfully. “Just absolutely love them.”

Jax looked at a little star-struck, but he quickly shook it off.

“Thank you,” he said graciously. “It’s an honor to meet you, Your Royal Highness.”

Emmy snickered, and Charlie shot her a look before giving a sheepish one to me and Jax.

“Just call me Charlie,” he said. “Your Royal Highness sounds so, so—”

“Obnoxious,” Emmy offered with a snort.

“Quiet, you,” Charlie shushed her. “It sounds so formal,” he finished.

I didn’t think it was possible not to feel formal around a member of the royal family, but once we had sat down and Charlie was telling the story about how he and Emmy met, I realized that I had completely forgotten his status and was instead simply enjoying a raunchy story about a guy and a girl.

“And there I was, in my sodding towel, when this beautiful creature walked into my life and blew it all to smithereens.”

Emmy gave him a fond smile. “Just the way you like it,” she said with a satisfied expression.

“You’re bloody right that’s the way I like it.” Charlie slung his arm around her. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

When Charlie and Emmy finally broke for air, the prince looked over at us.

“What about you?” he asked. “How did the two of you meet?”

I exchanged a look with Jax, trying to remember exactly what version of our story was public knowledge. I also felt bad lying to friends, even if a lot of what we had decided on was actually true.

“We met when we were kids,” Jax told Charlie. “I was visiting the States with my family over the winter holiday and Penny was visiting the shore with her family.” He shrugged. “There weren’t a lot of kids around so we spent most of our time together, playing games on the pier.”

“And you stayed in touch all these years?” Charlie asked, popping the olive from his martini into his mouth.

Jax looked at me and smiled. “Not exactly. We wrote to each other at first, but eventually we fell out of touch. Then, I got lucky and ran into her in a bar in New York City a few weeks ago. Swept her off her feet and convinced her to come visit the UK with me.”

“You didn’t exactly sweep me off my feet,” I teased.

“No?” he teased right back. “I’m pretty sure you would have fallen on your sweet little ass if I hadn’t caught you in the bar. You and heels are a menace. To your balance and my heart-rate.”

Jax’s gaze was hot, as if he was imagining those shoes—my blue sparkly heels—right now. As if he was imagining me wearing them. And nothing else.

I blushed.

“Do you live in New York?” Charlie asked me, and I appreciated that he chose to ignore that Jax seemed intent on blatantly mentally undressing me. Not that I really minded.

“I do,” I said. “For a few years now. I love it.”

“Her apartment is the size of a postage stamp,” Jax added.

“It’s part of the charm of living in the city,” I protested. “Besides, not all of us are movie stars.”

“Emmy mentioned that you were helping her out with her clothing line,” Charlie continued

“She’s helping me with all the numbers and money,” Emmy added, before grinning at me. “I think that’s the technical term for that, right?”

I laughed. “Yep. Numbers and money—that’s what I do.”

“It’s been so helpful,” Emmy told Charlie. “But she refuses to let me pay her.”

I waved a hand. “It’s fun,” I argued. “And you’re a friend.”

“But she’s thinking about starting her own consultancy,” Jax piped up.

I flushed. It sounded so official. “I don’t know about that.”

“You should!” Emmy exclaimed. Even Charlie nodded.

“I know plenty of people in New York who would be interested in working with someone as smart as you.” Charlie said.

“See?” Jax gave me a look. “It’s decided. Once this is all over, you’re going solo.”

Over.

I remembered in a rush that my “contract” only covered the time during production. What would happen with Jax and I after that was anyone’s guess.

“How much longer do you have left to work on the movie?” Emmy asked, and I realized what he meant.

“A few more weeks,” Jax replied. “If we don’t have any weather delays.”

Charlie snorted. “It’s England, mate. I wouldn’t bet on that.”

* * *

After dinner, the four of us headed to a favorite club of Charlie’s. The combination of his fame and Jax’s star power meant that everyone turned to stare at us when we entered, but I guess I was starting to get used to the attention, because I just focused on Emmy and our group, and tried to ignore everyone else.

“Drinks?” Jax asked, and then he and Charlie headed to the bar—where they were immediately mobbed.

“Is that normal?” I asked Emmy. “Getting used to this insanity?”

She laughed. “I suppose so,” she responded. “You have to, or you’ll go totally crazy.” She pulled me off to a corner table that was reserved for us, away from the prying eyes of everyone who seemed to be watching us.

“OK,” she said, once we had sat down. “Spill,” she ordered. “Because I’m pretty sure that things between you and Jax have changed since I last saw you.”

I flushed.

“Is it that obvious?”

“That he’s crazy about you?” Emmy scoffed. “Uh, yeah, it’s pretty obvious.”

“Well,” I hesitated. “We have . . . let our relationship progress.”

“The fake one or the real one?” Emmy wanted to know.

“I can’t tell the difference between the two,” I confessed. “I like him, and I think he likes me.”

“He definitely likes you,” Emmy confirmed. “He seems totally smitten, and I’m pretty sure that he’s only biding his time until he can drag you off into some dark corner and have his wicked way with you.” She paused. “Not that I have any experience with anything like that.”

I laughed. “I don’t know what’s happening between us, but I’m trying to just be open to it. To be brave and bold and not overthink it.” I took a deep breath. “I want to have fun.”

“And it looks like you are,” Emmy said.

“Yeah,” I smiled. “I really am.”

Across the room, I watched Jax and Charlie talking to someone I didn’t know, but who Jax was obviously extremely excited to talk to. I couldn’t help grinning at his unabashed excitement—the way he looked both boyish and hot as hell. I wanted to do exactly what Emmy had mentioned—drag him off into some dark corner and have my wicked way with him.

And there really wasn’t any reason that I couldn’t make that happen.

Emmy must have seen the lusty gleam in my eye because she gave me a smile.

“Shall we go get our men?” she asked. “And call it an evening?”

“Mmmhmm,” I managed, rising from my seat.

My entire body hummed with anticipation as Emmy and I wove through the crowd headed towards the guys. I wanted Jax, and I wanted him badly.

It had never been this way before. Not with anyone. And I loved it. I didn’t want it to end.

“Hey.” Some greasy-haired man in a too-tight shirt stepped directly in our path. “You’re that girl,” he slurred, spilling his drink on his jeans.

“Excuse us,” I tried, but he had his attention focused on Emmy.

“You’re that American bird,” he said. “The one who’s shagging the prince.”

“Let go of me,” she told him firmly. He had latched his hand onto Emmy’s arm, and she tried to shake it off, but he had a firm grip.

I glanced across the room, looking for the guys, but I had lost sight of them in the crowd.

“I’ve seen your tits,” the guy was telling Emmy. “Or at least most of them. Nice rack, babe.”

“Hey!” I stepped between them. “Back the hell off!”

“Come on.” The guy leered at us. “Let’s see them again.”

Emmy went pale, and I remembered the tabloid scandal from a few months ago, when her skeezy ex leaked their photos online. “Leave her alone,” I told him, putting my hands to his chest and shoving, hard.

“Don’t be such a bitch,” he slurred at me, grabbing—

Then, suddenly, he was on the ground. It took me a moment to realize that Jax was at my side, his fists up. He had punched the guy and sent him flying.

“Are you OK?” Jax asked, turning to me and taking my face in his hands.

I managed to nod, barely able to focus on anything as lights from cameras went off around us.

“Let’s get out of here,” Charlie ordered, and his bodyguards surrounded us, escorting us through the crowd . The four of us were hustled into a town car, which quickly sped away from the club.

“Is everyone OK?” Charlie asked, his arms wrapped protectively around Emmy, who seemed a little shaken by the incident.

I still wasn’t even sure what had happened, but I nodded, grateful that Jax had come to our rescue. Apparently, Charlie felt the same way, because he insisted on setting us up for the night. Before the car took him and Emmy home, it dropped Jax and I off at an insanely posh hotel.

“My treat,” Charlie told us. “Thanks for taking care of my girl.”

Inside, neither of us said anything until we were alone in the room. It was hands down the most beautiful hotel room I had ever seen, with its own glittering chandelier and an amazing view of the city, but I didn’t care about that. I just cared about Jax.

“I can’t believe you punched that guy in the face.”

“I’m sorry,” Jax sighed, looking conflicted. “I just couldn’t stand to see him put his hands on you.”

“What? No! Don’t apologize. It was hot,” I grinned.

Jax relaxed. “He was touching you without your permission.” He brushed my hair back from my face. “No one does that to my girl.” He leaned towards me and kissed my cheek. Then he kissed my neck, dropping each kiss lower.

I pulled back.

“Your girl?” I asked, my heart beating a mile a minute.

“Yeah.” Jax slid his hands down to my hips, pulling me tight against his own. I could feel the hard, thick ridge of his cock through his jeans. His eyes caught mine, searching. “You’re mine, aren’t you?”

I wrapped my arms around his neck.

“I’m yours,” I murmured, drawing him in for a kiss.

It started out slow and sweet, but quickly escalated as our tongues tangled together and our clothes began to hit the floor. Before I could shed my lace thong, Jax had hoisted me into his arms, wrapping my legs around his waist. He was completely naked, his cock pressing against my opening, the thin lace our only barrier.

He pressed me against the wall, our kisses frantic, his hands tight against my ass, thrusting against me. It wasn’t enough.

I ripped my mouth from his.

“Condom,” I said breathlessly.

He held up a hand, the foil packet tucked between two fingers.

“Are you ready, baby?” he asked, putting it between his teeth, leaving his hand free to dip downward and touch me where I was wet and eager for him. He stroked me, his eyes growing darker with desire. “Oh yeah,” he groaned. “I can feel how ready you are.”

“Yes,” I gasped, his fingers teasing me. “I’m so ready.”

Quickly, he tore the condom open and sheathed himself. Then, not even bothering to remove my thong, he simply pushed the lace aside and positioned himself at my entrance. I was trapped between his body and the wall, my head falling back against the wallpaper with a thud. I wanted him inside of me, but he was not going to be rushed.

He teased me with the head of his cock, dipping inside me just barely and then withdrawing. Each time he went a little deeper, but it wasn’t enough. So I slid my hands downward to his ass and pulled him against me. He slid home.

“Fuck,” he groaned, completely sheathed inside of me.

“Fuck,” I echoed. “Fuck me now.”

He gave me a wicked grin and obliged. With his hands cupping my ass and my body pinned between his and the wall, Jax began to move. At first his thrusts were steady, but as I wrapped my legs around him, hooking my ankles around his back, he began to lose control.

I loved it. I loved how I could make him go wild, arching my hips towards him, meeting each of his thrusts with one of my own. Each time he went deeper, touching me just right, pleasure shooting up my spine.

Sweat was forming at his temple, and I kissed him, tasting sweat and salt and Jax. I could feel my orgasm building inside of me, and my entire body began to shake as he thrust deeply inside of me, practically riding me up the wall.

“Yes,” I moaned, my nails digging into his back.

If I was hurting him, he didn’t seem to mind—or care. His brow furrowed as he dipped his hand between us, expertly finding my clit. He pressed his thumb down on it and that was enough to make me explode.

I came, shuddering in his arms, and he followed soon after, shouting his ecstasy, pressing his body deeply into mine. I felt the tension leave his body, though he still managed to keep us both upright, his hands pressed against the wall. Then, without a word, he pulled me into his arms and carried me to the bed.