Page 26 of Royal Rebel

Tristan slips in, closing it, before walking over to sit in the chair Charlotte vacated. I give him a bright smile. One I’ve come to learn is reserved for him. “What brings you here?”

“I’ve managed to slip Parker.” He gives me his own bad boy grin.

There’s one thing I’ve learned about Tristan. It doesn’t matter that he’s going to rule this country in a few short months. There are certain things he makes his own rules for. And I’m beginning to learn there are certain things he needs to be the person he is. He can’t be put in a box, and I don’t think he ever will be able to. There’s a fire in his eyes, a mischievous look on his face.

“What exactly does that mean? You’ve managed to slip Parker?”

He gets up, coming around to where I am, he turns me so that we’re looking outside. “It’s a gorgeous day out there, Lia. The sun is shining, the sky is a deep blue.

“It’s cold out there,” I argue, knowing that it’s cold enough to snow again if we get enough moisture.

“Be that as it may, it’s also gorgeous. Almost as gorgeous as you.”

I laugh so hard I let loose with an unladylike snort. “What in the world is it you want so bad that you’re laying it on this thick?”

He holds out his hand. “Take a ride with me?”

Immediately I’m back to where I was sitting behind him on the bike, my arms around his waist, the wind whipping past us. “Are we allowed to?”

“Who cares if we’re allowed to.” He pulls me into him, pushing my hair back with his fingers, palming the side of my face with his hand. “When we get back to the city, wewon’tbe able to do these things. That will be the fact of life there. Here, we still have a little bit of freedom left, and there’s no one I want to express that freedom with more than you. So, Amelia, do you want to take a ride?”

His eyes blaze hot, and for a moment, I wonder if he’s asking about a ride on the bike, or a ride on him. The way a smile plays at the edges of his lips makes me narrow my gaze. “On your bike?”

He chuckles, the sound deep, flowing through my body, right to all the places he makes me tingle. “On my bike.”

Looking down at the desk, I see the papers, and I know I should work, I know it with every part of my being. But him, coming to me in the middle of the day, asking me to spend time with him? How long will that last—especially when we get back to the city? I can’t say no. I crave being around him, loving being in his arms, and live for the moments when he lets his guard down and is the real Tristan behind the mask. These are those times when he’s the real man, and the real man is what’s got me hook, line, and sinker.

“I guess all of this will still be here later. Promise to take me somewhere I’ve never been before?”

He nods. “Have you been to Agua Park yet?” He mentions a wilderness area.

“No, but I’ve heard it’s beautiful.”

“It is. Come on, let’s get dressed and get out of here before Parker catches on.”

With giggles, shushes, and hands held we run to the edge of the stairs, take the landing to our room, and quickly get dressed. Then we do the same as we sneak into the garage.

“Don’t laugh so loud,” he cautions as I wait for him to put his jacket on.

I flip my visor down, hoping it will hold in some of my giggles.

“Oh no, we’ve been spotted.” He laughs loudly as he climbs on the bike, motioning me to get behind him. He starts up the bike, and revs the engine as we make our way out of the garage.

Looking behind us, I see Parker running.

“Hold on tight, Lia.” I hear him through the visor, doing as he says, as we race down the drive and hit the main road.

I realize he was right. I’ve never felt so free in my life.

CHAPTER 15

TRISTAN

“Did you get it cleared for me?”

Parker nods, taking a drink of his coffee. “The track is at your disposal for the entire day. I’m not sure why you think this will impress Amelia,” he eggs me on. “Or even be a good birthday present.”

“She likes riding the bike, and I have a feeling she will love the speed of the cars.”

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