I’d already forgotten about the royal emergency. What happened in the square was more important than anything the crown needed. When I looked into her eyes, I knew. I fucking knew something I’d never known before.

The woman meant for me, and me alone.

These idiots weren’t going to take care of her. I was.

“Ms. Sparks?” I held my hand toward her. “Your car is here.”

We were both soaking wet. She was fucking gorgeous. Her cheeks glowed and her lips were wine red. I had to fight the urge to reach for her and take her in my arms.

She looked at the crew around her before stepping forward. “Maybe you should tell me who you are before I get in a car with you.”

“Don’t insult His Highness like that,” Romero barked.

Her eyes widened. “I see. I’m so sorry.”

“It’s all right. They get paid to say that.” I grinned. “Shall we?” I led her to the car. Charles and Romero were on either side. There was a new energy surging inside me.

Maybe they were too dumbfounded to speak. I had seen it happen before, but no one on the set followed us, or even asked which hospital we were headed toward.

I made sure Gillian was in the car safely, before walking to the other side. It was hard to slide with wet clothes. I had a bag in the trunk. I could change at the hospital, once her arm was attended.

“Sir, we still have the other matter at the palace.” Charles turned from the front seat to remind me.

I immediately raised the glass barrier between the seats. This was my priority now.

“Do you want something for the pain before we arrive?” I pulled a bottle of bourbon from the travel bar.

She shook her auburn head. The water droplets slid down her neck. I followed one all the way between her breasts. “No. I think I should wait and see what the doctor says. Thank you, though.”

She clutched her arm higher.

“Here.” I pulled my jacket from my arms. “This might help some.” I wrapped it against her arm and tied the sleeves together, applying pressure to where she was hurt. I let go to see if it would hold. “Any better?”

She nodded. “Thanks.”

“I take it you’re an actress?” I asked.

“That obvious?”

I shrugged. “The cameras gave it away.”

She laughed. “And I take it you’re in the royal family?”

“You noticed that?”

She bit her lip playfully. “The Your Highness gave it away.”

I chuckled. “What are you filming?”

She settled into the seat as we approached a red light. “It’s the season finale for Vampire Heart. But you can’t tell anyone.” She tilted her chin toward me.

“Should I lie and tell you I know what that is?”

Her mouth dropped open. “You’ve never heard of the show? I guess that’s actually refreshing. I rarely go anywhere without someone wanting a selfie.”

“I don’t watch much TV to be honest. Occupational issue.”

“And your occupation is?”

The scratchy military-issue T-shirt clung to my skin. I peeled it over my head despite the gasp from Gillian.

“I can’t remember the last time I sat this close to someone who didn’t know I was Prince Liam of the House of Marquis.”

“A prince? Really?”

I pressed my lips together. “Afraid so.” I withheld the apart about how we were destined to spend our lives together. She wasn’t in any kind of shape to hear that information right now.

She grimaced. Her pretty eyes closed.

“You don’t like princes?”

She shook her head. “No. Sorry, just my entire shoulder feels like it’s on fire. I think it’s getting worse.”

“We’re almost there. It’s only a few blocks around the corner. I’ll make sure you see the family doctor.”

“Family doctor?” She held her breath.

“The royal medical team is the best in the country.”

“At this point I’d see a medicine man. I just want to know what I did to my arm. It has to be better by tomorrow. Now we have to re-shoot the fountain scene, and I have a fight scene at the cathedral.”

“They have been known to work miracles, but you’re probably going to have to take a few days off.”

“No. I can’t do that. We can’t afford to delay the last day. The amount of work that has gone into this—I can’t even begin to explain to you what it takes. The finale is set in stone.”

“Nothing is set in stone.”

We pulled up to the curb.

“I need a shirt before we go inside,” I explained.

Gillian cleared her throat. “You don’t have to go in. I can take it from here. Really. I’m sure I’ll be fine. I appreciate the ride.”

“I’m going in.” There was no way I would leave the mate I had just found.

I reached through the cubby hole in the back of the seat, searching for my bag. I gripped the tag on the zipper and pulled it closer. My hand landed on one of my weekend T-shirts with the Royal Navy crest. I’d change my pants inside. I wasn’t going to walk the hospital with soaked trousers.

I slung the bag over my shoulder and walked around the car to help Gillian from her seat. She was off balance with my jacket tied against her side. As she stood I realized just how tight her clothing was. It didn’t help that it hugged her curves. Fuck. She was beautiful.

Romero escorted us up the stairs while Charles parked.