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“What’s this?”

“That, my friend, is a tiny microphone. The little sticker on the back, you place behind your ear. It’s essentially a new age walkie-talkie. You can put the mic sticker on your watch. It won’t be noticeable there,” Anna explains.

“You want me mic’ed?” I ask.

“Uh, duh. I’m not sending you in there without backup,” she says, her eyes narrowing. “This is serious shit, Augs. I will only ask this one last time. Are you sure you can handle this?”

She’s thrown down the gauntlet. And I never, ever cower from a challenge.

“Yes,” I answer adamantly.

“Good, then, game on, big bro,” she says to me. “Now, go fuck your American.”

My eyes widen.

“Don’t look so surprised, Augs. I know everything. But don’t worry, no one else suspects.”

“It’s just a little fling,” I say.

“Hey, you don’t have to explain anything to me.”

“Night,” I say as I stand to leave.

“Night.”

I walk back to my room deep in thought. This whole thing is a little crazy, but maybe my life needs a little crazy. I’m not paying attention as I walk into my bedroom. Well, I’m not paying attention until I see movement on my bed.

I flinch as I look over at it. And then, all else is forgotten. It may be because there’s a naked Kate lying on my bed. It may also be because all of my blood leaves my brain and heads directly to my cock. No passing go, no collecting $200, just…wow.

“Took you long enough,” she huffs. “I was about to leave.”

I strip as I walk across the room toward her. “If you even thought about leaving my bed, I will have to take you over my knee. If you think of ever leaving my bed again, I will take you over my knee.”

She’s silent as I crawl up the bed. I lean down and kiss her hard. Shit. I don’t just kiss her, I fucking claim her. I want this woman. It’s probably a good thing that I leave tomorrow because I need to break this addiction as soon as fucking possible. I don’t do girlfriends. I never have. Something about seeing my father’s heartache after losing my mother scarred me forever. I never want to feel that way, ever. Anna has tried to tell me how great it is to be in love, but fuck love. I don’t need that in my life.

Kathryn

Something about Auggie is more intense tonight. His kiss is possessive, his movements harsh as he squeezes my breasts and cups my sex. He wastes no time in putting on a condom and thrusting inside me.

I swear he looks like he’s warring with himself as he thrusts into me. I don’t know what has changed in the course of the past few hours, but I sense it and I don’t like it. Gone is the relaxed Auggie of last night.

“Come for me,” he commands as he quickens his pace and reaches between us. It took him less than two days to figure out my body. He knows what to do, how to do it, and how fast to do it. And in a matter of seconds, I’m crying out his name as I spiral toward my release. His follows after a few last thrusts.

And then, he pulls out of me, leaving me feeling both physically and emotionally empty.

I don’t know what has been altered, but I feel him shutting down. Even as he hands me a towel to clean myself. He remains the perfect gentleman, but his smile doesn’t reach his eyes and his actions although kind, are not heartfelt.

I can’t put my finger on what’s changed.

“I have to leave tomorrow,” he announces as we lie in bed.

“Oh,” I reply, guessing that is what is weighing on his mind.

“Business?” I ask.

He laughs. “Sort of.”

“Sorry, do royals have business?” I ask, the heat rushing to my face as I speak the words.