Page 24 of The Princess and the SEAL

Chapter 9

Ryan

IBEGAN TO QUESTION OUR PLAN as we hiked up to the waterfall. It hadn’t even crossed my mind how taking this trip might possibly scare Giselle, probably because she had already spent the night with me. She didn’t know a thing about me—and I wanted to keep it that way.

The view ahead was breathtaking: clear blue sky, endless lush green meadows, bright blooms, and wildlife frolicking in the distance. Sometimes when I was deployed to active combat zones, I forgot that places this spectacular existed. A peaceful area with no visual reminders of the hardships of war. I was so grateful to be here.

But the most beautiful view of all was her.

It sounded cliché, but it was true. Giselle was perfection. I hadn’t lusted after a girl this much in years. Her sensual curves made my mouth water. I had to have her.

But honestly, what the fuck was wrong with me? Why was I delusional enough to think that a real-life princess would actually be interested in me? Of course she wouldn’t be. She had even called me a vulgar SEAL, which was completely an accurate assessment. She was literally royalty. I was no prince—I was a jackass.

The only reason she’d spent the night with me was because she had nowhere else to go. Sure, she made out with me, but she was probably just looking for a little bit of fun before she committed herself to a loveless marriage.

Even so, I would stick around as long as she would have me.

Man, this full situation was so fucked up—just like the story of my life.

Her sweet voice jolted me out of my head. “I think this is it!”

She ran ahead to a clearing under a small waterfall. The blue gush of water splashed into a small watering hole surrounded by rocks. This was no Yosemite, my personal favorite place for waterfalls, but it was pretty and peaceful. And the company couldn’t be beaten.

Giselle skipped ahead. She was definitely the opposite of me. How her fiancé wasn’t with her on this trip was beyond me—if she was mine, I would want to be with her all the time.

I placed a blanket down and opened the basket. The innkeeper had knocked herself out with the spread. There was an assortment of cheeses, bread, pâté, fruit, sandwiches, olives, and wine.

My thoughts turned to the innkeeper. What would it have been like to grow up with a woman like her as a mom? She probably packed lunches for her children. My mom had never done shit for me.

Giselle sat beside me. “Wow, this is so lovely! I feel like we are on a real honeymoon.”

Ha. Except I still hadn’t slept with the bride. I’d keep that comment to myself. “Well, I’d better enjoy it. This will be the closest thing I get to a real one.”

Her beautiful smile faded. “Why do you say that? I know you say you don’t want to get married now, but you’re young. Many men marry later in life. Maybe you will change your mind when you meet the right woman. When you get out of the military.”

“The only way I’m getting out of the military is in a body bag.” I looked her in the eyes. “And maybe I’ve met the right girl, and she’s engaged to another man.”

Her bottom lip trembled. “Funny. You don’t even know me. I’m sure you’d tire of me soon, anyway. Plus, we don’t have much in common. Lust is not a good basis for a marriage.”

“Ha. It’s a better reason than giving your country a shitty military.”

She grabbed a piece of bread and took a bite. “It’s not just that. It’s complicated. Our families go back for centuries.”

“Got it, cupcake. So, it’s about keeping your royal offspring pure and untainted with commoner blood.”

She scowled at me. “Please do not put words in my mouth. It is not like that. Don’t you get that I have nothing to do with this choice? Everything has been arranged. I don’t get to say no.”

“Then why do you say it’s a choice? It’s not a choice. You’re being forced to do this. You are a grown-ass woman—I don’t care if you’re a princess or not. You can call me an ignorant American if you want, but I would lay down my life for freedom—freedom of choice, of life, of religion, and yes, of whom to love. This isn’t even about me; I’m not the marrying kind. Once we say goodbye, you’ll never see me again. But you shouldn’t ruin your life because you can’t stand up for yourself. Mark my words, Princess, you will regret this ‘choice’ every day for the rest of your life.”

Her jaw dropped open. Then she stood up and walked away from me, which was fine. I wasn’t going to go after her, comfort her, and tell her everything was going to be all right because the truth was that it wasn’t. I never sugarcoated shit.

I took a bite of my sandwich and chased it with a sip of wine. Guilt flooded me as I realized I had now ruined this perfect picnic.

Why had I even bothered?

Fuck. I shouldn’t ever try to talk to anyone. This was why my way was the best. Love them and leave them. I was completely incapable of communicating with women. All I ever did was make them cry. I was such a bad boy that even my mom had left me. And none of my foster moms had wanted to adopt me, either.

A few more minutes passed, and I debated looking for her. This was definitely not how I had envisioned my vacation going. I should have already been balls deep in some chick, wasted on liquor, and having the time of my life. Instead, I’d somehow become entangled with a beautiful virgin princess, and now my cock was in a world of hurt.

Even worse, I couldn’t stop thinking about her.

I took another swig of wine. Nope. I always saw a mission through. I would try to convince Giselle to spend more time with me.

Giselle finally returned.

“Look, I’m sorry I stormed off like a petulant child. Meeting you has rattled me. Before yesterday, I had accepted my destiny. I can’t have you putting any doubts in my head. I think it’s best if you just take me back to town, and we can say goodbye.”

I laughed. Not so fast, cupcake. I’m a SEAL—I never back down from a challenge.

I pulled her down to the blanket and kissed her. Her greedy little mouth met mine kiss for kiss. She may be a virgin, but I knew there was a wildcat underneath her royal exterior. I couldn’t wait to make her come, make her scream my name, and beg me for more.

I wasn’t going to let her go today. I ran toward conflicts, not away from them.

“Oh, forgot to tell you. Plans have changed. I’ve accepted your offer to be your personal bodyguard for the next week. I’m not letting you out of my sight until I leave this country.”