Tempting the Crown (The Crown 1)

“What?” My eyes cut to him.

“I have more surprises. Don’t touch them.”

He helped me stand from the bed. I straightened my dress. “You know Ayla would die if she knew I was going to dinner without underwear.”

He squeezed my hand. “We’re going to have to keep lots of secrets, love.”

I leaned against his shoulder. I liked how it sounded when he said we.

25

Damon

The crew let us dine alone. I assured them we could pour our own champagne. I didn’t need them hovering. For once I wanted to forget the servitude that surrounded me.

Molly looked beautiful in the candlelight, but I realized she looked beautiful anywhere, under any circumstance. I needed her kind of purity. It steadied me when I thought I would crash.

“Now that everyone is gone, can you please tell me what happened between the time we arrived at the hotel and when we met for our date?” She took a bite of salad.

I wasn’t used to sharing, for many reasons. As king I didn’t have to express feelings or thoughts. I didn’t govern in a partnership with my siblings. I issued orders. It was my country.

And now there was an angelic woman who had pure intent behind her questions. It was hard to ignore her naiveté. However, what happened today involved her. I made a decision to include her.

“I’m pleased Ayla is so good at her job. She kept you away from phones and TV.”

Molly placed her fork on the side of her plate. “Why? What did I miss?”

“You are Galona’s new mystery woman.”

“What?”

“The trip in the grove. When you fell? There are pictures taking over every headline. It’s plastered everywhere.”

“Oh no. Oh no, no, no.” She shook her head. “That wasn’t supposed to happen.”

“No, it was a simple accident. But it has catapulted us somewhere I didn’t expect.”

She reached for her champagne. “I don’t understand. It just happened a few hours ago. It was a trip. Shit.”

I smiled. I loved it when her pretty lips uttered dirty words. “The picture looks like I rescued you from falling to your death. I’ve been painted as a fucking romantic, and you’re the American damsel.”

“Ok. That I don’t like.” She cracked a smile. “Except the romantic part. You did plan a private dinner on a gorgeous yacht off the coast of Sangreaux. That kind of defines romantic.”

I scowled. What I had planned for her privately wasn’t for public consumption.

“I called Kenley and Sutcliffe. Kenley is working on a way to re-focus the press’s attention on the olive grove funding. Sutcliffe is working on a way to move you into the palace.”

She blinked. Her sapphire eyes alive under the candlelight. “Move into the palace? You can’t be serious.”

I nodded. “Oh, I’m serious, Molly. He will find a way to make it work with royal protocol.”

“Royal protocol? I’m not interested in protocol. I have a place. I have a roommate. We live downtown.”

“Neither of which can keep you safe against the press. It’s necessary for your safety.”

She scrunched her nose together. It would have been adorable had she not been so pissed at me. “You can’t just move me into the palace.”

I sighed. I had forgotten this part. “Right. How about like this? Molly, will you please move into the palace so I can protect you from paparazzi and rabid citizens who may believe you are a threat to national security?”