Jill Shalvis - A Royal Mess and Her Knight To Remember

“Yes. God, yes.”

“But Grunberg isn’t America.”

“You have cops there?”

“Well, yes.”

“Then I can make a living. But first I want to just be, Annie. For a little while I just want to be. With you. I want to marry you. Do you think that’s something I can talk you into?” He pulled a small box out of his pocket and opened it, revealing a beautiful solitaire diamond.

“Like I said.” She managed a smile in with her tears. “All I heard was ‘I love you.”’

“Is that a yes?”

“I love you back, Kyle.”

“Is that a yes?” he pressed.

“So you really thought I rescued you? ”

“Annie.”

“Yes.” She threw herself at him and kissed his face everywhere she could reach. “Yes, yes, yes.”

Next to them, Amelia buttoned closed her satchel and nodded in triumph. “A job well done,” she decided, even if she said so herself.

G RUNBERG WAS GLORIOUS .Green and lush and perfect, it allowed for more adventure than a man could ever want.

Kyle lay prone on the hammock. He was surrounded by the tall, majestic mountain peaks of Austria and Switzerland. He had a soda balancing on his belly and thirty minutes to himself before a meeting.

“There’s been a breach in security,” came the hushed whisper from behind the tree off to his right. “The castle is no longer safe.”

“Never fear, I’ll rescue you, fair princess,” came a second hushed whisper.

“No. I’ll rescue myself.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. You’re just a girl.”

“That’s right, and as just a girl, I’ve got the innate right and ability to kick some-”

“Hold it.” With a laughing groan, Kyle sat up. “I’ve got the innate right to report the both of you to Her Serene Highness.”

The two in question, lurking among the trees just before him froze, then hung their heads.

He studied them gravely, biting back his laugh, because God help him, his heart threatened to burst just looking at them. “Does Momma know you’re running wild and free?”

“Oh, yes,” reported his beautiful six-year-old daughter who looked exactly like her mother, all deep golden eyes, long gold hair and that sweet, irresistible smile. “She sent us to bother you. Said that it was time her Head Of Security trained his new recruits. But we don’t need training, Dad. Or at least I don’t.” She glared at her eight-year-old brother.

He glared right back, and Kyle didn’t need a mirror to know where he got that expression.

“I’m going to be Head of Security, just like Daddy,” claimed his son. “You’re just a princess.”

She only let out a slow smile. “Maybe. But at least I’m not a boy. ” She dragged the word out as if it was five syllables long, then let out a squeak when her brother started after her.

Round and round they ran, until Kyle grabbed one kid under each arm, much to their squealing delight. “Hmm,” he said, pretending to ponder as he walked toward the pond ten yards away. “I wonder if naughty little children melt.”

“No, Daddy!” laughed his little princess. “I’m wearing my good clothes.”

“Such a girl,” her brother sneered, but screamed with laughter just like his sister as his father stopped at the very edge of the pond.

“My, my,” came the calm voice of reason behind them.

Kyle turned. “I’m sorry, Your Serene Highness. I’ve discovered a serious breach of security. I’ve got it under control.”

His beautiful wife of nine years smiled, love and warmth coming from her eyes. “My hero.” She sighed. “Then I suppose there won’t be any need for the cookies I just pulled from the oven.”

More squeals and squirming, and suddenly his two children were but a blur on the horizon as they raced each other for the kitchen.

With a laugh, Annie moved into Kyle’s open arms. “Ah, hear that? Silence. Isn’t it grand?” She snuggled in closer. “No need to thank me, really. I’ll just add this latest rescue on to your tab.”

Kyle choked a laugh into her soft, silky hair and his arms tightened on her. “You can rescue me any time. Any time at all.”