Page 37 of That Prince is Mine
“Okay. Let’s do that.” Her shoulders rose as she inhaled deeply and lowered as she blew out the breath in a gusty whoosh. “So what happens now?”
He didn’t want their night to end, but he knew Emma needed some time to process what he’d shared and get accustomed to the idea. “May I walk you to your car?”
She worried her bottom lip, drawing his gaze back to her mouth. Even in the dark, he could tell that her lips were swollen. He felt a surge of male pride, and it was all he could do not to kiss her again.
“Yes,” she said at last. “I’m not parked too far away.”
He offered her his arm. “Please lead the way.”
Michel shortened his stride to match hers and to make their walk last as long as possible. Emma looked over her shoulder, then faced forward again with her mouth scrunched to one side.
“Is she following us? I can’t tell who she is.”
“Oh, she’s there.” Sophie hung back farther than usual, keeping pace with a group of young women walking behind them. “She’s very good at her job and very discreet. I often forget she’s even there.”
“Hmm.”
He tugged Emma closer and placed his hand on top of hers tucked into his arm. “I’m sorry to make you uncomfortable.”
“That’s okay.” She gave him a small but genuine smile. “I’m sure I’ll get used to it soon enough. I actually think it’s kind of neat that you have a woman as your bodyguard. Is she taller than you? Because… well, you know… your height and build are quite imposing. I can’t imagine someone smaller bodyguarding you.”
“Sophie’s actually about your size. A bit broader in the shoulders maybe.” He glanced sideways at Emma. “But she’s a master in a number of martial arts and more than capable of taking down people much bigger than her. Besides, protecting someone is often less about brute force and more about skill, intelligence, and instinct.”
“Wow. She sounds awesome. I totally want to meet her now.” But she quickly added, “Not now now. But next time.”
They walked quietly for a few minutes, and Michel took in the scene around him. The streets weren’t overly busy, but a good number of pedestrians strolled alongside them. The people in America seemed bigger and louder than their counterparts in Europe. Not necessarily in size and volume. They seemed to take up more space around them but just as easily shared that space with others. There was something open and confident about them.
Maybe it was Los Angeles. Or it was limited to the people around him, here and now, but Michel felt as though he could breathe easier tonight. It was as though a tight fist he hadn’t realized was clenched around him had loosened its hold ever so slightly. Being the prince of Rouleme was a privilege, but he was grateful for this brief taste of freedom.
“Can I ask you a question?” Emma looked at him. “Are you never alone, then?”
“It’s not like Sophie watches me sleeping.” Michel chuckled even though the fist around him tightened again. He was never truly alone, especially back in Rouleme. “Sophie and I each have our own suite at the hotel, so we have all the privacy we need. She’s able to give me that space because no one can come up to our floor that she hasn’t cleared.”
“But I was able to come up to your suite.” Slowly, Emma’s eyes and mouth rounded. “Was I cleared?”
“Yes.” He wasn’t sure how she would take the revelation.
“She did a background check on me?” Her voice rose a fraction.
“Yes…” He still couldn’t get a read on her reaction. “She can access certain information on people to ensure there aren’t any red flags.”
“So does that mean she knows my life story?” She stopped walking and withdrew her hand from his arm.
“Emma, please—” His stomach sinking, he reached for her hand, but stopped himself.
“That’s so cool.” She turned to face him, wearing a wide grin.
“What?” He blinked.
“It’s kind of neat that someone had to clear me for security reasons.” Her tinkling laughter felt like a balm on his frazzled nerves. “Besides, I don’t have anything to hide. My life is annoyingly normal. She must’ve been bored out of her mind, doing whatever she did to background check me.”
“Dieu merci,” he breathed. “I’m so relieved you aren’t offended.”
“No, she was just doing her job.” Then she pierced him with a sharp glare. “I have no reason to be offended unless you also read up on me.”
“I would never.” He placed his palm on his chest. “I swear. I didn’t read a word of her report.”
“You swear you know nothing about how my last two boyfriends went missing?”
