Page 16 of Royal Rebel

“It’s got Kevlar in it, just in case.”

Her eyes widen again, and I can see her start to panic. “Lia, you’re safe with me, I promise.”

I watch her swallow roughly, so hard I hear it. “Okay, I trust you.”

There are those words again, and as we get on, start the engine, and prepare to fly down the coastal highway, I know those are words I’ll do my best to keep hearing for the rest of our lives together.

CHAPTER 9

AMELIA

My stomach is in my throat as Tristan takes a curve at a high rate of speed. The way I’m situated on the back of his bike, I can’t see much, and if I just glance, it looks like we’re about to plunge right into the sea. It’s enough to make me squeal and giggle, all at the same time. He looks back at me, but he’s wearing a full-face helmet like I am, so there’s hardly anything I can see. Wrapping my arms around his waist, I hold on tightly, probably too tightly.

Who am I kidding? I’m allowed to touch his body, hang on to it, press myself up against him as we ride down the coastal highway. No one knows who we are, there’s not a huge motorcade following us or preceding us. Parker is a few car lengths back in a Range Rover, and for all intents and purposes, this feels very much like a date.

There’s a crossing that we have to stop at. I use the moment to catch my breath.

“You doing okay?” he asks as he straightens up, puttinghis feet on the ground. One hand goes to his thigh, the other goes to where my fingers are clasped around his waist. He covers mine with his warmth and gives a slight squeeze.

“I love this!”

“Do you really?” He turns so that he can look at me.

“Yeah.” I nod. “This is a lot more fun than I thought it would be. Thank you so much for bringing me.”

“It’s truly my pleasure.” He lifts his hand up, giving me a squeeze just above my elbow. “You ready to go?”

“Yeah.” I smile brightly, even though he can’t see it. This is the best time I’ve had, maybe ever.

He hits the gas a little harder, causing me to squeal again and grasp him tighter around the waist. After riding for a little while longer, we come to a stop again.

“Are you getting hungry?”

After he mentions it, I realize I’m hungrier than I thought I was. My stomach growls loudly, but hopefully I’m the only one who can hear it. “Starving,” I admit.

“There’s a nice little fish and chips place up here.” He points a little way up the road we’re on. “Do you want to stop there?”

“I would love to.”

Minutes later we’re stopping, Parker pulling in behind us. As we get off the bike, he hands Tristan a hat. To me, he doesn’t look much differently, but to people who aren’t used to seeing him in a hat, it’s definitely enough of a disguise. “You should be fine,” Parker tells me. “The only way people have seen you is completely dressed up, and they won’t expect you to be wearing biker gear.”

For the first time I notice Parker isn’t dressed in a suit, like normal. He looks very much like a normal guy just enjoying a day. “After you.” Tristan opens the door for me.

Walking inside, I see that it has views much like the house we’re staying in off the ocean. Together we walk up to the counter to order. I almost giggle, because it strikes me as funny that Tristan is doing something so everyday normal as ordering his own food. I’m not sure why, but it does.

“What do you want, Lia?”

“I’m sorry.” I shake my head to rid it of my thoughts. “What did you order?”

“The fish and chips I was telling you about.”

“Then I’ll have the same,” I order.

“Do you want a pint?” The lady taking our order questions both of us.

I’m feeling a little like living on the edge. Tristan declines while I say, “Why the hell not?”

He chuckles beside me. “Whatever the lady wants.”

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