Page 16 of Reluctantly Royal

Chapter 5

I should’ve known I was in for an interesting evening when Dimitri made that chortling sound after he looked up the address Hannah texted me. But I didn’t give it much thought. I was just excited to see her again.

So when I got out of the SUV and saw the large neon signEROTICHERITAGEMUSEUM,I burst out laughing.

“Your Highness, we should—”

I cut Nicolas off. “What did I say abouttitles while we’re here?”

“Je suis désolé, monsieur. But we should—”

“Stay at least five meters away from Hannah and me at all times. I don’t need the awkwardness of having to explain you lot while I’m with her.”

“Oui, monsieur. It would be—”

“And keep Dimitri out of sight. Have him watch the vehicle or parking lot or something. She knows his face.”

“Oui, monsieur. If—”

My phone pinged withan incoming text. “She’s inside.”

“If you’ll just wait in the vehicle until we get someone inside to sweep the building,monsieur.”

“You have three minutes, then I’m going inside. Safe or not.” I wasn’t going to make her wait for me any longer than that.

“Oui, monsieur.”

I ducked back inside the SUV and shot Hannah a text to burn some time.

From me:On my way. I think my driver is lost.

It wasn’t technically a lie. My driver was a member of my security team, and I hadn’t seen him for a few minutes. Knowing Étienne he was probably giving minute details to the management.

From Hannah:You’re in a cab?

From me:The hotel hired a car.

Not gonna lie, I felt a little guilty about that fib. But how could I explain the lurking driver later on tonight? Instead of dwelling on it, I firedoff another text.

From me:What are we doing tonight?

From Hannah:You’ll see when you get here.

From me:Why is my driver laughing?

From Hannah:See above.

I had to laugh at her reply. Damn, she was cute. I did see when I’d arrived. The thought of walking through all the erotic displays with her had me hard and aching in seconds. Somehow I had to find a way to make my legs function becausereally all I wanted to do was find a private space with Hannah—preferably with a bed nearby.

And something told me there’d be plenty of those inside this museum.

“Everything’s secure,monsieur. We’re ready to go.” Nicolas’s voice jolted me out of my X-rated daydreams and straight into my X-rated present.

“The team as well as management has been briefed? No one is to come—”

“Within five metersof you tonight.Oui, monsieur.”

“Bon ben. I’ll see you later.”