ROYAL ROCK(26)

I sat through meeting after pointless meeting, and the day slowly dragged on. I made decisions when I had to, but I mostly sat there and stared off into the distance, distracted by my own anger and distracted by Bryce.

I kept picturing that kiss. I hated that we were interrupted. I wanted more, needed more, but I wasn’t sure if that feeling was mutual anymore. She seemed pretty intent on finding flaws in my country’s very way of life.

Dinner came and went, and we ate only briefly, never leaving the conference rooms. I was exhausted and frustrated, and the only thing I wanted was to see Bryce.

As another minister went into some inane and absurd discussion on some minor point, I felt my phone vibrate.

Ready for any distraction, I pulled it out. There was a text from Bryce.

It was a picture. Curious, I opened it.

And nearly toppled from my fucking chair.

It was a mirror shot. She wore nothing but a thin cotton T-shirt and the black panties I’d sent her as a present.

My cock was hard as fuck almost instantly. Bryce looked incredible in the picture, her long legs lean and gorgeous, a little smile playing on her lips. I got another text a few seconds later.

“Apology accepted?” she asked.

Fucking hell, this girl. One second she was pushing me on my war policy, and the next she was sending me fucking sexy as hell pictures.

Not like I could complain. My heart was hammering in my chest.

“Meet me at the pool in fifteen minutes,” I typed, and then I sent it off.

“OK,” she sent back.

I scooted my seat back. “Gentlemen,” I said, “I’m sorry, but I have an urgent meeting to attend to.”

The ministers looked at me, surprised. “Shall I continue later, Your Majesty?” the minister who was speaking asked.

“No. Please, go on without me. My secretary will give me notes.”

I quickly turned and left the room, not caring what they thought.

This was what I needed. I didn’t want to sit in fucking rooms all night long doing nothing. I’d end up in meetings again soon enough, but I needed a little break.

Ten minutes later, I had my bathing suit on and was in the pool, swimming laps. My security detail didn’t follow me into the room, fortunately, and I felt at peace for the first time since I’d been called back to the castle.

Soon, I finished a lap and looked up. Standing at the side of the pool looking down at me was Bryce.

“Fancy seeing you here,” I said.

“The king summoned me,” she said.

I floated back, getting a look at her. She was wearing a navy blue two piece, and I could barely keep myself under control. The girl had perfect breasts and a beautiful body, though I could tell she was shy about it.

“Come on,” I said. “The water is heated.”

She laughed and sat down at the edge of the pool, dipping her feet in. “I don’t know. I’ve been warned about swimming with strange men.”

“Strange maybe, but not a stranger.” I swam over to her. “Your king commands you to swim.”

“That just makes me want to not swim even more.”

I grinned and hopped up onto the side of the pool next to her. “Fine then. We’ll both sit here.”

“How’s it going out there?”

I shook my head. “I don’t want to talk about out there. I’d rather talk about that picture you sent me.”

She blushed a little bit. “I couldn’t think of a better way to apologize.”

“I don’t think there is a better way.”

“I figured it’s no big deal. It’s like seeing me in a bathing suit, right?”

“Something like that,” I murmured.

She bit her lip. “Did you like it?”

“Very much,” I said. “I’m still fucking hard. I had to leave that meeting immediately and see you.”

“Trip—”

“Come on,” I said. “Let’s swim.”

I reached out and grabbed her hips, pulling her onto my lap.

“Trip!” she protested, but it was too late. I had her. I plunged us both into the pool.

She came up next to me and splashed.

“You asshole,” she said.

“Didn’t want to get your hair wet?” I asked.

“Yeah, but I also didn’t want to get dragged into the water.”

“Too bad. It’s already done.”

She swam at me, smiling, and tried to dunk me under. I didn’t budge.

“Are you made of stone?”

“If I were, I’d sink. I’m just a good swimmer.”

I dove under and grabbed at her ankles. She kicked and swam away. I came up and she was laughing, splashing at me.

“Are you attacking the king?” I asked her.

“Damn right. Not the first time either.”