Royal Watch Read online

  “Don’t touch me.” I tried to yank out of his grip, but he clamped down harder. Using his weight, he shoved me up against the wall, fixing me to the paneling, his mouth trying to lean in and reach mine.

  “Noooo!” I screamed, clawing and punching at his chest, fear turning me feral. He shifted, blocking my legs from moving, his weight fully on me, locking me in his hold.

  “I want to sample before I buy.” He tried to kiss me again, his stinky breath spluttering over my cheek as I twisted my head away from him. “If you please me, I will pay handsomely for you. You could save your family, Spencer. Don’t you want that?” He clasped my chin, forcing my face back to his. “Don’t turn away from me, girl.”

  “Get. Off. Me,” I spit, my body thrashing underneath his, my fight only causing his erection to grow against my leg. He clasped a hand over my mouth, pushing into me.

  “Got some fight in you. Like a filly.” His voice vibrated with desire, his hand grabbing roughly at my breast through the fabric, working to get under the dress. “So much vitality and spunk. Oh, Ms. Sutton, you will be a dream to sink into.”

  Terror sizzled up my spine, lashing down my limbs, my body wiggling enough that he lost his grip on me. Shoving him back, I tried to bolt to the side. His hand clamped down on my wrist. Without a thought, my first swung around, my knuckles bursting across his cheek.

  “Ah,” he cried, stumbling back, his hand going to his face with shock. “You little bitch! You will pay for that,” he snarled, leaping for me.

  Suddenly his body flew backward, his spine crashing to the floor with a loud thud.

  “You fucking touch her again…” Lennox jumped down on him, clutching his neck in a viselike grip, his body shaking with fury. “You look in her direction, see her from a distance, or even think about her… and you will be the one paying. I promise you that.”

  “You idiot!” The lord choked through Lennox’s grip. “Do you know who I am? I will destroy you. You are nothing!”

  Lennox’s fist cracked across his face, spurting blood across the rug from the old man’s nose, slamming his head back. Seizing his chin, he twisted the man’s face to his, getting in really close.

  “Come at me, old man.” Lennox threatened, his voice raw and vicious. “I have killed people who were less garbage than you. Without thought. I will have no problem taking you out. You even think about touching another girl without her consent again, I will find you. Count on that… sir.” Lennox shoved the man’s head into the ground, stood up, and moved to me.

  “Come on,” Lennox said softly, his fingers touching my elbow, steering me toward the private residence.

  “You are nothing! I will destroy you, boy! You won’t be able to show your face in this country again! You are dead!”

  Ignoring his threats, Lennox guided me down the hall, one hand lightly on my back, the other holding my arm.

  Shock kept me silent most of the journey, my head still not wrapping around what had just happened. I retched at Lord William’s touch still ghosting my skin, the stench of his breath still burning my nose.

  I floated through the space, not really understanding anything until we reached my room, stepping across the threshold. My bare feet skated across the floor; my eyes locked on my red toenails.

  “My shoes…” I muttered. “I need to get them.”

  “Really?” Lennox lead me to the bed. “You’re thinking about your shoes right now?”

  It was odd, but I didn’t want any evidence left.

  “I will go get them.”

  “No, you won’t.” Lennox plunked me down on the bed. “You will not leave this room.”

  “But—”

  “No. I will get them later.” His warm hands gripped my arms. The feel of his touch was comforting, a buoy that kept me from going under.

  “You promise?” My regard lifted to his face, not understanding my desperation to retrieve my shoes.

  “Yes.” He nodded, his palms slipping down my arms, checking me out for marks. It was not sexual, but my skin flushed with electric goosebumps. “Did—did he do anything to you?”

  “No.” I stared up at him, his eyes possessing mine as his hands dropped away. Instantly I missed the human connection of his touch. “But only because you came back. Thank you, Lennox.”

  Our gazes locked on each other, the moment wrapping around us, blocking out the rest of the room. The gratitude I felt swelled through my veins.

  “I don’t know…” A grin hinted on his face. “You seemed to be handling yourself just fine. You have a good right hook.”

  My lips parted, a soft smile breaking over my face. His eyes dropped to my mouth for just a moment. It was a snap of fingers, a blink, and the playfulness shifted, and everything came alive. The intensity of what just happened drenched the space, wrapping around us like barbed wire and silk.

  He inhaled and stepped back. “You’re shaking.” His attentions fluttered around the room, not landing on anything. “Your body is going through shock. You need some sugar to level out your blood sugar.”

  “I’m fine.” I wrapped my arms around my waist, trying to stop the trembling in my arms as I stared at the flickering flames in the fireplace, draping the room in shadows.

  “Funny, pretty sure I’m the one with years of military service and training, seen it dozens of times, but sure, you’re the expert.”

  And the arsehole was back. Annoyance sliced my attention to him, before darting back to the fire.

  “Fine. I will let you rest.” He sighed, moving to the exit, grabbing the door handle.

  “No. Please. Don’t go.” I jumped up, the words popping off my tongue before my mind even knew what was happening. Fear of being left alone spiked through my blood, spiked through my hatred of him. “Stay with me.”

  Lennox didn’t move, his hand on the door, his back to me, his shoulders rigid. Silence rang like a bell, tumbling embarrassment down on me like rain.

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean…” What did I mean? The realization of what I had asked hit me. From a guy I loathed, who despised me. How desperate I must’ve sounded. “Forget it.”

  He didn’t respond but straightened his spine, cracking the door open to step out.

  “Don’t tell Theo what happened.” The fear of anyone finding out, especially Theo, bolted the plea from my chest.

  “What?” He twisted his head around to stare at me, the denial of my request filling his expression, opening his mouth.

  “Please.” I pressed my hand to my collarbone, my toes curling in the plush rug. “I don’t want anyone to know.” I knew speaking up against Lord William would be suicide here. In a place that already wanted me out, this would give them a reason. They’d take his side against mine, saying I was in search of attention. Someone who couldn’t handle an old man’s flirty ways wouldn’t be able to handle being a future queen. “Promise me.”

  “No.”

  “You know what will happen if it gets out. I will be the one to fall on the sword.” I swallowed, my body still rattling with shock. “Plus, nothing happened. Let’s just leave it at that.”

  “Nothing happened?” he bit out, his eyes flashing with fury. “He tried to assault you, Spencer.”

  The sound of my name from his lips reverberated in my chest, bouncing around, forcing me to suck in.

  “But he didn’t.” I ran my fingers through my hair, tugging on it as if I was trying to break the sensation he rattled through my bones. “You stopped it. So really, there is nothing to dispute against.”

  “Are you fucking kidding me? You will let him get away with this?”

  I leveled my gaze at him through my lashes, challenging him. Men didn’t get it. We were ruined if we spoke up and trashed if we didn’t. Everyone already knew he was like this but did nothing because of his stature and money. It almost felt like Lord William was a test. What I made of that encounter would determine my place here.

  “It’s not your say.” My voice was clipped. “Thank you again, Lennox.” The
dismissal was painted through my sentiment.

  His regard leveled on mine, cutting through my skin. His mouth pressed together, his head bobbing.

  “Good night, my lady,” he said stiffly, throwing open the door and shutting it behind him.

  My lids shut at the sound of the door clicking, my body slumping back on the bed, a strange emptiness hollowing out my chest.

  Not wanting to think about the events, all the things that could have happened, even the things William said about my family, I headed for the shower where I could wash this entire night off my skin, letting the smell and feel of that man slither down the drain.

  Scrubbing my skin raw, the hot water eased my body and mind, making me crave sleep. I wrapped myself in the fluffy robe placed in my bathroom, set on crawling in bed and forgetting this whole night.

  Padding toward my bed, a knock tapped on my door, hitching my heart back up into my throat. Instantly it dropped back, remembering Lennox said he would get my shoes. Nervousness at having to face him after the way I practically begged him to stay warmed my cheeks and bubbled my stomach. My response stemmed from fear, pure and simple. I just didn’t want to be alone. I hoped he didn’t think it was anything more than that.

  “Thank you for getting…” I opened the door, my sentence falling away.

  He leaned against the frame, his green eyes hungry and slow as they moved over me. Cheeks red and his eyes blurry from alcohol, he wavered as he stood, his tongue sliding over his lip.

  “Blimey,” he growled, stepping into the room. He gripped my hips, yanking me to him. “If I’d known you’d only be wearing this, I would have come a lot sooner.”

  “Theo.” My hands went to his arms, stumbling back as he progressed forward with the grace of a drugged bull. “What are you doing here?”

  “I wanted to see you.” He leaned down, kissing me, the smell of whiskey on his breath. “I missed you.”

  Panic shot me back, the odor chilling my spine, reminding me of Lord William. Reflex juddered me back with a suck of air.

  Theo’s lids narrowed, his brow furrowing.

  “What’s wrong?” He reclaimed the space I put between us. “We haven’t gotten any time since you’ve gotten here. It’s been months since we’ve really been alone together.” He cupped my face. “The whole night, all I wanted to do was kiss you.”

  “I know.” I did too. Earlier. But now, my skin revolted the idea of being touched. “But not tonight. I’m really tired.”

  “Jesus, Spence, you sound like we’ve been already married for twenty years.” He leaned his forehead against mine. “I want to be with you.”

  I had been the one obsessed with having sex with him in school. Images of Theo and me had kept me tossing and turning in my bed many nights, having to ease the tension myself. But tonight, after Lord William, I felt sick at the thought of anyone touching me.

  “Theo…” I sighed.

  “Spencer.” He grabbed my hand, lowering it to his crotch, his timbre going husky. “Do you feel how much I want you? Do you want to know how many fantasies I had about you every night at boot camp? That I’ve had knowing you were right down the hall?”

  The feel of him hot and heavy for me fluttered air in my throat, twisting up my brain, clashing two sides in a war.

  “Please.” His lips grazed my temple. “I love you. We’re now official. Nothing is stopping us.”

  “It’s not that.”

  His lips moved down my neck, tilting my head as his breath grazed my skin.

  I never needed us to be “official” to have sex. It was me always pushing for it, while he kept stopping us, even though I knew he had slept with many girls all over the world, starting quite young. But he had always treated me differently, which strangely, I didn’t like. I was no prude, nor did I want to be put on a pedestal.

  “You’re drunk.” Funny that had never been a concern of mine before, because I was usually drunk with him. Tonight, my sobriety was keeping every emotion at surface level. “Not tonight, okay?”

  “Fine. No sex.” He exhaled painfully, his head tipping back. “But let me stay. I want to touch you. Be next to you.”

  The sincerity in his face, like a little boy pleading, had my heart softening to him. Taking his hand, I tugged him to the bed and climbed in.

  He stripped out of his tux, crashing into the nightstand as he tried to pull off his trousers, which made him giggle.

  “You are plastered.” I laughed, glad my room was so far from his parents.

  “Hazel.” He glowered. “She was challenging me drink for drink.” He fell on his back across the mattress, only in his boxer briefs, which I had seen him in before, but his newly sculpted body had desire stirring in my gut. “I have no idea where that girl holds her liquor, but she kicks my arse every time.”

  “Knew I liked her.” I settled onto the pillow.

  Theo’s gaze sparkled, his focus shifting to me. He inched up to me, his mouth moving over mine, while his fingers tugged at the robe, parting it. His breath caught as he took me in. Only wearing knickers and a tiny tank, his gaze moved over me, his fumbling hands touching me. Crawling up between my legs, his body laid mine back. His hips pressed into mine, rolling, deepening the kiss. His hands moved under my top.

  Trying to give in and let myself get caught up in our young lust, I moved with him, our mouths hungry. Needy. But my mind kept wandering off. Desire and irritation blended in my stomach. I wanted him, I wanted to have sex. But something felt off. In the shadow of Lord William, this felt dirty and tainted.

  I hated the thought that our first time together would be soured with what happened to me earlier. “Theo. Stop.” I broke the kiss, moving his hand from my breast.

  Frustration skewered over his features.

  “Right,” he grumbled, pulling off me, flopping on his back, staring up at the ceiling.

  “I’m sorry.” I stared at his profile. Did I just turn down the prince? Was I insane?

  He didn’t respond, blinking slowly, like he couldn’t believe he had been rejected as well. It was no secret he got propositioned right and left, by women of all ages, who were after the handsome Prince of Great Victoria, either for bragging rights or claim to the title.

  And I had him. In my bed. Wanting me.

  Wiggling closer, I placed my head on his shoulder, wrapping my arms around his waist. He took a breath, his arm curling around me, his eyes shut. The fire crackled, flicking light over his face. He was beautiful. A figure most of the female population dreamed about and would give anything to be with.

  I really was so lucky.

  “I love you,” I whispered into his chest.

  Theo was passed out cold, his soft snores his only response.

  Chapter 13

  A thud on the door bolted my eyes open, sunlight bathing the room in a soft yellow. I lifted my head from the pillow of Theo’s arm, his body outstretched on his back. Light streamed over him as he faced me, sleeping peacefully. He was such a mixture of a boy and a man, his face still innocent and sweet, while his body was showing signs of being a man. It felt nice to wake up next to him. Safe and warm.

  A knock tapped the door again, reminding me what had woken me up. As I crawled over Theo, he stirred, muttering as I slipped out of bed. Still bleary-eyed, I veered for the door, sleep thick in my head.

  “Coming,” I muttered as another thunk hit the wood. I imagined it was the maid waking me for breakfast. “Yes?” I flung the door open, rubbing at my eyes.

  It was not my chambermaid.

  Adrenaline shot through me like an espresso, widening my eyes with a jolt.

  Lennox, dressed in his dark suit, which was cut to curve his form like a glove, stood in front of me, my shoes in hand. His blue-hazel eyes, intense and predatory like a wolf’s, moved down my figure, making my skin prickle with awareness. His nose flared, stirring something in me I couldn’t even recognize.

  But I was acutely aware I was only wearing panties and a white see-through tank.

/>   “My lady.” His gaze darted up and off to the side as he thrust the heels at me.

  “Uh.” I grabbed the shoes from him. “Thank you.”

  “I also wanted to check on you—”

  “Who the hell is waking us up this early?” Theo’s voice groaned from behind me, freezing the oxygen in my lungs, my attention stalling on Lennox’s. He stiffened, and a flutter of surprise mixed with something I couldn’t identify crossed his face quickly before he cleared his throat, standing fully upright.

  “Sorry, my lady. I didn’t mean to interrupt.” His response was stiff, his role as bodyguard back in place.

  “Lennox?” The bed creaked, and Theo padded across the rug, rubbing his face, wearing only his tight boxers. “What are you doing here so early, mate?” Theo came around, stopping next to me, his hand going to my back.

  Lennox’s eyes shifted to mine for a millisecond.

  “He was bringing me back my shoes.” I held up the excuse. “Took them off the moment I left the party and discarded them along the way. You know me. The moment I can be barefoot, I will be.”

  Theo chuckled, probably recalling all the times when we got tipsy at school together. I ripped off my shoes, no matter where we were, loving the freedom from them.

  My attention went to Lennox, watching to see if he would dispute me and tell Theo the truth. Not that it was even a lie; I was just not recounting the whole story. But the secret between Lennox and me felt tangible. Heavy.

  His gaze found mine, his lips pressing together with irritation, his head tilting slightly.

  Please. The unsaid word hung in my gaze.

  “Well, thanks for returning them.” Theo’s hand moved closer to my ass, squeezing. “I have a feeling the biggest expense in my future will be replacing her lost shoes.”

  There was nothing wrong with what Theo said, but it scratched me like claws running up my spine, forcing my shoulders to wiggle with discomfort.

  Theo peered down at his watch, his hand dropping away from me. “Bloody hell, is that the time?” He whipped around, sweeping up the clothes strewn on the floor. “Bollocks. I’m late. Father wanted me to meet him this morning with the ambassador of China.” He tugged on his pants, grabbing the rest of his items in his arms. “I’ve got to go.” He came up to me. “I will see you later at the polo match. Don’t let Eloise talk you into betting. Especially against me.” Kissing me quickly, he beelined out the door toward his side of the palace.