“A wise woman, huh?”

Levi stood and offered his hand. “Very wise.”

* * *

Levi opened Cassie’s door to find Brenna standing on the other side, a breakfast tray in her hands.

“Patrice asked me to bring this up for you.”

Levi saw it now, the little flicker of attraction and disappointment in Brenna’s eyes. He couldn’t help but sympathize with her. He was beginning to understand what it felt like to experience an attraction for someone and know it would never be returned. It had taken every ounce of willpower not to kiss Cassie when he had held her moments ago.

Levi took the tray from her and gave Brenna a nod. “Thank you, Brenna. I appreciate it.”

Brenna offered a timid smile. “You’re welcome.”

Levi closed the door and carried the tray to the table. Cassie remained on the window seat, staring out at the Mediterranean.

“Come eat,” Levi said.

No response.

“Cassie.” Levi crossed the room and put his hand on her shoulder. “You need to eat something.”

“I’m fine.”

Levi lowered himself onto the seat beside her, his hand trailing down her arm. He took her hand. “You aren’t fine, and you need to keep your strength up,” he insisted. “You aren’t going to do your father any good if you starve yourself.”

Her head turned, their eyes meeting. “Do you realize that you have ordered me around more than anyone I’ve ever met, excluding my immediate family?”

“Maybe you need to be ordered around every once in a while,” Levi said. “Especially when you get so focused on others that you forget to take care of yourself.”

She angled her head as she looked at him. “I thought you would be different.”

“What do you mean?”

“Beyond the usual royal security force, I’ve had bodyguards before,” Cassie said. “The kind that surround me and keep me protected from everyone and everything. You aren’t like them.”

She turned her hand over and linked her fingers through his. “Thank you for telling me about my father. You didn’t have to do that.”

“Yes, I did. You deserved to know.”

“I agree.” She leaned forward and kissed him. “Thank you.”

The simple gesture sent the room spinning. Levi tightened his hold on her hand, and his eyes locked on hers. In that moment, he saw her. Cassie, the woman, not Cassandra, the princess.

His logic and discipline crumbled. His free hand reached up to cup the back of her neck. He leaned in, their faces close together, awareness lighting her eyes. He heard her quick intake of breath, felt her hand squeeze his.

Anticipation built painfully in his chest until he couldn’t stand it any longer. He closed the remaining distance between them until his lips met hers. The spark of attraction he had experienced a moment ago exploded inside him. The possibility of what they could be together paled to the reality. She lifted both hands to his arms as though trying to keep her balance.