Her Royal Bodyguard by Natasha Moore Read Free Book Online

Maria standing there with a smile on her face, nothing threatening.
    “Nothing is wrong, amore .” Then Rico stepped forward and swept her up into his arms. She cried out in surprise and automatically threw her arms around his neck to steady herself.
    “Oh, this is too great,” Maria cried. “You’re carrying her over the threshold. Oh, I’m going to cry.”
    Again, Angelina felt shame for deceiving Rico’s family, but selfishly, her guilt was surpassed by the thrill of being in Rico’s strong arms. His large hands cupped her intimately and she melted against him. In two long strides, they were inside the bright apartment. She kissed his cheek and whispered, “And you said you weren’t romantic.”
    Maria followed them in. “It’s not a big apartment, but I have a feeling you two won’t mind the cozy space. This is the living room, of course, and you can see the dining space is right there. Kitchenette is there and is fully stocked. Papa put staples in the refrigerator but I know they’ll love for you to eat as many meals with us as possible. But don’t feel bad about telling them you want to be alone. They’ll understand.” She crossed the small room to the door at the other end. “The bedroom is through here. Do you want me to bring the bags into the bedroom for you?”
    “No,” Rico replied. “Thank you. I’ll take care of them. I appreciate all you’ve done, but I’d like to be alone with my bride now.”
    Maria giggled. “Of course. But don’t forget breakfast.” Then she was gone and Angelina was still up in Rico’s arms.
    “Are you going to put me down?” she asked softly, her head tilted back to look him in the eye.
    “Yes.” But he didn’t. He held her gaze and she trembled.
    “You’re a very good kisser,” she told him, then blushed. She’d been instructed to think before she spoke, but her training seemed to have gone out the window as far as Rico was concerned. Nerves made her blurt out whatever was on her mind, regardless of the implications. Perhaps his family was rubbing off on her already.
    “Really?” Amusement turned up the corner of his mouth and she wanted to press her lips there. So she did.
    “Yes. I imagine you’ve had lots of practice. Have you? Had lots of practice kissing women?”
    Rico cleared his throat and lowered her to the floor, guiding her feet to the shining hardwood. His large hands were warm on her body before he let her go. “I’ve had my share of kisses.”
    “I haven’t.” The admission slipped out softly. “I know I’m probably a lousy kisser.” Her gaze bounced around the room, but she was too distracted to really appreciate the exposed brick wall and rafters, the expanse of windows facing the street, the comfortable looking sofa. Still, she looked anywhere but at the sexy man beside her.
    He caught her chin and tipped her head until she looked at him. “Your Highness, that’s a ridiculous thing to say.”
    “You can’t call me that here,” she reminded him yet again.
    “It’s still ridiculous.”
    “But I do need more practice,” she told him. “Practice kissing.” In that moment she decided to say what had been building in the back of her mind since she first realized she could have been killed the previous night. “But I need practice with more than just kissing too, Rico. I want you to help me.”

     
     
     

Chapter Four
     
     
     
    Practice? Help? Rico took a step back when all he wanted to do was come closer. “What are you saying, princess?”
    “Well, it was my first kiss. How can you expect it to be good? I need more practice.”
    First kiss? Merde.
    “I didn’t say it was bad.” There hadn’t been anything really wrong with the kiss. It had been endearingly clumsy. He’d thought she had been self-conscious because his family was watching. Evidently, Princess Angelina had been much more sheltered than he’d thought. King Alberto had been very protective of his only daughter, but Rico had no idea she was