Her Royal Bodyguard (10 page)

Rico let out a long, ragged breath and then took slow steps across the room, around the foot of the bed, stopping in front of her. “Angelina,” he whispered before he stepped into her arms and lowered his lips to hers.

This kiss was different than any other she’d experienced. This brush of lips on lips was soft and purposeful, slow and thoughtful. Then the quick nip of teeth on her bottom lip made her gasp and his tongue slid in to claim her.

Her arms found their way around his neck. Her hip found his erection and when she pressed against him, it rode the soft spot between her hip bone and abdomen. Her sex clenched and tingled. Her heart rode the nerves that scrambled in her stomach but that didn’t stop her from wanting more. So much more.

They were so close to that soft-looking bed. Could they really end up tangled together on the wide mattress tonight? She wanted him so badly. Wanted to experience the passion that could flare between a man and a woman. The passion people wrote stories about. The passion that started wars and forged families.

Then Rico lifted his lips and she whimpered, the needy sound louder than their ragged breathing. She wanted to experience passion with
him
. He sent her a pained smile, then rested his forehead against hers.

“Angelina,” Rico said softly, “you are a desirable woman. Have no doubt about it. My attraction to you has tested my strength for months now.”

Months?
He’d been attracted to her for months? The thought made her smile for a moment, but then it slid off her face. By the tone of his voice, she could tell he wasn’t happy about it. She sighed softly as she realized this evening would most likely not end with them tangled together on the wide, soft mattress.

“You have tempted me to the end of my resistance, so I will not lie to you and say I don’t yearn to take you on this bed. I also won’t lie to you and declare that it will never happen.” Rico stepped away from her then, just far enough to put the corner of the bed between them. “But it will not happen tonight. You are tired and you’ve had too much wine. I will not take advantage of you.”

She let her hand brush over the soft duvet cover, never taking her eyes from his. “And if I want you to take advantage?”

“You say that now, but you may feel differently in the morning. I’m not willing to take that chance.” He bowed his head, but he was smart enough to not speak her title out loud, although she didn’t doubt he said it in his head. “Good night. Sleep well. I will let you know if I hear anything of importance from the palace.”

Before she could say anything more, Rico turned and walked out of the bedroom, closing the door softly behind him. Angelina sank onto the mattress, desire for him still rushing through her system. She wanted to be angry at him. To wave her arms and tell him there was no reason to wait. To shout at him to take her now.

Angelina knew she’d been clumsy in her attempt at seduction, but if she sat back and did nothing, she’d return to the palace innocent and restless and eager for the first man who put his hands on her. And she didn’t want that. She wanted her first time to be with someone she trusted. She wanted her first time to be with Rico.

But she also knew he was right. She was exhausted. She was perhaps a little drunk. She understood why he couldn’t trust the things she was saying, the way she was asking for him to take her to bed. In the morning, she would likely be glad, but at this moment she was very sorry that Rico was an honorable man.

Even though Rico had not slept in two days, he didn’t fall asleep for a long time. His aroused body yearned for relief more than his tired brain cried for rest. The sofa in the living room pulled out into a double bed, but he was certain it was nowhere near as comfortable as the king-sized bed on the other side of the closed door. And it was much lonelier.

Rico sat up and turned on the lamp on the end table. He’d checked no less than ten minutes before, but still he picked up his phone to make sure there hadn’t been a message from Tony telling him they’d caught the person responsible for the kidnapping attempt. It would be the only thing to save him.

Of course, there was no message.

Had he actually told his princess, the woman he was charged to protect, that he might have sex with her? How could he even consider taking her innocence? It was out of the question. He was more honorable than that.

But then he remembered the feel of her body against his. The young princess had indeed grown up. Princess Angelina had a mind of her own. She was smart and funny, and he enjoyed her company.

He could still taste her lips. Hear the ring of her laughter and the need for him in her voice. He’d taken on violent criminals in hand-to-hand combat, but walking away from Angelina tonight was one of the most difficult things he’d ever done.

This was his last job for the royal family. Then he would be leaving the palace and would probably never see the princess again. At least not close. Not like this. Never like this.

Rico tossed the phone back onto the table, stretched back out on the thin mattress and prayed for sleep. He was going to need to be well-rested and on his toes when the morning came. And if Angelina asked him to take her to bed again, he honestly had no idea how he would respond.

When his phone woke him up the next morning, he still had no idea.

“Tell us about your job at the palace,” Rosa said as they dished up a breakfast Angelina had no stomach for. “Your parents seem to think that anything to do with the palace and the royal family is no big deal. Of course, they have been in the palace for over thirty years. But here in Tuscora, we are so removed from palace life that we tend to think life there is more like a fairy tale.”

Angelina and Rico hadn’t spoken much to each other since they woke up to the news that both Enzo and Donato were awake and able to talk about the kidnapping attempt. Apparently the road had been partially blocked by a large black sedan, staged to look as if it had broken down. But as soon as the princess’s vehicle stopped and Enzo stepped out to see if he could help, several men with weapons poured out. Someone shouted that they wanted the princess, but Enzo hadn’t waited to find out who sent them. When he’d tried to get back inside the vehicle, they’d opened fire.

Flashbacks of the shooting that followed, the blood and the fear and the pain in Enzo’s eyes made Angelina shiver. She’d lost her appetite, but politely nibbled on the food in front of her.

“I head up Prince Vittorio’s protection detail,” Rico replied to his aunt’s question. He shrugged as if it was no big deal, but Angelina knew it was huge. She knew how hard he worked and the time he put into the job. She knew she might not be alive if not for him and the security team he supervised.

“He’s being modest,” she told his family. “He’s also in charge of palace security. He coordinates all the teams and oversees their training and duties. That’s on top of traveling all over the world with the prince.”

“Oh my,” Rosa replied. “I see your new bride is very proud of you, Rico. We are too. It sounds like very important work.”

“That doesn’t leave you very much time to spend with Lucia, does it?” Maria asked softly.

Rico turned to look at Angelina. His dark gaze made her shiver. “No.” That one hard word seemed to answer more than Maria’s simple question.

“Well, Lucia will be moving into the palace with you now, won’t she?” Maria went on. Then she threw Rico a sly grin. “If she hasn’t already moved in with you.”

Giuseppe frowned. “Maria, where are your manners?”

Maria’s eyes sparkled even as she said, “I’m sorry. But you will be moving in with Rico at the palace, won’t you, Lucia?”

“Yes, I’ll be living at the palace when we return.” For once, Angelina could answer with the truth.

“Then you’ll be able to spend more time together,” Maria said. “Rico can see you in his free time.”

“Yes. Of course.” And Angelina realized that was true. Even if they were called back to the palace soon, all was not lost. They’d still be able to see each other. Still explore their feelings. The thought helped raise her spirits.

“What about you, Lucia? Will you continue to work at the bakery in town?” Rosa asked.

“No. I left my job so we could travel,” she improvised. Maybe now she wouldn’t have to answer any more questions about the bakery.

“What will you do when you get back home?” Maria asked.

Good question.

“Bah. She will give Rico many strong babies,” Giuseppe announced. “That will keep her busy.”

“Papa, women do more than have babies now,” Maria said. “They have jobs. Careers. Look at Mama. She didn’t sit around doing nothing when she had me.”

“Your mother and I worked together,” Giuseppe said. “This villa is more than a business. It is our life.

“Maybe they’ll have a position at the palace for you,” Rosa said. Her face lit up. “I know. You could work in the kitchen with Beatrice, Rico’s mother. Surely they could use an experienced baker in the palace.”

Angelina was running out of impromptu words. Her brain was tired simply trying to keep up with the stories and the lies they had been telling. And just the thought of what Rico’s family would think when they learned the truth took away the rest of her appetite. Why had she thought she could do this?

“What do you think, Rico?” Rosa asked when Angelina didn’t respond. “Can you talk to your mother? The prince? Can’t they find a position for your wife?”

“I am well paid,” Rico said smoothly. He rested his arm along the back of Angelina’s chair and his warm hand rested comfortably on her shoulder. Just his touch relaxed her. “Lucia doesn’t have to rush into anything. She can take her time deciding what she wants to do when we get back home.”

“Of course,” Rosa said. “We are family. I am only trying to help.”

“I know. And we thank you for your concern.” Rico turned to Angelina with a smile. “What would you like to do today,
amore
?”

She had to get away from this house and the people with the prying questions and the loving intentions. “Perhaps I can find some gifts to take back home.”

Rico groaned, even though the sexy smile remained on his handsome face. “More shopping?”

She rolled her eyes. “We went in one shop yesterday. One shop.” Angelina turned to Rosa. “Your friend, Gina, was very generous.”

“Gina is like family,” Rosa said. “We have been friends since we were little girls racing around the olive trees together.”

Angelina had no friends left from when she was a little girl. The few daughters of palace staff she used to play with had moved away to go to university or to find careers or to marry. She had friends now whom she met in school, but she couldn’t imagine any of them being like family.

“It’s supposed to rain this afternoon,” Giuseppe warned. “Keep an eye on the sky.”

“We will,
Tio
.”

As they rose from the table, Rosa cleared her throat. “I know you have your own plans for your time here in Tuscora and they don’t include meddling family, but I would like to invite you to eat dinner with us tonight if that would be possible.”

“Of course.” Rico kissed her cheek. “And you don’t meddle.”

“Much,” Maria added with a laugh.

“We’ll look forward to it,” Angelina added, giving Rosa a hug. After they left the villa, she said, “We need to find a gift for your family here to show our appreciation.”

“What kind of gift?” he asked as they crossed the courtyard. Two older women who were staying in one of the second floor apartments sat at a table in the corner and they waved as Rico and Angelina walked by.

“I have no idea, but I’m sure something will come to us.”

Rico took her hand as they crossed the street. Angelina liked the feel of her hand enveloped in his. That shivery feeling ran along her skin again. Things between them had been left up in the air after last night. Curled up in that empty bed last night, she’d decided pushing it was not the way to go. If things were going to happen between them, they should happen naturally, not because she tried to force the issue.

But she would hate to leave this place without making love with Rico.

They wandered in and out of the shops, sharing greetings with all the locals who wished them well. They picked up a few mementos to bring back home for friends and family. But they didn’t find anything to give to Rosa and Giuseppe.

“I want to say we’ll have plenty of time to find the right gift, but we really don’t know, do we?” Angelina said as they left the last shop empty handed.

They were almost knocked down by a thin young woman in jeans and sandals striding in quick steps down the sidewalk, her pretty face darkened by an angry expression. “Sorry,” she tossed to them over her shoulder.

“No, we don’t know,” Rico answered in reply to Angelina’s question. “Although it doesn’t sound as if the team is any closer to discovering who was behind the kidnapping attempt.”

“Sweetheart!” A man’s voice rang out behind them. “Wait!”

Rico pulled Angelina out of the way as a young man barreled down the sidewalk, apparently trying to catch up with the woman. She picked up her pace.