“Is the invitation still open?”

“Of course. I wish we could talk to my father about what position would suit you best, but I don’t imagine that’s possible until after we arrive.”

“No,” Levi said. “For now, maybe we should stick with our current cover.”

Her eyebrows rose. “You do realize that if you play the part of my boyfriend in Sereno, you’ll be hounded by the press.”

“I have no intention of parading myself out in public for them to see,” Levi said.

“I hate to tell you this, but the press is a lot more intrusive at the palace than what I’ve dealt with here.”

Levi cringed inwardly at the thought of landing in the tabloids. He had watched Janessa navigate those murky waters enough times to prefer avoidance if at all possible. “The only people who need to know I’m your boyfriend are your guards.”

“Any new arrival will be noticed.”

“Not when your security team is in the process of increasing its staff.”

“True.” Cassie linked her fingers with his. “I just don’t want you to be upset when you get linked to me in the press. The longer we’re together, the more likely it is to happen.”

Levi replayed his earlier comment. Had he really referred to himself as her boyfriend? Had their fake relationship somehow evolved into a real one?

“How long do you want us to be together?” Levi asked, needing clarification as he struggled against Director Palmer’s directive.

“It’s scary to admit, but I don’t want this to end.”

Levi cupped her elbows to hold her in place, his gaze capturing hers. “Neither do I.” The moment the words were spoken, Levi recognized the truth of them. He might be a CIA operative, but right here, right now, he was simply Levi Marin, the man who was falling for a princess.

He leaned down and captured her mouth with his, the kiss seeping through him. No matter what Director Palmer might think, Cassie could never be an assignment. Levi was falling for her, and he suspected that she was quickly becoming the woman he could love for a lifetime.

CHAPTER 29

Cassie read through every word of the final agreement, her heart pounding in her chest. This was it. The moment she signed her name, Axion Oil would have the drilling rights in Sereno’s territorial waters, and her country would benefit from the jobs that would soon be created.

Cassie fought to keep her public armor in place and picked up her pen with a steady hand. She signed her name and slid the contract across the table. She repeated the process with the duplicate original.

Keith followed her lead, flipping pages to verify the latest negotiation points were included before he signed.

As soon as his signature was in place, he stood. He handed one agreement to his attorney and the second original back to Cassie. “Your Highness, I look forward to working with you. Thank you for this opportunity.”

Cassie accepted the offered contract and rose to her feet. “Thank you. I look forward to seeing you in Sereno.”