Page 3 of Fall of a Kingdom

Flynn had whisked me and the children away from the dreary winter in Scotland and sailed us to Monaco. He was interested in acquiring a property that would become the newest addition to The Rex Hotel empire. We’d brought the boys along, but they were currently on the yacht with the nannies and the rest of the crew.Le Roiwas no place for children. And I always enjoyed having my husband to myself. Dinner out at a fancy restaurant reminded me of our early days together, when we discovered we couldn’t breathe without the other.

I still felt that way. After all these years.

“What are you thinking about, hen?” he asked, reaching for my hand and stroking his thumb across my knuckles.

“How much I love you.”

His eyes darkened. “Prove it.”

“My place or yours?” I teased.

Chuckling, he reached into his breast pocket and extracted his wallet. He quickly laid down several bills.

He settled his hand in the small of my back and guided me toward the exit. I shot themaître d’a wink which made an appreciative smile bloom across his face.

“My wife, the flagrant flirt,” Flynn remarked dryly.

“Oh, and you don’t flirt?” I demanded. “How easily could you replace me with any of the young women who drool in your vicinity?”

The attendant outside ofLe Roigestured to the waiting black Rolls-Royce and then opened the back door so we could slide onto the massive rear seat.

I scooted in first and then Flynn followed. He settled in next to me and placed his large palm on my thigh.

“The marina, s’il vous plait.”

“Right away, Mr. Campbell,” the driver replied.

Flynn pressed a button on a small control console and a black privacy screen rose to conceal us from the driver. Flynn pressed another button, and a light indicated the microphone and speakers had been turned off in the back, to give us complete privacy.

“Irreplaceable,” Flynn said.

“Hmm?” I asked, turning my attention away from the street traffic to look at him. “What did you say?”

“I saidirreplaceable.As in, you’re irreplaceable.”

“So, you won’t be trading me in for a younger model any time soon?”

“No. Grow old with me, Barrett.”

“Gnarled and shriveled,” I promised. “But until then…” I grasped his hand and gently slid it up my dress.

“Wicked woman,” he whispered when he realized I wasn’t wearing any underwear. “Perfection.”

His fingers inched along my skin. I spread my legs as much as the dress would allow, letting him have his way with me in the back of the Rolls.

My cheeks heated with desire as I kept my eyes trained on his.

“I better not go any further,” he said, his voice husky with want. “You’re wearing white. Besides, I have something planned for you.”

He gently removed his hand from beneath my skirt. I nearly lamented it, but knew he’d keep his word and make it up to me later.

A small light flashed overhead, and a bell chimed softly, indicating we had arrived at our destination. Flynn unlocked the car but waited for the driver to open the rear door. We walked hand in hand along the wooden planks to our yacht. I paused for a moment to stare at it.

“Still think it’s too big?” he asked with a wide, boyish grin.

“Men and their toys.” I snorted. “And no. You were right. It’s perfect.”

“Just like I was right about the jet and the house.”