Risking the Crown (The Crown 2)

She grinned. “After dessert we’ll go back to baby making.” She closed her eyes. “I think I’m just going to take a quick nap and then get up to eat.”

I kissed her forehead and tucked the covers under her shoulders. “Sleep, baby. You need it. I can draw a hot bath for you, if you want.”

She shook her head and I knew she was asleep.

I walked to the shower. The windows were tinted on the outside, so I could see out, but no one could see the prince of Galona was buck naked and about to take a shower.

It was a rain shower with a natural pebble floor. I stood under the steam and lathered my body. I had a lot to figure out before I saw Sophia tomorrow. I couldn’t picture leaving Adaline behind. I was here for her. But I couldn’t rip her from her mother’s arms either.

Galona and South Carolina weren’t close enough for us to alternate weekends and weeknights. I was going to have to figure out a way to convince Sophia to move back to Europe. Maybe she would consider Spain. It was close enough we could come up with a suitable parenting arrangement. I could move her into one of our estates there. She would have a state-of-the-art security system and it would be a seamless transition for our security team.

The more I thought about it, the more it made sense to relocate her to Spain. I liked the idea.

I turned off the shower and grabbed a towel. Kenley was asleep. I walked past her and to the kitchen. The staff was gone, but the table was set with candles, china, and crystal.

I stopped when I noticed the bottle of wine in the center.

I stared at it.

There was a wine glass at Kenley’s setting as well as mine. I scratched my head. The kitchen staff was hired from a local company while we traveled. They didn’t get the memo their new boss was an alchoholic.

I walked closer to the table. I picked up the bottle. I inhaled the crispness of the wine. I breathed it in over and over.

The entire day flashed in front of me. Boarding the plane with Kenley. Fucking in the jet so we could have a baby together. The look on Sophia face when I showed up. Holding my daughter in my arms.

I picked up the wine glasses and walked to the counter.

I closed my eyes and inhaled again just before I poured the wine down the sink.

I turned on the water and ran the garbage disposal. I hung my head and turned for the table. I wanted that drink. Fuck.

32

Kenley

I liked waking up at the beach. The sound of the waves was soothing and restorative at the same time. The only thing was I woke up starving. I slept through the entire night. My stomach growled.

Nic laughed. He was sitting at the desk in the alcove in the master suite. “Someone wants breakfast.” He had a cup of coffee and his sleeves were rolled to his elbows. I wondered how long he had been awake. He looked serious behind his laptop.

I stretched my arms upward. “I could eat everything in the house.”

“Want me to order that for you?”

I kicked off the sheet. “No. I can make my own breakfast.” I winked as I padded off to the bathroom. I brushed my teeth and started the shower.

My body felt sore in places it never had before. I smiled at my reflection. I truly belonged to him. My hands lingered over my belly. In every single way.

I stepped inside and washed my hair and took time to shave my legs.

This bathroom was incredible. I loved the rain shower and the pebbles. I felt like I was walking through a wading pool on the shore. I hadn’t had much time to explore the house, but it was even better than the pictures I had scanned online.

Apparently, a local multi-millionaire hotel investor had over-invested in properties and had let this home fall into the bank’s hands. It had every imaginable feature. And the view was spectacular.

I walked out of the bathroom. “Do you want to go for a walk on the beach after breakfast?” I asked Nic.

“Sure. I have a response from the ambassador.” He rubbed his jaw.

“Uh-oh. What’s wrong.” I walked over to read the email.