“Did I say three hundred fifty-seven? It’s really three hundred sixty.”
Tristan refrained from rolling his eyes. “Can’t you beam a satellite at the phone and zap the picture or something?”
Robert smirked. “No.” Then, “I suggest you tell her.”
“I was going to. I just thought you would want to know.”
“Word of advice?”
Tristan nodded.
“Everyone else underestimates her strength. Don’t be one of those people.” Robert stalked to the door, leaving Tristan alone with Ele.
And for the second time tonight, Tristan was left with something to think about.
He found Ele standing at the window, looking out at the mountains in the distance. Walking up behind her, he slipped his hands around her waist and rested his chin on the top of her head. She leaned back against him, sliding into place, molding her body to his. Their simple affair felt complicated.
“What was that about?” she asked quietly.
“I needed to run something by Robert.”
Neither of them spoke, nor did they move. With Ele in his arms, Tristan was content to hold her. Maybe he was afraid to tell her, afraid she’d cut their night short. It had been a week since he had her in his arms, had his mouth on hers, her body tucked within the confines of his. He liked her here. The last thing he wanted was for her to leave.
“The picture we snapped on the beach,” he began.
Ele nodded.
“My sister found it and sent it to my mom.”
Ele didn’t say anything for a moment. “So?” she finally conceded.
Tristan thought of Robert’s words, about her strength, and he smiled. So.
“I’d like to promise she’ll keep it to herself. But I can’t guarantee it. I don’t want you to be exposed.”
Ele considered, all the while burrowing deeper into him. She moved back infinitesimally, like she might be able to get even closer. “I’m not worried about that picture, Tristan. It’s easily explained away. People know we met at the St. Peter’s tour. And my appearance at the party was on my itinerary. It was no secret.”
Tristan breathed easy. It felt like his first full breath since he’d discovered Sheena with his phone in her hand.
“You were worried.” She turned in his arms.
He hadn’t kissed her since she walked in the room, but with her gaze focused on him, he didn’t resist. His hands on her hips flexed, and he pulled her flush against him. She cradled his jaw in her elegant fingers. His mouth dropped to hers, and he inhaled her, ravenous for the taste of her. It started with hunger, but she gentled it, slowing him down, exploring him. She controlled the tempo, the exchange, the parry. Her hand gripped his head, and he pulled her even closer. But he didn’t take control, wasn’t even sure if he could.
He liked Ele’s shy curiosity in their encounters. But he was even more enthralled by her bold handling of their kiss. He would follow her anywhere she led him. So, when she came up for air, he waited for her direction. She placed light kisses on the corner of his mouth.
“I missed that over the last week,” she murmured.
He smiled. “Me too.”
She continued kissing him, exploring his neck, nipping lightly at the space under his ear, making his pulse race. He knew she’d noticed when her mouth moved to the pulse point on his neck, and she rested there, letting his heart beat against her tongue. She moaned softly, and Tristan thought he might lose his mind. Her tentative perusal felt more aggressive, more determined and pointed. Her hands snaked down his chest, mapping his muscles.
She tugged on his shirt and whispered, “Off.”
He complied, reaching to his back to grip the neck of his shirt and pulling it over his head. Her mouth landed immediately on his chest. One hand found his nipple, and then her mouth followed. His dick jumped. In a move he wasn’t ready for, she dropped to her knees before him. Like a cartoon character, his eyes bulged. He recovered quickly, his hands lacing through her hair. He’d imagined just this moment, when his princess was on her knees; he’d gotten off on it more times than he was comfortable admitting. His hands wove through her silken strands, and her nose nuzzled against him, making him grunt. She gripped the waistband of his pants, pulling them down, over his ass, to the floor.
She grinned up at him and he stepped out of them, standing naked before her.
When she swallowed him whole, he had a fleeting thought. He’d wanted Princess Eleanor just like this, but he hadn’t been prepared for it. Because she suddenly seemed to have all of the power.