Page 8 of Naughty Prince
“Sounds like you know him?” Rebecca says.
Rick presses his lips together and looks at Luke. “We’ve crossed paths a dozen or so times.”
Luke lets the comment hang for a moment then clears his throat. “How about we pack an overnight bag and head up there before it gets dark? The best snowboarding happens early in the morning, so we can stay in one of the cabins.”
“I don’t know,” Rebecca starts before I jump in.
“I’ll just get my bags.” I rush into the room, open drawers and throw things in the bag I used for carry on during the flight.
Rebecca comes in and folds her arms across her chest. “They could be murderers.”
“What?” I’m barely listening as I grab a handful of underwear then wonder if I’ll need any at all…
“These guys. We barely know them. Do you think it’s wise to go into the mountains overnight with them?”
“Yes,” I say immediately. “I think it’s very wise.” I’m gliding on air as I throw the last few things in my bag and zip it up.
“This is how most horror movies start,” she says.
“Oh, come on, Bec. You’re always telling me to live a little. This is what that looks like.”
“Fine. But I’m telling the concierge where we’re going and the room number of Luke and Rick so the police know who to look for if we don’t come back.”
“That’s a brilliant idea,” I say, giving her a tight embrace as I float out the door and into the waiting arms of my personal prince. Rebecca might want the real prince of Fürstheim, but my only interest is in Luke—the prince of my heart.
Eight
Lucas
We make it to my cabin just as the sun goes down, which means it’s too dark to see through the tinted windows and notice the cabin is surrounded by security fencing. As much as Iliketo be treated like a regular person, there are certain pitfalls to my station that require things like electrified fencing and a security detail. Normally, wherever I am, there’s a couple of plain-clothed bodyguards not far away. The fact I’ve returned to Fürstheim without those guards would make my parents ropable. But a man’s got to do what a man’s got to do.
“This is beautiful,” Ivy says as we climb out of the car. “A regular winter wonderland. Can you skate on the lake?”
“It doesn’t freeze over enough,” I say. “Too much salt and movement.” I usher her inside, and Patrick and Rebecca follow.
“In Massachusetts where I live, it got so cold one year that the waves on the beach were filled with ice. They looked like Slurpees,” Ivy explains as she looks around the large living area with interested eyes.
“That would have been magical to see.” I hit a switch on the wall, and the fire in the center of the room roars to life. She looks from it to me.
“Eerie,” she replies. “Really brought home how much the climate is changing.”
“The world can’t stay the same forever, I suppose.” I move closer to her and take her bag from her hand, setting it on the floor.
“It would be nice if it could sometimes. There are some moments where I’d love to hit the pause button, just so I can stay a little longer.”
“Would you like to hit pause now?”
She licks her lips, and I imagine catching that pink tongue of hers between my teeth. “Maybe.”
“You guys got anything to eat here,” Rebecca says, cutting into our moment. I lift my head and frown, finding that Patrick is already on it.
“The kitchen’s this way,” he says, leading her away. I wish him good luck in my mind, because I know he’s interested in her. But I’m not sure they share the same kind of connection Ivy and I do.
The moment they’ve left our side, I turn my attention back to my love, taking her hand in mine then winding our fingers together. “Do you think I’m too forward?” I ask when she lets out a gasp.
“I don’t know,” she whispers, letting out a whimper as I lift her hand to my mouth and gently kiss every one of her fingers.
“What about now?” I press my lips against the pulse point at her wrist and taste her skin with my tongue.
