“You don’t have to explain. I trust you.” Or, more accurately, I’m so fucking horny for this woman, I’ve become completely reckless.
I think about the other possibility of what we’ve done, and strangely it doesn’t bother me. An unexpected wave of satisfaction fills me at the idea of Ava’s belly round with my child.
“I’m on the pill,” she adds, killing that fantasy.
It’s a good thing. I need to get my head straight about this woman. We’ve only known each other a short time. As future king, I have to be more deliberate and responsible about my decisions.
Still, Ava is something special. I love every conversation we’ve had. I love how well our bodies work together, and I can’t forget my feelings on the track today seeing her walking out to greet me.
“You don’t have to worry.” I hold her a little closer to my chest. “I’m clean. I haven’t been with anyone in a long time.”
Those last words, added as an afterthought, cause me to remember my lonely existence before this beautiful creature appeared. I didn’t even realize what I was missing.
“Why were you alone?” Her voice is soft, and her legs are loose around my waist.
We’re floating in the pleasant water, luxuriating in the calm of afterglow.
I think about her question. “I don’t know exactly. My father died, and I felt I had to focus on getting up to speed, proving I was ready to take his place.”
“Does running the country mean you can’t have a girlfriend?”
“No.” I smile and touch her beautiful face. “It just means people always want something. Everyone has an agenda. It’s hard to know who to trust.”
She leans her cheek into my hand. “I tried to stay away from you, you know.”
“I suppose that’s what made me want you more.”
“Is it?”
“No.” I can’t lie to her now. “That night in the moonlight, when you were alone, watching the waves and quoting Robert Frost. It was exactly what I was doing in my mind. Looking at the waves and wishing I could run away.”
Her expression changes, and she places her slim fingers along my jawline. “We both want freedom? Shouldn’t you already have it?”
My arms tighten around her. “I’m pretty sure I know what I want.”
“Me too.”
Our eyes mix and mingle, emerald green and ocean blue. I can’t help feeling we were meant to find each other. Our paths were destined to cross. Passionate preference, such as love at first sight…
She kisses me roughly, holding her body to mine as if she’s afraid I’ll disappear. “I always want to remember this,” she says.
I’ll never forget it.
“Go with me to the gala tomorrow. It’s the kickoff to all the race events. After it, I’ll be slammed with time trials and practice runs. I’ll have to keep things going with the cabinet. I’m afraid for a few days, I won’t be able to see you like this.”
She doesn’t hesitate. “I would love to go with you.”
“We might be hounded by photographers. I hope you don’t mind having your photograph plastered all over the damn place.”
“I don’t mind. I don’t really notice them anymore when we’re together.”
Sliding my fingers along her hairline, I think about my decisions, about what my mother wants, about what’s good for the country. I think about Ava being here on a holiday, the possibility that her visit will end and she’ll leave. A hollow feeling burns in my stomach.
&nb
sp; “After the race, I’d like to talk to you about something.”
She smiles. “You could talk to me now. I’m here.”