Page 23 of A Fierce Princess

“No, really. I’m OK. I’m sorry I scared you all,” I say. I cast my line back out and take in a deep breath. Fortunately, the next fish I catch doesn’t get gut-hooked, and we release it. I don’t end up catching any that we can keep, but Pete and Auggie both do. We head back in at lunchtime, and I excuse myself.

I curl up on my bed, and sometime after contemplating how and when I’ll tell Logan about everything, I fall fast asleep.

The listing of the boat is what wakes me. I can hear the wind howling outside. I stumble to my feet and throw on my raincoat. In a matter of seconds, I’ve pushed open the hatch and am on deck. I see Thomas securing lines and Vicky and Nico are assisting him. Nico is the best sailor of our bodyguards, so it makes sense he’s out here helping. Logan is at the wheel.

He sees me and his look is fierce. I grimace as I’m probably just in the way, but I do have some experience with boats. I square my shoulders and walk toward him. I huff as I notice my useless brothers are still below deck.

“You should be below deck!” Logan calls out over the wind. “It’s not safe up here, Anna.”

“I can help!” I respond. He gives me a hard look. And I give him one right back. He’s not the boss of me.

“Fine, hold the wheel,” he says.

I go to grasp it and the boat lists again, sending me right into Logan’s arms. He grasps me hard, pulling me against his body. I grip his jacket and steady myself. For a moment, I don’t want to move. It feels safe in his grasp, but I will myself to grab the wheel, to make myself useful.

“You, OK?” he calls out, his arms still holding me. I nod, and he gives my waist a squeeze before heading over to help Nico.

Keeping the boat straight on its course is easier said than done. The waves are large and push us around like a bottle in the sea. I use all my muscle to keep the jerking wheel in place.

Water rains down my face, but I don’t dare try removing a hand from the wheel to wipe it away. I know one hand won’t have enough strength to hold it in place.

A minute and then two go by, finally Logan’s back at my side. His arms come around me, and he grasps the wheel.

“You can let go,” he whispers in my ear, his hot breath caressing my skin. “I got us.”

I stay there for a moment, relishing in the warmth of his body pressed securely against mine. I feel as though I’m in the heart of a tornado. Everything is whipping around us. The crew yelling at each other as they secure things, the roaring wind, the crashing waves, but here in our embrace I hear nothing but Logan’s breath on me. I feel nothing but his heat against my body.

He doesn’t say anything for the longest moment. I feel the tension in him.

“Go back to bed, Anna,” he finally says. “We’re through the worst of it now.”

I nod, and he raises his arm to let me leave. I look back at him.

“Thank you for helping,” he says to me, his eyes still fixed on the horizon.

“You’re welcome,” I say softly, so softly I’m not sure he’s heard me over the wind until he turns and gives me a small, tight smile. I head below deck and back to my bed where sleep avails me until the storm is well past us.

Chapter 12

The next day we snorkel all morning and paddleboard in the afternoon. As I make myself comfy on my cushion after dinner, I realize how much I’ve enjoyed being out on the water in a safe little bubble. I also am realizing that I’m falling for Logan with every touch and every conversation. I lie back and stare at the night sky.

I hear movement behind me. I know it’s him before I see him.

“Hi, Logan,” I say, not turning toward him. He sits down in front of me, partially blocking my view of the night sky.

“How are you doing?” he asks. I know he’s referring to my episode yesterday. I’m glad it’s dark out, so he can’t see the blush on my face. I hate being embarrassed.

“I’m fine. Thank you,” I answer.

He leans back and looks up at the sky. “What’s it like?” he asks.

“What’s what like?” I respond.

“Being a princess, a royal?” he asks. I almost laugh because he’s one too.

I clear my throat. “It’s…good and bad,” I say carefully.

“What’s bad about it?” he asks. He makes himself comfortable, and I feel his arm against my leg.

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