Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 65108 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 326(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65108 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 326(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
“Eleanor,” Gretchen says with a smile, “I’d like to introduce you to my friend, Vivienne.”
“Oh, we’ve met,” Ellie says and grins. “How are you, Vivienne?”
“Just splendid, thank you.”
The three standing together look like something out of a magazine. Ellie is stunning with her long, blond hair twisted up at the back of her head, the green dress molding to her like a second skin.
I’ll enjoy peeling it off her later.
Gretchen is taller, brunette, and has a beauty mark by her lip, Cindy Crawford style. Her dress is red, low-cut, and screams, look at me!
Vivienne has short, dark-blonde hair, and lots of curves outfitted in a simple black dress.
“So, Eleanor,” Gretchen begins, “Vivienne and I couldn’t help but notice that your bodyguard is quite attractive.”
“I believe the Americans would call him a snack,” Vivienne adds with a giggle.
Jesus, I’m standing right fucking here. These women seem to think that anyone on the payroll is deaf and dumb.
I’m far from either.
“He’s handsome, yes,” Ellie says and nods.
“He’d really be the perfect one-night stand,” Gretchen continues. I have to fight to keep my face expressionless.
“Clearly, he’s not relationship material,” Vivienne agrees. “But, goodness, look at the way he fills out that tux.”
“Why wouldn’t he be relationship material?” Ellie asks and sets her empty champagne flute on a tray.
“Well, the reasons are fairly obvious,” Gretchen says.
“Explain them to me,” Ellie says. Her face is calm, but she’s gripping the back of a chair, her knuckles turning white.
“She only means that he’d be fun for a fling,” Vivienne says, speaking slowly as if Ellie is stupid.
I want to throw them both out of here.
“I know what she means,” Ellie replies, not looking away from Gretchen. She steps forward and gets within inches of Gretchen’s face. “You’re not a kind woman. I know you think you can come here, into my home, and judge me and everyone else here, and that no one will dare call you out on your pettiness.
“But I will. You’ve been baiting me all evening, and I’m done. Liam, this snack over here, is a kind and good man, and he doesn’t deserve to listen to whatever game you’re trying to play. You’re a guest in my home, Gretchen, not the other way around. And trust me when I say you won’t be invited again.”
“Ellie—”
“My name is Princess Eleanor,” Ellie replies coolly. “Good evening.”
Ellie nods once, and we walk away from the two flummoxed women. Ellie turns to say something to me, but I shake my head once.
“Later,” is all I say.
We have a lot to talk about later.
* * *
“My feet are killing me.” Ellie steps out of her heels and wiggles her toes. “Being in sandals for a month was heaven. I got used to not wearing these death traps.”
“They look sexy on you,” I reply as I loosen my tie. “Then again, you look gorgeous in just about anything.”
She offers me a tired smile. “I’m going to take a quick shower and wash this makeup off.”
Wash Princess Eleanor off.
I nod. “I’m going to sit out on the patio for a few minutes, get some fresh air.”
She frowns, and before she can say anything else, I take her shoulders in my hands and pull her up for a long, slow kiss.
“Go shower,” I whisper. “Then come see me outside.”
“All right.”
She walks away, reaching behind her to unzip that sexy-as-hell dress. I’d planned to peel it off her and have my way with her this evening, but I have too much on my mind.
I walk into Ellie’s kitchen and pour a glass of water, then open the French door that leads out to the private courtyard. I take a seat.
The sky is clear, but because of the light noise from London, there aren’t any stars that I can see. It’s a world away from Montana, that’s for sure.
And that’s just the sky.
I’ve been staying with Ellie in her apartment since we arrived. I had a talk with Charles, the head of security for the royal family, and he reluctantly allowed it. As far as I know, he hasn’t told anyone else.
And I know Ellie hasn’t said anything to her family yet, even Callum.
I promised her when we arrived last week that we would have a talk, but there hasn’t been a free moment for it.
That ends tonight.
We need to chat.
I’ve just finished my water and started to relax when Ellie walks through the doorway, looking clean and fresh in her little yoga shorts and orange tank top.
For a moment, I swore we were still in Montana.
It makes my gut tighten, and my heart ache.
I hold out my hand for hers and tug her into my lap, where she curls up and presses her face to my neck, breathing deeply.
“You smell good,” I whisper before pressing a kiss to her damp hair.
“I needed to wash all of that off,” she admits softly.