She looks so damn young.
Compared to me, she is young. Which is another reason why this is a bad idea.
“Hey,” Aspen says and flashes a wide smile. “I was just dropping off this basket of goodies. I have to run back to the shop. I’m shorthanded today. But, Ellie, I’d like to invite you to have dinner with Monica, Natasha, and me at my place this weekend. You remember the girls from the salon?”
“Of course. That would be lovely.”
“I’ll need to have someone do a security check on your home,” I say to Aspen, ignoring Ellie’s scowl. “It’s protocol.”
“Anytime,” Aspen replies. “Dinner will be a lot of fun. Natasha makes the best margaritas.”
“What can I bring?”
“Just yourself. We’re going to have Mexican food and Natasha’s famous frozen margaritas on my deck. I have a great view. You’ll love it.”
“Thank you for inviting me,” Ellie says as Aspen waves and hurries away. Then she turns back.
“Liam has my number,” Aspen adds. “Just text me later, and I’ll send you the specifics.”
Ellie waves at Aspen and then turns to me with a sweet smile. I want to kiss the hell out of her. And I will.
Soon.
“Come on.” I nudge Ellie toward my car. “I have a specific place I want to take you.”
“We’re not having a picnic here?”
I lean in to whisper in her ear. “Too many prying eyes. I want privacy.”
She smiles and happily climbs into my car. I set the basket in the backseat, then jump in, start the vehicle, and pull out of the gated driveway, headed away from town.
I drive about three or four miles then turn onto a dirt road that leads down to the lake.
“This is a state park, but not many people come down here, especially at this time of day.” I park the car and lead Ellie to a grassy area that overlooks the water, giving us a great view.
“Oh, it’s pretty. Isn’t it awesome how the view changes so drastically, but it’s the same lake?”
“It’s a big lake.”
I spread out a blanket, and we sit next to each other.
“Coffee?” I say with a smile, pulling out a thermos and two Drips & Sips coffee mugs. “There’s cream and sugar in here, too.”
“I’ll take all of it,” Ellie says. “Do I smell scones?”
“Looks like huckleberry, still warm from the oven.”
“Mine,” she says, holding out her hand.
“Yes, ma’am.” I pass her a scone, grab one for myself, and take a bite. “Damn, Aspen makes good scones.”
“Mm-hmm.” She chews, devouring the thing.
“Why couldn’t you sleep last night?” I ask.
Ellie frowns, takes a sip of coffee to wash down the bite of scone, and shrugs a shoulder. “I guess I have a lot on my mind.”
“Like what?”
I’ve often wondered what can be so stressful for royalty. I know they have responsibilities, but they live a life of privilege. What could be so concerning?
“Well, one of the charities I work with is for a children’s hospital in London. I visit monthly to look in on patients. One of the little boys who has been there for many months was very ill the last time I visited a few weeks ago. I was thinking of him. He’s lovely.
“I have several projects in the works for a facility for injured veterans who need both psychological and physical help, no matter their age in the UK. So, not just retired veterans. There needs to be much more outreach in that area.”
I’ve stopped eating and am just staring at her as she talks about the things that she’s passionate about. Her eyes are animated, her cheeks flushed as she gushes about her plans.
Ellie works her ass off. She’s not just an indulged princess. She wants to make a difference in her country, and it makes me like her even more.
“Well, I’d say you’re right. You do have a lot on your mind.”
“I’ve already sent emails this morning to check in on everything and get status updates. I know I’m out of the country, but I want to be kept abreast of the situation there. That doesn’t even include the conservation projects we have underway with endangered animals in Africa and Australia. I could bore you all day.”
“You’re not boring me at all,” I reply and find myself rubbing the back of my finger up and down her bare arm. “I like your voice.”
“Father tells me I talk too much,” she says. “I think it’s because I have so many older siblings. I had to talk frequently and loudly to be heard. Do you have any brothers or sisters?”
I feel the smile fall from my face. “I had a sister. Belle was younger than me.”
“Oh, no.” She scoots closer and cups my cheek in her hand, throwing me off-kilter with her gentle touch. “What happened?”
“She drowned,” I reply. “Here, in Whitetail Lake. I was sixteen, and she was about seven. We’d gone out on Lauren’s parents’ boat, and she jumped in to swim. She wasn’t a good swimmer and was trying to show off. She hit her head, and I couldn’t get to her fast enough to pull her out.”
“And then last summer, I decided to be an idiot and take off on a boat,” she says softly. “Now I know why you were so cross with me.”
“It scared the shit out of me,” I admit, my voice quiet. “It was that day all over again. I’m not afraid of the water. I can swim well, and boats don’t bother me. But not knowing where you were that day was my worst nightmare happening all over again.”
“I’m sorry,” she says again. “And I’m so very sorry about Belle.”
“She was a great kid. You would have liked her.”
“If she was anything like you, I know I would have liked her very much,” she says.
“Okay, enough sad talk.” I set the picnic basket to the side and turn to face Ellie. “Let’s get on with your lesson.”
“I’m a willing student. What is today’s lesson?”
She’s eager. And if the way she bites her lip is any indication, she’s a little nervous.
“Let’s recap what we know.”
“You’re killing me,” she mutters, making me chuckle.
I drag my fingers through her thick hair and brush it to her back, exposing her shoulder. Her denim top is sleeveless, so I gently slide my fingertips over the ball of her upper arm.
Just that simple touch is enough to set me on edge.
As my hand slides down her biceps, I lean in closer and press soft, light kisses to her jawline and up to her ear.
“You’re absolutely beautiful with the morning light flirting with your skin,” I breathe. Ellie inhales sharply, and I drag my lips down her neck to her collarbone, then back up to her chin. “You make me want things, Ellie.”
“Sexy things?” Her voice is shaky.
“Plenty of sexy things,” I confirm. I know she wants me to kiss her. She’s licked those luscious lips of hers twice. And she’s going to get it, but I want to build the anticipation a bit more.
It appears I’m a masochist.
I urge Ellie onto her back and lean over her, one hand braced on the blanket by her head, the other still making lazy circles on the bare skin of her arm and shoulder.