“Is she in?” Levi asked, waving at Cassie’s closed office door.

“Do you have an appointment?”

“No, I don’t.”

“Can you tell me what this is regarding?”

Levi suppressed a sigh. Why couldn’t he have fallen for someone living a normal life, someone who wasn’t surrounded by red tape and danger?

“I’m part of the princess’s new security team,” Levi said. “Would you please inform Princess Cassandra that I wish to see her?”

“I’m sorry, sir, but without an appointment . . .” Anastasia trailed off when the door opened.

“Levi.” Cassie’s cheeks colored slightly. “Were you looking for me?”

“I am looking for you,” Levi said. “Do you have a minute?”

“Yes, of course.” Cassie gestured to her office before focusing on Anastasia. “Could you please set up a meeting with Keith Maloney for tomorrow?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Levi followed Cassie into her office and closed the door behind her. He glanced around the large room, noting the stacks of papers on the worktable to his left and the open laptop on her desk.

“Are we really alone?” Levi asked.

She smiled. “Yes, we are alone.”

His earlier objective forgotten, he closed the distance between them and slid his arms around her waist. “I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you too.” Her hands lifted to rest on his shoulders, and she rose to her toes.

Their lips met, and Levi let himself fall. Every connection he had experienced with Cassie before strengthened, binding up his heart until it no longer belonged to him. Warmth started in his chest and spread outward, visions of forever hovering on the edge of his thoughts.

He pulled back, not sure he was ready to think about the challenges a future with Cassie could bring. He edged back a half step. “I’m starting to think I’m going to have to schedule an appointment to have alone time with you.”

“My mom used to say the same thing to my dad.”

“Occupational hazard, I guess.”

“I’m afraid so.” She dropped her hands. “What brings you by today? I thought you were working with Jeremy.”

“I was, but I want to do a check of the extended grounds and hoped you might want to join me.”

“On horseback?”

“That was my thought.”

“I’d love to.” She turned her laptop to face her and opened her schedule. “How long do you think we will be?”

“How much time can you spare?”

“None, but I need a break,” Cassie said. “My father is having an infusion this afternoon, so I should be able to push my afternoon appointments to later in the week.”

Cassie picked up her office phone. “Anastasia, I need you to clear my schedule this afternoon.” She paused. “Thank you.”

“All set?”

“Yes. Let me call the stables and have them saddle a couple horses for us.”

“I’ll take care of that,” Levi said. “You go change. I’ll meet you outside your suite in ten minutes.”

“You really think I can get to my room and change in ten minutes?”