A Royal Mess and Her Knight To Remember

novel.

Wildly, Annie wondered if she had fairy dust in there, anything in which to sprinkle over Annie and make this all come out okay.

Chin up, don’t let him see you cry.

Annie straightened, startled, staring at Amelia. She could have sworn Amelia had spoken that out loud, which of course she hadn’t.

But how did Amelia know? Well, of course she knew, Amelia knew all. And the woman had always known Annie’s mind better than even Annie knew it.

Suddenly she was driven by some need to turn her head. She found Kyle watching not the wedding, not the audience, but her.

He was tall, dark and heart-stoppingly gorgeous. He was rough and tough, intense, sharp and had a job.

Her favorite qualities.

But-there always seemed to be a but when it came to her happiness-they were worlds apart.

Literally.

Not to mention he had no idea she’d done the unthinkable, that she’d started to fall for him. It was asinine, really. They hadn’t known each other long enough for her to even contemplate such a thing.

Which hadn’t stopped her from tumbling into bed with him last night, had it? She’d done so with shameless abandon, and because it had been the best night of her life, she couldn’t bring herself to regret it.

But it sure as hell was going to make it all that much more difficult to walk away. And she would walk away. Grunberg was her heart, her home, her life.

And she was going back tomorrow morning.

THE RECEPTION was loud, boisterous and joyful. But Annie had trouble putting a smile on her face. Around her people were cheering as the newly married couple walked around arm in arm greeting their guests.

Annie sighed and wished she was home. Or that Nat had made it. Wished she could find that distance again so she didn’t feel the ache in her chest that she couldn’t-or wouldn’t-explain to herself.

It’s not like you to accept defeat, lovely.

Annie whirled around, but Amelia wasn’t behind her.

She was hearing things again. Telling herself the melancholy was normal-after all, she’d been through a lot in just a few days-she moved outside, desperate for air.

She’d be happy to go home, but…

No. No buts. She was a grown woman who’d chosen to scratch an itch, that’s all. And the itch had definitely been scratched.

Only she still itched…

She heard someone walking toward her. Now she was going to have to smile. Make nice. The reception was in a fancy place made for such events, and Annie had moved as far away as she could, standing just outside a set of glass French doors. She leaned over the balcony and studied the glorious New Mexico landscape and willed whoever it was to keep walking.

But it wasn’t just anyone. It was Kyle.

She didn’t feel like smiling and making nice for him. She felt like slugging him because…she didn’t even know. He’d been a temporary diversion. A very nice temporary diversion, and she’d never forget that he’d not only saved her life but taught her that sex wasn’t overrated.

Not overrated at all.

In fact, just thinking about it, how his hard, hot body had fit to hers, how he’d-

“Whatever you’re thinking,” he murmured when he came close enough, “you’re turning me on with just the look on your face.”

“I’m thinking about the buffet table,” she lied. “All that food.”

“And that’s arousing you?”

“How do you know I’m aroused?”

He looked down.

So did she, and then groaned. Having sensed the man who’d sent them into ecstasy the night before was close by, her nipples had thrust themselves against the restraints of the pink satin.

She crossed her arms. “I’m cold.”

He tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Liar.”

Just his touch made her want to lean into him and bite his chin. “I’m not a liar.”

He gave her a half-closed, incredibly sexy look. “Uh-huh.”

“I’m not,” she said, much weaker now. Damn him. He did that to her, and he knew it. He liked it!

His body brushed hers, and if she’d thought she couldn’t breathe inside during the wedding, she was in big trouble now.

“You’re turned on,” he insisted, running a finger down her jaw and her throat, then down farther to play with the locket resting between her breasts, which tingled from the backs of his fingers.

Traitors. She tightened her arms over her chest.

He didn’t look bothered. “And you’re pissed. Incredibly sexy combination, Princess.”

“You’re sick.”

“Yes,” he agreed, then looked right into her eyes again. “I’m sick that this is it.”

Panic welled, but she beat it back. He couldn’t know. He wasn’t a mind reader and she sure hadn’t given him any indication of her feelings. Mostly because she herself didn’t understand them. “Wh-what are you talking about?”

“You’ll miss me,” he said, holding her gaze with his. “Why don’t you just tell me you’ll miss me?”

The big, bossy jerk. “Why should I?”

“Because I’m going to miss you. Every ornery, stubborn inch.”

13

“LET’S TRY THIS,” Kyle suggested, and went to pull something out of his tux pocket.

“Wait!” Annie covered his hand with hers, looking frantically over her shoulder, but they were still alone. Or as alone as they could be at a huge wedding reception surrounded by hundreds. “Oh my God. What are you doing?”

“I’m trying to tell you. I’m-”

“You can’t pull a gun here! It’s a wedding reception.”

He let out a sound of disbelief. “What makes you think I have a gun in my pocket?”

She was nose to nose with him. She had her hand on his at his hip. Her chest was mashed into his chest, and suddenly Annie realized that this might be the last time they touched. “You’re a cop.”

“Was.”

“You…what?”

He looked off into the distance, at the mountain peaks, at the sky, an inexplicable yearning on his face. “I wanted a leave of absence but I couldn’t get one.”

“You wanted a leave? But…why?”

“I told you that day we were held up by Jimmy. I need a break. A change of scenery.”

“You’re burned out?” she asked, softening, feeling her heart break a little for the man who’d given so much and needed something back in return.

He shrugged. “I suppose burned out is a good an explanation as any other.”

“So you…”

“Quit.”

Her heart started a heavy pounding. She didn’t know why. “Which doesn’t explain the gun in your pocket.”

He turned his head from the view and pierced her with those amazing eyes. “I told you it wasn’t a gun. But