my hands. God, she had an incredible ass.
She sighed lightly. Her breasts rose on my chest. “I want the answer to be simple, Nic.”
“And it is.”
“How can you be so glib about it? This is a career I have created. A reputation that has been built by respect and hard work. And that’s just me. What about you? Can you imagine?”
“Imagine what?”
“What people would say about you. The optics for a prince seeing his royal manager would be irreparable. Not even I could come up with a spin for that.”
I laughed. “I think you could, if you had to.” I stopped. “I’m not worried about what people would say about me. I let public opinion ruin one relationship. You think I’d let that happen again? I’d never subject you to that.”
“There is no way out of this. You need to realize it and stop acting as if we have a chance. Last night was beautiful. I’ll never forget it. But I can’t resign.”
“Just when I think you have maxed out on principle, you surprise me by taking it up a notch.” I gripped her waist as I flipped her on her back.
She gasped.
“Listen to what I have to say.”
She nodded. Her breath was ragged.
“I want you, Kenley DuBois. I want you in my bed every night. I want you in my arms every morning. We could sneak around and hide what we have from the rest of the palace. But that’s not why I spent fifty days in that damn rehab center. I’m not going to hide you like an addiction. I’m not ashamed. I want you on my arm, not as my advisor but as the woman I love. You deserve the respect of this palace and the respect of this country. I can’t give that to you if you stay my royal manager. And I don’t want you to have anything less. Do you understand?”
She looked at me. “Maybe.”
“You can’t stay under my command. We won’t work like that. The only way is to take this chance. You need to step down. And I need to step up. I won’t have anyone whispering about you, that you’re in my bed because I demanded it. That you’re paid to be here. Don’t you see that?”
“When you say it like that, I do. I actually do.”
“Good.” I kissed her throat, pressing my lips into her skin. “Then I’ll have your resignation after I’m done fucking you?”
“Yes,” she whispered. “But only if I can choose your next manager.”
“You can.” I grinned. “I told you I could convince you.”
“Just know, she’s going to be dreadfully boring and ugly. And old,” she added.
I laughed. “Fine by me.”
“Did you say you love me?” she asked.
Hadn’t I always loved her? Hadn’t I always needed her? “Yes. I did.”
“Say it again,” she whispered.
“I love you.”
“And this is real? All of it is real?”
I pushed her legs wide, gliding a hand to her pussy. I had been rough and possessive with her all night. I knew she was sore, but she was wet. I was already hard again, ready to be inside her. To love her differently. With a new purpose. A different message from my body that would end all her doubts.
“I think you’re going to need to clear my morning schedule, Miss DuBois.”
“The ambassador expects breakfast,” she explained. “I can’t.”
I separated her folds with a wide V of my fingers and she panted, bucking her hips for contact. But I wouldn’t give it to her.